Alabama

We followed Casey on a work trip to Alabama. It involved some beach time, good eats, history lessons, and quality family time! It was so much fun!!

This was our first time on the Gulf Coast. It was beautiful, and the beaches seemed so clean and well maintained.

It was also full of really cool shells, which was so much fun for Ryan. He spent most of his time shell hunting.

On our first night we went to one of the seafood restaurants we wanted to try. It was so good! We wanted to try everything!! I ordered a really good salad and we shared some fried pickles. We all enjoyed our meals that night. In fact, we went to another restaurant the next night and were not pleased at all with the food, so we went back to LAPS for our 3rd night at the beach. It was so delicious!!

Once of Cody's requests for the trip was boiled peanuts, so we found a really good place that made them hot and fresh. We made a couple stops for peanuts - a southern treat!

One of our days was spent touring the USS Alabama. It was amazing. I cannot even imagine living on a ship for an extended period of time. The living quarters were cramped and the air quality minimal. They had to have been in good shape for all of that stair climbing. I was exhausted after just an hour on board. I left with a whole new respect for those who serve and protect our country.

They had a place for everything. A Dentist, a Chapel, A doctor, multiple kitchens, cramped sleeping quarters, A post office, a cobbler, and so much more. It was amazing.

You can read more about the ship here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Alabama_(BB-60)

The hotel had a pool and hot tub that we also enjoyed. We loved our late night swims.

This was Casey's favorite activity while we were there.

Our hotel looked out onto the port where ships come and go most of the day. We had to make a stop by the local Bass Pro Shop and buy a pair of binoculars for Casey to be able to enjoy the view from a little closer vantage point.

On the way home from dinner our last night I was trying to get the boys to stop for a picture. They, of course, were not interested. When we finally made it to our room I reminded them that I had the key, so the entrance fee was a picture with their mother. Cody reluctantly complied.

We had so much fun. It was our last hoorah before Cody enters the MTC and leaves for his mission in a few days. It was wonderful!! I want to go back!!!

Because....

THE END!

Temple Day

We spent the day at the temple yesterday. It was a very good day, but it was also a very hot day. So, taking a few pictures outside was not a high priority for anyone. Poor Seth was very hungry and hot, not a good combination. We managed to get one picture with everyone smiling. It was my favorite photo of the day. Look at that cute baby!

I think baby Josh was the only one happy and smiling during our short photo session. Such a little sweetheart!

We had trouble convincing everyone else to smile...The heat was pretty intense.

Seth was a trooper.

Here are a few pictures of our future missionary...just a couple more weeks left at home.

We are so excited for Cody to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What a wonderful two years he will have serving the people in Montreal Canada.

I am so happy to know that families can be together forever. This life is not the end. What a comfort this knowledge gives me every single day. I cannot wait to be reunited with family members who are on the other side. I look forward to the day we will be together again. I know it will be a sweet and joyful reunion!

If you want to learn more about mormon temples you can go HERE.

And one more cute photo from our temple day. Oh, how I will miss this boy not wanting me to take his picture!!