What a trip!

First Row: Hunter, Christian, Me, Bonita aka Nana, Amber, Lela & Hammond
Back Row: Phillip, Justin, Brandon, Marty aka Papa & Mark

We had the best time at Orange Beach last weekend.  Nana and Papa booked us a condo at the Wind Drift South condos. We all relaxed Friday, and then Saturday morning... the kids were ready to hit the beach first thing in the morning. We swam, and played almost all day long. The water was beautiful and clear, which was a good thing considering the overwhelming heat. We all got a little sunburned, but nothing too bad. The boys caught a blue crab, and lots of little hermit crabs. We saw stingrays, dolphins and other sea creatures.

Phillip watching the carnie trying to learn
the techniques Phillip taught him.

Late Saturday afternoon, we all got dressed up in white shirts and khakis and took family photos on the beach. After the pictures were taken, we cruised on over to The Hangout.  I don't know if you've ever been there, but it is a very cool place! Not only is there great food, they also have live entertainment outside, a HUGE sand dune for the kiddies, a machine that blows tons of bubbles, fire breathers, unicycle riders and dancing waitresses.  Though everyone had fun, I think Phillip had the most. He got a temporary tattoo and he also showed their unicycle guy a thing or two.  Thanks to good ole Coach Cook, Phillip is a pretty amazing unicycle rider.  He can even juggle and ride at the same time.  They guy let him ride his unicycle, and Phillip did some tricks and some people even tried to tip him. It's great to know that after the tens of thousands of dollars of tuition I've paid, that if all else fails he can join the circus. LOL 

Hunter and Christian at "The Hangout"

After the hangout, my honey and I went on a date.  We had a great time and listened to a good band.

Sunday it was time to go home. We loaded the kids up and all our junk and set off.  Our first stop was Surf Style in Orange beach, then on to Souvenir City in Gulf Shores.  Hunter bought a gun (or as he calls it, a "smoke pole"), Christian bought pet hermit crabs, and Justin bought a real ninja sword.  Yeah, I know, this is the kid that set himself on fire... a sword might have been a poor choice.  ha ha  Phillip had already bought a wooden surf kind of board on Saturday.  We got back on the road and our next stop was the Ralph Lauren Polo Outlet in Foley.  Boy, did they have some great deals!

When we got to Mobile Bay, we took the boys through the Alabama Battleship Park. It was VERY interesting and hot as blue blazes!! We climbed stairs, descended stairs and walked a LOT. They also have a submarine and an airplane hangar with lots of cool jets, planes, etc. We all rode the flight simulator and completed our mission successfully. Then we had several hours left to go with all six of us in our Taurus. You haven't lived until you've ridden that far with all boys and hermit crabs. In fact, at one point, Justin was trying to convince us all that the hermit crabs didn't really hurt much if they pinched you. He demonstrated his point and ended up riding several miles with the crab latched onto his finger and his brothers laughing hysterically! We finally got home around 8:30 or 9:00 Sunday night. Home sweet home.

The bubble machine

Justin at the Hangout

USS Alabama

Cap'n Hunter

Smith Grandchildren:  Hammond, Christian, Hunter, Lela, Phillip and Justin

Funny!!!

Phillip's temporary tattoo

Uncle Brandon and Lela