Christmas in July

Not All Is Well in Sweet Home Alabama

This is the master bathroom.

Even the shower was not saved from the pink.

Project, Number 1.

Sweet Home Alabama--From the Outside

Cute.

with a garden.

And a view that expands after our approximately 7.5 acres to about 1,600 undeveloped back there too. 

A deck and gardening shed included, with a wee little guest house--that will take just a little work...

But These Little People

In the midst of the moving, the little people reminded us that we had fireworks to explode. 

And frogs to catch. 

And morning coffee to enjoy. 

And more fireworks to set off, of course...

Moving

Rooms With Views

Trading a laundry room view of a wall for a laundry room window seat view of the hummingbirds. 

A sunroom view of the forrest instead of the fence 15 feet away that separates us from the neighbor. 

An Office with a view of the squirrels at play instead of the driveway.

A kitchen that seems to look out in all those directions. 

A dining room filled with light. 

And a family room to match. 

Now, the pink tinge in the paint must go, but everything in good time.

Why So Serious Elaine?

I know you didn't question us, surely?

Here we got you all the way to 7.

I know, you are likely questioning the outfit that I had chosen for you. 

Happy Birthday girl.

Flashback Friday

Alida, tomorrow you turn 7. 

This picture was taken when you were about 14-months old.

While I was out of town for a few days for work. 

Those few days were the only time I had slept in 14 months at that point, I'm sure of it. 

Happy Birthday Lady

Outings and Adventure

Elaine driving the boat during our Dolphin Tour; Alida took her turn a bit more seriously, like she watched which way she was going...

Those suckers are hard to get a photo of, particularly when you don't bring your camera because you lost it packing up your house for a move (oh, yes we did), but then you find it under the seat of the van on the day you are leaving.  Because you tucked it there at some point to make sure you didn't forget the camera, but then forgot that you tucked it there.  iPhone photos will do this year. 

The boys were in heaven on the go-cart ride that went up in the air on a very bumpy wooden track.  

The girls loved it too, although I don't know how they saw anything. 

Although a more tame track, I think they liked this one more. 

The Beach

Nicholas, doing his Baywatch impression as he hauled handful after handful of shells our way.

By the second day, he looked like he was our Indian exchange student for the summer.

The news showed sharks swimming just out there the week before we went;

Thankfully, we had no encounters.

And the place was perfect; it really did just feel like it was ours.  

No joke.  but I'm not giving away our secret.

A Week At The Beach

A Stuber Week at the Beach, just down the road; 

Our first-ever family vacation as we six that did not include a 15 hour drive and car sickness insanity.

Alida

In heaven on the Dolphin Cruise.

Ben

After getting too much sun on day one, covering up for all of days 2-7.

Nicholas

His stature doesn't really match his delight at chili cheese dog night.

Elaine.

The tooth fairy visited us twice on this trip...

Father's Day

I think it really has been that long since we've been here. 

June seems to be equal to insanity in our home. 

But we never forget this guy, who brightens all of our days. 

Insanity month wrap-up soon.