Adventures in the South

Here are some pictures of our adventures in the South (see explanation in my previous post).

We were told the family lodging was small, but we had no idea just how small it really is! It’s much smaller than a normal hotel room would be, although it does have a little kitchenette. Everything is all in one room, so it’s been a challenge to keep our sanity with two small children in such a small living space—we are learning to manage, though. I thought I’d post some pictures to give you an idea of what our living quarters are like, although the place is smaller than the pictures make it seem.

View from the entrance



View from kitchenette


View from entrance



View from our bed - a small closet, where
Zach sleeps, and a tiny bathroom


Since the Upper Midwest doesn’t have too many beaches, we decided to trek 3 hours south of Montgomery, Alabama, and head to the ocean. We spent this past weekend in the Pensacola/Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, area, and had a very relaxing time. We loved being on the beach, although Toby was intimidated by the waves. He spent most of our time there playing in the sand, but he enjoyed himself. Dan and I were able to swim a bit, and the water felt so great! Zach lay in the shade the whole time, and was in his element just to be outside, with the gulf breeze blowing on him (at least until the sand flew in his face!)

Daddy & Baby feet

Tiny toes

The bay going north to Niceville, Florida

Saturday evening, we went to see our friends, Nick and April. We met them when Dan was in pilot training in Mississippi—he and Nick were in the same class. The last time we saw each other, none of us had children. It was a lot of fun to catch up and to see each other as parents. Their adorable boy is Jaxon, and he is 7 months old.

Toby really liked Baby Jaxon!

April & Zach

Old friends...new kids!

Sunday afternoon, we visited more friends in Florida—Matt and Nikki. Dan knew them in college, and I met them when we lived in Mississippi. I used to babysit little Gracen at our church, where Nikki attended MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers). He was just a year old then, and now he’s 5 and has a 3-year-old sister, Verity. They are two of the sweetest kids I’ve met!

After a weekend of fun in the sun, we’re back in Alabama. I took some pictures yesterday of the playground outside—this is where the kids and I spend most of each day.

At 5 p.m. each weekday, the National Anthem is played on base over loudspeakers. The kids all love when the music comes on. They race to the edge of the play area and dance throughout the song, then clap when it’s over. It’s the most adorable thing! There’s usually 5-7 kids out for this, but most of them weren’t there yesterday.

Here are some other favorite pictures from the last two weeks in Alabama.

It always melts me when Toby wants to hold
and love on Zach. He's been trying to play rough
with him lately, but I love when he holds him
tenderly and speaks softly to him.

My boys

Zach really started to smile a lot these
last two weeks. I love it!

One day, Toby found two empty cereal boxes,
put them on his feet, and declared that they are
his hockey skates! The kid LOVES hockey...and
pretty much every sport!

More Toby holding Zach

I like this picture because I can just see Toby saying,
"Ohhhh." He's so sweet when he tries to comfort
Zach when he cries.

Toby hamming it up for the camera

I'll post more pictures soon. We went to a place called Pump It Up today. It's an indoor inflatable playground. We had lots of fun, and I took a lot of pictures. Tomorrow we're planning to head to the zoo, so I'll have a lot of pictures to share again! Stay tuned!