Gulf Shores vacation

We just got back from a week long trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama. This may be redundant if you are on Facebook, sorry! Wow is all I can say. I went to GS the summer before I started ACU and I don't remember it being this pretty. Brad and I both agreed that the beach was better than Mexico! The water isn't as blue and clear, but the sand is amazing.

We lef the metroplex at 7am. We rented a Suburban and my parents drove their Maxima. One carseat went in their car and the other two in the Suburban. It worked out great to rotate a kid every stop. The drive went so much better than what we expected! It was a LONG 16 hours. I am even more thankful for portable DVD players, fruit snacks and cousins to entertain each other! I think there was more complaining and whining from the adults!

We pulled into Gulf Shores around midnight. The kids got their second wind while the adults unloaded the cars. Everyone was in bed by 1ish...and up by 6...at least our kids. Mom and dad were the only ones that slept in during this vacation. The trend remained for the girls to wake up at 6. Lovely!

Our condo was great too. Many props go out to my sister who researched for hours finding us the perfect place. Pictures don't really do it justice, this place was nice! It was very reasonable too, when you split it with multiple families. Let me give you a little tour.

The elevator opened to our foyer. OPENED to our foyer! Every time it opened I wanted to say, "Welcome to my crib".

Take a left from the foyer and you head down to the kitchen and living room. Kelly and Wade's room is on the left.

The living room had panoramic views of the ocean. There was also a semi-wrap around balcony.

The couch fit all 6 adults very comfortably while watching multiple episodes of The Office. The kitchen was fancy too. We cooked three dinners at home and ate out once.

The view to our right.

And, to our left.

Back at the foyer, take a right and you head to the other 3 bedrooms.

This was our room. It was as big (if not bigger) than our living room and kitchen combined! Each room had it's own bathroom and flat screen tv...and their own balcony too!

This was Mallory's room. She had an entire king size bed to herself.

If you are ever going to Gulf Shores with your family, email me and I'll send you all the info. You will not be disappointed....or we just don't get out much:)

I would do a play by play of every day, but it was pretty much the same. On the beach by 9ish, swimming in the pool/hot tub, up in the condo for lunch and naps, dinner, walks on the beach, baths, dessert for the adults (I won't tell you how many tubs of ice cream Wade, I mean we, consumed) and multiple episodes of The Office. So, here is our week in pictures!

Tate, Wade, Brad and the girls swimming in the indoor pool. Morgan preferred this much more than the ocean!

This is what Morgan wanted to do on the beach...the whole time!

Floaties and a toddler belly are the next big thing in modeling...right??

Mallory and Tate jumping around in the "little ocean". They had a blast playing together.

Hey, look! Morgan is smiling! Oh yeah, it's because she's on the towel and not on the sand!

One of my favorite of Mallory. It was her first time in a "bubble bath" in a hot tub. We think there might have been a little too much cleaner left in when the jets turned on!

Lots of snuggle time with Mimi and Grandpa.

The first day...before Morgan decided she hated all things to do with the beach!

On their way to the beach for the first time!

This was after our photo shoot on the beach. My mom wanted to get family pictures made. It was a little windy, but hopefully they turned out good. At least Dad got a good shot!

Heading out the first day! Everyone is excited!

Kelly and I tried to stay an extra day, but the plan fell through when Mallory was up the last night semi-puking. So, we packed up Wednesday morning and hit the road by 8. We pulled into Kelly's driveway around 9:30. The drive back was even better than the one there. It was a great vacation and we are trying to figure out how to go there every year!!

Time's ticking...

There is only about 3 more hours left for the giveaway at Jelby's! Go now and enter to win a free set of super cute and super unique burpies!!

It's a giveaway!

I'm hosting a giveaway at Jelby's!! Go take a look, and enter to win!

Mother's Day 2009

On June 5, 2006, my identity as a woman changed forever. I became known as "Mallory's mommy".

December 18, 2007 changed my name again. I was now known as "Mallory and Morgan's mommy".

I'm in the middle of reading Sacred Marriage. In one of the recent chapters, Gary Thomas talked about how marriage is like a mirror reflecting your true self (totally paraphrased by me). I'm sure in his other book, Sacred Parenting, he probably says that parenthood is an even bigger mirror!

I won't say that motherhood has always made me look the most beautiful at times, but it is definitely the most rewarding thing I have yet to do. It's overwhelming to think about the responsibility I have in the life of these two precious girls:

The love overflows, the discipline is hard, the hugs are amazing, the spontaneous "I love you Mommy" is enough to make even the hardest day better, and the joy that I feel being their mother is unending.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day (and eve). Brad sent me away Saturday to spend some cash however I saw fit. I didn't come home for 5 hours!! I also got some beautiful begonias planted in the pots by our front door. We went to church yesterday and heard an encouraging sermon on being a wise momma. It was followed by a yummy brunch/lunch at Cracker Barrel. Mmm!

What a blessing to be Mallory and Morgan's mommy! And, what a blessing to be at home with both of them and watch as they learn and grow!

My birthday weekend!

My birthday was almost two weeks ago, but I want to blog about it, since it was so much fun! I think it's even more fun when your birthday falls on a Friday, that way you have a reason to celebrate all weekend!!

On Friday, Brad came home to watch the girls while my friend Karen took me to lunch. We went to a tea room in Salado. It was wonderful to eat a lunch and not worry about two other mouths to feed at the same time!! I came home from lunch greeted by Mallory and Brad. Mallory was dying and literally yelled, "We bought you a present and a card!!!!" On the table was a card scribbled on by Mallory, Morgan and Brad. Then, I opened this:

I am not a big jewelry person, but, aside from my wedding rings, this is my favorite thing to wear! I helped Brad a little (sending him the links to four different sites), but he ordered it all by himself and picked out which one to get. I love it!! And, if we happen to have another little one someday, then I can just add his/her charm on!!

Friday night, we went out with a group of friends from church. Back at our women's retreat, we were talking about how great the atmosphere was at the restaurant we were eating at. Meredith told us about a fun German restaurant in Walburg that was kind of similar. So, the plans started and we actually followed through!!!


Walburg is a town that isn't known for much except for this cool Biergarten. They have a real restaurant with plates and everything, but we thought it'd be more fun to sit outside and listen to the "Walburg Boys". It was! The food was so so (I didn't venture out with the German food, just a safe cheeseburger), but the company was great!

Here's a group shot:

All of the girls: Karen, Sarah, Meredith, Natalie, Me and Laura

Mallory and her buddy, Bella, dancing the night away!

Morgan has been making this "Elvis" face for a long time. I haven't been able to get it on camera yet, but finally did (even if it's blurry)!

Me and Laura with Morgan. Apparently, we are long lost sisters. At church on Sunday, the nursery worker asked Laura, "Are you and Morgan's mommy sisters??" So funny, since both of us look nothing like our own sisters!

Mallory and Bella waiting on the food...or the music to start!

Saturday, my parents came to Georgetown with us to watch Brad's spring scrimmages. They brought our nephew, Tate, since his mommy and daddy were living it up in San Fran for their Anniversary. It is never a dull moment when Mallory and Tate are together. I'm actually surprised I have so many "still" shots.

This picture is while they were resting. You can see by the sweat on their faces and in their hair that there hadn't been much down time. Tate ended up on the field at one point during the game! Oops. Good thing he's the coach's nephew!!

Every time Tate sees Brad, he usually says "Soccer!" Well, after this weekend, he added a new phrase when he sees Uncle Brad..."Score!!" It was pretty cute. Brad was talking to some other coaches and Tate would run by yelling "Score!" while kicking his soccer ball. Not much longer and Tate will be able to come to Uncle Brad's soccer camps!

Grandpa, providing some entertainment.

Big sister couldn't miss out. Plus, her baby wanted to ride on her shoulders too.

And, the highlight of Mallory's day! Mallory LOVES to "drive" Brad's Jeep into the garage. Since it's only 10ish feet, I put Morgan in to. They both had a blast!

What a fun weekend! I got to celebrate with family and friends. Doesn't get much better than that!