Day 8: Museum

Friday started a little rocky. I wanted to go visit both my grandmothers even though we had seen them Sunday. The purpose was two-fold for each of them: we had pictures to give each of them and we wanted a cookie recipe from one and the other had something for me. So, we called each and headed over. We visited with my dad's mom for a little while and even invited her to go to the museum with us. She declined because she needed to get her hair done. Right before we left, we got the cookie recipe from her. Next up was my mom's mom. She had books and a pin for me. The pin is special because it was given to her by my dad's grandmother. (Yes, odd, I know, but they lived next door to each other for years). When we left there, we went to Zaxby's for lunch and ran into Allison's sister and 2 of her kids. When we all finally finished eating, we went out to NAS to the Naval Aviation Museum. They've got a new hangar that wasn't finished last year when we were there, so we were excited to visit it and see what's there. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time in there because we decided to do the simulator and the line was pretty long. Clayton and Andrew were first up and then I rode it with Andrew. That child LOVED it. Kept me upside down for a good bit of it, too. Jason and Allison also rode. Mom kept an eye on the baby and the two 4-year-olds. After the museum, Mom, Allison, Andrew, Kristin, and I went to Joe Patti's for crab and scallops to add to our low-country boil. Talk about a great meal (just needed a little more spice). Corn on the cob, sausage, potatoes, crab, shrimp, and scallops. A new tradition, I do believe. After supper, Andrew turned the TV on and the Singing Bee was on. I don't have a clue what song was on, but it had a great beat for doing the oompa-loompa dance where they bob up and down. I started doing that and announced that I needed someone to go opposite me. Mom took one look at me and started laughing and started going opposite me, but by then I was laughing so hard that I couldn't do it. I laughed so hard I cried and had to take my contacts out. Allison drove us to Publix to get the ingredients for the cookies. We made very yummy chocolate chip cookies when we got back to the house and then went to bed.

Day 7: Canoeing

I wish I had pictures from the canoeing trip. For that matter, I wish I had video. Eleven miles down the Blackwater River with my brother, his wife, my nephew, my husband, both my kids, and my dad. That was approximately 5 hours of canoeing. It started out as a beautiful day. Beautiful. Hot. Cold water. We made it to our lunch stop before anyone tipped over...and it wasn't me! Kristin got out of the middle of the canoe and it was enough to tip the canoe a little and Dad fell into the water. We continued down the river after lunch. By the time we got about 3/4 of the way done, we were hit with a downpour. I've never canoed in the rain before and it was great. We all headed to the trees and sat in the canoes under the trees until it eased up some. It was a great break from the heat.

We were told that pizza was on the menu for supper. Clayton decided that we would take my parents out that night (my brother and his wife were spending time with her family). He also decided that he wanted to go to McGuire's Irish Pub. I lived in Pensacola my entire life and had never eaten there, so he decided that's where we were going. We all had hamburgers except for Mom and Kristin. Mom had the Rueben sandwich and Kristin had fish. Each of us got a different burger and all were great. Clayton even decided that McGuire's will be an annual thing now. I'm good with that.

Day 6: Beach

Wednesday morning was spent at the beach. We got up early enough to be out there by 8 a.m. so we could watch the Blue Angels practice. It wasn't anything like their show, but it was still fun to watch. We had to stay out of the beautiful water until they were done, so about 10:15 was when we went out. We waded out and there were thousands of tiny fish swimming around. I couldn't deal with them swimming all around me and in my swimsuit, so I headed back to shore. A couple minutes later, Clayton called to me and said they were gone from where he and my brother were. Out I went. We enjoyed being in the Gulf and relaxing. Unfortunately, when we got back to the house, I found 2 dead fish still in my suit. Blech.

Day 5: Pictures & Bowling

Tuesday morning started with an appointment at 10 for the kids to have their pictures made. It was one thing after another that morning. Mom had bought special shirts for the kids to wear for their pictures. Our first mistake was not putting them on the kids before we left the house. The second mistake was leaving them at the house. Fortunately the studio wasn't busy and Jason was able to go back to the house and pick them up. Jacob had a meltdown about putting his shirt on at the studio...evidently it really was about not wanting his picture made. Jason and Allison finally worked through that with him and got him out of the dressing room. He still wasn't real happy about it, but did sit on the floor with the other kids. Finally, he did what was expected of him and we got a ton of great shots.

We went bowling that afternoon after Dad got home from work. We had a ton of fun...except for Andrew, who thought real bowling would be as easy as Wii bowling. First game was a bust for him. The second game, we decided to use the bumpers for all the kids and things were much better. Andrew even threw the ball with his right hand some, and seemed to do better that way. Bowling alley food for supper that night!

The highlight of the evening was leaving the bowling alley and having a jet flying low...and right over our heads.

Day 4: Fireworks!

July 4 and the fireworks are the main reason we vacation in Pensacola every year. I love going home and going downtown to roam the streets and find people I know and then watch the fireworks. Last year, we started something new...stopping at KFC for chicken and picnicking before the fireworks start. We walked down the road and found friends I grew up with and caught up with them. Back to our spot we staked out and waited for the show to begin. The drive home is always interesting and it was no less interesting this year as we almost got turned around. But, thanks to my husband's superior driving skills, we made it home easily. No KK donuts this year, though. Dad said the line was too long.

Day 3: Family Cookout

Sunday, we went to church for the patriotic service (I got teary). We kept all the kids with us and both girls fell asleep. They were giving out flags as we walked in. I think we brought home about 8 of them. Following church, we went back to the house and had either sandwiches or salad for lunch since we were cooking out for supper. For our cookout, we smoked hamburgers and sausage. My uncle brought potato salad and my grandmother brought a couple drinks and some baked beans. Mom made vanilla ice cream and my aunt made and brought chocolate ice cream. We had a good time sitting around and talking and catching up on what's going on in our lives. Jason and Allison left around 7 and met friends at McGuire's Irish Pub. Sunday was a pretty laid back day overall.

Day 2: Picnic

So, day 2 was a picnic with people from high school. Not many of us showed up, but it was neat to get to see people that I haven't seen in at least 16 years. It was hot and it rained, but the food was good as was the company. Before I left for the picnic, Clayton, Jason, my dad, Andrew, Kristin, and Jacob went to Home Depot to do their monthly kids' activity. They built a coaster holder and glued cork onto wood to make coasters. Both my kids enjoyed it, so I see us going back each month. Kristin came back to the house and painted hers with watercolor paints that Mom bought. Also that day, I got up around 7 and got out and ran a mile. That was all I could handle because of the humidity and temperature.

Day 1: The Drive

So, day 1 of our vacation was the trip to Pensacola. We were in the truck for about 8 hours. Fortunately, it went pretty smooth after Clayton and I got our usual argument out of the way. Happens every year. A cup of coffee and prayer made it much better. Airplanes flying over us in Atlanta helped, too. We finally made it in time to enjoy fettuccine alfredo with fresh shrimp from the Gulf for supper with my parents. My brother and his family arrived later. And, that was the first day.

Vacation is over

There are so many things to tell about vacation, but I will have to do it later. Right now, I am very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. I'll just leave with a couple pictures and tell the stories as I have time in the upcoming week.