The Perfect Vacation

We just got home from a week in Destin, FL and let me tell you it was by far the very best vacation we have ever taken.  It was our 4th time to go there and we finally feel like we have things "figured" out.  I have so many pictures from this trip and so much to tell but I promised myself I would keep it to one post and then move on.  This was first time that we have gone to Florida during "off season" and let me tell you - that is the way to go!  Other than a few couples who appeared to be "empty nesters" we had the section of beach by our house to ourselves.  It was quiet and beautiful!  Another great thing was there the traffic was light and we did not have to wait for seating at restaurants....2 things that are important when you have little ones.  This year we made the trip with my parents which was really nice.  They got to spend a ton of quality time with the kids and we got to have a little more freedom to come and go.  We actually had 3 date nights!!!!  It was really nice because in the morning my mom would stay home and keep Lily while she napped and we were able to take Cole to the beach.  That was priceless one on one time with him and I am so thankful to have those memories.  We would spend most mornings on the beach and then head back for lunch/naps and then swim in the pool at our house in the afternoon.  Lily was not a huge fan of the beach this year...she liked the water but the sand drove her crazy so she stayed home most of the time.  She adored the pool so she was happy with that!  It was really cute to watch Cole try to teach her how to play in the sand....something that he loves with all of his heart.  She just wasn't into it this year.  Cole was so brave in the ocean and was swimming like a champ-even putting his head under the water.  He was not a fan of the waves crashing him down but even that seemed more fun as the days went on.  This year we did something we had never done and ate all of our dinners out.  It was so much fun to try so many different places to eat and not have to cook and clean.  It definitely left more time for fun!  Cole was super excited to hunt for sand crabs at night when we were there.  We talked about it so much beforehand and as soon as it was dark on our first night we headed to the beach.  That night we caught 4 but each night we got better and better.  It really was fun!  Another thing Cole loved was chasing the seagulls.  Since there was basically no one else on the beach we let him go for it.  He would run at them and yell, "Charge!" It was so funny and so darn cute!!!  The biggest blessing to me was that both kiddos slept and napped perfectly so I felt like I really got to enjoy myself since I was not super tired all day long.  We actually had several friends that were in Destin at the same time so the guys all got up one morning to fish together.  That has been a tradition each year and I know they loved it.  They caught Amberjack this year which was different and sounded exciting!  I think they averaged 40 lbs a piece!  It was so incredible to have Rhonald with us for 11 straight days...to read and relax....to play and spend time with family.  We did not follow a schedule (too much) and we just focused one each other and having fun!  All the way home Cole talked about what a fun vacation he had and we both had to agree!  It is so nice to be home but man, I already miss the beach, and more than the beach I miss that uninterrupted time with family.  I guess we'll just have to start saving and planning for next summer!

Many Thanks

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy..."
---Philippians 1:3-4

                                                                  

Tanyard Creek

This past Sunday afternoon it was only 89 degrees so we packed up and decided to go hike the Tanyard Creek Trail.  It is about 0.8 miles so we knew Cole could handle it.  Rhonald and I love hiking and although this wasn't a true "hike" it was super fun to be with our kids in nature and watch them learn and enjoy the sights.  It is a very cool trail that leads to a waterfall...Cole was thrilled because he had never seen a real waterfall before.  They also have markers all over the trail with facts about the wildlife, trees or the area.  Cole wanted to read every single marker...there were so many we honestly began shortening them and putting them into "our own words."  The waterfall could not have come at a better time...we were thirsty and hungry so we had a little snack and then Cole dove in!  He had so much fun playing in the cold water on a hot day!  He loved walking around and exploring the things in the water and watching the fish swim by.  Lily really enjoyed herself too.  She laughed and laughed as she watched Cole splash around with Daddy and she really seemed to enjoy being in a new kind of place.  We found out there are several trails like this in our area and now we can't wait to get back out there and try those.  This one was especially cool (and shady).  We had a great time and will definately go back again this fall! 

A Self Portrait

This is Cole's first self portrait.  We do a lot of craft projects but we don't do a lot of drawing.  I thought this was really good for his first try!

Our Week In Review

Our week started off with a bang!  The second Tuesday of every month a group of my friends and I get together for dinner...no kids or hubbies...just girls.  We talk about our kids and hubbies and all things girly.  It is awesome!  My week is ending with a girls day too as I am about to go to a sneak preview of the movie, The Help, with my friend, Kellie.  I cherish this girl time...to be around these amazing women and laugh until we cannot laugh anymore!

Cole is totally in to art right now.  He loves to do art projects and craft projects.  This makes his daddy so proud as he is quite an artist himself.  We have really cut down on TV at our house...like to an hour and a half a day at most so this mommy has to get busy and get creative.  It has been super fun for all of us.  I wanted to find something to hang in our kids' bathroom and I could not find the "right" thing so...I had Cole paint me something.  He was honored and excited and had a blast!  I believe he said "painting is way awesome!"

We were stuck inside a lot this week which was a much needed change for all of us.  It has been raining like crazy and has made us slow down quite a bit.  While we were home we brought out one of our favorite meal time activities and made a "muffin tin lunch."  The theme to this one was "Cole's Favorites" and I let him pick his lunch favorites to put in his muffin tin.  The best part...he eats every single bit of food in there because, for whatever reason, if it is in the muffin tin, it tastes a million times better.

We read and read and read books until it felt like we could read no more...and then, guess what?  We read some more.

We laughed and smiled and made many messes (Lily managed to unfold 3 baskets of clean laundry in a matter of 1 minute).  But she looked cute doing it, of course.

Lily Kate climbed on every piece of furniture we own, as well as, the fireplace, the potty and opened and closed the kitchen trash can 1,000 times.  But again, at least she was looking cute!

Rhonald and I even got to sneak out and have a much needed date night this week.  We had a fabulous dinner and watched a funny movie and walked around the mall.  It was just what we needed...we did not dress up or do anything fancy and it was more wonderful that way!  We just hung out...talked and laughed until we cried.

Last night we were blessed with this amazing double rainbow (both were full rainbows) in our backyard.  This was awesome!  It also opened up a lot of communication with Cole about God and his promise to us and we ended the night reading about Noah and the Arc.  It was a nice, special and quiet time for him and I to reflect and talk and learn together. 

It was a great week....now, off to make Saturday day morning banana pancakes and bacon, watch The Help and have a fun dinner with a few friends....

My Boy

Oh Cole...always keeping us laughing and smiling and, at times, pulling our hair out.  I have realized lately that there are not as many posts about Cole as there are about Lily and there are many reasons for that.  One, he is not doing a new "trick" every day and two, he will hardly let me take his picture anymore.  But, I was able to get 2 this week so I thought I would show him off a little bit.  Cole is seriously becoming such a big boy.  He no longer needs any help going to the potty, he sleeps in big boy undies, he says the most sweet and profound things.  He is constantly asking to help us in any way he can, he takes care of his baby sister each and every day.  He is in this funny stage of telling on himself when he does something that he knows is wrong.  Most days are wonderful days with him.  We have enjoyed working on crafts and art projects this summer.  He still loves to curl up with us to read a good book or watch a movie.  Cole...he will always be our cuddle bug.  Cole loves to help me cook so much!  It is really fun to share this with him and we try to use it as a learning tool as well (counting, measuring...).  Cole has the craziest imagination and pretends all day long.  We are never mommy and daddy and Lily Kate to him...we are always someone else....playing a part in his imaginary world.  He loves Lego's and blocks and building wonderful creations.  Cole prays the sweetest prayers that amaze me every day.  He is constantly reminding us to pray before meals (that is such a crazy time right now) and at night he talks to God with such an honest and open heart.  Cole's favorite song is, "Here I Am To Worship" and he sings it all day every day while he plays.  He loves people and loves to be with his friends.  This is something that so quickly has become important to him.  He keeps me laughing for sure...I adore him with all of my heart.  He is my planner, my saver (you should shake his piggy bank), my sweet boy that sings the "A,B,C's" ever so loudly while he washes his hands so he knows he washed them long enough.  Cole is my rule follower and my tender hearted one.  He may be shy at first but he will be your friend forever.  Cole is such an amazing boy-I love watching him grow up but, like his sister, I wish he would slow down just a little bit.