Callaway Gardens

The morning after Nana's birthday party, we drove over to Callaway Gardens to meet back up with Paul's Uncle James, Aunt Sara, Cousin Andrea and her boys Patrick and Benjamin. Although it was a quick visit - because we had to get back on the road to Memphis - it was wonderful and I'm so glad we were able to do it. We started with a delicious breakfast at a restaurant there and then drove over to see the butterfly garden/house.

The entrance to the butterflies

James gets a head start on the exhibit.

Hannah stops for a quick picture

Jake's got that "deer in the headlight" look, like he's doing something wrong, but he was just tossing fish food to the fish below him.

I managed to get a shot with Jake and Emma. Her expression is lovely, isn't it?

Family photo op

One last parting shot of the exhibit. It was really beautiful and peaceful to me. I wish I could have spent more time sitting and enjoying it.

Emma and Benjamin walk hand-in-hand to the car.

We squeeze in one last picture of the cousins together. Unfortunately it might be a while before we're all together again.

Just couldn't resist putting this one in of my "little man".

Nana Turns 87

After leaving the beach, we spent the week in Thomasville and fortunately were still in Georgia to attend Nana's (Paul's Grandmother) 87th birthday celebration. We had an incredible time and it also doubled as a Wilson family reunion.

The girls give Nana a big "hello" hug. It's been WAY too long since we've seen her.

Jake enjoys the goats and horse behind Nana's house.

Jake and his cousins Patrick and Benjamin are all entertained by the goats.

Aunt Carolyn helps teach Jake the art of bubble blowing.

Emma involved in a relay race arranged by Grandmomma (i.e. Brenda). She did a fabulous job planning terrific games for all the children.

All the cousins look on while Benjamin makes his mad dash.

The adults look on (under the shade!) as the games continue.

Grandmomma explains the rules of one of the relay games.

Claudia and Emma take off

Jakes tries his hand and carrying the water during a relay

I think he got more water on his shirt than in the bucket.

The adults engage in a bubble gum blowing content

James displays quite a beauty.

Nana's beautiful birthday cake that Brenda had made in Americus. (Nana's first name is Jewel -- and she really is!!)

Emma and Nana having a discussion

Ben helps Nana get the candles blown out. How cute is this!

Benjamin, James, Sara, Patrick, and Andrea

Jeff, Wayne, Margaret, Bailey, Bentley, and Carmen

James and Jake get acquainted

Some very worn out children pile onto Nana's bed to watch TV.

Emma, Ken, Hannah, Jake, and Brenda

Nana & Jake share a snuggle.

At the end of the day, I finally got this great picture of Jake with Nana. They hit it off like peas in a pod.

Cape San Blas, Florida

Thanks to my hard working husband, we were able to rent a house at my favorite beach spot -- Cape San Blas, Florida -- for a week in early June. Just like the last time we went, our trip just happened to correspond with my mother's birthday and we were able to celebrate, in person, with her. It was an incredible week that flew by way too fast. Our only regret was that my brother - overseas in Iraq - was unable to be there with us. Hopefully next time we can truly make it a family affair.

We arrived late on a Sunday afternoon and after unloading, rushed down to enjoy the beach and the gorgeous sunset.

Certainly God's handiwork

Unlike the last time we were here - because Jake was only six weeks old - Jake got right down to business, digging, and digging, and digging. He LOVED every minute of it!

Paul helps show some digging techniques

Look at this view!! The beach remained virtually deserted our entire week. Truly my perfect vacation.

Our gorgeous big girl, Hannah.

Our gorgeous - and sassy! - little girl, Emma. She reminds us SO much of my mother (both looks and personality) that we nicknamed her LJ for "Little Jan"

My precious boy. He showed absolutely no fear of the water. It was so wonderful to watch him explore and thrive. He was in heaven.

Look, Mommy!

A dolphin - look closely! - in the distance. It was actually very close to the shore.

Emma and her partner in crime enjoy the waves splashing around them.

Jake giggles as he runs from the waves.

Mimi and Hannah enjoy their daily morning wave riding. They were talking and solving the problems of the world!

Mimi and LJ spend a moment in the pool.

Look at Emma finally swimming! Way to go!!

Emma and her swimming coach - AKA Daddy - pause for a picture.

Jake enjoys jumping into the pool with Paul.

Way to go, Jake!

Whheee!!!

Emma agrees to be buried......

Emma regrets to agreeing to be buried!

And of course, on our last day, I insisted on a family photo that everyone grumbled about, but it was so worth it to have us all together. It's such a rare treat!

Mimi and her chicks

Me and the most wonderful mother in the world.

My two boys

I think this is one of my favorites -- look at the happiness in their faces. It's so sweet.

On the way back to Mimi's house in Thomasville, Georgia, we stopped at Angelo's Seafood Restaurant. A favorite place for us to eat. This is a shot of the Apalachicola bridge from our outdoor table. Mom has a picture of Paul and I here when we were still dating, so we recreated it for fun.

Jake enjoying the seagulls while we wait for lunch.

We may be a little older since our first picture here, but look how far we've come. I certainly love Paul even more than that day.

God's precious gifts

Hannah and Mimi share some sugar.