Destin Florida Vacation

Great Wolf Lodge

A few weekends ago we met my parents and sisters at Great Wolf Lodge. We had a blast! Whitley had fun the first day, but was not feeling well, so she got to play at Aunt Kami and Aunt LeeAnn's house in Irving the second day. Of course I didn't take my camera down the first day, thinking I would get pictures the next. So, I don't have pictures of Whitley at the water park...I know poor Whitley! Saturday night we at at Rainforest Cafe, which is always a hit. We highly recommend Great Wolf!



You can see the big slides in this picture, they are so fun and some are scary!

The big bucket that dumps out on everyone

the bucket pouring out

Kurt had more fun that John I think!

John was able to ride all slides except for 3 of the big scary slides. He rode the two big ones outside and the two big ones inside, then they had these middle size slides and some toddler slides.

John wore his goggles the entire time, both days.


The toddler slides.

Me, Kurt, John and my niece Kira.

John is 2 months older than Kira (and yes she is taller than he is) and they are the best of buds!

KK and Whitley after they spent the day together.

John and his cousin Destry. Destry is following in his sisters footsteps, he is very big for his age. He is four months old and weighs 19.8 pounds. Whitley is 2 and weighs 21 pounds! :)

John, Destry and Uncle Tim having some guy time while the girls get ready for Rainforest.



Whitley loved Rainforest!!!






John, Kurt, me, Whitley, Dad, Mom, Tim, Dana, Lana, Kira and Destry. You can see why Kira and Destry are big, their Dad is 6'7"!!

A Family Picture?!?!

Kurt took Whitley's pacifier out and she did not like that.

Before we started the day full of birthday parties for both kids we tried to take a family picture. Whitley is not fond of having her picture made at times and this was on of those times. She wouldn't let go of her blankie or paci. The day turned out great, thanks to Lana for all the help that day and thank to all of our guests. It was a fun, crazy day.

Whitley's Birthday Party

After John's birthday party at Jump for Joy we went home, had a wardrobe change for the princess and had Whitley's party at the house with family. Here she is with her princess theme cake, etc. and the new dress that says CUTIE.
We cooked hamburgers and the kids really enjoyed them since they had worked up an appetite at Jump for Joy.
Whitley's great-great Auntie Lou, Great Aunt Janelle and MeMe. I got the cakes this year from United to save money. They were not as good as Kathy's, but cute nonetheless.She did great blowing out her candles.

These are John and Whitley's gifts. The playhouse from MeMe and papaw, the outdoor toybox from Big Mc and Grana and the picnic table and umbrella from mommy and daddy. They also got TV trays from us and lawn chairs from Aunt Lana.

A phone came with the playhouse and it quickly became Whitley's phone. She is wet in this picture from playing in the fountain that is on the playhouse. (side note: the pump for the fountain lasted about 5 minutes, literally it doesn't work anymore)

Her very own stick horse and pink straw hat. When she got these she said YEE HAW. It was priceless!

And the most exciting toy she got was Elmo from Uncle Robert and Aunt Margie!

John's Birthday Party

This year was John's first party that was not at our house and we invited more than just family. It was a blast and John enjoyed it. Here are a FEW of the pictures...Cousins John and Kira

Landon, everyone loves Landon

Daddy & Whit

Whitley says, come on Aunt Lana, let's go down head first!

Aunt Lana finally talked her into going down like this!

Everyone going up to slide. I think this is Lenia, Jannik, Presley, John, Lauren, John, Alexis, and I can't see who is at the top.

John & Jeffrey, the boys were wild and scared me many times! Gotta love boys!

The sports themed cake...




On the left side, Kaleb, Kaden, Kasen, Alexis, Jannik

On the right side, Parker, Landon, Jacob, Brett, John, Lauren and Whitley is back there somewhere

On the left is Hannah hiding from the camera, she is very shy, and Presley

On the right is Jaidyn, Kate and Lenia

The birthday boy in his special chair ready to open presents.


The kids were so sweet, they couldn't wait for John to open their present. John got so much great stuff. We are very thankful. Thank you notes are still on the to do list, but they will get done!


Alexis and Lauren and our kids are the 3rd generation of friends between the Hinkles and the Strayhorns, maybe even 4th i am not sure.

John Clayton is 4

June 16th 2005 John Clayton was born at 3:46 weighing in at a hefty 9lbs 2 oz and over 21 inches long. We did not know until then if he was a boy or a girl. If he would have been a girl he would have been Brooke Elizabeth. John is named after my Papa, John McCandless and Kurt's Papaw, Joseph Charles who went by JC. Kurt calls John JC, but I usually call him John or John Clayton. John gets to share his birthday with his Papaw, kurt's dad. My due date was June 21st, however, the entire pregnancy Howard (papaw) said the due date was June 16th...and he was right! Today John is 40 pounds and 42 inches tall! He is a great big brother, he love to try to take care of and help Whitley and every now and then he pesters her just a little! He looks just like his daddy just as he did the day he was born! John is most happy when he gets to go with his daddy and be on the farm...or anything that grown up men do. When he is with the "guys" he even talks in a deep voice and he is very serious! Kurt was the exact same way growing up! The moment Kurt was old enough to go with his dad to the farm he went and that is where he loves to be today....John is following in his footsteps and I can't think of any better footsteps for him to follow! Happy birthday John Clayton, JC! We love you brother!