Mini-Vacation

The kids and I left this past Friday to go to Pensacola.  We spent Friday night with Nanny.   It was almost 10:00 when we arrived and the kids were live wires!!  All the pictures from Friday are on my cell phone and I am having trouble posting from my phone (they are on FB!).  Austin Kieff and Caroline were all over Nanny...hugging,  kissing and saying "I love you."  It was late when we finally went to bed, but both kids were up super early!  Nanny cooked bacon, sausage, eggs and biscuits.  Austin Kieff was in heaven and Caroline enjoyed her favorite food (eggs) even more so because Nanny cooked it!

We left Nanny's and made a quick trip to Wal-Mart for snacks and drinks.  Then we drove over to Aunt Sue's and Uncle Bob's house.  We were excited to see them and the kids were surprised because I had not told them that Uncle Spencer and Alison were going to be there!!  We followed Aunt Sue to Joe Patti's where we bought some beautiful tomatoes and Georgia peaches (which were delicious!!).  Austin Kieff and Caroline were not too impressed with the seafood market, but the big boats outside were a hit!  Captain Joe's boat had two little dogs aboard which we watched for quite some time.

The trip across the 3 mile bridge and over to Ft. Pickens road was definitely a walk (or drive!) down memory lane.  I have so many fond memories of staying with my Grandparents in Pensacola as a child.  Aunt Ann always took us to Pond Creek which I have always thought was the coldest, most refreshing water around.  Aunt Susie usually took us over to the beach.  We had such fun summers and weekends with our family and cousins!

When we arrived at the Beach House both kids were asleep!!  This was perfect because I was able to unload my car and help unload Aunt Sue's car before waking them up and taking them inside (yes I kept a watch on the temperature inside the car...).  Bedrooms were on the second floor and the living rooms and kitchen were on the third floor.  The views were amazing!  Out the front was the beach.  Out the  back was the canal.  "Water everywhere" according to Austin Kieff!   The kids did great going up and  down the stairs.  They both loved the room we stayed in and had a blast in the HUGE shower.  The outside shower was also a hit for both kids...neither has one ounce of modesty right now, ha!

Sunday morning I had grand plans to take pictures of Caroline and Austin Kieff. Needless to say, it did not happen as I had hoped!  Grady, Mary Margaret, Jacob and Lily arrived around 4:00.  Aunt Sue had prepared a yummy shrimp boil.  My kids were super excited to see their cousins!   We spent Sunday night and Monday night at Aunt Sue's and Uncle Bob's house.  There is so much more to tell, but  these pictures will have to do for now!!

My camera fogged up and most of the pictures are blurry...not to mention Caroline did NOT want

her picture taken at all!

My sweet boy!

Beautiful

Spencer's Boat

Getting ready for a boat ride!

Alison

Captain Spencer

Sweet Caroline

Aunt Sue waving goodbye!

Beach Time!

Austin Kieff LOVED "sliding"

Sliding-walking to the water's edge and running/sliding back before the waves knock you down

Beautiful Sky

Christmas!

Christmas came and went way to fast for the Jordan household!  We enjoyed a spectacular Christmas program at Church that portrayed from the Angel visiting Mary to the wise men visiting baby Jesus.   It was phenomenal!!  The sets were truly amazing as were the costumes.  The only thing better was the message!!!   I was on  the Christmas Party Committee at work (co-chair which means I am heading up the committee next year...).  We had a great party for employees after work on Friday the 17th.   The kids had their parties at school the same day and  then we went to the Karate party as a family.  We  definitely had a good time everywhere we went!  The next week was a gathering of our Sunday School class.  It was a nice night out with free nursery for the kiddos!  The 23rd we went to Cullman so that we could go to Christmas Eve breakfast at David's Grandmother's house in Logan.  We had great food, great fellowship and great fun!!  IT was a short visit as we had to return home for Santa to arrive. 

Our tree Christmas Eve.  Austin Kieff made the angel on top.

Santa came!

Please note, this motorcycle has no remote control!

(for anyone remembering the ordeal last Christmas!!)

I cannot help but think of sugarplums dancing  in their heads...

Christmas morning...this little boy was VERY excited!  In fact,

he did not want to open a single present after he saw the motorcycle.

Both kids love the gumball machine at "the Mexican place,"

so Santa brought them one for home!

Told you he was excited!

Thank you Bubba!!

Chef Caroline

We stopped at the top of Grandmomma and Papa's driveway

so that Austin Kieff could ride his motorcycle up to their

front door!

More presents at Grandmomma and Papa's!  Santa

even left a few here, too!

Caroline's new baby whose eyes open and close!

We left Grandmomma's and Papa's  and returned home for quick showers.  We left for Pensacola as is tradition in our family.  Almost everyone was there this year!   Spencer and Alison even made it from Texas!!  Mike was able to visit, too.  Uncle MT, Aunt Ann and Marty came as did Uncle Stewart and Aunt Sandra.   Of course Nanny was there!!   My parents missed the trip this time as did Aunt Loke and Uncle Tate from Tuscaloosa.  We had a wonderful time with  more wonderful food!!

Marty, Austin Kieff, David and Caroline

Nanny

Austin Kieff, Amen and Bella

We came back home the day after Christmas to open presents  with Grady, Mary Margaret, Jacob and Lily.   We had even more fun and the kids had the best time.  I am still looking for pictures from this day...

We celebrate Christmas with David's family at New Year's.  This year we left on Thursday because I wanted to be home Sunday ( Monday was  the first day of overtime for us).  We had a great drive up and  made  our  customary stop in Alabaster.  It was nice to  arrive before 10:00!!  We went to bed early and had the most wonderful breakfast.  David's mom fixed homemade biscuits, bacon, sausage and eggs.  I think Austin Kieff ate more than he had in a month at that one meal!!   After breakfast, everyone went outside to  enjoy  the beautiful weather.

Caroline and Ella Grace

These girls LOVE each other!!

We do not make a trip to Grandmother  and Granddaddy's

without playing a little football.

Granddaddy and Major

Caroline and Ella Grace

Who do you think won?

Major, Granddaddy and Grandmother (making calls to  let

everyone  know her kids were home and to come visit!)

Caroline and Ella Grace

L-R

Ella Grace, Jeremy, Grandmother, Granddaddy,

Major, David, Caroline and Austin Kieff

Jeremy giving Lindsey a spin!  Jeremy has been in Maryland for

quite some time.  I know his family was  SO VERY GLAD to have

him home for the  holidays. 

Caroline had to have a turn on the motorcycle.

Hunter, Austin Kieff and David

More football

No, Caroline was not supposed to have the shirt on...

The outfit actually was an winter white sweater  dress with

a pair of adorable snowmen tights...but, Ella Grace gave her

several things she had outgrown and Caroline LOVES wearing

hand-me-downs from her cousins.  Caroline and Major had their

own game of football.

Caroline and Aunt Judy

Do you  think Austin Kieff made the tackle or jumped on him

after he was already down?  Isn't there a penalty  for that?

Granddaddy and his girls

Major is too cute and so very sweet!  He also doesn't

mind having his picture taken (see  shots below)

After some time playing and a  quick trip to town it was time for another Christmas Dinner!  The food was great and afterwards it was time to open presents!!

Uncle Chris received a giant bucket of bubble gum from

Ella Grace and Major.  He is well known for supplying gum to

all  the nieces and nephews.

Caroline or should I say  Snow White!

After presents we had fun decorating cookies.  All the kids enjoyed eating decorating...





Saturday was game day and time to go home.  It is always sad  saying goodbye but also nice to get home.  We went to church Sunday  morning.  We have new Sunday School teachers and are looking forward to the  new year and class material.  Austin Kieff asked  to go to "big Church."  He did pretty good.