Best. Thing. Ever.

Yeah, it's in his room!

Happy Halloween

From the earthworm-

**Seriously, Bo wanted to be an earthworm, a gray earthworm. The funny thing is that last year when I put his costume on it, he asked where the worm part was. I was confused, and he informed me that he wanted to be an earthworm. I told him it was a little late for last year but that he could be an earthworm next year if he wanted. When I asked him a few weeks ago what he was thinking, he looked at me as if he could not believe that I didn't remember.
I'm an earthworm this year, mom.
Of course you are, buddy, of course you are.**

The ladybug-

The puppy dog-

He really wanted to be a purple dog, but we settled on the dalmatian instead!

And Ladybug Jr.-

Mom and Dad opted out of the dressing up this year, but we still had a blast with the kiddos!

Does this mean he's officially a big boy?

Yesterday was a big day for the Jack man.

He woke up from his nap positively giggling.

What's that you say? It's time to go get my big boy bed. Yeah!

Does it technically count as a big boy bed if it's really just a mattress on the floor? J is working on refinishing the twin frame we have that matches Bo's bed, but in the meantime, we felt it was time for Jack to graduate from the pack and play.

I can't believe he's still two. Some days I feel like he's already four!

Goodnight.


I think he was so excited about the bed that he had a hard time settling down initially. Then, when he realized he had to manuever new covers and more space than usual he got a little overhwhelmed. He finally called out crying around 10 PM and when I went in to check on him, his little chin was quivering.

"I can't get these covers right."

I moved the covers out of the way and covered him only with his blanket and he immediately settled. He woke up excited about it this morning, the blanket woes of last night forgotten!

Just 'cause they're good looking doesn't always mean they're cooperative!

I'm stretching my sewing skills these days, and I've been working [here and there] on attire for the kids. With all the cousins together at the beach, we had to attempt a photo shoot in the sand with coordinating outfits. Our first set up did not go well.

Sadie, especially, was just not having it.

We took a little break and played in the sand for a few minutes.

Assessed a possible relocation situation.

And reconfigured our positions a little bit.

Not too bad.

A few more adventures in the sand, and were out!

Eighteen months ago I saw my grandpa for the last time. We were on our way out to D.C. for J's work and we stopped in Indiana for the night. It was a great time of celebrating Jack's first birthday and visiting with family. The next morning, as we loaded the car to leave, I told J I had to go back in one last time. I found something that needed to be thrown away and walked back in the house just to say goodbye one last time. I cried as we pulled away.

One year ago, I was very pregnant and reacting to the news that our baby girl had a cyst on her lung when I got the call that my grandpa had passed. I loaded my pregnant self on a plane and flew out to Indiana to celebrate Grandpa's life with aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings.

I was so excited to find out that my grandma and two of my dad's sisters were driving through on my grandma's way down to Florida for the winter. They stopped here to visit for a while and eat dinner before hitting the road again.

Aunt Joey's jewelry was an immediate hit with little Sadie.

Aunt Brenda settled in for some snuggles as the boys finished their TV time.

Bo was excited to read his library book with Grandma. He was also pretty impressed that she used to be a school teacher, a real school teacher and not just a substitute.

Joey even went out to her car and got out her jewelry box for all the kids to have some fun!

Sadie really wanted to eat the jewels, but she settled for some snuggle time with Grandma instead.

And we made sure to get a group shot before all the ladies departed. Not everyone was excited about the photo opportunity, but at least they are all in the shot!

I'm so glad they were able to stop in, and I'm hoping that maybe we can make this an annual tradition :)

Goodnight Moon

I found these camo pajamas for my kids and I couldn't resist. They were so cute, so I snagged pairs for the other cousins. We could not resist a photo shoot after baths one evening.

Sadie helped me check my lighting.

Yeah, she's fabulous.

Bradford jumped in their too.

How about those kiddos?

And here's real life!

She loves her brother.

And here are the mighty seven.

Someone was pretty much always on the move.

Here's my winner!

Jason took over the camera as I went inside to do something, and he got these amazing shots with the moon.

Seriously awesome!

Goodnight, y'all.

Bummin' Around

Brooks and Reese were ready to show us the ropes bright and early Friday morning. It was the most fabulous set up because we had a little yard and a perfect view of the beach, but there was no fear that the kids were going to end up down at the water without us.

They kids loved going out and looking down at the water. It was awesome to let them explore and still feel like they were closeby.

Why is it that my favorite shots are rarely the ones I take??? How about this one my sister shot with my camera. Those eyes slay me!

There was lots of frolicking on the beach. They could not get enough.

Jack couldn't get enough of being carried on the beach :)

Bo came back with an impressive shell collection and was sooooo excited to show his class for show and tell.

Brooks and Reese are the sweetest beach bums ever.

I'm so bummed I never got a shot of Bradford on the beach. That little man is a maniac with the sand! I did get a shot of all the cousins in their beach duds.

Adorable!

We probably spent as much time crawling around in the grass as we did hanging out on the beach.

Can you blame us?

Perfection.