Beach Bums part 1

Okay. . . before I (just begin to start) to memorialize the wonderful two week vacation that we just completed *sniff* and "blogbook" it, I must update you on Miss Priss! If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here to get the lowdown.

This past Monday (we got home on Saturday night), I took her to the Children's Hospital to get her levels checked. Right before we left, her platelet levels were at 65,000 which was only a few thousand lower than what they were the week before. They allowed us to go on vacation with no scheduled appointments while on vacation down in Mobile and Orlando but would arrange and tell us where to go and what to do if we started noticing symptoms again.

On Monday we were shocked to find out that her platelets had more than doubled in two weeks and were at 149,000!! (normal is 150,000 to 400,000). They said that her body is finally doing what it is supposed to do - a "spontaneous recovery". I almost cried because I was so excited - and shocked! We don't even have to go back for a recheck now unless we start seeing symptoms. What an answered prayer! Thank you for all your prayers and concerns for Carolina. We praise HIM!!

Alrighty . . . I have to blog in chronological order (beach first, then Disney). It's the tee-tiny bit of OCD in me. We went to Dauphin Island, Alabama for the first time ever with all of Chad's family. This is the first time that everyone was able to go for the entire week - we had tons of fun just hanging out in swimsuits all day, wet hair and barefoot (except for me - I can't stand to have dirty feet, at least while inside). Even Lance's fiance, Heather, was able to go, too!

This is a shot of the house we stayed in from the road. (and Chad and some of the boys who had just finished a bike ride) We have always stayed in a condo, but this house was so nice and spacious - loved it!

Here's a view to the west of the house. LOVED the privacy we had! (That is the ocean on the left side and the bay on the right side. The part of the island we were on was very narrow.)

Here's a partial shot of the porch. Ummm, yeah. We spent a lot of time on the porch and even had a shrimp/crab boil out here the last night!

Lawton "found" this treasure map and starfish that "pirates" must have lost, along with some "real" pirate coins that Houston and Hunter "found". What fun memories that we "made"! :)

Seriously, though, there were TONS of shells that were pristine that we did really find and collect.

The boys found this dead fish and then, sadly, had the best time slamming it with shells and watching it's insides spill out of all orifices. I can assure you that when I was seven (or five or four), this would have NEVER crossed my mind - or my sister's.) Boys.

Sweet Hunter. I love this boy.

They did manage to catch a ton of these baby fish - I forgot the name- and hermit crabs. No harm done to any living thing. Promise. Back off PETA.

Carolina (and her stunning physique :) just took it all in and loved the beach. She loved being in the water. The bigger the wave, the better. Her little nose would crinkle up and she would just laugh with the big waves! She's going to be quite the dare devil I think. Just yesterday I caught her halfway up the ladder to the playhouse. We're. in. deep. trouble.

Don't you wish you looked this cute in a bathing suit? Me too.
Because this is the ONLY picture of me in a bathing suit that you will ever see posted. . . VERY far away and hiding behind a child. There is a strict rule of no adults photographed on the beach (except for Papa J who could care less).

I could just eat him with a spoon! (most of the time - ha!)
Snack time - a very important part of beach time!!

You see, you could find Lawton in a beach chair quite often, earning the nickname "Snack Monster". If I took the time, I could find pictures of him every year, same pose and possibly the same snack. Papa J "Master Sand Builder" with Houston and Hunter and one of their many creations.

Trust me, there's many more pictures to come (if you really care) so keep coming back! I'm too tired to do more tonight!