Spatula lickin' good!

Everyone loves to lick the spoon right? Jackson got his first spoon (actually it was a spatula) lickin' experience a few days ago. Sure, he has had a few licks here and there before. But this time the bowl and spatula were all his! I made a key lime pie for our 4th of July cookout and he LOVED every bit of the bowl remnants. He was so funny. And messy! I am sure there will be many more years of spoon licking in his future!


We had some people over on Saturday for a 4th of July cookout. It was a hot day, but the kiddos had a blast in the water! And thanks to Michelle and Chuck for bringing Ladderball (among other things...). It was a HUGE hit with the kids! So funny to watch them carry the balls around and wrap them around the goals.

Don't they make a cute couple?

Better get back to work packing for our trip to the Cape. We will fill you all in on our trip when we return.

Big Shoes to Fill...

Jackson has definitely entered his "dressing up" phase! The boy can't pass by a pair of shoes without trying them on and parading around the house in them. Well, attempting to parade. Some are easier to walk in than others. He has taken quite a liking to wearing hats too. He looks so cute in them also. And since Mere-Mere has been visiting for awhile now, he has alot more shoes and hats to try out. Let's just hope he doesn't grow up to have a shoe fetish like his mommy!

Trying out Mere-Mere's flower shoes!

Like my hat?!

Peek-a-boo!

Always wearing Daddy's hat!

Ready for the Coast Guard!

Serious look, deep in thought!

Now for Daddy's boots!

Trying to walk!

These are heavy!

Help!

Things are as busy as usual around here. Jackson will be 21 months old on Saturday. He is talking up a storm these days and is a non stop chatterbox. He has finally added the word "the" to his vocabulary and now makes complete sentences of five plus words most of the time. It is really amazing to carry on a conversation with him and hear the things he comes up with! So silly! He is still obsessed with balls and cars and now trains! We bought a train table and some trains from the Storch family (thank goodness once again for the Storches!). Now Jackson loves to play choo-choos and cars on the table. Such a boy! Next week we head out for a week on the Cape for Joe's __th highschool reunion. I will let you fill in the blank! We are excited to get back to the Cape again in the summertime. Seems like we have only been there in the winter lately. We are looking forward to seeing all the family and lots of friends. Not looking forward to the looonnnggg drive though. Thank goodness Mere-Mere will be with us also so we will have an extra person to help keep Jackson entertained.

I guess that is all for now. Oh--I will leave you with a picture of my "new eyes"! It is truly amazing that I can now see perfectly for the first time in 25 plus years without contacts or glasses! Lasik rocks! The surgery was fast (20 minutes) and painless. Just lots of pressure during it and lots of redness after. But I could see perfectly right away! I love it! No more four eyes for me.

Looking much better!

Happy 4th of July!

I'm walking...

Some of you may remember this little song and dance... Mere-Mere's and Jackson's favorite song. Well, Mere-Mere is visiting again and this time she brought a great surprise for Jackson. Those two have been "Walkin' to New Orleans" all over the place. Jackson has already packed his suitcase with his clothes, Blue, and Cookie, in preparation for his trip to Mere-Mere's house.

I love my new "Mon-tee" suitcase!

Cheesy grin!

I love my Mere-Mere!

Sweet boy in his hat

I love this picture. Too bad it is blurry.

And someone's love of photography is starting to rub off on Jackson.

Say Cheese!

Ready for your close-up!

One more time!

At the car wash...

Friday night, Joe headed out to wash his car. It was a really nice evening and Jackson and I went out to play. Jackson decided that Daddy needed some "help" scrubbing the grim and dirt off his car. Teach them while they are young. He will be doing my car in no time at all! Bring on the weekly chores!!

Getting the sponge all soaped up!

Scrub, scrub, scrub...

Need more bubbles!

Missed a spot!

Bubbles!

What a mess!

Time to rinse...

Water!

All done!

Happy Father's Day!

I know it is a little late...but Happy Father's Day!
To my wonderful husband you are the best Daddy in the world! I couldn't ask for a better person to share my life and little one with. You are so patient and giving with Jackson. I can't wait to see you and Jackson together in the years to come. Playing ball together, wrestling, fishing, and whatever else may come. Thank you, honey, for loving Jackson and I, and being the Best Daddy in the World!



For Father's Day Weekend, we headed down to SC to see Joe's Dad for a few days. It was nice to see him. And he definitely thought Jackson had changed since he had last seen him. I think the last time we saw Grandpa Joe, Jackson was only 8 months old. I'd say he has changed!! We had a really nice (but quick) visit. And it was made even more special be being able to spend Father's Day with him.





And a Happy (Belated) Father's Day to my Dad too! We love you and miss you Bimpy!

Playtime!

Check out my new tent! I think my school house rocks! I have had so much fun playing in it so far. Thank to my good friends Jake and Megan for passing it on to me. (Along with lots of other fun toys!). I am so lucky to have friends who are so giving of their stuff. And now...school is in session!

Back to the Real World!

Yep, we are back home. We are just taking it easy today trying to get back into the swing of things with life as usual at our house. We had a fabulous sun filled week at the beach. Thank goodness the weather was much cooler this year. And there were no smokey days or biting flies! And only two days that it rained late in the day. It took a few days for Jackson to get used to the beach, but I am blaming that on teething and the 102 temperature he had. He finally warmed up to the sand and even fell in love with the wading pool in the community. I have tons of pictures to download but I won't bore you with them all.

Day 1: Morning at the beach. Afternoon hanging out in the neighborhood. We had a house on a very quiet cul-de-sac so the kids had lots of room to roam.

And they are off!

Taking time to smell the flowers.
There were gorgeous hydrangeas every where in our neighborhood.

Jackson and Alec running like crazy!

Still running... in circles!

Heading back to get the wagons for a ride!

I love my little man!

Here we go!

Ali wanted to pull Alec the whole time!

Jackson wanted to push Ali. The wind in their hair cracks me up!

Still pushing...

Alec's turn to pull.

Day 2: Jackson was having a VERY hard day. He had a high fever the night before and was just beat. So we (Jackson and I) headed back to E City to see our friend Janice and finally meet her daughter Anna. It was a fun few hours spent at Laurie's house. It was so good to see her again.

All the kiddos: Jackson, Piper, Megan, and Anna

The Ladies!

Day 3: Back to the beach. We had a great morning with lots of playing in the sand and water. After everyone had a great nap, we headed to a local park to wear the kiddos out some more.

Going down the big (and steep) slide at the park!

Ava's turn!

The Twins' turn!

Practicing his rock climbing. Must take after his Uncle Michael!

Almost to the top!

Climbing again!

So fun!

Made it to the top!

Heading the the boardwalk to check out the view of the sound.

"Come on Jack Jack!"

Almost to the water...

Getting ready to throw rocks...

There it goes!
Jackson had rocks in his hands the entire week.
The boy LOVES his rocks!

A big Osprey in it's nest.

Day 4: Beach in the morning, pool in the afternoon. The kids had a great time in the wading pool going in and out and walking all over the place. Mr. Mac was teaching them all how to blow bubbles!

Playing in the sand.

Looking out at the water.
Think he has changed a bit since last summer?

Getting boogie board lessons from Daddy.

Ready to hit the water!

Daddy dug a big hole and I got inside!
Who knew a big hole would be so fun?

Silly boy!

Climbing out!

Ali's turn! Jackson helped "fill in" the hole!

Still trying to fill that hole!

Ava's turn for a lesson

Heading back home for lunch and naps!
Jackson drug his rake and hoe the whole way home.

Day 5: Beach again! (sense a pattern!) and pool in the afternoon. HOT HOT HOT Day!! The pool was packed. We didn't last as long as the day before. Too crowded and too hot!

Day 6: Last morning at the Beach (sniff, sniff.) Afternoon thunderstorms kept us inside.

Our crazy "beach caravan". Imagine six mornings of this!

The one casualty of the week. A bird met it's match with one of
the house windows. Poor birdie!

What a great week. Until next year! Thanks OBX for a wonderful vacation!!