Beach Trips

Okay, first I need to apologize for taking FOREVER to update this blog. We have been having major computer issues when it comes to uploading photos this summer and I just haven't had a chance to really sit down and figure out the problem until this weekend. I hope to do better. So this is the first of a few posts to update everyone on what we did all summer!

We were fortunate enough to make it to the beach twice this summer. Our first trip was with Taylor, Allison and Miller Calhoun in mid-June. We went to Seagrove Beach and it was my first time to the Florida panhandle. It was beautiful and we had a fantastic time! We stayed at One Seagrove Place and really enjoyed being right on the water with gorgeous views and easy, quick access to the beach and pool. With two 1-year-olds we could not have chosen a more perfect location. Ainsley and Miller had lots of fun experiencing the beach and a big swimming pool for the first time. We found out that Ainsley is definitely a water baby. She LOVED the swimming pool and also loved going out into the Gulf of Mexico. Her first time in the pool she kept putting her face in the water and kicking like a little frog. It's amazing that she just instinctively seemed to know what to do. We need to get her in swimming lessons! She did not like the sand, though, and we were lucky to get a few pictures of her with her feet in the sand before she started screaming. We quickly found out that the best way to keep kids this age happy on the beach is with food. We made sure to have plenty of snacks! Moss and Taylor were chefs for the week and made most of the meals. We ate a lot of delicious fresh seafood and even had a shrimp boil! Thanks guys! We went to Seaside for our one night out and ate at Bud and Ally's. I fell in love with Seaside! It is such a pretty town and is so family friendly! They have a large amphitheater surrounded by cute little shops and when we left the restaurant a great band was playing and the grass was filled with families. Ainsley loved listening to the music and watching all the kids dance and blow bubbles and run around. Our 7 days of vacation flew by with perfect weather (although it was record heat by the end of the week). We had a wonderful trip and can't wait to go back!

Our second trip to the beach was in July over Ainsley's birthday. Floyd and Lisa were so sweet to invite all of the Meltons to Lisa's grandfather's condo in Perdido. We had a wonderful long weekend with family and had a small birthday celebration with the family and good friends the Pedigo's. We also got to see Lisa's brother McLean and his family who live in Fairhope. We all enjoyed some beach time together and went to see The Hangover which was hysterical! Unfortunately Ainsley started running a fever on our second day in Perdido so she didn't feel well most of the trip. We didn't get very many pictures because of that. But we still got in lots of good family time, even with her feeling under the weather and refusing to eat normally. She loved being with her cousins Anne Craig and Floyd, as well her Moms and Granddaddy, Uncle Floyd, Aunt Lisa and Aunt Blewett. Thanks so much for a great family trip Floyd and Lisa!

Ainsley on her real birthday, July 9th, in her birthday outfit.

Floyd, Anne Craig, Elizabeth and Walker Pedigo singing Happy Birthday to Ainsley.

Ainsley in her birthday hat which did not last long before she took it off.
Talking to Grandma and Grandpa in Ohio who called to wish Ainsley a Happy Birthday!

Family beach time

Ainsley and Mama (notice the snacks again)

Moss and Ainsley with Floyd IV, Mary McLean, Anne Craig and Patten

Floyd and Anne Craig with Ainsley on the beach.

Floyd with Ainsley at the condo.

Ainsley's new friend

Sorry for not posting sooner. I have actually tried to post a few times but for some reason my computer wouldn't let me upload any pictures. Anyway, we have been busy since our trip to Ohio. Ainsley met a new friend in May - Garrick Pittman, Richard and Caroline's son. Doesn't he have the cutest smile?! They had fun playing together at his grandparents' house (John and Katheryn) when they came to Greenwood for a visit. We hope they come back soon!

Ainsley and I on Mother's Day with my Mother's Day bouquet.

Ainsley's Trip to Ohio

The first weekend of May I flew to Ohio with Ainsley for my cousin's wedding. We found a fun surprise as we were putting her in her car seat for the ride to the airport. Ainsley got her first two teeth!

Flying with a 10 month old by myself was quite interesting, especially in a small plane. She was quite active on the flight and managed to get teething biscuit all over the lady's arm next to us. Once we got to Ohio we loved seeing lots of family. It was so great being with everyone again. We just missed my sister who wasn't able to make it because of work. But my grandmother came from Florida and saw Ainsley for the first time since Ainsley was 2 months old, and my brother Todd and his girlfriend Natsuka flew in from Chicago. Ainsley went to her first wedding and did great! She was quiet during the ceremony and loved the reception for awhile at least. She sat in her high chair eating cheerios and dancing to the music. It was so funny, I wish I had had a video camera! It was a wonderful trip and we really miss everybody already.

Ainsley playing with Uncle Al










My family at the wedding




Ainsley with Grandma and Grandpa

Ainsley and Grandpa dancing at the reception


Ainsley and Grandma at the reception




Ainsley playing with Tupperware


Grandma pushing Ainsley on the swing


Ainsley loves to swing

Double Decker

We went to Double Decker this weekend with Taylor and Allison Calhoun and their son Miller. We had a great time! Moss made Lusco's shrimp for dinner on Friday - yum! And Saturday the weather was gorgeous - a perfect day for walking around the square with the kids. They even got their picture with Colonel Reb - although they didn't realize it because they were asleep. I'm sure if they had been awake they would have been super excited and given him a Hotty Toddy. We got to meet one of Ainsley's newest Grove buddies, Caldwell Embry. They will have lots of fun together during football season next year. And to cap off a great day, Moss and Taylor got to go to the baseball game where Ole Miss beat #1 ranked Georgia. What a weekend!

Ainsley and Miller with Colonel Reb

Ainsley and Miller asleep on the square

Moss, Ainsley, Shannon, Allison, Taylor and Miller

The Meltons

Ainsley and her new friend Caldwell Embry

Ainsley and Miller playing

Ainsley

Ainsley and her Great Aunt Ann Butler who came to Oxford from Kansas City

Easter

We had a very nice Easter. We woke up with Ainsley early Sunday and she crawled from her room over to her Easter Basket in the living room. She loved the eggs and toys and the giraffe that Grandma and Grandpa gave her. She was not a big fan of the sunglasses, though. They didn't last very long. Afterwards we got dressed and went to church, then to Floyd and Lisa's for a beautiful Easter lunch with Moss' family.

Easter Egg Hunt

We had a great Easter full of fun festivities. Friday we went to Lisa and Floyd's for the church Easter Egg Hunt. Ainsley got one egg and as you can see, she thoroughly enjoyed it!