Roses are red, berries are blue, we picked six gallons and we'll share them with you...

Just kidding. They're almost gone. Emmett's diapers have been blue for weeks. 

Picking Blueberries and eating them by the delicious handful with my people in Alabama on a beautiful June day. 

That would be my answer to the question: What is a great way to spend a Saturday? 

If I were into run-on sentences that is. 

But since nobody actually asked me that, I'll just leave a schlew of pictures here and walk away.

Braden doing what he does- making a game/competition out of everything. He's trying to throw his blueberries into my bucket.

Emmett eating shrubbery by the fistful. He found that as long as he could get one or two berries in with some dirt and leaves it was a go. 

Anabelle had amazing berry finding skills. She found the biggest and tastiest berries and picked them very efficiently. It's tempting not to ship her off to California to work for the summer. 

 

After several hours spent and six gallons picked, Emmett happened upon our flowing buckets that sat unguarded. I'm not sure exactly how many YouTube videos he's seen on the process of making wine, but I'd guess half a dozen based on his efficiency. 

Destin(ed) for a good time

While in Alabama, we decided we couldn't be that close to a coast and not put our feet in the sand. Braden probably could have, but I helped him make the right choice. 

I loved watching the girls learn how to surf. I loved how much Emmett loved the water and throwing sand. Watching Elise lean on Anabelle to keep her safe in the ocean was adorable. 

I loved finding seashells with Maisey. I loved laying in the shallow water and talking with all my girls.

Sure, there were moments of insanity. And panic- like the day the riptide was ferocious and we couldn't find Lila (Interestingly, while it was plenty scary, Braden and I both recognized later that the Spirit had helped each of us separately to fill a measure of comfort that it would be okay). 

That perfectly warm water and soft squeaky sand was fabulous. One night after attempting family beach photos (thanks for ruining those kids-I'm looking especially at you young Emmett), Chan and Braden took the kids home and I sat by myself at the waters edge for a while. It was warm and windy and all I could hear was waves crashing. It was the stuff of fairy tales. 

Chan and the Divineys hooked us up with all the local support we could possibly need and we feel so appreciative of their making our weekend so great.