Navarre Beach Sand Sculpting Festival...

Prepare to be AMAZED!!! This weekend was the Sand Sculpting Festival in Navarre. It was a three day event. Friday morning, Grace and I went up to the beach to watch the sculptors start their works of art. There were probably a total of 7 sculptors in the event. I wish that I had taken my camera the first day, but I was actually on the way to the library when we discovered it was closed til 10 so we ran up to the beach to look at the art. All of the artists were very nice and answered all the questions Grace had and she even guessed what a few of them were before you could really tell what they were...This first one won the People Choice Award and I dont't think there was a question or complaint about it...

Just look at the details...a lizard on a log, covered with leaves and a dragonfly...

Even a frog!!

This next won, Grace pegged before you could even tell what it was...a world...This gentleman created the southeast portion of the U.S. with Florida and a saying that says "Leave Only Footprints".

In his design we wanted some footprints of kids, so he picked Seth and Grace to help in his creation!!

This was also amazing...the details and long hours to do this...I have no words...

Love the little baby cherubs...one building a sand castle, one with his legs crossed in the background...Incredible!!

If anyone can tell me what this is, I will give you a big hug next time I see you...hahaha...I will give you a hint...think book series turned movie!!! Still can't figure it out, well, it is Twilight: New Moon...

If you look closely you will see a square cookie cutter in the sand next to the wolf...that is the beginning of the movie strips. Richie and I went up to the beach last night to see more progress, but again it was an unexpected trip so no camera, but she had the strips done with even a picture on the reel...It was ridiculous!!!

This was the center piece of the event. AMAZING, I tell you!!!

The kids picked this one as their favorite for the People's choice. The kids are now asking if we can go to the beach so they can practice their sand sculpting skills...LOL...one of these days. Iwish I had been able to go back today to take the final pics but it stormed here in the morning and didn't get a chance...hopefully next year will be better weather for the artists!!!

1st Annual East Milton, FL Rodeo...

Every Wednesday we get a local paper with happenings in the area. I looked through it and found a couple of things for this weekend to do and would keep us busy. One was the rodeo in Milton, Fl, about 25 minutes away. It started at 730pm and we got there a little early, so we walked around and found a spot to sit and watch the show. Then found this...This is Spike!! Now brace yourself for the picture to follow this one...

Yep, that is Seth sitting on a bull...The man that owns him has a 5 year old that saddles him up and walks him around...WHAT!?!??!!?

Next we found the ice cream trolley...What is a rodeo with out some creamy deliciousness!!!

We took our seats and listened to the announcer and were entertained by this gentleman. Holy cow, was that worth the $$ for addmission!!

We started off with some bull riding...the kids were amazed...

Others were standing around waiting for their event...

Others admired the babies...

Seth and Grace glued to the action. They were waiting for the annoucement of the calf scramble...Now, if you had asked them what this was a week ago you would have gotten a look of, "how the heck am I supposed to know?"...ask them know and they will glady explain it to you...

All kids 12 and under were invited into the arena for the calf scramble, first they had to do some excersizes...jumping jacks, push ups, roll over 3 times (in the red dirt...hahaha)...then they were ready. Grace didn't like the idea of the excersizes so she left the arena early. Seth stuck around to figure out what he was supposed to do...

Off they go, calf scramble...all the kids chasing about 6 calves to get the flags off their tails. First one to the clown with a flag wins a bike. Seth did really good, he said he almost had a flag but some older kid pushed him out of the way and got...all is good, he had a great time trying!!!

The events included bull riding, calf roping, team roping, and barrel racing...

We had a great time and look forward to going back next year!!!

Soccer Games...

It is mid-season of soccer and the kids are kicking butt. Grace is really enjoying playing and meeting new friends. She has scored a total of 7 goals so far this season, but I don't think she has quite figured out that this isn't football. She will take them down to get the ball...she is working on it though. The parents of her teammates are amazing and very nice. One of the parents is even having practice at their house with a BBQ!!! I am super excited.

Seth is kicking butt too. He is a forward and a goalie for his team. Most of the kids on his team go to his school so he sees them everyday. He is enjoying it greatly and getting better and better everyday. I am not sure what he is going to do after soccer, since there isn't a basketball at the Y, but we will figure something out. He loves to play sports and is excelling in all that he does.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA!!! Part 2

After Grace's nap we got ready to watch the St. Louis Cardinals play the Atlanta Braves. The hotel was two blocks from the stadium so of course the walk was essential. Right outside the hotel was the Olympic Torch and rings from the 1996 Olympic games. When we got Turner Field we were all surprised. It was GREAT!!! Lots of entertainment, we watched the Heavy Hitters perform the drums and ate all the stadium food our hearts and stomachs could handle. Our seats were on the left field line in foul ball territory eight rows up from the field. We saw Matt Holliday(who hit a home run during the game), Albert Pujols, and Yadier Molina walking to warm up our starting pitcher Chris Carpenter. We had an unbelievable time and we will definitely do it again. Mom is already looking up flights for Pensacola (to visit us in FL) or New Orleans (to meet her there and visit). The kids had a GREAT time and have been talking about it since we got back.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA!!!!

This past weekend we met Nina in Atlanta, GA...We got in on Thursday night. Mom flew in and we drove up and picked her up at the airport on the way to the hotel. Once we checked in we went to the bar and had a drink and potato skins and waited for the crowd to come back from Thursday nights game. We were two blocks from the stadium. It was awesome. Friday we went to the Georgia Aquarium. I think we all could have stayed there all day and watched the animals. It was SO big!! The kids were amazed at the all the fish, whales and sharks. There quite a few touch pools too. Richie, Seth and Mom enjoyed the sea anenomes, sea urchins and star fish pool. The Children's Museum was across the street so we ate lunch and when we found out that the Centennial Olympic Park was closed for a private party and headed over. We passed the Coca-Cola museum too. Everything was all together. After the Children's Museum we headed to the car and as we were driving away we noticed that the part of the park I really wanted to see was open, but it was getting late in the afternoon and SOMEONE (Grace) needed a nap!!! All was good, I am sure we will be back in the future.