Gulf Shores, Alabama

After getting into Alabama six hours later than we were supposed to because of snow in Minneapolis we finally made it to the beach the next day. Andrew was a super trooper on the plane and we got several compliments about how well behaved he was. He didn't complain once! AJ was so excited that it was 'summertime' in AL! It was beautiful everyday we were there- high 70s and sunny. What more could you ask for? We played on the beach and in the pool everyday.

This is what a kid who loves the sand and driving his trucks looks like! The sand was so soft and I just wanted to scoop it up and bring it home with me!

He didn't want the waves to 'get' him!

At Lulu's Restaurant owned by Lucy Buffett, Jimmy's sister. This restaurant was so cool- it had the beach volleyball, a plank walk, a big mound of sand with a ton of buckets and shovels to play with, bean bag toss... The perfect beach bar & restaurant (even though it was on the marina/lagoon).

We played miniature golf. AJ was continually 4 holes ahead of me, grandma and poppa. Funny little story about that hat. I forgot to bring his and the first day he was getting a little too much sun (I missed some spots with the sunscreen) so my parents took him to get a hat (I was stuck in bed with the stomach flu that day). They couldn't find a fishing hat except for that one that says 'Culf Shores'. Don't you think they would have sent that shipment back?

Riding the 3 rides he could at the amusement park. How cute is he in that car?

Being the train conductor and ringing the bell on the train ride.

At the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo we got to hold a baby kangaroo! How cool is that? Her name was Olivia and she was 4 months old. Her pouch was the size of a quarter. She was so soft and snuggly!

See Olivia's boyfriend under the bench? He is going after AJ because he's moving in on his woman! :) He just sniffed his shoe!!

There's a nice picture of the three of us!

AJ is laughing at the pouch.

AJ loves feeding the goats. Goats freak mom out with their freaky goat eyes.

I love the look on his face in this shot!

After the zoo, we went to Lambert's Cafe. It was a really fun place that throws hot rolls at you and serves entirely too much food! The fried potatoes and onions were so yummy but I could still taste them at 9 that night!

AJ Turns 4!

AJ had a swimming birthday party at the YMCA this year. He invited his whole class and had a whale theme.

His tower of cupcakes! I have to remember that he doesn't really eat cupcakes even though he begs for them like crazy. Next time- cookies!

All the kids swimming

Parker giving AJ a free ride!

AJ with one of his babysitters, Chloe. Best idea ever!! Brogan is somewhere in there too.

AJ and Carson

Parker

AJ got lots of presents! Too many! His friends and family were very generous. Here he is opening some of his presents on his actual birthday.

And by request (every year actually...) McDonald's chicken Mcnuggets and fries!

Yummy!

The Granddaddy of them All!

We went to LA and the Rose Bowl and we had a fabulous time!

We drove up this curvy, basically 1.5 lane road up to the Hollywood sign and the houses hanging off the side of the cliff were pretty cool. I don't know how they live up there- parking for parties would be impossible, driving that road at night would be scary and the mudslides? Can't imagine!

This picture is one of my favorites! We rarely get pictures together but there was a woman from Tennessee with her 2 daughters up there who was happy to oblige and took many pictures for us.

The view to smog city.

We were hiking down this road to go behind the Hollywood sign but I think we went down the wrong road. Oh well. We had plenty of other things that we wanted to do on Friday anyway!

Santa Monica Pier. There was lots of red there.

New Year's Eve dinner at Ago. We met up with 2 other couples there.

Go Bucky!

Keith, Chris and Steve are pumped for the game!

Karen, Keith, Chris, Kristi, me and Steve before the game.


Jumpy, Jumpy!Bucky is pointing at ME at the Alumni Pregame Tailgate Party!

The game. Full of RED!

Still has a smile during 5th quarter after the Badgers lost. It was a good game. We were exhausted!

On Sunday, we went to The Getty Museum of Art which was super cool. Wish it would have been warmer so we could have seen the gardens in bloom. We ate at the best little Italian place- Bravo Cucina in Santa Monica for lunch. I could not get enough of the pomodoro sauce! The food at this place was WAY better than the place we went on NYE!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

AJ was so excited about Christmas this year. He really is at the perfect age. We let him open his stocking gifts before church but he had to wait until after church for the others.

Hmmmmm... What's in here?

A talkie talkie! That's what Bob the Builder and his crew call walkie talkies.

Look at that big dump truck!! 'All these packages say AJ!'

A bulldozer flashlight... cool.

Christmas Eve

The kids were very anxious to open presents this year! But they came up with some crazy antics to keep them busy until it was time.

Presents! Presents! Presents!



Geoff is looking at the fashion illustrating book that we got for Adreanna



All the kids received fishing poles from Gramma and Poppa this year! They can't wait to use them!!

The three of them are tackling the assembly of one of Parker's toys.

My dad wanted these weird 'golf ball finder glasses'. I don't know how they work exactly but the tree looked pretty cool when you wore them. Kind of like black light...