July has flown by so fast. Where has this summer gone? School starts in a week and we just got back from our last vacation... to the beach. We had so much fun playing and relaxing. We left on Hawley's 7th birthday and she was so excited to spend her birthday at the beach. She cried on the way home from the beach when we went for Spring Break because she loved it so much.

So I think this was a great birthday present for her!

Hawley opened her presents before we left for our trip.
When Grandma Crawford comes out for the new baby's birth,
she has agreed to help paint and decorate Hawley's room to match the
quilt that she picked out for me to make.
Andrew, Orange Beach, AL.

Hawley decided she wanted pizza for her birthday dinner. It was very tasty.

Justin and the kids rode this ferris wheel. Everybody had a great time.
Audrey calls it "the wheel."We didn't have a cake for Hawley's birthday, but she was fine with ice cream from Bruster's.

Alligator Alley. Wow, we have never seen so many alligators in our life.
I guess that is part of living in the South!


Hawley and Andrew got to hold a real alligator. This one was almost 2 years old.
Audrey would only look at the "snake," as she called it.

Audrey taking a much needed rest. It was so hot and humid. We all came back wet!
(and not from rain or splashing alligators)

Audrey burying the "beached wale"!

Andrew and Hawley digging a huge "bathtub" in the sand.

Justin and Andrew playing in the ocean.

Audrey loved playing in the sand. She loved it!

The family at Orange Beach! Now we have been to the beach on all three sides of the US.