Nauvoo Family Vacation 2009

Make a Smilebox photobook

Tennessee Top Five

1) Being in town for our niece Lauren's wedding. (this afternoon - pictures to follow)

2) Seeing Lilly, Laci and Blaise rehearse for their part in the wedding. So cute. They are going to be Flower Girls.

3) I met a new blogger! Her name is Liz. We were on decorating detail together.

4) Staying on a military base. We are staying at Fort Campbell, KY. John was actually born at this base. Aww....

5) No laundry!

Beach Fun in Destin, Florida

We had a total blast at the beach! It was so wonderful to get away, to chill on the beach, take naps, walks, watch movies and a enjoy a freezer full of ice cream and other delectables!

Here are just a few of our favorite pictures.

Enjoy!

{Wait until it loads and then click the "photos" arrows to see pictures-- the flowers on the top just change the fun animations...}

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Beach Bunnies

Today was a chillaxing Sunday.

We went to a Stake Conference in Fort Walton Beach, which was wonderful. Many of the talks were so great and highly needed.

We ate lunch, lazed around, had naps and then took a walk along the beach. When we came back, we had a yummy dinner (we have a full kitchen) followed by a game of Disney Scene-It. We topped off our day with an old Disney movie, The Great Mouse Detective, and cookies.

It is so great to spend time together. I just can't explain how much we all needed to just be together. Our life has a way of leaving us in the dust sometimes. This week we are taking it back!

Random Car Conversation

Stephie: Do snakes lay eggs?
Me: Yes.
Stephie: Oh, snakes lay eggs. Cool.
Lilly: Snakes lay eggs?
Me: Yes, snakes lay eggs.
Nicky: Snakes eat eggs?

Which Way to the Beach?

Last Minute Vacation Plan Change:

Destin, Florida

Home of the White Sugar Sand Beaches

So our family was all keyed up to get the heck out of Dodge and our Arizona trip has been postponed.  We are off to the beach for a little sun, surf (haha... I think that there are SHARKS in the ocean...) and family fun time.  Catch you on the flip-side.  

Burger Day Festival

So here I am; freshly-arrived in Oklahoma, and ready to get a party on! This is my super-fab Aunt Viv. She is ten years older than me, but we have kids who are similar in age. It is a blast when we get together. She brings out my silly side!

Nicky had a major crush on Aunt Vivi! It was sooo cute! He flirted like crazy with her.

Oh, and note that Froggy is wearing a pullup. He is potty-training, you know. (Nick's idea-- he has pullups on many of his lovies.)

Here is Jack, Stephie and Maddy. They always have a good time together. Jack is a big teddy bear. Everyone loves to be around him. Aliki was MIA at the moment. She had lots of things on the go, but we were able to see her a bit and look forward to more time with her in the summer.

The moment we had all been waiting for... Jack performs with his band, The Merge. Jack composed all of the songs that they played, and I am here to tell you that they were GREAT! It was so amazing to see.

Wide Shot of the Band

Their name on the marquee.

Lilly and Nick on the Ferris Wheel
It surprised me that-- not only did they want to ride it-- but also that no hysterical screaming broke out. I didn't have to have the ride stopped. I didn't have the scale the structure...
I have climbed in one-too-many McDonald's play tubes in my time...

Maddy and Stephie Enjoying the Festival

Stephie won a Fish!! We call him Pablo.
There is more to this story. I'll do Pablo's Perils post tomorrow...

Lilly with Balloon Poodle on a Leash
... so she only really wanted it for a minute, and then I had to carry it... but I had to be careful with it... and I had to be sure not to pop it...

The Monster Line for the Much-Awaited Onion Burger

Mmmm... this bite it for Rebecca, and whomever else requested one!
They were good and greasy... so was the funnel cake, the fries, the sugared almonds...

Jack got a temporary tattoo to commemorate the occasion.

Aunt Viv and Uncle Ray
(thanks for letting us crash the festival, guys!)

Aurora and the Barbie Nash Rambler
There was a car show going on too, but I am not normally drawn to cars. This one, however, had me at Hello.

A Quick Get-Away

And we are off for a little trip up to
"O-O-O-Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain.."

We are going to visit my favorite-aunt-of-all-time Viv! She lives in El Reno with her husband Ray, and her children Aliki and Jack. This weekend is the Burger Day Festival. Yes, as in hamburgers. Yummy. {wait are they on my eating plan?--who cares!} At this great little festival Jack, who is lead-guitar in a band called The Merge, is performing. We are all jazzed to make the trip up there to see them do that thing they do.

So I guess I better finish packing and load up our surrey with the fringe on top!

Have a great weekend!