Charlotte's First Dip and Other Beach Tales...

***I've come to the decision that getting the stories down are the most important thing to me.  I can go back later and fix the pictures, but I can't go back later and remember the details.  So pardon the fact that from here on out most of my pictures will be unedited and uncropped***

Friday night Russ and I commented to Lily and Allie that they needed to clean up.  Both girls ignored us and continued on playing.  We warned them that the beach trip the next day was in jeopardy if they did not clean up at least ONE toy.  They didn't clean up, so guess what they did  all Saturday?!  With that lesson learned the girls kept the house fairly clean the rest of the weekend with the promise that Monday would bring a trip to the beach.

Early morning today was spent collecting toys, preparing snacks, finding lost water shoes, and slathering on EXTRA layers of sunscreen.  We hit the road a bit later than planned but we were on our way.  Arriving at the beach we had to drive quite a bit further onto than normal since it was so busy.  But we found a fairly nice spot and set to work getting our stuff set up.  Getting out of the car we were assaulted by wind.  The little play tent that we borrowed for Charlotte could barely stand up against it.  

After the initial set up was done Russ took Lily out into the ocean while I stayed behind with Charlotte and Allie.  Russ did all kinds of fun things with Lily.  I couldn't see for sure what they were doing, but he took her out pretty deep.  We were talking about it later and excitedly told me that Lily has no fear.  At one point she was up to her neck in the water and instead of turning back she was yelling, "Hey dad wait for me!"  We always have to keep a good eye on her since she IS so fearless.

While they were enjoying the ocean Allie was enjoying herself playing with the new sand toys, and Charlotte was chilling in her tent.  I was so surprised that Charlotte didn't fuss even though a bit of sand was blowing in on her.  Awhile went by and I got bored after making the 153 sea shell sand shape for Allie.  So I grabbed Allie and Charlotte and walked down to the beach.  Allie was struggling the whole way there and trying to get away.  Poor thing doesn't like the water.

I handed Charlotte off to Russ who had come in by then and forced Allie out into the water.  She shivered from fear even though I was holding on to her.  I know I sound mean, but I've discovered with her that if I repeatedly make her do things that she is afraid, she eventually gets over being afraid of it and enjoys herself.  We sat down on the sand and let the waves crash over our stomachs.  I love that feeling!  I let Allie loose about 10 minutes later and she scampered off back to the car.  She had the grumpiest face on her, and glared at me from afar. 

We decided then it was Charlotte's turn to have her first dip in the ocean.  She reacted about the same way she reacts to everything.  No expression.  She didn't  smile, she didn't frown, she didn't pull her feet away from the sand or the water, she just sat there and stared at us with the expression of "what are you crazy people doing with me now?"  We did get a few cute pictures with her though.

Russ and I came back to the car to see Lily and Allie playing nicely together.  They were working on a sandcastle.

Our sand mover toy didn't work but that didn't stop Allie from sticking sand in odd places on it.

Lily worked and worked to try and get the sand out of the bucket her and Allie had filled up.  What she didn't realize is that if you put too much water in with the sand it makes it almost impossible to get it back out.  She was a quite disappointed when Dad had to take it down and wash the sand out.

At one point in time Allie wanted some water in a bottle that she had found.  Not sure what she wanted it for but she did.  She carefully picked her way down to the waters edge to fill it up when she saw a teeny tiny wave coming at her toes.  She instantly turned tail and ran back up to the car.  I didn't get to see this but Russ apparently got a good laugh out of it.

Later on as we were getting ready to leave we mentioned we needed to get everyone/everything rinsed off.  Russ and I gathered all the toys up and took them down to the water to rinse off.  We turned around and got a HUGE laugh.  Allie apparently did not want to washed off so she climbed in the trunk of the van and was sitting there glaring at us.  It was the cutest thing ever!

We wrapped up our beach trip around 1:00 and headed out for lunch.  We treated the girls to MD's and then headed home.  Russ decided that since he was in his swim suit he would take the opportunity to give our cars a much needed bath.  Lily decided she wanted to help and Russ put her to work doing what he said was "his and Wesley's job" as a kid.  I was a bit nervous about his idea but Lily had blast!  She was a great roof scrubber girl!

Dinner was served later and we rounded out the evening with a fun game of UnoMoo.   I'm glad that we were able to have this fun filled family day.  However, at this time of the year my thoughts are always a bit sad.  Today was the day that my extended family gets together for a party to celebrate my grandpa's birthday.  Yes grandpa has passed away but they still have it.  I missed not being able to be there and see my family.  Which led my thoughts to missing grandpa.  He was great man.  I hope everyone had a moment today to enjoy time with their family and also took time to remember those that are special to them that have passed on.

Beautiful Weather

Our weather lately has been absolutely gorgeous!  A cold front rolled in and we were able to benefit from it.  We've had high 70s and low 80s all week!  As a result we have been able to go outside and play in our backyard!  The girls were so excited when i asked them if they would like to play outdoors.  With great enthusiasm they got some grubby clothes on while I found our camping chair.  

Since I was in a good mood and didn't really care if they made a mess, I let them take the bubbles outside to blow.  I was right that they would make a mess with them, but the laughter and smiles from blowing the bubbles quickly outweighed the mess.

The girls also found joy in running around playing with some of the bouncy balls we have.  

Oh and don't forget playing in the dirt!  I let them play in my small planters with their beach shovels.  I figured they couldn't do any harm to them since the flowers were already dead!  When Lily got a bit bored she borrowed the camera and started snapping pictures.  She even caught a picture of what I was doing the whole time...

Right before going in for dinner the girls thought it was hilarious to run and fall down on the grass.  They come up with such silly games!

Taking the truck out for a spin!

 Daddy thought today would be a great day for taking his remote car out for a spin.  It has been sitting patiently on the shelf for him and the girls to play with it.  Early this morning daddy plugged in the battery to charge up.  By the time conference ended it was all charged up and ready to go.  While I made dinner daddy, Lily, and Allie had some fun with the truck.

Lily got a turn at driving the truck.

Maybe it needs a little push....

Come back!  I'm not done with you yet!

This shows exactly how Lily gets when she is REALLY excited!

 Allie spent a lot of time chasing the truck while Lily controlled it.

Run Allie!!!

Hey, where did that truck go?!

 Is it my turn yet?!

Finally!!!

 

All too soon the battery died.  Sweaty faced and ready to tell me all about their truck adventures the girls came back inside the house.  I love when they just rattle on with excitement about something fun daddy has done with them.  Russ seemed to enjoy his time with the girls as well.  He doesn't really get much time to spend one on one with the girls so I know he always looks forward to these fun times. Thanks for a fun time little red truck!

Little Red Wagon

I love living at the end of a cul-de-sac.  It is so peaceful and quiet.  Cars hardly ever drive by our house during the day.  While I'm busy with my yard the girls get to do fun things like this because of it.

Allie loves getting a ride in it, and sits patiently as they go up and down the sidewalk.

Lily actually LOVES pulling Allie around.  It is moments like these that I see her growing up.

Bye-bye now!

A Day at the Park

I can tell it is February.  It doesn't matter whether I live in cold, dreary Idaho or sunny, rainy, slightly cold Texas I can still tell it is February.  I don't want to go outside.  I don't want to really do anything.  I just have a huge case of the blah's during February.  Some people like to refer to it as cabin fever.  Upon having a crappy day yesterday, and waking up with the feeling that today was going to be crappy too, I promptly decided that I was going to take the girls to the park.  Who can have a blah day when you are playing at the park?

I told Lily early in the morning that we would go to the park.  I knew if I did this she would keep asking when we were going, and I wouldn't flake out and not go.  So after lunch I hauled the kids downstairs and off we went to the park.  I've been a little wary of parks since Allie fell off of one of them and tried to bite her lip off.  But you can't let little things like that hold you back, right?!

So played...nothing extra ordinary happened.  I followed the girls around with the camera most of the time and enjoyed capturing the joy on my girls faces.  When it was time to go to the store, the girls happily ran to the car without my begging or bribing or dragging them.  It cured the blahs for a few hours, which was sweet relief.

I love capturing "an hour of our lives" every so often.  It is always pretty plain jane stuff, but it is fun and eye opening to the joy me and my girls have together.  Today at the park was one of those times I chronicled our fun.  Bare with me as I display mass amounts of photos at the park.

Loved this picture.  Not really sure why, just did :D

Allie can climb the rock wall all by herself.  I think it is great!  A little scary but great.  As I was taking these pictures I kept thinking: 

"I sure hope she doesn't fall, I don't want to drop my camera.  Of course if I drop my camera my hubby might buy me a new one.  No that is wrong, just don't fall Allie"

  

 

Both girls always have to twirl the steering wheel before progressing on to the slide.  It is some weird nervous tick or something.  Sometimes Allie will just play with it though.

Just last month Lily couldn't climb this by herself.  She was too scared she would fall.  This time she had no problem, and didn't even ask me to help.  She's growing up TOO FAST!  Look how excited she is that she can do it all by herself.

Again not sure why I love this picture so much but I do.

Love the static hair!  Speaking of hair...did you know that Lily's hair comes down to the middle of her back?  The curl in her hair bounces it up to her shoulders.  The curl takes off a good 4 or 5 inches of her length!

 

 Allie loves these steps.  Many times she will go up them, just so she can walk back down them.  Look how happy she is on them!

  

This is such a crappy shot, but when Lily is happy her whole face radiates that joy.  Check it out. 

   

 THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE!!!  Again I don't know why, but it is.

The girls were all smiles when I snapped the picture.  Apparently the camera didn't snap as fast as their smiles went away.  Guess they were plumb tuckered out from the fun day. :D

  

 

Mary or Marry?

Lily: Allie you want to play marry?

Allie: Nods head

Lily: You wear this.  No THIS one.  That one is mine!

Allie: Screams, throws herself on floor.

Lily {in soothing tones}:  Its alright sweetie. 

Allie:  Peeks up at her

Lily: You can were this one and be marry.  Mommy look we're marry.

Now from this converesation alone I would guess that Lily has come up with a game of "lets get married"  But when I look at how they are dressed up, I lean toward them being Mary, Jesus's mother.  What do you think? Is it Mary or marry?