Post-Vacation Pictures

What are some other fun activities we did on vacation? We hit the Gulfarium one day to get out of the sun for a bit. We hit every show they had (dolphins, sea lions & multi-species show), and they were all really good. The kids also touched the sting rays and crabs, and we watched one of the workers try to feed the alligator. I think we most enjoyed watching the alligator come out of his swamp. All kids love alligators - as long as they behind a fence!

It was hot as you can tell from the red faces, but we enjoyed ourselves. We were ready to go to the pool & the beach after our visit to the Gulfarium!

Daddy's little girl - this was a tired Josephine who only wanted to be held by her daddy.

Rosie building a castle -her & Caty had such a great time together. They are both the easiest, most low-maintenance kids. Every once in a while they come up from the ocean needing nourishment & then it was back to playing.

The Carollo's with their famous "Magdalen Rocks" t-shirts. We hope to win the best picture when we get back to school for "Where in the World is St. Mary Magdalen?" How can you not win when Jo is picking her nose?? Too funny!

Quick Update

I am so mad at myself for not working on my blog. So much has happened over the last few weeks since our great vacation: back to work, last softball game, softball party, Pete's 40th party (I know that was the main reason), 4th of July, keeping up with the house, & on & on. I am going to post some great pics from vacation & the other great activities tonight!

I'm trying to keep my patience as Rosie & Anna semi-like their summer camp. They see their friends who don't have to attend camp but can swim & hang out all day, and they tell me all about it. I really try so hard & ask for their input for their day camps, but it is still not enough. I erupted this morning & said that they have no idea how much I run back & forth while still trying to get my job done. Urgh! I knew I was losing it, but they can't stay at home! Their camp sounds so cool - Pete even said to them that he would go to camp & they could go to his job. Oh well - kids! I'm not a fan of Jon & Kate Plus 8, but I do understand the tag line "But it's our life." Yes, I would love to be at home with them more, but this is our life & we are making the most of it. I've been fortunate with my job, and we have considered Pete staying at home, but I'm not sure it would be the best thing for our marriage. We'll keep plugging along, and the two weeks with my niece watching them will hopefully keep them happy.

Next year, they both want to do swim team, so it may be time to find a college student to cart them back & forth. We'll figure it out! Luckily, I still have sweet Jo (no moaning about daycare from her yet) who just gives us the best hugs when we really really need it. What a joy that cutie is for us. God is good to the Carollo's - He knew what He was doing when He gave us another child.

The Wilson Sisters

My sisters & me hanging at the beach with our cool hats. We decided that the beach is much better from 4pm on - cooler & not as crowded, stronger waves, more shells & don't need as much sunscreen! I love this picture - that's the age order too - Mary is three years older than me, and I am three years older than Joanie. Joanie is expecting her third child - kids keeping giving her names for her TBD child! It's pretty cute because Anna is really into naming this child. She is constantly giving Joanie names.

At the beach

We love the beach but how can you not? It is very hot & sunny, so it is constant sunscreen every few hours. We have our umbrellas & enough gear to make us look like the Clampett's. It's worth it for all the playtime in the sand though. Rosie & Caty are totally into their boogy boards, Anna loves collecting shells but tells me the waves knock her over, and Jo laughs her head off when the waves hit her. She tells Pete & I to "go out there." She loves the waves & now loves the sand too. The kids just love playing with her. All the big kids (aka: adults) take turns hitting the waves too. I could be in the ocean all day & love going way out there - there's nothing better.

Adam & Caty - they are the best kids! They are the older ones of the group.
Jo hamming it up for the camera.

Wil & Jo digging for building something - Jo has to "wash" her hands when they get sandy.

Day 1 / Day 2 of Vacation

We are here & completely adjusted to vacation. It is a beautiful beach but busy!!! We are not used to so many people at the beach. My sisters and I commented that we are trying to recreate our wonderful vacations at Ft. Walton Beach, but I don't think we can. Our condo is very nice though. We just finished a wonderful meal made by Pat tonight. Adam made shakes for the kids that were still awake. We all had some rather strong drinks at the beach too made by Pat as well!
I thought I'd try to remember some of the funnier moments:

• Pete's strip on his arms - nice sun tan job
• The longest few hours in the car - way too much traffic on 331
• Pete & I are certain that our google maps is much better than any ole GPS
• When I got out of the car & walked to the condo with Jo because she was making me crazy
• How well the cousins are getting along - no fights just fun & good times
• How well Mary & I managed without our morning coffee on Sunday
• Giving the boys a fun Father's Day at the beach - yes, it involved beer & downtime
• Watching Jo in the sand with her buckets & just being so cute
• Loving how much everyone wants to play & just be with Jo
• Being so lucky to have such a great family & go on vacation

I'm trying to upload pics but it is not working. I'll try tomorrow again!

Vacation is here!

We are so excited to go on vacation. We are leaving at 5pm tonight & driving to Nashville, staying over & then hitting the road early to get to Destin by Saturday afternoon!!! It has been two years since we took a family vacation. My sisters & their families are coming too, and we are sharing a big house in Sandestin. I just have a few more things to do, but we are definitely ready to go. Family time, sand, ocean, sun, relaxation, good food & away from the daily stresses of life. We are very lucky to be able to go on vacation, so I am going to enjoy every minute. I can already tell that Pete & I are relaxed & the little daily issues that make us crazy seem very trivial right now. We are ready! I'll post during the week of our daily fun!

June Birthday Celebration

Our monthly birthday celebration was at my sister's house. Happy Birthday Greg, Janet & Tim! Actually, both of my sisters have in-ground pools that are awesome!!! They split up the summer birthday celebrations since they have the best accommodations. We also celebrated Father's Day early because of our vacation. Below are some good pics. The kids had a wonderful time going from the pool to the trampoline to the swing set. Can it get any better than that?

My mom & dad opening his Father's Day gifts.

My brother Greg & my brother-in-law Tim opening cards & gifts for their birthdays!

My sister-in-law Janet, Rachel & my brother Tim - gift & card time!

Caught my sister-in-law Kay & my sister Mary having a cocktail!