"The Hill Country"

What do you do in the hill country??? Play on the hills! Cam had a business meeting at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, so we came along! The resort was beautiful, not to mention extremely kid friendly. So one night after dinner Harper found this hill to play on. BearPa just couldn't resist rolling down the hill too!

Just Beachy!

Disclosure: I gave up trying to put the pictures in order. Does anyone have a solution to make blogger easier??

I grew up going to Ocaloosa Island, Florida every summer with my Dad's family. My dad went every summer when he was a little boy too! So this was a big trip for Harper to go on! I have really fond memories of playing with my cousins on the beach! The "beach box" where we grew up staying blew away in a hurricane and was quickly replaced with a high rise complex. I guess that doesn't just happen in Texas!

When my dad started planning this trip he had high expectations because of all the summers he spend on the Emerald Coast. After lots of Internet surfing he found a place that was very comparable in Navarre, Florida. It is just 15 miles away from Ft. Walton/Destin. It was the only place sans high rises! He was determined to rent a house ON the beach! So when we arrived he was very pleased that we could walk out our door and onto the beach! I was very thankful because of all the things we toted to the beach for Harper!!

Our set-up

So our week at the beach was totally relaxing and blog-worthy! Here is the reader's digest version of our beach vacation!

Sunday

Sunday was our first real day at the beach. We drove in Saturday afternoon from Mobile, Alabama and got acquainted with our accommodations. We went to the store and got groceries for the week. Lets just say shopping as a family was very entertaining! I don't think I've ever had that much fun at Wal-mart! Then we spent the rest of the day at the beach. Harper loved it! Each morning my dad set up a tent in the shade and Harper played the day away. He liked to get into the water with his floaties or raft. He has gotten an occasional mouthful of salt water......therefore he has learned how to spit! Late Sunday night Aunt Heather flew in from Kansas City!

First walk to the beach

Monday/Tuesday

Something about the beach makes you sleep SO good! After a great nights sleep we woke up, had our usual egg whites and oatmeal breakfast, and then headed to the beach. We spent the day playing in the sand, floating, going on walks, splashing in the pool, and just vegging out on the beach! We would go in for lunch/nap and then go back out in the afternoon. Time went by so slowly at the beach. We went out for dinner at the East Bay Crab House hoping for some yummy seafood. Unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired. I think living on the Texas coast we are fortunate to eat tasty fish in Houston. After dinner Harper would entertain us with his dancing moves or golf skills. He is such a show-off!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

May I cut in?

Mother/Son dance

Wednesday
In the wee hours of the morning Dad, Cam, and Aunt Heather got up to go deep sea fishing! Harper, Mom, and I decided to sleep in and go into Destin for the day. We took Harper to the "Gulfarium," an imitation of Sea World. He was very interested in the Dolphins, or rather their balls. There were 3 balls hanging over the water. The dolphins would jump up and touch the ball with their nose. He would get so excited when they would do ball tricks. He is slightly obsessed with anything that resembles a ball. We also saw birds, alligators, sea lions, sharks, dolphins, and sting rays. I think the Dolphin show was definitely his favorite.

For lunch we met up with my mom's brother and his family. They just happened to be at the beach at the same time we were there. They had us over for a yummy lunch. Harper enjoyed playing with his cousins Will & Phoebe. Then it was nap time for Mr. Harper, but not before enjoying some Shakes Frozen Custard. My very favorite place to get ice cream!

The rest of the fam came home very sunburned and with a "boat-load" of fish! They brought home a lot of Red Snapper.

Thursday

Today we celebrated our 5 year anniversary! Cam got up early to go fishing in the bay with my dad. They have several intersting stories about the morning, I'll just say they left with 3 poles and came home with 2!! We hung out at the beach most of the morning and then got cleaned up for our date. We drove to Destin and did a little shopping before heading to Harbor Docks for dinner. We sat outside and listened to a fun band while enjoying our sushi. If you are ever in Destin you must eat here.

Friday

Boo, today was our last day in Navarre. We soaked up the sun one last day and tried to enjoy the ocean. The water was really gross. I think it had something to do with high tide. There was seaweed everywhere. I felt like I was swimming in an algae invested lake! It's hard to complain when the water was crystal clear the majority of the week. The waves were the biggest today so we enjoyed dodging the waves like kids. After several attempts of finding good seafood, we settled on BBQ for dinner. It was probably the best BBQ I've ever had. Who knew?!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a much needed and very relaxing trip!

Lunch Date

Our sweet friends Summer, Blake, and Sutton were in town visiting their Gigi and invited us over for lunch. Summer and I were "friends" when we were Blake and Harper's age! Our families went to church together 20 something years ago! Man I feel old!! It is always fun getting our boys together and catching up in person!

Harper and Blake hit it off and immediately wanted to go outside! Harper spotted Blake's tractor and wanted to go for a ride. Blake was very sweet to share with Harper and take turns. Then it was splash time. The boys played and played in the pool. I wish I had their energy!

After the boys were thoroughly worn out we dried off and went inside for lunch. We ate yummy sandwiches and Harper had orange sherbet for dessert. He was in heaven! He has a sweet tooth just like his mama!! Before we knew it nap time rolled around. Harper was asleep in 5 minutes flat. Thanks Spains and Spooners for a very fun morning!

21 Months

Where o where does the time go? I have an almost two year old! At the end of this summer my sweet little boy will officially be a toddler! Harper is growing up so fast!

This month as been a month of change. We have officially done away with the paci. We did it unexpectedly and did it cold turkey! It took about 4 days of tears, but I think they have all disappeared! Woohoo! Harper also got his last molars this month. I think that means no more teeth until he is 6! I have also moved his car seat from the middle to the passenger side. He is officially to heavy to get in the middle. The last change is shoes. Harper's feet can not fit into closed toe shoes. He has such a tall instep that only sandals fit. I sent him to church on Mother's Day with brand new saddle shoes and he cried the entire time. I had no idea why until I took off his shoes and saw the bruises:( This boy has some strange feet!

Harper learns something new everyday. He is putting more and more words together and it usually makes sense! This morning I put on my pool hat and he said, "Where is Harper's hat?" He is such a little sponge, soaking it all up! He surprises his mommy with all that he knows.

We were listening to music in the car when we were running errands. I turned off the car to get out and Harper started singing the ABC's! I had no idea that he knew them, we have never practiced the song. Then I started to think back to the music we listen to in the car, his fridge toys, and everything else that "sings" at home! I was super impressed!

Harper loves playing outside with his golf clubs, golf balls, and Daddy's golf cart. He is turning into a little golfer. People always comment on his golf swing and probably think that we are trying to make him a golfer. Unfortunately, he has taken an interest in golf all on his own! He is a little obsessive too! First thing he says when he wakes up from his nap is "Golf ball, golf ball!" We usually play "golf" all day when we are at home!

Harper also enjoys his fair share of reading. Sometimes he wants us to read to him, but other times he likes to read alone. I love how much he loves to "read!" He has a beginner's Bible and points to Jesus, Goliath (says, giant!), and baby Jesus. It's so cute.

When Harper and Baxter are inside together it is a ton of fun! Harper dances for Baxter and Baxter goes crazy barking. It just encourages Harper! Recently Harper has started to call him, "Dodger." He is always asking "Where Dodger go?" Harper and B are a package deal, so when we head to the grandparents, B is in tow!

The word No has up-ed its frequency at our house. Every time Harper is asked a question he shakes his head yes and says no. If he answers no, I try to correct him with yes ma'am. He will just repeat what I say, but has no clue what it means. He especially says no, when I try to hold his hand as we cross the street. Not a big fan of holding Mommy's hand.

We love our happy, healthy, little guy!

Tagged

I was tagged.......
SO
8 things I am looking forward to......

Florida with the Fam
Alaskan Cruise in August
Visiting Evan
Celebrating 5 years in June
A fun summer with Harper
having a big family
Swimming laps in the morning
Getting a king size bed

8 things I did yesterday......

worked at Cam's office
took Harper swimming
voted 7 times for Kris Allen
gave Baxter a haircut
ran 3 miles
Let Harper play in the sandbox for the 1st time
bought Cam new white undershirts!
picked weeds

8 things I wish I could do...........

plan a fun surprise for our 5 year anniversary
redecorate my bedroom
finish Harper's scrapbook
Give up sweets
Run a 7 minute mile
Find play equipment for the back yard
Throw away Harper's paci
Keep my yard weed-free

8 shows I watch...........
Bachelorette
The Hills
The Office
Idol
24
The Wiggles
Imagination Movers
Max and Ruby

8 people I tag......

Julie
Jenna
Emily
Courtney
Lisa
Jenni
Shelly
Mindy

The Pick of the Patch

Check out the shorts...

Addy, Harper, and I loaded up the car and headed to Plantersville, TX to pick strawberries. It was a fun little roadtrip! When we arrived at the orchard there was a sign that said, "Please do not eat while you pick, we need to make a profit." I'm not sure how you tell a one year old not to eat the strawberries?? Just take a look at the after pictures, ie khaki shorts! Oops!!

We picked strawberries for about an hour and then found the blueberrie bushes and picked those. Harper loved eating the fresh fruit off of the vine. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of us actually picking. I wish I could have catured his facial expressions and the juice running out of his mouth and down his arms.

We picked close to 10 pounds. So far I have made a Spring Mix salad with fresh strawberries, and fruit pizza with strawberries and blueberries. YUM!

A mix of Tiger Woods and Zorro

Harper LOVES golf!