Beach- 2011 **Warning LOTS of pictures***

We packed up and headed South for our annual beach trip to Destin,Fl. (Smith and Sam rode together and Patton, Penny, and Callie in the other car)The Coon family and cousin-Callie came for the fun! We did our traditional things-stopped for Dunkin' Donuts on the way, ate at Buster's the minute we arrived in Destin, Back Porch, Crap Trap, and Joe's. The kids all had a great time at the beach/pool. The first couple of days was very HOT but Saturday it rain ALL day long (this became our shopping at the outlet day). Sunday we headed to the beach but without seeing the sun -- the kids did not mind to play in the drizzle and I sure did not mind sitting in the chair taking lots of pictures.Patton and Callie helped Penny look for sea shells- she was one happy girl .



(yes after coming in for lunch Penny changed into another bathing suit)
(Callie won the prize for the BEST kid on the trip)

Patton snorkeled most of the day-

while the others had fun riding the waves!


Sunday we also wanted to take a few pictures of the cousins (minus Patrick and Jordan) with our Hope is Greater than Cancer shirts for Papa - to give him a little of encouragement before leaving for MD Anderson this coming weekend. We love our PAPA!!

HOPE is greater than cancer!

Papa (Shawn's dad) has been fighting cancer now for almost 4 years. It has been a very tough battle for him but I have NEVER seen someone fight as hard as he does even through all the pain he always loves on Penny and gives Sam high-5's. He is a FIGHTER!!! He along with Nana and Michelle(Shawn's sister) traveled to Houston in April to see doctors at MD Anderson to get more opinions and options on how to fight.. after returning he has of yesterday started his 4th chemo. treatment. We (the family) have tried to come up with ways to raise money to help send him back to MD Anderson at the end of this month (he is self-employed which means not able to work and guess what bills come anyway). Friends have also helped so much - they pulled together a huge yard sale and have been contributing to a medical fund. We still wanted to do more, we came up with a t-shirt fundraiser idea. David (brother -n-law) designed the shirts and man have we been busy!! The shirts arrived yesterday- now the sorting, rolling, and delivering has begun. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt to help support Papa's fight- please contact me at ctsmith@charter.net

Here is a picture of the front:

and back:

Happy Fourth

The 4th of July was packed with swimming, family, food,

(yummy ribs and Boston butt all thanks to Stephen) and FIREWORKS!!

Now to bring out the BIG ones!

Happy 4th of July!!