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!