Gulf Shores

My excitement for our beach trip this summer was a little dampened by the recent news of the oil spill. But---the good news is that it really hadn't affected our beach all THAT much so we still had a wonderful time! It was absolutely beautiful as always.

We couldn't wait to get our toes in the sand, so first thing Monday morning, that's what we did! And the water was beautiful!
One con about the beach when you're traveling with babies---it sits RIGHT on the Central/Eastern time zone line---so, you guessed it, the sun comes up REALLY early. What time did the peanuts wake up every day? 5:50 a.m. ah! But, at least it was BRIGHT at that time. Playing with Papa at approx. 6:00 a.m. :)
We spent one day visiting with my great, great aunt Laura who now lives in Fairhope (about an hour drive away). She is 94 (I think?) and as hilarious as ever! Still got it! Here are she and Mimi (my grandmother, her niece) laughing just like in the old days. It was so sweet!

AM with my beautiful Jurgensen cousins

Enjoying an early morning with our little family on the beach

We spent alot of time in the pool after a mid-week storm blew in more tarballs. Clarky had fun!

Beach time!

Happy guys

One night we ate dinner at Mellow Mushroom, which is relatively new to Gulf Shores, but was at Auburn when I was there. It brought back memories because it was one of our favorite hang outs!

The cousins had matching jammies!

One of my favorite times of day at the beach...sunset. We took pics of the babes.

Sweet sibs

Clarky boy

Sister golden hair

Can't wait till Bubba can walk! :)

Little stinkers!

AnnMarie had so much fun with cousin Cassie "lola" as we call her.

Ah...the life!

Uncle Josh played with the two munchkins at snack time by the pool

Our family. So blessed!

Julia and I practicing our hip poses

Brooksy looking out over the pool at dinner one night

We were there seven days, and it went by so fast! I'm so glad we still went in spite of the oil spill. Which, I must add, is aWfUl. :( I can't even watch that video of it just spewing into the beautiful ocean. Thankful for beaches that are still clean somehow and still open for us to enjoy. Can't wait for next year!!!

Swim Lessons

...Were worth every cent this year! More on that later...

We did a two week session with our sweet friend, Karoline. First day: all smiles! I don't think they knew what they were in for! :)

Jump to the last day...umm...a little more apprehensive? :) (I know that seems backwards, but the last day was the "showoff" day for parents to come watch so I think they were a little nervous!)
And the showoff session began...doing a little kicking to warm up
"bobbing" with a partner

Let the swimming begin!

Even better---jumping in!

Grand finale---jumping off the diving board--twice!

Yay, sister!

SO proud with Miss Allison and Miss Joy.

The amazing thing is that this child would NOT put her face in the water last summer! I was really hoping for her to be more independent this summer now that I have Bubba to watch. I also thought it was time to lose the floaties. She has made some mAjOr progress. Sean and I were stunned as we watched the last day. Thank you to the McDowells, super swim teachers---you taught my child to swim!

Most of all--way to go, AnnMarie!! You worked so hard and are Mommy and Daddy's little fish. We're so proud of you!

Dance Recital

My little dancing queen had her first dance recital!!!!!!!!!
Here's the dancin darlin:

with her dancing buddies...
AnnMarie and our sweet friend, Ally
I took these pics at the dress rehearsal so here she is in the "finale":
Bubba was out of control so we decided the dress rehearsal would be the only performance he'd get to watch. :)

First dance---tap! "Calendar Girl" Of course, I thought November was best!

The Calendar Girls

Next up--ballet--"Give a Flower". Check out this pose...

She was such a good dancer! Mommy and Daddy were SO proud. (and a little nervous for her first time on the stage!)

Afterwards, the whole fam was there to greet her and give her a big cOnGrAtS.

A little in awe of the crew:

Great job, AnnMarie! You are the best tiny dancer we've ever seen! (Thank you to all the family for coming to support our prima ballerina. You made her day!)

Lastly---work it, girl. Want to know what she was thinking?---"Now I get to wear this costume EVERY day"

Today's produce!

We had a wonderful bounty today!

Guess I better get to fixin veggies!

one.month.away...

...sigh...
the past eleven months have been a blur. so incredibly fast.

we blinkedand they were gone.

This month went the fastest. Here's why:

Julia came over to play for a bit. Clarky looks WAY too excited.

He and big sister watched for Daddy's truck

He took some rides around the backyard in the wagon
Don't be fooled===this was the one and only time he's EVER held his bottle...Mama's boy :)

He helped Brooks turn one!

He is all of a sudden ON THE GO. Nonstop. Mommy's life has changed.

He chilled

He tickled the ivories..

He went swimming for the first time!

He got SO hot on Memorial Day

He rocked some designer jeans...Huggies style

I am a little vaclempt thinking about the fact that in less than a month you will be one, little Clark. My precious baby, I have enjoyed every blessed second with you! I am going to intentionally and joyously enjoy these last days with you as an infant. I love you, sweet angel boy!

You:

-greet us every morning with a large dirty diaper :)

-have recently develped terrible eczema that we have to keep in check with large doses of Aquaphor wash and lotion constantly

-are still drinking 4 bottles a day, although in the past few days, you seem to be wanting to drop the mid morning one

-are still getting up at 6:30ish and going to bed at 7:00/7:30

-will seize every opportunity to crawl and climb into every spot you shouldn't be (aka the toilet, trashcan, under the sink, etc.)

-have started babbling away!

-your favorite tricks to perform are "big boy" (holding arms up in the air), showing you're about to be "one" (holding one finger up), playing patty cake (always a favorite), smacking your lips back at daddy, and "growling" like a tiger when we read your Noah's Ark book

-eat as much as your sister and weigh almost the same

-are only taking two naps now