Swimming with the stingrays

Lately it seems like we haven't had much time to get out and enjoy the beautiful beaches we have here. Yesterday afternoon Hank got off work early so we decided to pack a picnic and head to the beach when the kids got home from school. What a wonderful decision it turned out to be! The past couple of days there have been reports of stingrays swimming the shoreline but we had no idea how many until we got out there. We probably saw hundreds of rays. You could see them from the shore line right on out. They weren't even bothered by people swimming, would just circle around you and keep on going. I have to say it was of the neatest things I've ever seen at the beach and I'm so glad the kids got the chance to see them as well.




We found tons of gorgeous sea shells, like we need any more!


Cutter really enjoyed the sand. He was covered from head to toe and everywhere in between. He had no choice but to go swimming just to clean him off.



This was Cutter's first experience going out in the water. Initially he was a little hesitant but then took right to it, laughing, splashing and playing. He even got mad when he had to get out and dry off.

Before and After

When we bought this house last year, we knew it wasn't our dream house, but it was certainly priced right and has 4 bedrooms, which with 3 kids is the most important thing ever! We had so many things that we knew right away we wanted to work on, improve, change, etc, but with Hank deploying so quickly after moving, we also knew it was going to be a long, slow process. Almost a year later and we are finally getting some of the work started and done. One of the first things you noticed about the house was the lack of any sort of landscaping. I honestly think the previous owners just threw the bushes in the yard and wherever they landed they planted them there. We have spent just about every free moment for the last few weeks working on the front yard and the flower beds. And although the plants are young and have plenty of growing to do, I can honestly say I am so much happier with how things are looking.
This is how the house looked when we bought it. We have changed light fixtures, pressure washed walkways, painted the door and redone the flower beds. I am so proud of all the hard work Hank has put in to make things look so much better!



Finally, all done!

A sharks tale...

Hank and Tucker took off early this morning and headed to the Okaloosa Island fishing pier in hopes of getting in a little last minute fishing before the oil starts taking over the beaches and Gulf. There are reports of some big fish being caught off the piers and they were hoping to get in on some of the fun. Although they weren't quite that lucky this morning, they did manage to catch a few fish. They reeled in 2 Bonnethead sharks and 2 Whiting. Luckily, the man next to them gave them an additional Whiting and a Blue which made for a perfect supper.

First Haircut

It is with much sadness that I say we took Cutter for his first haircut today. I have had such a hard time with this decision. Cutter is my first baby with any curl to his hair at all and I LOVE those curls so much. In all honesty though he needed a little trimming so this afternoon we all went over to watch Cutter get his first haircut. Everyone was amazed at what a fantastic job he did for Ms. Rebecca. He sat so still and watched the mirror in amazement as she very carefully cut off those beautiful little curls. I don't know that Cutter has ever sat that still or quiet for that length of time. He is still just as cute as ever, and I'm hoping it won't be long before his little curls are back again!