Gulfarium

Watching the dolphin show

Benaiah looking down on some strange looking birds.

This is at an aquarium that is over 50 years old in Fort Walton Beach.

Gulf Breezes Zoo

The kids got a kick out of putting the animal food pellets on the railing and watching the cow's long black tongue stick out and grab the pellet. They kept saying "look, his tongue is sticky!"

Silly Benny!

Leapard slinky acquired on the way out of the zoo

Petting farm at Gulf Breeze Zoo

More beach

Brothers

Running in the water and jumping over the waves

I decided to bring their swimsuits on a day that was even cooler (upper 50s) than the first day we went to the beach when they wore all their clothes (into the water)...the kids had a blast running in and out of the water (except for Benaiah who was happy digging and tossing the sand and chasing sea gulls) and occasionally running to me to get warmed up in their towels. I think it was the sunny skies and water that was warmer than the air that caused it not to be too cold.

Playing on the Gulf Shore! Pre-soaking.

I like this picture of Benaiah with the rake and the condos in the background because the raking and the building have the same sort of pattern.


The kids and I followed Max down to Eglin AFB - classes for him and beach, zoo, and aquarium fun for us! Poor Max only got to participate in our gulf coast fun vicariously. However, there is a nice little beach on a bay near the billeting room we were staying in that Max could enjoy too. The temperatures weren't what one would consider good beach and ocean weather, but I didn't worry about sunscreen because we weren't going to be there all day, it being in the 50s and low 60s. The lower temps didn't discourage the kids, especially JB and Gloria from getting soaked in the ocean water.

Valentine's Day Dinner

Instead of going out just the two of us for Valentine's Day, we decided to be semi-thrifty and not pay for an expensive restaurant and babysitter, which can add up quickly. Instead we got some really good steaks from the butcher and crab legs from SAMs (I know, risky while I'm pregers, but worth it! They were so good!). I also made a key-lime pie, which is one of Max's favorite desserts and a strawberry-pretzel-whipped cream dessert for the kids. I have other photos of me around the table where I'm smiling more, but the kids are making wierd faces, so I decided to sacrifice my look of happiness so you could see their smiling faces. Believe me, I was happy, just also very hungry! That shirt makes me look very pregers, but I'm not showing too much yet.

Finished Camo Fort

Can you see the tree house in this picture? Okay, it's obvious where it is, but we think it blends in nicely with the forest around the house especially when the leaves start getting back on the trees and hide it more. No, it's not a tree stand for hunting. Believe me, if there were deer on the property, Max would've found them by now, but there's no trace of deer anywhere. So far JB is the only one of the kids who can go up there. Gloria is not able to get down herself, okay, maybe she can, but she's scared and I don't like the idea of having to carry her down the tree. I hope the next people who live here enjoy this "inheritance".

Gloria's wings

Gloria found these "back pack" wings at the thrift store. They were on clearance because they are erratic as to when they choose to work. Gloria's figured out that sometimes if she arches her back they go off. I can't seem to make them work at all so I told Gloria that they only work for real princesses.

I think they go perfectly with the dress that Gramma Shell made for her.

This was a fun day outside for all of us. We swung on our mega swings, we ate a picnic lunch of smoothies outside and Max worked on building a tree house (not a fancy one since we only have 5-6 more months here). I'm envious of the people who get to move here next and I hope they are able to enjoy this place as much as we have.

The weather teased us with a 70+ degree day and then it got cool again. I keep feeling like a wimp here in the South because it IS JANUARY!, but I keep expecting warmer weather than 50 degrees! What has become of this Northern girl?

JB's video of Benaiah

JB has his own digital camera that we got for $50 on ebay and it takes videos. Here is one of the videos of Benaiah that JB took that I thought was just cute...Benaiah's fake smile and he still loves to say "here kitty, kitty" even though the kitty now lives in Colorado and not with us.

Last day in Colorado

JB retrieving a rocket balloon from the tree.

JB jumping into Grandude's arms after retrieving a rocket balloon from the chicken coop roof.

Gloria's "on the fence" regarding her princess status...at least she's not trying to do this in her new princess dress.

A sweet picture of Granddude and JB and Gloria.

Gramma Shell explained that catching the biggest goose is the best way to keep the geese from chasing and intimidating them.

This is the last day we had in Colorado for our Christmas/New Years break. The kids had lots of fun catching geese and chickens, "launching" rocket balloons with Granddude, and riding horses.

Random, but sweet Colorado pics

Benaiah loved to watch for trains from the living room window.

Going for a ride on Uncle Eli's legs. He must have a really good belt on...

Father-Son walk down the driveway

Benaiah checking out nature...

Riding a Donkey

Cute and fluffy baby donkey, "Rosie". She was born without anyone having known that her mother, "Daisy," was even pregnant...a huge surprise! She's a few months old now.

This reminds us of the donkey that Mary probably didn't ride to Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph couldn't afford to sacrifice a lamb so they sacrificed doves...how would they have been able to afford a donkey? How did Mary walk all that way?...must've induced labor...hence Jesus born in the manger in Bethlehem...a wonderful gift from God!

JB and Gloria rode on the donkey for the first time. You can see Sunflower Velcro in her new surroundings (and her new home) in the background.

The donkey foal follows close behind her mother.

Christmas Day

Benaiah received a lot of things with wheels this year. JB and Gloria both got lots of cool things in their stockings as well as presents. Grandude read them some Christmas story books that helps to direct their attention toward Jesus rather than just themselves. We have had a wonderful time visiting and being with family!


Gloria got a new princess dress, which Gramma Shell so lovingly sewed as a Christmas present. We'll see if this one lasts longer than the other one she received last Christmas. It is meant to be a little bit big for her so that it fits her in case she grows, given she doesn't wear it out like she did the last one. I think Gramma Shell is just happy she gets so much use out of them.

JB's Birthday