Beach, birthdays, and bridal showers

The evening of Thursday, August 9th, David and I drove to Peridio Key to spend some time with his family at the beach.  I love the beach, but hardly ever get the chance to go, so I was super pumped about being there!  That night, we had shrimp for dinner that his dad had prepared and then spent time hanging out with his family at their condo.  My absolute favorite part of the whole visit was when his step-brother, John, was playing with Charlie.  It was hilarious, and I literally just about peed myself from laughing so hard!
The next morning, we got up fairly early to ride the pontoon boat that his dad had rented for the day.  We stopped along the way at the Oyster House for lunch, and had a very satisfying meal, which for me consisted of a virgin pina colada and a burger and fries.  It was delicious!  While we were there, it started storming, so we had to wait for it to pass before we could continue our trip.
Once the storm had passed we got back on the boat and made our way to Sand Island, where we set anchor.  David and I wanted to stay on the boat with the boys while everyone else enjoyed sliding down the slide off the top of the pontoon boat and swimming around in the ocean.  David's dad and John eventually peer pressured David into joining them, and then I decided to cool off in the water for a moment myself.  I had just gotten in the water when I felt like I had a cut on my hand and face, and the salt water was burning it.  I had just swam out to where everyone else was when I saw Charlie trying to jump off of the boat, so I decided to get back on the boat with the boys.  When I got back on the boat, my hand and face were still burning, and I looked at my hand and saw whelps forming.  I called David to see it, and he and his dad decided that I had been stung by a jelly fish! :(  I had literally been in the water less than 5 minutes, and everyone else was in there for at least 45 minutes, and I was the ONLY person to get stung!
After about an hour, we made our way back to the condo, but we didn't make it back before it started raining.  We traveled in a torrential downpour, for what seemed like forever, getting pelted by rain.  We were all drenched!  The rain finally stopped and the sun came back out before we made it back to the dock.  They dropped David and me and the boys off so we could go ahead and go back to the condo, and they left to return the boat.  Unfortunately for them, they ran out of gas before they made it and had to wait almost an hour for someone to bring them gas.  Needless to say, we had all had an an exhausting day!

Charlie relaxing on the balcony after a long day on the pontoon boat

Riley chilling out

My handsome boys watching people walk to the pool

Our view from the balcony...Ahhh, paradise!

The next day, David woke up early to take a bike ride with his dad and Kelli.  While they were gone, I enjoyed some coffee and delicious cinnamon rolls and orange rolls made by David's step-sister, Taylor.  After breakfast, I began to get ready to leave.  Once David returned and got ready, we said our goodbyes, and departed for Daphne for Sissy and Shaan's shower.  Before we headed to the shower, we stopped and visited David's long-time, best friend, Johnathan and his wife, Katie.  Our visit was brief, but as always, so enjoyable!  They were even sweet enough to watch the boys for us while we attended the shower.  We had a wonderful time at the shower, visiting with family and friends.  Sissy and Shaan received so many, nice gifts.  It was such a special time celebrating them and their upcoming marriage!

The gift table

Aren't they just adorable?!

David and me with the happy couple

Sissy and all of her bridesmaids who were able to attend

After the shower, we went to pick up the boys and then traveled to Monroeville.  The next morning, I woke up and attended church with my family and then kept Marissa occupied while the other grown-ups prepared for her party!  Marissa Grace had a fabulous 8th birthday party!  She received so many special gifts, and we all enjoyed delicious cupcakes and ice cream!  It was so wonderful having so much of the family together.  I enjoyed spending time with everyone and being a part of her special day!

Presents and cupcakes! 

My special girls

Birthday Girl blowing out her candles!

I think she was excited to get her American Girl doll

Three of my four favorite kiddos ;)

As you can tell, we had a very busy but exciting, fun-filled weekend.  I only wished that it had lasted a little longer, and that we had been able to spend more time with everyone.