Fourth of July

You know what I do not love?  The sound of John Burke breathing in my ear on the side of my bed at 3:45 a.m.!  But, since he did and now he is fast asleep on my pillow, it is motivating me to update my blog!

We decided kind of last minute to head to the beach for the 4th of July.  Heath's cousin, Hannah, planned a birthday party for their grandmother a few months ago.  The date was July 6th, and we were glad when we figured out we could make it work!  So on the Wednesday before, we headed down for a (ridiculously rainy) weekend at the beach!

Luckily, Pap and Tappy were down there and also Jay, Kate and Ellie.  So, we didn't let the rain bring us down!

Hanging out with Jay and Ellie on the porch

The day of the 4th was monsoon-like, so we decided to head to a nearby aquarium called "Gulf World" for the day.  The morning was redeemed by a sea lion/dolphin show - even though it was sideways raining on us (the auditorium was partially outside).

Not my favorite pic, but seriously we were so wet.  Yet, the kids were happy!!

Soaking wet after the show

So glad for turtles and fish and birds to distract us!

A little less appealing (but completely inside) was the Reptile Show. 

Had to remember this guy who was showcasing the reptiles - which were a small lizard, a snake (points because it was albino!) and this small alligator.  Kind of lame, but we pushed through.  However, as he was modeling this alligator, it tee teed all over the stage.  Wow.  And then the show was interrupted as one of the managers came in and warned people to move their cars because they were very concerned that the outdoor sign was swaying and about to fall over!!  We were entertained, to say the least, but felt our time at Gulf World was coming to a close and headed back to the condo!

After naps and some swimming in the indoor pool (so thankful for that!!) we headed for a fun, and sort- of-sunny-for-a-minute dinner!

Sweet  cousins - I love that Ellie and so do my kids!  They were so spoiled with their built-in playmate for the weekend

Best buds

Friday we actually got to be outside for a little bit.  The beach was packed as if it were gorgeous because everyone had cabin fever!!

Jay and Heath - twins:)

Saturday was the main event!  Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays, and it was sort of a bust this year weather-wise (however, I did get the most out of their red, white and blue attire:)).  So, we were glad we had this lady to celebrate during the weekend.

It rained off and on all day (of course...the rainiest I have EVER seen the beach), but Granny opened her house up to the 50 plus people who came to celebrate her! 

And the kids swam anyway - through the rain

Look at all those great-grandkids adoring her

85 years old and doesn't miss a beat!

Granny has a special place in her heart for John Burke.  Her maiden name was Burke, so they share that.  But she lets him cuddle up to her and appreciates him when he is shameless!  We all love Granny.  She is SPUNKY and always makes us laugh.  She loves her family more than life, and I am so thankful that Hannah and her family planned such a fun day to celebrate her!!

Since we have been home, we have mostly been... 

hanging by the pool with friends.  Especially baby pools!

Some of my sweet former students and lifelong friends played with the kids all day in the pool!

But we have also been riding camels,

visiting my sweet Nanny

lunching with friends:),

throwing rocks,

exploring playgrounds,

getting sketchy haircuts with Daddy at the barber shop (I fell down laughing - even though it is not the worst he has ever gotten - but Turner was so proud),

enjoying riding toys

mostly in our pajamas,

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and of course keeping Target in business!!  Happy Summer!

June in pictures

 

Cooking out and playing in the yard with friends - favorite time of the year!

I love summer!  I mean, we shut down the pool last night (well it closes at 8, but that was wild for my posse!).  When else can you do that?!  I can't believe it is almost July!  We have had such a fun June, and I better record it before I forget...

We started June with Vacation Bible School.  My friend Laura headed it up and did a fabulous job!  This was Turner's first year to be able to participate, and my friend Meg and I were his teachers.  We had a wacky Wild West week, and even John Burke got to participate in a "mini-VBS".  He loved it too!

Fuzzy picture of him singing in the balcony in the morning assembly with Kina

Father's Day weekend was right after VBS.  Heath is a huge Braves fan, so we traveled to Atlanta for the day for a game.  We even got to hang with cousin Ellie beforehand.

We got to the game a little before it started and the ticket lady told us she didn't have 4 seats together in the whole stadium.  Awesome ;)  Luckily, God smiled on us and she found some in the club level that were not an arm and a leg, and we were under cover.  There was even an air conditioned Chick-fil-A directly behind us!  Thank you, Lord!

Sweaty Collins hopping around club level

We love our Daddy!  Too bad he really was Super Dad all weekend, because I came down with a fever at the game and was convinced I had strep throat.  Luckily just a nasty sinus infection.

We celebrated with Pop Pop the next day.  Here he is putting John Burke in the "crusher" - one of their favorite things!

We also started a VERY relaxed version of t-ball.  Here is Turner with his buddy Rutland.  His mom told us about this league through the YMCA and Turner and John Burke could both play on the team.  So we are playing with some friends from church.  Let's just say Henderson athletic prowess is not at its highest, but they are having fun.

Turner hitting

Waiting to bat

Loosely running the bases - he had just stopped to attempt to field his own ball behind second base before this picture.  We are still learning:)

Collins "helping" with the hats and shirts - she kept the blanket warm for John Burke to come sit on and eat cookies with her between (and during) innings

Brothers 

We also squeezed a lake trip in this weekend.  Our friends Charlie and Courtney invited us to their lake place for the day.  It is only about 30 minutes from our house and we had so much fun!!

Lots of swimming, riding in the boat and jumping off of the dock.  A little boy's dream!

This girl LOVED the lake, too!

Charlie and Courtney helped coach Turner up on skis for the first time

Best picture I could get - Daddy was so proud!!  And John Burke cried and claimed he would not be attempting.  I believe he used his favorite phrase when he saw Turner out there..."You've got to be killing me!"  Close enough.

Grateful for friends who share their lake places with us!

Blurry, but someone is getting enough hair to almost blow in the wind on our night time boat ride.

Collins just turned 17 months old and she is a mess!  She loves to say "Meh Meh" (Mama) all.day.long!    She points to what she wants and even says "Want dat!"  She has been in a phase the last few weeks of screaming in the car, and I am convinced it is out of boredom.  Luckily, she sits by John Burke and he accommodates her wants and needs far more than I do.

Blurry, but here he is holding her hand to calm her down.  He also shares any food, drink or his bat bat (blanket) with her and it miraculously calms her down.  Stinker.  Turner remains oblivious in the back seat.  He is in a phase where he loves to tell Heath and me how much he loves us.  Often and at any random time, but it always makes me smile!  It cracks him up when we play "I love you more than...french fries, Ninja Turtles, Michael Wuzowski" (Monsters University is a current obsession), etc.

We tried our first movie the other day.  Turner is officially ready.  John Burke officially not.  We got popcorn and a drink (and promptly spilled both in the lobby, of course.)  We made it through the previews for 30 minutes!! and then John Burke lost interest once the movie actually started.  I remembered why I don't take them to movies - they are expensive!!  But it was raining, and we made it an hour, so I call that a win.  About an hour into the movie, there was a power surge outside because of the weather and they stopped it for a minute and then it played on.  Then they came in and said they were going to rewind it about 10 minutes and replay.  I was holding John Burke within an inch of his life at this point because he had attempted to tour the entire theater and bathroom several times, so we decided to head out.  I will wait to take him for a while, but Turner was a champ!

Soaking up this time.  Look how big they are getting!  Thankful that the Lord has given them to me!