Beach, Friends, Babies........Oh What Fun

We returned home from our first family vacation a few weeks ago, for the four of us and we had a great time. We met two of my dearest friends, their husbands and children in Jackson and spent the night at Yellowstone Park. They had a water play area for the kids, a pool and cabins that you rent on the lake. We all bunked up in one for the night and left out Sunday morning headed to Destin. One of the first of many things to occur on this trip, was a broken air conditioner. We went out for supper and when we returned to the cabin is was 83 degrees and steady getting hotter. We called the park ranger, too funny and he attempted to fix it. Guess what is was not going to be able to be fixed so we loaded up on fans and survived the night! It makes for great memories and it all just becomes humorous.

Yellowstone Park

As we awoke the next morning and got everyone packed up we had the weather channel turned on. Little did we know they had tropical storm after tropical storm headed for Destin! We kept on packing and decided we would tough it out, after all it was just a tropical storm. The drive was not too bad and did not stop very much so we made good time. As soon as we arrived and got the car unloaded it began to rain and I just knew we were in for it. Andrea, Betsy, Madelyn, Lilli, Dan, and Phillip arrived after many stops and we unloaded quickly. The rain stopped so we decided to head out to eat, always sounds like a good idea until you have four hungry screaming children. It really was not that bad but we were all so tired from the drive so we ate quickly.

Me, Betsy, and Andrea

I love these girls so much!




Out to Eat!

The kids were becoming a little whiny so Andrea gets out her hand puppet. We all just laughed at how much our lives had changed, can't remember our purse but never leave home without the hand puppet.

"Bryant look at the ocean, how do we get there?"

"Looking for me?"

This trip was a little different than the last beach trip, my mom was not with us which is a huge help!! Instead Charles went and he hates the sand and was a bit of a baby about the situation. Needless to say we did not see the beach a lot but enough to do for him. I was able to go down once and just sit and read my book but I could have stayed all day everyday! Lucy Kate did not care for the beach at all this time and Bryant still loved it! He was eating it, chasing the birds and playing will all the toys. Lucy Kate sat in my lap and screamed if the sand got on her hands. Hopefully she will like it next year or I will loose my mind.

We spent time at the pool since Lucy Kate was not loving the beach and Charles would much rather be at the pool than the beach. I see Bryant and I spending a lot of time together on our next vacation while the other two are at the pool.

Strolling on the pier to look at all the big boats. Charles loves to fish but did not get to go this time, maybe next time.

Our attempt at a group picture

All Spotted

I took Lucy Kate to the genetics doctor about a month ago to follow up with the "spots" They wanted to discuss all the possibilities of what they could mean and how we need to continue to monitor the "spots" and then draw out a diagram of each spot and the estimated size of all 23 of them. I was not sure how she would act but she was great with the whole thing. We stripped her down and she was perfectly still for the exam. At this point in time we will just make sure they do not change and record any new "spots" that occur and follow up in 6 weeks for blood work. We have really cut down the number of doctors appointments and we are thrilled about that.

Such a Great Thing!

Mom got the babies this precious ball pit and they just love it! We used a little pool for awhile but they kept biting it and putting holes in it, so mom found this and it is so much fun!

I should be Ashamed

Lucy Kate finally started walking with no assistance on July 5. I was so excited and even cried about the situation but could not remember to take a video. I finally took some and they are sideways but I posted them anyway. I will get some more of course for the home videos! This is such an exciting time and I love every minute of it. Bryant is not to far behind her he is getting better each day and will be walking alone pretty soon.

Texas Fun

We just got back from Tomball, TX and we had a great time. Mom, Emily, Bryant, Lucy Kate and I loaded up and made the 11 hour drive to see my Uncle Henry and Aunt Dale. As soon as we arrive the babies had to check out all the kitchen cabinets and drawers.

The next morning it was off to the grocery store, which I love because they are so nice and have everything. I was in heaven with all the organic foods and all the selections! We also made a stop at the cutest toy store, they had it all. I came home with a baby doll for Lucy Kate (her first) and Aunt Dale bought the babies puzzles and this bead maze thing.

He loved it and it is perfect for working on fine motor skills

Monday night we went with Uncle Henry and Jay to the Astros/Cardinals game. We had a great time and the stadium is so nice. My mom was loving every minute as she is a huge sports fan.

Tuesday we decided to venture out to IKEA!! Before we made it to the store we found a place to grab lunch. Lucy Kate was in the mood to give out kisses to everyone! On to IKEA, the store is unbelievable and it has everything you need to decorate your entire house. It was like a maze as you twist through the store and there is no going back to get something you missed. You better put it in the basket and keep on going. We were in the store for about 3 hours and in that time we managed to loose Lucy Kate's bow (I had to leave the fam and venture back to find it and I had success), loose a shoe, we even lost the cart, mom had a nervous breakdown (lack of caffeine) and no nap for the babies! I made a promise to myself I would never return unless I had a specific purpose in mind.

I brought along my Delta magazine so we could have pizza night. They had a great recipe for cooking pizza on the grill and they turned out great once we got the hang of it. A lot of pam is the main thing and following the directions all the way through. Everyone put on their own toppings and it was delicious.

We headed out for Mexican one evening. They had a guy walking around singing so Aunt Dale and Lucy Kate got a quick dance in before we were seated. They always do really well in restaurants but Lucy Kate was a bit much that evening. She did not want to eat anything and she kept throwing everything on the floor, she was driving me crazy.

Mom and Aunt Dale went back to the toy store and came home with puppets, books, and balls that glow. Bryant is really into the puppets. They also loved the dogs, Maverick and Marley

I brought along the caterpillar tunnel and Emily decided to crawl inside and make it come alive. Bryant was amazed and kept crawling around her to see what was going on.

It actually rained a little while we were visiting so it was thundering a little. Marley is scared to death of thunder and he found great comfort in Emily's lap. All 100 pounds of him right on top of you and he does not budge until all the thunder is long gone.

Back to the kitchen and this time they brought Aunt Dale along. What kid does not love to drag out all the bowls and get into every single thing!

After bringing the baby doll home to Lucy Kate, I could see that Bryant needed a "doll" so we found him Handy Manny and that seemed to keep him happy and Lucy Kate could keep her baby doll.

Uncle Sonny is so much help and he took the babies "riding" during the witching hour so we could get dinner all ready

We always take this shot each time we are together!

What is summer without.........

Watermelon!!!

Fun 4th!

The weekend was a lot of fun as we celebrated with family and friends. Charles and I were able to go out to the lake Friday evening and hang out with friends. Saturday morning we went to Lula to swim and eat with family. It was so nice to have everyone together and the babies had a great time getting so much attention. Later in the afternoon we headed over to the lake to Blake and Michael's house, they are so much fun! They had the slides out for the kids and tons of food for everyone. I love were we live and all the great people. We were out past the babies normal bedtime but not late enough for fireworks, maybe next year.

The kids had a great time swimming and as you can see Bryant loves his Pappy

The little kids went crazy over Lucy Kate and Bryant. They wanted to walk them and push them around in there cars all evening. It was perfect and I enjoyed the help.

Paige and I at the lake

I love this man so much!