2013 April Easter and Spring Break near Alys Beach, Florida

April 1-5, 2013.

In the past, all the posts have been camping in our Lazy Daze.  However, since I posted week one of Spring Break, I thought I would also post week two, even though we weren't camping.

We spent Easter with Jeanne's family at the East Glen Nursing and Rehab Facility in Trussville, Alabama where her mother is a resident.  All the immediate family were there (her dad, brother, and sister and their families, along with Jeanne's daughters and their sons).  It was pot luck and we had a nice meal together. Christmas was the last family gathering, so it seemed everyone enjoyed being together.  Jeanne's mother has dementia but is always with us in the present, that is if she can hear you.

 Sitting:  Jeanne's dad (85) and mom (84).  Top row:  Kelvin, Jeanne, Cathy, Jim.  Kelvin is Jeanne's cousin, but was raised as a brother. 

The day after Easter, we loaded the car and drove the 4 hours 30 minutes to Alys Beach to spend our second Spring Break with two of Ed's daughters, Beth and Ann, and their families.  Beth and John rented a condo several miles from the house Ann had rented.  It was located between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach off CR30-A.  We stayed with Ann's family.  It was a short walk to the beach and had a nice sized swimming pool, great for the kids.  The only problem we encountered was the weather.  It was mostly chilly, overcast and rainy.  The few days that it was sunny, we still needed sweatshirts.  

If anyone is interested in renting this house, let me know and I will get you info.  It belongs to friends of ours here in Hoover.

At some time during every day, the red flag was flying.  The waves were huge and the kids had fun playing in them.  However, it made Gigi and Granddad very nervous.

Granddad relaxing.

Andrew is almost 7 years old, but he's better at paddle ball than the older crowd (us)!

The annual sand castle!  They did a great job, as always!!

This Spring Break was the busiest that Santa Rosa beach has seen EVER!!  The beaches were terribly crowded and don't even think about getting into Destin.  It should have taken us less than 30 minutes to get to the Destin outlet mall from were we were staying.  It took 1 hour 45 minutes.  UGH!!

Kiley our oldest granddaughter.  She's 10, going on 17.  She has a great personality and beautiful smile.  She wakes up singing every morning.  She is a gift.

Andrew (7) is older than his years.  He is like a sponge and is very articulate.  Kiley (10) has a beautiful, pure heart.  Campbell (8) is beautiful and our artist.  She loves drawing and beading. 

We ate at the Red Bar, a funky little restaurant right off 30-A.  It serves about five delicious entrees. The dining room is small so the wait is hours ... unless you are smart enough to get there 45 minutes before they start seating ... like we did. 

 

 These are NOT the clothes their mother wanted them to be in for beach pictures, but after dinner, the kids and Gigi walked down to get some sunset pictures and the lighting was perfect ... so there you have it.  They couldn't be any cuter no matter what they wore!!

It was an awesome week, but we were worn out.  Since Feb 20th, when we left for Hawaii, we  have been home 11 days.  Far too few.  So we got home and kicked back and finished Season 2 of Downton Abby.  We will forever and always be reminded that we are so blessed to have seven beautiful and healthy children, as well as nine darling grandchildren to keep us on our toes.  We thank God every day for the moments we have with each one of them!

2013 March Alabama Spring Break

March 25-29, 2013.  We had our first week of Spring Break with Jeanne's kids and grandkids at Logan's Landing on Logan Martin Lake in Alpine, Alabama.  It's about 90 minutes from our house. It's a great campground for kids with heated restrooms and showers, a laundry room, store, and a well-stocked fishing lake.  The main lake and swimming pool will open around the end of April.  Our site was located on the fishing lake (B78).  The boys, ages 8, 10, and 13, love fishing.

The campground is also a safe place for kids to ride their bikes.

Here's Bear ready for a ride!

Bear's first fish.

As you can see, it was cold the first part of the week.

 We found this eagle's nest not too far from the campground!  She swooped down and took her place as we watched.

Daughter Amy and hubby Brian just invested in a new pontoon boat.  Of course, it had to be Kentucky blue!!

 Our site on the Fishing Lake.  The weather was chilly so the fire felt great!!

 This is Cole, our neighbor, with his catch.

Tim's son Josh is big into hunting and fishing.  He killed his first deer this year.

 Grandson Kaeden with his fish. 

 Amy and Bear with his fish.  I believe this was the largest of the day.

 The next morning the boys threw Doritos on the lake to attract the fish, then started catching one after the other.

 Amy caught the smallest of all, but still seems to be enjoying it!!

 It was Friday before Easter so one of the activities was dying eggs of course!!

 Amy and Bear.

Tracy and Kaeden.

 Our friends invited us over for Gumbo.  This is how he cooked it on his patio.  It was delish!!

Our Chef "Navy" Wayne and his wife Becky.

 

 Here comes Peter Cottontail...NOT hopping down the bunny trail...but rode in on his golf cart.

 Pretty big crowd of Easter egg hunters!

Zane is Navy Wayne and Becky's grandson.  His basket wasn't big enough!!

 The paddle boats are free to residents and renters.  Amy took the boys out.

 

 The cabins in the background have been purchased.  There are a few on the lake for sale.  Logan's Landing rents a two bedroom cabin, but it's not this pretty and not on the lake.  Daughter and hubby Tim rented it since it was way too cold for a tent!

The one man paddle boats were a big hit!!  The boys had a great time bike riding, fishing, paddle boating, cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmellows over the fire.  It's always a lot of work to camp, but always so much fun to be together!