Wednesday, June 29, 2011

6 hours and 8 bridges later.............

Summer Trip #7
 I am trying to number the blogs this summer because as I blog, I am also cutting and pasting into my shutterfly account in hopes by the end of the summer I have everything set to create Bailey a book to bring to school of all her summer adventures. With that being said, we set off last Thursday to a state we had never been-Mississippi.
I have to admit back during school when we first talked of the trip I was nervous. I was still going back to all the hurricanes and wondering what it would be like there, I went back and forth for a bit and almost talked myself out of going. Lets just say- I am so glad I didn't! This was such a blessed trip and Bailey and are grateful to our friends for allowing us to venture with them across the most beutiful 8 bridges we have seen.
With my friend Franne and her husband Jamie in the front seat, Lauren and I in the middle and Bailey and Caroline packed in the back we set out for our 6 hour drive-
 

the drive went by faster than I thought and before long we were crossing the Mississippi state line.
 It didn't take Franne long to decide where we would eat (and for the next 4 days as well, ha!)
NEWK'S!
                                  
       
         
One word to describe this place-YUMMY!
Besides the food being on the top of my list most amazing soups, salads and sandwiches,  the services was just as great! By the end of the trip we had actually swaped names and contacts with the wait staff, had the managers chatting away with us and were given actual NEWK'S red bowls and cups! These bowls were pretty high on our list of highlights!!
Once we finished up lunch is was time to check in to the Beau Rivage!
                                 

-I felt like I was in a movie walking into the lobby, trees and flowers were everywhere and the smell was breath taking. Each time we walked into the lobby I would just take a deep breath trying to take as much in as possible. The huge flower arrangement that greated you as you walked in was absoulutly amazing!
                                                 
           When we weren't eating at NEWK'S we were at the pool, soaking in as much sun as possible!

                                     
                                         
                                     
                                                   
                                                    


                                                     

Despite what the weather had predicted 40% chance of rain and  cloudy skies it was gorgeous.
Friday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Chic Fila for our morning fuel. With bellies full and enegy high we shopped till we dropped. By the end of the night I remember looking at Franne telling her I didn't think I could walk another step! The girls had been such good sports that we stopped at Target and picked up yellow buckets and headed down to the beach for some shell picking fun!
                                            
                                        

                                                             
                                       



We woke up early Saturday morning to get a jump on our pool time! The girls had a blast we stayed out there for 6 hours! They were so good and I enjoyed watching Bailey playing around. By the end of the pool time Caroline was swimming with out her floaties across the pool and well..Bailey was attempting!

                                         
                                                           
                                   

 We decided that night to get the girls ready and head down to the beach for pictures. The girls were loving playing in water and running through the sand and Franne and I enjoyed all the beautiful memories we captured.



                                   
                                                      
                                         





 Sunday morning we woke up early again and headed back down to the pool till checkout-this day was less crowded although while we were checking out we heard they had 900 rooms being checked into that day!
 Once out of the pool we hurried to check out-of course we couldn't leave with out one more stop at Newk's!

 God truely blessed us with an amazing vacation. Thank you so much once again Martin family for taking us on our first trip to Mississippi-we will never forget!



                                         
                                                      

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Happy Fathers Day NOC Style!

Summer Trip # 6
June 18-21
There are so many reasons I love my husband and when I thought my love could get no stronger our daughter was born. Seeing Jay with Bailey just makes me love him so much more, more than I thought possible. He is the best dad, I look at their relationship and truthfully I envy it at times. My dad was not around to do the little things that I see Jay do with Bailey for example reading her stories at night, taking her on bike rides, taking her fishing, driving her around in the golf cart and so on. The time he takes up with her is amazing, I know with all my heart this man in the real deal!

                                       
Jay being the outdoorsmen he is decided to take us all to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina, fathers day weekend. I knew this would be the perfect fathers day experience and although a bit reluctant at first (mountains tend to make me a bit scared) I knew he would have a wonderful time. I never imagined I would love it as much as I did. There was so much to do and the scenery was absolutely amazing, it blows my mind to see all of Gods amazing creations.

The weather was rough at times so we did not get to do the rafting Bailey so had her heart set on but we were able to fish and do some great hiking. Looking back I could not believe some of the things I allowed Bailey to do. We hiked the Appalachian trail which was super amazing, however, at times..umm.. More like most of the times two people could not fit side by side on the trail and we were on the edge of the mountains with drop off so far I could not see the bottom. My heart was beating so fast worry about Bailey but she had no fear ,at times she was trying to lead us! It also didn’t help Ms. Scardy Pants (that being me) to hear the rushing rapids below us, I was proud of myself that I actually went and in a way I over came my fear of heights!

At one point while we were driving up in the mountain Bailey looked at me and said Mom take a deep breath you look like you are about to throw up! So maybe I didn’t overcome it all together but this is a process J

The trip was great and I thank my husband for all the planning. There were so many moments and memories I will hold on to forever but the most memorable moment for me was while we were leaving the mountains bailey said “Daddy thank you, I will remember this forever”.



Hope you enjoy the pictures:



outside our cabin!

loving her sweet  cousins!
looking for treasures.

the coldest water ever!

she loves her daddy!

loved the background!
Lauren, Bailey and Sarah Bear

the guys were happy to ride the trails!

the best fish pond! If you are in N.C go to this place the owners are amazing!

1 of the 3 fish Bailey caught!
Mommy holding the fish, it was jumping everywhere!

Bailey, Daddy, Sarah and Keith

Love my family!

Kissing the fish, guess she felt bad!

one of my favorite pictures!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Fathers Day Jay,
xoxo,Christy & Bailey