Ella returns....

Brad, Cindy and Ella came back for another visit...we were so glad to see them. They got here on a Tues and Deb and Brandon rolled in on Fri nite, it was a bit crowded, but we did ok.

The had landed and were waiting to get off the plane...Ella, not sure that's a stool, but it sure worked well for one!!!

She was a good girl, like always...it was getting late, after that "have to" stop at Culver's we got everyone home and in bed. The next day, Wed, was slow...Brad and I worked and the others were just kinda lazy. I cooked breakfast and dinner and it was just a slow day and evening, until Cindy needed ice cream..so off to Publix they went.

Thur, the kids got out a bit more...spent time at the pool and I worked. Gave them some quiet time while Ella took her nap, I could watch her and work. They decided it would be date nite, so we kept sweet Ella and they went to the Sandbar...

I found some lovely high heels she seemed to really like...

What little girl does not like her play shoes...

She really seemed to enjoy them..I held her hand if she was walking, didn't want her to fall and break anything...but she went all over the house. 

Dinner, bath and off to bed...what a good girl.

I took off early on Fri to get in some  pool and fun time 

We made it steak nite so I got some out of the freezer, they wanted to cook and had bought side dish items already...was a yummy dinner. Debbie and Brando arrived about 9p...not too late. Soon enought it was bedtime.

Saturday Brad fixed us all Eggs Ranchero...YUM....
With our bellies full we headed to the pool for some relaxing. Brad took them to see the property amenities then we met at the Beach Club pool...hung there for a while, then decided to head back, clean up and go to The Waterfront for dinner. Surprisingly, we didn't have a wait....so nice. Dinner was great, then we took a walk on the city pier...always things to see....

What a great picture...Grandpa, Grandma and Ella.... (and Cindy in the background...)
We had to take 2 cars and Denny and I stopped at Sign of the Mermaid and picked up some dessert to take home....then we all headed to bed.

Sunday...we headed to church and all the others rented a boat to do some cruising on the ICW.....

I got it Daddy....I promise...let go!!!

I think they all had a great time. After they got back we headed to the pool for some swimming and cooling off. 

Ella and Grandpa are having a serious private chat....hummmmm

We had some dinner at the Beach Club and headed home for showers.

After everyone was clean Ella found her Daddy on her Pooh Bear...was not too sure about that...then Mommy got in on the action...so it was time for her to make a move.....

Here I come...

OK...I'll just find my own spot next to Pooh.....

What a sweet baby girl...

Everyone was tired so off to bed we went.

Mon was a work day for me....a packing day for Cindy and Brad, Deb, and Brandon headed for doc appts for Brandon. They flew home out of TPA, Brad raced back to our place and we took them to the SRQ airport....they made their flt.....and back to ATL and reality.

We'll miss you guys, glad you came to visit...come back soon....

Nanny, Unka Denny and The Carter Boys

It was a wild 4 nites, but we survived...we agreed to keep the boys while Britt and Des went to a wedding in NYC....off they went and the kid-sitting began.

Twin 4yr olds and big brother that is 6...yep, we were busy. Picked them up on Thurs from school and headed home for dinner. I took Fri off work and we were keeping them home from school too...was gonna be fun. Thur nite was easy...i fixed dinner and we swam a little, then off to bed.

Mornings start waaaay too early with all these kids, but that's life...but at least evenings end rather early...and by 9p Denny and I are in bed and pooped.

Friday  morning...up and at it early. The boys played a while, then wanted breakfast...took care of that, then back to some playing and lunch and nap time. After nap time, we were taking them bowling.
Quinton had been before with his school class...he loved it, and did fairly well. This was the first time for the little boys...they enjoyed it too. Thank goodness for the bumpers or we'd have seen not much more than a bunch of gutter balls....

Witt was very serious...

Quinton didn't need the 'dragon' to help him, and he was throwing a 7lb ball....wow.

Big brother always tried to coach...but Jase knew what to do...

I got this...see how many pins i knocked down the first time...

 I can do this...I can do this...

Waiting on the ball to come back was a HUGE deal....who knew...

Quinton always got a running start....and Witt would watch his ball...i think he was willing it to hit the pins.

 Please ball...knock them all down....please...

Always busy around the ball rack....

Final score.....not bad for beginners....

Then they each got $5 to play these awful games....they are such a ripoff....

Time to head home...cook dinner and swim a little....then play a kid version of BINGO and off to bed.

Saturday was our Waffle House morning...headed out and then after finding some extra $$$ under Britt's car seat...we took them bowling again. No new pics, looked about the same. Saturday prices are better than Fri, so we could let them play 2 games. But....NO games after bowling. So we promised a stop at Parker's for gas and ice cream...then home  for naps. After naps was play time and grill out night.....Witt was really curious...Uncle Denny enjoyed showing him

After hamburgers, a little more play time..then bed time....the next day we headed home.

We'd had fun, but at the end of our stay we truly understood 2 of the magnets of Britt's refrigerator..

Whew....thanks to Dessie's parents that came about 10a so we could get on the road...it's a 7hr ride back to our peace and quiet.

We did part of our drive down A1A..it was cool, but a bit of a disappointment since we couldn't really see the ocean like we thought we would be able to. We were very curious about Flagler Pier...we got there, only to find out you have to pay to walk out there...NO THANKS....I can walk on piers at home for free....adios...we are headed south and west...

We had fun boys.....see you in Atlanta..........

4th of July....Hardeeville style............

It's been a tradition for a few years for Brad, Britt, Brooke and their families to get together at Britt and Dessie's house for 4th of July...Debbie and Brandon go and they all have a big time. This year, Deb couldn't go  and Shea could....so off they all headed for SC.....so glad the rest of us got lots of pictures...they had a blast.

First a group boat ride...we heard a few didn't do so well....oops.

Then a fishing boat ride....looks like they did pretty good.

Then some pool fun...but first, let's check out Dessie's Bronco.....way COOOLLLL

 Kids love to be tossed....

Even the little girls were jumping  off the diving board....

And sweet baby Ella loves the water...

This is funny Daddy.....

Some real pool action...woohoo....

Then it was time to head over towards the river for more fun and fireworks...

Do you like my red, white and blue bow??? 

Fireworks with Grandpa....

This is cool Mom, but I'm tired.....

Looks like a great 4th of July....Denny and I were home and quiet. We watched fireworks  from the upstairs out the back where we could see the show from the Manatee River...spectacular...now we know, we don't have to leave the house.

Another 4th in the books....hope all had a great day.