Four generations!

I celebrated a wonderful Mother's Day with my family. I woke up first thing to Annalyse getting into bed with us saying "Happy Mother's Day mommy". I think that is the first time she's ever said that completely on her own without Nathan prompting her. She's growing up. I see it in little things like how she likes to hang out in her bed longer after she wakes up than before because "it's just sooo comfortable". Anyway, so back to Mother's Day. Nathan made me blueberry muffins and a bowl of cereal (it's what I asked for) for breakfast. Then the girls wanted to give me my gifts. They had brought home some flowers that each of them picked out the day before and they were so pretty. Nathan said they wanted to make me a cake for Mother's Day. I'm sure that was totally with a giving spirit, not because they love cake and would use ANY excuse to have some! :) They had made it on Saturday while I was gone for a few house. Apparently it was a comedy of errors according to Nathan. It fell apart multiple times and they "icinged" it back together. Well, it didn't slow me down for a second (surprise, surprise!). It was precious. They made it in the shape of a heart. Obviously we got into it for breakfast before I thought to take a picture. Nothing better than having cake for breakfast on Mother's Day! They gave me a precious card, a note pad, and candle that they picked out all by themselves. It was all just so perfect.

Annalyse and I went to church and Nathan stayed with Lucy and Charlotte because they had colds. I am a small group leader in Annalyse's 3, 4, and 5 year old class so we are in there together and then she goes with me to "big church" afterwards. She does very well for her age and sits there pretty quiet the whole time. Then we came home and Mom, Grandma, and Ppaw came over and Nathan grilled out for us for lunch. We had a great lunch together and enjoyed visiting with each other. All the girls got together for a girls picture. It's pretty cool to have all four generations in that picture. Of course, there wasn't one that everyone was looking at the camera at the same time but I think it's pretty cute.

Me and my girls!

Afterwards, Mom, Grandma, and Ppaw went home and the girls went down for naps. Nathan and I laid on the couch and were lazy and took a short nap until Lucy and Charlotte woke up. Charlotte has had a bad cold for over two weeks now and I am so done with it. She is coughing and snotty. It is keeping her up at night. She doesn't just wake up and go back to bed but stays up a couple hours and then goes back. She is wearing me out. Believe me, I need my sleep! Just ask Nathan. :)

The rest of the day we were pretty lazy until we went fishing. I will have to post those pictures sometime soon. We have been going about 2 to 3 times a week now to the pond down by the park. The girls love it. We came home and Charlotte needed a bath. I thought these were cute.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I am so blessed to have Nathan and the girls. Sometimes I feel so unworthy but just so so thankful. I love you my precious family!

Dolphins!!!!

Yes, it actually happened. Annalyse got to see a dolphin! We went to Key West on Wednesday of last week and Thursday morning we went on a sight seeing trip. First things first of course, was the hunt for the dolphins and it didn't take long until we found them. We followed this one around for a little while and watched it play. Of course, my timing wasn't all that great on getting a full body shot of it but I think you get the idea. Annalyse and Lucy both just loved it. I think Annalyse had been waiting for that moment for a long time. I am surprised she didn't jump right in and start swimming to it.

After watching the dolphin we headed over to an island to look for seashells and play in the water. The girls loved the boat ride. Annalyse wanted it to go faster and faster. She loved being jostled around. It was so much fun for dad, Nathan, and I just to get to see them enjoy it all so much. Thankfully Hollyce was so kind to stay back at the house with Charlotte. Being out on the water was wonderful. It made me realize how much I miss living by it and getting to go out on the boat skiing or fishing. It's just so relaxing no matter what your doing. All your worries seems to just fall to the side.

Annalyse having fun being silly and writing her name in the sand.

Lucy really did enjoy it all so much. Last year she was not a big fan of the sand. This time it took her a few minutes to get used to it and she wanted to wear her Crocs but within a minute or two she had taken them off and was playing in the sand. She also played in the water more than I thought she would. So cute.

After the island we headed over to see a "sunken pirate ship". It was just the top portion of an old rusted ship sticking out of the water with tons of birds sun bathing on it but the girls liked seeing it. Then we went fishing for a while. We mostly caught snapper and it was lots of fun. The girls were only interested in touching and kissing the fish. The would reel one in every once in a while but weren't overly enthused with it. :) After the fishing we headed back after a great day on the water.

That afternoon we headed to the pool. Annalyse had been begging to go since we stepped foot on the island. The pool has one of those gradual entries so it is perfect for the girls to play in. It is especially nice for Charlotte because she can just sit and splash around. She really had fun but unfortunately was a tad bit fussy on this trip with a cold.

The day the guys went fishing Hollyce and I took the girls to the beach. Mom Mom played with them in the sand building sandcastles. Lucy loved putting her hands in the sand. She would run up to me wanting me to wipe them off with the towel every few minutes. She didn't understand that she could just rinse them in the water. The weather, as you can see, was beautiful that day and quite hot. Charlotte and I stayed in the shade under the umbrella.

As you can see the girls were sad to leave. It always goes by way too fast. We had a great trip. Thank you Mom mom and Pop pop!!