Pensacola Lighthouse

While the kids were out of school for Christmas break we took one day for a trip to Pensacola to see the Lighthouse all decorated. And for the first time we were able to climb it. We had to make the trip in pairs as Cutter wasn't big enough to climb, and boy was he mad about it.

I promise Cutter was with us, he just refused to cooperate.

That's a lot of stairs and I felt every bit of it for the next few days afterwards. :(

Sailor and I both had flip flops on that day and had to climb the lighthouse barefooted.

The still functioning light, we can see it when cross 3 mile bridge from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola.

Tucker was very intrigued with this room and the history behind it. Pensacola Lighthouse is supposedly one of the most haunted lighthouses in the country. There have even been several ghost hunting shows filmed there.

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and many blessings for the upcoming New Year!

St Paul Preschool Christmas

Towards the beginning of the month Cutter's school had their Christmas program for the 2 and 3 year old classrooms. It was precious! I don't know that the 2 year olds did much singing but they sure enjoyed ringing the bells and waving at their parents.

Cutter is on the bottom row, left side.

At least he did the hand motions.

Christmas at The Commons

I love Destin, but I especially love Destin at Christmas time. If you have never been to a Bass Pro Shop, Christmas is the best time to visit. Not only do they allow you to take your own photos of the kids visiting Santa but they give you a FREE picture to take home, unheard of these days. They also have many activities set up for kids (big and little) to play. We planned this trip on a school night and it couldn't have been better timing. We did not have to wait in line to visit with Santa and the kids got the entire toy section to themselves!

My kids always like to work on a list of things they want and then take it to Santa. Sailor is going over her list with him.

I know Tucker is getting big but until times like this I just don't realize how big he really is. :(

Cutter didn't have a list so Tucker let him give Santa his list, such a nice brother. Cutter also told Santa that daddy needed a big boat and mommy needed a ring, such a thoughtful little boy!

My kids would have stayed all night playing with the toys.

Look Daddy, I found what I want for Christmas!

Sailor working on a craft project.

The finished product, a bunny ornament.

Target practice.

Hank and Cutter getting in a little racing. Hank had some biopsies done earlier in the day so he was covered in band-aids!

Sailor and I showing the boys how it's done. I'm proud to say I scored as well as Hank did. :)

After our visit to Bass Pro, we went down to Build a Bear. Normally I wouldn't let the kids have anything this close to Christmas but we had a coupon for a free animal so we let Cutter build his own animal. He was the only one that had never built before and he was quite excited.

Giving his monkey a heart.

Sailor helped him get his monkey all cleaned up.

The 50 foot Christmas tree at The Commons. It's lights change and blink with the music.

Thanksgiving Day

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, got to spend time with both of our families. Hank started off the day with a little duck hunting, I don't think he could have asked for a better way to start his day. A big thank you to Bulls Bay Inshore Charters for allowing him the opportunity.

Looks like Andy cooked them up a nice, warm breakfast!

After a little duck hunting, Hank headed down to soundside to get started on frying a turkey. Granddaddy Eddie and Uncle Sonny are doing a good job of watching. ;)

Turkey's frying.

Aunt Teresa making some homemade mashed potatoes, yum.

Love these kids!

The kids all enjoyed the opportunity to feed dad while we were there, Sailor is giving him his Thanksgiving supper.

Beach Trip

We took one day out of our trip at Thanksgiving and got in a little beach time. We had really hoped to be able to do more, but the mosquito's didn't allow for that to happen. I have never seen the likes of mosquito's as there are in eastern NC! Hank had not been to the new fishing pier so the kids were quite excited to take him.

It truly is a beautiful pier.

This sign cracks me up! It's located in the bathrooms of the pier. I can't decide if they put it up as a precaution or if it's something they have a problem with!

The kids couldn't even get out of the car at the lighthouse due to the mosquito's. :(

Luckily, we didn't have an issue at the beach, it was perfect!

One of the things Hank misses most about NC. Driving is not allowed on the beaches near us.