EGGS

Today we participated in our church's annual Easter Egg hunt. This year was so much fun and several little ones attended and searched for eggs. We went last year (picture below) but Ollie, being just shy of 1 year old, was not walking. She enjoyed last year's hunt from her wagon and her daddy managed to find her a few eggs for her basket.

This year, because she has never hunted for eggs before, we had a few practice rounds last night. She caught on really quick and LOVED finding eggs. The best part is that as she is running around searching, I just dip into the basket and toss eggs here and there. With every turn she is so excited to see more eggs and the hunt goes on and on. The church hunt was no different. She was ready to go!

I was a little worried that she wouldn't be able to get many eggs with the bigger kids hunting too but it turns out that our little pratice paid off. She is an egg hunting queen and came home with a whopping 46 eggs.

The weather could not have been better and the Springdale Estate makes a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

Here are a few from our morning.

Ollie and William checking out "baby sharks".
We asked them to hold hands and Ollie said "NO!". Her daddy was proud. ;)

Sissy and Row. He was too precious in his sailboat romper.

Ocean got quite a bucketful of eggs. He was very handsome in searsucker pants, a polo and a yellow belt. That kid's got style!

Asher demonstrating how to find and carry lots of easter eggs at one time.

FUMC's beautiful children. (Thats lil Row in the front- What a sweetheart!)

And last, me and my sweetie!

Happy Easter!!

L.O.L.

LOL x 2 = Laugh out loud and Lots of Love!

This past week, being Spring Break (for my school teacher sister), we decided it was a must to hit the beach for a few days. At one time, with this particular group, it was known as a girl trip and although it mostly was (me, Ollie, Lesley, Mom, Leanne) we've added a new member to the bunch; Row Man!

He fit in pretty well but if he's anything like his daddy, I doubt we will be enjoying his company in a few years. He will have turkeys to hunt!

Anyway, we loaded down Lesley's 4-Runner with 2 babies and 4 adults along with beach chairs, coolers, toys, etc. Needless to say the ride was somewhat of a discomfort, we made it to the condo in Cinco Bayou safe and sound. It just so happens that our story and picture made the Florida panhandle's Daily News! CrAzY!

(not this picture)

After a little shopping and some yummy dinner we ventured in for the night to rest up  for a big day at the beach.....boy was it!

It was really fun to hang with the sisters and mom and the 2 little ones. We had a blast!

Ollie proved to her "ShuShu" that she is a definite beach babe and played in the water and sand the entire time. She absolutely, 100% LOVES the beach.

She even let us bury her in the sand...I couldn't believe it!

Once our day at the beach turned a little too hot, we headed back to the condo for a dip in the pool and to enjoy the bay for a bit.

The bay is perfect for Ollie and Row cause there are no waves (unless a big boat comes by) and the water temperature is a little warmer.

I am really proud of my Ollie. She is so sweet to Row (unless he grabs her toys) and gives him hugs and kisses all the time. Although she can be quite the brat sometimes, her sweetness is oh so precious!

For instance:

Is this not the cutest picture ever!!!

So stinking precious!!

I just wish I could get her to smile in a picture with me....

To wrap it up, we had an amazing time and O has yet to quit talking about the beech. Thank you Mom for being such a sweet and wonderful mother and for taking care of us and our little ones! You are the BEST mom a girl could ask for!

I love you!!!



Bring it on!

Let me start by saying that as I type this post, Ollie (along with her daddy) is sound asleep.

We had a BIG weekend.

Since our trip to Mexico Beach a few weeks ago, Ollie has talked nonstop about the beach. She is constantly saying, “Let’s go to da beech”. So, we did. What can I say, I love da beech too! We are very fortunate that my parents have a condo in Ft. Walton (sadly, it is for sale) and OP loves to go there. Not only is it located on Cinco Bayou, has a nice little pool, is a short drive to the beach, it has access to the bay, where O and I love to hang out, look at fish and catch crabs. On this particular trip, my good friend Christian joined us, along with her husband Bob and sweet son, Asher (OP calls him Cash), who is just 5 months older than Ollie.

Oh, the funny conversations between these two!!

Saturday morning we got up and ready to hit the beach. This year was much easier. We no longer had to tote a huge tent along with Ollie and all our beach stuff. Although Ollie can now walk herself down to the water, she felt the need to stop and talk to everybody on the boardwalk along with pointing out every bird in the sky. Needless to say, it took us a while to get there.

Once we got there, this is where Ollie stayed. Right at the water's edge (with daddy very nearby). She laughed and hooped and hollared all day. She was great entertainment for us and other beach goers as well.

Luckily, the water (and weather) was clear and beautiful with small waves. She had a blast.

 On the other hand, this is where Asher stayed. Close enough to see the water, but far enough that he wouldn't get wet. He loved playing in the sand and with the beach toys, just not real big on the water.

This picture illustrates the distinct personalities.

Ollie has begun roleplaying. The set of pictures below is of her pretending to leave.

She say's bye bye daddy. See you later.

Come here, I give you kiss. Muuuaaah!

Love you.

So sweet.

If this weekend was a sign of the summer to come, BRING IT ON!!!

Lynsey

Free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Andele to Mexico!

Beach, that is!

John recently had a job to oversee in Port St Joe, so naturally, Ollie and I decided to tag along. We had never been to Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe or Cape San Blas. It was beautiful, quaint and super family friendly. We stayed at a hotel in Mexico Beach called El Governor. It was right on the water and had a heated pool to boot. Our room was on the forth floor and the view was magneficient.

I should mention that J and I got lots of exercise going up and down the stairs. Ollie has developed a fear of elevators and screams for the entire ride. We thought it would be best to not torture the other vacationers and get a little exercise in as well. Ollie and I spent most of our time out on the balcony watching the birds and the sunset all while playing with stickers (her newest obsession). Although on Friday the weather was beautiful, the wind was killer.

We did venture down to the beach where Ollie played for a straight hour. She had so much fun but I'm afriad that the runny nose she has suffered from this past week is due in full to playing in the cold water. 

Ollie also got a new pair of sunglasses for the trip.

ROCKSTAR!!!

I recently got a new camera and had lots of fun taking pictures from my beach chair.

This is one of my favorites.

After the beach, we hit the heated pool.

With the wind blocked from the building we had nothing but sunshine.

Much to our surprise, Ollie let us put swimmies on her and actually swam a while all by herself.

I think this is pretty impressive for a 22 month old.

Later that day, while J was working, I put Ollie in an old dress

I purchased from the Emporium (Flea Market) in Andalusia.

It has an old look to it and made beautiful beach photos.

I got a little carried away taking pictures and Ollie was in no mood to cooperate.

We had a great getaway and I cannot wait to take another beach trip with Boogie and J.

We leave you, Mexico Beach, with this: