Our Beach Week

Now that we are all back and already ready for another vacation, I think it's time I finally posted a few pictures from the beach, don't you think? Above you'll see a comparison of last year versus this year. Big difference, huh?

We didn't have the greatest of weather that week - lots of rain and a couple of pretty chilly days, but we all made the most of it! On Monday, it poured down and was COLD. Everybody on the Outer Banks must have had the same idea as we did...Aquarium. It was packed, but for the money and to have something to do, well, it was good. Seven really seemed to enjoy pressing his face against the glass and watching the fish and turtles. He was even brave enough to put his hands in the Sting Ray tank to try and touch them!

On the days we did get to go down to the ocean, he had a big time playing with Clay and Nate and digging in the sand. His favorite thing to do was to push the dumptruck all over creation..and after two hours each day of beachtime he was ready for a big 3 hour nap! (now, where can I get a beach? Anyone?)

Now we are trying to plan a cruise for January (for our 10th anniversary, can you believe it?) with Seven and Mom and Dad and anyone else who wants to join us. You in? One week, under a grand for 2 people. Let me know, the more the merrier!

So We Are Opinionated

Some of you may not know that one of Seven's favorite shows is Wheel of Fortune. He likes to sit in his highchair and watch it, yelling letters at Pat & Vanna. His favorites are C and G, sometimes O, but he covers most of them. Lately we have been watching Dancing With the Stars - because he likes the music and the dancing. Well, last night, this is what happened. Jon was upstairs taking a shower, and I really couldn't believe what was happening, so I tried to capture it for him, just in case he wouldn't believe me when I told him. Just as I was getting ready to catch it on film, he came down the stairs. Bummer.
But hey - we got it anyway!! Check this out - and sorry for the poor quality, but it isn't easy to hide a camera from a toddler and film in the dark. I think you'll get the depth of my bemusement.

A Lesson in Impressionism

Thanks Mom & Dad for putting me through college and paying for an Art History degree. As you can see, it has come in to be quite useful.

Of course, I think this makes him a genius, but I am biased.

Happy Easter

Yesterday we traveled to see Jon's family for Easter. First stop...Nonna's. We had a great brunch followed by an Easter Egg Hunt. It was Seven's first. it was also his first time ever seeing chickens. Even after they pecked at his little fingers (he put them through the fence) he never cried, just giggled.

After lunch we went to Jon's parents and stayed the night. He was spoiled with new toys and candy and geting his way in general - as with most grandparents! We headed back today and took the scenic route. We traveled through Hot Springs, home of the legendary Homestead Resort, past a waterfall, 2 working mills, and even the Buffalo Farm. We of course stpped and mooed at the big fellas.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Best of Friends

Seven and Tipit are really best buddies. Take yesterday, for example. Seven first threw a football at Tipit's head, laughed, and Tipit just laid there. So then he threw a book at him. He laughed, Tipit just laid there. Finally, he threw an airplane at him. A big one. He laughed, and Tipit just laid there. Of course, Jon and I were fussing at him the whole time, but we may as well go stand on the front porch and tell the weather to change...it will do as much good.

So anyway, we tell him to tell Tippy he's sorry. He proceeds to lay down in the floor with Tip and hug him, kiss him, hold him. This is what you see pictures of. Later that night, as I am washing dishes, I hear a livingroom full of giggles. Sev is in his highchair, eating yogurt from the container like a big boy with his big boy spoon. The giggling comes in when after taking a bite, he dips back into the container and feeds Tippy off the same spoon. And then Sev takes a bite, then Tip. I should have stopped it, I know, but well, he'd already done it and it really was cute.

Call CPS on me if you must. I choose my battles these days.

Tiny Bubbles...

Here's a shot of Seven in his first real bubble bath last week...he's such a goof. Gotta love him though - he's growing up too fast and it is hard to keep up with him!

Hi Daddy...We Miss You!

So Jon is out of town working this week. It's always a bummer when he's gone, though I don't have to feel guilty about not making dinner - so at least that.

Today was gorgeous outside, almost hot. Like 70 or so. Strange weather for February...I wonder what that means? We'll probably have a tornado or a hurricane hit next week to make up for it. We took advantage of the day, though, and went to the park. Sev is a daredevil now, thanks to the play room at the Catholic church - he loves to slide. On his belly. Face first. He laughs the whole time. I wasn't sure how he'd feel about the Big Slide at he park - but he loved it. As soon as he'd reach the bottom, he'd say "Again" and we'd go back to the top. Lots of fun. Here are a few funny little shots of him playing today.

After the park, we went and bought a few new friends. 3 of our new friends are fast fast fast and I can't get them to appear on film...but they all are like neon/glow fish - one is hot pink, one is orange, and one is day-glo yellow. I think we should call them appropriate 80's names, since that is when neon was the hot ticket. How about Wham, Debbie Gibson, and Tiffany? Hmmmm - maybe Jon should name them.

We also bought at little weirdo catfish. He's the cool fish in the tribe. His name is Noodle. Here is his picture, with one of the fancy new rock thingies in the background. Hope you'll like them, Kit...we love you.