Orange Beach, Alabama (Gulf Shores)

YES - That's a new photo you see!  From our annual trip to Gulf Shores with the Cathcart family.  (This photo was taken our last night there, but it makes a lead for the all the rest.)  Okay, so settle in with your cup of coffee, because there's a ton more photos to see . . . .

The car's almost packed and we're about to hit the road.  I would say for our first long road trip, but I think a 19-hour drive to Michigan trumps a 10-hour trip to Gulf Shores . . .

So for as long as I've been around this family (which has been going on 12 years now), we always stopped to eat at The Chimes, on the LSU campus, where we would meet up with Chris' brother Michael (who attended LSU then).  Now, Baton Rouge is the meeting point for us, Chris' parents (all coming from Shreveport), and Michael & Sylvia (coming from Houston).  Here the boys hang with Uncle Michael & Daddy outside of The Chimes.
STILL driving . . . there was so much terrible traffic this day - We had to stop for dinner (usually we would make it to the condo by dinner time).  So we hit a Cracker Barrel, and the front porch rocking chairs were a big hit with the boys.
and note Bowen with not one, but TWO sippy cups (he stole brother's before leaving the table).

Ready to head to the beach for the first time!

Below is, I think, my absolute favorite picture of Luke from the beach. . . .
Luke's like "What's this grainy stuff you call sand?"  This was the only day that Luke seemed to like the beach even a little.  The other days he just cried and seemed to beg to go to the indoor pool or the condo.  I don't think he liked the bright sun moreso than anything, and he also appeared to get some type of rash (heat rash, or sand irritation? who knows). . . .


Now Bowen, on the other hand, seemed to settle right in to the beach, only disliking when he would put a sandy hand in his mouth. . . .

Here is the Cathcart grandmother, who still has not decided on her official grandmother name.  We thought it was going to be Honey (which matches her blond hair), however there was much debate over the weekend, which included "Gigi" (sp?), "G," and others.  She knows she does not want to be Mamaw (we agree - does not fit).  Perhaps Bowen will choose one for her soon . . . . Regardless of her name, this Grandma is the mastermind behind the annual Gulf Shores trip.
Our first day on the beach looked like this:  (with the tropical depression hitting).  We actually think Luke did better this day because of the clouds blocking out the sun.

First dip in the ocean . . . .
okay, technically first dip in the Gulf, but same difference . . . .
Daddy helps Bowen "play nice" and not steal Luke's shovel.  (A very common occurrence around our house now.)
(These are the buckets and shovels that their Nana used for Easter baskets this year, knowing they had a trip to the beach ahead - she also gave them their cute little hats for Easter.)
Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Michael, who usually start at the pool, were enticed to the sand to witness the boys' first beach escapade.

Later that evening, Luke gets ready for the pool, when we realize that I coincidentally bought him swim trunks that almost exactly matches his Daddy's.




Even though this shot is a little blurry, it shows how much Luke loved the pool.  I would set him on the ledge, do a little countdown, and let him "fall" into the water.  I think that was his fave thing to do all weekend.  (Bowen liked it too, but much preferred to crawl around on the top pool steps and watch all the people walking in.)

Day 2 at the beach . . . . Luke tries to sleep it off, quite unsuccessfully.  He ends up back in the condo within 20 minutes.

Just chillin' in the condo - what we did the bulk of the time.  And if you haven't already noticed, Luke loves to sit with his Honey, and Bowen adores his Papaw.  (And the same goes for the Bowen grandparents as well - Luke loves Nana and Bowen loves Papa.)

Day 3 at the beach . . . . and my favorite picture of Bowen from the trip . . . 

Papaw buys the boys their first snow cone. . . By the looks on the faces, it seems a bit sour.

Annual trip to Lambert's.  We always go on Memorial Day to catch the hot, throwed rolls - if you've never heard of this place you should google it.  It's good times.  Guys walk through the dining area yelling "hot rolls, hot rolls!" and if you want one, you put your hands up and they throw one at you. 

The whole family - from left to right: me, Papaw (Dale) and Bowen, Sylvia, Michael, Honey (??still unsure of the grandma name, Anne), and Chris with Luke.
Both boys take after their Mom & Dad, loving the apple butter on their throwed rolls - Bowen even taking cues from his beloved Papaw, and dipping his roll into apple butter to get all he can!

While on the beach the last night taking our family photo, a guy caught a stingray while fishing off the beach.  (No worries, he threw him back to his watery home!)

All pooped out!  The boys nap with their stuffed animals on the long drive home.  Only 6 more hours to go! . . .