As Promised

Sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico are breathtaking. Don't you agree?

I didn't bring my camera to the beach last week. It was a conscious decision (we were packed in tight in the car and Danielle was coming with us - why bring my camera when she would take fabulous pictures with hers?)

These pictures are courtesy of Danielle. I think leaving my camera at home was a wise decision. These shots taken on the beach were NOT well planned. We waited until our last night and then ate a leisurely dinner of fish tacos. After dinner, we sauntered down to the beach to catch the sunset....we made it just in time.

And here is a picture of sweet Latham. Happy 2 month birthday, Latham. It seems like ages ago that you were snug in my belly and I cannot image our lives without Latham now. It still amazes me how much we can love a baby who we have spent so little time with.

I have lots of fun stuff to share - visits with out of town cousins, reuniting with Gagi and PopPop, laundry (ha) and getting ready for "Family Camp."

Thanks for the photos Danielle!

Back from the Beach

I am writing this post in reverse...not on purpose but because that is how I loaded the pictures. So bear with me here.

We are back from the beach. This is how our trip ended - exhausted, sleeping kids on the car ride home.

These pictures are all from my phone (I didn't bring my camera).

This is how our trip started...with sugar white sand beached. It is hard to beat the beaches of Northwest FL!

We had a great mini vacation. In fact, my only complaint is that it wasn't long enough. We rented a house in Watercolor right across from the pool. The kids loved walking to the pool and the playground.

We also had bikes and took full advantage of them. We biked to the beach, into Seaside, and just around the neighborhood. The bikes were a hit.

Vaughan was quite proud of how stylish she was looking lounging at the pool!

The kids LOVED the beach. They begged to go as soon as they woke up every morning and we had to drag them away when it was time to leave.

Ellery and Alan worked on this sea turtle - Carlos - one day.

Vaughan did her fair share of sand building too. Of course, her creation included barbies. Yes, these barbies came to the beach with us....they are quite well traveled.

I will post some of Danielle's photos soon!

For now, we are getting back into the swing of things. You know - like school, life, reality. But if I try really hard, I think I can still hear the waves crashing.

Back to School Dinner Party

The girls pretty much like any excuse for a party. So around here, we pretty much use any excuse to have one. We try to have some sort of special family dinner once a month. Last night was our annual "Back to School Dinner Party."

We had

I think the excitement shows on Ellery's face. The night came complete with candles and crowns. Although - did you notice in the photo above that mine is a bit small....or maybe my head is growing?



Latham snoozed through most of the evening.



But she woke up just in time for a picture. The girls wanted her to wear her crown too. She wasn't so down with it.

After dinner we took a stroll through the neighborhood, where - despite my efforts to douse myself and the children with bug spray - I returned home with no fewer than 5 bites. Ah - summer in the south....hot, humid and bug filled.

Now I need to go wake those little ladies up to get them ready for school! Hope your back to school adventures are fabulous too.

7 Weeks

Latham has been hanging around here for almost 7 weeks now. Wow - that has gone by in a flash and she is growing, growing, growing.

I wish I could make time stand still for just a bit. I am trying desperately to soak in all of her newborness...it is quickly vanishing.

And now, we venture off to Athens for a birthday party. I am sure there will be stories to tell and pictures to share.

Vaughan's 3rd Birthday - Part 2

*For the record - I DID NOT make this cake. Lisa (with some assistance

from my brother) spent hours on it. It was a HIT!

We have been soaking up the last days of summer, have you? While I am terribly tired of these hot, sticky, never-ending days - I know in a month I will be remembering them fondly.

This past weekend, we had a birthday party for Vaughan. This was Vaughan's first birthday party that included people outside of our family or close friends. She had a blast.

The zip line was a blast. The kids loved it and I loved seeing their faces as they flew through the air. This along with that fabulous princess castle cake (compliments of Lisa) were V's favorite things about her birthday.

Is that a bird? Is that a plane? No that is a VERY fast two year old sprinting across the photo!

This was the first time that we have had a birthday party outside of our house. Um - why haven't we done this sooner. The staff at My Gym entertained the kids and had the party scene down to a science. With a 6 week old baby - this was definitely the way to go!

And the best part - after all the action, the kids were exhausted.

Happy Birthday Sweet V. I still don't know how you managed to turn three. It seems like just yesterday you were enjoying your first cake!

Climbing the Walls

*photo courtesy of Danielle Hutlas

The kids are climbing the walls down here. Literally, climbing the walls.

Yes, they have been a bit couped up since sweet Latham was born. And just when I can finally take them to the pool, the skies have opened up and blessed us with much needed rain. But this much needed rain means that we are still inside.

So we are getting creative around here. I have no idea what provoked Ellery to try to climb the wall but she did and she loves it. She is one strong 4 year old and is clearly part monkey. This monkey can make it all the way to the top and tap the ceiling. The only issue is her dismount. There have been a few crash landings but that doesn't seem to be dissuading her from this activity.

Hope that there is happy climbing in your house this weekend too!

Happy Birthday, Vaughan

Wednesday, this little lady turned three years old. Of course, according to her she is 4 - but that is a different story all together.

Here on Rockingham, we believe in starting off birthdays the right way -- with a cupcake, of course!

For dinner, Vaughan requested spaghetti and meatballs and I was happy to oblige. She also asked for a pink cake and, in addition, Lisa was kind enough to supply some adorable cupcakes (you know as an appetizer to the cake.) Is there such a thing as too much sugar? Me thinks not.

Dinner was eaten, cake was consumed, gifts were gifted. The night was a success.

Round two of the birthday festivities will commence on Sunday afternoon. 15 3-5 year olds should make for an interesting party.

Thanks for taking pictures, Danielle!