Off to Texas

Since we dodged the worst of Hurricane Issac with no damage to our house, we're off to Texas for the holiday weekend. Multi vehicles have already, or will be heading west for the event of sitting, sweating and sleeping in a very small space with many people. It's not unlike Florida, and yet not the same at all. Cookies were baked in preparation for the trip, and I wish I could have videoed this day so people could see and hear the conversations between my three daughters. They are something else when it comes to just about everything. And even though I witnessed all of it, I couldn't tell you one thing that was said or done. Whatevs.

I've uploaded all the Florida pics for now and will officially finish it next week when I return home. All these posts seems to be a bit of overkill, and I envision the few people out there who read this blog to roll eyes when another Florida post comes up. Or maybe that's just me. Whatevs.

I've posted multi things today as a sendoff to myself for the trip. If there are mistakes, which I hate with a passion, I'll get them later. For now, I'm just reveling in the fact that I'm an "out of towner" for the weekend after having two days off for the hurricane. Whatevs.

See ya on the flip side flippers.

Godspeed to all.

Some group pics

There must always be a group picture. Always. And yet we've never done one at Christmas. What's that about? Well one afternoon there was a call for whoever was on the sand at that moment to be in the shot, and so Melanie set up the tripod and then had a brain fart about how to do the self timer on her camera. Because of this, she's not in the first one, and then she was caught running in the second one, and then made it in the money shot. There must always be a money shot. Always. But as I've stated many times, MY money shots are the goof ups. It's the ones I live for. And after being in this family for centuries, I'm never disappointed.

Look
See
Laugh
After all, it's the best medicine. I just made that up! Pretty sure it's an original me.

We're all reacting because the camera just went off while she was fiddling with it.


Close up please. Smiles, pursed lips, mouths open. Yep, multi of each.


More of the same at this end.


I told you the second one caught her running.


I look confused, all others bemused.


Carlie's directing and William could care less where he even is.


Finally the money shot. And there's nothing funny about it.

Bummer.

Golf and sand dollars

One day this group of peeps went to play golf. It's the least appealing thing in the world to me, but they love it. So they went and took a pic before they left.


And while they were gone, there was a frenzy when people began discovering sand dollars in the sea. It's like finding a needle in a haystack for reals.


These are the prize of the ocean. Look at that tiniest one Emma found. Unbelievable she found it.


Looking for unoccupied shells is my favorite thing to do at the beach.


Just one find brings everyone to the water.


Then later that same day, William was incredulous about something.


And we laughed about something. I'm sure it was me we were laughing at. Hey......


And then people got comfy.

Y'all come back now.

William's humble Olympic beginnings

One afternoon William insisted on being taken to the pool. So off he went with the "rents" and Whitney to splash about for a bit. Take a look.

He looked a bit unsure of his decision.


Cute pic of the fam.


Dad's taking good care.


Practicing his backstroke.


Cause some peeps in the fam are planning on him being an Olympic swimmer.


So it's never too early to start.


He'd just about done enough laps for the day.


But then decided to go one more.


His reward was snuggling with Mom.


He looks like he had a good workout.


Gotta have the plug.


Maybe Olympic tryouts can wait a few years.

This ends William's pool adventure.

This is golden

Austin's big gut? Or an optical illusion? I'm going with the gut.

More day 4

These pictures are also of day 4 and because I missed them, they're now out of order which is making me twitch more than you can imagine. BUT I don't want to go back and add them where they belong. So lets just pretend they are as they should be, and I won't freak out about the lack of chronological documentation. At least I'll TRY not to freak out. OK, that's a lie. I'm totally freaked, but still not gonna change it. At least not today. Well, maybe later today. I'm thinking about it.

But here we go anyway.

There seems to be a problem with Jared's chair.


Liz and Ila beachin it.


Billie June in her pink, looking good.


I'm loving the splash around Lauren and Austin.


This was an attempt at getting Billie in his glasses. Looks like it worked.


This is one motley crew.


Cute pic of Unky AT with the Willster.


And then with Billie June.


Turners by the seaside.


Swanders by the seaside.


Will and Whit.


Lauren and Austin sort of by the seaside.


Such a cute picture! Caitlin was smiling all over the place this trip.


Liking this picture of me and the boy.


This is great of Dad and son.


And this one.


Walkers at the shore.


Magpie and William looking seriously relaxed.


I might not have posted this picture except for the fact that it cracks me up. The fire management, the squatting, the face making....it all comes together to make me laugh.


William must have slept on all people.


Love it.


Thank you Bill. This is supreme.


Such a cute pic.


Love this of Grandma.


Kit Kat and William who finally awoke.


Hanging with Dale.


A little smile from the baby boy.


He was passed and passed and passed.


Beautiful sunset over there.


This picture makes me irrationally dissatisfied.


Once Billie made it back to the house....


It was country showering outside due to the fact that the bathroom wasn't handicap friendly.


And Owen finished the day in the pool.


Now I think this officially finishes day 4. But there's so much moreeeeeeeeee.

Wind's whipping around outside, but not much rain.

The rain needs to be reasonable. Please!