Uncle Shawn to the rescue...

So, after Julia finally entered the small pool of ocean water on Monday, we prepared her for the final day at the beach...getting her excited to swim in the "kiddie pool" and finally enjoy the water. We hurried to the beach only to find...

So Uncle Shawn got inspired and started digging...
and digging until a small pool began to form... 

...and then Auntie Max, Loki and Kylia joined in...
until...

But that wasn't enough...Dad joined in...

and the fun began...

Water??

After several days Julia still was not approaching the water. She preferred playing the sand,

building sand castles,
and surfing the dry sand!
So, after nap on Monday (5th day on the beach) I decided just to bring Julia to the beach with her sun dress and diaper & of course, guess what she did....
Thankfully the beach was clear at this point, because she ended up in her birthday suit...and I won't post that pic!

Kylia, on the other hand rode wave,
after wave,
after wave!

Ahhh...Sand, more Sand, & SUN!!!

Do we have to go back to Illinois on Wednesday??? Our turtle sand box just won't seem sufficient!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Kylia picked out a birthday balloon and some flowers for my birthday. Shawn made a special birthday breakfast sandwich. It was a cloudy and somewhat rainy day, so we spent it relaxing inside the cottage, playing games, and catching up on some sleep.



Shane and I went out to dinner, while Max and Shawn watched the girls and made me a surprise birthday cake. The girls added the sprinkles!


After dinner we had a movie night and watched Shrek 3. Here's a belly shot. I don't think I've posted any of me yet...so here you go...

The girls always want to be next to Loki...and Uncle Shawn and Auntie Max!

Oak Island Vacation

We'll I'm 32 weeks now, so we decided to take our family beach vacation while it still is safe for me to travel. We left Wednesday, flew to Raleigh Durham, NC and drove 3 hrs. to the ocean...Oak Island, NC. Auntie Max, Uncle Shawn and their dog, Loki, arrived (at 3 AM) at the bright yellow cottage on the beach Wednesday as well. The girls were so excited to finally be here and we all are enjoying the warm sun, soft sand under our feet, and the sound and smell of the ocean. Here are a few pictures from our first couple of days...

Julia is a little leary of the waves...

...while Kylia was the first one in over her head!

Loki shares Kylia's love of the ocean!

More fun in the sun...



Tonight Max and Shawn treated me to an early birthday dinner ... fried oysters!!!  It was at a beautiful little place, Island Way, 30 seconds down the street and right on the sand.  Thanks guys!!

A quite evening with the girls playing card games.

Last Day of School

Today was Kylia's last day of her 3/4-year old preschool class. She is happy to be able to stay at home with Mom and Julia and play with all her neighborhood and church friends.


Thanks Ms. Bethany and Ms. Kathy!


Here is a picture of one of Kylia's good friends from school, Jesse, and the other kids that were there when I dropped her off this mornng. Kylia took the picture of the boys!

Caitlin, Myria, Kara, Jesse & Kylia.

Xavier, Tyler, Ben, Alex, Akash & Cole

So, Kylia is happily on Summer vacation until September when she starts her 4 afternoons a week Pre-K class!! I am happy to also be off work and to have the extra time with Kylia and Julia, before Erica arrives in 2 months!!

Happy Birthday Shane!

May 6, 2008

We had a quiet dinner at home and opened presents with just our family.

Then we went over to the neighbors house behind us and invited the Skipworths over for cake.

BUT the party didn't stop there.  Our family went home and Kylia planned the game portion of the party.  We started with musical chairs (actually...musical couches), then played freeze dance, and finished with Red Light, Green Light!

Happy 35th Shane!

Summer??

Could summer really almost be here?? The first sunny warm day arrived and the swimsuits were dug out. Here's a couple pictures of Kylia and some neighbor kids enjoying the summer like day!

Haircuts!!

By Kylia's leading, we went to go get summer haircuts. Mom was more reluctant than Kylia, but she wanted short hair. We cut a good 4-5 inches and, no suprise, it looks cute as ever! Julia also cut a few inches which she was indifferent about. She just wanted to be done and pick her prize and sucker!






Yes..we know how cute we are!!!