Beach Trip--- May 4-8

At the beginning of May, we took a beach vacation to Gulf Shores with our buddies Scott, Valerie, and Tanner. Scott and Brad are in the same year of residency, and Val and I have relied a lot on each other during their long work days, never-ending call nights/weekends, and through the "mommy moments" that all new moms experience. The Davises are great friends to us, and we decided a relaxing vacation was long overdue! Emily and Tanner are about 7 months apart, so they have fun together and play well. This was our first time to do a "friend trip," and we'd highly recommend it!

Brad and Scott enjoying some raw oysters

While the daddies enjoyed the oysters, Emily enjoyed
watching the sea gulls fly overhead.

Wonder where she gets those big brown eyes?!

There were lots of groceries to be bought. She had fun
playing in the cart until those last few items.

We thought she'd be unsure of the water, but you notice
she walked right on down to the second step before I
could even get my cover-up off!

Then there was the occasional break to follow the ants.

Loving on Daddy on the steps

She liked the pool. The sand.......
that's a whole different story!

The only way she'd play in the sand was if she
was sitting on the tent floor, touching me.

Then perfection happened......she took a long nap on
the beach while Brad and I got to relax! Aaaaah!

She did lots of "wallowing" on this trip. We have
tons of pictures of her laying across me, sitting on me,....

The one time she played in the sand alone....seriously.
She must not have noticed I snuck a whole 15 inches away!

Scott, Val, and Tanner enjoying the ocean breeze--
Tanner was a little beach baby. If he so much as smelled
the ocean, he was out like a light!

It doesn't get much better than this!

Emily and Tanner enjoying a little bath--
I'm sure this picture will be used against them some day!

Brad and Scott made the BEST burgers on the charcoal
grill down at the resort park!

They loved playing together. Clearly, I need some
more practice on the sunscreen thing. I honestly
didn't realize it would rub in all the way. Live and learn!

Emily was fascinated by the birds. One swooped down
VERY close to our blanket to get some crumbs from her
fruit bar, and she is still talking about it.

Daddy, I still don't like the sand!

Relaxing in the indoor pool with Daddy and Barney--
She toted Barney around with her everywhere.

Val and me

Trying to convince her to stand up in the sand for
a picture.....we weren't doing too well!

We found some shells in the water, and they
distracted her long enough to snap a few pictures.

I wish I knew what they were thinking here!

We had a great set-up everyday. Granted, it nearly
killed us getting it all out to the beach, but it was
a great set-up with our Neat Sheets, umbrellas, chairs,
coolers, pinwheels, and toys! :)

I think Tanner and Emily had fun!

Having a little milk back in the condo--
I love the way her little cheeks look when she's
drinking, so I had to include this picture.

One last family picture before we headed to Lambert's,
the outlet mall, and then back home--