On the TN River in Chattanooga

Moved on from FL onto GA and TN to see Aunt Penny & Uncle George. Grandma and Grandpa from WI are meeting us there. Spending days and nights on Penny & George's houseboat - a new experience for us all.

Captain Jonah

playing with Uncle George

More Destin & Seaside Fun in FL

feeling the beach water waves

trying to stand up against the waves

our condo for the week

having fun at the faucet

Walking around the town with the Evert's

Gulf Coast-- salty, windy and hard to walk on the white sand!

On the road to Destin, FL

On our 2 day, 15 hour journey to the Beach! Had to get creative with entertainment in the car. Jonah was a trooper on Day 2- not so much on the first day. He won't sleep at all in the car seat so our days really didn't start til noon after his AM nap and breakfast. I guess that is what people say about being flexible when traveling with kids

Coldplay knows how to put on a show!

We went to a concert I've wanted to see for a long time. We enjoyed our nice cheaper seats on the Lawn and saw an amazing concert from the Brit Band. There was so much energy in the show, good effects, good lights, funny stories and well of course great music. I am not a top 40 person, but Coldplay does it for me. They get it! Besides the main stage in front, they had 2 other stages (one in the seat section towards the back and another out in the lawn area). What a great surprise. Finally, a band that goes out to the crowds and plays for them. When they went out to the lawn, we were like 20 yards from them! WOW! They made sure to play to everyone, not just those in the first rows.

WOW

Some parts of China are reversing the one child policy -

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6726244.ece

Go to sleep

Wiped out- so much for those bumpers!

Jonah spent Saturday night with his girlfriend, Emma. They ate dinner together (well one after other so they could share the high chair), followed each other around (and even walked to her bedroom......not to worry, the Dads were right there behind them), took a bath together, shared toys and then at the end of the night, both in their PJ's, shared their 1st kiss! And the good parents we were- we encouraged every bit of it and made sure to get it on tape to use at their wedding! Enjoy the video- we all did - over and over again (there was some editing done so the sound is not in tune with the video (delayed), so it's better to watch it without any sound.

My baby is growing up!

And I just realized it! I know slow learner-- really it has hit me like a ton of bricks. Maybe that is why I like "onesies" so much- because I associate "onesies" with a baby. And most of his clothes now is a t-shirt and shorts. Don't get me wrong, I'm holding on tight to the "onesies", even if the snaps come off at the bottom! I look at pics of him now and he's a little boy, no longer a baby. Of course, he'll always be my "baby big boy", but now that he's walking, can make a choice between milk and water and verbalize it as well- he's growing up. When he's exploring and finding new uses for basic items like using a chair to stand on instead of being satisfied with sitting on it, and when he now prefers to eat with a fork and spoon instead of his hands. When he knows his routine and then also goes with the punches, he's growing up. What gives???? I guess I better start growing up too!

Night Night

Story time and night night time was different tonight. Jonah's cousins wanted to read books to him- hey, thanks for a night off for Mom & Dad. Logan prefers to sing, "go to sleep, go to sleep" to Jonah while standing at his crib. It's these precious memories that the cousins will remember and we'll tell Jonah about years from now.

Reunited with a Family Reunion

Family came from NYC & San Antonio for 4 fun filled days in Big D! 3 generations gave of their time to spend some days with family reconnecting, laughing, eating, playing and eating some more. Days were spent at our house with a pool to cool off from those 104 temps. And to get out of the sun we spent time preparing meals, eating / snacking, playing Pictionary, Taboo, The Newlywed Game, dressing up as Cows for a free meal at Chick Fil A (kind of crazy- but a funny time indeed), playing Laderball, Pinata time, cleaning up, making smore's, dessert fondue, and watching so many kids (adults included who act like kids) have fun with one another. And when it was said and gone, there was so much trash that we had to pile it in a wagon and haul it down to our neighbors house and use their trash bin! This only happens every 2 years and what fun we all had. I'm glad for those who made the long trek, kids in tow, being "off" schedules for so many kids, and yet everything worked out so well. We look forward to the next time in 2011!

~ Having a place to go to is a home. Having people to love is family.~

***And the pic of the red cups, you ask? Well, that was our part to stay "green" all weekend- everyone had one cup per day with their name on it! So daily there was at least 25 red cups laying around. Ahh good times!

Hallelujah

That's what we're saying and what Jonah is saying! He's walking.....and this is what it looks like! Hands in the air, moving all around and even picks up his toys along the way. Oh how fun!

Random-ness

Passing the time while in the car: playing with glow in the dark sticks.

Visiting with Aunt MC & Aunt Betty- love visiting them!

Taking a break from swimming!

Reading books, books and then more books with Mom & Dad!

So independent these days.

How do you spend your dash?

Our world turned upside down on July 2nd. Whenever your phone rings before 7 AM, you know it's bad news and it was- horrible news. One of my favorite Aunts - Aunt Alice (my mom's sister) passed away in her sleep. Oh what a shock and oh my heart sank so quickly. Justine and I immediately went to my mom's house where we cried and just held each other tight! How could this be? Why? She's so young- only 66. Why her- the one who followed God hourly and had so much to give to her family and friends? Why now? So many unanswered questions as we began making another trip to San Antonio for another funeral.
So plans were arranged for services and how I felt so useless for my cousins (all around my age), spending their days picking out a casket for their mom. This just isn't right- at 36 you shouldn't be doing that. And yet, with God's plan, this how they spent their 4th of July weekend.

The services were amazing and how perfect since Aunt Alice was such an amazing person. She spoke ill of no one, prayed nightly and daily for others, loved being around family and friends and devoted herself to my Uncle Lupe of 44 years, her children, her grandchildren, her sisters, her nieces, nephews, friends, etc. She is the reason I bake. I would spend summers with them and we would go through all her cookbooks and pick out what we would bake, go to the store to get the ingredients and then eat some of the dough or batter and enjoy baking our goods. I thank her for showing me what being an "Aunt" is all about.

During her Rosary, the Priest offered a reflection story about her "dash". When you see some one's DOB, then a dash and the day they passed, we think of how many years they lived. The story talked about the dash- the time between the day you were born and the day you died. This story hit me like a ton of bricks. How do you want to spend your dash, what will your dash say about you? Will your dash be a reflection of negativity, complaining, filled with "should have's" or will it be comprised of caring and giving to others, joy, taking time for family and friends, living positively. The dash symbolizes your life. Not the born date or the day you die. The dash is what people will remember and what is the most accurate reflection of who you are. So with that- here's to honoring my Aunt Alice and making the most of my dash!

Auntie Loy, Aunt Alice and my mom- the 3 sisters!

Fun around the house

Hours of entertainment for his new toy.

Peek a boo- I see you upside down.