It's snowing

Well, kind of a rainy snow, but still. Jori came in and woke me up telling me Daddy had a fire in the fireplace, YEAH!!! So I rolled out of bed(I worked until 2am, so yes I rolled) and went downstairs. Jori was asking for snow pants. She proceeded to put them on over her pajamas, then put on her big red coat and boots, however the snow is not sticking, so she sat under an umbrella in the front yard, lovely! I'm sure the neighbors really appreciated that! As if they didn't think we were nuts already, they certainly do now.
Big news, Jori lost a tooth last night, I got a screaming phone call while at work, however she refuses to put it under her pillow for the toothfairy as she wants to show the dentist when we go tomorrow. I don't know why, and it's Jori, so that says it all.
Em and Jim are going to pick up some firewood I saw while I was working last night, Em is going in pajamas and a lilac puffy vest and boots, oh boy. I hope noone sees her!
It will be nice to have some more firewood, Jim has lots of wood chopping to catch up on, we weren't super great about getting our supply chopped this past summer. Thankfully he enjoys cutting firewood so it works out great, since I enjoy burning it.
Stay warm!

It's been a busy few days!

Thanksgiving was wonderful, thanks Rob for having it at your home. Since we have gotten home from vacation both Jim and I have gone back to work, and Thanksgiving was celebrated. Didn't leave me much time for blogging. The day after Thanksgiving poor Jori was so tired she spent most of the day laying on the couch trying to wake up. Em in her usual style, was all full of energy and helped our neighbor Kathy decorate her yard for Christmas, at least I think she was helpful.
We have done some baking, although just the usual, it is time to start the Christmas baking soon, so I am busy looking through recipes. I want to make some new goodies this year. I also started my Christmas shopping, online of course, while in my pajamas and drinking tea, I love that! Enjoy your Saturday night!

It's officially winter in IL

BRRRRRRR, we are home and I am cold. I haven't heard a single wave or seen a pelican all day. Geese in a corn field do not count.
We are having a relax day today, the girls have friends over and Jim and I are both off today. I worked last night, and am trying to get caught up today.
We wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow, May God watch over each of you in your travels as you visit family and friends.

The Long Road Home

Jori is not happy about going home.

Jori and Maddy share a movie.

We finally forced ourselves to leave Dauphin Island yeterday around 10 a.m. It's exactly 1,000 miles from the stopsign on the Island to our driveway. We managed to make it in about 15 1/2 hours, which is a little faster than normal. We got out of the car to snow on the driveway and a bunch of crazy, excited dogs. We went through the 18 inch tall stack of mail and got to bed at 2.30. Right now it's 30*.

Its 55 on the Island......

Em catching the last rays through Alabama

It's over

We are leaving this morning. Everyone is sad. So far Jim is refusing to change out of his shorts for jeans. I think he thinks we can't leave if he doesn't change his clothes. He says he is considering hunkering down and defending our position. In other words, he wants to be a squatter. I am talking him down! The girls are just starting to stir and are no happier than us about leaving. Big sigh! I know you all think this is dramatic, but if you have ever been here you would understand. We love it here!
We will be home tomorrow. Talk to you all then.

Saving the best for last.

Today is the last day of vacation. We will be hitting the road around 9 or 10 in the morning for the 17 hour drive home.

We were treated with a beautiful day for the beach. After several days that have been a little chilly (we aren't complaining...really), today the sun was bright and warm. We took a walk on the beach and played in the sand. Maddy was really frisky, this weather is agreeing with her. You would never know she is a 13 year old dog with cancer, spinal arthritis and mostly blind. She even barked rather ferociously(as ferociously as she can sound) at a couple dogs on the beach. Boy is she gonna be mad when we put her in the car tomorrow and drive her home to the cold and the other dogs. She has been quite the princess here. We are convinced she thinks we have moved. Dad drove Grammy to the airport in the afternoon and came back in time for a big dinner and a great sunset.

Dolphins everywhere! Really!

Look what we saw up close and personal today!!! Dolphins!!!!! We have seen them before down here, but never this close.

We decided to take take the car ferry over to Fort Morgan/Gulf Shores to do some exploring. Surprisingly in all the years we have been travelling down here we have never visited the eastern Alabama shore, or taken the car ferry. So, no time like the present. The girls loved the idea of the car ferry, they were extremely excited to take it, they didn't much care where we were going. Gulf Shores is very commercialized, not really our kind of vacation spot. So back we came over the bay to our little island. And look what we got to watch!

While we were waiting for the ferry to pick us up, there were about 5 dolphins playing right by the dock. Very cool to see playful dolphins in their natural habitat. The girls were out of their minds with all of it! And Mom and Dad thought it was pretty cool as well!

We met a very nice Dad and son on the ferry who had wound up here pretty much by accident, so Dad got a chance to spout off all kids of Dauphin Island information, he sounded just like an islander, hmmmm, maybe someday?

We gave them some great lunch ideas and parted ways when we docked on the island. Back to the house we came where Grandma was waiting(she opted to stay home today). Jim worked on his muscles by carrying Maddy down to the beach for her afternoon constitution, and after some wandering around he carried her back up. Seafood for dinner and then relax for the rest of the evening. Probably the busiest day all vacation for Team Ruff.

Windy Day

Yesterday was beautiful, we spent a lot of time in the sun, Jori hung out in the pool. Great steak and potato dinner, YUM! Em didn't feel good and fell asleep before dinner, poor dumpling, stinks to not feel good on vacation.
I was exhausted and was the next one in bed. I woke up sometime in the middle of the night to unbelievable wind. I was pretty sure the house would be blown off it's stilts. It wasn't...
This morning, the wind is coming in from the north, so it is chilly today, not Illinois chilly, just Gulf coast Alabama chilly, I can live with that.

Another beautiful day in sunny Alabama

So far the day is shaping up to be beautiful, my plan is to get some sun, both girls are still getting moving, but I expect they will be down on the beach or in the pool before too long. Dad went out this morning to get cinnamon rolls from the island bakery, compliments of Grandma, yum!
Not sure what Dad's plan is for the day yet, but with vacation winding down I am sure it involves some relax time. He has spent the whole vacation carrying Maddy(our 13yo chocolate lab) up and down the stairs to the house as she can't make it on the stairs. Poor guy, his back is killing him. Have a great day everyone!

From the Beach

We have been in Dauphin Island for the last week and a half. We are taking a break from formal school, but of course the learning never stops. Yesterday, Dad and the girls took Uncle Nick to Fort Gaines and did some Civil War history, Jori was enthralled by the blacksmith, and he was nice enough to answer all her questions.
Today was digging in the sand and building sand castles with Auntie Megs. Dad also took the girls down to the bird sanctuary for a nature walk.
I spent the day sitting in the sun and catching up on emails etc.