Pool

The pool finally opened full time Memorial day weekend. The kids were so excited to go and Chuck was even able to go with us Memorial day. Our gym really has the best kiddie pool. Some of our friends belong too so it's a great play date location. With the near 100 degree weather it's the only way to enjoy the outdoors.

Carter armed with a squirt gun and riding the alligator
He was protecting all of us from the bad guys

Audrey was excited to find a Dori toy

We grilled dinner Memorial day. The kids are always wanting to help with things. They did a really good job peeling the corn. They even picked up the mess and threw it away.

Chuck's b-day

Chuck was post-call for his b-day. He was very tired but at least he was home with us. We went out to lunch then played outside in the hot weather.

The kids always love playing with bubbles when we're outside

It was so hot even Sasha had to get in the pool to stay cool. The kids would splash the water at her and she would try and catch it. It was so funny to watch.
The kids helped Daddy blow out his candles. I made him his usual lemon dessert he always has on his b-day.
Chuck ended up having a Packer themed b-day getting a lot of new gear. The kids had to try on his jersey.Thinking it's so silly

Big kid changes

Audrey just keeps getting to be a big girl on us. She is now potty trained and has been dry and accident free for a week now! I don't have to check on her. She just goes on her own and even does great when we're out. When we're running errands she'll tell me when she needs to go and doesn't think anything of it to go on the big public toilets. As much as I fight her on it, she is also trying to get rid of her afternoon nap. But there are days that she really needs it and goes down no problem.

She is little miss independent and never wants help with anything. As a result she skinned her knees for the first time the other day. It was quite dramatic but thank goodness for princess band aides and their magical healing powers.

Carter has graduated from his bed rails. He is so proud of it too. :) It's a good thing because we are getting ready to put Audrey in a big girl bed and won't have to buy a second set. He's only fallen out of bed once but doesn't remember it. We check on him before going to bed and this is how we found him the other night. He looked so cute cuddling with Iron Man.

Jedi shuttle

Carter had been saving all the money he received from people to buy something special. So with his own money and a gift card he was able to buy this lego jedi shuttle set. When we got to the store he went straight to the lego section and took his time to pick out the best one. He even wanted to check out separately and pay the cashier himself. He looked like such a big boy waiting to check out with his Iron Man wallet in hand.

It took us quite some time to put it all together. He did a really good job following the directions and did a good bit of it himself. Look how excited he is in this picture. So cute!

He picked this one because the wings spin around and 4 characters with light sabers came with it. He has played with it every day.

Then there's little miss...Her idea of getting dressed is to put on princess undies, a tutu, her plastic princess heels and a bracelet. She truly thought she was ready to go bye-bye like this (including the chocolate all over her face). She makes me laugh every day.
Sasha is an indoor dog during the summer. You can always find her lying on top of an air vent. This morning she had no interest in going outside so the kids saw it as an opportunity to cuddle and use her as a pillow. She's so good with them.

Few more beach pics

Here's a couple more pics from the beach. For those of you that can't get enough (Angela) you can see all 211 of them here. You can also click here to see some Ashley took.

Carter is so much fun to watch at the beach. He truly loves it there and can't get enough of the water & sand.

Audrey loved rinsing off at the outdoor shower. There are two of them next to each other and she would have to use both before heading inside.

Another attempt at a timed picture

I love this picture of the two of them

The Spanns came over another morning and we had a lot of fun. The guys enjoyed margaritas on the beach. The kiddos had fla-vor-ice while watching the guys run along the beach trying to fly a kite. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of that. I love this pic of Brooklyn striking a pose I caught.

One last try at a family pic.

Carter officially turns five

While we were in Destin Carter officially turned 5. We've been celebrating his birthday for a month now with packages arriving since Audrey's birthday and we already had their party. We still had to celebrate on his actual birthday. He was excited too. The first thing he would tell us every morning was how many more days till his birthday.

Chuck and Carter were up before Audrey and I were so Chuck took him to the Donut Hole to pick out a donut and bring some back for the rest of us. Not only do they make good donuts there but they also make the best key lime pie we have ever had. So it's another one of our must hits in Destin. Carter picked his favorite, chocolate frosting & sprinkles and Chuck got his, key lime filled.

After dinner we sang happy birthday to him. I brought his darth vader candle and birthday hat along and we him an oreo frozen custard cake from Shakes. It was as good as it sounds!

Audrey had to take a turn blowing out the candle :)

Carter opening all of his star wars presents from us. I think the look on his face says it all.

Like I said, the cake was delicious! The kids devoured it!

Destin, FL

Last week was Chuck's last week of vacation for this year. We decided to spend the week at our favorite beach, Destin, FL. We were so ready for it especially, because all four of us were sick the entire week leading up to vacation. It was an amazing time as always. We had beautiful weather everyday and the kids love it there as much as we do. Here are some pics with more to come...

A family pic taken on the dock at the original Dewey Destin. The best seafood place in Destin! There is now a second location on the harbor. We of course ate at both locations :)

Team work digging a hole

Carter doing what he called his water dance

The kids kept sitting on the ropes outside our condo

Carter always has to get buried

We were fortunate to have the Spann family there the same week! The guys went golfing one morning so Ashley and Brooklyn came over to play on the beach with us. Another afternoon Ashley and I got to go get pedicures. It was so much fun having friends there to hang out and go to dinner with. Carter was so good with Brooklyn. He even got protective of her when the waves would wash up. So cute!

Audrey laughing at the waves