Kiddie Pool

From the moment she wakes up until the moment she shuts her eyes at night, she wants to go to the pool.  The beach is a close second, but with this perfect kiddie pool at our condo, she requests every spare moment to be spent here.  The 85+ degree weather doesn't hurt either!

Alligator Bait

Coming In For the Day

It's so relaxing to watch the boats come and go.  We've tried to capture the dolphins, but it's hard to capture them.  There must be literally hundreds that frolic all hours of the day.  Mainly watch them come up for air, but frequently they will play and jump.  Our balcony offers magnificient views and hours of enjoyment.

Uncle Bubba's Oyster House

Sunday lunch at Paula Deen's brother's restaurant.  Best seafood we've had (and we've eaten it every day...and key lime pie to die for!   

Sunset Walks

What A View

It's rough to sit on your balcony and watch pods of dolphins play and leap in the water.  Plus the shrimp boats, deep sea fishing vessels and large cargo ships just aren't too interesting to observe.  Are you kidding me?!?  Camden and Kevin are just walking up the pier from collecting shells.  Wow, what a perfect spot we found!

Goof Ball

We bought a cheap point and shoot camera and took a test shot before we took it on the road.  What a goof ball husband!

Baby Cow

Camden and I played at home on Saturday morning before heading to town for some errands and a trip to the park.  Camden had pulled out her cow costume from last Halloween and decided she wanted to wear it all day...including to town. 

I loved toting around my baby cow all day, watching smiles on faces as we passed, and seeing Camden run around the park on a beautiful sunny day with a too small cow costume.  Funny how much she has grown in

a year...the cow has flood waders on!

We split a burger and fries which Camden enjoyed while playing on the various equipment.

We took a nice walk around the park and stopped to climb on every structure imaginable.  Again, it was such a beautiful fall-like day, we both enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine.  I just kept snapping pictures because the cow was simply too cute!

Friday Adventures

Friday was a day off for both Kevin and I.  We had to do some personal business (and a dentist appointment for Camden), but headed for Lafayette for a long evening.

First order of business...get the oil changed and car washed in preparation for vacation next week.  Camden took a nap on the drive and woke up as the oil was being changed.  Her "fear" of the car wash, plus being groggy from sleep, induced a small panic attack despite reassurance that she and I could get out of the car before the car wash.  If only the oil change guys would have sped up the process.  But after 15 minutes of sobbing for "no car wash" she happily watched as Daddy and the car went into the bubbles.

She liked the shiny finished product!

Then we were off to the little town of Mulberry to eat at a little dive bar with Aunt Carole, Uncle Ric, LaLa and ReeRee.  Carole went to high school with the owner of Robert's Southfork Restaurant and had a pleasant mini-reunion of their own.  Camden enjoyed the HUGE fish in the wall aquarium, as well as laughing with Uncle Ric and the gang.

We ended the evening with some cards (and Americano's) back at the Braund house while Camden got good play time with her cousins.

I'm Officially "Old"

I attended the 1986 McCutcheon High School 25th Reunion on Saturday night.  Can't believe I've been out of high school that long! 

Only about 30 of the 280+ were there.  It was thrown together at the last minute and not many could make it.  Oh well, saw a few of the kids I ran around with and a few kids I went to school with my whole life.  I haven't stayed in touch with anyone, so I was hoping to see several others, maybe when we are officially "ancient" at the 35th reunion. 



I am going to get on Facebook and start looking up a few people.  The reunion really made me want to track some of those people down. 



French Family Reunion

Sunday afternoon was the French Family Reunion.  That's Grandpa's family and GaGa always does most of the behind the scenes organizing.  It was held at Turkey Run State Park. 



There are a handful of other kids, including Zoey, who is just about a year older than Camden.  They have played together the past two years.

Of course, Hali and Preslee also come.  Always fun to play with them!  Even Uncle K gets in on the action.

Another tradition that has started is putting our name tags on Raymond's back.  Last year it was completely covered before he noticed.  I think he's a little more suspicious this year and caught on pretty quickly.  Camden thought it was silly and tried to be sneaky, too.

Song and Dance Routine

GaGa and Hali joined us on the porch while the doggies were being dragged around the yard!  

Camden decided her antics with the dogs weren't enough and entertained us with a song (complete with brand new motions).



One Step Closer...

Aunt Shirley (Kevin's step sister) and Uncle John brought their two puppies to GaGa and Grandpa's for the weekend.  We all fell in love.  Don't tell Camden, but Kevin has decided Christmas will involve a pet this year. 

Camden helped take the puppies out for a potty break.  They didn't know what they were in for...

Scarecrow Festival

After the Farmer's Market and before B-Dubs for lunch, Camden and I stopped at one of the city parks for a "Scarecrow Festival" and car show.  It had a big bounce house and lots of cars, but the carnival area looked so rinky-dink.  However, Camden had a ball!  She played tons of games (and didn't get tired of them).  She refused (complete with wailing and flailing) to get in the bounce house.  She always gets so excited when she sees one, but has never stepped foot inside.  Oh well, the games and trinkets were enough.

Since it was at one of the city parks, there was a nice playground area which also entertained her for a good chunk of the morning.

Back for more games...

We also rode a train around the park grounds.  You can't tell from this shot, but we have just boarded and are on our way.  It rode around the cars and stopped to let the kids get a balloon.  It was bumpy, but a good time for both of us.

Thomasboro Buddies

They still look like they could get into some trouble!