Annual Destin, Florida Trip

2 years ago we started going to Destin, Florida in May. That year was a challenging year and we just needed some family time. It was an amazing and low key trip, just what our family needed, so we have decided to do it year after year, hopefully. We just take the kids out of school for 3 days as I comment to the school staff, "Don't let school get in the way of your education." (they love it!)

This year as we were entering Destin you could see the beach out the windows. Landon started yelling, "It's snowing". We realized that to him it looked like the snow we had played in that winter, and he was too young the year before to remember the beach.

We stay at a condo, RIGHT ON THE BEACH, and since it's the off season, it is very reasonable. We go to the local Walmart and stock up on food and basically just hunker down in our condo and spend the whole day at the beach. We love to body surf, dig sand apartments and sand castles and play "sorry free" volleyball (you aren't allowed to say sorry when you make a mistake). It is such a blast, which you can see from the many pictures on this post.

This is just out our sliding glass door!

Eric's favorite place! (well..actually in the water)

We found a friend while digging our sand apartments.

More fun photos...

Back to the 80's

Eric and I attended an 80's Birthday party for my friend Lara Lummus's 40th Birthday. Lara and I went to high school together in Arizona, and she lives in the DFW area. You gotta love Eric's walkman. Amazing what you can still find around your house!

Soccer Days

Dallin and Sydney are both playing soccer this spring. Dallin is on the Texas Kicks and Sydney is on the Lady Aces. Here are a few of their action shots!!

Is it really 2011?

Seriously, 2011? I am still blogging from spring of 2010. I am so slow and I have this "type A" thing about me that wants my posts to be chronological so I feel like I need to finish the events of last year, before I begin 2011. So, for me, I'm not sure when 2011 will begin??

Landon the Tin Man

Cute boy! Into everything, including the kitchen drawers, not so cute!

Hailey in Sports

Hailey did the long jump, triple jump, and mile and a 1/2 in track. She also played club volleyball this spring as the Libero on her team.

We're Getting a Pool!

On April 8th, 2010, they did the 1st drawing of the new pool on our grass. This is the 3rd time we've discussed building a pool. 3rd times a charm, we are actually going through with it!

This is the "beach/walk-in entry".

Eric diving in from where the "jump/diving" rock will be!

Easter 2010

Easter and Easter egg hunt! Looks like the Easter Bunny was in our house!

....and left some goodies and gifts for the kids.

Dallin

Sydney

Hailey and Landon

Girl's Weekend in Arizona

To celebrate the "year of turning 40", 3 of my best friends from high school met in Scottsdale, Arizona (where we grew up) for the weekend. It was a blast. We talked, laughed, shopped, ate, talked and laughed. It made turning 40 this year not seem too bad, especially having great friends like these for over 20 years.

Ronda and Lara

Lara and Lara

Jen and Ronda

Lara (and kids!), Jen, Lara and Ronda

Eating and Talking!

One Republic Concert

In March, Eric and I attended a One Republic concert at the Oklahoma/Texas border. It was a small venue and we were on the 5th row. It was incredible! We wish we would have taken the kids, who love this band.

Sea World 2010

Kids are in the last row!

For Spring Break we went to Sea World with our friends, Suzi and Kendall. It was a great time. The kids enjoyed Shamu, the other animal shows and the fun roller coasters.

I'm in the wrong business!

The other day I received this flyer on my front door. It is from a 13 year old girl offering her babysitting services. Check out her prices! So if Hailey isn't available to babysit, it would cost me $17 PER HOUR for her to watch my other 3 kids. She's making more than most college grads an hour for sitting and playing games and watching TV. Glad she says she "can pull some strings to fit me into her schedule." Geez....gotta go work on my flyer!

Sydney and Symmetry

Sydney brought home this "Symmetry project" and I just loved her definition of Symmetry. It reads, "My bat is symmetrical, because when you fold it in half, it is symmetrical." Her teacher wrote, "What does it mean to be symmetrical?" Duh! Her teacher obviously doesn't get it!

Dallin Creates Cool Art

Dallin's artwork was chosen as a piece from his elementary school to be displayed at the Lewisville District's Art Show in March.

Hailey's District Cross Country Championships

Hailey finished 8th overall at the District Cross Country meet. I think there were almost 100 runners from about 10 middle schools in our district. She finished 1 1/2 miles in 9:53.

Getting ready to go. Look at that focus.

They're off!

Landon's Haircut

For Landon's first "official" haircut I took him to one of those special places where you sit in a cool chair and watch a movie. It cost extra but is worth it because they are usually still and focused so the person can cut their hair easier. Well....Landon ended up in my lap, in a normal chair, hating the experience. She actually did a good job, despite almost cutting off her finger or his ear numerous times.

Hailey's 13th Birthday

Wow, my girl is in her "teens", and I'm proud to say, "I still like her." Many moms complain about their teenagers (I know we are in the early stages :) ), but I am very proud of Hailey. She is smart, fun, honest and has a lot of integrity. I am glad to be her mom and enjoy being with her.

She had a "flag football" party with a group of her school friends. She has a great group of school friends. They are athletic, smart, respectful, and fun kids that we enjoy having in our home.

We also played "Center, Left, Right" with candy. The winner went home with a large stash!