Hampton Family Vacation

We took our "official" vacation a little early this year.  We headed to Mobile, Alabama and then on to Destin, Florida the week before Memorial Day.  It all began with the graduation celebration of R's oldest niece Samaiyah.  She is the sweetest young lady ever.  It's funny because I have been around long enough to see her grow up.  I first met her when she was 5 or 6.  Now here she is a valedictorian graduate on her way to Auburn University on a full ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP.  (Ryan, take note please)

After the graduation we all (the entire Hampton clan)  headed to Destin for our "Hampton Family Vacation". R and I LOVE the beach.  We are self-proclaimed beach bums.  I mean, I could lay out all day (yes, I said "lay out").  Ryan on the other hand was not instantly sold.

She did NOT like the sand.  Her shoes were off but she immediately demanded "Put my shoes on!  I don't like on my foot!"

This is where we stayed.

Casa De LaHunt 

The beach house was fabulous. 

(For more pictures of the inside visit the website www.oceanreefresorts.com  Click on "property search" and find "Casa De LaHunt".  We got EXACTLY what's showed!)

We had our own pool.  

 She played. 

We got ready for the beach.

 

We waited on our shuttle.

Time for the beach!

 We had plenty of family time. 

It was probably the BEST vacation I've ever had.  I must admit, I was a little concerned about having this big "family vacation".  Turns out, R's our family is pretty awesome.

I love the Hamptons.  

The only downside was that R's parents could not make it.  PawPaw has been ill so they decided to stay in Mobile instead of taking the chance on the ride to Destin with us.  Hopefully next year Shammie and Paw Paw will be well enough to make it.  (Because I think this should now be an annual family trip!) 

Introducing.....

Yes, she is only 2 years old (barely).  Yes, I am probably living a little vicariously through her already...

We are officially dancing.

Tapping. 
Balleting. 
Even a little tumbling.

 I decided to start with Summer Dance Camp to see how she would like it.  This is the picture from the first day in class.

Then they kicked all the mother's out of the room.

We had to watch via LiveStream next door:

But in the end it was all good.

 I mean, we must start early so that she can be the next Judith Jamison.

Spring Baby

Ryan took Spring pictures last week.  Adam (Restless Photography) did a fabulous job considering my Miss Drama had an attitude.  The start of the session (as in the first 10 minutes) were ideal.  The sky was blue the weather was cooperating.....and then the WIND started to blow.  To the point that I wished I had a jacket.

I felt like I was being a bad mother continuing on (I mean, the wind was really blowing).  She was chili but in the end she (we) toughed it out (SuperModel-Style) and the pictures came out pretty cute!

Then towards the end we had "the bike"....As I said, it was the perfect park day (other than the wind).  Families were out, people were jogging, kids were flying kites and riding bikes.  As we were walking to a new spot to take some pictures my child decided that she wanted a bike that was sitting on the back of someone's truck.  In my best mommy voice (because I really wanted to finish out the shoot) I explained to her that she couldn't ride the bike and that it wasn't ours.  Needless to say, this was the grand finale:

So I guess I know what to buy this sweet baby girl for her upcoming birthday.

Happy Spring from Miss Ryan!