We're Back...

Cooper doing his big cheese face while digging in the sand.

Today, was a very non-eventful day(thank you Lord) of driving home from the beach.  We made it home a little faster this time-a little under 7 hours instead of 8 1/2.  I am happy to say that the kids did an excellent job and took naps this time.  We also had no car problems this time.  Yay!  We had such a great time at the beach that it was pretty tough to come back.  The kids really enjoyed spending so much time with my parents and brother.  I am so glad we were able to stay for longer than our normal week long vacations.  This gave us plenty of time to recover from the packing and driving so we could relax before we had to do it all over again to come home.  I look forward to our next vacation!

Obviously, I didn't take any photos today since we were driving.  So I figured I would throw in a couple from the vacation that I really like and haven't posted yet.

Grant doing his big cheese face while bowling.

Kindle doing her big cheese face while playing in the sand.

Celeste eating mini chocolate doughnuts.  She thought she was awesome!

Nathan & Gunnar relaxing under the shade of the tent.

I better go to bed now.  I am exhausted from cleaning, packing and driving.  Plus, there is still tons to do tomorrow...zzz

Boogie Boarding

We have been so busy the past couple of days that I have not had a chance to sit in front of my computer for more than a few minutes at a time.  Thank God for my iPhone or I would never be able to keep up with my emails.

Yesterday, we went to the beach during high tide so the kids, Nathan and my Dad were able to boogie board.  I have fond memories of boogie boarding at the same beach when I was a child so I love that the kids get to experience it too.  Plus, they are using the same boogie board I did.  Kudos to my parents for keeping them in such good shape after 20 years!  Cooper was on his own boogie board and just went for it!

Grant rode with my Dad, aka Grandpa, and also with Nathan and he LOVED it!!!  

Kindle wanted to ride on the boogie board, but she had no interest in going where the waves were breaking.  She wanted to lay on the board near the edge of the water.  She thought it was great fun!

Celeste hung out with my Mom, aka Nana, and I did get some photos of them jumping and splashing in the water.  However, if I was to upload the photos of my Mom in a bathing suit to the world wide web, I might be in a bit of trouble, so I won't.

Here's a cute photo instead of Celeste having fun in Nana's hat!

Nathan got a chance to ride by himself as well.    

It was another wonderful day at the beach with the breeze from the tent. 

Last night, we went to dinner with some friends that live down here.  It was so nice to see them and catch up!  We went to the Saltwater Cowboy and we each ate steaks.  Very yummy!  Then, we went to Wake Up Coffee Company.  They have their own version of a Frappucino.  I tried the one called Turtle.  It has caramel and chocolate and it is so awesome!  I didn't think much could top Starbucks, but I was wrong.  They make their own pastries and cakes too.  I had a cheesecake brownie that was warm with chocolate drizzled over the top.  It was definitely one of the best desserts I have ever tasted.  If you ever go to St. Simons, you have got to go check this coffeehouse out!

I couldn't resist adding this picture.  He was making such a funny face, but I  love how blue his eyes look!

Today, the guys went fishing.  They didn't catch anything, but they had a lot of fun.  Then, we went out for some seafood for lunch.  Afterwards, my Mom, Gunnar and I went shopping.  There is a quite pitiful outlet mall down here that we have been coming to for years.  Most of the stores have gone under, but there is a Gap, Bath & Body Works and Carter's outlet.  I got some foaming hand soap for $2 each.  I also got the younger 4 children Halloween shirts.   Then, we drove to the Old Navy and Target.  I found a Star Wars t-shirt for Cooper since I couldn't find a non-creepy Halloween shirt for him.  I guess I will keep looking.  Gunnar did pretty good.  He definitely loves being in the baby sling.   It was a nice afternoon break.  Tonight, we grilled out and went for ice cream and coffee.  I have spent the past several hours since the kids went to bed packing to head back tomorrow.  It has been such a wonderful vacation!  I am so thrilled that we got to stay as long as we did.  We also really enjoyed having my parents and brother here for part of the trip.  I look forward to our next vacation!

Kids Bowl for Free

Celeste bowling for the 1st time

Today, we went bowling.  This was Celeste's first time getting to bowl and she had a lot of fun!  She especially loved the shoes.  She was not interested in smiling for the camera because she was always too busy playing with her shoes to be bothered :)

All of the other children had a great time too.  Kindle did excellent.  She actually got the highest score for the kids (with bumpers of course).

Here she is knocking down the last pin to get a Spare!

Here she is showing me that she got down the last pin!

This video is not of her Spare, of course I had the camera turned off then :(

Grant was hilarious.  He would do a little dance and jump up and down after each turn.

                               

Check out his excitement!

Cooper was his typical "I want to be perfect at this" self.  We discovered he needed a heavier ball and he started playing a lot better.  

                                                                    

You have got to watch this victory dance Cooper does.  HILARIOUS!

  

My parents and brother came along too.  Gunnar hung out with Nana for a little while.

During the summer and through the end of August, you can go to www.kidsbowlfree.com and register your children.  They will each get 2 free games per day of bowling.  All you have to purchase is the shoe rental.  Our entire family bowled today for $10.  It is a pretty awesome deal!

Olive Shrimp, a Rainbow, Beach Bums & a Sunglasses Miracle

Last night, we made garlic lime shrimp.  Nathan marinated and grilled them.  They tasted so yummy!

Cooper took this pic of the shrimp on the barbie.

The final result

The kids ate their shrimp, some better than others.  Celeste decided she was not too sure about eating them.  One trick Nathan and I have to get her to eat her food is to put olives on whatever she is eating.  Celeste LOVES olives!  Given the choice between olives and dessert, she always chooses olives.  She must get it from Nathan because I do not like them at all.  I found some olives in the refrigerator and Nathan put them with her shrimp.  She LOVED it!

Note the olives with the shrimp & her excitement.

She ate it all up!

Gunnar chilled in his swing while we ate.  I am so glad that we brought it along!  

Cooper was taking his picture at the same time so he was actually smiling at Cooper's camera.

After dinner, we went out for Dairy Queen and drove down by the ocean.  There was a beautiful rainbow over the ocean.  Cooper had his camera so he took this photo.

This photo was taken through the tinting of the windows which is why the sky is so dark.

Whether on vacation or at home, Celeste spends most of her days doing her two favorite things: Coloring

And Reading Books!

Grant and Kindle have been playing with the Nintendo DS in their free time.  Even if one of them is playing, the other person sits next to them and watches over their shoulders.  It is sweet! 

They are best buds!

Today, we went to the beach.  We got to play in the sand and swim in the ocean for a good while before it decided to thunderstorm.  My parents and brother came to the ocean with us too.  We all enjoyed the outdoor air conditioning, aka the breeze and shade under the tent, while the kids played in the sand. 

Cooper enjoying the cool under the tent

Nathan and Cooper body surfed.  Grandpa and Grant were jumping over the waves.

Kindle body surfed as well, but was getting knocked all over the place since she is so petite.

While Nathan was holding Celeste, his Ray Ban prescription sunglasses fell into the ocean.  Nathan and I thought with the waves there was no way he would get them back.  A few minutes later, they brushed up against Nathan's leg and he was able to recover them.  Thank you Jesus!

It's a sunglasses miracle!

We are planning on staying till next Wednesday unless something changes.  I am so excited to get to spend a week and a half on vacation!  We have never been able to go to the beach this long before!

FORE!

Cooper, Nathan and my Dad, aka Grandpa, all went to play golf today on Jekyll Island.  This was Cooper's first time playing.  We told him this morning that he could ride along in the golf cart with Daddy and take pictures while Nathan and Grandpa played.  He was excited about doing that.  Then when they arrived at the course, the pro gave Cooper a kid's set of clubs to borrow and let him play 18 holes on the house.  Cooper was beyond thrilled!  

Grandpa giving Cooper some tips!

He did really well for his first time.  Grandpa even let him drive the golf cart.

I gave Cooper my old camera.  He took several pictures of Nathan and Grandpa playing golf.  I think he is becoming quite the photographer.

Cooper was so proud because he "beat" Grandpa.  He thought he was big stuff! 

Teeing off

Putting

Cooper decided today that he would like to be a professional golfer and a professional photographer (his future occupation changes about as much as he changes underwear).  He got a commemorative golf ball from the course to display to help him remember his first time playing.  He can't wait to go again!

Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Okay, so maybe not a cheeseburger, but how about a grilled cheese sandwich!  The song Cheeseburger in Paradise has been running through my head today.  And when I say song, I mean the only lyrics I know which are "Cheeseburger in Paradise"  Ha ha!  I guess it because we had grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and we are at the beach.  Who knows!

Nathan and I have come to the conclusion that I am the queen of useless information.  I can remember things like my elementary school friend's phone numbers or names of actors or movies that I have only seen once, but ask me to remember to buy toilet paper at the grocery store or remember how to get somewhere I have been before, you can forget it.  I don't *think* it is selective hearing, but I guess I can't really prove that :)  Speaking of remembering how to get places, I am thankful Nathan has a good sense of direction.  I am ashamed to admit that even though I have lived in Marietta, GA or surrounding suburbs my entire life, I still get confused when I get off at the North Marietta Pkwy Exit #265.  I always have to ask Nathan which way to turn. I think it is that darn White Water sign that confuses me.  But I digress...

We are still enjoying life in St. Simons.  We spent the morning running errands and cleaning for my parent's arrival.  Nathan took the kids to see Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.  They were really excited to see this movie because they really liked the first Cats & Dogs movie.  Tonight, we plan on grilling out again.  I love when Nathan is able to grill.  It tastes so yummy!  We have been so busy with kid's activities & Nathan has been so busy with work (which I thank God for), that we have eaten a lot of super quick, easy meals lately(Chick fil A).  I look forward to things slowing down a bit...on second thought, when I get back I start back to school with the kids.  Oh well, hopefully we will still get to grill out :)

Gunnar is 12 weeks old today.  Nathan took this photo of him the night before we left for the beach.  He is so smiley and cute.

Can you see Facebook pulled up on my laptop behind him? ha ha

Adjusting to our New "Normal"

Sweet Celeste never wants to leave her Daddy's side <3

I am sure any parent with multiple children finds themselves doing a head count when you are out in public.  It is hilarious because often times I find myself feeling like someone is missing even though all heads are accounted for.  Nathan does this too.  We have determined that once we get adjusted to life with another child, we must be thinking with out realizing it, "someone must be missing, this is just too easy."  I had that feeling twice today.  Once when we were getting ready to go to the beach and once when the kids were playing in the sand.  I guess that is a good sign that we have adjusted to our new "normal" with 5 children :)

Nathan took the kids to get water to make their sandcastles.

When we went to the beach today, Nathan decided to time how long it took to put the tent up since we knew what we were doing.  It took 25 minutes from start to finish, however, the 25 minutes went so quickly that I thought he couldn't be correct.  Ha ha.  For anyone considering getting one, please keep in mind that I am pretty much not helping at all since I am keeping an eye on the other children.  Also, the majority of the 25 minutes is spent filling up the sand bags we have that are used as weights so it won't blow away.  Obviously, 2 or more people filling them up would take less time.  Even Nathan agrees, it is definitely worth it though.  We sat under the shade of the tent today with a nice breeze.  It is great especially since I am nursing with a cover up at the beach so I am not pouring sweat.  Yay!  We got several comments today from people saying how they wished they had one.

Grant in his Sponge Bob swimmies.

The kids had tons of fun digging in the sand and splashing in the ocean.  Gunnar did great once again.  He just sleeps while we are in the ocean and only wakes up to nurse and then he is back to sleep in the wrap.  I am glad we decided to wait till mid August to come to the beach.  It is not crowded at all since most people have started school back (one point for getting to pick your own schedule with homeschool!)  Tonight, we grilled out and Nathan made his yummy mashed potatoes.

Kindle with the seashell she found.

Cooper loves covering himself completely with sand.

People ask me if there is a baby in there.  Ha ha!

My parents and brother are coming to join us for a few days tomorrow.  The kids are super excited to get to hang out with them at the beach house.  Nathan is hoping to get in a round of golf with my Dad.  I am hoping to do some scrapbooking with my Mom.