Beach Trip 2009--Farewell to Summer Break

We had a wonderful time while we were at the beach. We enjoyed spending time together and did alot of family things together while we were there. I had put our family beach pictures off until the last part of our trip. I had planned for us to do the "khaki and white" family pictures on Saturday or Sunday but since we returned early as stated in the other post, we didn't get to do them. (But I will give those up anyday in exchange for the opportunity of us getting back to see Granny before she passed away.) As most of you know, I put things off, so that is what I get for putting it off to the latter part of the week. Most of my family didn't want to do them anyway, but I did. I had just told them to not give me a problem about it. It was just something that we were going to do. Needless to say...they weren't too disappointed that we didn't get to take them. I do have a "few" other pictures of while we were there. :0) This was Carmen's first trip to the beach. I was pregnant with her the last time we went to the beach.

We stopped at Peach Park for the "traditional" pics with the horse! It is amazing to see how the kids have grown each time.


Carmen striking a pose on the beach.

A little souvenier picture with Braden.


Austin enjoying the ocean!

Yes....she was able to walk again after we left!!!

Ahhhhh....breakfast on the balcony!

A little pool fun for all 3 of them.

A couple of my favorites...God has blessed us with these three and a beautiful sunset!!!!

They got a "little" wet on the bumper boats at The Track!

Okay...so maybe she was a little tired!!!!!!

Terry had to try to make the best shot any way he could!

A couple of last shots from the balcony before we head home!

The good....and the bad.....

It has been a whirlwind these past 2 weeks! We were ending the summer break with a wonderful trip to the beach! We had a great time until, as some of you know, returned home a little early because of the very saddening news that my mother-in-law wasn't well at all. We left a couple of days early and returned home Saturday night between 9:30 and 10:00, went straight to the nursing home, and then she passed away at about 3:00 that next morning. I am glad we got back. She is much better off but selfishly, we are going to miss her. Here is a picture of Granny and my kids just last November around Thanksgiving. She really went down this past year. I am proud of the time we had with her and that all 3 of my kids got to know their Granny. She was 88. So what started out as a happy time at the beach ended up as a sad time when we returned.

Water Fun!!!!

Well...maybe this part is not "water fun"...washing the van but earlier this week the boys took on washing it and removing the window paint from the recent ballgames. (Finally got another picture of Austin when I opened the door and took this from our house while they were washing!)











Then today we headed over to Decatur to the Splash Pad for some "water fun." They had a ball. It was very nice. My kind of fun---free!!! Here are a few pictures of Braden, Carmen, and a friend of Braden's--Alec. Meemaw also rode over with us to watch them.



Carmen as the boys took her through. She had to warm up to going through the middle of it. So they were helping her.










Braden sitting right in the middle of it.




Braden gave Carmen a ride....




Then Alec gave Braden a ride!





Then we went to the playground right beside it. It was a very nice playground.
They had pretty pictures placed throughout the playground so we made our own little "photo shoot".



Meemaw and Carmen....





Braden with his "prized possession!"





Carmen with the pretty butterfly.



My clown...Braden acting as if the bee stung him.


Braden and Alec have the squirrel "by the ears!"



We got hot at the playground, so then back to the Splash Pad to cool off. We had a fun day!

Finally getting around to another post!

Well....things have been busy around the Tuten household. But what else is new????? Braden's all-star team played in his State Tournament last week in Jasper and finished up this week. Here are a few pictures of the tournament.


Ready for the pitch...




The "Thrill of Victory!"



A different game, but still ready for the pitch...

Wham....Look at how everybody is looking where he hit it!

Some of his "loyal fans"...Meemaw, Papaw, and Austin.

Earlier was the "Thrill of Victory"...well, this is the "Agony of Defeat!" But we did good. We beat North Chilton, Corner, and Gardendale. We were beaten by Oak Mountain who ended up finishing 3rd in the state and by Trussville who ended up winning the state so...16 teams qualified to go the state and we tied for 5th. Braden played his heart out and did a great job. We are proud of him!

Carmen worked in a few trips to see the ducks at the park where we were playing.

So, when we were through with the tournament, I finally got the kids' dentist appointments worked in. This was Carmen's first trip to the dentist. Austin wanted to know why I was grabbing the camera on the way out the door. But it was her first trip to the dentist...I had to take a picture!!!! She was so excited and kept asking..."Is it time to go to the dentist yet? Is it time for the dentist yet?" etc. They called her name and I said, "Do you want me to go with you or do you want to go back by yourself?" She said she wanted to go by herself! She did and just did great. I sat there and then thought...she doesn't need me!!!! She is changing so much lately and growing up...I know it is good but it is also sad. We got her registered for Preschool and she is so excited. She is ready for summer to be over so she can start preschool...unlike her mother who is not ready to go back. The other day she was swinging and telling me how high she was going by herself. Then she said, "I don't need you to push me anymore." I thought of how many times that I told her that she could do it and she needed to learn to swing herself, but....when the time came, what did I say? Something to the effect of..."You are doing great! I can still push you sometimes though, can't I?" Way to go, Mom! Push her to do it on her own and then feel hurt that she does. Growing up is hard!

1st trip to the dentist! (I really need to move those buttons a little on this outfit, don't I?)

Well...I told Austin he needs to let me take his picture more often. He is in the background of a few of the pics. Oh well...speaking of growing up....Like I said, I know it is good, but it is also sad! I know this was long, but maybe I won't wait so long between posts next time.

A Fun Day at the Pool!!!!!

We had a fun day at a private pool with my brother and sister-in-law and their kids. Our kids had a great time! They were pooped!!!!

Here is Austin and Braden throwing football in the pool. Ya'll didn't really think we would do something that didn't involve ball, did you??????

Carmen loved it, too!!!

Their cousin, Layton, joining in!

And......their other cousin Landon got "tuckered out" and took him a little nap while the others kept on playing.

Thanks to my family for including us in the fun! We hope all of you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

Slip-Slidin' Away

We are thoroughly enjoying our time off this week. Now that I have AMSTI behind me, I feel like I am off again! We started off our morning...

Braden and Carmen loved getting in their "tent". They did this last night and we had to do it again this morning.

Then we headed out to the "Slip N Slide". Austin opted out of the fun for the day but Braden and Carmen had a ball. They ended up playing with the hose pipe and using it on our regular slide with the fort. But they had fun.

Braden had it "down to a T". Go for it, Braden!

Carmen with a little help from Braden. She likes to be pulled!

Braden in action with the spray of water.

Now, Carmen...that looks better! On the belly....

Now for a little relaxing. Yes........Braden is drinking from the "sanitary" water supply!

Then a little trip to Meemaw and Papaw's for a little spoiling!


I sure do enjoy summer but it is "slip slidin' " away!

Have a good day!