Gulf Shores for Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in Gulf Shores, Alabama with my parents.
The Friday after Thanksgiving we took Keelin to two places to see Santa and take part in some Christmas festivities!

Keelin with her Grandma and Grandpa

Keelin with mom and dad

Here at San Rock Keelin went fishing... I don't know why my mom is helping her!!! Fishing is usually my dad's hobby.

Keelin loved riding the huge ferris wheel at The Wharf!

Santa arrived at The Wharf on a firetruck! Keelin was so excited to see him!

Keelin celebrated her 2nd birthday with my parents while we were in Gulf Shores. They bought her a bubble machine that she loved!

They also bought her this fish to swim with in the pool. She definitely enjoyed both!!!

Keelin swam all by herself with her water wings!! She is getting so big!

Grandma and Keelin watching the sun rise.

The sunset

We tried to take Keelin to the zoo, but it was CLOSED for the holiday. We decided to take a short nature walk down this boardwalk instead. The only wild life we saw was the this crane. (Although...there were signs that said, "Don't feed the alligators!!!")

Most of the time we spent on the beach!

This is the condo we stayed in.

Grandma and Keelin catching the wave. Keelin loved the ocean. The chillier air did not phase her.

Building a sandcastle with mom and dad

Keelin again in the ocean. This is right before she fell over and got all wet.

Gulf Shores is known for their white sandy beaches. The sand is so soft!

Drew and Keelin destroying the castle we built.

Our "little mermaid" She also loved being buried in the sand.

Gulf Shores 10 years Ago!!!

These pictures might seem random, but they are from the last time I vacationed in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Over 10 years ago!!!!!!!!! My family use to go to Gulf Shores for spring break every year as I grew up...and now I am returning for the first time since my senior year in high school. I am not looking forward to the ten hour drive tomorrow night, but I am so excited to go back!!!! I will post pictures when I return. For now... check out me at age 18! (April 1998)

My high school friends! Karyn, Meg, Christy, Me, and Megan

We were enjoying the rough surf of a cloudy day.

Karyn, Megan, Me, and Suzanne

Christy and Meg

We were ready to go out to dinner.

Heather and Beau's Wedding

I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding this weekend. I have known HB since middle school. We did gymnastics together at the same club in middle school and high school. We both went to Ball State and were teammates in college too. Her whole bridal party was BSU gymnasts which made it a very fun day! I have too many pictures to choose from but you can view my whole kodak album.

Early Christmas Present

Drew and I went out today to buy Keelin an early Christmas present. He found these on sale for a great price, so we ventured out in the cold, rainy weather to pick up the boxes for this set. She will have to wait until the spring for it to be put together. We will be traveling for Christmas this year and definitely won't be bringing this gift along, so you can see it here.

Fall Harvest at Holy Spirit

My school had a Fall Harvest night with a bonfire, games, food, and hayrides!

Keelin throwing hay during the "Needle in a Haystack" game.

Keelin loved playing in the hay! She didn't find anything...but then again she wasn't really looking for anything. A few older kids gave her some candy and toys they found! How nice!

Keelin getting buried in the hunt to find candy and toys in the hay.

My friend Jamie and her daughter, Hannah with Keelin and I

Drew and Keelin watching the hay riders coming back.

Our family on the hayride.

This is the best shot I got. Keelin is not a fan of the camera these days.

Halloween Party

Drew and I went to a Halloween party on Saturday night! We haven't been to a costume party in forever!!!! We borrowed our Raggedy Ann and Andy costumes from my friend Jamie. My parents were in town so they watched Keelin for the night.

Drew and I on our porch before we left. Our neighbors across the street had a good chuckle and wished us a fun night when we drove away!

"Redneck" Jamie, "Cousin Eddie" Clay, "Cowgirl" Kate, and us

Cousin Eddie and his redneck wife

Drew and I won the best couples costume!

"Middle School Gym Teacher" Joe won the best individual costume!

Check out #6...Group shower! Doesn't that take you back to middle school gym class...yikes!

Karaoke! Clay and Drew singing their classic...Copacabana!

I actually have video footage of this!

I even sang karaoke! I can't sing!

We are singing "Get this Party Started" Pink

St. Michael the Archangel

A statue of St. Michael the Archangel was dedicated in honor of our service and safety men and women this weekend at my school. The shrine has been under construction for awhile, but now that it is completed it looks beautiful. I attended the dedication ceremony on Saturday at 11am. The pictures below I took from my cell phone, which don't do the statue justice! I will have to take more pictures later with my camera when there is no crowd of people. Bishop Gettelfinger blessed the statue and safety vehicles lining Lodge Ave. Congressmen Brad Ellsworth spoke at the ceremony too.

Congressmen Brad Ellsworth speaking

Halloween Dinner at Hornville Tavern

We had dinner out at the tavern with my parents and Drew's Aunt Harriett and Uncle Don. We were entertained by all the costumes!

Spartan cheerleader Keelin, Sister Mary Deb (aka Mamaw!), Dr. Butch (aka Papaw!)

Cowgirl Kate and Keelin

Uncle Clay (as himself) and Keelin

Halloween Trick-or-Treating

We took Keelin out trick-or-treating for the first time! She loved it!

Keelin and Daddy starting out!

Keelin at the neighbors trying to decide what to pick.

Look at our cute cheerleader. (I've gone crazy!)

Keelin and Mommy at a neighbors house.

Keelin and Daddy at another neighbors house.

Time with grandma and grandpa

Keelin got to stay home today because her grandma and grandpa are here to visit. It was a beautiful afternoon! They spent some time outside biking and going for wagon rides.

Keelin is playing with her new bike bell.

Grandma is showing Keelin how to ring her new bell.

My dad installing the bike bell.

Keelin and grandma going out for a wagon ride.

A trip around the block!

Twins

Keelin and I were dressed the same the other day. We were both wearing black sweat pants, dark green hooded sweatshirts, and green and white socks.

Pumpkin Patch

We took Keelin out to Goeble Farm today to pick out her pumpkin. She had a hard time deciding. She explored many different kinds and sizes. We ended up with a little pumpkin and a big pumpkin.

We walked with Keelin through the tree farm. She liked this little tree!

Keelin loved running through the trees. I can't believe I caught her for a second to get a picture.

Keelin and I sitting on a trailer full of pumpkins.

Our family

Keelin examining this little pumpkin to see if she likes it. Look at all the pumpkins!

She has claimed her pumpkin.

Keelin I think this one is a little too big for you!

Mommy...This one looks different.


We took Keelin out to Hornville Tavern for dinner after our stop at the pumpkin patch.

Here she is getting caught stealing the bars Halloween candy.

When we got home, I tried to take Keelin's picture on the front porch with her two new pumpkins and this is the best shot I could get. She was pretty distracted by the props.

BOO at the ZOO!

We took Keelin to Boo at the Zoo last night. She had such a great time. We took no stroller or wagon, so she pretty much walked the entire zoo! She loved trick-or-treating at the tables set up along the path. She was very afraid of the characters, like McDonald's Hamburgler and the Milk Chug Cow. She was NOT afraid of the scary costumes, like Freddy and Jason who hung out on a bench along the path! She went right up to them and waved saying, "HI!".

Keelin was a Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader. Yes... I let my child dress up like a cheerleader. I don' t know what is the matter with me.

Keelin and Drew entering the hay maze.

Keelin carried her own pumpkin the whole time, even when it was full!

Keelin trick-or-treating at one of the tables.

Keelin and Mommy

Keelin and Daddy