Panama City Beach

We just got back from a "mini" vacation in Panama City Beach. My dad had reserved a condo in Orange Beach awhile back for all of us (dad, kay, brad and family, and our crew) to go to for 3 nights, but because of the oil he changed it to Panama City. I was VERY impressed with Panama City and how clean and family friendly it was. We stayed at the condo for all of the 3 days just enjoying the beach, pool, and family time. After we checked out of the condo on Sunday, we went to a place called Pier Park. This is a HUGE outdoor shopping mall that has tons of shops, restaurants, and carnival rides for the children. My brother and his family and our crew went to let the kids ride the rides and eat lunch before we all headed home. I really thought that MV was not going to enjoy the rides because she still tends to get scared with those types of things, but to mine and Jim's amazement she BEGGED to go on all the rides...even the ferris(sp?) wheel. As you can see we had a great trip!

Just Playing Around

Playing Catch Up

I have lots to post because we have been very busy for the past 2 weeks! Father's Day Weekend was also my birthday weekend. Jim kept asking if I wanted to get a babysitter and go out to eat, but since that was our first weekend back in town I really wanted to just have a small "party" at the house. We invited some of our good friends over and grilled hamburgers and ate ice cream cake that Jim and MV picked out for my birthday!






Jim and the girls playing in pool on Father's Day

Mississippi Fun

I took the girls to Mississippi last week for Mary Varner to go to VBS with Nana, and for all of us to hang out and have fun with family! We got to spend the week with Ben also because on the day that we left for Mississippi, Mollie Grace Elder, was born 6 weeks early! While Nana and Mary Varner were at Bible School, Janey and I would go to Grandaddy and Nana's house for Janey to take her morning nap, and play with Ben while he was hanging out with Grandaddy! Janey and Ben really had a good time playing with each other, and she would get so excited when she would see him. At one point she was practically running towards him to give him a hug and just about knocked him down. Ben just looked at her like what in the world are you doing? We also enjoyed staying with B'B' and Mimi,and hanging out with my brother, Jennifer, Hayden, Allie, Papa Doc and Kay Kay. MV and Allie have become really big buddies and I think that next summer we may have to setup for each girl to go spend a week at each other's house. It was a very fun week with all the family! The trip home was MUCH better than the trip to Mississippi when Janey screamed for the first 4 hours straight!! On the way home, she actually slept for 1 hour and a half, and enjoyed watching a PRaise Baby video (thanks Rena), and a Barney video!




Ben and Janey playing in the wooden car




Brad and Jennifer


Papa Doc and Kay Kay


MV and Allie...sweet girls


Jennifer and Allie


My "big" girl


On Saturday, Mom and I met up with Nana, Ben, and Kelli Netson at Chuck-E-Cheese for some air conditioned playtime!! The children had a great time!!


Janey checking out Chuck-E-Cheese



Janey having fun playing


All three really got into this arcade game!






I was SO excited about them actually sleeping (at the same time) on the way home that I had to take a picture! This rarely happens on trips now that there are two!!

Family Fun

John, Rena, and Ben came to visit us for the Memorial Day weekend! We had lots of fun going to the beach, grilling out, and watching the kids play! It is so special that all the Elder cousins are so close in age and will have all these memories growing up together. This was the first time that Janey has really been in the mix with all the activities and as you can see she did not miss out on ANY of the action!! Here are some pictures from the fun weekend!! The water was green from lots of seaweed, not oil!!

I took these first few from Rena's blog...just had to have them for my blog book too


The whole gang


Having a blast


Janey got into some markers that MV and Ben left out and tried to put on a little "makeup"


MV LOVES to cover herself in lots of sand


Jim and John with their kiddos


MV buried in the sand


Taking a ride in Daddy's corvette with the top down!


Janey testing out the water



Ben covering John in the sand


Sweet Janey girl


Big Buddies

John and family

Ben LOVING the water

Janey's million dollar smile


What a wonderful weekend!!!