Family Beach Trip...

Our annual September beach trip was so, so great this year!  We always have fun but never leave feeling like we've really been on vacation just because it is SO constant with the kids.  Well, this year was a whole different story.  The kids did AMAZINGLY well.  Abby, Hampton, Emma and Watson played together, did not fight, entertained each other, slept great...it seriously could not have gone any better!  We stayed on the bay side and loved it!

All the necessities for a road trip: shades and pappi (Emma's word for paci)

Dinner stop on the way to the condo.  The first of many times that "Bethy Ann" ends up at the kid table...

As soon as we got to the condo we had to head out to the beach.  Emma was as happy as can be...as long as she was being held...

This boy - he has my heart!

Our view - so beautiful and relaxing!

Best friends.

This beach-babe is ready to go!

Happy...on the towel... Don't even think about getting sand on her!

I loved seeing Watson more comfortable on the beach this year!  He became more and more brave each day and it warmed my heart so much to see!

One day we went to see the Blue Angels practice.  It was amazing!!!  Watson was absolutely terrified of the loud planes, but the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed it :)  Watson did, however, love the museum we went to afterwards.  He was fascinated by the planes that he could climb in to and look around. 

I am so thankful for the relationship that Mel and I have with each others' kids. 

Back at it on the beach!  There were hermit crabs EVERYWHERE so the kids loved using their nets to catch them!

Graham had to work the first part of the week, but I was so thankful he was able to join us for the rest of the trip!  He is such a great daddy to our kiddos :)

Each couple gets a date night...such a treat!

 Cheering on the Tigers from Florida.  War Eagle!

Little Princess.  Have I mentioned she wasn't a fan of the sand?  :)

Since Graham had not joined us yet when we went to see the Blue Angels, our family went back one day to explore the Naval Air Base.  G and I are both fascinated by all things military so this was right up our alley.  The picture below is from a ship simulator - so cool!

Words don't express how thankful I am for my parents. 

Hampton's board says "No Limits."  There could be no more appropriate phrase for this boy!

Beautiful sunset.  Sometimes I really wish I lived on the water...

I love watching these boys grow in their friendship.  I pray they will always be so close, look after each other, sharpen each other, and spur each other on in the Lord.

Fudgesicle anyone?? 

I can't say it enough - I love my family beyond what words can express.  I am so incredibly thankful for each of them and every second we are able to spend together!

September...

September in pictures...

We started the month the best way possible - with my best friend and her family in town!  Times with Briana and her family are few and far between, so we try and soak up every second with them that we get!

Watson and Ella get along so well - it is the sweetest thing to watch them together!

Steel City Pops - a must with out of town visitors

 

For Watson's birthday we got him a balance bike.  Sweet boy tried hard to make that one work, but he just did not get the concept of a bike without petals, so Daddy surprised W with a "real bike" :)

First day of MDO!  Watson in the 2's and Emma in the 1's

 I love that these two enjoy playing together!

I promise she loves this just as much as he does :)

Hampton Hampton Hampton...sweet buddy fell when running down the driveway and broke his tibia.  Only this boy could do that - and only this boy could rock a boot the way he did.  NOTHING slows him down!!!

Watson started soccer this month.  He does pretty well for about 30 minutes, then he is DONE...

Handsome boy!

I am so thankful for our sweet relationship.  I pray that we will always be so close!

Craft time.  These babes couldn't help but love crafts with me as their mom :)

16 Months...

Sweet Emma wants SO badly to keep up with Watson and other big kids.  Surely she is going to walk soon...right?!  :)  I think she will be MOST excited when she can!  She is walking behind her toys now - she is so close to taking off on her own!

 

She is quite the little dare-devil in the pool!  She wants to jump off the side of the pool or be in the deep end (deep for her...where she can't touch) the entire time.  It makes me a nervous wreck, honestly, trying to hold a squirmy baby girl in the pool!  I love that she loves the water, but I just wish she loved her floaties too!  We will be getting this girl in some swim lessons next year, for sure :)

We are trying to drop the morning nap completely.  She had a hard time at first, but is doing much better.  She still naps twice a day probably three days a week, but we are getting closer to dropping it for good.

Baby girl LOVES to eat...nothing makes her happier than a snack :)  She absolutely refuses to eat meat, eggs, and green veggies.  Unfortunately.... I offer them to her all the time in hopes that she will eventually eat them.  I'm not giving up yet!



She will have the most intentional conversations with you.  It is precious!  She will turn my head towards her and talk right to me.  I wish so badly I could understand what she is saying!  She is going to be a talker...I can already tell!

Her favorite word (and thing) right now is "Puppy."  The girl can spot one from a mile away! 

Sweetest moment is picking her up from the nursery these days.  She gets SO excited when she sees me or Graham at the door.  It is adorable.

Emma is in a huge Mommy stage right now.  She is literally at my feet all day fussing unless I am holding her.  I think it is so sweet that she loves her Mommy so much :)  There are times that it is hard if I am just completely honest, though, because it's just not possible for me to be holding her all day!

She has been extra fussy here lately as she has all four incisor teeth coming in right now...OUCH!



Her personality seems to be pretty go with the flow - not as much as Watson, but still does great just tagging along and doing whatever we are doing as a family.  As long as she is fed and rested, she is good to go :)