Headed Home

After our trip to Bellingrath, we took a detour through Gulf Shores, Alabama on our way home. I had been eager to go to Lulu's for some time to eat and this was a perfect opportunity. It is a fun atmosphere and I wish we could have had more time to enjoy some of the activities they offered. If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it. However, you might want to go a little early as the line was quite long to get in by the time we left.

On our way back home we made a drive through the parking lot of the USS Alabama because Cutter was begging to see the ship and airplanes. I guess he didn't remember going before.

Cutter was very excited to see a Nemo airplane. I never get tired of "seeing" things through his eyes.

Next was a stop at Bass Pro because my kids never get bored with it. They love this shooting range and could easily drain my bank account playing it.

We often forget that Cutter is a lefty and does things a little different than us.

He told us he looked like the guys off Swamp People.

Our final stop was in Pensacola to watch the sunset. Perfect ending to a wonderful day!

Bellingrath Gardens, Theodore, Alabama

Since moving here I have been wanting to go to Bellingrath Gardens and I finally got to go during Spring Break. Bellingrath is a 65 acre estate that includes the beautiful gardens, a 10,000 square foot house and a chapel. The kids were really unsure what to expect and completely dreaded the trip. I think they were all pleasantly surprised when we got there. Tucker told me afterwards that he really thought we were just going to a greenhouse.

Our trip was timed perfectly to see the azaleas, they were in full bloom and everywhere. Bellingrath is also open during the Christmas season for a magic in lights display. I'm pretty sure I see another trip in our future come December!

   Although not yet in bloom, this garden was completely filled with rose bushes.

My kids had never seen a pineapple plant and were simply amazed.

The orchids were gorgeous.

Of all the things we saw in the greenhouse, Cutter was most impressed with the John Deere flag.

You can also take a tour of the house, however we decided that Cutter probably would not handle that too well so we chose to tour the gardens only.

Inside the chapel.

I could have spent all day here, it was absolutely perfect!

There is an entire garden with an Asian theme to it.

Bowling

During Spring Break we had a couple of days with some "iffy" weather. It was a little cool and cloudy with a chance of rain. We took this opportunity to spend the morning bowling. Tucker and Sailor had both been before but never at this base, but this was Cutter's first time and he sure was excited. I was so pleased at the set up that the base bowling alley offers. The bumper guards can be set to come up for each person that needs them and are automatic, so they immediately go back down for the next bowler. They also have slides for the younger kids which I thought was brilliant!

You know if you talk to the ball it helps it go in the right direction.

And of course you must do a little dance.

He tried to be all serious, it didn't really help much.

Time for a little lunch.

I'm not the best bowler and rarely do I break 100 so I was very proud of my score. I was more impressed that I beat Hank until he told me he didn't try real hard so the kids could beat him. Darn.

Obviously he put forth a little more effort for the second game.

Home Run!

Springtime means the return of softball season. With all three kids playing sports this time it makes it hard for me to be at each and every game. I missed this game entirely so of course it would be the time Sailor would score a home run. I am so thankful that another mom managed to record it and email it to me. We are so proud of her!

  

Even though their team lost, Sailor was given the game ball by her coach.

Wonderworks, Panama City Beach

The afternoon we were in Panama City Beach was spent at Wonderworks. The older kids were especially excited to be going here. I had read about it online but was still a little unsure what to expect. There are lots of hands on things to do and learn about. Everyone was amazed at the building itself.

Tucker trying out the bed of nails.

And if Tucker can do it, then of course Sailor has to give it a try too.

Cutter trying to do a little ATV driving.

This is like a giant interactive video game, you know Hank had to give it a go.

Everyone loved the bubble station!

Hank spent a lot of time working on his bubbles and Cutter spent even more time trying to pop them.

This was a simulator. Tucker had hoped it would be a flight simulator but they had it set for a roller coaster instead. There was a monitor outside so we could watch their faces during the ride.

Apparently Sailor really enjoyed it. You can even tell that it turned them upside down by Sailor's hair. I think she laughed and smiled the entire ride.

A friendly game of mindball. The person who was most relaxed made the ball move. Tucker won.

Then Hank won.

Part of our admission included the ropes challenge course which I didn't really know what it was until we got to it. Tucker and Sailor were more than eager to give it a try.

No fear.

And you know Hank wasn't about to miss out on this. He couldn't get geared up fast enough.

They literally would have stayed up there for hours. They said that was their favorite part of the entire place.