Happy Father's Day!

This has been a very busy Father's Day weekend but a good one.  I had hoped that Justin would have been able to go fishing, but we tried to make the most of our weekend by spending the time with our (grouchy) kids. We were able to have a date night Saturday night while the kids spent the night at Mimi and Papa's and we had a great time together. We ate Cuban food, went to see the Million Dollar Arm movie, and then went to Carrabbas for a late night dessert.  

Today, we went to church with Mimi and Papa and then both familes met at TGI Friday's for our annual Father's Day lunch.  The kids were in a terrible mood - still.  I don't know what was going on but they made lunch very unpleasant, especially Mason.  Lord have mercy. 

 This was the best picture I could get of the kids with Justin.  Oh, what memories.

 Kate loves her daddy!

 I also tried to get a picture of Papa with Justin and the kids but that didn't turn out either. 

 Sweet Camden was all smiles.  

 

The Cowart guys.

 

 Happy Father's Day Dad!  We love you!

The best dad in the world!  

I love him so much and am so blessed to be his daughter.  When I was in school, I had more than one friend make the comment that they wished they had a dad like mine.  That has always stuck with me because it made me realize everyone was not as blessed as I was to have such a fantastic dad to support them, to encourage them and to guide them. I'm so thankful Kate and Mason have a dad that loves them as much as my dad loves me and is as involved with them as much as my dad was (and is) with me. 

I was really excited about the gift we gave him for Father's Day this year - a signed football!  After FSU won the national championship in January, Justin and I bought the championship footballs and took them to FSU to have them signed by the head coach, Jimbo Fisher.  We had one personalized for dad and even got one for ourselves (since we were going to got through all that work - why not?!).  Aunt Katie worked hard finding the football display (at Hobby Lobby of all places). 

By the end of lunch, Mason passed out in Gigi's arms. I thought his expression was funny so I had to take a picture of it.  He is sleeping hard!

 When we got home from lunch, Justin laid down with Kate to ensure that she took a nap. It melted my heart when I saw them and I had to take a picture.

I know it hasn't been the ideal Father's Day weekend for Justin but I hope he enjoyed it.  I kept reminding him at least he wasn't throwing up like I was on Mother's Day - haha.  He went tonight to pick up his Father's Day/Birthday present at Home Depot - a new Weber charcoal grill!  Unfortunately when he got home and started assembling it, he discovered there were a few pieces missing from the box . :(  Poor guy can't catch a break sometimes.

Justin is such a wonderful dad to Kate and Mason.   I read a church sign this weekend that said "The best thing you can spend on your child is your time". I love that - my reminder from God to concentrate on what's important.  It's hard work being a parent but Justin does such a great job showing the kids how much he loves them.  He plays tea parties with Kate and wrestles with Mason, reads books, does baths, makes lunches, plays outside, builds forts, changes diapers, brushes hair, plays board games, and the list could go on and on.  We love you so much daddy and thank you for all you do! Happy Father's Day!

Donuts for Dad

This year, both kid's classes participated in Donuts for Dads! Unfortunately, Mason's class celebration was on Thursday and Kate's class celebration was on Friday.  Since Justin couldn't take off of work both days, we asked Granddaddy to go on Thursday with Mason.  

 Mason's Father's Day presents:

Thank you Granddaddy for going with Mason!  It meant a lot to us!

Friday, Justin was able to attend Donuts for Dads with Kate.  She was very excited that her daddy was taking her to school and staying for breakfast.  

 Kate's Father's Day presents:

 Front

 Back (from left to right: Kate, Daddy, Mommy and "Masie").  Notice daddy's long curly hair - cracks me up.

This also made me laugh out loud.  It's hard to read in the picture so here are the answers Kate provided:

1.  My dad's name is Mr. Justin.

2. He is 4 years old.

3. My dad's favorite food is rice, steak and his favorite treat is candy bars.

4. He is really good at baseball.

5. He always makes me laugh when he tells me funny stories.

6. When my dad goes to work he usually spends his day doing work on cool things.

7. One thing my dad has taught me is baseball.

8. Before he had kids, my dad I don't know.

9. My favorite thing to do with my dad is going to buy toys.

10. When I grow up, I hope I can be a princess or police officer like my dad.

11. I know my dad loves me because he is my heart.

Destin Family Beach Trip

Last weekend we were able to go once again to Destin for our second annual family beach trip.  My cousin's and their families met us there along with Uncle Jordan, Aunt Katie, Camden, my parents and Nanny.  We arrived Friday afternoon and stayed until Monday at lunch.  We had a such a great time together!  We stayed at the Embassy Suites again this year and went to some of the usual dinner places (The Crab Trap and Pompano Joe's) and one new one restaurant (The Surf Hut).

On Friday, we checked into the hotel and went to the Crab Trap for dinner.  After dinner, Aunt Katie and I hit the outlet mall for a couple hours while Justin and Uncle Jordan got the kiddos in bed.  It was a great time to shop - no crowds and a great selection!

Saturday, we spent all morning at the beach.  Mason did not enjoy the beach as much as I thought he would.  He clung to my dad the entire time and refused to get down in the sand.  Sadly, he was grouchy most of the trip.  Despite Mason's bad mood, the rest of us had a great time playing in the sand and swimming in the ocean.  We took the kids back up to the hotel room that afternoon for late naps and went to the Surf Hut for dinner that night. 

 

Thank you Aunt Katie for the adorable beach buckets!  The kids loved them!

 Mason and Daddy

 Noah

 Kate 

 Aunt Katie, Uncle Jordan and Camden

 She would have played in the sand all day and night. 

 Camden liked eating the sand - yuck!

 Andrew

Caleb

 Gigi and Nanny 

 Kayla, Wes and Betty

 Tiffany, Betty and Kayla

Andy, Andrew, Caleb, Noah and Tiffany

 Group picture!

That evening, we went to dinner at the Surf Hut - a brand new restaurant directly across the street from our hotel and right on the beach.  The guys enjoyed playing corn hole while we waited on our food to arrive.

 

 My little princess - when did she get so big?!

After dinner, we did a family photo which turned out really good considering how many little ones we had.

On Sunday, we tried something new and went to Big Kahuna's Water Park for the day.  I wasn't sure how Mason would do, but I knew Kate would have a wonderful time.   We had a family devotional that morning and then went straight to the water park to be there when it opened. We owe a huge thank you to Gigi and Granddaddy for helping us with the cost!  We rented a cabana which was a splurge but well worth it!  We had a great covered area next to the kids pool to escape from the sun.  The price of the cabana rental also included a Big Kahuna employee that waited on us and got us anything we requested - maps, food, drinks, etc.   

This little guy was fearless.  He walked all around the kiddie pool while the water remained just below his lower lip.  If he lost his balance, he went under water but I was there to scoop him up. 

  Floating on the lazy river.

 

 Wiped out after the water park.

That evening, we met up with everyone for another great dinner at Pomano Joe's.  Everyone was so exhausted from the water park that we crashed after we got back to the hotel.

Resting on the walk back to the car from Pompano Joe's.

On Monday morning, I tried my best to get a couple pictures of Kate and Mason on the beach before we left.  As usual, that could be summed up in one word: disaster.  Why do I even bother??  I guess I would regret not trying but every time I do, I regret trying.

 Kate was so upset about the dress she was wearing and cried the entire walk to the beach.  Joy, Joy. I was quickly loosing my patience with her but she gave me a good smile or two before Mason started crying.

 All I can do is shrug my shoulders and say "oh well, I tried".

We had a great time at the beach and we want to say a big "THANK YOU" to Nanny for making our trip possible.  We can't wait for next year!