Panama City Beach 2018

Well, I realized that my last post was in January.

And a lot has happened since then.

We did spring co-op with our home school group.  Eleven weeks of meeting on Monday afternoons for three hours.  The kids get to take 3 classes each and I let them chose which ones they're interested in so they're not bored and dreading co-op.  The classes are different each semester based on what the parents have decided to teach.  Hannah leans more towards arts & crafts and history but branched out and tried P.E. this time around.  Sammy is more interested in P.E. and STEM classes.   Amos spends the first two hours in the K5 club where they do crafts, read books and have P.E. time.  Then he chose STEM for his third period (he wanted to be like big brother!)  Normally Shiloh is in the nursery or hanging out with me in the teachers lounge but this time there was a Pre-K club and he spent the first two periods making crafts, reading books, singing songs and playing dress up.  He LOVED it!

From March until we left for the beach this May, we watched a sweet little friend from church.  Her Mom moved from a second/third shift job to a day job and her Dad is a teacher.  But her Mom had been out of work for several weeks before starting her new job so they asked if I would watch her until she started getting paid and then they planned to put her in day care.  But when it came time, they asked if I would be willing to continue watching her and they would pay me.   It required me getting up early -and if you know me at all, you know I'm NOT a morning person.  But the thought of this sweet little girl going to day care instead of being with friends she knows and loves broke my heart.  So the kids and I said yes and never regretted it.  She's Shiloh's age and they play together so well.  So while they played, the older kids were able to get their school work done.   Having one extra kid wasn't a big deal either, we still went to co-op, the park, out to eat, wherever.  She loved it!

We finished AWANA at the beginning of May.  I will have to write another post about that because the kids got a ton of awards at the awards ceremony.  And then there was the Grand Prix and the Spring Fling.

So the end of winter and spring were busy.  Throw in a few illnesses and soccer for Amos and we were going non-stop.  So we were ready for our annual vacation to Panama City Beach when it came!

We played on the beach a hand full of times but the kids loved the hotel pools more.  There was an indoor pool with a lazy river beside it.  Two outdoor pools - one with a two story twisty slide with a kiddie pool beside it and one "boring" pool with a hot tub beside it.  The hotel also had an arcade, laundromat and ice cream shop.

Bobby helped me with lunches and supper each day so it was more relaxing for me this year.  When it was time to leave I was actually sad to leave -though I was definitely ready to be back in my own bed and see our Rosie girl!

While looking for shells on the beach, Hannah and I found the top to a blue button jelly fish.  It's so beautiful!  Look up a video on them, they have pretty blue tentacles!

It rained several times while we were there and one evening there was a beautiful rainbow.  I happened to have my phone in my hand (trying to get a good picture of Hannah) when I glanced over and saw Amos & Bobby at the end of the rainbow.  So I was able to snap this picture!

We saw a sea turtle and several sting rays close to the shore.  The minute we saw the sting ray, Sammy promptly exited the water.  Hannah, however, loved it!

The day we left I snapped this picture from out balcony.  The beach is so quiet and peaceful at 7 in the morning.

Bobby and the kids loved the pool with the twisty slide.  They would go down feet first, head first, on their backs, on their bellies.  Meanwhile, Shiloh and I were safely floating around the shallow end.

It kills me that Shiloh is wearing water wings AND laying on a pool noodle.  That kiddie pool was dangerous!!

Pistachio almond ice cream from Tasty Waves.

We always go out to eat one evening to a seafood buffet and another evening we go to Pier Park to the Candy Maker.  The truffles are my favorite!

A Chick of a Different Sort

Yesterday was my twenty week ultra-sound.  We got to see our sweet little chick growing and squirming.  Squirming is an understatement - Bobby was able to feel kicks on August 2nd.  

Bobby was able to tell the kids that they're getting a BROTHER.  They were all excited.  We're all excited.  Shocked for sure.  Hannah & I did want another girl so, truthfully, we were disappointed.  But I initially wanted a girl with Sam and then Amos.  Now I look at them and can't imagine my life without those little boys.  Hannah and I agreed we feel the same way about this little fellow.

He was so squirmy that the ultra-sound tech was having to "chase" him to check everything she needed  to and then he kept putting his hands around his face so we didn't get a good profile picture.  Otherwise he's growing & developing right on schedule and everything looks healthy.

We left the doctor office and headed to Walmart to pick up a few odds & ends that we needed.  Of course we ended up in the baby section looking at blankets and clothes.  I don't need a lot since we've got most of Amos' things but I feel like all babies should have some new things bought especially for them.  We picked out things we wanted to add to our registry and wrote them down (since you can't scan stuff in-store to add to your registry, how lame is that!)  We're getting ready!!  I'll let you know as soon as we're definitely decided on a name.  We have one in mind but were more sure about the girl name than the boy one.  

Ocean Isle ... or a Family Vacation

Every July Bobby's aunts & uncles, from his mom's side of the family, go to Ocean Isle beach for a week.  Every year they invite us but something always seems to prevent us from going.  Until this year.  

Tuesday we loaded our van with suitcases, the pack 'n play, beach toys and a ton of other stuff then headed to North Carolina.  We stayed with our sister-in-law's parents and drove 35 minutes or so each day to Ocean Isle to spend time with family.

There was a lot of time in the car but it was so worth it to see everyone.  We got to hold our new baby nephew, finally!  Hannah & Sammy got to play with their cousins.  They saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.  Amos got brave and started jumping off the side of the pool.  Bobby's aunt came to the rescue when I left my going-out-to-eat outfit back at the house (over a 30 minute drive away remember!)  It was wonderful.  We were sad to leave but glad to be back in our own beds - or in the kids case, in a bed period.  They were troopers and slept in sleeping bags on the floor beside our bed.  Our host & hostess were wonderful and have a beautiful home but you can imagine it's a bit tight with 4 extra adults and 6 kids :-)  It really was hard leaving Dave & Karen since we don't get to see them nearly enough.  I think the kids hugged everyone multiple times before we finally got them into the van.

At least we have pictures and memories.  And knowing that we'll see them again in two weeks helps too!

Uncle Bobby gets to hold Jake for the first time.

 Samuel asked to hold Jake first -which really surprised me b/c normally Hannah wants to hold the babies first.

 Dave calls Jacob "Jake-o-rama" but Sammy calls him "Jake from State Farm."  

 At the Atlantic Ocean for the first time!!

 The kids are dancing to one of the Frozen songs.

 Sam & Sam watching cartoons while trying to wake up.

 Swimming!

 Jake falls asleep on Uncle Bobby.

 Oh those cheeks!  And that little mohawk.  Clark babies are definitely the cutest.

{There are a few more pictures but they're on the iPad so I'll post them later.} 

The 4th

...burgers...

...family...

...home made ice cream...

...fireworks (roman candles, smoke bombs & sparklers)...

...laughing...

...Mama & Daddy...

...Bonnie & Tim...

...my kids running and having so much fun...

-Samuel helps make the burgers.-

 -Amos loved the "poppers."-

 -Tim, Daddy, Amos-

 -My silly Mama & sister.-

-Rebecca gets in on the holiday spirit.  My Mama made this cute dress out of a onesie.- 

 -The kids were mesmerized by the fireworks.-

Growing

Well, once again our little family is expanding!  We are all so excited.  Well, I say that but I'm sure if Amos understood what is happening he wouldn't be excited.  I don't think he's going to like sharing with a new little baby.

Baby #4 is due December 31st.  Since I've had three c-sections we'll have the baby about a week before that.  I'm excited because we won't have three birthdays in January.  Bobby is excited for the tax purposes :-)

As I said on facebook - start praying now for a girl.  It never hurts to ask!  We really do want another little girl but we'll obviously be happy with whatever our Heavenly Father has in store for us.  So really, just pray for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

Not related to this post but I forgot to put up these picture earlier in the month.  We went to the Relay for Life at Seneca High School earlier in the month.  My sister works for Jantzen so we were planning on walking for their group.  Unfortunately it started pouring rain and storming right when the survivors began walking so we didn't get a chance to walk at all.  

The kids enjoyed the cool windy weather though...

{Family}

Have I mentioned that my computer suddenly started working again?  I opened it, propped my trusty flashlight on my shoulder and was working on printing some subway art for my secret sister when it happened.  I was fiddling with the brightness and all of a sudden the screen brightened and stayed that way!  Whoa.  Now it still randomly goes off again but fiddle with the brightness and it works again.  Amazing.  So now I can catch up on what our little family has been up to (hence the reason for my daily posts...)

Any hoo.  This past weekend we loaded up our crew and drove five hours to visit Bobby's brother and his sweet family.  We always enjoy our visits with Dave & Karen but this time just seemed exceptionally fun.  Maybe it was because there were two gorgeous little 3 (well nearly three) year old girls running around with my three.  Uncle Bobby spent the evenings chasing all five kids around the house while the rest of us -responsible- adults did things such as cook, set the table and clean up.  Seriously though, Bobby is an awesome Dad and a super fun uncle.  We could barely hear ourselves think due to the thundering feet and squeals of the kids but what a beautiful sound.

On Saturday we visited a local planetarium.  This may have been one of my favorite parts of the weekend because sweet little Catherine sat in my lap the entire show.  She chatted and pointed out the stars and moon to me.  Amos loved it too.  He loves being outside at night looking at the stars.  Plus Elmo & Big Bird were the narrators which made it even more fun.

We visited Dave & Karen's new house and visited two parks.  Amos has gotten fearless about going down the slides.  And tiny Hannah nearly made it all the way across the monkey bars without any help.

Before we knew it the weekend was gone and it was time to return home.  Everyone was sad to part - especially Catherine & Hannah.  Poor Hannah really enjoyed having two girls to play with.

--playing on the sun dial outside the planetarium--

 --Samantha--

 --Catherine--

 --This is my favorite picture!  I love how everyone is looking at Hannah.  She was being so dramatic about the sun being in her eyes.  Drama Queen.

Happenings

It's been hard to update our blog when my computer is on vacation.  My pictures won't upload to Bobby's new (non-Mac) computer and it's hard to find time to plug mine into the television so I can get everything done.

Anyway, not too much has been happening...

Just Mr. Amos growing & changing daily.  And getting cuter by the day at that.  Man alive is this kid not the cutest ever?!

We've been keeping up with our school work.  Clearly school is super fun as evidenced from these pictures...

Hannah has been saving her money all year to buy an American Girl Doll.  At $110 for just the doll and the book it took a while.  But she made it to $84 dollars by herself and then my parents gave her $40 for her birthday. 
So this past Monday my friend, Kim, and I surprised Hannah by taking her to the AG store in Atlanta, GA.  She had no idea we were going, she just thought we were taking Kim Christmas shopping at the mall. 

When we pulled into the parking lot we pointed and asked, "What store is that?"  She gazes out the window and replies, "Macy's." 
We asked again and once again she replied Macy's. 
I said, "Hannah, the store with the pick letters beside Macy's!" 
"Oh it's just the American Girl Store."
Kim asked, "What is it Hannah?"
"Just the American Girl (starting to speak slowly) store.  JUST THE AMERICAN GIRL STORE!!!!" 

She was so excited.  She already knew which doll she wanted but we still spent about an hour letting her look at all the dolls and their accessories.  They had Julie's VW bug out on display for the kids to play with and she really enjoyed that. 
I am so proud that Hannah saved her own money to buy her doll.  She takes really good care of Allison (her Madame Alexander doll) but she's been even more careful with Rebecca.