Where I've Been for the Last Four Days
I'm sorry! The last time I tried to post this, it didn't go through! Trying again now.... 
My husband surprised me Thursday morning, big time!
We were lying in the bed, ready to get up Thursday morning, and we asked Bonnie what time it was. She said 7:51. I thought James must be late for work, so I asked him, "Are you still going to work? You're going to be late!"
He said, "Oh yeah, I better get ready.", then he got in the shower.
When he got out, it was about 8:20, and I asked him, "Are you staying home today, by any chance?", and he said, "Yes, I guess I am!"
He asked me what I had planned for the day. I told him that I had to go grocery shopping, and if he wanted to come with me, he was welcome to.
Then he said, "Well, I guess we have three options: We can go grocery shopping, like you've got planned....OR....we could go to Gulf Shores.....or we could stay home....you know, whatever you want to do."
He totally caught me off guard! I was really excited to be going to be beach.....we ran around the house like crazy trying to get everything ready for our trip, and headed out the door by 10:00. I didn't even have time while we were packing to let everyone know we were going anywhere! I just set my email messages to reply with a message saying we were busy, and we left out the door!
We went to the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola Florida on our first day (a lot of fun!), while it was raining that day....and we rented a hotel on the beach and stayed there for the next three days. The next two days were soooo bright and sunny. We had a terrific time.
Below, you will see a couple of pictures from our vacation, and if you're interested, the rest of the pictures are on page 2 (there's lots!)
****
Caleb took this picture of James and me...I think he's a great photographer :
I have about a million pictures the ocean stored on my memory card, but had to pick and choose some of my favorites to put here:
Here are Noah's adorable little feet covered in sand:
And here's me enjoying the sun while hubby goes Jellyfishing (boy did we get stung a lot this year!)
James caught a living sand dollar at the beach....I have never seen one that was alive before...it was awesome! Here is the front:
And here is the back:
We threw it back in after we took pictures....and then James found a tiny sand dollar about the same size as the above sand dollar, only this one wasn't alive.....sand dollars are so beautiful!
Here is a beautiful little flower that Bonnie drew for me in the sand:
And here's one of those awful jelly fish that was stinging us. According to the web, this is an Atlantic Sea Nettle. I wish that these things would have just gone away...they really do sting!
Here's a sandcastle Caleb made that he said was indestructible.
I think these fences are so pretty, especially with the shadows:
Palm tree:
Bonnie, building in the sand:
Caleb and Bonnie working together, by a jellyfish:
After we had a fun day at the beach, we stopped at the Mellow Mushroom, which, if you ever find one in your area, you MUST try it!!! The pizzas are completely organic...even the crust is made with pure water. The ingredients are so fresh, so glorious.....almost divine. I love, love, love these pizzas, and there is no place on this earth that can compare to the Mellow Mushroom in quality and taste. No where! We went there twice.
The pizzas that we tried out were the "Kosmic Karma", which has sun dried tomatoes, spinach, feta, fresh tomatoes, pesto, and lots of cheese...... Oh my goodness it is wonderful....and the second was the mega veggie which has vegetables you wouldn't even think of belonging on pizza, and yet they work! Sun dried tomatoes, spinach, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, fresh tomatoes, broccoli, feta, cheese, banana peppers, artichoke hearts and tofu!
Doesn't Noah's tongue say it all?
Here's a shot of the kids getting all ready for a new day at the beach:
And Caleb took another picture of James and me together....
Caleb and Noah building sandcastles together:
I thought this tree looked really cool...
James and I were walking along the beach with Noah holding our hands, and I noticed our shadows....don't they look sweet?
Bonnie and Caleb...
Here's Noah enjoying an ice cream cone after a long day at the beach:
Some of our friendly seagulls:
And a friend crab (eating a crawdad- we interrupted his dinner):
And we came within about 4 feet of these sting rays...they were so beautiful and we were so close to them.
I kept coming closer to them just so I could take pictures....
Here are some funny signs I saw on our trip:
Noah giving Bonnie a sweet kiss on the way home.
My husband surprised me Thursday morning, big time!
We were lying in the bed, ready to get up Thursday morning, and we asked Bonnie what time it was. She said 7:51. I thought James must be late for work, so I asked him, "Are you still going to work? You're going to be late!"
He said, "Oh yeah, I better get ready.", then he got in the shower.
When he got out, it was about 8:20, and I asked him, "Are you staying home today, by any chance?", and he said, "Yes, I guess I am!"
He asked me what I had planned for the day. I told him that I had to go grocery shopping, and if he wanted to come with me, he was welcome to.
Then he said, "Well, I guess we have three options: We can go grocery shopping, like you've got planned....OR....we could go to Gulf Shores.....or we could stay home....you know, whatever you want to do."
He totally caught me off guard! I was really excited to be going to be beach.....we ran around the house like crazy trying to get everything ready for our trip, and headed out the door by 10:00. I didn't even have time while we were packing to let everyone know we were going anywhere! I just set my email messages to reply with a message saying we were busy, and we left out the door!
We went to the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola Florida on our first day (a lot of fun!), while it was raining that day....and we rented a hotel on the beach and stayed there for the next three days. The next two days were soooo bright and sunny. We had a terrific time.
Below, you will see a couple of pictures from our vacation, and if you're interested, the rest of the pictures are on page 2 (there's lots!)
****
Caleb took this picture of James and me...I think he's a great photographer :
I have about a million pictures the ocean stored on my memory card, but had to pick and choose some of my favorites to put here:
Here are Noah's adorable little feet covered in sand:
And here's me enjoying the sun while hubby goes Jellyfishing (boy did we get stung a lot this year!)
James caught a living sand dollar at the beach....I have never seen one that was alive before...it was awesome! Here is the front:
And here is the back:
We threw it back in after we took pictures....and then James found a tiny sand dollar about the same size as the above sand dollar, only this one wasn't alive.....sand dollars are so beautiful!
Here is a beautiful little flower that Bonnie drew for me in the sand:
And here's one of those awful jelly fish that was stinging us. According to the web, this is an Atlantic Sea Nettle. I wish that these things would have just gone away...they really do sting!
Here's a sandcastle Caleb made that he said was indestructible.
I think these fences are so pretty, especially with the shadows:
Palm tree:
Bonnie, building in the sand:
Caleb and Bonnie working together, by a jellyfish:
After we had a fun day at the beach, we stopped at the Mellow Mushroom, which, if you ever find one in your area, you MUST try it!!! The pizzas are completely organic...even the crust is made with pure water. The ingredients are so fresh, so glorious.....almost divine. I love, love, love these pizzas, and there is no place on this earth that can compare to the Mellow Mushroom in quality and taste. No where! We went there twice.
The pizzas that we tried out were the "Kosmic Karma", which has sun dried tomatoes, spinach, feta, fresh tomatoes, pesto, and lots of cheese...... Oh my goodness it is wonderful....and the second was the mega veggie which has vegetables you wouldn't even think of belonging on pizza, and yet they work! Sun dried tomatoes, spinach, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, fresh tomatoes, broccoli, feta, cheese, banana peppers, artichoke hearts and tofu!
Doesn't Noah's tongue say it all?
Here's a shot of the kids getting all ready for a new day at the beach:
And Caleb took another picture of James and me together....
Caleb and Noah building sandcastles together:
I thought this tree looked really cool...
James and I were walking along the beach with Noah holding our hands, and I noticed our shadows....don't they look sweet?
Bonnie and Caleb...
Here's Noah enjoying an ice cream cone after a long day at the beach:
Some of our friendly seagulls:
And a friend crab (eating a crawdad- we interrupted his dinner):
And we came within about 4 feet of these sting rays...they were so beautiful and we were so close to them.
I kept coming closer to them just so I could take pictures....
Here are some funny signs I saw on our trip:
Noah giving Bonnie a sweet kiss on the way home.
Posted by Bethany at 5/19/2008 1:58 PM 
Categories: Crafting, My kids and the cute things they say and do, Photography
Categories: Crafting, My kids and the cute things they say and do, Photography
Bethany,
Nothing showed up on your post.
cloudi
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Hope everything is okay with you...I got your e-mail the other day...no worries about not being able to get back to me...sometimes life gets in the way! That's what happens when you're a wife and mommy!!!
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WOW, What fun!!!! I just love the beach, but I haven't been to one since my honeymoon. We went to Rehobeth Beach, Delaware.
Such a sweet surprise, your husband is so thoughtful. The kids look like they had a blast. I have never seen a jellyfish.
Bonnie's dress is so cute, did you make it?
Your pictures are so beautiful.
I'm glad you guys had such a fun weekend.
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Aw, how sweet! The spontaneous trips are the best to me.
Yea, I pass that Devil sign A LOT. It's one of my many landmarks to let me know how much further I have to travel.
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Awww... talk about flashbacks! My husband and I went to Gulf Shores for our honeymoon (almost six years ago). We also visited the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola that week. How fun! What an incredible surprise for you and the kids. Next time we're down that way, we'll definitely have to look up the Mellow Mushroom. Sounds AMAZING. Have you ever gone to McGuire's Irish Pub & Brewery in Pensacola, FL? They, too, have the most amazing food there. You gotta try it!
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Very cool! Blessed be the husband who surprises his wife!!!!!!
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Wow, what a GREAT surprise!!
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Wow!! What a great surprise. The pictures are great but the one of the two of you looking into each others eyes is the best. It shows in a picture how people feel and your love for each other truly shows. No wonder you have such a wonderful family because your marriage is so strong.
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Thanks for all the nice replies!
Cloud, that really means a lot to me.
Julie Thanks for being so patient with me!
Angie, I love that dress too....I didn't make it, but I would love to make one like that. I found it at a yard sale, I think!
Karolan, LOL isn't it so funny? I have passed it a few times and always meant to take a picture, and finally did!
Melissa, how cool that you and your husband had a trip doing the exact same thing! That is so neat! I have never tried mcguires but I will let my hubby know about it and try it out next time we go!
Motherofmany, I will show that comment to James...thanks!! Hope you're doing well!
Vicky, thank you!!
Shelly, that is so sweet of you to say.(hugs)
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Those are wonderful pictures Bethany. Thanks for sharing your beach vacation with us. What a nice surprise from James! That pizza!!!!
I think your photos are getting really nice. I especially liked the palm tree, your shadows, the PIZZA and seeing you and James together. You look so happy!
That's what your kids see, a happy Daddy and Mommy.
You all deserved a vacation.
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OK I can't believe you came so close to me and I didn't get to see you! The pics are cool--lots of familiar sites!Mellow Mushroom is our FAVORITE pizza place. I like the Magical Mystery Tour pizza the best. And the Naval Aviation Museum is really cool too! Next time hope to see you!
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Awww. That is sooo sweet! What a great surprise.
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I have an award on my blog for you!
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What a great surprise! And to be married to a man who plans surprises - that's really nice. Your photos are beautiful and it looks like you really had fun. We spend a lot of time at the NAS museum - my kids never get tired of going there. We'll be in Orange Beach next weekend and it sounds like it'll be worth the drive to try out the Mellow Mushroom. Glad ya'll had fun!
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Wow! That *was* a surprise! I'm so happy for you. You did a great job w/ the photo-blogging of your trip. Great photos, interesting composition. One of the best ones was one you didn't take: you look amazing in the pic of you & James almost kissing.
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I enjoyed your pictures! I'm glad you all enjoyed your time.
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Debra Thanks for the kind words! (I'm glad you like the looks of the pizza too!)
Margaret, thank you soooo much for the award. You are so sweet.
Sandcastle momma, if you ever do try out the mellow mushroom, let me know what you think about it, and what kind of pizza you try!
Sarah, BP, thank you!!
**
(By the way, It's easier for me to respond to all of you in one comment since the blog only allows one comment per minute. lol)
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I love the pictures. I especially like the one where you are looking at each other. Your little one has an artistic eye just like his mom.
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Bethany - Looks like a whole lot more fun than blogging! Hey did you know that there are 5 doves inside dried sanddollars? Google it - interesting.
You're either brave or crazy getting so close to rays - my friend once stepped on a ray and the spine shot through his foot, he couldn't walk on it for a few months!
Looks like James has the right idea...reminds me of the Point of Grace song - How you Live (Turn up the Music).
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Julie, thank you!
Chris, I had forgotten about those doves..they are so beautiful!
Wow, your poor friend! I guess I was crazy, and not brave! haha They were swimming away from me, not towards...if they had been coming towards me, I think I probably would have run!
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Bethany, great vacation pictures. What a beautiful family! I'm so jealous, I want to get on a plane tomorrow to see the ocean! Your fruit and flower pictures are also very nice. Take care. Love, Janet
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Hey Bethany! I clicked your link from over at Jill's site and WOW, you have a wonderful blog here and some beautiful little ones.
Anyway-just wanted to say hey and how much I appreciate reading all your comments and posts. And you are an amazing person for sharing your Blessing with us, too.
In Him,
Kel (Kelli)
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My dh (a pastor) and our youth pastor wanted to meet for a late lunch today. I had been wanting to try Mellow Mushroom ever since your post. So...I convinced them to go there. We all loved it. The pizza is delicious. (Although, the guys picked the Mighty Meaty). I am sure I would have preferred the veggie one that you had!
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What sweet pictures....I especially like the one of you and your husband, you look like such a happy couple.
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Thank you!
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