Birthday Princess

I love to celebrate a birthday.

Including my own! 

I've been this way my entire life.

An entire day to celebrate "you" (or me) 

is alright by me!

This year may have been my favorite birthday yet.

I was surrounded by my favorite people and enjoyed EVERYTHING about the day!

Even though we were not at home I still woke up to decorations

and enjoyed breakfast on the special birthday place mat.

Doesn't this just bring a smile to your face.

Starting my day off with these two precious faces with party hats = AWESOME!

Our special red place mat for the birthday boy/girl!

Momma and her boys.

The final "a" charm for my bracelet.

Thanks Satch.

Seriously.... what a great start to a new year!

Hanging on the beach with my boys!

Next favorite thing:

pictures with my peeps!

I am usually the photographer and don't have many 

pictures with my boys.

Woah... are these some beautiful faces or what?!?

Greatest gift for Momma~

a family picture to remind me of our awesome vacation!

Next up?

Dinner with my boys followed by "happy birthday to you"

in our party hats.

I get the princess crown (of course) for the evening.

Why?

Because it is good to be queen!

Thanks to my boys for my extra special birthday

 and great start to my next year of life!

Point Clear, Alabama

WARNING!!!

Ridiculous amount of pictures to follow. (53 to be exact)

This year we went to The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama for our family vacation.

We chose this destination for several reasons.

(1) it is only a 3 hour drive by car

(2) we have been here before and it is kid friendly with a great pool

(3) once you arrive at the hotel there is absolutely no reason to leave the resort until check out.  

In all honesty I did not have any expectations for our vacation.

I did not expect for it to be relaxing.  I am a realist.  We were vacationing with a 1 and 3 year old.

Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised.

We had a wonderful AND relaxing time.

We made many happy memories on our first vacation as a family of 4.

The boys had a great time which is all that matters to me!

Top things that I learned:

1. We do not believe in traveling light.  Geesh!  The amount of "stuff" that we packed for 4 nights was out of control.  My husband packs a car like it is no body's business.  That man can "cube" a car with the best of 'em!  Me?  I'm more of a shove it in sort of girl. :)   
2. Uninterrupted family time is an AWESOME thing.  I deleted facebook from my phone as we pulled out of the drive way and only took 1 phone call while away.  This is just what the doctor ordered for every single person involved.  At the end of our vacation I believe that we are all better for this uninterrupted family time.
3. If we ever go on vacation with you OR if you just so happen to be staying at the same hotel you may want to request to stay on a different floor.  Man.... Roman has a set of pipes.  (upon inspection last night once we got home he cut 2 new teeth)
4. On a daily basis we sprawl out in our fairly spacious house, but we manage just fine all living and sleeping in one room.  HOWEVER, it sure was nice moving back into my own king sized bed last night.  Truly, there is no place like home!
5. Roman and Griffin are some funny kids.  We shared lots of giggles and belly laughs.
6. My husband is the most amazing man that I know.  I love you Satch!  Thanks for the awesome memories.  I love watching you parent our boys.  You are such a good model and lead by example.  Good thing because they watch your every move...

Cubed, loaded, and ready to go!

Ready for a little pool time.

Baby Bear liked it.

And Big Bubba did too!

So sad... Why can't we swim all night?

Eyes.

Perfect ending to our first day!

Day 2
Happy Birthday to me!  

My boys building sandcastles on the beach.

Griff swimming in the bay.

Baby Bear's first time with his toes in the sand.

Momma liked it too.

The most fabulous way to ring in another year!

Snack time!

Griff enjoying a little movie down time.

Momma and her boys.

I love this baby.

Baby Bear's new party tricks.
He sticks out his tongue,
gives BIG open mouth kisses on command,
waves and says "bye-bye"
and dances on command.

Getting a little better with family pictures. :)

I love these people MORE than words can say.

Sweet kisses from my favorite 3 year old! 

Griffin getting in a round of croquet. 

Daddy moved back into Griffin's #1 spot.

Being the only girl in the house does have its perks. :)

The end of day 3.
Enjoying a little run around time at this beautiful park.

Here we are again!

I heart this man.

And so does this little boy. 

And this one too!

tickle time!

Day 4 at the pool.
We discovered The Grand also has a second location for swimming.
This location was WELL worth leaving the grounds.
Not as crowded with an awesome pool and lazy river.
We hung out here day 3 and 4.
Shhh.... let's keep this place a secret!

Griff catching a wave on his "skate board"

I don't know where the courage came from.
This kids thinks that he know how to swim.
We are talking jumping off the side and all!

Anyone for a round of golf?

The end of day 4.

Love those boys!!

My brother, my friend.
The boys bonded on another level.
I want so badly for these boys to love and look out for one another.
Example. Griffin did not want to leave the pool until Satch said "Your brother is tired."
Griffin's response, "okay."  We walked away peacefully.  

Bike ride along the bay right before heading back home.

All good things must come to an end.

Good bye Point Clear.
Hope to see you next year and thanks for the memories!