More About Cousins' Camp

Well, last night I didn't get to post about the day so tonight I'll post about yesterday and today. We had a blast both days. These poor children will be so exhausted when they get home, they'll sleep a week! Yesterday morning, Pops and David went to the Naval Air Museum for a "Guys' Day Out" together. They had so much fun and David wasn't ready to leave until mid-afternoon after they'd been there for about four or five hours. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to post of their day but just imagine David climbing into the cockpit of all of the helicopters and airplanes that he could including a Blue Angel. At one point, he looked at Pops as he was pulling and pushing all of the controls and said, "Pops, I have no idea what I'm doing!" Later they found the playground which is in the shape of an aircraft carrier and David played and played a long time there.

While they were at the museum, the girls and I had a "Girls' Day Out" doing things only girls enjoy plus a few other things! Here are some pictures of our day.






In addition to the manicures, we went to the mall for them to show me how they could bungee jump and to allow Ashlyn to jump for the first time since she was at the Gulfarium the day before when they discovered the bungee jump in the mall. Here are pictures of the jumping fun!


Later we swam in the neighbor's pool before going to the mall to eat.




Today, our nephew Drew was able to join us. He's a college student and has been working this summer but yesterday was his last day of work for the summer and he got to go to Waterville USA with us today. Here are the cousins at Waterville before we start our day in the water.

Tomorrow ends Cousins' Camp 2009. What a great week we've had. They've been really good and gotten along well and were helpful in so many ways. We're so thankful that we are allowed a very special week with them for Cousins' Camp. It's full of wonderful memories!!!

Another Day of Cousins' Camp!

Today we did separate things. Ashlyn and David wanted to go to the Gulfarium to see the dolphins and sea lions so I took them there. Pops stayed here with Aubrey, Hannah, and Stephanie and he took them swimming and then to the mall. Besides shopping (looking), they discovered a bungee jump in the center of the mall. Pops let them try that and they absolutely loved it and can't wait to show it to me tomorrow. I'll try to get pictures of that tomorrow but below are some pictures of Ashlyn and David at the Gulfarium.

Cousins' Camp Continued

Today was a day to stay around here. We began by swimming in the neighbor's pool. Then, we had lunch and drove out to the beach. Hannah, Ashlyn, Stephanie, and I played and swam on the gulf side while Pops took Aubrey and David to play and swim on the sound side. After swimming, Pops, Ashlyn, and Hannah drove down to Ft. Pickens. I brought the rest of them home, we got dinner ready, Pops, et al came home, we ate, and then the children and I made our annual trip to Target to buy lunch boxes, back packs, etc.---back to school items. Now we're home and David has been doing what he does best---playing with the toys in the game room and the girls have been doing hair, pedicures, etc.---just what girls do best. I'm posting some pictures of our day. Are you tired yet?

Cousins' Camp-2009

Every summer our grandchildren and niece come to our house for a week and we call it Cousins' Camp. Yesterday was the first day of 2009 Cousins' Camp. We left church and started driving north while our son and daughter-in-law left church with all four grandchildren and started driving south. We met half way and got the children and headed back home with them. We stopped at our Farm for them to feed the animals and just enjoy being at the Farm. Then, we went on to pick up our niece and we all came to our house.

Today was our first full day of camp. We got up to go to one of our favorite water parks for the day. Our friends, Gran and Jake, went with us because it's become an annual tradition for us to all go to Big Kahuna together. The children (and MomMom) went down water slides and the lazy river all day long. Pops also went down the lazy river and we took turns going with different children to vaious parts of the park. Needless to say, tonight we're all exhausted but it's a good exhaustion after a fun day in the sun. Here are some pictures of our day.

A Bird's Life

I sat out on our deck for a while this afternoon trying to get some pictures of the birds at our birdfeeder and/or in the trees around the deck. I managed to get a couple of good pictures. These little guys are so quick and flit around, it's difficult to get a good picture. Notice how this one has a watchful eye out for predators---has to grab a bite to eat and check out his surroundings. It's a great example of his unending effort to survive.

This bird was up very high in the tree and actually sat there for a while. I can't quite tell what kind he/she is but I do appreciate him/her sitting still for a while.


As I was sitting there, a cat from the neighbor's house came slinking under the birdfeeder. I'm sure he was looking for his dinner, too. The food chain is alive and well.

Life on the Gulf Coast

Go on over to A Southern Daydreamer to check out Susan's Outdoor Wednesday. It's always fun to see all the outdoor pictures.

I have a new camera and have been trying it out. My poor husband is having to get used to driving down the road and my saying "Please turn around. I just saw something that would make a good picture!" But, today we rode out to the beach so I could try out the camera and especially the zoom. We both had fun. Anyone who knows me very well, knows I love the outdoors and nature. Today I was able to take pictures of several things that I love!

The Lighthouse on the Naval Base--This picture was taken from across the bay using my zoom.





This duck was busy trying to find his dinner.


Not sure what this crab was up to, but we were able to get some good pictures of him.



Mr. Heron is looking for his dinner.



Later Mr. Herron is roosting getting ready for the night.


The sun sets on the coast and the birds and animals rest in order to attempt to survive another day.