beach vacation

Beach House Baby! That's what we did for our summer vacation this year. The extended Marlin Clan all boarded planes to Destin this summer to spend a week on the beach. With 8.5 children and 9 adults we donned out bathing suits and sunscreen and pretended we were in an exotic land far from the stresses of everyday life.

We were lucky enough to have my sister in law and her two kids come out a little early for a prevacation vacation. Our kids get along so great and have the best time just chillin' together. Of course we did take advantage of this time and hit the beach almost every day. The kids loved it!

Our house was a three houses down from the beach - not a shabby walk I might say - and of course we had a pool and everyone had their own room. We all took turns with meals and caring for each other's kids so we could maximize our vacation. The kids spent about 90% of their waking hours for a week in some sort of water or another.

This all did occur during the oil spill but we were fortunate enough to not encounter any of the ramifications of that. Instead there was a pretty miserable algae bloom but once you accepted that you were going to walk out of the water looking like swamp thing it was no big deal.

So, where we going next year guys?

C3 Camp

For the past week Elizabeth has been at an all day camp that Chick-Fil-A puts on in various communities that is for elementary school children that is based on faith and good morals. SHE HAD A BLAST!!!
Each day they did different activities in their small groups and for her that included gymnastics, art and science. They also had large group activities they did every morning and throughout the day.
When I picked her up each evening, she was exhausted but couldn't wait to go back the next day. I really hope they come back next year because this was one amazing camp!

a day at the zoo

Another field trip today but for Jacob this time. The three year old classes at his school went to the Gulf Breeze Zoo. It was about a 45 minute drive and the zoo was small but it was perfect for little ones and lack of attention span. Plus it was HOT!!!

Once we got into the zoo, the kids were amazed to see baby chicks of all sorts running through the zoo. Jacob was especially curious about the chickens. He timidly followed them as they walked along the sidewalk. It was pretty cute....

.... until Mama came charging at him from the bushes. It scared the daylights out of him and he was traumatized for a little bit.

Sorry so blurry but I think I saw what was happening through the lens and dropped the camera to go get him as I snapped the picture. But you get the idea. :)

Once we were over the trauma of the chicken, we rode on a small train around the zoo. After the train ride, each of the kids were given a large cup of food and we headed over the the feeding area.

AJ once again enjoyed a field trip with one of his siblings. I think he thinks this is what I must do while he is at school.

Jacob quickly figured out that if you hold the cup of food up to the animals it is a lot less messy than out of your hand.

He also tried the throwing it on the ground technique.

He was also able to pet a 2 week old mini deer. It was smaller than a chihuahua. So cute!

AJ found himself a lamb that he fed.

Once Jacob discovered all of the cutouts for pictures, he insisted that I take a picture of him in each one.

For some reason, this one seems to fit his personality. What do you think?

After a tour of the zoo and some petting and feeding, we had some very hot and hungry kiddos on our hands so we headed to the pavilions to have a group lunch. Lunch with 30+ three year olds is certainly an experience. It was certainly a good way to wrap up the year. He has one more week left and then it's summer break!

at sea

The first and second grade TEAM QUEST classes at Elizabeth's school always end the year with a dolphin cruise during their marine animal unit. AJ and I were lucky enough to be able to go on the cruise with them. (AJ's school ended last week so he is with me for the rest of the summer.)

Boarding the boat getting ready for our adventure to "sea". The kids were so excited to depart, they could hardly contain themselves.

Before we even got out into the Gulf we saw a pod of dolphins playing in the water. There were two calves and three adults. The calves kept coming up and slapping their tails on the water. It was so cool.

Several of the adults came right up beside the boat.

And of course, what would a deep sea adventure be without a shipwrecked vessel.

Elizabeth and her friends keeping their eyes open for marine life.

We went to the top deck after seeing a shark so we could get a better view into the water.

The captain of the boat let each one of the kids take a turn steering the boat. (They really did steer it too.) Look at her concentration.

My little captain.

AJ had to get in on the fun too. He can't wait to start kindergarten in the fall. He thinks this is what they do on a regular basis. He is in for a rude awakening I'm afraid.

We had to take a little break for some lunch but were able to still watch out the windows the whole time. Sure didn't want to miss anything.

As we returned to the dock, we went under a bridge. The kids all thought it was the cool to scream and be able to hear their echos.

The Chlebowski Cheetahs 2009-2010

We had a lot of fun on this trip and I love seeing the kids in their school environment. It is such an experience. Elizabeth is so fortunate to have such a wonderful teacher and a phenomenal school. I only hope the boys get a little taste of this school before we move again.

7 years of fun

Today my baby turns seven. SEVEN I say!!! Can you believe how fast time has flown? Well neither can I. And oh the changes with this little girl. She has grown to be so beautiful, smart, caring, nurturing, loving, funny, sassy, creative, and just down right wonderful!

My sweet baby girl, you are the light of my life and the joy in my heart! I love you dearly and wish you the Happiest Seventh Birthday!

quick trip

Several months back we decided that it would be fun to go to Nashville for a long weekend and when I learned that there was a race there in the spring I didn't need any more convincing. I signed myself up for the half marathon (chickened out of the full) and Elizabeth up for the kids race. Well, any military family knows that things come up and vacations have to get cancelled on short notice. So to make the best of it, I stole my friend for the weekend, left the kids with my mom and headed to Nashville for a short weekend.

We left on Friday and took about 8 hours to get there. Do you know how many years it has been since I have been in a car for that long without having to stop 300 times to go potty, do gymnastic maneuvers to reach a sippy cup, listen to some goofy movie, or sing children songs? Seven years! But I digress...

We drove straight into downtown to the expo to pick up our bib numbers and packets. (We had to take advantage of a photo op. while we were there.) I really wish that had been my actual time. :)

A good friend of mine and Mike's was in Nashville to run the full as well. We commandeered him to take our photos several times. :)

Arriving at the race start. The forecast was for high winds, thunderstorms with damaging hail and tornadoes. Fantastic! They started the race 15 minutes early in hopes of getting a head start to the race. As it started there were patches of blue and it was actually kind of nice out.

Towards the end of the race I was out of energy and out of good spirit as well. The weather was quickly turning bad and all I wanted to do was be done. BUT, Lynette, being the very seasoned runner that she is, was skipping along taking my picture and I just couldn't help but laugh. I was so thankful she was there to run it with me.

After making it to the end of the race and back to the hotel without encountering any tornadoes, we showered, took a nap and then headed to The Bodies Exhibit, which happened to be in town then. We figured it was safer to be indoors. We then headed to back to the area of the hotel for some dinner to find out that the power was out and no one was serving anything. Anyone that has run before knows that after a race, you are STARVING! So off we went on a hunt to find a restaurant that had power. Thank goodness for iPhones! Ha!

As we ate the weather started to clear up a bit so we decided to take advantage of being childless and head downtown to some bars. We quickly realized that we were the 'old folk' down there and it had been a very long time since we had been to a bar. We weren't exactly dressed for it but hey, we had a beer or two and are now able to say we have been there and done that.

Of course I had to have a drink with our old college friend. After all, that is pretty much all I remember doing back then.

In the end, it was a quick trip full of many hours of watching the weather channel and a few miles run in between but it certainly is a good memory. Thank you Lynette for going with me and thank you Mike and Mom for staying back and watching the kiddos.

5 years ago...

Five years ago on this morning I was sitting in the hospital awaiting your arrival. You amazed us from the beginning. You amazed us with your calm serenity after birth. You amazed us with your undenyable perfection.

8 days old

You continued to amaze us with your wiggling feet as you learned to sit. You amazed us with your ability to make an entire room smile with your giggle. You amazed us with your presistance and determination to learn new things. You amazed us with your desire to sit for hours just to be snuggled.

5 years old

You have amazed us with your persistance. You amaze us with your dare devilish ways. You amaze us with your ability to get dirty without even trying. You amaze us with your love for school.

And you continue to amaze us every day! You are growing up to be such a wonderful young man. We can't wait to see what you are going to amaze us with in the years to come. We love you so much AJ! Happy Birthday!

bedtime story

So every night for the past 6 1/2 years Mike and I have been reading stories to the kids before bed. The time has finally come that Elizabeth is reading her bedtime stories by herself and she reads to AJ on occasion. Well because he wants to be like his older brother and sister, Jacob too is trying to read and copy his bedtime stories. Tonight he demonstrated his skills while reading Elmo's lullaby to us. Man I love this kid!

beautiful sites

I have always known that we are stationed in "paradise" but recently the sites have just been unbelievable. Makes me realize what I take for granted and how I need to appreciate all that is around us while we are here.

A turtle in a pond in our neighborhood.

Driving home from the grocery store after a light rain.

Driving over the bridge to get some dinner.

A view from the beach house we are staying at this summer.

Sand dunes at the base beach.

Driving home after a photo shoot.

We are really lucky to live where we do.