Summer 2013 Birthdays

You may have noticed I'm doing a bit of back-blogging trying to catch up on seven months of life. I decided to clump events together as I can, going off how they are in my iPhoto albums. First up, summer 2013 birthdays! 

First up, Chloe Kate turned 7 in June! We celebrated at Mexico Viejo, our favorite local Mexican restaurant (her choice). 

For my birthday, Kody and I spent the morning at the Fayetteville Farmer's Market on the Square. This is one my favorite parts of Fayetteville and of course, summer! 

Flowers, tomatoes, peaches, and blueberries - all locally grown! 

 Later in the afternoon, Mom brought me a present and a small cheesecake to celebrate. Anything that comes in a Coach bag is probably going to be great! Thanks, Mom! :)

 And we made our annual trip to Market Place - I've spent every birthday dinner here for years! (The only exception being celebrating in London last year!)

 In August, it was time to celebrate this sweet woman's 90th birthday! I love her so much! (See this post to learn more about Dorothey and all my favorite people who turned 90 this year!)

We celebrate all family birthdays in groups each year, so typically all the summer birthdays are grouped together! This includes: Chloe, Amy, Anthony, me, Sarah, and our Granny Lou! 

Yay for summer babies! :) 

Destin 2013 - Emily Party of Six: Part III

Kody and I have a great group of friends that love any chance to visit the beach. We especially love Destin! We have typically planned our beach trips on Spring Break (in March), but because all of us are now graduated, it was easier to plan a trip in June. So we headed off to soak up the sun in one of our most favorite places! 

Our first stop is always in Kody's hometown of McGehee. This gives us a 5-hour "head start" on our road trip, and we truly appreciate his mom letting us stay with her! We usually head out early in the morning, stop at the McDonald's in Lake Village for breakfast, a terrible chicken restaurant in Mobile, AL for lunch, make a few more random pit stops, and end the day with our toes in the sand in Destin! 

 Our road trips are always entertaining, and this year was no different. It was even complete with a burning Taco Bell. Luckily, it wasn't the one we always stop at on the way back home! (You might say we like tradition, or routine, I'm not sure which. haha)

 It was pretty cloudy when we finally arrived at our condo!

 With the clouds settled in, we decided it would be a good time to go ahead and get our groceries for the week. After a few disastrous attempts to eat out the first year we visited together, we decided we would start cooking our own food. We typically have a spaghetti night, a pizza or lasagna night, a taco night, a cheeseburger night, and only one night out for local seafood. This has worked much better for us, but we have to thank those first few trips out for our groups' name, "Emily, Party of Six". (Note, there are only 5 of us that are originals.)

Kody and Kent on our way to WalMart.

 Because we went the last week of June and left the day before Fourth of July, Kent helped us be extremely patriotic each day on the beach. It was also a great way for us to find our chairs when we went swimming or walking down the beach!

Day one on the beach with my love!

 I heart my Meagan! 

 Meagan and I witnessed a beach wedding from our condo's balcony - so sweet!

 Eli being Eli at Baytowne Wharf!

One of my most favorite views! 

 Boys "posing"

 The boys! Kent, Kody, Eli

The girls! Meagan, our new friend Tiffany, and Emily

 I love her! 

 And I love him!

  Some of my most favorite people, and the best beach buddies! 

Our last day on the beach (July 3rd) was spent being patriotic! 

 Kent really loves America... and his flag

It was another successful trip, with some of the best friends! I can't wait until our next beach trip! 

Day 6: Cocoa Beach!

After 5 fun, full days of theme parks, we were ready for a relaxing day on the beach, so we headed out to Cocoa Beach for the day! This was the girls' first trip to the beach! (It also happens to be the first beach I ever visited when we were on our first trip to Florida, so it was fun to see them experience it for the first time, too!) This post doesn't need too much describing - it was just a fun day spent doing nothing except enjoying the waves, sand, and sun!

 Our cartwheel queen, Jade :)

 All the girls drew their own names in the sand - Chloe made hers complete with a heart sunshine. 

 Haleigh Paige! 

 Sisters enjoying the water! 

 Two little mermaids! 

After a full day on the beach, we headed to a local dive restaurant Anthony wanted to try, Jazzy's Mainely Lobster and Seafood. I'm not one for seafood, but pretty much everyone else is, and this place was REALLY good! 

 Of course, we had to finish off the day (and our time in Florida) with a piece of Key Lime Pie :) 

It was a great way to spend our last day in Florida, and we had such a great trip! Thanks to our Mom (a.k.a. Granny Karen) for making it possible - we love you and know you're the best! Until next time, Florida!