July 5th

Ok, so our 4th wasn't too exciting. But it was quite an adventure on the 5th. We went to Grayton Beach State Park in florida. It was nice & beautiful. Too much whale snot (seaweed) though. So surely you would think after our backyard swim disaster with our children we would learn. Well, I thought that Carlise would enjoy it if she saw her many cousins enjoying the beach. Ha! Oh yeah, it was that kind of day. The drive wasn't too long and the kids did really well. (a DVD player will do that, though) We paid $4 to get in (but they don't allow alcohol-- Yay!) Lots of white blistering hot sand. Carlise very quickly to inform us (as in right when we got on the beach) that she wanted to go home-Now! Ben tried taking her down to the water but she screamed the entire walk down there. Josie & Wesley enjoyed our wonderful sport pack-n-play that has a canopy and UPF 50+ rating. Carlise screamed until she realized we were ignoring her, then she willing went into the pack n play as well. I got burned really bad even though I used sunscreen. I tried spraying my back down when I was changing, but I couldn't reach what I sprayed. so, I got this fantastic drip mark burn. Wesley enjoyed the water. I got to use my solarveil pouch sling! I tried taking Carlise to the edge of the water and sitting on the sand. Even the waves coming in and just barely touching her toes, she freaked! And I got some ugly looks from folks for this cruel treatment of my child. I can't help that's she all drama. I took pictures of a couple food stands that swamp a small stretch of road w/ a speed limit of 35.

We got home around 5:30 and quickly showered & changed clothes and went to Jacob & Crystal's reception. I just need to say that Google's directions sucked & Aubrey was correct. We didn't get there until 7pm when everyone was leaving. But we can always go on a double date with them. The picture of Crystal & myself really shows my sunburn & just how bad I look.

Memorable part of the night- Jacob seeing Carlise for the first time since before his mission, him being surprised that I now have 3 children (Crystal was so ITK), and when Carlise said," Hi Jacob!" & his response was," *Gasp* She can talk!" =]