Nieces and Alabama

Kristin, Hillary, Alison, Scarlett

The last time I was in Gulf Shores, AL I was with this group of yahoos :)  My sisters and baby Scarlett.  It was May and we had all come for the Hangout Music Festival. 

Baby Scarlett sat up for me all on her own just moments before she was to get strapped into her car seat for the long ride back to Michigan. 

This time I'm in Gulf Shores for an entirely different reason.

One of my oldest and dearest friends was coming to Gulf Shores for a family reunion.  When I found that out, I told him that I was going to go there, too and stay the whole week.

Usually when I get to see Steve, it's just for a day.  He lives in California and for the past few years he has gone on a cruise that leaves out of Miami, so he arrives a day early and I drive down to see him before he leaves.  It's hurried and rushed and although I love to see him, we are both just tired from traveling.

This trip is so much better - we will have a week to chat, go out to eat, go to the beach and just hang out.  He can do all of the family stuff he wants and we can meet up in between.  It is perfect!  I'm also really excited to see his parents and brothers again - it's been ages since I've seen them.

The best part is that I have my own place to stay (I'm not imposing on Steves family for a place to stay) and since I've been here several times in the past few years, I know the area pretty well.  I can find lots of things to do when I'm on my own.  My blogging friend Dust Bunny lives nearby, so I will be seeing her as well. 

I've already arrived at the condo and will meet up with Steve and his family tomorrow evening.  I hardly slept at all last night at home, so hopefully tonight, now that I've arrived in GS, I'll get a nice long nights sleep.


The photos below were all taken by my Mom last week.

I've been wanting to post some photos of my nieces.  Since I started off this post with baby Scarlett, I thought that this would be a good time to interject some recent kid photos :)

My mom took this photo of Scarlett in her cruising stage with big sister Zora sticking close.

Stella is helping shuck the corn.   I remember having that job.  I was always given a paper bag and sat out on the steps of the deck at the house where I grew up to shuck the corn.   I don't recall ever doing that job indoors.  Scarlett will now have corn shucking memories at Nana's house and she'll recall when she's older, that she will always be sent outside to do it.

I don't have a clue what Zora is doing - oh, she might be picking out a piece of silk.  Scarlett looks like she's choking herself!  Stella is the eater in her family.  She loves all kinds of food and will try it all. 

Zora was outside picking a salad it seems.  It's sort of unconventional though, she's got lily of the valley leaves and crab apples.

Ahh, I see, she was getting inspiration for her next art project.  What a great picture, Zora!


I hope that you have a great weekend!
Kristin