AT THE BEACH!

Last Friday, my parents, Andrea and her family and Kalie went to the beach. Because of school, we had to wait til Wednesday evening to come down. And also due to the size of our bunch, so Andrea and her family were there the first half and we came the second half. Kalie was there 9 days!! She had a great time and I am still waiting on the pictures from before we arrived! ha! But, below are a bunch of pictures from a very low-key, bum-like 3 1/2 day stay at Orange Beach. I think it caught us off guard just how low key it was- I think Drew and I were in shock most of the time. ha! We have some great memories from this trip! We enjoyed watching our girls, and getting time with my parents. We played games and had a picnic... well, you will see from the pictures below.

Kate was going to have nothing to do with the ocean at first but then with Dada carrying her, she realized it wasn't so bad after all...
Amy and I had been making silly pictures so my dad joined in.


Amy and me. I enjoyed getting to spend some fun time with her.

What a treat we had- we met another family who adopted last year- we were actually in China at the same time! Camryn was an absolute doll and her mom was such a jewel! Of course, we exchanged emails and the girls enjoyed playing together.Karlee, Kate and Camryn playing in Camryn's tent.Kalie reading... She enjoyed taking it easy.
I LOVE this picture of Karlee- we saw lots more smiles this year than last year at the beach and overall this trip was the easiest for her since we brought her home. Drew and me
Dada with Karlee and Kate watching the ocean.Karlee and Kate LOVED the ocean- they would have stayed in these rafts all day long if they had had someone to stay with them.
Kalie and I built a sand something- I don't know what he was but we named him Bob. AT THE POOL- our family- we saw our girls grow into more of fish than before. Kalie swimming all over the deep end and doing tricks, Karlee jumping off the side with no one helping her and Kate enjoying the water with the water wings on.
Kate cuddling with her mommy. I don't get much of this with busy body three year olds, so I take it when I can get it!Karlee was riding on my back just laughingKarlee, Kate, my mom and meKarlee doing a silly trick

We went out to eat and ate ALLIGATOR!!!

Drew and me one evening on the beachOur family tradition- a picnic on the beach- its our favorite!Kalie being silly if you can imagineI love Kate's grin. She has a signature grin. You never know how she is going to use it- she could be really happy or silly or getting into something you have just said no about or testing the waters or....... you get the picture- but its hers and we love it!Karlee making a silly facewe tried playing frisbee but weren't very successful due to the windbut it was perfect for flying kites!kalie taking a turn with the cameraOKAY- HERE ARE MY FAVES! Every year, I take the girls a nice outfit for a photo session. I treasure these pictures but have to admit they are usually the most stressful part of the trip. Last year, we tried for an hour. This year, I was done in 15 minutes! They did perfect!! Kalie is growing upKarlee and her sweet expressions...
Kate- she's looking a little mischievious to me here
these sweet sisterstalking about somethingi don't know what kalie was whispering to karlee but i thought it was so sweet.
every photo session must come to an end... as you can tell, it makes our girls a little more insane!YEA!!! we are finished!!

and after 9 days with 3 daughters. two sons in law and 6 granddaughters, what do you expect????