Destin, Florida: May 28-June 4, 2011

It has been a month since my last post and it is now summertime in KY! We were still having occasional cool and rainy days before we left for Florida on Memorial Day weekend, but ever since we have returned, life has been full of my favorite summer activities! There is so much to say. So much has happened in the last month. Emily continues to grow and change and learn new words (AND sentences!) every day. I love her so much. I could just eat her up!

The week leading up to vacation was pure craziness. Jeremy had loads of work on his plate, I was busy, too, and also having to do all of the clothes washing, shopping trips, and packing for Emily, myself and some for Jeremy. Getting organized, planning for a long car trip with a toddler, and trying not to forget anything too important was about to drive me crazy! We left for Bowling Green late Friday night and left for Destin, Florida, Saturday morning at about 8:40 am. I believe it took us close to 11-12 hrs. from L-ville to Destin, but I kept getting confused about central or eastern time and so who really knows? It was all day and a long trip to say the least. But, it was so worth it as my photos will show!

The last time we took a Lee family vacation was about 7 yrs. ago. Jeremy and I were dating, but we weren't engaged or married yet. Stephen and Becca probably didn't know each other yet, Laura and Will were married, but of course none of us had kiddos. This vacation was quite diffierent, but full of joy and fun with having 3 toddlers to keep us smiling. Luckily, mom found a large home for us to rent for the week: 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 3 balconies, a patio, garage, game room, and a dining room large enough where all of us could sit together. The home was large enough for each of us to escape somewhere for some alone family time, but not so large that we didn't have plenty of opportunities to be together. It was about a 5 min. walk from the beach. You could see the ocean from the 3rd floor balcony.

I have hundreds of photos not to mention all of the photos I still haven't received from Mom, Laura, and Stephen. Looking back at our photos, I realize we didn't take many photos of the house or of everyone together. Most of mine are of Emily (big surprise there!) Mom hired a photographer to take photos of the whole family on the beach, but I don't have them, yet. We are hoping he will send us the unedited photos since for some reason he thought it was cool to edit them VERY old school. Anyway, it would have been near impossible to snag a good photo by ourselves with a tripod with 8 adults and 3 toddlers!

Our Home Away from Home: Miramar Beach

Emily laughing as I chase her. Love the setting sun on her sweet, happy face!

Quick shot of Emily and me before the photography session

I included this photo because it almost captures her "silly" look that she does quite frequently, but I can never manage to get a photo!

Cooper at almost 14 months reminds me of Emily last year at the beach. No fear!

Cooling down in a wagon full of salt water? No problem.

Cooper finally made it to the beach after a few days of feeling rough.

(upper respiratory infection and ear infection)

The Burnham family enjoying the breezes at the Backporch restaurant

I would have sat Emily in the chair, but it had just come a quick shower.

Jeremy and Emily after dinner one evening

Chillin' in the shade with Daddy.

Taking advantage of a calm ocean day to let Cooper float on the wake board.

Emily and Hunter loved these pint sized chairs on the 3rd floor balcony. One day Mom found a water hose, and a new water game was born. Emily and Hunter pushed these chairs all over the place and sometimes fought one another for them. In this photo, Mom was having them sing silly songs with her and we enjoyed watching them do the hand motions.

Emily's preferred set up: sitting on a wake board with several toys within reach and at least one bucket full of water.

Nan's little granddaughter!

Emily finally "braved" walking through the soft sand when we asked her to go see Pop and have him full up her water pail.

Wish I looked that cute in a bathing suit!

Hunter enjoyed the pool more than the beach. His favorite pool game was jumping into Will's arms from the side or "pushing" his Dad or uncles into the pool so they would make a big splash!

Memorial Day: waiting patiently for the homemade ice cream!

Yum, yum! Emmy loves strawberry icecream. I must have 20 photos of her walking back and forth to get one more bite!

Fun Beach Day!

Emily needed lots of love and encouragement on her first day or two at the beach, but she adjusted quickly and loved it by the end of day two. I will never forget how she took tiny, tentative baby steps in the sand and then reached forward as far as her little arms would let her to get a favorite toy. She was trying her hardest not to walk more than necessary in the dreaded sand!

Needing Daddy's shoulder for a minute...

"Brave" Emmy finally getting the hang of walking in the sand.

Hanging Ten! That's my girl!

Happy Girl!

Pointing to the ocean or "wah-ney" in Emily-speak. Water = wa +ney.

You missed a spot, Hunter. Let me get that...

Almost jumping to Daddy!

She really loved her float this year. We pushed her back and forth between us, twirled her in circles, or just let her lay her head down on it. It is nice that she will stay in it and not demand that we hold her the whole time.