Bar Conference

Every summer we go to a legal conference.  This year we went to the Grand Hotel near Mobile, Al.  It was such a nice time, and we are grateful for the "free" vacation!

The trip started off on a bad note.  We were about 1/2 way there when Tucker said, "my tummy hurts."  Next thing we know he's getting sick all over the car over and over again.  We were so scared everyone was going to get it, but thankfully only Tucker had it and it was over by the next day.  When we stopped to eat he had ginger ale and slept on the bench. 

Poor little Tuck Tuck.  I said, "hey the guy on your cup looks like you- he even has a tomato on his shirt, which is your favorite food!"  :)

The view from our room was gorgeous- right on Mobile bay!

Mobile- my hometown-

The next day we decided to not swim so Tucker could fully recover from his stomach bug.  We knew hot sun wouldn't be good for nausea.  While Daddy went to a breakfast meeting the children and I had our breakfast in the hotel. 

They played croquet after breakfast.

Then we went through the "swag" section with Daddy and got some fun toys and free sunglasses. 

We decided to spend the day at the Gulf Quest Maritime museum.  This museum is AMAZING- I highly recommend it to everyone.  It's five stories all about interesting Maritime history and information. 

We first watched a movie  about life around the Gulf of Mexico-

Then we had lunch in the waterside café.  While you eat a screen by the booth tells you what boats you are looking at- the boat's name, type, weight.  It was fascinating!

Then we toured the museum-

 

A highlight was each child getting to use the simulator upstairs.  It's the same one they use at Maritime academies to teach how to drive vessels. The children loved it. 

While we were downtown we stopped by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception-

Thursday night we went back to the hotel and after Marc's 5:00 meeting we had supper and played bingo by the pool.  We wrapped Tucker's toe up in waterproof bandages to see if he could swim, but it was a disaster.  He lost both bandages and was not careful, and we realized he would not be able to swim while we were down there. 

On Friday, Marc had meetings from 7:30 a.m. to 4 so the children and I had the whole day to fill.  Because Tucker couldn't swim we decided to head back towards Mobile for the day.  The last time we came we did Fort Conde, the Battleship, and the museums so I wanted to try something different.  We decided to go on the Duck Tour!  They picked us up at the battleship and we had a wonderful tour!

Tucker loved his new U.S.S. Alabama hat.  :)

He kept turning it sideways and saying, "I'm Napoleon!"

We loved seeing the ship building at Austal (which I now know is named for "Australian Aluminum"). 

They were so kind and let Tucker and Charlie both take a turn driving!  They really did drive and turn the boat!

After the tour we had a late lunch at the Blue Gill on the causeway. 

Then we dropped in to the Five Rivers- a nature center explaining all about the Mobile Delta area.  We really enjoyed it. 

We made it back to the hotel just in time to watch the cannon firing demonstration. 

And we enjoyed their daily 4:00 tea time.  :)

Tucker tried coffee for the first time- not a fan.   :)

Marc tried several versions of coffee and tea.  :)

After playing some games we got ready for dinner. 

We had dinner at Gambinos-

We dropped in to the conference dinner and silent auction.  They had the most amazing band this year!  Everyone was having a ball.  :)

All the children love tetherball now-

The next morning while Daddy was in meetings we had breakfast and played around the resort. 

 

The conference was over at noon.  Our original plan was to get a hotel room on the beach and stay a little longer, but with Tucker's toe situation making swimming impossible we decided to head home.  First, though, we had to go to Lambert's Cafe- home of the throwed rolls!  There is always a wait, but Mommy keeps Uno cards on hand for such a time as this.  :)

After Lambert's we shopped at the Outlets for a while and got some "back to school" clothes and shoes for the children.  The older two keep growing so fast I cannot keep them in shoes or clothes!  The two pairs of tennis shoes we bought Julia in March are too small already. 

Last stop on the way home was dinner in Montgomery at the Bass Pro Shops.  They gave us a private room!  :)

Such a wonderful time with these precious people.  So grateful for this annual trip.