Easter on the Beach

Whoever says taking family pictures on the beach is the best has never taken pictures on the beach. Both times we've traveled to Charleston with Anna I have the best intentions of getting that perfect family photo on the beach, and it hasn't failed, both times, my hair is whipping in Anna's face covering my own, Anna's eyes are squinted from sand blowing and pelting her, my dress is flipping up revealing my unmentionables, and Travis is shouting above the wind trying to get both Anna and me to look at the camera at the same time. Phew! Just give me a park with a blooming flower bush and let's call it a day. Thankfully with the 50 plus photos Travis took we were able to snag a few good ones. 

                   

 

Less wind (and less smiles) came later at church while celebrating Jesus' resurrection.

           

How has the whole family photo sesh on the beach panned out for you? I'd love to hear stories!

First Road Trip

How does one pack for a 5 week old for one night?

Gather a box of 20 diapers, 2 packages of wipes, 10 bibs, and 5 burp cloths. Pack 4 days worth of clothes according to two different seasons (end of summer, beginning of fall), disassemble the bassinet, make sure you have the stroller and carrier (for options), and you should be good to go!

Check, check, check, check, and oh shoot, I forgot her pants!

Poor Anna had to go pantless on her first road trip. And the Parent of the Year Award goes to: Moi. As I was packing it was still in the 80s and this girl gets super hot, so she usually struts around in her short or long sleeve onesies sans pants all day. Of course it had to be in the low 70s and windy the weekend we decided to travel to Charleston, but at least it made for a funny long running joke and thank Heaven for tall cozy socks!

Her first weekend away from home was a success. We had no major catastrophes, Anna slept through the night (except to eat), and she enjoyed cuddle time and kisses from Uncle Dave and Aunt Kristen. We visited the beach for a bit and put baby tootsies in the sand. You could say this little lady is like her Mama and will one day be a beach bum. She took in the scenery and enjoyed feeling the wind blow through her hair--and let me tell you, the wind was brutal!

I wish we could've stayed longer but this was great practice for when we visit Uncle Troy and Aunt Carly for Thanksgiving in California for a week! There will be a lot more packing for that so I'm starting the list today and first on the list: PANTS!

I can't get enough of these tootsies!

With the wind at her back she hasn't a care in the world! 

Photo Sesh with Daddy! Ohh I could eat her up, I love her so!

I'm pretty sure if I had let go Anna would've blown away!

Any other fun first road trip stories out there? 

A Graduation in Chuck Town

This past weekend in Charleston was UH-MAZING!!! Not only did we get to spend a little R&R on the beach the last day, we got to celebrate with great friends the graduation of Alexis Evans, who by the way Travis used to babysit (yes, I said babysit) when he was in middle school! We spent the weekend in a beach house on the Isle of Palms, taking morning walks next to the waves, the afternoons on the roof or by the pool, and eating nothing but delicious junk (Juice Drop really loved me for that!)

I could do this everyday!

Travis trying not to burn his face and catching some zzzz's

The first two days were kind of cloudy. We were hoping for some sun to poke
through especially when the weather channel said UV of 9...yeah, right!

Abby and me with the Graduation Girl, Alexis, in the middle

sillies

Red sky at night sailor's delight :)

Our humble weekend abode 

We couldn't help but take pictures of Juice Drop! She's already missing the beach :)

Oh, Chuck Town, you have a big piece of my heart!

Life's a Beach

Making this little diddy last week really got me excited about heading to Charleston on a regular basis this spring and summer! I love warm weather and soaking up the sun. I wonder how it's going to work out with a baby the size of a soccer ball in my belly? That'll be a sight to see, eh?...especially in the heat of the summer! I love this bag so much I'm going to have to make one of my own. I made the one below for a friend--we go way back, all the way to 6th grade, we'd have slumber parties and listen to *NSYNC like crazy! If you feel so inclined to make one yourself I found this wonderful tutorial at Elle Apparel or let me know and I'll be happy to whip you one up just in time for a trip to the beach or pool!

Happy Weekend!

Kayaking with the Dolphins

Yep, you read the title right, we kayaked with dolphins in the Shem Creek of Charleston!

Mama and baby :)

They got so close to us that we could reach out and touch them,
one had to maneuver his body so he wouldn't hit the front of my kayak!

"It's not everyday you see a dolphin! Enjoy it while it lasts!"
in the words of our fellow dolphin watcher, Konrad with a "K"

Thank you, Dave and Kristen, for an AMAZING Day!