Alabama Vacay......

Finally....

posting about our summer vacation down in Alabama.

We stayed in Golf Shores.  We rented a house with our son-in-law's family.

It's been over two weeks since we've been home.

This morning Avery told me how she missed Alabama.

The beach.
The pool.
Our family time together.

Made me realize that I really need to write a post with pics!




First day on the beach.

The girls loved it!

Archer enjoyed his morning nap.

The adults embraced the idea of chillin'....

The kiddos.....playing.

And testing out the water....

We would do the beach thing in the morning.

Then would get ready to head back to the house for some lunch.

After lunch and some relaxing, we would head to the pool.

(Rough, I know!)

Then for the next 5 days.....

We went to the beach.

Took "our" morning nap.

Lunch.

Rest time.

Pool.

 ("someone" is crabby....what a surprise.)

Niiiiiiiice!


Last night in Gulf Shores.

We took a stroll on the Boardwalk.

We had a lovely sand-filled, castle building, water-loving, family bonding kind of vacation.

We definitely enjoyed ourselves.

Good-bye Golf Shores, Alabama.

We certainly miss 'you'!

Sunday Snapshot ~ one step closer....

To this little guy.

Our son.

Liam.

We headed here last week.

For fingerprints.

For our dossier.


It's about a four hour trip.  One way!

But so worth it!

So, we decided to make a day out of it!

Packed up the girls, and Grandma, too.

(My mother lives with us so she needed to get her fingerprints done as well.)


Some friends of ours, who made this visit a few months ago for their adoption process, recommended that we go to the Italian neighborhood.  (Thanks Dave and Rhonda!)

What a great recommendation!
We loved it!!!

It was so nice to get out of the car.....eat and walk around for a bit before our fingerprint appointment.

First stop:  LUNCH!

We browsed a bit.

Then we ordered.

Then we feasted!

The day was perfect for eating outside.

Second stop:  Dessert!!!!

Grandma wanted to chill and read.....

We were off to find the bakery....

What is the world???

Really???  I digress.....

Found the bakery!

Score!!!

Got some Gelato.....

Yummmm-meeeeee!

And a whole box of the most delicious Italian cookies EVER!!!

Last stop:  Fingerprints!!!

woo-hoo!!

Of course, I couldn't take pictures inside. ;)

Things went pretty well.....

Shea was the only one who 'beeped' as she went through security.
Not sure why?
But the nice security officers let her in anyway.

Grandma had to give up her {metal} hair pick and finger nail file.  (oops!)

Apparently, my finger pads are worn out.  ha!
It took about 30 minutes to get some decent prints.  (oh brother!)

Hopefully, we will receive our I-800a approval this week.

THEN, we will be able to send our Dossier To China!!!

One step closer, baby!!!

Check out the other Sunday Snapshots here:

Sunday Snapshot: the park, finally!!!

We have a neighborhood park that the girls just love.

We FINALLY made it there this weekend!

Between the weather still not being spring-like (up here in the north) and our busy schedules......

Our park play has been delayed.


Boy, were the girls ready to go!

First order of business:

Kick off the flip-flops.

Next, get the sand toys ready.

Shea wanted to perfect her cartwheels....outside.  (She been practicing in the house.  Not cool!)

Avery wanted in on the video action.  Of course.  lol  She has perfect the fine art of crossing the monkey bars.

Next on the docket, some swinging!

Last but not least....gotta get in some bubble time!

The girls had a fun time.  Love these little stinkers!

I enjoyed them immensely......AND was able to get caught up on my reading for my online Bible study with all the wonderful ladies over at Ni Hao Y'all!!!

It was a win-win kind of a day!!!

Check out all the other Sunday Snapshots!