Visiting the Forts: Walton and Spanish

Charlie has become quite the traveler. We got back from Fayetteville Monday night, then left for the beach Tuesday. Friday we went to Spanish Fort to see the Riders and to attend Nick Gee's wedding. Saturday we visited with David's family, then headed back to Fort Walton. Monday we will head to Grayton Beach for David's family reunion. Then Wednesday, back to the 'Ham. 

My friend Jill met us in Fort Walton and helped me with Charlie. We played on the beach, shopped at the outlets, ate at Boshamp's, swam in the pool, and relaxed. It was a great little vacation!

In Spanish Fort, Kara's nephew, Wells, came over to play. He was so sweet with Charlie. Wells got a popsicle, so of course Charlie had to have one. He really enjoyed chewing on the unopened popsicle. Drool was everywhere! Those top teeth are so slow to push through, but they are trying! We went to Kara's family's dock on the bay and played with their beautiful lab puppy, Sugar Cane. She is so sweet and Charlie loved her, of course.

Friday night we went to Nick and Jennifer's wedding reception. Charlie loved flirting with the ladies, eating cantaloupe, and watching the band. We danced for a little while, but he wouldn't let me hold his hand to dance because he was too focused on the band. He couldn't take his eyes off of them. We had a wonderful evening celebrating the Gee's.

Next up... the Palmer family reunion!

Weekend with David

In between David's 2 training sessions he got a weekend off. Lisa so generously gave me a plane ticket to go see him for my birthday present! (Thank you, LaLa!!)

We had a delay-filled trip on the way out there, but I was in no hurry because David wasn't going to be home yet anyway. However, by the time we got to the Fayetteville airport, I was DONE. Instead of taking a cab like originally planned, I decided to rent a car for the weekend. Wouldn't you know, Enterprise only had one car left. It was a Nissan Versa. Whatever, I was desperate and tired. I didn't want to go to the next counter or give it anymore thought. I wanted the keys and my luggage and I wanted to go home. It was so small, but luckily all of my luggage and the car seat fit with some maneuvering. I kept calling it the Vespa for some reason, which is a scooter, so really that was appropriate. Throughout the weekend, we learned quickly that you have to be careful in the Versa. People pulled out in front of us, cut us off, and bullied us on the road. It became a reoccurring joke that no one respects the "vespa."

David got home Friday night around 11:30. He was so tired, but he wanted to see Charlie so badly. He went upstairs and watched Charlie sleep for a little while. He couldn't believe how much he has changed and how big he has gotten. I really didn't think he had changed that much, but I see him everyday.  Two months is a long time in baby's first year because so many dramatic changes happen so quickly. Saturday morning, David couldn't wait to get Charlie out of bed!

Charlie woke up early and was so excited to see David. They played nonstop and were inseparable all weekend!

Charlie wouldn't take his eyes off of his daddy! He would spin in the buggy so he could watch David.

In between the rain storms, we went to the park and Charlie had a great time swinging, playing with his daddy, and people watching.

(love those thighs)

We had such a great weekend just spending quality time as a family. It was so nice. Missing David already, but we'll be reunited again soon!

McWane Science Center

 Charlie had a blast at the McWane Center! 

Here is a video of the water table, where we spent the majority of our time:

Charlie was a little young for a lot of the exhibits, but he had so much fun exploring. We met Blaire, Caroline, and BL there but we were so late that we only got to play with them for a few minutes. It was an overcast day and there were TONS of kids there on summer field trips, so it was packed. Charlie is such a people watcher, so the crowds were just another attraction in his opinion!

4th of July

We had so much fun at the Pilgreen's lake house for the 4th with Elizabeth and John, Whitney and Ingram, Kara and Jonathan, Ellis and Natalie, and of course Happy and Pep. There was A LOT of rain, but we had a few dry moments to get out on the boat. Charlie and Hudson had fun playing with each other's toys and staring at each other. There were a few jabs and hair pulls, but overall they did great together. We ate way too much, but it's hard to resist all of Happy Kay's cooking!

 Below: Me and Charlie, Whitney, Elizabeth and Hudson, and Kara

 The boys loved the bubble machine!

Happy 4th!! Thanks to the Pilgreens/Mazycks for hosting a wonderful weekend!

On a side note...

Ford has a baby brother! Rader David Russel is here!! Before too long, we'll have 3 boys in this tub! Congratulations Lacey and Mac!