Well, our week at Panama City Beach has come to an end. It always ends way too quickly!

PCB History:
My grandparents actually have a time share at the Landmark in Panama City Beach. Before then, we came in the RV. We've been coming since before Dustin was even born!! My mom's entire family comes. It is hilarious!! I can't even go there! Anyway, each year we make more of an effort to make sure ALL of us can go because we never know when my grandparents will have to stop coming. My grandmother has Alzheimer's, and it's much harder for Pops to get her here than it used to be. So, we just enjoy each year and take it one year at a time. We had SO much fun this year!!

The whole family in June 2004

Thanks Nonnie and Pops!!!

BIG NEWS!!!!

It's official! Kristin is going to be a Tull!!! Lee popped the question after a walk on the beach last night. Talk about surprise!! It's actually a very funny story.

Please excuse the nail polish! Ha! You should always keep your nails nicely manicured! :)

Lee has been trying all week to get Kristin alone. You have to understand, however, that a Smith vacation is just that...A SMITH VACATION! We do most everything as a family. So, needless to say, we didn't make it easy on him. I was probably the most to blame!! They were going to eat at the Back Porch alone Wednesday night - but I just had to go! Then, last night they were going to eat at Margaritaville ALONE. I was pouting (just a bit) because I wanted the whole family to go. Don't get me wrong...I wasn't the only one. Kristin was making sure Lee understood that this is a FAMILY vacation, and when all the cousins were going to Tootsies last night - she didn't want to miss out! So, they came by. Poor Lee (ring in his pocket all night)! They left around 10:00 because Lee had to get his car out of valet parking by 10. He wanted them to walk on the beach. As normal, Kristin was having some kind of allergic reaction to the sand, and she was complaining and wanting to know "how much further" the whole time. Finally, Lee had to forget about finding a "private" place...and just do it! So, he got down on one knee, and the rest is history!!

When they came back to the condo...we were SHOCKED!!! I had no idea!! Of course, Daddy knew (as always).

The ring is beautiful!!

...And so, of course - this being a SMITH vacation and all - we took a group photo!

Happy Anniversaries!

Yesterday was our anniversary! It is also my parents' anniversary. We are always at the beach on this day, and usually eat at Captain Anderson's for the special day. This year, of course, Russ and I were apart. Tear! As I've said before, he has Boards this week. So, we made the decision to celebrate later. We still have a couple more trips planned for the summer to make up for us being apart on our anniversary.

So, after everyone FINALLY got ready last night...we went to eat at Captain Anderson's. But, not before the annual photo shoot!

The fam

Me, Dustin, and Kristin

Mama and Daddy

After supper, we played a round of putt-putt golf. This is also an annual tradition. I will say that Dustin and Daddy tied for first...and, of course, Kristin and I tied for last place.



Happy Anniversary, Russ!!! We miss you!

Lord of the Dance

Okay...Roan, my sister-in-law, says she still does not know what skim boarding is. Apparently, I wasn't very good at it! Ha! So we have put together a few clips from Dustin, the master, doing his "warm-up skim boarding" for the first time this year.

He was trying to master a new move (without much luck). After a while, he just started messing around. Watch to the end, and you will see his frustration! This is great!!

I'll post again after he's had more practice. It takes a couple of days to get him going good!

Again, mute my playlist so you can hear the music!

Does this help, Roan?

My Skim Boarding Debut...

Well, as Panama City tradition with our family, Dustin got out the old skim board. He actually began years ago with a simple board from Walmart. A couple of years later, we bought a skim board that held up to 100 pounds. Then, when Dustin exceeded that weight, he invested in a skim board that he has used ever since. (I'm tempted to say, "professional skim board".) Anyway, each year Dustin performs flips, turns, tricks, and crashes on his skim board.



This year, I decided to try it out! I really don't have to say anything about the experience. I have footage of the whole thing, and Daddy put it together in a music video.



Make sure you mute my playlist so that you can hear the sound.

Clay, don't worry! I'll give you lessons when we get to Seaside!!

Happy Birthday, Jack!!

Clancy's (my cousin) boyfriend turned 23 today!!! After laying out on the beach for a few hours, we decided to eat at the Sandbar for lunch. As we were leaving, the staff at the Sandbar informed us of a tradition for "birthday boys"... a paddling. When I say paddle, I mean a huge boat paddle!! And I was thinking a little pat, maybe 23 little pats. No way! (of course, he assumed the position of a big whipping) This tiny waitress gave Jack a huge paddling! Just one. That's all he needed! I think I did hear a little yelp. Happy birthday, Jack!

Jack, Clancy, and me at the Sandbar

The Birthday Paddling - look at her follow-thru!

All Birthday Boys get to sign the paddle.

Greetings from the Beach!!

Today is our first day on the beach!! It's hot, but sunny! It's great! The water is crystal clear, and the breeze is fabulous! Here are some pictures from today. These are mainly for Russ. Love you!!

Kristin putting sunscreen on Lee's back. Cute!

The sisters!

Well...Dustin left his earphones, so he had to use what Daddy had! (looks like Britney Spears' headphone set)

The "Smithites"

More to Come...

Okay...so I'm at the beach now!! I rode down here to Panama City Beach with my sister, brother, and Lee yesterday. Anytime you get all the "Smithites" together in an enclosed space, it's FUN! Russ couldn't come because he has Boards next week. Poor baby! That's okay...hopefully, when he becomes a doctor, he can make up for all this lost fun! We arrived in Destin around 4:00 and shopped a while, and we ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Then, we came on in to Panama City Beach. My mom's parents and brother's family are here. We come every year, and it's CRAZY!!! I'll post more later!

Maybe these pictures will help you understand!

Dustin and me in his famous Crab Hat

The cute "fruit parrot" at Cheeseburger in Paradise

Gone to the beach!! Bye!!