Much Needed Vacation Days

Beach Baby

The stress of work and everything else that comes with being an adult has been exhausting over the last year, so we were in need of a vacation!  We had such a good time last year, we decided to have the same crew along again.  So...Russ, Cyndel, and Coen, as well as Chris, Kayla, and Karington accompanied us to PCB...again!  We had a great time, and we have some photos to prove it.

We went down on Tuesday afternoon (arriving a little after 7:00 PM), and we returned on Sunday.  We had some YUMMY food, good company, fabulous weather, and lots of time with friends. 

It took Bentley a couple of days to learn to enjoy the sand, and even then his joy was short-lived.  He enjoyed himself MUCH more at the pool, so he and I (and sometimes Daddy) spent a lot of time swimming in the pool while everyone else stayed at the beach.  He is a little fishy.  He doesn't mind getting wet, doesn't mind going under, and loves for you to throw him in the air. 

Our first full day was spent swimming (and napping for the kiddos), and we finished up with dinner at The Boatyard.  This is one of my favorite places...the food is so good, and the atmosphere is perfect.  Bentley didn't mind waiting for a table.  He made himself at home out on the deck in front of the restaurant.

Gotta love those eyelashes...I'm jealous!

Ha ha

Sneakity Sneak

He needed to rest for a minute.

Day two was, again, spent swimming the day away!  The weather was perfect, so we took full advantage.  That evening we headed out to Tacky Jacks, a fairly new place in the harbor.  The tables surround a pool, there's live music, and the food was pretty good, too.

The kiddos were all climbing up to see the big fish.

Maybe not all smiles, but they are all in the picture.

A beautiful picture of Karington.

Silly boys!

Dancing the night away out on the pool deck at Tacky Jacks!

Day three was spent much the same as the other days...swimming, napping, swimming, napping...I think you catch my drift.  We finally got some good pics of Bentley enjoying the water.  You'll notice our beach photos are not that great.  Mister Man decided to take his second nap a little early that day, so he was ready for nap #3.  He was G.R.U.M.P.Y!!!!!  We have lots of pictures of him fighting me and crying...only a couple without tears, so we will take what we can get.  We ate dinner at Saltwater Grill, and it was AMAZING...never disappoints!

Little Fishy!

Bentley and the Swim Coach (a.k.a Daddy)

Walking in the sand...a little difficult for this little guy.

He didn't love the ocean, but he tolerated it a little better each day.

Taking a break at the pool.

Suntan anyone???

Peek-a-Boo

Wakey wakey sleepyheads!

Chris, Kayla, and Karington

Russ, Cyndel, and Coen (and baby Reese will make his appearance in a couple of months).

As good as it gets when Mister Man NEEDS a nap!

We attempted to get all three kids in this picture...you can see that didn't work out.

On our final day, we made sure to soak up as much sun as possible.  It was a little overcast with the threat of rain all day, but we lucked out and the rain didn't start until the middle of dinner.  We stayed out on the beach and at the pool all day and enjoyed a delicious dinner at crazy cheap prices at The Wicked Wheel that evening.

Getting brave...as long as Daddy is nearby.

Look Mommy, there is something stuck to my fingers (sand).

Napping on a boogy board.

Bentley and Karington napping together.

Karington woke up talking to Bentley saying, "Hey baby." 
She needed some loving!

Bentley thought Karington looked famished...a little goldfish shoud do the trick.

Coen and Karington swimming together.

Coen LOVES to be thrown in the air...though you wouldn't know it from the look on his face.

The Wicked Wheel has really cool barstools...motorcycles.

All the guys!

Bentley found the light!

Mommy and Bentley

Overall, we had a great trip.  Bentley travelled much better than we expected.  We all had a wonderful time, and we are already ready to go back to the beach!  Who knows...maybe we will live there someday...wishful thinking!

More updates to come...stay posted!

Father's Day...Finally

Well, I have a lot of catching up to do.  Between vacation and fun days with Bentley, I have been slacking on blogging...my apologies.  I'll start where I left off. 

June 17th was Father's Day, and it was a fun day.  Beautiful weather and time with my hubby and baby were great additives to any other day.  We got up as normal...at least Daniel and I did.  Bentley decided to sleep late, so I was waiting with anticipation to give Daddy his Father's Day gifts.  Finally, Bentley got up, and Daniel went to get him out of bed.  Bentley was happy to help Daddy open his gifts.  He got new undies, a new golf shirt, and a new coffee mug from PersonalizationMall.com that had pictures of Bentley and a sweet note from him, as well.  Daniel liked all his gifts, and it was time to get ready for church.  The boys cooked cinnamon rolls together and I went to get ready. 

Church was pretty uneventful for us, as Daniel and I kept babies in the nursery.  We usually have about 10 little girls, but we only had 4 this week.  We didn't get to hear the Father's Day message due to being in the nursery, which seems to be a common occurrence for all holidays lately.  We were also assigned to the nursery on Easter and Mother's Day.  Hmmmm...when is the next Sunday holiday?  I'm pretty sure I'll be in the nursery. :)

Anyways...after church we headed to Arab for a gathering with Daniel's family.  Chicken fajitas, a baby pool, and riding toys equals SO MUCH FUN!  We enjoyed spending time with everyone, and we have some cute photos of Bentley from the day.  Enjoy!

I'm all packed up, guys...roll out!

She thinks my tractor's sexy!

Serious face...

Happy face.

That's a walkie-talkie...he thinks it's a phone.
"La la" = "Hello"

The Fortenberry Boys
Hmmm...if only I could tell who they look like...

Let's get in the pool!

No swimsuit...he's about to suck all that water up in his diaper!

Hey...this is fun!

HELP!  If you look in the bottom, right side of the pool you'll see Bentley's foot.
Yep...he was sinking!  I was only 3 feet away, so don't panic!

After his near death experience (NOT), he wanted to get out and just hang out with Daddy.

My two boys...just chillin'

Peek-a-boo behind the charcoal.  So silly!

Weed eating...just like Daddy.

So sleepy...

He could hardly keep his eyes open.

That's that.  I wish I could say how happy it makes me to see how much Bentley LOVES his Daddy.  He says "Dada" everytime he sees him in a picture.  He gives him loving every morning before he goes to work and says "Bye Bye" with the sweetest wave and smile.  He looks at me periodically throughout the day, and with a question in his voice he says "Dada?," as if to wonder when Daddy is coming home.  He simply adores him.  You can see it in his face when they are playing or when he walks in the door.  Bentley is smitten, and it melts my heart.  I know if he could, Bentley would say:

Daddy,

You are the very best Daddy in the whole wide world. You make me so happy when you let me "drive" your car and play with your golf clubs. I love it when you play my favorite songs so I can sing and dance along. I love that you know what I'm saying even when no one else does. You are so special. You are so strong. You are my hero! I love you, Daddy!

 Love,
Bentley

And from me...

Daniel,

You are a better father than I ever could have imagined. Seeing you and Bentley together reminds me of all the blessings I have. That baby loves you more than anything, and it is so special to see your relationship get stronger and stronger. I love you more each day, and I cannot wait to see how much more you two share as the Father's Days pass in years to come.

I love you,
Niki