sweet. sun. sand.

We patiently waited, all summer, for school to start and for Labor Day to come and go.
Because, we know that the weekend after Labor Day is wonderful at the beach.

Friday was a little cloudy, which made it a little chilly, but well...it didn't stop us!
Hazel l.o.v.e.d being in the water with Daddy. They practiced jumping waves and diving under big waves. (Yes. She really did go under a few waves, on purpose).
Each time, she'd giggle and squeal. I could hear her from the beach. Her giggles were enticing, and soon I found myself out in the (freezing) water.
Saturday started out with a traditional walk (twice) to the Fractured Prune.
Oh.
Sweet Deliciousness.
Doughnuts Divine.
We sort of forgot (beach amateurs) that we needed cash, so we worked up an appetite making the walk twice.
I love you, Mrs. Prunella. Lemonade. Sand.
Mmm, maybe we need to go back.
Saturday was gorgeous. Warm, sunny and p.e.r.f.e.c.t.
We quickly realized that the weekend after Labor Day is Toddler Weekend. It appeared that other "young" families had the same idea. I have never seen so many toddler/babies/preggo ladies at the beach.
It was awesome.
Hazel enjoyed playing in the tidal pools (the water was like bathwater), Seth dug her a nice little "swimming pool" at one end. And she had a blast swimming/splashing all over.
After a long day at the beach, walking through the sand is just too much.
This little girl laid down and was NOT moving.
But then we told her there were swings. And Dad promised her an "underdog"...
I'm not quite sure what "life's lessons" Seth is sharing with Hazel, but I know they are important.
I love their little footprints in the sand.
Thank you Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa for being so generous and letting us stay at your place at the beach!! It's our favorite!!!

cruisin'

Why on earth is Hazel so happy?

She just found out she's got a new ride...
...and she loves it!

car wash

I caught Hazel helping Seth wash the car.
I took some fun pictures,
but the ones after the car wash were even better.

Water Babies

Waterskiing.
def: the act of boating, slaloming, two-skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and tubing
(we did it all growing up)
It's in my blood. I was born to do it. No, really, I'm pretty sure my mom slalomed with me as a fetus (okay, knowing my mom she was probably doing 360s on the kneeboard instead).

We live 2000 miles away from my parents' boat. Bummer.

We have friends. In Maryland. They have a boat. They like us. Bonus.
We met up the same afternoon that Hurricane Earl was to "feast on the East coast".
He missed.

Hazel has never worn a life jacket before. She took to it, like it was a second skin
(even if she couldn't put her chin down).
I started smiling the minute we pulled up at the dock. I didn't stop. The smile got even bigger when I got up on my first try (it's been a while- don't judge). I didn't push myself as hard as I used to, but I still managed a sweet, body-slamming, ski flying, nostrils-flaring (perfect for water intake) crash on my second or third run.
Still smiling.
Seth was a master of the double-ski. He had fun. Then he was introduced to the wakeboard. Love. Real, honest love. For seven years I have told him all about the joy of boating. All it took was a ride on the board.
He agrees, we need a boat.
It seriously could not have been a more beautiful afternoon. If you don't believe me, look at the water.
Glass. Skier heaven.
We had so much fun. We could have stayed out all night. Really. I would have skied in the dark. Okay, I'm lying. I am terrified of water at night.
Thank you, thank you, thank you B's. (Who, bytheway, are the most incredible skiers I have ever seen) - check out their pics here.

3-0 on the 30th

Happy Birthday, Seth!!

We went to Grandpa's yesterday and celebrated his birthday, as well as Seth's. I attempted to make a cake...I think I need to take a decorating class!
For Seth's 30th, I have always, always, always planned on throwing him a big, awesome surprise party. However, it seemed a little too difficult getting friends to fly in from all over the country and world...so I did the next, best thing. I asked his friends and family to send me the first thing they think about when they think of Seth. I put them all together in a book and gave that to him for his birthday.

He swears it was the best present ever. If you are in that book, please know how much it meant to Seth. Thank you!

We had a pretty low-key birthday celebration, on his actual birthday, but Seth seemed okay with that. He is patiently waiting for the other half of his birthday present. (A new Nikon, that hasn't been released, yet).

I've said it a thousand times on this blog, but really, Seth is a one-of-a-kind, I am so grateful that he picked me. I am so impressed with all that he has accomplished in the first thirty years, and can't wait to see what happens in the next thirty!

Our birthday activity? Attempting to get a little family picture...

Pool Days

pool = happy hazel

ooooorioles!

Go O's Go!
Mmmmm, who doesn't enjoy some good ol' Boogs? (No, not booger... just boog!)
This Oriole is waaaay bigger than the ones in our neighborhood!
It was a great night...until...
somebody realized the O's just weren't going to win.

summer evenings

playing in the backyard.

evening walks around the neighborhood.

chasing grasshoppers (ewww!)

grass between your toes.

fresh tomatoes, eaten like apples.

and how do you get that tomato-lover clean?

{home idea - office}

Last September, I posted this awesomeness. Something was missing, do you remember?

In April, we were in North Carolina and stumbled upon this beauty:
(sorry- phone picture...our only "before")

This wonderful teacher's chair from a school district in Michigan (well over 50 years old) had found it's way to North Carolina, when I spotted it, I sat my little self down on it and would not move until it was ours.
(it was such a "steal", I felt like we stole it!)
It was stained a light, honey color, but the hubbers went right to work on that. We went back and forth between painting it white or staining it. What do you think?

She's a little shy...
I l.o.v.e it!! L.O.V.E it!!
Ahh, she's right at home.
Now...what do I put...
I'm not sure what to put on those very top shelves, and in the skinny bookshelves...suggestions?

{home ideas}

I have these ideas.

In my head.

Some are crazy. Some are BIG. Some are embarassing. And well, sometimes I have no idea.

So. I had an idea.

I want to share my house.
With you.

I want to hear what you think (I think).

See, this month is our second House Anniversary. Two years. Are you the person that has your house painted, decorated, arranged and perfect within six months of moving in, if not before?

Yeah, not me. It's those darn ideas. I have to let them lazily meander around my head until they settle in and begin to take shape. Me and my idea need to be comfortable with one another.

I am not the kind of person to go out and buy a dining table "that works" - when I can refinish a hand-me-down and wait for a table I l.o.v.e. (And trust me, if I l.o.v.e it, I will splurge- but let's keep said "splurging" to a bare minimum).

So. Some of the rooms in our house are sitting in a state of purgatory. They are waiting for their idea to settle and for me to say, YES. They are stuck with hand-me-down furniture that I don't l.o.v.e, or (gulp) no furniture at all!

My late-night idea was, maybe you would help.

It's okay to ask friends, right? And if you are reading my blog I hope you are a friend, other wise, well...you're creepy. Say Hi, and then we can be "friends".

I want to show rooms in progress, share my ideas, find out if they are awesome or crazy, and maybe you can help me grow new ideas. Sometimes I just need a little reassurance and encouragement. (Imagine a good-game tap over the internet).

Oh, and why must we keep our decorating on the non-ridiculous-splurging side? Because the hubbers turns 30 on our House Anniversary and he's getting a new Nikon.
(I was going to link to the actual camera, but well, let's keep the price a secret!)

shhh.sunday.secret

Little secret at our house:

Only one member of our little family was freshly showered for church.

Sadly, the other two members of the family were sunscreen greasy, pool water itchy, and honestly unsure of their last shower/bath.

He. He. He.

We love summer.

That's what Daddy gets for leaving his girlies at the pool all day Saturday while he went and played big wedding photographer in Baltimore.
This little pool girl is ready for nursery, but just found out she has to wait one more month. Someone at church thought she was wearing "pantyhose" - he.he.he. - that's what summer does to a little girl's legs! (We slather her in spf50 everyday!)