Pensacola weekend

So our adventures this weekend took us to Pensacola with Steve and Debbie.  We were there to have fun, they were there to look for a winter home.  On Saturday the four of us went to the National Aviation Museum and spent several hours walking around and looking (and in some cases climbing in) at hundreds of old military aircraft. Here are just a few of the 150+ pictures I took while we were there.

Showing us just how big the propeller is.

She doesn't just look like her mommy...throwing a fit just like
I used to and I'm taking a picture just like my parents did!

Aunt Tammy...they were close enough to
reach out and touch ;)

My little fighter pilots

Daddy had a good time teaching Jakob
about all of the different weapons

I feel the need, the need for speed!

Seriously...can they get any cuter?!

They really liked sitting in the engine

There is a working lighthouse on the Naval Station too. We were able to walk close to it, but the kids aren't tall enough to climb to the top, so the best we got was a picture.

The day finished with a trip to the beach.  I didn't have my camera with me (didn't want sand all over it) so the only picture I got was of Jason & Jakob getting his big kite ready.  He had more fun flying his kite with daddy (it went much higher!) and Sheila liked playing in the sand.

Before we came back to Mississippi we went for a Mother's Day round of putt-putt.  Again, I only had my phone camera, but I think you can see how much fun the kids had while we were there!

                

 

We love the water!

Last week the kids and I finally made it to the new Splash Pad on Keesler and they loved it!  For a long time they were the only ones there, which made them love it even more :)

They both liked trying to "catch" the water!






We also had a day where we were able to go for a walk along the beach and then Jake was finally able to play with a kite.  The only problem, was that he had me to help him! I'm not known as the best kite flier and with having to watch to make sure Sheila didn't run out into the parking lot, means we didn't do a great job.  He still had fun, so that's all that really matters though!

Trying to get it off of the sand!

One of Sheila, just because she's so stinkin' cute

The Big Easy...

Last week we made a day trip to New Orleans. We spent the whole day in the French Quarter district but had tons of fun.  The day started with some wonderful beignets that the kids really enjoyed!

Yummy!!

Sheila didn't want to hold it, but sure liked to eat it!

Daddy and Jake showing off his powdered sugar fingers.

After breakfast went on a carriage ride that the kids were super excited about.  Unfortunately for them, it was a historic tour that lasted 30 minutes and Jakob thought it was "too long!!"

We did a little shopping and walking and then had some lunch (because come on, you eat a lot on vacation, right?).  We were able to eat outside on the balcony which we all enjoyed.  During lunch, the large ferry boat docked and had a 20 minute steam music show.  Jakob thought that this part was awesome :)

With my mini-me

Off to the right of the building is the ferry
we were able to listen to during lunch

Sheila fell asleep during our walk by the river, so Jakob thought that this was a perfect time for a picture shoot.  Here are just a few of the pictures that he had me take, and yes he would stop and pick out where he wanted his picture taken a and then he posed for each one!

Stopping for a picture

"I'm a statue"

"Get my picture here too!"

One of our last stops was St. Louis Cathedral. It was lovely.  A wedding rehearsal was happening while we were there so I didn't take any pictures in the church, but will go back to get some another day.

This was in front of the Cathedral and Lincoln statue.
As you can see, Sheila wasn't really ready to be awake yet. 

We didn't get a picture of the strangest part of the day, but it involved Jakob throwing a fit about us making him go to the bathroom and screaming to the point that a homeless man gave him a dollar.  Needless to say that it got Jake to stop screaming (did I mention how tired he was?) and then he was really excited. Don't worry Aunt Tammy, we made him put the dollar away and then we sanitized his hands-again!  6 days later and he still mentions the guy that gave him money! We didn't last much longer after this and went back home before dinner time.  Even with the meltdowns we are excited to go back and see more of the city.

If you want to see more pictures from our New Orleans trip you can catch them here:  http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=11967642007/a=40772093_40772093/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Easter Festivities

Easter weekend was a busy time for us.  Saturday started with a pancake breakfast, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed! Once we were done eating, we went to the park on base for an Easter parade, complete with goodies for the kids and the Easter bunny made an appearance at the end. From that distance Sheila actually liked him!

Showing off their baskets before the parade starts

He's over there!!

After the parade the kids got to participate in an Easter egg hunt. Unfortunately for us, Jakob & Sheila were in two different age categories and we only had the one camera :(   We decided that I would go with Sheila take a few pictures of her and then she & I would run over to catch a picture or two of Jake finding an egg.  Well...that would have worked if a) we knew where in the world Jakob and Jason had been standing and b) if Jakob had actually gotten any eggs!  You see, we told him that he wanted to watch for the special 'golden eggs' not knowing that to his 5 year old ears that meant "only get the golden eggs, don't pick up the ones right in front of you!"  Oops!!!!  Luckily, Sheila didn't know any better, so I just took a couple of hers and hid them nearby for Jake to find.  He was still sad for a moment, but was over it when he realized there was candy in the eggs.

Once she figured out what to do, she really liked
getting the eggs in her basket!

Still able to smile after the hunt!

Jason had one of the Sr Airmen helping out take a picture of us.  I was impressed that he got everyone to look and smile in only two attempts!

The kids didn't want to wait in line to see the Easter bunny so we played around instead!

There were kayak's out so the kids jumped in so we could show Aunt Tammy, Uncle Chris, & Uncle Neil that they are ready to go!!

 The kids always love to play at the playground. This was one of the first times that I actually had my camera with me, so I was excited too!



Easter Sunday brought baskets with a few goodies, church (which we almost lasted the whole time without crying) and a dinner with some of Jason's classmates.  Overall it was a wonderful day, with lovely people and gorgeous weather.

Excited for his new movies

She is no longer my daughter...
she liked the Peeps!!

Doesn't everyone have Easter dinner by the pool?

Sheila was yelling at her Daddy to bring her "more!!"

Yummy... Crawfish!

The base had a crawfish boil last weekend and one of Jason's classmates was participating so we went too.  It was pretty boring at first, but once the crawfish were handed out, we had more fun. Jake loved picking them up and watching them crawl around. He watched with great interest while Jason's friend put the bucket in the boiling water and didn't even cry when it happened.

Jake with one of his new "friends"

Sheila thought she needed to touch them too!

After they cooked, Jason's friends dad was able to get Jake to try one.  He decided he liked it, but was sad because it was his friend!  They even got Jason to try some too.  I tried it, but we couldn't get Sheila on board with the eating of the crawfish.  Oh well, maybe next time!

YUM

This is Sheila's "I don't think so mom!" face.

I think that Jason was really trying to figure out a way to not try it here!

Jakob's favorite part of the day was when he finally got to play corn hole.  The boards were set up right in front of our cooking area, but we kept telling him they were for the adults. Finally, some of "our people" decided to play, so Jake jumped at the chance to join in on the fun!

Fire Station Museum

A couple of weekends ago we found a local fire station museum that was free to visit.  Jake had a blast and Sheila was excited to get a pink fire fighter hat :)  We all liked all of the old fire hats, but Jakob's favorite part was the small fire truck he could get in and pretend to drive!  Overall, it was a fun hour that only cost us a couple of dollars as a donation.

Sheila showing off her new hat!

Standing in front of the old FORD firetruck-see that Dad, it's a ford :)

The best picture I could get of the 3 of them by the kiddie fire truck.

Jakob did NOT want his picture taken by the fireman statue!

We didn't get many pictures of Sheila, because she won't stand still, but here is one of her almost smiling by the firetruck.

Jake to the rescue!!