Oil

We haven't really mentioned it before, but the oil spill is really taking it's toll down here. Local businesses have already lost millions of dollars, fishermen we know are out of work, and each newscast gives us up-to-date info on the disaster, including maps of where the oil is projected to be each day. It's pretty much the only thing anyone can talk about, as we locals wait and see how we're going to be affected. Most people will admit that they wish it would just get here already, since the not knowing is the worst part. At least once it arrives, we'll know what we're dealing with and how to start the probably years-long task of cleaning it up. For an area that relies so heavily on tourism, real estate, and fishing, ours will be an economic disaster as well as an environmental one. Please keep our area and those affected in your prayers. We're going to need all the help we can get.

the signs on the public beaches

you may not be able to see it clearly, but the little black dots on the sand are tar balls

Weekend Update

This weekend was another rainy one, but we still got a lot accomplished! Friday night, we took advantage of break in weather to head to the local farmer's market. They had lots of good looking produce, salsas, and more for us to choose from. Of course, looking at all the veggies got us hungry, so afterward we headed out to dinner!

On Saturday, we headed to Pensacola to continue our search for new dining room chairs. We haven't bought them yet, but we do think we've got a few front-runners! We got our Moe's fix before heading to Sam's to pick up a few items, then headed home for a few more quick errands in between rain showers!

Sunday we spent most of the day doing stuff around the house. Bo tackled the yard work, while Tanner entertained Hampton and tried her hand at homemade baby food (which turned out great). This coming weekend is supposed to be sunny and nice, so hopefully we'll be able to relax and enjoy the company of Grandma & Grandpa, who arrive on Thursday!

Bo and Hampton taking in the sights at the Farmer's Market

Some of the booths of fresh & homemade goodies!

Lunch Date

Tanner and Hampton recently had a lunch date with our friend Lisa over delicious chicken salad at Amelia's. Tanner & Lisa met on her first day at Meyer Real Estate, and they've been friends ever since. They have the exact same sense of humor, so most of their time is spent laughing! It had been awhile since they'd gotten together, so it was great catching up with her. The last time, Hampton slept straight through lunch, so Lisa was excited to actually get to play with Hamp this time!

7 Month Birthday

Another month has flown by, and that means Hampton is another month old! This 7-month-old is really starting to turn into a little boy. He's dying to talk and to crawl, and he's working hard on both! Here's what we're into this month....

Current Likes:

growling in a deep voice
drooling everywhere
playing with his pacifier and chewing on every last inch of it
his toy phone
his new car seat


Current Dislikes:

being wiped down after dinner because he's so messy
juice
not being able to crawl yet
waiting to be fed
nap time

Weekend Update--Memorial Day Edition

Even though it rained all weekend, our Memorial Day wasn't a complete washout! We used our standing Friday night dinner out to try a new restaurant in town, and they had the best Philly Cheese Steak that we'd ever had. On Saturday, Grandma & Grandpa arrived, and we're not sure who was more excited to see who....Hampton or the grandparents! Our BBQ timing was great, because the storms rolled in right after we grilled out. Sunday we headed up to Fairhope and the Eastern Shore, and managed to buy a few fun toys for Hampton (we'd hate for him to be bored!) and got soaked in the rain. Monday was just us, since Paul & Jan had to head back home, so we made use of a break in the weather to go to the park. Hampton absolutely loved swinging on the swing set, and seemed to enjoy checking out the creek, too. Plus, we did something this weekend that gives us something to look forward to......we booked our summer vacation!

fun with Grandpa

loving the swing set

Pool Boy

Well, having the neighborhood pool right across the street from our house is going to be awesome! Hampton had a wonderful time on his first pool outing, and he looks like he's going to be a natural swimmer. He floated in his turtle float both forward (for relaxing) and backward (for the major kicking), and enjoyed being bounced up and down and swirled around in the water. By the end, he was absolutely exhausted, but he didn't want to quit! Instead of calling him our beach baby, maybe we should call him our pool boy!

going to it, just kicking and smacking the water!

spinning and floating in his turtle float

Tuesday Travels

Lake Tahoe, Nevada---February 2004

Lake Tahoe is one of our favorite places. We got to visit the area several times on business, and we would always take time to go up in the mountains. We've seen it covered in snow and also sunny and crystal clear. We love the little resort areas surrounding the lake, and watching all the people with their dogs. It's a great American treasure, and we hope to travel back there sometime with no work and all pleasure!