Summer Vacation 2016

Now that the boys are getting older, family vacations are easier to plan and are more enjoyable. Since we had not been to Alabama or Georgia in several years, we knew we needed to go visit family and thought a trip to the beach would be a great get away for the family. We left on June 7th and headed to Birmingham, Alabama where we stayed with Ronald and Manya's for three days. While we were there we had a great time eating, visiting, and eating some more.

The first full day, we went to the Birmingham zoo. 

Roll Tide

Camden loves Macaws just like
I did when I was his age

The boys requested to have a picture with the goat

We had fun in the Larakeet exhibit.

Casen was too scared to let one stand on his arm

Camden was thrilled

Camden and sweet Manya (with the birds)

Many and me giving our birds some nectar

Ronald, Manya, Camden and Casen

Once we got home the boys put on their bathing suits and had water gun fights with Manya. 

The next day we visited Pop Pop and Nadine. While we were there, Casen stood up in front of everyone and sang multiple songs, as well as danced for them. I tell you, that boy is not shy one bit!!

Manya got up and danced with Casen

Shane and Pop Pop

Pop pop, Nadine and the boys

Tortilla faces at the restaurant

That evening we visited with Shane's cousin Ronya and her family, and, did I mention, we ate. : )  We had a great time with Ronald and Manya - they are always so kind to open up their home to us and spoil us all rotten while we are there!

Camden's tortilla face has a tongue sticking out

Austin had a tortilla face too!

Cody (Shane's cousin) and the boys

After being there several days, we headed to Macon, Georgia on Friday and arrived at Granny and Granddad's house. While there we stayed busy. The boys played outside a lot and swam in the neighborhood pool. One day we went to the aviation museum in Warner Robbins and the boys, especially Camden, really enjoyed it. He took the time to listen and learn about different things and found that the Flying Tigers were his favorite.

Flying Tigers

Captain Camden

Captain Casen

Granny, Granddad and the boys

We were able to visit with a lot of Shane's extended family while there and see lots of cousins. Camden wanted to have a picnic outside while there, and of course Granny obliged.

I always love visiting their home because it so much reminds me of when I was a kid and would go and visit my grandparents in Missouri. I always feel so comfortable and relaxed there.

On Monday we headed to Panama City Beach, Florida for the last leg of our vacation. We rented a condo on the beach which was just perfect.

Ready to get to the beach

Our view for several days

The boys had a great time playing in the sand, 

jumping waves, trying to catch fish (and actually

catching one), eating out and going to a go-kart

place to ride go-karts and other rides. 

One of my favorite pictures from our vacation

We ate good food while we were there. We ate breakfast and lunch in the condo so we could spend as much time on the beach as possible and then cleaned up and headed out for the evenings. The boys LOVE to eat at restaurants, so that was an added bonus for them.

The Back Porch

Hook'd (they had wonderful fish tacos)

We had fun riding different rides at the go-kart place. Unfortunately Casen was not tall enough to ride some of the rides he wanted to ride, but had fun on the Scrambler and Spider. Camden rode the roller coaster and the Rock N' Roll ride with me, however after riding them he said they scared him a little.

Shane and Casen on the Scrambler

Camden and I ready to ride the roller coaster

All the fun wore my poor boys out. I don't know of very many days that I actually am awake before Casen, since he is my earlier riser, but this particular morning I beat them both. On a side note, we actually had bunk beds in the condo where the boys slept the first night, however Casen woke up crying multiple times, so we asked them if they wanted to sleep on the couch bed, which they did, and Casen slept much better!

The beach wore the boys out - Casen NEVER sleeps
late - but I caught him still asleep. 

The boys had a fun time trying to catch fish with a net - they actually caught a little minnow after Shane worked to trap it in a small space where they could catch it.

Catching a fish 

Brother love 

I took some pictures of the boys on the beach our last evening and these were a few of my favorite.

Our selfie together (horrible of me, but sweet of my boys)

Our one and only family pic from our vacation.

Camden and his Daddy (pic courtesy of Casen)

Pic of Shane and myself (courtesy of Camden)

Headed home listening to some music.

(You never know how Casen is going to

wear his headphones.)

We arrived home this evening after stopping in Lumberton to pick up Zach from Shane's parents. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the vacation and if you ask the boys what their favorite part was, they will tell you all of it. I would say we had a successful vacation.