Anthony wanted a party this year. While the girls wanted a simple home birthday, Anthony wanted a party at Fudpuckers. What is Fudpuckers? None other than home the gator swamp in Destin, Florida.

We fed the gators. We held the gators. We watched the gators. It was all about the gators for Anthony this year as he turned 9 years old. It is amazing to watch this young man mature each year. He continues to grow into a kind, considerate little man.

We pray this coming year is half as great as the last.

I realize that I already blogged about our trip to Florida, but I thought that I would have a separate entry just for the sunrises and sunsets. The real reason we journey across the country each year.

Enjoy!

For the third year, we made our pilgrimage to Destin, Florida and parked our trailer in the sand, dug our toes in the sand, and did nothing for a whole week.

This year the grandparents brought their camper and enjoyed the sand and sun with us.

The weather was a little colder than we’d care for, but it was still beautiful. The kids tried to dig a hole to China and got pretty close.

Our sweet Faith turned 9 this month. Hard to believe that she is already 9! She is a true blessing and a wonderful presence in our house. We had a small, family party for her and she baked her own cake this year. Here’s to a great year!