Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Florida Fun

Daddy sadly did not get to go with us on this trip but we still had a great time in Florida. Ira loves his little cousins so much. He spent a lot of time in Nana and Papa's pool.

I am so lucky to have grown up in such a pretty place. I am glad I get to share it with my children. Ira is a handsome little beach bum.

Ira's big cousin Holley accompanied us to our first beach trip. She is a great babysitter and I am glad she came along. Turns out Dottie Jane still needs a little help in the water.

Beach baby! She really enjoyed the beach. I brought a cute little pop up tent for her to nap in and she wasn't having any of that. She wanted to be in the sand and sun the whole time.

Isn't she cute?

This one is my favorite.

Look at those fat thighs. I love naked babies.

After the beach we had lunch at McGuire's Irish Pub. It is tradition there to write your name on a dollar bill and staple it to the wall.

The whole restaurant is covered with money. Ira was very happy to find a vacant spot for his dollar.

The Naval Aviation Museum is one of our favorite spots in Pensacola. Ira loves to climb in the airplanes.

Cute cousins being silly in front of the helicopter. I took about twelve pictures of them, not one of them turned out normal. They were having too much fun.

Papa and Dottie Jane enjoyed the museum too.

The real reason for this trip. These two young men graduated from high school! Blake recently joined the Army and is now in basic training and Luke starts his first semester of college next month. We are so proud of them.

Ira and Dottie Jane had a great visit with their great grandfather, GP. Their great grandmother was so busy snapping pictures I forgot to get one with her in it. Ira loves to visit GP because GP used to fly one of the airplanes at the Naval Aviation Museum. That pretty much makes him a celebrity.

Dottie Jane meeting her cousin Levi for the first time.

Ira taking Mikey for a ride. These two really hit it off this trip.

For our second day at the beach all the Smith children joined us. I love watching Ira play with his cousins.

Later that day we went to a parade with Nonny, Poppy, Aunt Jolene, and cousins Mikey and Levi. Ira quickly learned that parades on the Gulf Coast are serious business. The floats are incredible and you get so much free crap Mommy has to throw away when you are not looking. He had so much fun. Dottie Jane was worn out and she slept through the whole thing, even cannons blasting.

The next day we drove to Mobile with Nana and Papa and went to the Exploreum.

Nana and Ira worked hard at the craft table.

Dottie Jane and Nana just doing what babies do.

Ira and Papa spent an hour making tracks and traps for marbles. Ira loved this hands on exhibit and I am pretty sure Papa was enjoying himself, too.

We spent that afternoon with my grandmother, Big Holley. Big Holley recently moved to an assisted living facility. I was happy to meet the friendly staff and Big Holley was happy to show off her beautiful great grand babies. She never smiles in pictures but I promise she was happy.

Ira is spoiled by so many people and I know Dottie Jane will be too. Jack Jack and Uncle Anthony always spend time and money on my children. Uncle Anthony bought this cool Yoda puzzle for Ira and spent the evening with him putting it together.

Nonny and Poppy came over to say goodbye. I am not sure whose glasses Ira stole but I think he looks pretty cute in them.

More pool time. I love this handsome little man.

Family bowling night. Ira is very excited about his strike. This picture pretty much sums up how much he loves visiting family in Florida. He gets to eat whatever he wants, stay up as late as he wants, he has kids to play with him, teenagers to dote on him and grandparents to spoil him. It makes him pretty happy. Dottie Jane has a lot to look forward to.