Two vacations in May!

Oh we had the busiest month EVER in May! Our first trip was to California to visit Papa Tom and Mema Holly. It was Joey's first airplane ride and he did GREAT! No fussing, just nursed him on take off and he slept for most of the time. He is learning how to travel well with the family. We also took a boat ride to San Fransisco from Vallejo and then another boat out to Alcatraz Island. Since Ryan is a BOP employee, we got to take a special behind-the-scenes tour of the prison where we saw the gunner's catwalk and the prison hospital where the Bird Man once lived. It was a very interesting tour and what a great view of the city!

We also took Joey to Carmel Beach where he had his first dip in the ocean, he wasn't sure about the water on his feet, but he LOVED the sound of the ocean. He was not happy being left on the blanket while we played in the ocean - what a water bug!

Then we came back home for two weeks and turned around and flew to South Carolina to see Stevie graduate from Basic Training! HOOAH! We are so PROUD of our new soldier - what a sacrifice he's made to serve our country. I never thought I'd see the day that both brothers would be in uniform! And Stevie looks great! He must have lost 20 pounds from all those push ups!

Also while in S. Carolina we caught up with some old friends, the Phoenix's, they have Bryce who's 7 months younger than Owen and Austin who is a month younger than Joey. They graciously invited us over for a wonderful BBQ at their house on post and now I really wish they lived next door to us! It was so much fun catching up with them and reminiscing about good times in Germany!

After all our fun in S. Carolina, we headed down the coast to Savannah, Georgia where we took a pit stop at Tybee Island and a quickie drive through the city to see some of the splendor of the south. I would love to spend a week in Savannah walking through all the beautiful squares and mansions!

Then we hit the road and landed ourselves in Palm Coast, Florida where we stayed with a long time friend of the family. We heart Pam and Nick!

Owen fell in love with Pam's house and wanted to stay with her forever. She has dogs and birds and a screened in pool with lizards and critters all over outside. Owen was really hoping to spot an alligator, but much to his disappointment (and my delight) we didn't see one while we were there! We took a trip to Marine Land and watched people interact with dolphins. Saw a sweet mommy and baby dolphin team and roasted in the sweltering heat and humidity.

So off to the beach we went! We stopped at Jungle Hut beach and attempted to boogie board in some LAME waves.

Owen LOVED playing in the ocean with Papa and Mema - he is a water bug too!

Joey once again wanted nothing to do with staying put on a blanket, he decided to dig in the sand a bit, taste it, feel it, roll in it.

Then he cried until I just held him by the ocean until he fell asleep.

What a fun day we had at the beach! Many thanks to Pam for opening her home to us! We can't wait to go back for another visit some day!