Week 24 & 25... and Lovin' the Sand
September 29 - October 12, 2008

This week we were still on vacation in Gulf Shores. Lots of people were on this vacation: the Pockrus', the Silvernails, the Bruces, the Martins, and the Priddys. I even got to see my friend Devon a little while. Mommy took lots of photos on this vacation, and Monday she took family photos of most everyone; Uncle Scott took some of our family too.

Mommy let me play in the sand on this vacation, since the sand is so beautiful. I had so much fun! I got a little bit in my mouth a few times, and Mommy didn't like that. I tried to play in the sand with Aunt Amanda, Ava, and Abby, but they like to through sand. (Well Aunt Amanda doesn't). Daddy built me a sand castle that he let me tear down. That was the best fun I had all week! We also played in the gulf a little bit; the water is really calm there.

Nana watched me and took care of me most of the week. She stayed with me in the house a lot, because Mommy didn't want me getting to hot outside where I'll get prickly heat. I got Prickly Heat one of the first days, and so I wasn't allowed outside during the hot part of the day anymore. Nana didn't care though; she just wanted to be with me. Papa also sat with me some too; he liked taking naps with me.

There were lots of kids on vacation with us including Abby and Ava. I just love Ava. Everytime she would come close to me, I just giggled so much! I did make one major breakthrough on this vacation... I can sit up without using my hands or having any help!

We woke up for the sunrise every morning. It was so beautiful. Mommy and Daddy rented a paddle board on Wednesday. Mommy told me all about the awesome sunset she watched from it, and all the wonderful creatures she saw on it: Manta reys, Sting Reys, and big fish. I wish I could have rode with them, but they said I was too little and don't know how to swim.

Didn't Uncle Scott take some great photos!?

Saturday we headed home from our great vacation. On our way home, Papa called to say that Nana wanted to stop and see me one more time while we were in Birmingham, so we all ate together one last time. We ate at Jason's Deli with Papa, Nana, Aunt Kathryn, and Kristian.

We got back home to Knoxville really early in the morning... 1:30 am! We were all soooo tired; on Sunday, all we could do was rest and try to get all our things put up. The rest of the week Mommy and I were so sad to be away from everyone. We were so sad that Mommy didn't even take any photos.

By the weekend we were feeling better for our Circuit Assembly. Grandma and Papaw went with us Saturday, and everyone loved seeing me. Then, on Sunday, Mommy and Daddy left me with Grandma and Papaw while they were the the assembly. They told me all day people were asking them where I was! But I got to stay and play with Papaw. I went to the meeting in Jonesborough where Papaw had a talk. Everyone drooled over me! I got to see my friend Sully's grandmother too. I was pretty good at the meeting for them, and Papaw bought me a boat on the way home.

I missed Mom and Dad though and were happy when they got home. They were so happy to see me too! I got so many kisses.

Weeks 22 & 23... Daddy's little Country Boy
September 15-September 28, 2008

Mommy and I worked so hard to get back into the groove of things once we got back home. We had sooooo much laundry to do. We couldn't completely clean up from our trip though, because we needed everything for another beach trip in two weeks; we are going with Papa and Nana. Mommy also worked on trying to catch up on all her photography work.

Sometimes, when they are trying to get some work done, Mommy and Daddy put me in my swing. I used to love it, but it frustrates me now because I can't reach the bears on my mobile. When I was little, bears were my favorite thing ever. (Besides Mommy and Daddy, of course) I loved watching my bears on my two mobiles: the one on my crib and the one on my swing.

I've also been enjoying my Jumperoo. I am really loving sitting in it. Even when I'm not in it, I try to jump! I have so many neat toys.

On September 20th, I turned five months old! Mommy always takes photos of me when I turn a new month old. This is me at exactly 5 months old. I'm wearing my cool camo-overalls. When I get older, Daddy says he's going to take me fishing and camping in the woods a lot, and camo will come in handy!

On Wednesday before our trip, we went to the park with Abra and Aaron. Aaron brought his two dogs, and I loved seeing them! I even got to pet them.

Friday, it took us all day to get ready to leave for the beach, and on Saturday, we met Papa, Nana, Kristian, and Aunt Kathryn. I rode down to the beach with them because Mommy and Daddy had to go take photos at a wedding. We stopped in Birmingham to visit my Great-Aunt and Great-Uncle, and I got to meet my cousin Jack. He's only a few years older than me.

Saturday evening we made it to the beach. It is sooo beautiful! It's so nice down here, but I wish my Mommy and Daddy were here so that I could show them the Gulf of Mexico. It was my first time to see it!

Sunday morning, I woke up to Mommy and Daddy! I missed them so much. It was the longest I've ever been away from them. Mommy was so excited to see me too. One of Mommy's best friends came to visit me on Sunday: Holland. Holland and Nick hadn't gotten to see me yet, because they live in Florida. They thought I was so cute! (Who could blame them:) ) Mommy and Daddy had so much fun visiting with them. I wished we lived closer to them and the beach!