Monday, June 2, 2008

"Beach... then more beach!"

It was nice to get away with our friends for the weekend. Joel and Jen invited us to Sarasota for memorial weekend. The guys needed a break from work... and we both needed some family time with them. It was fun watching our lil' ones play together. The weather was absolutely beautiful... could have been cooler on the beach... but not prettier! It was a nice treat... more fun than relaxing... the kiddos required lots of attention and toys.

"Boys morning out!"

Kevin and Joel got to go golfing... I'm pretty sure Joel is starting to get hooked. They have already decided they want to go back and play some more. It was really nice out!
"Don't choke Kevin!'



"One large bite at a time"


"Pool day..."

Evan was pretty chilled out in the pool. Megan seems to be hot and cold... she splashed and played on the steps... and Evan just zoned out in the float.


"Evening out at St. Armonds Circle"

It was nice getting out for a grown-up meal. We took the kids out to dinner... and they did pretty good. We kept feeding them like birds in the high chairs while we waited for our meals. They started off with cheerios... then bread when it came... then grilled cheese and french fries! It was a treat for them too... they usually eat more fruits and veggies. We were looking forward to some treats at "Scoop Daddies" ice cream shop... but ran out of room. It gives us another reason to come back.

The sunset was beautiful! After dinner we rolled our jeans up and took a short walk on the beach. Megan and Evan love it outside... so it was perfect. It was a bit windy... but the breeze felt great! Fun Fun Fun!

"The Birketts"

"The Searbys"

Joel took Evan out to show him the waves.


Megan is so awesome! Her little personality is a happy spirit for sure!


These kiddos are 2 peas in a pod!
We were asked if they were twins... didn't they notice there were 2 mommy's?
They love their slings!



"Turtle Beach"

Finally... after driving around for a parking spot on a national holiday... we found a cozy spot on the beach! The babies required lots of stuff... we got the routine down pretty good. Evan liked the waves with Daddy Joel... but Megan was scared to death. Lots of crying... then happy again when she got to play under the umbrella with Daddy. She loves birds! The Sea gulls were a hit. It was really hot... but nobody got burnt... and the kids even got home in time for their naps. The dads were cool and let Jen and I go back to the pool for some quiet sun bathing.




"Yummy... picnic lunch on the beach!"

"Peek a boo... I see you!"


"Birdies!"

"sharing sippy cups and pacifiers!"


They got pretty good at learning how to share their toys. Megan still pulled his hair a lot... but Evan was tough. He just crawled away and ignored her. He got to play with her girly toys... he loved her Little Mermaid car!


After a fun filled day at the beach... we topped it off with a little sunset walk to the Ice cream shoppe! It was awesome! Joel scored on the cone... way to go next time. The sunset was pretty... and felt good to get out with the kids again! They love their strollers... the Dad's got to push them. Kevin held off on the sweets... and saved his appetite for the good stuff. After bathing the babies together for the first time (which by the way was Hilarius to watch them crawl around naked together)... Joel and Kevin made us the best homemade pizza I've ever had. The kids were tucked in for bed and we could relax with our gourmet din din . We were zonked after all of that. Kev and I don't stay up as late as these 2.





"Early sunrise walk with Megan"

Megan and I had to take morning walks alone... to keep the condo quiet until a normal wake up time. Megan insists on 6:10am... it could be worse. We enjoy the time alone... playing and or walking around. It was beautiful out there. We were up to watch the morning maintenance crew mow the greens... before the early bird golfers. The weekend was great... thanks for inviting us Searbys! Can't wait to go back... hint hint!



"Back to the Beach!"

We were only home for a short week... didn't even unpack all the way... and were back at the other coast. We went on a short notice trip to the Flagler condo on Friday. Gregg was at the Gator softball tournament in Oklahoma... and Kevin met us girlies over at the beach and Saturday. It was neat finally spending some time with little Samuel! He is growing up... and changing. One day he looks like Michelle... and the next... he's starting to look like Gregg again... fun mix. He loved the water!!!!!! He was really chilled out. Megan was still a little hot and cold with it... but then all of a sudden went nuts! She was cracking herself up. She was kicking her legs and moving her arms like a big girl swimmer... and was proud of it. I wish I could have got her on video... she's a goof! She loves to splash!

Samuel is almost 6 months old now!


"Is he kickin' or what?"



"This swimming stuff is fun!"


"Crazy girl"



Gammie enjoyed chillin' with her GRANDSON!


We went out for a morning walk on Saturday. Olivia was the first to get up... even before Megan! We walked down to the coffee shop for shelly's morning caffeine! Olivia got to pick out some new shades at the store!... She loves presents from her aunt Steph. We got some fruit smoothies... and Megan sucked mine down.




Little stinker... we've been pulling Megan off her milk bottles and she won't drink much from her sippy cup... but give her a fruit smoothie... and she'll down it! She loved drinking from a straw! Little big girl!

I got to see my buddy Elizabeth aka "Weezer" too! She was down from New York... we were born in the some town in Indiana... and friends ever since.

Megan got to watch her first space shuttle launch. It was a perfectly clear day down on the beach. We could see all of the flames shooting out the back... how cool is that... from so far away!



Livy loves her lil' bro
"Cousins"
These 2 love playing together!

Sunday morning Sunrise walk

Wow... Livy turned 4! We had a mini birthday bash for Olivia and Sunday after our beach trip. She was the center of attention... bouncing balloons... opening "bug presents"... eating cake... and watching the Gators softball game!
She's a keeper!


Thursday, May 22, 2008

It's been a really fun month

Megan has been doing so many new things. It's been so much fun watching her. Tonight she got a little out of control with the spaghetti... she loved it. Needless to say her Daddy had to give her a bath after this dinner. The month has been rough... with me being sick for almost two weeks. We did have a lot of fun highlights. Janeen's wedding was really nice... see the wedding post. Mother's day was special... but it was the evening I got sick for the second time. Megan was an angel throughout the sicko phase... Daddy was a huge help too. Everybody had to pitch in. Special thanks to Kevin, Gammie, Nana, Aunt Steph, Linda... and lots more. Megan's biggest news... is her "letting go". She is now up to 9 steps. We hope you enjoy our snapshots... she is so much fun!



"can I get some seconds... please?"


Look who has a big girl seat! She seems to like facing forward.



Megan loves playing with her buddy Evan. Little Isaac came over too... but he is still too little to play. Megan actually tried to drive her little mermaid car over the top of him a few times. Oops!


They shared some cheerios for a snack... Evan snatched a handful of hers when she wasn't looking. She thought it was funny.


"Daddy... where are you?" We've been blocking Megan in the living room... I think it's so funny to watch her peeking around the corner. She is always trying to escape!


It's safe to say... she loves her toys! What a goofball!


Those little eyes are the best! She is such a sweetie!

Uh Oh....
Somebody got stuck trying to escape...


I couldn't resist taking this one... she was really mad when she got stuck. The good news is... she hasn't tried to get out that way again!


Happy Mother's Day!


We had a lot of fun watching Megan play with cousin Olivia like a big girl. They were actually sharing pretty well. That's Megan's new thing... she likes to hand you everything!


We are looking forward to a nice beach weekend. It will be nice to get away.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

"Baby Steps"

Megan is finally letting go...
Monday night was her first trip across the living room. She gets pretty proud of herself! Today... she took 7 steps... it won't be long before she's really walking around.


Sunday, May 11, 2008

Janeen's big day is finally here! It's hard to believe that lifelong friends... aka the Brendy's... are having another wedding! Now they have both beautiful girls married off. It was an honor to be able to help pull this big event off. Everything was perfect.

(last minute pic... before the dress goes on)

Hair, makeup, nails, tears... now she's finally ready!






Janeen's dress was absolutely gorgeous!

"Timeless"
















"All grown up... and dressed for the time of her life!"

Big sis Renae is the greatest!












"Don't even think about smudging my makeup!"


















Taylor was a great bridesmaid... a real friend for life!

You can't beat good friends!

"her lil' sis"















The florist did an awesome job. All of the flowers turned out beautiful.

Janeen went with a garden theme for her wedding. We brought in all live trees from a near by nursery. It was really enchanting. The 15 ft. maple trees topped it all off.

Each of the girls carried different flowers.

Taylor called dibs on the tulips first!

The were all absolutely gorgeous!










Renae's bouquet was a mini version of Janeen's.

She looked amazing!!!!


Renae is an awesome big sis... and Maid of honor!
















It seems like I was just taking this same picture... but Renae was the bride. Time flies! I remember Renae's wedding like it was yesterday.

I was so excited for Janeen today...

Sheri and Nae were lovin' it too!









The entire wedding party was dressed to impress! The dresses and tuxes were so classy!

"You go girls... who are we blowing these kisses to anyway?"











"... I told you the flowers rocked!"

They did a great job on the cake!

It was pretty and yummy!










Proud parents of the bride! It's finally over. Now they can sit back and relax!

Joel and Shari had a lot to celebrate today... they seemed really happy.















Let the party begin!
Time for a HITCH LINE!

The girls did a great cat walk!














Renae, Chris, Kev, and I did the "fish"...

I caught Chris... Renae caught Kev... and we switched poles.

We tried to do the wave... but we were out of practice...

It was fun all the same!







This was hilarious! Kev and Chris pulled off the Hitch reenactment nicely!

I thought somebody was gonna end up hurt...
but they were naturals!

Chris ran and slid under Kevin's legs... then they both hurdled over each other...

nicely done old fellas!







The Birkett's and my family were there to celebrate too.

Olivia was a trip all night. She loved dancing... and with everybody! She picked up some moves!

Gregg enjoyed the vittles... the food turned out really good!















Night out without the little guy!

Jen and Joel got to relax tonight...
they looked pretty spiffy too.












The reception really turned out nice. It's fun getting out of tank taps every once in a while.


















It was nice getting out on the dance floor.

"Jen and Joel were takin' it SLOW"












Weddings make me happy... I have Kev for my Hubby!

He's tough to get on the dance floor... but I love him just the same... 7 1/2 years and counting!
















Dollar Dance!

Janeen was so beautiful! She packed her little bag full of cash. I'm certain she must have made more money than Ryan... although he may have danced with more guys than her.
















Hangin' with Chris!

Kev and I are lucky to have friends who make us smile!













Girls night out!

Jen and I were happy to be here for our Nae Nae.

















Last chance to dance... before our Bean rides off a married woman.

It was a lot of fun!

Janeen has a great bro-in-law in Chris!














Ready Set Go!

Ryan could hardly wait to take her away!

Congrats again to the happy couple!











"and they lived happily ever after"

Night Night!