A Saturday at Bridgestreet

One Saturday morning in June we decided to take Becca up to Bridgestreet to ride the Carousel, have lunch, walk around, and play in the water at the splash pad. She had a great time.

It took her a little while to actually want to get into the water, but once she did it was hard to get her away from it when we were ready to leave so she could go take a nap.

She even liked sitting down and splashing in the water.

She knew that the water was going to come up, but I think it surprised her every time.

She had come back over to tell us that she was playing in the water.

Before lunch and playing in the water we let her ride the Carousel and this time she actually rode on one of the horses. She had a good time until it started going faster and then she wasn't too sure. But when it was time to get off she wanted to ride more.

As we went around and a round she kept on saying "weeeeeeee" it was so cute.

Daddy did a great job taking pictures while it was moving.

Becca's First Trip to the Beach

Poppa had a few days off a little while back and so we decided to take Becca down to the beach for the day. We got up really early and drove down and back in one day. Unfortunately Daddy couldn't be there with us since he has had a lot to do at work lately. She really had a great time. Unfortunately we didn't get to spend that much time in the water. There had been storms in that part of the gulf for several days, though it was clearing when we got there and there was a very strong undertow. She did get to walk in the water a little bid and in the sand for a little while before lunch. Then after we stopped for lunch she took a little nap while we all enjoyed a ride along the shore. We were lucky to find a beach a little farther to the west where the undertow wasn't as bad so that we could get out and actually get into the water for a few hours. Hope you enjoy these pictures!!

This was the first time she had ever been in the sand at the beach.

As you can tell she wasn't too sure about it at first...it does feel a bit funny when you first step into it.

I saw a shell in the sand and picked it up and gave it to her. She thought that was the neatest thing.

As you can see the water was pretty rough and the sky's were a little on the grey side.

She was showing the shell we found to Poppa! She was so proud of that shell!

Just having a look around. I think this was when I had dropped my cell in the sand and had to run back to get it.

Not too sure about everything

She really wasn't sure about the water at first. The first time she wasn't looking when the water hit her feet and she ran away from it saying "no more water, no more water". But pretty soon she was laughing and squealing, and didn't want to leave. As we were walking back to the car she was crying "more water, more water, more water!"

Here we were just watching the waves.

Can you tell she enjoyed watching the waves and feeling the wind in her hair???

She was just amazed by the waves.

Just like her shirt said "Too Cute"

Becca and I just walking down the beach!!! She was really wanting to get into the water by this point.

You better hang on mom cause I'm headed for the water again.

See I told you.

Here are the pictures from later that afternoon:

She really enjoyed playing in the sand with her shovel and bucket. I tried to make a sand castle for her, but there wasn't enough water in the sand where we were building it. But we had fun anyhow.

She was so excited to get into the water that as soon as she saw it she took off running and Poppa and I had to run after her. Neither of us had time to put on any sunscreen (Mimi and Becca got it on in the dressing room), needless to say we both got a little burned. But it was well worth it!!!

This was her favorite thing to do!!!! She LOVED jumping over the waves!!!

She had a big grin on her face the whole time, well that was until the water got into her face...she didn't like that at all!!!

She had fun sitting like this until a big wave came up and almost went over her head.

We sure did have a great time, it just wasn't long enough and we wish Daddy could have come along too. Maybe we can go back again some time!!!!

Ava Maria Grotto

On July 3rd we met some friends in Culman, AL to take a tour of Ava Maria Grotto. It was really neat. The guy that made everything lived and worked there in the monastery. He used things that he could find around the campus as well as things that people donated (shells, jewelry, old pots/pans, old china, old jars, etc) to make all of these miniatures. I do not remember what each picture was named, though I did try to write the ones that I could. Sorry if you wanted to see pictures of Becca there are only 3 in this post. She wasn't in a good mood and was not feeling very well and I was interested in taking pictures of everything. It was a really neat place. All of these miniatures were built from pictures and post cards of different landmarks around the world, as well as his Abby campus there in Culman. I hope you enjoy, we really enjoyed looking at everything. And by the way if you don't know what this place is; it is known as Jerusalem in Miniature!!

Chipmunk Crossing

Great Wall of China

The Hanging Gardens

A Pyramid

Jacob's Well

"The Place of the Skull" where Christ was crucified with the two thieves.

Part of Jerusalem

More of Jerusalem

A wider view of Jerusalem

The Leaning Tower

One of the Pyramids

The Colosseum

Daddy with a not so happy Becca. She got WAY too hot out there and then ended up getting sick. She was pretty fussy the entire time we were there, and quickly fell asleep on the way home.

The Alamo

The Oldest Mission in the US. St. Augustine, FL

The Power House where Joseph worked...that is when he wasn't building all of these miniatures.

The dragon under the castle of the fairies

I think this was the Castle of the Fairies

Abbey College Church

Becca in her Fourth of July outfit ready to go meet Kristen, Will, Mr. Barry, Mrs. Beverly, and Kimberley for lunch and the afternoon at Ava Maria Grotto. She looked so cute in those pigtails!!!

As usual she has her thumb in her mouth!!!