we are family!

Emma Jane and I took another trip to Panama City the week of July 4th. It was a whirlwind of family fun! Emma Jane was able to see ALL TEN of her first cousins on this trip. We started with a quick trip through Jacksonville where we stayed overnight with Aunt Amy, Uncle Mark and cousins Hannah, Jordan, and Parker. They were nice enough to host us unexpectedly after Paul's truck broke down and we were left to travel on our own. Jacksonville is the perfect mid-point stop on this grueling 9 1/2 hour drive. We always love seeing the Dungeys!

On the second day of driving, we stopped in Tallahassee to meet up with Aunt Cindy, Uncle Ryan, and cousin Izzy. They were on their way home after spending a week in Panama City. We met them for a quick lunch since we were traveling on the same interstate. It was great to see Emma Jane and Izzy playing together. They are only 2 months apart and have lots in common!

While in Panama City, we stayed in a huge high-rise condo on the beach with good friend, "Aunt" Scott and her nephew, Cecil. It was the perfect place to relax and meet up with family and friends. Aunt Stacy, Uncle Paul, and cousins Vincent and Daniel stayed in the same condo, so we got to see them frequently, too!

Aunt Susan, Uncle Brad, and cousins Meghan, Auburn, Allison, and Shiloh were also in town. They came out to enjoy the beach with us several times. Emma Jane loved playing with her "big girl" cousins and "Baby Shiloh".

We spent most of our time at the pool or on the beach. Several visits were also made to Grandma Di and Grandpa Ron's and Grandma Jane and Grandpa Bill's. Granddad John and Uncle John Robert even made a trip from Bonifay to see us! Emma Jane was also lucky enough to see ALL of her great-grandparents while in town. We spent time with Great-Grandma and Grandaddy Walker, Great-Grandpa Jimmy and Lucille, and Great-Grandma Nora. Nora was visiting all the way from Wisconsin with Uncle Mervin and his three kids, Raif, Rachel, and Roman.

Poor Emma Jane had a difficult time keeping up with all the faces and names, but she was thrilled to be surrounded by so many people who love her. It was a very memorable trip for us both!


Cousins, cousins, and more cousins!







Condo time with "Aunt" Scott and Cecil




Watching backyard "firewooks" with Grandma Jane, Vincent, and Daniel



Dinner with friends at Schooners




4th of July at the condo









Pool time!







Beach time!

this little piggy bank

One of Emma Jane's favorite things to play with in her room is her piggy bank. She loves to shake out the money and put it back in. Her Grandma Jane sometimes sends her new quarters, gold dollars, and two-dollar bills and she can't wait to add those to her bank. One day she started saying, "Sweet, Sweet Money!" as she was putting the coins in the bank. I thought, "Where in the world did she hear a phrase like that? We don't want her to become a money-crazed child at the age of 2!" Then I remembered that she has a stuffed bumblebee that talks and sings songs. One of the things the bee repeatedly says is, "Sweet, Sweet HONEY!" Just a little word confusion, thank goodness!

cupcake cuties

Emma Jane and her friend Lily enjoyed a trip to the cupcake shop yesterday. The girls were very impatient while waiting for their cupcakes and dove right in as soon as we set them in front of them. Yum!

cool in the pool

Emma Jane joined her friends Lily and Kaitlyn at the pool yesterday. The girls had a ball splashing in the water. Lily wore a floating swimsuit that enables her to "swim" with no assistance. She had an extra for Emma Jane to try out, so we put it on her. She enjoyed having more independence, so later that afternoon we went to the store to get her one. We can't wait to try it out again! Miss Sara also gave the girls popsicles to enjoy poolside. We had to giggle at the mess they made!

lovin' the "beeesh"

first day at the beach




splashing with grandma jane




showing off the baby bump






getting together with friends...
mary was the "babysitter"





off to the beach again...







we had to get ONE naked beach baby photo



last day of sunshine, sand, and waves





she tried to LICK the sand off her toes!



dinner with good friends




posing with grandma di





family shots are hard to come by...



one more with grandma jane




We took a trip home to Panama City to visit our families and friends AND to enjoy the world's most beautiful beaches before the BP oil spill spoils them. We had a wonderful time and it was hard to leave. Emma Jane got to see all of her local grandparents and great grandparents, as well as lots of special friends. Everyone could not believe how much she has changed in just a few short months. Most of our days were spent at the beach...three in a row! Emma Jane LOVED splashing in the gulf and playing with her toys in the sand. She was FEARLESS and we had to keep a close eye on her since she would run to the shoreline and jump right in the gulf! She didn't even want us to hold her hand while in the water. She kept shouting, "All myself!!" Little does she know that if she was given the freedom, those waves would sweep her right away!

spwaash!!!

Emma Jane loves to splash! She splashes in the bathtub, in the sink when she's washing her hands, and outside in the sprinklers. Yesterday we met Sara and Lily at Irmo Town Park where they have a little man-made stream complete with shiny pebbles. I brought Emma Jane's rainboots because I knew just what she would want to do in that stream! (We'd been there before and she got covered in mud!) Unfortunately, I also put a longer sundress on her, so that had to be tucked up in her bloomers! Emma Jane and Lily had a blast "spwaashing" in the stream and throwing pebbles into it. Emma Jane even let Lily borrow her rainboots for awhile. It was so much fun to watch the girls play with such pure joy!

big news

Emma Jane has big news....




Yes, she is going to be a big sister! We are thrilled to announce that I am 12 weeks pregnant. We are ecstatic to share this wonderful news with family and friends. This baby is a gift from God and we are so grateful. Today's ultrasound measured Baby Street at 12 weeks, 4 days. We saw the most precious profile, two cute little arms (seemingly waving at us!) and two adorable little legs (crossed at the ankles). The baby's heartbeat is strong at 164 bpm. We are so blessed!