Pics from the beach

Family Vacation

We took our first official family vacation. One that hopefully Rylee will remember when she is older. It took us 11 hours driving from Montgomery, TX to Seaside, FL. Last Sunday we left at 2:40am and got there about 2pm with a few stops on the way. The kids actually did amazing but it poured on us the whole way and was one of the scariest drives for Adam and I. I think we would have rather had the kids screaming then driving through that mess. Luckily Adam got us there safely and the weather was perfect the whole week we were there! Every morning we would wake up early, eat breakfast and then head to the beach. The water was emerald green and you could see straight through it. The sand was white and the texture of powdery snow. Absolutely amazing. Rylee took a while to get the courage to go in but once she did there was no stopping her. I kept thinking to myself that I would NEVER let her get that far in if it wasn't that clear. There was a big sandbar about 2 feet out so we could go pretty far and still touch. We saw dolphins, crabs, sting ray and I even saw a shark!!! It was far out but still scary. She spent so much time making sand castles with dad and letting her uncle Ryan bury her in the sand (much to my surprise). She looked so beautiful on the beach. Adam and I took her to lunch in Destin one day while Granna and Pop Pop watched JP. The restaurant had all these baby alligators that you could actually hold and feed. Of course she wanted no part in that but as we were leaving we were standing there watching the gator babies and "The Climb" (Miley Cyrus song) came on the outside speakers. She started singing it in the softest cutest voice. Adam and I BOTH got teary eyed!!! Even typing this it makes me want to cry. So sweet. We let her listen to Miley in the truck the whole way back to Seaside. She sang each song at the top of her lungs and danced and waved her hands in the air. Etched in my brain forever. :)

Mr. Parker also enjoyed himself at the beach. We are actually glad he was able to even go considering he was diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease 3 days before we left. High fever followed by a crazy red rash all over his body and blisters in his mouth and all over his throat. He was much better by the second day we were there thank God. He only ate sand twice! He loved having his feet in the sand and watching his big sis play. He was mesmerized by the waves. Each day after the beach we would head back to the house and swim in the pool. The house we stayed in was PERFECT for families. Having our own private pool was the best part about it. Rylee and JP spend hours floating around and swimming. The good news about all that sun was JP took lots of really good naps allowing mommy and daddy to get some relaxing time as well. Not to mention all the help we had with my mom, Wade and Ryan. They were awesome. It makes a huge difference to have extra sets of hands. When Adam asked Rylee if she liked playing with uncle Ryan she said "yes, because he is silly". ha ha The only drama we encountered was on the morning we decided to go out for breakfast. We knew JP was working on a big terd on the drive to the restaurant. I decided to change him in the bed of the truck. I got all my wipes and everything out and as I was setting him down realized there was poop all over my arm, all over his clothes and down his legs. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG So luckily we brought plenty of wipes. There we were in the parking lot of the Donut Hole in Destin with our son in the bed of our big Dodge Ram with pooh up to our elbows. I know every person walking by was like "REALLY"? I had to each breakfast with baby shit on my shirt!!!! So that was fun. :) What a smooth trip otherwise though. Thank you mom and Wade so much for inviting us. We really had a wonderful time and made a lot of great memories. OH and ate some REALLY REALLY good food. Hopefully we can take the kids every year and make it a tradition!

We were in the car the other day and Rylee said "Oh my gosh, that is freaking me out". LOL I wonder where she heard that??? ;)

OH and JP is now pulling up, and starting to eat table food :)

Birthday Party and more

Parker now has SIX teeth! Four on top and two on bottom. It is so funny how much it changes his smile. He is also clapping now. It is actually amazing because all I have to do is say "clap your hands" and he does it without even seeing me do it first. He is giving high fives (although I am sure it is not on purpose) and babbling up a storm. He was sick (very runny nose) for about 2 weeks but it is finally dried up. He was miserable. Hopefully he stays well for our trip to Destin in two weeks. I can't wait to see Parker at the beach and put his feet in the sand.

On Rylee's actual Birthay I took pink cupcakes with pink icing and sprinkles up to school for her class party. Her teacher is so nice and sends me pictures of her all the time.

That night we just stayed at home and had fajitas with family. She got a new Barbie Jeep from Nonnie, Pop Pop, Kay Kay and Unc. She LOVES it! It even has a REAL radio in it. She also got a really amazing baby doll she named "Ella Bella" from Grandma Susan and a Leapster with games from mom and dad.

I had to post this pic of Parker. He is all over the place and now is starting to try and climb things. I remember Rylee doing this same exact thing on this table in our entry way.

Rylee's 4th Birthday party went off without a hitch. We had a BIG turn out but I think everyone had a good time. I know Rylee did! We had 2 bouncy houses, cotton candy party favors, Hannah Montana cake and LOTS of presents :) I am so appriciative to all the friends we have for coming to celebrate and getting Rylee such amazing gifts. One of her favorites is the Hannah Montana guitar and microphone that Granna & Pop Pop got for her. She literally will watch the movie or listen to the CD and play and sign along with it. It is ADORABLE. I had to video record it incase she is on American Idol or something one day and we will have that tape to show everyone how talented she was at age 4! ha ha

Friday Rylee had her 4 year doctor check up. She weighs 36lbs and is 39 inches tall. She actually let them check her height this year unlike last year where she pitched a holly fit! I felt so horrible for her because she had to get FIVE vaccines :( :( :( It was horrible. She was so brave but once the first prick hit her leg all bets were off. I had to hold her down. Her legs were sore for two days and she has little bruises on the injection sites. We were also told that she needs to go see the dentist now that she is 4. Good luck with that!!!!

I am signing her up for dance and gymnastics this summer because she won't have school again until September. Her last day is next week!! I am also signing her up for vacation bible school. I can't believe she is old enough to go to VBS! I have so many memories of going when I was younger. We will start private swim lessons at Nonnie and Pop Pops pool in June. Hopefully that will all be enough to keep her busy and not BORED all summer. ;)