June 2011

Julie's Visit

Friday Night Julie arrived from Virginia.  Friday night Tyson went to Baton Rouge for car stuff for the weekend. Saturday we enjoyed a late morning and Julie, Macy and I enjoyed a late morning and then went shopping in Gulfport.  It was fun trying on clothes and finding out that clothes fit.  Macy is now a size 2 and I'm now a size 8.  We found some great deals and had fun looking at the outlet stores too. Julie & Macy found some great sun hats.   Later that afternoon we took the laundry to the laundromat (the 'rocketship taking off' washing machine died).  

Jocelyn had to work so after Todd arrived home from work, Julie, Macy, Todd and I went to New Orleans to 'surprise' Jocelyn at SALU.  We had a delicious meal. Jocy was our server - then we took Jocy home from work to change and pack for the girls vacation to the beach; her new place was still under renovations.  

Sunday we enjoyed brunch of Blueberry Muffins, Kefir Smoothy, Bacon & Scrambled Eggs. Later Tory, Jessica and Cali came over for brunch and we had a great visit. Julie was excited to meet Jessica and baby Cali. It was fun to catch up - Cali is starting to make cute noises and Tori and Jessica are such sweet parents.

Sunday afternoon us girls hung out in Tyson's room and had a great visit, it was fun to catch up and laugh about Macy's stories of the one eyed donkey and the cat that walks sideways.   (just thinking about that conversation makes me laugh)

  

Monday morning Shelly, Julie, Jocelyn & Macy packed and headed to Florida to the beach. I love road trips with my girls. We share the pre-trip details like filling up the car and checking the oil. We take turns driving, enjoy tunes, remember and laugh about good times together.    

Jocelyn checking the oil

Macy in the car



Jocelyn and Shelly setting up on the beach

We arrived in Ft Walton Beach at 10:30 am and it was a beautiful day.  We set up our umbrella & sheets on the beach and soaked up the sun, walked for miles on the beach and played in the waves.  There was quite a bit of seaweed and we watched some people parasailing too.   We checked into the Day's Inn (best rate for the value) & enjoyed dinner at Olive Garden.  

Julie -Ft Walton Beach

Macy - Ft Walton Beach

Shelly - Ft Walton Beach

Tuesday we headed to Destin to check out the beach and had a beautiful day there.  We picked up some Kefir, Hummus, pita chips, Watermelon and Mango and enjoyed the carrots and oranges from home. We enjoyed walking along the shore, resting in the sun and swimming in the waves.  Jocy and Macy were wise to enjoy the shade of the umbrella and Julie and Shelly got a bit more sun (sunburn)  We would have loved to spend the whole week at the beach but we headed home at 5 pm - Jocy was scheduled to work on Wednesday. 



Julie, Macy & Jocelyn in the Gulf of Mexico



Jocelyn in Destin after buried in the sand

Jocelyn & Julie after we buried her in the sand

Jocelyn, Macy & Julie (sand in her eyes)

Julie

Shelly

 

Julie & Jocelyn running into the gulf of mexico

Julie & Jocelyn - Destin Florida

Macy, Jocelyn & Julie preparing to bury Julie in the Sand

Wednesday morning we drove into New Orleans to check on Jocy's place and it was still not ready for her.  We browsed all the cool shops on Magazine St, especially the cool clothing stores, antique stores and furniture stores - we enjoyed some delicious Sorbet and Chocolates at Sucre.  mmmmm.... 

Macy & Jocelyn on Magazine St

Shelly, Macy & Julie on Magazine St

Shelly & Jocelyn on Magazine St

Macy wearing a hat in the antique store

Jocelyn headed to work and Julie, Macy and Shelly headed back to Slidell. 

Thursday morning Shelly, Julie and Macy drove into New Orleans to Jocy's new apartment ready to paint the Livingroom and Bedroom.

Jocy up high on the ladder in the living room

Shelly & Macy - Painting in the bedroom

Jocelyn adding to the fun

  

It was fun to work together and it was a very long day.  We enjoyed Pizza for lunch (thanks Martin for the pizza delivery).  Jocy's place looked incredible after we put the furniture in place and consulted about where to hang pictures.  Jocy was excited to have her bed set up and we spent some time using the inversion table to counteract the shoulder pain from painting.  Shelly, Julie and Macy arrived home Thursday night very tired.   

 

Friday morning Shelly, Julie & Macy enjoyed the morning, with Fresh Blueberry Muffins & Bacon & Eggs.  Friday afternoon we went on the Honey Island Swamp Tour. It was fabulous with time observing two huge alligators, one female alligator and some little alligators. Big Al was 13 feet long approximately 60 years old & El Mundo was 15 feet long (approx 72 years old). Julie recorded them on video eating hot dogs off of sticks.

                                                   Julie on the Swamp Tour Boat


Shelly & Macy on the Swamp Tour Boat

Friday Night we (Todd, Shelly, Julie, Tyson and Macy) enjoyed dinner together enjoying the famous Camelia Cafe Fried Chicken Sandwich and some french fries and Sweet Potatoe Fries.  
 

Todd & Shelly @ Camelia Cafe

Tyson, Julie & Macy at Camelia Cafe

Goofy pic of Tyson, Julie & Macy



Tyson  after enjoying  Barqs Root Beeer - 'Its Good'

  

Saturday morning Shelly, Julie and Macy headed to New Orleans to the Audubon Zoo - Macy got a free pass for the year from her excellent grades (along with companion passes). We arrived at the Zoo in time to enjoy the Elephant Show. It's a beautiful Zoo - although it was a VERY hot day (approx 100 degrees Farenheit).





 

After the Zoo we stopped at Jocy's apartment - it looked beautiful. Then we stopped into Salu for lunch and to surprise Jocy - so Julie could say goodbye. We had a great meal & visit at SALU, then headed back to Jocy's apartment to wait for Jocy to join us - but a group came in so we just relaxed until it was time to take Julie to the airport. We had a great week with Julie. It was a fabulous vacation.