Destin 2009

This year's beach trip was so much fun!! We had over 40 family members at the beach with us, so you can imagine there was never a dull moment! We decided to leave at 4:00 AM, so the kids would sleep all the way to the beach. WRONG!! Taylor and Marjorie Ann went back to sleep when they got in the car, and slept until about 5:45. Bella stayed awake the entire way!!! We were safely in Destin at 8:00, and headed to the Donut Hole for a yummy breakfast. The Schwab family joined us for breakfast. We played on the beach all day on Saturday, and were looking forward to lasagna night in Susan and Gary's room later.

The first night we get to the beach is the traditional lasagna night. Susan makes delicious lasagna, so we always look forward to this low-key night. Thanks Susan! We were all exhausted from the drive, so we ate some lasagna took a few pictures and headed back to the room for some much needed sleep!! This was a very exciting year for my family at the beach! We had a 3 bedroom place this year!! YAY!! So, everyone had a place to sleep comfortably and even room for spend the night company for Taylor!

We had the most beautiful weather at the beach!! The high's were only in the low 80's each day. Marjorie Ann was at the perfect age for the beach. She was so good, and hardly ever cried! She would take her nap everyday on the beach. Bella on the other hand was crazy!! I thought she would be scared, and just touch her little toes in the water. NO! She was running full speed in the water going under the waves loving it! She had to wear her float at all times on the beach, because we never knew when she would dart in the ocean. I felt like I didn't really see Taylor that much at the beach. He was always playing with his cousins, Alec, Nate, Ben and Max. Taylor enjoyed digging in the sand, snorkeling and building pools for Bella!

On Sunday night we went out to eat at "The Lighthouse" to celebrate Nana T's 78th birthday!! Happy Birthday NANA T! We love you!! Every year Papa T treats all 40 of us to this special dinner to celebrate his wife!! Thanks PAPA T for the yummy dinner. As soon as we got to the restaurant, Bella is running on the concrete and falls :( She gets a huge goose egg on her head and a large scratch down her nose. Poor Girl! Always trying to keep up with the boys! We headed home after dinner. Later that night Tanner, Eric & Lauren decided to catch a late night movie, Inglorious Basterds (a typical Tarantino dialogue hog, but amazing at the same time - Tanner). I thought sleep sounded better, so I skipped out on the movie (your loss, Nicki - Tanner).

On Monday night, we decided to go out and celebrate my birthday. We went shopping at the outlet malls then headed to Harbor Walk. We went to Pat O'Briens for a drink and appetizer. After Pat O'Briens, we headed to AJ's where Lauren and I showed off some dance moves :) You will not be seeing any pics of the wonderful dance moves!

Tuesday was my 28th birthday!! We had a fun day playing on the beach and relaxing. Later, Lauren took me out for a birthday dinner at Dewey Destin's which has the best fried shrimp ever! The birds loved it too!! Dewey Destin's is a little shack on the bay with a really good view. Lauren and I kept hearing a splash in the water, so we decided to get up for half a second to go see what was in the water. In the mean time, a bird flew on to our table and ate one of Lauren's shrimp off of her plate! It was really funny! Luckily, there was still enough left for Lauren, too! We were very sad that Lauren and Eric had to leave the beach on Tuesday!

On Wednesday Jillian came to the beach!! We were so excited that she got to come from Auburn to enjoy the beach with us! It was nice getting to spend some time with Jillian and catch up on all of her boy news. The kids were very excited to see Aunt J! We played Bingo that night, and Taylor even won two games!! He is so lucky!! I have never won at BINGO! After Bingo, Papa Moe treated us to Merlin's pizza by the pool.

After Pizza, we headed to the beach for a photo shoot! Above are some of my favorite pictures!

Thursday was the only day of rain! I always love a rainy lazy day at the beach. We did some shopping at Destin Commons where Tanner bought me a new pair of BKE jeans from Buckle. Thanks Tanner!! We had lunch at the Back Porch then walked down to the beach to see the big waves before it started raining again! It was so windy, as you can tell from my hair. Marjorie Ann fell asleep, Taylor played in the waves and Bella cried!

On Thursday night, we went back to eat at Dewey Destin's with the entire family. It was really windy and cold. After dinner, we headed to Baytown Wharf to listen to some music and go to the candy store. The kids had a blast!

Then, it was Friday!! Time to leave :( We had such a great time, but time to get back home! We went to The Track for some go-karts and rides. We couldn't leave the beach without a visit to the The Track. We left around 8:00 and got home about midnight! What a fun trip!!

Taylor "works hard for his money, so hard for his money!"

Taylor has started getting a $10 a week allowance. This is an example of how we used to do things: Taylor, you have been good all week and did your chores, so we will take you to pick out a toy. We get to Walmart and he wants a $30 toy. No, honey, that is not a toy you would get just for doing your chores for a week. You need to pick something that costs a little less. How much? How much? This has gone on for a while so we decided to try a new way! Here is the new way: Taylor, here is your $10 allowance. You can either choose to save it for something big or spend it. The other day, he wanted to go spend some of his money. He grabbed his wallet, and we headed to Walmart. He had $27 in his wallet. We walked up and down the aisle, and asked how much everything was...because it is DIFFERENT spending your own money. He finally decided on some Bakugan cards that were regular price $8 on sale for $1. What a bargain!! Then, he told Bella he would buy her something for $2 or $3 bucks. Bella picked some Go, Diego, Go birthday invitations. Her reasons for picking this item are unknown, a mystery never to be solved. That was so sweet of Taylor to get something for his sissy! He took these cards on the bus this morning and all of the "graders" (anyone not in kindergarten) thought he was really cool! Taylor's chores include: feeding Cota, making bed, getting dressed and keeping his playroom clean.

Marjorie Ann's 6 month check-up

Today Bella and I took Marjorie Ann to her 6 month old well baby check up. I can't believe 6 months have already come and gone since this sweet little girl was born. She is really starting to get a little personality. I love her so much, and could not imagine my life without her! She is such a little chubby blessing!

Here are some things that Marjorie Ann loves doing:

Eating her hand

Sucking on my chin

Rolling around on the floor

Pulling my hair

Sucking her thumb

playing in her jumparoo

6 MONTH STATS

Weight: 17 pounds 10 oz. (80th percentile)

Height: 27 1/4 inches (95th percentile)

Head Circumference: 17 inches (75th percentile)

As you can see from the picture Bella was very worried about MA! She had to get three shots today in those chubby little thighs. The doctor though she had a good set of lungs on her. MA does not cry much, but when she does it is ear piercing!! It is a circus taking two little ones to the Dr. The appointment was at 10:30, then we got called back at 11:00 and finally left at 12:00. Bella was a good girl at the doctor! She ate cheez-its, cookies and watch GO Diego GO! We had been couped up in that little room for an hour, so for about the last 15 minutes Bella kept saying, "let me out momma, let me out!"

Today after Taylor got home from school I HAD to go run errands. I hate taking all three of the kids, but sometimes you don't have a choice. We went to Publix, Walmart and CVS. We left the house at 4:00 and did not get home until 6:30. It is so funny what random people say to you when you have three kids with you. I mean come on it is not like I have 5 kids! As soon as I got out of the car at Publix (MA in the baby bjorn, holding Bella, holding taylors hand) the sweet old bag man was like can I help you inside. Then this other man in the parking lot said he had four that were all in college, and to call him when I had my fourth. I was thinking I dont think so buddy, we had that taken care of! Then probably 4 people said, "you sure do have your hands full!" Ha, just thought it was kinda funny! Then at CVS they had Dr. Pepper's on sale, and if you know my husband you have to stock up on those when you can! Imagine this, a baby in a heavy car seat, a crazy two year old, a somewhat tame 5 year old and eight 12 packs of drinks!! Near to impossible to get all of that in the car, much less to the cash register. When I was trying to check out I heard the people behind me laughing so I looked down at MA, and Taylor had her car seat almost tumped over!! Luckily she was laughing not screaming!! Oh, I am tired just blogging about this day! BYE!

Taylor's First "Real" Weekend

This weekend was Taylor's first true weekend. What do I mean by this? Well, no one truly appreciates Friday to Sunday until you have something to do Monday to Thursday. I mean, come on, Nichole doesn't know what a weekend is any more. To her, the weekend = Tanner is home to help, there is no other differentiation between the weekdays. So Taylor now has gained one of the greatest understandings in life, equivalent in importance to the Big Bang, the meaning of life, true love and the genius that is True Blood.

So to celebrate, we did a lot of nothing. Friday night was a quiet night at the house. Don't be fooled, a quiet night at the house is the greatest thing I could ask for. Saturday began at 7AM, now that Taylor wakes up early for school, he hasn't yet grasped the concept of sleeping late on Saturdays. Working on that one... But the girls do understand that concept, re. Nichole, Bella and Mae sleeping until 9AM. We then all packed up and went to the pool, which was wonderfully isolated, for a little sun before the beach in a week. The pool was followed by a trip to Eric and Lauren's for a short visit (highlighted by Bella's belly roll dance and Taylor finding a way to beat level one of GI Joe on the 360). Then home for a nap and some outside play. The weather was surprisingly pleasant for mid-August.

Sunday is a day of rest, right? No, Sunday is a hectic to rush to prepare three unwilling children for church in less than an hour. But it is always fun to take on a challenge, especially one that repeats itself every week. You would think it would get easier, but it actually gets harder, as the kids find new and annoying ways to purposely destroy any plan their parents may have to make things run smoothly. Church went well, Bella made it through Sunday school again, although I am still heartbroken every time I hand her to the unqualified, yet caring and selfless, babysitters. I picked her up after church and found her sitting quietly at a table, alone, talking to herself. My Bella only needs herself. Then after church, Nana and Papa took us out to lunch at Taziki's, which was nice and as pleasant as it could be, thanks to Nana and Papa. Then naps, Tiger blows his first 54-hole lead in 14 majors, and my fantasy baseball team blew. Now it is Sunday night, and the weekend has ended as quickly as it started. Looking forward to a new week of school for Taylor, work for me, and relaxing and good times for the girls (just kidding, Nichole, I know you work hard).

Hope everyone enjoyed your weekend as much as I did. Oh, and if you didn't catch the opening to the EPL (English Premier League) season, you missed out. Chelsea v Hull City on ESPN2 in HD on Saturday morning, Man United v Birmingham on Setanta on Sunday morning... What more could a 29-year old father of 3 with a wonderful, beautiful wife and a great family surrounding me ask for? Maybe one more day of this weekend.

Taylor starts Kindergarten!

I can't believe that Taylor is starting Kindergarten. He is so ready for this journey in his life, but I am not. It has been so much fun getting to spend all summer hanging out with my little buddy, but now it is time to begin a new chapter in his life. No more sleeping until 8:30! No more swimming all day! No more Mcwane center, jump zones , and no more being on my time! I am handing over my precious child for a full 8 hour day without me. I hope we have done our job as parents preparing him for this journey. We have been praying for kind hearted friends at school, and a patient teacher for the past few nights.

So, the night before school we had everything ready! Clothes laid out, snack packed and alarm set! He was so excited about getting up and getting on the bus, which I am not thrilled about!!

This little ginger bread man that we had to pin to his shirt was a lifesaver. Most of the kids can't read at this age, so you wonder how they are going to get to class. His class color is red, so he just had to walk down the hall and find the door with a red ginger bread man. Oh, and notice the five digit number at the bottom of his foot. Yes, he has to memorize this number and punch it in a key pad when he goes through the lunch line! Scary huh??

Marjorie Ann was so sad to tell her bubbie bye! Bella was sad too! Bella is going to be a little bit bored not having the constant entertainment of Taylor. There will be no pictures of Bella because she will be sleeping through the morning school routine. Bella learned to say that bubbie is at school, which she repeated all day long!!

Taylor looked so cute all dressed up for school with his little bag. All of the kids carry this same bag so they are recognized for being in kindergarten. You could just see the excitement in his eyes! I did not sleep all night long! I was so worried we would sleep through school. I woke Taylor up at 6:30 to the smell of blueberry muffins. He jumped right out of bed, and was ready to catch the bus!! The bus was suppose to come at 7:31 per the school, but low and behold at 7:14 we see the bus coming down the street. We grabbed his bag ran outside, and he hopped on the bus. He walked all the way to the back of the bus then sat in a seat all alone! He looked out the window and had the biggest smile on his face, and was waving to me. That is when the tears started flowing!! I cried for most of the day!! Tanner missed everything! He was upstairs getting ready when we had to dart out of the door! The girls and I went to the pool to try and pass the day.

Yay!! At 3:18 Taylor made it home! I was so excited to see him, but careful not to hug him at the bus stop because that is embarrassing!! He had so much to tell me about his day. He was so tired of me asking questions about school, but I wanted to know every detail. I learned that the the lunchroom pizza is gross! PE was really hard!! Rest time was boring, and the bus is really hot!! One day down only 167 more to go. UGH! I am really proud of Taylor for completing his first day of Kindergarten!!

P.S. I am going to try and start blogging more now that I have some free time in the morning!

Marjorie Ann's 4 week check up

I can't believe that my little baby girl is already one month old! We went for her check up this week, and she weighs 9lbs. 3oz. She is getting so big! Poor baby had to get one shot which she was very dramatic about. She cried almost the entire car ride home. It seems to me I have drama queen #2 on my hands :) I thought that she might have a touch of reflux because she spits up all of the time, so the doctor put her on zantac. I gave it to her once,and she did not seem to like it. It smells really strong like peppermint so I think she did not like the taste. We invested in a wedge for her to sleep on, and it has been an answer to my prayers. She is sleeping so much better. I think the hardest month is over so it should all start getting easier soon!

The Bush Babies First Snow

This was the first time that Taylor and Bella got to see snow, and actually have enough to play in. The snow was so pretty! Tanner and Taylor played in the snow all morning while the girls were sleeping, but as soon as Bella saw them outside we started getting her bundled up to go outside.

I have to say that I am so happy we do not live somewhere that it is snowing all of the time! I could not handle having to get everyone dressed in multiple layers just to walk outside! Bella wanted to wear her hat and tights to play in the snow.

Taylor had the best time playing in the snow! He loved having snowball fights with Tanner and Kyler.

Kyler and Felicia came over to play with the kids. Bella loved to eat the snow. She thought it was ice, which is one of her favorite things to say right now. Marjorie Ann and I enjoyed staying warm inside while everyone else played outside!

What has been going on lately...

We have been having so much fun being able to get out of the house. It has been quite cold, so we have been keeping her all bundled up.

Marjorie Ann went out with the family to celebrate Kyler's 22nd birthday. You can see her stroller next to the table. She did not make a peep the whole time we were at dinner. She was perfect!

We have been spending at least one day a week getting together to watch the Missouri games! Mizzou has been winning, so I am guessing we will have a few more times to hang out and watch the games together. The guys enjoy watching the games, and Marjorie Ann has been getting lots of love from her wonderful aunts!