Gulf Shores, AL

We've been meaning to take Brody down to visit Kyle's grandparents that live in Gulf Shores, AL. We hope that since we're closer now that we'll be able to go and visit more often. We wanted to go before Karlee came so that we'd only have one child to worry about during the car ride and trying to keep Brody busy. Brody did GREAT during the car ride. He is such a good traveler. He just sits quietly and watches his DVDs. We drove right through Demopolis, AL on our way down so we decided to stop and eat lunch with Carl, Kristen, and Ben Jenkins! We're glad they were available on such short notice!  After a quick lunch at Jack's, we were back on the road! Brody napped only 20-30 min that day in the car.

We finally arrived at Kyle's grandparent's house and played for a little while before dinner. That first night, Kyle's grandfather made some yummy gumbo with fresh shrimp he got right off the boat. We went down the back yard that ends at the lagoon and Brody and Kyle played in the water for a little while. It was a little choppy and we should have realized a storm was coming in. Kyle noticed some lightning out in the distance, but we decided to take Brody to the beach that night anyway. The storm must have been moving fast because right when we parked the car the wind picked up and it started to storm. We got back in the car and came back home. 

Brody, Kyle, and Gammy walking back from the lagoon. 

That walkway leads right to the steps to the back of their house.

Brody and Kyle playing in the lagoon.

We took Brody to the beach the next day before lunch. He loved digging in the sand with his bucket and tools that his Aunt Kim, Uncle Dave, and Haley gave him for Easter. He wasn't too fond of the water, though. He also didn't like when the sand stuck to his hands and feet and would get Kyle to wash it off for him. My parents had given us a canopy and we didn't realize until we were down there that we should have taken it with us because it would have been perfect for shading us and we could have let Brody play longer. He loved playing at the beach, but it was hot after a while and we had to come back inside. 

Brody came home and watched some DVDs and took a nice long nap! After we put him down for his nap, Kyle and I decided to treat ourselves to lunch at The Original Oyster House. You can't go to the beach and not get crab legs! Yum! When we got back home, Brody was still sleeping! That sun wore that baby out! 

Brody snuggled with a giant bear his Gammy and Pappa gave him. 

Gammy set up a small plastic pool for Brody to play in that morning and by that evening it was nice and warmed up for Brody. Brody played for a little while and then we decided to take him back to the beach to play. 

Signing "bird"

He ventured down to the water all on his own. :)

Getting braver!

Looking for seashells. 

The dead fish that tried to attack me and Brody!

He got pretty far into the water by himself! 

Daddy took him way out! Mommy doesn't like going far into

the water where creepy fish and sea-life live! :)

Look how hard he's clinging to his Daddy. 

Loving the beach!

These are the only 2 pictures I got with Brody since I was the

one sitting on the beach taking the pictures while the boys played. 

He was ready to go and shivering from being wet. 

Brody bonded with Pappa. They had fun spinning in the kitchen! 

The next day we ate lunch at Sea 'n Suds. Other than crab legs, the other thing that's a must when going to the beach is getting an oyster sandwich at Sea 'n Suds! (Thanks, Kirk, for introducing them to me!) I still can't look at what I'm eating when I get one because of the gooey green stuff inside, but it sure is a yummy sandwich! The next day we were back on the road coming back for Kirk and Kacy's wedding after a quick breakfast of beignets. Brody loved them! He did great again on the way home and napped a little longer but only about 50 minutes that time. We had a great time visiting Kyle's grandparents at the beach and can't wait to go back!