Summer Vacation: Florida Entry 2

The next few days seem like a blur so thankfully I took pictures like a crazed lunatic. Even though I have my camera on my hip it never stops me from having fun. My pictures help me save that toothy grin, leap of joy, moments of peace and quiet, and sheer attitude. When you look at the obscene few pictures I selected you will understand why this momma will always  have her camera, ready to freeze each moment of our lives.

Moving on......

From Monday to Wednesday early afternoon the Randolph's and Krom's spent their waking hours either at the beach or at the pool. We did not venture from there unless naps or food was needed. Sarah and I had no desire to go grocery shopping AT ALL and let Nana & Auntie Joanie handle all that mess.

The Adajio had four pools, one next to the beach and three in the center of all the buildings. The three in the middle seem to always have lots of friends to play with plus nice shade from the sun for my pale face relatives. I do love them!

Tater enjoyed the pool so much and I love his little Cars glasses. Since this vacation Tater has grown to love "Liden Mutween" (Lightening McQueen).

Getting him to sit still long enough for a picture was nearly impossible but he always gives into his momma from time to time. I mean I am the one holding the juice and cheerios!

Most afternoons were spent cuddling and relaxing. The sun really does drain every once of want out of you.....that's why we ate.....ALOT! Did I mention that in a 3 day period there were two grocery trips. I guess those babies kept eating all of our food?!

The next morning would come and we were on the beach.

Since sand and Gecko's don't mix really well that meant that the beach trips were short and the pool would be our landing spot. My nephew, in the bumble bee, would get so relaxed in his bee that he would fall asleep.  Got to love those self sufficient little boys!

On this afternoon we tried to go for a nice walk on the beach. The walks were always much shorter than what I wanted but that is because an 11-month-old was tired and the 2-year old had much better things to do with his time. Tater would try and catch the crabs that were brave enough to be out before dark or he was start on the first of many sand castles mountains.

Beach mornings...

Pool afternoons....





I did what I do best, read and tan. I was the ONLY one catching the rays. It just makes me feel yummy!



Then there were baths and cuddles.

Only to get dirty again when hunting crabs!

Then time to eat.....again!



One of my favorite pictures!

Wednesday night my sister-n-law and sweet nephew arrived. All the daughters spent the afternoon catching up and drinking...duh. We had to prepare ourselves for the next day of fun and then two of the hubbies joined the party!


Summer Vacation: Florida Day Entry 1

Sunday, the 14th, Tater, Nana Nanny(Tater renamed her), Aunt Joanie, and I headed for the Blue Mountain Beach Florida. We left bright and early that morning. The back of MIL car was completely packed, so much so that we could not see out the back window. We did not care!
Tater had his portable DVD player and I had my nook. I started reading a book that my SIL sugested, The Help. While I read and tried to keep from getting to car sick Nana and Aunt Joanie jammed to their 60's era music. Quite hilarious! I don't think it is illegal to dance while you drive and I was only a little worried lol.

I had to get resourceful since his head phones kept falling out. I slapped a headband on him and all was ok.

Tater were got to experience his first tunnel. He was so excited going through the dark whole. I really think he was blown away. Auntie Joanie also bought him his first smurf toy from McDonalds. He also coined a new phrase along the drive. "I FEEL HAPPY!" Oh boy he made sure to say it about a million times along the way.

We made a rest stop in MS and Tater and I did a little running to work out some of the energy. I was in desperate need of nap time since he was in the middle of his third mental break down. I can only imagine how hard it must be for a two year old to sit for so long.

It didn't take long for us to make it to the condo. Thank God for Bambi, Dumbo, and various other cartoons otherwise Tater may have not made it. We did finally make it after 7 long hours and boy it was just breath taking.

The Adagio was a dream come true. Before I forget to tell you, our little vacation trip was a gift from my MIL and FIL. What a gift right?! I think that this vacation will become a tradition. Next year we will make sure and have all the men with us!

Tater had his own room with a twin bed and Mr Randolph and I would be sleeping in our own room with a nice big king size bed. He can't fit in anything smaller.

The view!

We hurried and unpacked threw all the bags on the floor and hauled ass to the beach. I have only been to the beach once before and this was Taters first time. I was so excited to see how he would react to the sand and the ocean for the first time. I don't believe I will ever forget his squeals and the big grin he had on his face. He was in shock because of all the dirt that was everywhere. He warmed up to it quickly and started to build sand castles.

After about 5.....million mountains built in the sand we raced to the ocean. I wanted to see how he would react to the water. Well we ran almost all the way to the water and he was screaming with joy. Tater got three feet from the edge of the water and stopped. I wondered why he stopped then all I heard was him screaming SHARK as he ran back to the stairs. I was thankful that there weren't really any other people on the beach. I fell down I was laughing so hard. I guess watching Shark Week before going to the beach was not the greatest idea.

Later that evening my sis (Mr. Randolph's big sister) showed up with my beautiful nephew and of course the smothering of kisses started immediately. They live in Colorado so when they come and visit it is a super big deal. My nephew Aiden (Gecko) will be turning one this month and I can't believe how big he has gotten and how much he has learned. He is crawling like a mad man and is ALWAYS happy.

I have so much more to tell you about our week long adventure so stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday: Sneaky Monkey!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!

I want to send out a special thanks to the soldiers that still fight for my freedom. I also want to thank the soldiers that have fought and are no longer with us to be able celebrate.

Thanks to my Granfathers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, my Lil bro and my best friends for your service to my country. I will be so proud of Tater if he decides to choose one of the branches that you guys are proud of! I have come to terms that he is surrounded by so many great soldiers that this could very well be his career path one day and Mr Randolph and I will only be proud and honor his decision.

Thanks again!

The pictures below are from our 4th of July celebration at the Wilson's.

Bama Wedding

On June 4, Tater and I, hit the road for Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I hadn't been back there in a couple years. We passed through there after our Tennessee trip, when Clayton was 7 months. I was so excited to go see our old family friends and especially since it was for a very special occasion. We were going to celebrate the Tidmore wedding.

The only thing that made the trip better was that we were traveling with my mom, dad, my lil' brother and his family. This meant that I got lots of cuddle time with my niece CC and my beautiful nephew Lil' Buck. I really just can't get enough of those two.

Mr Randolph was unable to travel with us because of work and trust me that was a long four days to go without my love. I know he appreciated the silence and personal time though. Thursday, the 2nd, all the Smiths and Randolphs loaded up in a rented mini van and hit the road. The van was packed but everyone was very comfortable. I even brought the portable DVD player so that the boys could watch movies the whole way. I really believe that between this and my mom being quick with the snacks the boys survived the trip.

I even brought Tater's little potty chair and when we weren't able to stop he just sat and did his thing with NO problem at all. I really did not think it was going to work but I am shocked by him all the time!

We were so happy when we arrived and got to stretch out our legs. When we arrived Thursday afternoon we had a surprise birthday to attend and then we went and stayed at the grooms house for the night. The morning had arrived all to quickly and I didn't get much sleep since the boys decided to take an early morning fishing trip. They caught about a billion fish though.

After showers and getting dressed we all loaded up for a quick Wal-Mart trip. Then we were going to check out the tornado damage from the horrible storm. It really cut to my heart but thankfully no one we knew was hurt.

We finally arrived at our destination cabin. Wooohooo! The cabin was gorgeous and the Tom Bigby River was in our backyard. The other huge plus was that the church where the rehearsal dinner and wedding was at the end of the road. What a win right?!

Friday night was the rehearsal and it was quite beautiful but so HOT! The boys had pretty much had enough by this time. We stuffed their bellies and put them in bed. The girls played cards and relaxed.

Saturday morning we woke up and headed outside to play. I can't remember exactly which day but Claire and I swam across the river mostly just to see if we could do it and we succeeded.

After the wedding pictures were done the ceremony started. It was gorgeous! We had a great time but were definitely beat by the end of the night.

Well the end of the trip came all too soon and as soon as the van was packed we were on the road again for home. The trip home always seems quicker and it was a little crazier just because everyone was ready to be home and relaxing.

The trip was wonderful and Tater and I were so grateful to my parents and brother for letting us tag along. I may have more pictures later!

My gorgeous little nephew Lil' Buck

Tater, Cheyenne, Lil' Buck

What mommies let the babies do to keep them sane!

My little bro and his perfect family.

Tater contemplating life.

Rehearsal