Florida: We Love Destin

We got to spend a couple more days in Destin before heading home.  The weather was still problematic, but we tried to enjoy the beautiful area.

 Dexter pats his little cousin.

 Unfortunately, this is what we saw out the windows for a few hours each day.

Maya wearing Santi's clothes after a morning beach walk got rained out.

The sun came out and we decided to take the boat to see Nonnie.

Pop is sooo immature.

Chatting with Nonnie at her house.

Santi uses some nets to paddle his boat at home.

The next day, Daddy and Maya took a trip to Crab Island.

It's not a real island.  It's just a sand bar where lots of boats anchor and do stuff like this...

...and this...

...and this.  

Florida: 95th Birthday Party

Our official celebration for Nonnie's birthday was on a beautiful evening.  Luckily the rain stayed away and we were able to get some professional photos taken before the party.   We had a wonderful dinner and a very special night celebrating.

 Getting some shots of Dexter and Maya.

Prepping for the group photo with all 26 family members.

Inside, Nonnie opened a few presents.

Dexter enjoyed all the space!

Nonnie with her two children on either side.

Nonnie opens a photo book created by Momma.

Nonnie looks through it.

After dinner it was time for cake!!

Nonnie with the younger great-grandchildren...

...blows out the candles.

Nonnie with 7 out of her 11 great-grands.  

Lulu and Maya.

Nonnie holds her youngest descendant....Little Vivian.

Happiness.

Florida: Fun With Cousins

There was plenty of fun to be had in Destin with Maya and her cousins.  Maya and Santi loved trying out mini-golf and Maya got to ride her first motorcycle.   We also rented a boat, which was amazing when it wasn't raining.

 Mini-golf!

Santi's turn.

Arcade!

Motorcycle chick.

Party time on the party boat.

Santi, Nate, and Maya.

Cousins!

Nice view off the bow.

Maya, Dex, and Daddy.

Santi, Kalea, and Maya.

Maya takes the helm.

Don't worry.  Maya is quite experienced navigating open waters.  Remember this...and this?

Florida: Destination Destin

For Nonnie's 95th birthday, her entire family decided to come and see her.  Momma and her two sister found an amazing house for our Destin stay.  After a difficult two days of travel (which involved us missing a plane because of our stupidity that then resulted in an overnight stay in Atlanta), we finally arrived in Destin.  Coco and family arrived later that day.  The weather was hot, but cloudy (and sometimes rainy) but we had to take advantage of the sweet pool behind the house.  

 Yes, this is our rental house.  Wow!!

 Nate, floaties, kiddies, and Daddy.

Dexter says hello to his newest cousin, Vivian!

Dexter loves being around someone younger.  Little Viv is only 2 months old.

Coco and Maya.

We decided to have the rest of the crew over to our (giant) vacation rental for a pre-95th birthday party.  It was wonderful to have all of us together.  Here's Nonnie with some of her two youngest great-grandchildren.

Hanging in the kitchen with the McIlroy crew.

Dexter approves.

Nonnie loves the Olympics, so near the end of the evening we all watched with her, and after she left everyone continued being mesmerized by the gymnastics competition.

Go USA!

Last Day of School - Really This Time

As you may remember, Maya graduated a couple months ago from Little Arrows.  Even though she graduated, she was still attending 'summer camp' there until now.  Today, we cleaned out Maya's little cubby and said our final goodbyes her wonderful teachers.  It's been a a remarkable journey from her first day (exactly two years ago) until now.   Below are some some of her official school shots and a picture our girl today after saying goodbye to Little Arrows.

Maya, Fall 2010

 

Little Arrows Corner School kids,  Fall 2010

Maya, Fall 2011

Little Arrows Corner School kids,  Fall 2011

Maya contemplates...

...her last day of Little Arrows.  Wow!