The USS Alabama Battleship, Mobile, AL

About to board the USS Alabama

Ready for the Tour

Looking down from above one of the MANY ladders in the ship. Now I know why all these military men were so skinny!!!

Big Guns!

The kids loved that they could actually touch so many things! Not many things were roped off.

Touring inside the hanger...tons of helicopters, jets, army jeeps, etc.

About to board the flight simulator.

Touring the Submarine.

Very small sleeping quarters.

The control room. Blake's favorite.

We made a little side trip on our way to the beach. We finally stopped in Mobile & toured the USS Alabama Battleship and the submarine on sight. We have said every year we want to stop, but never have. I'm SOOOOOOO glad we did! The kids all loved it, despite the intense heat & tons of climbing/walking. I totally recommend it! It was one of the boys' favorite part of our entire trip. Enjoy the pics & post yours when you go! ;)

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Beach Party! Take 2.

Beach Diva.

Burying her brothers!

Breaking free!

AHHHHHH! SAND MONSTERS!

Blake 2011

Bryce 2011

Starting a castle?

Watching the boys.

My toes....see, I'm here! LOL!

Teamwork!

Another beautiful day. Daddy got to play golf with a buddy while the kids & I hung out in the sand this morning. We went for sno-cones & a little Souvenir Shopping....and, I come out with another pet. Yes, I am the proud new mother of a hermit crab. Dang It!

Yep! We're Sand People!

First night on the beach.....

Sand Booty! :)

Working!

Checking out the waves this morning....early!

Blake helping Caleigh "walk" thru the sand.....

Bryce goofing around.

Blake looking for seashells....

....first thing this morning.....

"Look Mom, baby seashells!"

It's so funny, but I was telling a friend that we were headed back to FL for our annual beach trip. She just laughed, "You guys are such sand people!" Yep! We are! We LOVE the beach. It really is my 'happy place'. My kids' 'happy place' too! I'm SOOOOOO glad we're here!

Little Gymnast

Here is my little gymnast modeling her outfit today. Well, not technically yet a little gymnast! She starts gymnastics the week after our beach vaca. Have I mentioned I am really ready for vacation?!?!! We went today & tried on her leotard. I kinda like that they all have to wear the same thing. Cuts down on the "what are we going to wear today?" business. :) I do like to simplify! So, she looks adorable in it & I'm praying her little ankles & knees hold up & don't cause her any trouble so that she can really enjoy gymnastics!

It's Good To Be Me.

Blake wanted his art teacher from last year to see his worked framed above his bed. :)

Caleigh finished her 2nd Preschool Workbook. :)

Bryce is learning Spanish & teaching the whole house.

Blake is teaching himself Sign Language as well as taking a class at our local home school co-op this year.

We leave next weekend for many days of beach, oceans, boats, swimming & shell hunting.

I have a great house sitter so I don't have to leave my other babies, aka Duke & Bella, in a cage at the vet.

I have all of my curriculum in place to start the next school year when we get home from Vaca.

Right now, it's Good To Be Me. Now, don't ask me in a couple of hours! LOL!

At Least The Pool is Cool!

We are now on day 38 of 100 degree + temps here in Tyler. 38 Days Folks!!! Seriously. The ONLY thing cool, is the pool!

The Girl's Got Moves!

These are from my mom & dad's house last Thursday. Mom's birthday was Friday, so C and I went over and hung out with them all day while the boys were in camp. This girl LOVES music and dancing. She was showing the grandparents her moves to the Alvin & The Chipmunks version of Apple Bottom Jeans. Now, have you seen The Zookeeper? It is sooooooo funny! This song was in it and C just thought it was hilarious!!! It's now my ringtone on my cell. She can get her groove on every time my phone rings :)

Summer Favorites

Sorry, my pics are all out of order!!! Caleigh couldn't decide between her new blue shoes & Ramen noodles!! So, pictures of both were necessary :) Bryce's spider book....he can tell you about any spider in this reference book. He wanted me to take of pic of his favorite one. Blake...the most excited to see the new Harry Potter movie today.
Is it possible for a little girl to turn into a noodle?Bryce & his very worn out book!

So, the other day, I asked my kids to look around the house & pick up something that was one of their favorite things this summer. To this homeschooling mom's delight, both of my boys chose books (yeah!) Caleigh, well, we all expected her choice!!! Noodles & Shoes! That girl loves both! The boys are going to see the new Harry Potter movie with Dad this afternoon. They're excited! Hope we get out of the 100 degree temps here soon. I may have to take out a loan to pay my electricity & water bills! yikes! heart attack!