Cousins

Cousins...can you just imagine the fiasco we are going to have on our hands in another 10 years??

Last Day of Preschool 2009

Look at that precious face. (Mrs. Gwen is cute, but I'm talking about Julia!) She has no idea when we leave today it will be the last time for a long time!!

Mrs. Amanda and Izzy pose for a pic while Ryan tries to figure out how he can get that balloon away from Izzy for himself!

Mrs. Kelle, Ryan, Izzy, and Mrs. Amanda.
Um, I'm thinking Ry has worked his charm for a balloon
from that man standing in the background.
Izzy is nice, but she's no pushover. =)

After pickup we head for a lowfat (HA!) yummy lunch and playtime at MacDonalds. Julia is getting braver and braver. She conquered this playland, complete with trips down the slide today. I think my days of climbing in to rescue her are over!

Growing Up

My boy is growing up. He is starting to ask more thought provoking questions. You know, the kind that you can't answer while multi-tasking. Here are some recent inquiries/comments he posed to me:

Ry: Mommy, where does poop come from?

Ry (on the UPS guy): Mom, that guy who delivers the boxes just came by and he didn't stop to give us a box today. Why didn't he give us a box?

Ry (on his last day of preschool): Oh no! I forgot to tell Gavin that we were going to change classes for next year!

Ry (after I told him he needed to come inside for not following the rules): Ok, Mommy. I will be a better listener next time.

Ry: What'cha doing?
Me: Shaving my legs. Mommies like to take the hair off their legs.
Ry: Oh. But not daddies?
Me: No, not daddies or boys.
Ry: Oh, just you and Julia I guess.

Ry: Mommy, why are we driving so SLOW?
Me: There is a policeman behind me, and I don't want to get in trouble for speeding.
Ry: Yeah, because he will take you to jail!

Ry (after putting on a shirt that was getting tight): I am getting to be a really big daddy almost!

Speaking of growing up, Julia is 2 trying her hardest to turn 12..or maybe even 20. Just this last week she asked to have her toes painted, and picked up a bra and told us she wanted to wear it. I am so not ready for her to get bigger like this. Just last night I sadly noticed how much she hangs over my lap now in the rocking chair. Booohoo!

Stitches & Seams by Gwenny

Julia's preschool teacher is a great seamstress. And I love a great deal! Combine the two, and here is what I got...dress from Walmart ($6!) plus Gwen added a cute little "J" to the front. Perfect for summer..still cute, but I don't care if she runs around in the mud and plays sidewalk chalk in it!
You can visit Gwen's sewing site for some other cute affordable stuff!

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, there were three families...

The Harriss Family

The Rudd Family

The Cochran Family

and two babysitters, Kristin and Katie

...who decided to vacation together to a house in Destin, FL.

We visited a beautiful white sand beach...

It was a bit windy. (Ok, that is an understatement-let's just say we got the best exfoliation my legs have ever seen!) This little windscreen and a few snacks made our beach-goers happy again.

Some cousin lovin'...

Ryan was super excited about the waves...

Jeff was able to spend a morning golfing with "Uncle" Terry...
(who is related in real-life to Jen!)

We were able to get away without the kiddos thanks to having the sitters along!

And we had to stop and snap a few pics before our night out...this pic was taken at the front door to our house -The Seahorse Retreat.

Jen and Allan before heading out without the babies!

The kids had a great time just hanging out at mealtime together...

And, of course, there was lots of relaxing...

Julia loved the "little pool" which was actually the hot tub. (We turned down the temp and the kids loved that they could touch and sit along the edges!)

Sandcastles were built (with no shortage of tools!)...Sand lobsters were created......and joyfully smashed!Lots of of family hang-time was enjoyed!

Tyler took the plunge into the pool finally on our last day with a little help from Momma!

This daddy-motorboat spins so fast...

We enjoyed the backyard ocean view from the pool.

And loved that our schedule included just two things -- relaxing and fun!

We kayaked in the backyard...

We climbed trees...

We took bubble baths...

We ate with friends...
(The cushions for this furniture is in the backyard where towers and forts were built using it!)

We will miss this great house!!!

Snap Happy

I couldn't resist being crazy snap happy with such beautiful natural backgrounds!

Ryan Andrew, who announced to us in the car this afternoon that he would rather be called "Ryan Peter"...we have no idea where that came from!

Julia Claire

Look at that boy's scary monster face! Julia is making her scariest "grrrr" as well! =)

Awwww..I love how they laugh together! What great joy!!

Momma, Auntie and Jugi!

Four times the fun! I love that they are getting to grow up living so close to one another. Can you even just imagine the times we have ahead of us?!? I have a feeling there won't be a dull moment with this crew!

Dance to the music!

This is so Julia's "fake" smile! =)

My sweet blessings!

She loves being loved so much!

We already can't wait for next year!