Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend kind of slipped up on us this year therefore we planned nothing.  May was a busy month for us with Mark's work, my volunteer and sewing and social engagements that before we knew the end of May was here.  With the rain coming in and out most of our ideas didn't pan out but none the less we had a good weekend.  Saturday there was a Lake Fest going on at Lake Talacco on post but as we headed there the pouring rain came so a trip to the lake turned into going to Dothan to Shop.  Later that evening I met up with some friends at our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner and drinks.  We had a good time catching up and eating the yummy foods.

On Sunday we spent the day going through closets and reorganizing.  We are wanting to have a yard sale this weekend so we took advantage of the long weekend to get more junk together.  Yesterday we headed out early for one of our usual day trips to Destin.  We arrived at 9am as usual set up only to stay 15 min because of large dark clouds rolling in.  In typical beach weather fashion in rolled in fast and left fast but by that time we were dressed and loaded.  We headed to the outlets for a quick stop at some of our favorites.  By this time the weather was bright and sunny.  We then grabbed a bite to eat at "The Back Porch" restaurant. I have always heard great things about this place and the location did not disappoint.  It was right on the beach which was great to Keep Ava entertained while we waited.  The food was ok.  I think we are just partial to Harry T's.

On the way back home we stopped off to have a quick walk on the beach.  As we were walking Ava met a little friend named Harley and we let them play together on the beach.  The ocean had made a small pool on the beach, perfect for two 2 year olds to splash and play together.  Harley's mom was there and we all started talking when her husband came over looked at Mark and said "Captain Legaspi".  Talk about a small world...it was one of the guys in Mark's company when he was in Command in 2007 at Fort Campbell.  He is now out of the Army and living in Louisiana.  It was nice to catch up and a perfect way to spend Memorial day with my favorite hero.  Many times this weekend my thoughts and prayers went out to all who are serving and risking thier lives for the life we live and as well to all of the veterans Thank You!

More Destin Fun

After the beach on Sunday we went to Destin Commons Mall. We used to always go to the outlets in Destin but now we love going to the Destin Commons Shopping Mall. It is an outdoor mall with a wonderful play area for kids. We had so much fun watching Ava go and hold her own against all of the kids there. She is growing up quick!

The little girl in the purple top kept helping Ava on all of the slides.  It was so cute.  At one point they were holding hands through the play area.  No word was spoken between the two just play.

I love her reaction to the water splashing up.  She had such a fun day!!!

Beach Sunday

The last two Sunday's we have taken a quick trip to the beach. After hectic weeks at home we just need a little get away and new scenery. As always we loaded up early and started the day at the beach. The weather was over cast and very windy which made for some killer waves. Ava didn't seem to mind. She loved it! Mommy on the other hand was very nervous!!!!

Mothers Day

I got exactly what I wanted for Mothers Day...A trip to the beach with my favorite little girl and wonderful husband.  We left our house around 7am and arrived on the beach by 9am.  We went to our favorite little spot just before you get into San Destin.  Ava didn't want much to do with the water but loved to play in the sand and look for  "sea sells" (sea shells) with Daddy.  I had a very relaxing time watching Mark and Ava play while listening to the waves crash on the shore.  After a few hours of playing on the beach and a quick wagon ride down the beach we headed to lunch at our favorite place Harry T's.  It is right on the water where boats cruise around. Such a beautiful view.  Afterwards we went for a train ride and a quick shopping stop at my new favorite place Destin Commons.  There are alot of nice shops and even a play ground for the kids.  Wish would could have stayed forever but had to return home to prepare for the work week.  What a great trip we had and a perfect way to spend mothers day!

Our view from our table at Harry T's

Huntsville Race

This past weekend we headed up to Huntsville, Alabama for Mark's mountain bike race.  My uncle and his family live there just a few miles down the road from where the race was so it was a perfect time to visit them as well.  Ava had such a good time playing with Alex and Alison.  I think they probably needed a nap after we left.  Ava was constantly saying meer (come here) Alison and wanting her to go up and down the stairs with her.  We don't have any stairs in our home so she thinks it is so fun to go up and down.  

Sunday was Mark's race so we headed up to the top of Monte Sano for the race.  Luckily it was right by a play ground so I could keep Ava entertained for the day while we waited.  Mark's race started at 9:30 but the course takes about an hour to ride so it was alot of waiting but we had fun.  We were so proud of Mark coming in 4th!!!!

On the way to Huntsville at 6am.  Ava had to wear her shades and watch Dora LOL!

Playing Wii with Alex.  Not really but she thought she was.

She was so excited to see the playground.  She was moving so fast the picture came out blurry.

Making sure the bike was ready for the race.

Good luck kisses for Daddy

Mark had his game face on.  Even the guy to the left of him said something to him about looking serious ha!

Ava used the leaves as pom pom's to cheer Mark has he went through the finish line.

Congraulations Daddy!

Giving the metal to Ava

Way to go Mark!!!!

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh my!

Today Ava and I met up with some of the mom's and kids of our MOPS group in Enterprise.  MOPS stands for mothers of Pre-schoolers and is a great organization of friendship fun and fellowship for us stay at home mom's.  Once a month they provide free child care and a place for us mom's to get together and have some mommy time.  On fridays some of the ladies get together for a play date with the kids and usually take turns having it at each others homes or a local park.  This week they decided to go to a local zoo called McClellan's Critters.

McClellan's was a neat little place about 45 minutes from here out in the middle of no where.  It is not your typical zoo in that you can get up close and personal with the animals and even touch and hold some.  They even had a little baby bear running around free along with a goat.  The baby bear was so cute and friendly.  The goat was cute too but was a snack snatcher.  He kept trying to grab all of the kids snacks as we were checking out the monkeys and even jumped up on the table to try to snag our lunches.  He was quite a handful.  Since it was a small locally owned place and we were the only group there that day it was nice to be able to let Ava walk around as she wanted (I was closely behind) and take our time if we wanted.  Mike was our tour guide and he went around and told the kids all about the animals and even got out a few for the kids to pet.  Ava of course liked them only at a distance.  He favorite was the cow and the camel.  We had such a great day!!!

Oreo the cow

Monkey drinking a coke

Snack snatching goat

A Liger

All day Ava kept pulling on the fence and saying open

This was how Ava was most of the day...running!

Baby alligator

Mike the tour guide showing the snakes and letting the kids hold them

Ava kept going back to oreo

"Hi Camel"

and back to the cows again