Fun in Panama City Beach

We just returned from a great family vacation in Panama City Beach. We stayed at Splash... an awesome condo resort with tons of kid pools. Hutch and Julia LOVED the big bucket that splashed water, the water slides and the lazy river. It was so nice to relax at the beach. The trip was so much fun... we were able to visit with all of Papa Strausser's family except Uncle Ray and Brandon (we missed you). We miss everyone and hope to see you all soon!

Julia & Hutch checking out the slides


Hutch was really good with the water guns


Watch out for the water bucket!


Look Mom... we got wet.


Bagels taste so much better at the beach.

Special Moments

Just a few additional items to share...

Julia w/ her doll Becca

John's cousin is getting married in September. The kids are both in the wedding and they are sooooo excited. We recently had a shower for the bride and groom (what a great couple... young love is so sweet and you can tell they both love each other so much). We had an awesome cake and cupcakes at the shower. That night when the kids said their bedtime prayers, we asked them what they were thankful for... Hutch said cupcakes!!! It was too cute.

Updated Pictures

Our little fashionista... she enjoys picking out trendy outfits.

Enjoying ice cream with some friends...

Check out the new kitchen countertops and backsplash...

Hanging out at the park...

Where did the month go???

It seems like the last month has just zipped by. The kids and I have been busy with Mom's Club events... Bruesters Ice Cream tour, playing at local parks, going to My Gym, picking blueberries, etc. If you haven't picked blueberries, you need to give it a try... there is a local place called The Berry Patch. We had so much fun picking berries, that we had to go a second time!

Hutch has enjoyed Sporttykes... he and a few of his buddies have learned basketball, baseball and soccer. They get such a kick out of it. At the end of each session, he gets a sticker, tattoo and lollipop... trust me, the main motivation is the lollipop. Julia tags along with her baby (doll Becca or Lily). She gets to hang out with some of the moms and we get a special treat at the little coffee shop while Hutch plays.

The kids have also been taking swimming lessons at a local pool. Julia doesn't really like to get her face wet, but she has really progressed... she likes blowing bubbles and jumping into the water. Big steps towards getting her face wet! More than anything, she likes being around the other kids, especially a friend's two young girls... As for Hutch, well, what can I say... he is fearless as usual. As I always say, he will be our rock climber, sky diver, skateboarder, etc. He is all boy and he loves dunking his head.

Other big news... John and I gave each other an early anniversary gift... new granite countertops in kitchen. That was all we planned to do, but John surprised me with new counters in the master bath and powder room too. I can't believe the difference!!! It is like a new house. I love it and don't want to put anything on the counters. It is getting me into a real cleaning streak too... which I needed to do anyway.

While the counters were being put in, the kids and I headed to my parents house in Florida... it is always nice to get away and spend time in Tallahassee. Thanks mom and dad for hosting us on short notice. We had a blast.

My sewing business is still going well. Lots of projects in the works. I need to get some pictures posted one of these days.

That is it for now... I hope to be some August posting up soon... again there is so much going on.