Texas to M-I-SS-I-SS-I-PP-I

Miss Hollywood


We are home. 1599.8 miles roundtrip. Our family of five drove to Houston last Monday night and spent the night at my parents house. Tuesday morning we started our journey. Last year on our way to Florida we spent a couple of nights in Biloxi, so we decided to do the same in '08. Biloxi has come a long way from last year with a lot of new buildings, businesses, roads and cool art. Last year we couldn't believe the continued devastation left in the wake of Katrina. There is still work to be done, but it's come a long way in the 12 months since we'd been there.
We went to the beach on Wednesday and the hotel pool. We found a great park in a cute community called Ocean Springs. It was perfect for the kids to run around and get some energy out. Here is a picture of the best swingset ever (according to Peter). The crossbar was so high. Look at Peter in this picture who is 6 feet tall, and look at how high above him Alex is swinging.
We then returned to a restaurant we liked last year, Mikey's Seafood. Conleigh got her picture taken in front of the sign. Her first crush is named Mikey. When we got back to the hotel, my parents and my sister and her son, Spencer had arrived. After a little visit, we called it a night, so we would all be ready to drive the final 4 hours to Destin the next day. Second installment of vacation coming soon...

Summer Fun in Pictures

You can run your mouse over the pictures to see the caption!

Just Hangin' out on a Saturday afternoon

Nothing on the calendar for today at the Hardin house. We just hung out. We did make it to the gym this morning, but that was about it. As you can see, Conleigh was hangin' around. Alex fell asleep on the couch and Campbell finally went down for a nap about 3:00pm. We had a big, heavy storm that lasted only 20 minutes or so. The rain was wonderful. Peter had just finished mowing the lawn. We went out to dinner and when we came home, the sprinklers were on. The kids had a blast running in the sprinklers! See the video below (YAY, I finally got a video loaded). And, Daddy played with his Father's day gift--a power washer. He's addicted!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Alex & Conleigh with Daddy, Sept 07


We love you! Thank you for all the love you show our family in your actions and words. You make us laugh and help us build and learn and play and grow. Love you!

Campbell & Daddy at Christmas '07

Happy 2nd Birthday Campbell

Two years old already! You are a barrel of determination Campbell. About two months ago you decided you were too big for your crib and started crawling out of it. You would show up in the living room holding your head. We got the message and you have been out of your crib for at least a month. Your brother & sister never tested themselves on crawling out of the crib and they both slept there until after their third birthdays. With the change in beds, you also decided that naps weren't your cup of tea. Trust me! You need a nap (and I need a break). Our pediatrician suggested that be a top priority -- get her to take an afternoon nap and let the night time wandering into mom & dad's bedroom be secondary. I think you like our bed more than yours. You would defintely prefer to have us sleeping on either side of you. You like to sleep sideways and mom & dad end up on the edges of the bed. Let's work on that, okay?
You love your pacifier just like Conleigh & Alex did. We are working on your vocabulary. Some of your words include: shoe, baby, dog, cheese, mommy, daddy, & Dora. You are my toughest to please eater. Wow! I am at a loss at trying to figure out what you will eat...lately, you've eaten yogurt, cheese, Clif fruit strips, pretzels, spagettios, chicken occasionally, nuggets, and list goes downhill from there. We need veggies to get to your tummy girl.
You know how to hold your own and can show us almost anything you have your mind set on. You like to grab my hand and take me to the fridge or wherever you have decided there is something you want. You also are very vocal and can get anyone's attention with your LOUD voice.
At your two year well-check you weighed 29.2 pounds, were 33 inches tall, and were in the 80% for your weight!
We love you Campbell. Our family wouldn't have been complete without you here.

Swimming Lessons

Whooh! Swimming lessons were hard! We did private lessons, one-on-one for five days. The teacher, and my friend that recommended the teacher, told me she is firm, but loving. That would be the exact truth. There were tears from both kids, but I believe they both learned a lot in their 5 day boot camp swim lessons. The way I see it swimming is not optional. You MUST know how to swim. If there is ever, God forbid, an accident, I want to know that they can get to the side of the pool and get out!
We have a pool next door that our children see everyday. The neighbors built a beautiful metal and brick fence long ago, way before we were here that seperates our yards. As many times as I say, "do not ever go in that backyard", you just never know what bold move a kid will make. So, swimming is not optional.
Conleigh did terrific and was learning side breathing by the end of the week. She doesn't love side-breathing but that is because it is not super easy to learn. As the teacher said, it is just a matter of control. Once Conleigh decides she can do it, she will.
Alex is coming along. He is only 3 1/2. He worked so hard and was jumping in and swimming to Gwen. He was so glad when those five days were over. I think he'll enjoy the pool this summer and he's willing to swim out to us every now and then.

"THAT is a huge whale!"

PICTURES FORTHCOMING!

Guess where we were when Conleigh threw out that quote?

SeaWorld! At the Shamu Believe show. We love SeaWorld. Last Thursday we trekked to San Antonio to go to SeaWorld before school was out for the majority of Central and South Texas. Good timing...there were several field trips, but it was a good day to be there. I think that was the 5th time Conleigh & Alex have been there, and it was Campbell's second visit. She loved the shows this time, and she LOVED the painted pots ride...the one where you sit and spin. Yikes. I could handle it once, but she wanted to do it over and over and over. Peter obliged her twice and then we pulled her away crying. Alex was tall enough this year to ride the Shamu Express. Not sure if he really loved the roller coaster, but he loved being tall enough to ride it. :)
Both Conleigh and Alex took a turn on the log ride. Even though they were both hesitant to do it, they both enjoyed it, and Alex wanted to go again. We fed the dolphins which was fun as usual. There were baby dolphins with their moms in the tank for their first day.
We stopped at Louis LeDeaux Seafood on the way out of town. Peter's friend Arthur owns it and it is delicious cajun food. The girls had quite an appetite. We carried Alex in sleeping and layed him in the booth. He slept the whole time. He woke up in the car half way home and was excited to see an astronaut cup there for him. He totally didn't believe us that we had stopped and had dinner. It was so funny!