A Walk on the Beach

Before the rain, the whole crew headed to the beach for a walk. Noah and Pa Pa hand in hand.

Emma's first trip to the beach.

 

Shoes were kicked off immediately.

And a rather large stick was procured.

And, off we go.

Marking the path to find our way home.

The end of the island.

The Big Island

As a child, we spent many a summer vacation visiting Grand Isle.  We stayed at a camp right on the bay with a long dock.  We'd swim and ski.  Take boat rides and fish.  The adults would cook and drink beer. We'd play cards and watch movies on the Beta Max and a couple years later the trusty VCR.  At night, we'd have talent shows, which I'm pretty sure I always won.  I think my last trip to Grand Isle was for senior trip in high school.  Well, that was quite a while ago, and as many great memories that I have from all those trips, it took several invites from my sister before I finally accepted and took the kids down for a weekend.  Alright Mo... I should have accepted sooner.  It was really fun, and Noah had a blast.  Being February and with a really bad storm coming through there was no swimming or fishing, but there was lots of chilling and eating and of course, a talent show.  What a great weekend!

All the cousins were there.  From the oldest to the youngest.

Even Daddy made a cameo

Group hug from Noah.

Storms rolling in.

Enjoying a lot of marshmallows on the porch with Zack.

Ready for our beach walk.

Noah's favorite spot.  He didn't venture very far, but loved running and jumping around the porch.

Grammy and Pa Pa with all the grand kids.

Love outtakes.

ZIP-adeedodah

Sitting Pretty

It only took 8 months, but Emma's starting to get sitting down. Of course, she has her own signature style of sitting. It's more like a squat.

Which come to find out is all part of her master plan to conquer mobility early. Trying to stand?!? Seriously?!?

The Great Outdoors

The weather was warm today. And, the cool air and rain that threatened and misted all day yesterday was gone. Noah had the best time playing in Grammy and Pa Pa's backyard. At one point, I asked him if he wanted to go for a stroll, and he said, "No, Mom. I want to play."

Grammy spend a good part of the afternoon outside with him. We blew bubbles. I pushed him in the hammock swing where I taught him the old scout song, "three little angels." He especially loved the part about the "three little Martians all dressed in green trying to get to heaven in a washing machine."

The boys came over. The girls came over. He rocked the zip line, much improved since Christmas. He ran and ran. He did some swinging, pushed by Morgan. Seth threw him the football, which he caught. His little mind schemed for ways to get atop the playhouse like his big cousins.

He played outside until long after dark as Pa Pa and Uncle D grilled our steaks on a open fire over mesquite. Noah said, "mom, want to go camping?"

He came inside dirty and smelling like a puppy dog. "I'm hungry," he said. He scarfed down some BBQ chicken covered in ketchup, two oranges and a chocolate pudding.

At bath time, the water was almost black as the days dirt was washed away. About 8:00 PM, he came out of the playroom carrying the bed rail for the day bed. Pretty much a not to subtle hint that he was ready for sleep. What a fun day for Noah.

Happy ♥ Day

Homeward Bound

Only about 8 miles out of Texas, Noah has asked about 10 times, "is that Grammy and Pa Pa's house?" We've still got a ways to go, my man, but we're heading home.