Summer Vacation ~ Sunday evening

Thanks to Ellen, we were able to get our annual family beach photos. And as always, she did a great job! Here are my favorites...

 Back ground story for the picture above...since DJ and I have been dating we have a sign that is just ours. The top is "DJ" and under that is "JJ" (when we were dating it was "JD") and all the initials are surrounded by a heart. I know it is corny, but we love it! So DJ made a big one in the sand. I just love this man!

Our traditional group picture with the Cortez family.

After the beach pictures we went back to Pier Park to eat at Red Brick Pizza. We found this place last year and loved it. So we made it a new tradition this year. And like last year we bribed this kids with ice cream if they were good during pictures. They were! So we ate frozen yogurt after the pizza. Thankfully it is just next door to the pizza!

 After pizza and ice cream we took the kids to the carnival at Pier Park. They only got to ride a few rides because they were closing. But they still had a great time!

Trey got to ride this balloon ride with daddy by himself but my phone wouldn't take a good photo. This time Hannah, Carson and Tori rode with DJ.



Summer Vacation ~ Saturday & Sunday

Panama City Beach, Florida ~ 2012

6 children + 4 adults + bigger condo + fun in the sun = priceless vacation fun!

5 am, leaving Arkansas and heading to the beach!

For the third year now, we have vacationed with the Cortez family in Florida. This year was a special one since they have recently adopted two precious children. After 12 hours of driving, we finally arrived just before dinner time. As tradition goes, we always eat out the first night. Who would really want to cook after the long drive? We have always chosen the same place for this first night, Reggie J's. It is an awesome surf and turf place located in Pier Park. Pier Park is an open mall area with food, entertainment, and shopping. It also has a pier that we havn't ever been on. Not sure why!

Outside Reggie J's the first night.

The trip down there was as long as ever! We were really excited to actually get to play in the water our first full day there!

Ready to play in the sand and water!

Ready to jump right in!

Hannah was ready and didn't hesitate to get wet by the waves.

Trey used a little more caution!

DJ getting sun block on and getting ready for the sun and fun!

They got to venture out a little with daddy!

He loved the waves washing over his legs.

The ONE, MOST IMPORTANT thing he has been asking to do all summer...build a sand castle with a shovel and bucket!

So daddy joined in and the REAL sand castle sculpting began!

We remembered to say hydrated and cool.

We decided to say down on the beach for lunch. The Cortez crew went up stairs to eat and rest. After lunch, DJ and the kids got busy on the sand castle and I did a little sun bathing.

While digging a tunnel, this man ran by and was handing out flags to "serious" sand castle builders. I guess we qualified cause he gave us one! It was really nice!

So in the last month....

I cant believe it has been a whole month since I posted last. Summer has kept us pretty busy.

1. VBS- Our church had Vacation Bible School in June. I signed up as a 2nd grade guide. It was a lot of fun. I had a small group and all the kids were really fun and great to hang out with for the week. Hannah and Trey participated in VBS too. Trey is still too young to attend if I'm not helping so his experience is a little different than Hannah's. His is more like childcare with crafts and games. Hannah learned all about missions and different stories in the bible. I loved hearing about her day when we would drive home.
2. DJ's trip to Peru- Friday was the last day of VBS and that morning was also the day DJ left for Peru. He went with a group from our church to do some mission work in Cajamarca, Peru. He was part of the medical team that sets up free medical clinics to the Peruvians and he ran the pharmacy there. It is an awesome thing our church does and he really enjoys being a part of it. This was his second year to go. Father's Day was the following Sunday after he left. So we weren't able to celebrate with him that day. But we made up for it after he got back. While he was gone I cleaned the house from top to bottom for him. Kinda a father's day gift I suppose.
3. Swimming- We have been swimming a lot too. Going to DJ's parent's house to swim and to Magic Springs. We have also swam at some friend's house too. Hannah has really come out of her shell when swimming. She is learning to trust herself more and her life jacket too. She has stopped hanging out only on the ladder and started to swim out in the pool. She has also shown interest in learning how to swim without her jacket. Yay! She doesn't really trust me that much to help her, but we are working on that. She prefers anyone but me! Trey still LOVES to jump in and swim all over. He still wears his life jacket but has shown interest in learning how to swim too. He is just a little to young still (and heavy). We'll get there!
4. Trampoline and outdoor activities- When the weather is nice we try to go outside to play. We bought the kids a trampoline after school let out and they love jumping with their daddy the most. We also play with chalk and ride the scooters/cars they got for Christmas. My driveway isn't really flat so this play only happens on the top and in the garage. And it has been getting way too HOT. So we have started limiting outdoor play due to the shear heat. Sprinklers are a nice way to cool off (and water the grass) but they don't hold the kids attention for too long. They prefer swimming instead.

I haven't really take many photos. I will have to make an extra effort to bring out the camera more often. Tomorrow is July 4th and we are going swimming at DJ's parents house. So I will try to capture the day better than I have of late!

Hannah's Graduation

It seems only yesterday DJ and I were holding our baby girl in our arms, only days old, and talking about Kindergarten like it was a life time away! Well, it has come and gone. Hannah has blossomed this past years in ways I never foreseen. All for the better! I am so proud of her and can't wait to enjoy our summer together! I don't think I want to start thinking about next year just yet! This past 6 years have flown by way to fast!

 Mrs. Harmon, her teacher, handing her diploma to her.

 Hannah whole class!

 Proud parents (and brother)!

 Daddy took off work to come! Very proud papa!

 And Mama!

 And proud grandparents!

 And Mamma!

 And Aunt Betsy

And Aunt Elizabeth and baby Hunter....

We are all so VERY proud of our Kindergartner Graduate!!!!

If you are interested in watching the video of the graduation (parts of just Hannah) I have it below. But I will warn you it is over 10 minutes long!



Taylor's Good-bye

My youngest brother, Taylor, left for the Army. Here are some pictures of his swearing in ceremony (after really, because you can't take video or pictures during)

 Go Army Strong! Watercraft engineer.

(re-enactment) 

Good luck and God speed to you Private Dobbs!

Mother's Day 2012

I LOVE MY KIDS!

And I love being a mother. They are a handful sometimes, but such a blessing all the time! I try my best at raising them in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I know I fail, but I do try. I have to say that I couldn't be the mom I am without my help mate, DJ. He inspires me to do my best and I love him so much! Also, I have many "moms" in my life I want to say a thank you to and that I love each of you! My real mom, my mother-in-law, my step mom, all my grandmas and great grandmas and grandma-in-laws, my high school mom, Janet, all the aunts and great aunts and aunt-in-laws, and so many other amazing women who I look up to!

Thank you for being in my life and showing me the way!

Mother's Day 2012

My Mother's Day gift from DJ. I have been wanting a charm bracelet for a while now. Something I can add to and have all the things I love in one place. So, it was only fitting he bought be my bracelet with the first charms being about my kids and motherhood. The birthstone charms are not my favorite and so DJ picked some pretty charms to represent the kids birthstone colors instead. Purple is for February, Hannah and Blue is for March, Trey. The middle charm says "mom" with a heart rhinestone. I LOVE IT!