Family Beach Vacay 2012

This past Saturday we returned from a relaxed week at Panama City Beach.  It actually turned out that Cheri and Chris (my cousins) needed a dog/house sitter for their house in PCB for 6 weeks while they were on vacation themselves.  Cheri had set up different people to stay different weeks.  It just so happened that she asked if we would want to stay the same week we were already planning our family vacation to the beach.  Perfecto!!!  It was a win-win situation for everyone.  We went down on Saturday, June 30 and came back Saturday, July 7.  We had an absolute blast!  Not to mention they live in the neighborhood directly across from Pier Park on Back Beach Rd....and have a golf cart...and 2 neighborhood pools (the biggest and best one being a block from their house).  Score...again!! :)  I won't bore you with allll the details from the week, but I will say we had a fun, yet relaxing, and WELL DESERVED week at the beach and ate our share of yummy seafood.  Just the 3 of us.  It was so nice to get away and soak up every moment and memory of fun with little man.  We went to Pier Park I think every night except one.  Hampton, well, Daniel and I too, loved watching everybody (it was slam packed every night) and just taking in all the sights, smells, and feelings that come with being at the beach. 

Hampton rode a carousel for the first time at Pier Park

We went to the beach only one day out of the whole week.  Hampton is not the biggest fan of the sand right now (not to mention neither is his OCD mommy) AND all the baggage that you have to lug with you is not cool. 

Therefore, we spent the majority  of our days here... ;)

Ahhhh...much better!! 

We headed over to the outlets in Destin on Tuesday to take a little break from all the Vitamin D we had been soaking up the last few days.  We ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise and then shopped till we dropped. 

Wednesday was July 4.  It was rainy and ugly all day until late that afternoon.  Mother nature decided to play nice and give everyone a chance to get outdoors a bit to shoot some fireworks, grill, listen to a band, or any other ritual that we Americans do on this national holiday.  We decided to take the party to the none other Pier Park for our evening of festivities.  They were having a band and fireworks on the lawn of the huge park set up beside Pier Park so we figured that sounded just as good as anything else.  After circling I think the entire parking lot 15 times for a parking space we FINALLY got lucky.  We get everything out and head over that way and it hit me.  I FORGOT my camera.  And if you know me, forgetting my camera is the biggest NO NO ever.  I never, ever forget it.  Capturing moments and memories is an all time favorite of mine.  I almost cried.  No joke.  Daniel (the sweetest hubby on this planet) even asked me if he could go get it for me b/c he KNOWS how I feel about taking pictures.  Of course, I wouldn't let him.  I just sucked it up and went on about life (all the while couldn't hardly have fun for wishing I had my dang camera the whole time).  But, I lived.  And I settled for my i phone camera.  Not my first pick obviously, but it works just the same.  Here are a few from the night...

Kisses for mommy :)

Listening to the band

Camera or no camera, we still managed to have a great time and made wonderful memories and that's all that matters.  However, I made up for not having my camera that night with the PRECIOUS pics I got of us and Hampton on the beach.  We took him Thursday and Friday night before going to eat when the sun was just setting and I could not be happier with the ones I got.  

Of course, I think I took 875 total in both nights and I honestly can't say that I could narrow it down to a few of my favs, but I will add a few of the ones I love.

Thursday night...

First off, isn't God's creation absolutely breathtaking?!? 

Love, love those chubby little hands and feet

Our perfect little angel :)

Friday night...

He spotted a helicopter ;)

LOVE this one of my boys!

I know all good things must come to an end, but I sure didn't want the week to end.  It went by WAY too quick, but we had an incredible week and I am so thankful we were able to go and spend some quality time together.  We sure are one blessed family and I thank God for that on a daily basis! 

P.S.  I totally forgot to mention Hampton officially started walking (Tues. July 3) while we were there too!! Yay Hampton!!  Mommy and Daddy are SO proud of you. Now, gotta go buy some new running shoes...

It's official...

And no our family is NOT expanding. :) However, God has opened yet another door.  I will be a First grade teacher at Rehobeth Elementary.  I am extremely excited about this new chapter in our lives, but will miss my little man more than words can describe.  It has been an incredible year staying at home with him and it's going to be quiet an adjustment for us all (more me than anybody I'm pretty sure).  However, I can't help but be anxious and excited.  Afterall, God literally gave me this job.  I strongly believe everything happens for a reason so I couldn't fathom turning it down when it was offered to me.  I have subbed out there since August and even given the opportunity to do a maternity leave in first grade this past March-April.  Ever since starting in August, I have loved it.  Everyone is so friendly and has treated me like I had been there for years.  It reminds me so much of my first school I taught at, Chalkville Elementary.  Although, no one can ever replace the people or memories I have from my 5 years there, I have a feeling God is putting me as close to it as He can without being in Birmingham.  :)  Hampton and I went and saw my classroom yesterday and he got to meet a few people including the Principal and Assistant Principal.  I talked to him all about it in the car on the way there and when we left.  I'm almost positive he completely understood.  ;) 

Hampton in my first classroom at Rehobeth! :)

I have the old computer lab classroom, but best news is, it's in the first grade building.  However, I can't start moving in until they have everything moved and floors waxed.  Eeeeek.  Now, if you are a teacher reading this, you understand the stress level my body is feeling about having to wait.  BUT, in the  meantime, I am soaking up every. single. second with my precious baby until I HAVE to start on my room.

It's definitely a bittersweet feeling, but I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store.  All the praise and glory goes to Him.  Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and knowing what my family needs not in my time, but in YOUR time.  

Happy Daddy's Day!

First and foremost, Happy Father's Day to my Heavenly Father above and Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father's out there!  Being a dad is not an easy task and fortunately I was blessed with an amazing daddy and now a husband that is one to our son. Daniel is the most caring, loving, and patient daddy to Hampton.  It makes my heart smile when I think of how wonderful a dad is to Hampton in just one short year of his life so far. 

We started out the day by visiting Wiregrass Church here in Dothan.  We then went to mother and daddy's for some yummy meat and veggies.  We ended the day by spending some quality time with Mama Hughes and gave Daddy his gifts.  At the end of the day, we even had a little "extra" time to rest.  I'm pretty sure it's safe to say my dad and Daniel both had a great Father's day and felt the love that we all have for them.

A look back on Daniel's first year of being a father...

What a memorable moment...the first time he held his son :)

Bring's tears to my eyes...

First (of many!) diaper change... ;)

Feeding his little guy for the first time

Like father, like son...

On his lunch break...July 2011

Visiting Daddy at work...August 2011

ROLL TIDE!!!...September 2011

October 2011

November 2011

December 2011

January 2012

February 2012

March 2012

April 2012

May 2012

Father's Day, June 2011

Father's Day, June 2012

Thank you, Daniel, for the being the best role model Hampton could have for a daddy. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to us as a family.  I know Hampton already looks up to you and it makes my heart melt watching you two together.  We appreciate your patience, love, and understanding.  And most of all, thank you for setting the most wonderful example of a man after God's own heart.  Words can't express how much love Hampton and I have for you now and always. 

Curious Hampton's 1st birthday day party!

Since we had a prior engagement, i.e. Lea and Josh's wedding, on Hampton's actual birthDAY, we had no choice but to have his party on the next Saturday, June 9.  Since he is SO darn curious AND he loves George on TV, I found it fitting to have a Curious George themed birthday party for him.  Not to mention the OCD teacher in me that thrives off of  "themes". :)  Of course, since he is only 1 and he doesn't go to daycare, it was more of a friends and family get together, but it was still fun nonetheless and the day went very smooth (minus mother nature not cooperating very well).  We had grilled hot dogs, chips and dip, homeade pork and beans (thanks to my mom), a cute smash cake for the birthday boy, a good 'ole Rolens cake, and a Bounce house/slide blow up.  I wanted to get the bounce house for all the kiddos to have something to do, but obviously  mother nature had other plans. 

However, she did spare us about an hour with no rain.  Just long enough for everyone to get a little outside time in.  Of course, Hughes, had NO problem getting out there.  Rain or shine.  He loved it.  And was soaking wet when he got done. 

Others, like Lucy, opted for the more drier options. :)

Alyssa sure is young to already be chasing cutie pa tooties like Caden!!  ;)

After eating a yummy lunch, it was time for mommy's heart to hurt.  Smash cake time.  Cake all over Hampton time.  Cake in Hampton's hair time.  Haha.  I was a good sport.  Afterall, it does only happen at ONE birthday party (thank you, Jesus!!).

Hughes and Lucy of course helped him get started.  Which they didn't mind at. all.  :)

But, once he got the hang of it...it was ALL OVER from there!!! To say he loved it, would be an understatement!  It was every. where.  Even in his ears everywhere.

To the shower we went when we called it quits...

Next up...cake for the adults. :)  Thanks to Rolen's for exceeding my expectations for his George cake!

Last, but not least, it was time for sweet boy to open his well deserved gifts!  Again, Lucy thought it would be best to help him with this. ;)

All in all, it was a special and fun day with some of my nearest and dearest friends and family that helped Hampton celebrate his day.  Thank you to everyone who came to party with Curious Hampton.  We hope you had just as much fun as we did.  It took 2 days for this momma to recuperate from this one festivity.  Whew.  Now to plan for his 2nd...juuuuust kidding.

 Happy 1st Birthday, Hampton!  You are SO loved by SO many!!!