Happy 4th!

We got to enjoy three different firework displays on the beach for the 4th of July.  Whitney loved them, but covered her ears the whole time.  And sweet Lindsey, well, she was sacked out back at the condo...next year.

Heading out to dinner at Surf, our little patriots

Watching the fireworks with Mr. Matt and some cookies

Headin' to the Beach

Last week we took our first family vacation to Amelia Island, FL.  In addition to our family of four, some of our friends went too, the Hendersons, Pognants, Jenkins (and all of Andrea's family), and our roomies, the Mocks.  This also marked the first at length car ride for our girls, not to mention a first visit to the ocean.  The girls really did great in the car.  I think we expected the worst, so when it really wasn't that bad, we were pleasantly surprised.  Both girls loved the ocean.  Lindsey knew no fear and would just run into it full steam ahead.  Whitney liked it too, but was a little more cautious in her wise, older years.  Along with just hanging out on the beach, we visited Ft. Clinch, Little Talbot Island, celebrated Ben's 30th birthday, watched fireworks on the beach, Ben went deep sea fishing, and we enjoyed lots of good food and company.  I love making some memories!

At Ft. Clinch, we had time to kill before we could get into our condo.  Ben and Barry were lovin' it...

Daddy and Lindsey

Katie Beth, Will and Whitney sitting in a cannon

After Ft. Clinch we tried to get into our condo early.  That was a no go, so all eight of us headed to the grocery store...then we hung out in front of the grocery store to kill some more time...

Finally we made it down to the water on day 1

Swim Lessons

Whitney is taking swimming lessons this week at Swim Atlanta.  There are only three little munchkins in her class so I appreciate the more one-on-one time.  She really likes it and she has done well considering she had only gone under the water a couple times before starting this week.  She's still a little timid and really thinks things over before jumping into "Mr. James" (her teacher) or going under to get a ring with Mr. James.  We are heading to the beach tomorrow, so I'm hoping she'll get lots of practice this coming week and keep growing confidence.

7 Years

My sweet hubby and I were married 7 years yesterday.  It's just amazing how fast time goes.  7 years is a long time, yet it doesn't seem like it's been that long.  I'm so grateful that I am sharing life with this wonderful man.  He is super duper!

Heading out to a movie and dinner

Dinner at Ray's on the River...Outstanding!

Daddy's Day

It was a fairly low key day for our Father's Day.  We went to church, out to lunch at Panda Express (Ben's choice), family naptime, a couple hours at the pool, then a brownie sundae (Ben's request).  I was going to cook one of his favorite meals (peppercorn filet with an orange marmalade sauce), but we got a request to show our house at the last minute so the dinner was postponed until last night instead.  We all had a great day together to celebrate the best daddy ever.  I'm so grateful he is the father of our children.  Love you Mr. Steady!

His gift, some sort of spectacular "cinch" for transporting his dirt bike

Whitney walking through the waterfall, she wouldn't do this last year

Lindsey getting close, but not too close

Daddy and his baby girls

Precious

Cool shades.  Whitney wore these same glasses too.  So cute.

Lindsey Found a Nose

Her own nose, that is...and not for picking...yet.  She just knows where to point when we ask her where her nose is.  Love it!  We're working on finding her mouth next...

The New Meadowlands Stadium

The team had an open practice at the new stadium last week and they did a tour for family so that we knew where to park, drop off the kiddos and how to get to our seats on game day.  All very helpful information.  Then we got to eat lunch and watch practice from the "Jets Lounge" i.e. a very swanky place to entertain high rollers on game day.  :)  I took Whitney with me, little Lindsey stayed behind with a sitter, so me and the big girl had a fun day together.

 Whitney standing in a locker.  When she saw the green carpet throughout the locker room she said "Mommy, this carpet is beautiful!"  Funny the things she notices.

This the the tunnel the team will run out of and Ben's "office" most Sundays in the fall.

Whitney on the field

The poor hubbsters (with his hands up his jersey)...watching practice...crazy hamstring.  He had just had his first round of accupuncture.  80 needles...yuk!

Than's Graduation

Ben's brother, Than, graduated from Northwestern's Kellogg School in the Exectutive MBA program on Saturday.  This is a great accomplishment for Than and his family.  He has been travelling every other weekend for the last two years leaving his wife and two kids behind.  But now its all over!  Great job Than!  And Jennifer, too for being super mom and super wife during a not so easy time!  It also gave us a chance to get all the little cousins together for a short time.  Super duper fun to see the big girls together!

The graduate himself

Lindsey entertaining herself

Whitney and Ava

Everyone together (minus CJ), a rare occasion

All the cousins

Whitney (3), Lindsey (14 mo), Ava (3 1/2), Andrew (1)

OHIO

We went back to Ohio over the weekend for Ben's annual football camp.  The girls had fun running around from place to place, all the grandparents, swimming, the camp and visiting uncle Rande and aunt Meghan's.  The camp was a huge success with over 200 kids this year!

Daddy and Lindsey catching some zzz's on the plane

Lindsey dipping in the pool for the first time

Silly goose

Cookout at Rande and Meghan's on our way to the airport

Lindsey's first, and second, piece of corn on the cob

Do you think she likes it?

Playing with uncle Rande and an airplane

Pics from the camp

A Good Day to Fly a Kite

Well, maybe not so much, but we tried.  And Whitney got some great excercise...and took a great nap!