seaside 2011

we got back yesterday from a week long vacation to seaside, florida.  this has quickly become a family tradition in our house that we hope to make as many years as possible.  this year, we were able to go with my brother, jarrod's family and my parents as well.  it was so much fun having so many of us together under one roof for a full week (although of course, we missed josh's family oh-so-much!).

we played in the sun, enjoyed the cooler (yes, it was much cooler!) temps, and just enjoyed our time away from it all.  and by all, i mean ALL!  we didn't even get in a car after being dropped off by the car service from the airport until we left for the airport seven days later.  golf carts, bikes, and our own feet were our transport and i LOVE that.  i love not having my phone on me, a watch, worrying about schedules, oh-so-lovely!

we are so thankful for DFW play areas!

evening chat on the porch with the fam

link cooling off  :)

fried pickles + ranch dressing = genius.

i think jay is going to sell his car and get one of these big golf carts.  seriously.  so fun.

the boys playing games after dinner

at bud and alley's for our anniversary dinner - 4 years!

celebrating my sweet dad's 29th - err, 69th, birthday!

papa, or "boppa" if you are link :)

divine.

our little life guard

link's little beach house

blowing off steam during the professional photog shoot

link ADORED our photographer.  she could just smile at him and he would giggle.  (none of those pictures are here - these are iphone pics!)

link was full of kisses for the camera.  my adorable little show off.  :)

last day on the beach

jay and i hung out at the adult pool during link's naps while my mom babysat.  glorious.

link and his big cousin, kyle, who he calls "tra-tra" :)

fake smile?  this is so cheesy, we were cracking up.

movie night

concert night on the lawn

it was such a fun, fun trip!  i always say an actual goodbye to that beautiful stretch of beach when i leave with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat.  seaside, we will see you next year!!!  LOVE THAT PLACE!!!!

time flies

he was what, maybe 22, 23 inches long in that first pic?  now he is 37 inches tall, wearing a size 9 shoe, a 4T top, and is stronger than anyone i know.   oh, and nearing two...ever heard that term, "terrible two's?"  i always thought that was a joke.  uh-uh, nope, no, sure isn't.  the tantrums are here and my goodness, can he throw them.  jay and i can't seem to figure out why, i mean neither of us are opinionated or outspoken or anything (if you can't see the sarcasm, you don't know us too well), haha!  alas, have been refining our disciplinary tactics and trying to laugh instead of cry.  because some days, i don't know which one is more appropriate.  :)

we are still having a blast and with all the craziness, realizing that at some point we will miss all this, or at least laugh at it.  the weak knees and refusal to walk while throwing a tantrum in a public place, wanting me to hold him or hold his hand as he takes me to every individual water spout at the spray park, and even the crawling atop every piece of furniture in our house and attempting to dance (hoping this isn't a fast forward 18 years to college frat parties?!)...yes, we will miss all of it.  and sometimes i need to write it down, just to remember it.  :)

oh, did i mention he has been falling asleep again fairly often in the morning, like for two naps?  the above pic was taken after my morning jog, at like 9am!!!  maybe if he slept past 6am he wouldn't be sleepy at 9??  :)

the new water table, link's personal hot tub

dancing on the dining room table, then counting to three and jumping.  yes, this is one of the disciplinary things we have "reviewed" (ie put a stop to!)

  "talking" with his bear friend at lakeside park tonight.  a very sweet moment.  :)

HAPPY FOURTH!

we spent the fourth in tulsa again this year with my brother, josh's family and my parents.  it was so much fun!  

jay got in a lot of golf at their club with josh and our nephew, asher.  carter, my oldest nephew, got a lot of practice driving us around.  he has his permit and is turning 16 in less than a month.  so unreal.  my oldest nephew is almost as old as i was when he was born!  ohmygoodness!!  we also got in SEVEN trips to the pool, lots of cookouts, a night out for sushi with josh and joy, and link had a REALLY good time with his big cousins and all their friends at their annual fourth of july party.  

we had fun livin' on tulsa time.  :)

swimming with daddy and caroline

waiting for the parade down their street with mom

hangin' in the parade car with all the lovely ladies

link and care-bear

two sleepy pics, one at fireworks, one on the road trip  :)

adorable.

happy fourth!  

i hope you all had a great holiday and time with friends and family celebrating our great nation.