Family Photo in Destin

WOW! Check me out...I did it! The first picture is of my two loves...they are at the aquarium in Florida watching the Alligators...Hagen's new favorite...a stuffed one went to show and tell today to school!

Here is my little dude walking on the beach...how cute is he?! I mean, I am biased...but honestly!

He loved running in the sand...chasing the birds (DAMN BIRDS).

Here is a ritual that we had most nights. We went out to dinner every night except for one and when we returned to the house we would get Hagen a popcycle to eat on the beach...

Our family photo...

I'm BACK!!

Yes, I am alive. Sorry to leave suddenly without warning. I had to leave...FOR MY VACATION IN DESTIN, FL! Woo Hoo! Man alive, I have been needing to get away for awhile now. Alot of stress going on in the Darney Casa. Nothing terrible, just normal everyday stress stuff.

We go to Destin, FL the first week in September every year. We will continue to do so until Hagen starts school. We LOVE Destin!

I remember the first time I saw the sugary white sand. I was about 12 and we were on our way to Disney. Mom and Dad thought we would stop and see the beach on the way! We fell in love, went to Disney, and left a few days early to go spend some time at the beach! It was all over from there.

I had my first Kiss at the beach...very romantic...in the stairwell of the condo. I don't remember the details, but it was just awkward.

I remember my brother always trying to hit up the suntan lotion sales girls by buying the deepest darkest OILIEST oil they had and burning the crap out of his leathery skin.

I remember my parents encouraging us to order WHATEVER we wanted while going out to eat. There was a "snack shack" at the pool too where we loved their virgin daqaries. We were limited to 2 of those a day because the bill was getting CRAZY! But unlimited frozen snicker bars were the best!

I remember going grocery shopping for the week and getting to buy lots of fun snacky food because hey, we were on vacation.

I remember going to play putt putt golf after dinner and my older brother acting like a complete a-hole when he didn't win (which for the record, he kinda blew at mini golf).

It was always just pure bliss in Destin...

We still go...but now it is different. STILL a great time, just different. I'm not looking for a boy to kiss in the stairwell, I sleep by my husband in our bed and right next to us in a pack n play is Hagen (who is SO excited to wake up and sit up to see us in the AM). One morning he woke up at 6:15. I told him it was still night night time and he said OK and laid his baby head back down and went back to sleep. What a sweet boy!!

Ryan and I were struggling with one part of our trip. Our nephew Noah is 1 year younger than Hagen. So we had a 25 month old and a 16 month old. there is a big difference in age when they are this young...not so much in a few years from now.

We would tell Hagen not to do something, but then Noah was allowed to do so. Hagen would be playing with something and Noah would take it from him and not get in trouble. It was kinda sad to see him get his feelings hurt and be confused why he wasn't allowed and Noah was. No biggie...just a few outings to get him away and be a big boy. NOW, with all that said, Noah and Hagen LOVE each other and play pretty good together. It is so neat to watch them growing up and I'm sure there are going to be some great times in the years to come. PLUS, Noah will be a big brother next spring. Yep, baby brother is expecting! So happy for them!

I need to get to work now...busy busy BUSY! But, busy is good in this economy and I am thankful.

XO,
Carrie

P.S. Hagen on his potty training...he is doing FABULOUS! only 2 accidents in Destin...and they were little. Then, yesterday his tummy was upset and he had to go #2 ALOT...would you believe that he had no messes in his under ware?!? I'm so proud of him! Now, he was on a sugar high yesterday because he gets a special treat (M&M's, Skittles, chewy sweet tarts, Starburst, or smarties) if he goes big potty...he had 6 yesterday!

It's LAKE TIME!!

I will Brainstorm for a bit: ducks, fishing, friends, juice boxes, birthday party, bounce house, WATER bounce house, trampoline, battery operated cars, cupcakes, pizza, cheetos, balls, locusts, spiders, NO NAPPING, one melt down, road trip, lolly pops, FRIENDS!

Hagen and I went to Andrea and Steve's new lake house this weekend while Ryan was playing in a golf tournament. Their sons are 4 and 1 1/2). Some other friends were having their boys birthday party at their lake house so it was a perfect weekend!

Hagen and I left on Friday around 5:00, grabbed some Sonic when we got there, ate, bounced in their bounce house, had a bath and went to bed. Mama stayed up and sat on the porch and had some adult beverages until 12:30 and went to bed. It was a great night of chilling out and just enjoying the beautiful nature...breathtaking!

Hagen has decided to no longer sleep in which can prove to be tough after Mama drank her weight in Bud Light...he was up and ready at 6:45 on Saturday. No nap was had and then we went to a fabulous birthday party which included 2 HUGE blow up water slides, trampoline, battery powered cars, and so many fun friends! We had a BLAST and stayed for 6 hours!

Then, the meltdown began. Hagen was happy the whole day and then hit a wall that was started when Mama was getting him out of the toy car thing to go home. He didn't want to leave and it started the meltdown of the century! I have to say that it was one of the lowest Mama Moments since Hagen entered this world. I was helpless...wanted to just squeeze him...wanted to spank his hiney...just all over BAD SITUATION!

We got to Andrea and Steve's and Hagen got a wipe down with baby wipes, new diaper, and t shirt and then to bed. Now, Hagen has only been to bed without a bath a handful of times, always has a book read to him, and songs sung. Mama was NOT having it...she was DONE with me. I went to sleep quick...Mama headed out to the porch to once again enjoy some drinks and conversation.

Hagen was up again at 6:45...what's up with this?

We had a fabulous time, great memories, and so much fun! I hope we didn't leave too much of a path of destruction so that we get another invite. Ryan wants to go the next time because he was sad that it was Hagen's first fishing experience and he wasn't there.

Back at home now and Hagen is refusing a nap, is crabby and wants to mow the lawn with Ryan. We are going to cook out and wrap up this weekend.

Love,
Carrie