Video: Brody is Playing

Video:  Brody has really come alive at 4 months old.  He can almost sit up completely on his own, can pull up to a sitting position by holding one of our fingers, can reach for, grasp and hold his little toys, and can make all sorts of sounds that are beginning to almost sound like words.  He is so fun!  He loves playing in his exersaucer too.  The little pandas seem to be his favorites so far.

I can't wait!

 Nope, I really can't!  Yep, I'm one of those Twilight freaks, I guess.  I "heart" Edward! 

Remembering 9-11-01 ~ 10 years later!

 As I remembered that tragic day 10 years ago and watched all the footage shown again from those dreadful events, I had a few thoughts cross my mind.  My first thought was "How can I explain this to my children so they understand the importance of remembering this day?"  I mean, they didn't live through it, but it has certainly impacted their lives.  Our nation and society changed after that day and will never be the same...some may say for the better and others may say for the worse.  It is like me and others my age trying to remember the events of Pearl Harbor or the assassination of President Kennedy or the civil rights movement or some other major event that changed the course of our nation's history.  Those buildings fell and left gaping holes in all of our hearts as well as in the topography of New York City.  We learned to fear terrorism on a whole new level that day.  We learned to stand united together when faced with adversity and hate.  Then, I pondered what was the bigger tragedy -- the events of that day or the fact that the unity we all felt immediately following that day not lasting.  Did we lose the unity that was born out of the tragedy?  Did it last a week?  A month?  A year?  Does it follow a political party or a president or some other public figure like Mayor Guiliani?  What should we take away from our experience as a nation on that dreadful day?  Perhaps that our unity should come from some place greater than ourselves.  That we should fill the hole left by those planes that crashed with something beyond what mortal man can provide.  Our healing and our comfort can only come from above.  God is the only one who can heal our hearts and fill the void that sadness and hatred created.  He was there that day the towers fell, and He is with us all today!  Sometimes tragedies must happen to wake up His people and get them to stop and listen.  Let's all stop and listen to the gentle whisper of God's love! 

This is actually a picture I created after the events occurred. 

Oh and Happy 300th post to me!  I thought it was pretty neat that such a historic post as the 10 year anniversary of 9-11 would be my 300th post.  Here's to 300 more!

Evan's 1st Day of Pre-K!

 Well, Evan started his new school today as a pre-kindergartner.  I'm thankful this is just pre-k because I will be all to pieces next year when my baby starts big school!  He was so happy to get back to school and meet all his new friends.  He seemed to have a really good week and loved taking his lunch to school.  Ugh, that one's a challenge because he is pretty picky.  He doesn't really eat sandwiches except peanut butter yet although he loves any fruit, cheese, and carrots.  He may have to start trying some new things to keep from being bored with his lunch.  He usually doesn't have time to eat it all anyway, but he comes home at 12:30 so he just finishes it then. 


Carrying his big bag into school.  His school gives the kids school bags to use. 



Washing hands is the first item on the agenda. 



Then it's time to sign in. 



He already knows how to write his name (since before he was 3), but this is good practice.



His first activity of the day was shape making.

Pirates!

It may look as though we had a pirate themed weekend.  Evan's really special treat for the weekend was a trip to the new pirate dinner show, and he loved it.  Of course, we also had to play some pirate golf!


Evan challenges the first pirate to a duel!



At the pirate barber shop getting spruced up!



Looking like a red headed Jack Sparrow or a little leprechaun wearing green. 



"Arrrr, ye scurvy mates!  I'll make ye walk the plank!"



"I be the captain of this here ship, ye see!" 



Listening to some pirate ballads before the show started.



Our pirate ship!  Go Sapphire Pirates!



Cheering for his pirates to win!



Our little pirate.



Pirate duel with Grandma the Pirate!



Grandma makes a funny pirate.



Cutest little pirate on the high seas.



Ready for some pirate golf!



Our little golfer.  Is there a sport this kid doesn't love? 



Daddy, Evan and Aunt Naomi enjoy the game. 



Brody enjoys watching.  He stayed awake the whole time and didn't fuss at all. 



In the hole.  He played so well and even got a hole in one. 



Pausing to inspect the pirate ship. 



Letting Mommy take his picture. 



Enjoying the coolness of the pirate cave.



Playing with Aunt 'Omi.



He hit everyone's ball in on the last hole. 



Daddy hits his ball to Evan.



He was ready to play again. 

Happy 31st Birthday to me!

Daddy was very sweet to Mommy for her 31st birthday.  He and the boys gave her sweet cards, and Evan and Daddy made her a sweet doughnut cake for breakfast on her birthday since we were at the beach.  Mommy is ready for 31...bring it on!





No wishing needed!  I have everything I need!

Our Family Beach Vacation ~ 2011

Well, you know that vacations with kids are never very relaxing.  This one was no exception.  We were pretty much busy the whole weekend, and even when we were on the beach, we couldn't just sit back and relax and enjoy the view.  Between holding the baby, feeding the baby, and taking turns playing with Evan, some might consider it more work than vacation.  But good memories were made so we count it a success!  We stayed in the same place we stayed last year since it is a well-equipped establishment for dealing with kids.  They even had a movie night one night with a big screen set up outside by the ocean and the pool with Nemo playing on the big screen.  Unfortunately, Evan has seen that movie enough times that he wasn't interested.  I would have loved just curling up and cuddling on a comfortable lounge chair and enjoying the cool, night, ocean breeze, but I had baby duty while Daddy and Evan and Aunt Naomi went for an evening swim.  Evan did enjoy the indoor waterpark a lot this year since the water was heated and very warm.  He also loved having both sets of grandparents join us on the trip.  He can't wait to go back next year, of course!


Brody still enjoyed napping on the beach the best.



Although he wasn't happy 100% of the time.



The surf was pretty rough this time, but Evan enjoyed playing in the big tide pool that had washed up right in front of us.



He had a good time, but he can't wait until little brother is old enough to play with him. 



Rinsing off sand and peanut butter from his lunch. 



Just enjoying the view.



And looking for shells...or buried treasure.



Yep, still napping!



Evan had to hold tight to Daddy this time in the ocean.  It was so rough it knocked Mommy down in barely a foot of water and took her glasses.  :-(



One of the many big waves.



Still having a good time with Daddy.



Evan helps Mommy play with Brody in the water.



Brody finally wakes up to play.



Too stinkin' cute!



And Beautiful!



He really loved the water this time. 



Big brother in action!



Mommy and her littlest man.



Mommy and both her little men.



Brody tells Daddy "I love the beach this much!"



He has to have his ice cream on the beach.  Messy boy!



Floating in the lazy river.



He loved his new float.



Water fight with Daddy!



Loving the indoor water park. 



Going for a ride in his car on the lazy river.  He said, "Watch out for that bucket, Daddy!"



Of course, his car just happened to stall right under the bucket!



They got it good!



Playing putt putt on the resort's little mini golf course was definitely one of his favorites.  He loved playing with Papa!



The golfers!



Still time for a little brotherly love.



My beautiful boys!



Mommy loves these boys!



Out to eat with Nana and Papa to celebrate Mommy's birthday.



He had to ride this little cow.



Enjoying lunch by the pool with Nana and Papa.



Nana and Papa with their boys.



Feeding the fish with Grandma.



He saw this hand chair, and he said, "Mommy, don't you want to take my picture in it?"  Haha!  He knows me so well!



Loving this little statue of liberty at Broadway at the Beach. 



This boy loves his Grandma!



It was a late night out for Brody, and he was tired!



Evan loves the old Pavilion rides at Broadway at the Beach. 



Mommy loves the pretty jewel-like lights on the old rides!



Driving his dune buggy.



Riding his favorite green teacup with Daddy. 



He chose to ride an ostrich on the carousel. 



Mommy got to ride a zebra.



Not scared at all to ride by himself this year!



Grandma rode too!



Boat racing too.



And dinosaur riding.



"Nice dinosaur!"