October...

This has been such a fun month!  We have enjoyed lots of outdoor time, celebrated birthdays, had a visit from Nannie and Hink, and I had a much needed girls getaway at the beach with some of my friends! Here's a recap in pictures...

Our kids LOVE going to MDO.  Watson talks about "Ms. Susan" every day.  I'm so thankful for their sweet teachers and the way that they teach and love on my babies each week.  Here's Watson playing Doctor...one of his new favorite activities :)

We did lots of football watching this month.  War Eagle!!

I cannot even begin to explain to you the number of acorns and leaves that are in our backyard.  Wow.  Thankful Watson loves sweeping off the back porch :)  Now just to rake the leaves and bag the acorns...

He's getting soooo big :( He is the sweetest, most handsome little boy I know!

Loved getting to celebrate this life-long friend as she is getting married! 

Our Life Group from church is made up of some of the most fun, funniest people I know.  Love getting to spend time with them both in and out of church!

Such a sweet site...There are several perks to Graham working in the same place that our kids go to school.  Drop and go carpool on days that I'm in a hurry are definitely one of those :)

We took advantage of this beautiful weather with a trip to the zoo with some friends!  Both Shelley and Brittany are expecting and due...SOON.  They were such troopers as we chased our kids around!

Nannie and Hink came in town for a visit!  This is always treasured time for our kids.  Watson LOVES sharing Hink's coffee in the morning :)

Meanwhile, I was here...relaxing...loving a break from my daily routine! 

So thankful for time away with these dear friends. 

October is birthday month around here!  We celebrated...

GRAHAM!

ABBY!

and ERICA!

17 Months...

This sweet 17 month old has completely stolen my heart.  She has since day one, but oh my goodness I cannot even begin to explain how much I love her!  

Emma took her first steps this month!!!  And she is now walking all over the place!  I am so proud of our sweet girl for taking off and walking on her own.  I love seeing babies when they first start walking.  That sweet little waddle that they do is unlike anything else!

Still talking/repeating/babbling all day long.  I love it!

She watches Watson so closely and mimics EVERYTHING that he does!  It is so sweet that she adores him so much.  We have had to have lots of talks with Watson about being a good example for his baby sister.

I know I'm biased, but Emma seems so smart to us!  Even her teachers at Mothers Day Out have said how smart she is :)

Speaking of..we are doing Mothers Day Out two days a week for this sweet girl.  She seems to love it and her teachers are perfect for her.  They always have a funny story to tell us about our strong-willed girl.

(my view just about all day, every day!)

Emma loves playing on our bed with Watson.  They wrestle and roll around with each other laughing so hard.  Nothing warms my heart as much as watching the two of them play together and laugh together.  Watson is such a good big brother!



This girl already loves to shop.  Seriously.  She did this even a few months ago...but when we go in to a shoe store, she cries until she can hold a shoe and then cries until we put it on her.  She will keep pointing to different shoes wanting to try them on.  As I have said before, she knows what she wants!

I have finally found a way to get some milk in her system - smoothies!  She loves them!

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!