Day 5

After spending ALOT of time in the sun we decided to take a break from the beach and do something new.  So we headed towards Pensacola and went to the Naval Aviation Museum.  Totally cool.  It was on the Naval base which I found pretty exciting.  It was so neat to see all the navy and marine guys (purrrrrr) walking around in their fatigues.  They had so many planes inside there.  One of the coolest things to see was hanging from the ceiling 4 Blue Angel planes in formation.  That's how big this place was.  I think the kids enjoyed it.  But probably not as much as Ken did.

After the museum we went parasailing.  This was my idea and I will be honest and say that I regretted this idea for most of the day.  I was terrified but I didn't want anyone to know.  I mean, those things get high.  What if the harness breaks?  What if the rope snaps?  What if they run me into the bridge?  Needless to say I held on for dear life.  But in the end I thought it was totally awesome.  And would consider doing it again.  Maybe...On a clear windless day...Maybe.....

 The Blue Angels in formation.  Isn't it crazy how close they get to each other? I get nervous driving thru construction zones when they have those big concrete walls and I have to get close to the car next to me.  If I was flying one of these things I would be looking out my window yelling at them to move over.  Hello....you have the entire sky, stay out of my lane!

 A Japanese WWII plane.

 Grandpa Joe operated one of these during WWII.  Looks like a Star Wars Plane to me.

 Ann is pointing to repairs that were done when the plane got shot up.  I think it was hit 34 times and still kept going.  I just can't imagine what those guys went thru.

 This was a banner that was flown from one of the Naval Ships after the war.  I took a picture of what the stars and stuff meant, but I can't remember what it says.

 Jon watched a movie on the Coast Guard and the role they played with search and rescue during Hurricane Katrina.  I don't think he realized what all they do.

 Outside the museum

 Ken checking out a model of an aircraft carrier.  It really is crazy how big these things are.

 Every boys dream

 All the red flags are downed Japanese ships or planes.  That kind of freaked me out.  Like a real life Battleship game. F6...HIT...Oh wait....THAT'S where the idea of game came from....I wonder what Japanese people think when they come to this museum, because you know they do.  They go to all the museums.  As long as they aren't at the pier fishing  : )  Oh...that was bad of me.....

 What the above pennant is about..good luck reading this...hahahaha

On the boat ready for take off 

 I thought this may be our last picture together

 This harness thing is what held us to the parasail.  Yep, just that little bunch of material there.  Nothing else...With surfer boy in charge of keeping us safe.

 You sit down on the back of the deck then, whoosh, the wind takes you up...

 and up, and up, and up

Our turn

 Jon wanted to go by himself but he was to lite.  It must suck to be him!

Coming in for the landing.  I survived.  I can breathe again.  I hug my children and kiss the ground.  And try and figure out when I can do that again  : )

Day 4

Families are like fudge....mostly sweet but with a few nuts   : )

On Monday we spent the day at Uncle Tim and Aunt Gina's house.  Tim bbq'd a crazy amount of food and we all sat around and ate and talked all day.  Tim has a beautiful house on a nice lake.  Jon took Grandma out for a ride on his neighbors paddleboat then took off in a kayak.  Ann and Cody tried out the paddleboat too.  Thankfully (???) they both came back.  Again the weather was perfect and we had a wonderful day.

 Jon and Grandma

 Jon really enjoyed being in the kayak

 Aunt Gina and Aunt Kathy on the porch Tim just built

 Aunt Betty and Uncle Mark

 Chillin' under the pergola Tim built

Jon had a good time with grandma

Sorry the pictures were so washed out.  But it was really sunny and I guess my camera didn't like that.  But you get the idea  : )

Day 3

Sit by a river. 

Find peace and meaning 

In the rhythm 

Of the lifeblood of the Earth

Author Unknown

Aqua  das Wasser  vesi  nero  vatn  viz  acqua  woda.  Any way you say it, I LOVE IT!  In an ocean, river, waterfall, lake, stream, creek, rain puddle,  pool, doesn't matter.  I can never get enough.    I would spend all day by the sea if I was able.  Or the river, where we spent our Saturday.  Black River State Park to be exact.  With its cool, clear water and white sandy beaches.  Sandy beaches?  On a river?  Yep, and it was wonderful.  It was a little hot in the sun but the water was cool and refreshing.  And the company was made up of family and friends which made it even better.

One of the things the kids like about the Black River is the clay they dig up from the bottom.  You know, clay, the stuff thats brings to mind that scene in Ghost that had half of America wanting to purchase a pottery wheel.  Clay, the stuff that brings to mind the song "unchained melody" that makes you want a pottery wheel, then drives you crazy all day long because you cant get the song out of your head.. Yea, that stuff.  The kids find it then make little figures.  Or in Cody's case, a cereal bowl.  Well maybe not a cereal bowl for adults, more like one for a doll, but we flatter him and tell him his cereal will taste great in that bowl. Or at least his flake of cereal will because that is all that will fit.  But we smile and pat him on the back anyway  : )

Ken and Uncle Mark talking.  I can't hear what they are saying but I have no doubt they are discussing how lucky Ken is to have such an awesome wife.  

 Ummmmm, should I just bite the bullet and go under????  Even though we know Cody won't give her much of a choice.

 No Coors Light umbrella today. We need something a little bigger.  Its HOT!

 Cousin Lauren looking oh so excited

 Uncle Richard, Uncle Tim, Aunt Gina, and Greg

Whose Greg you ask?  I ask too...

 And Megan.  With Bailey. 

Whose Bailey you ask?  I ask too...

 Jon about to throw clay at some poor unsuspecting uncle.  Who, lets be honest,  probably threw it first.

 Party on the river bank

Uncle Tommy hanging out.

 Hail Hail the gangs all here

Does Ken have a shirt on?  Dork.....

All the uncles were able to come to the river that day.  It was nice hanging with Mark, Richard, Tim and Tom,.  And Kathy and Betty.  And their dogs.  And their friends......

Now do what I know you have been wanting to do......... Sing.....

Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea

Lonely rivers sigh

Wait for me, wait for me

I'll be coming home, wait for me

Friday

Friday afternoon we spent the day at the beach.  The weather was wonderful.  High 80's, wonderful breeze, and clear water.  No seaweed or jellyfish.  Yellow flag, but thats whatever.  Some pics from our first day.

 Filling up before we hit the sand

 Lovin' the beach

 Chillin' in the shade with his awesome umbrella. 

 She needs some sun.  HAHA

 Actually, Cody needs some sun

 Hitting the waves

 Jon's Pompeii impression

And yet again

Beauty and the Beast

Vacation 2011

Sorry it has been so long.  But finally I have something exciting to post about.  Our Vacation!!!!!  This year we headed to Destin Florida for the first time in a couple of years.  We had a great time with family and friends.  In the next few days I will be posting about it because I really don't want to go into information overload.  But here is a rundown.

Friday:  Arrived at the house around 6am and took a nap.  Then headed to the beach.
Saturday:  Spent day at the beach.
Sunday:  Black River with the family
Monday:  Uncle Tim's for BBQ
Tuesday:  Naval Aviation museum and Parasailing
Wednesday:  Beach
Thursday:  Home

It was jam packed but super fun.  Here are a few highlights.  I will break down each day in the next posts.

 Cody saved the trip by bringing his Coors Light umbrella.  We wouldn't have survived without it.  And yes, he mentioned that every single day.

 The beach bum soaking up some sun.

 Jon took Grandma Duke for a paddle boat ride

 Ann and Cody at the Pier Grill in Navarre

 Ken and Jon 

 Ready to go parasailing

The line was 1000 feet long.  It got scary when the wind got ahold of the parachute

Here we go!!!!!!!