Summer Fun and Vacations!

Following through here with my pledge to upload/post more. What better way to start then with a bunch of photos from our vacations! That's right, I said VACATIONS. We were fortunate enough to get to go on two trips in June. Our first stop? The sunshine state of Florida and to Santa Rosa Beach with the Haskell's. We had a great time and wonderful weather. Joannie's family has gone to Florida for many years and it's easy to tell why. Great beaches, abundant sunshine, shopping, awesome food and lots of relaxation. Sophie loved the pool and didn't seem to mind the sand at the beach too much either! We may have a little beach bum on our hands! Here are some of the photos.

Sophie lounging on the beach. She and her cousin Emma (age 3) have matching swim suits. I was informed by Emma, that's what all the kids do these days. Uncle Adam is out of the loop.

Two pretty sunbathers!

Our evening stroll on the beach.

We will call these next two photos before and after. Here's a before of daddy and Sophie on the beach having a big time. (by the way, who's that Puma in the background? Uncle Jac?)

And here's the after shot of Sophie taking a nap after being worn out with all the fun in the sun! Don't worry. Daddy was probably laying on the floor sleeping or something.

Sisterly love on full display here. Aunt Annie, Aunt Dana and Mommy with Sophie on the evening sunset beach walk.

One of our must stops on the trip, the Boat House. If you ever make it to Destin there is nothing like a cold drink on a hot day right on Destin Harbor.

My girls at the Boat House. You can definitely see where Sophie gets her good looks!

One of our other standby places, Red Bar in Grayton Beach. Cousin Paige, Uncle Cam and Aunt Dana keeping Sophie entertained. Sophie definitely loves her cousin time!

The aforementioned cousins. Ben, Paige, Olivia and Emma. Long live Cousin-Polooza!


Our second leg of  the "don't go to work month of June" brought us back to Missouri and to Lake of the Ozarks! Just like Haskell family, the Blakely's finds a good vacation spot and sticks to it! Sophie was definitely used to the pool so little acclimation time was required. We had a great time with Gammy and Pops and even Aunt Suzanne got to come the entire trip too! Once again the relaxation, great food and doing a whole lot of nothing was the theme. A few spirited games of domino's were also played. Note to ye who plays domino's with Frank. Start his train with your domino at your own risk!

Here's a family shot down by the pool.

Sophie has definitely figured out smiling for the camera since this photo was taken. I think this one caught her by surprise.

Mommy and Sophie lounging on the back patio looking over the lake.

Daddy being the tickle monster.

Aunt Suzanne introducing Sophie to modern technology. Sophie's like, "Wait, Elmo works on this wonderful and expensive Dell Laptop? Aunt Suzanne, Christmas present? Please?"

Aunt Suzanne and Sophie here by the pool enjoying the beautiful Ozark weather.

Sophie exploring the pool. By the way, I have to say we've had lots of comments about how cute she looks in the hat. I most certainly agree 100%. Good purchase mommy!

Here's another "after" photo. I think it was a race to who could fall asleep first! Gammy?

Once again, we were so lucky to be able to spend time with both families this summer. What a great time we had! Thanks to Dan, Jane, Frank and Joan also commonly known as Papa, Nana, Pops and Gammy!