A Real Hot Mess: Memorial Mobile

There is one weekend a year that we always try to make it to Alabama which is Memorial Day. The best part about the weekend is that we aren't the only ones who jump in the car for a very long road trip so we end up with the whole Gasbarro/Tutor clan in one place at the same time which really is a miracle in itself.

Most notable part of our trip on Friday...only two potty stops on the entire trip. Oh yes, sort of a big deal in our house considering we were traveling with a 2 year old and a 5 year old who were awake for the entire trip.

First order of business...kayaking. GG and Pap live a few miles from Mobile Bay so it makes the trip quick and easy which is exactly what we were looking for after our drive the night before. Our girls have never been kayaking and we can officially say that they loved it! I tried convincing Grant that we needed two to use in the St Johns River which is at the end of our street, he said no. While everyone was taking their turns on the kayaks there was plenty of time for the kids to run around in the sand and begrudgingly take a few photos.

Dimples are out...always a good sign.

Adelaide may have been jittery with excitement, but this little nut just sat back and relaxed while she was paddled around.

Preston on the run.

Watch out, lots of ideas coming out of this conversation, I'm keeping my distance.

Serious about kayaking.

Not sure how Grayson grew up this much in the last year.

GG watching over her flock.

A little Mommy/Son bonding time.

I really don't know how Dina wasn't umped out of the kayak, Grant was apparently showing a moment of restraint.

Can you guess which cousin wasn't interested in getting their picture taken?

Happy Birthday to Everyone, or at least the cousins.
Aunt Dina came up with the brilliant idea of letting the kids celebrate all of their birthdays together. While the girls were sleeping and the boys were off doing whatever boys do Grant, Dina and I locked ourselves in the smallest room in the house and blew up as many balloons as we could. After the kids started running around the house Grant and Pap were in charge of distracting them while we decorated the patio. The only problem with the plan was that the guys took the kids to the golf course which happened to be right behind the house so there we were on ladders with streamers, tape and no lights.

Now someone is happy, all that it took was a little sugar.

A little Aunt Dina love.

This trip I have done a horrible job of taking pictures around the house while the kids were playing, but we did attempt some family photos at one of GG's favorite spots in Fairhope.

Everything is better when GG is around.

The gangs all here.

These two are crazy photogenic, so pretty much the opposite of me.

Yes, it was hot and P reminded us all with this little look.

Now that's how you turn a frown upside down.

One last stop on our mini vacation and this time it was to Orange Beach for a quick sail and some dolphin watching. Really it was the perfect way to wrap up our weekend.