beachy keen



I promise, this will be the LAST post from our trip to the beach.  I just took so many fun pictures, I had to share them.  We made so many special memories and can't wait to go back again soon. 





Emma Jane and I took a walk on the beach together early one morning.  It was chilly and WiNdY!

Vivi looked so cute in this old fashioned bathing cap!





Poor Vivi had to settle for a lot of sitting and watching, but she'll be up and about next time!





Emma Jane couldn't get enough playtime in the sand.  It's hard to believe she didn't even want to stand in it just two summers ago!





Vivi was ready for anything and everything.





 This was Vivian's first dip in the Gulf of Mexico.  She seemed to like it, even though it was pretty cold.





Emma Jane showing her sassy side.









 This girl has NO fear!





Vivi loved the view from the balcony.

She was also content just to lounge on the beach.



 

This was my only attempt to get a sister shot, but Emma Jane was not the least bit interested. 

Afterall, sitting still on a towel was NOT her idea of a good time on the beach!



Goodbye sun, sand, and fun!

saying goodbye

We had to say goodbye to our sweet Walker early this morning.  It's been a very hard day for all of us.  He was part of our family as you will see in these pictures.  We have so many wonderful memories of Walker and Maggie, too.  Maggie passed away just a few months after Emma Jane was born.  She was Walker's best friend.  Having a pet is such a rewarding experience, but letting them go is never easy. 

Paul loved taking the dogs out in the boat.

Christmas 2006

Both dogs greeted Emma Jane when we came home with her for the first time.

Walker had to get a closer look at his newest competition!

Sometimes Walker and Maggie would take turns "guarding" Emma Jane while she slept.

Rare family photo, dogs and all!

Emma Jane's first visit to Columbia.

One of our first nights together after moving to Columbia.

We took Walker on MANY walks at the Riverwalk.

Christmas morning 2009

  Walker thought the bone prop to Emma Jane's cave girl costume was the real deal!

Emma Jane checking out Walker's giant ears!

 Kisses for Walker

Paul's graduation day from USC



One of our Columbia snow days

 Hugs for Walker

 Always regal, he was the "king" of our household!

Giving Walker some attention...he'd gotten less and less with two kiddos in the house!

 Vivi really seemed to like hanging out with our boy!

   Walker liked hanging out with Vivi, too.  Her toes must really taste good!

We'll miss you, Walker! 

little bouncers

Emma Jane and Vivian are definitely two peas in a pod.  These girls like to BoUnCe!  Both have loved the bouncy seat from the very start.  Vivian also tried the exersaucer for the first time this week and loved it, just as Emma Jane did at her age.  Our girls know how to have fun!

Vivian

May 2011

6 months

Emma Jane

November 2008

4 months

bedtime chats

Every night at bedtime is special with both our girls.  I love snuggling Vivi until she nods off to sleep and bedtime is when Emma Jane finally becomes a snuggler at the end of a long snuggle-free day.  Our routine with Emma Jane has been the same since she was a small baby.  Paul bathes her, dresses her in her pjs, and gives her a little quiet (ha!) playtime in her room.  When I come in to take over,  Emma Jane and I read a few books together, say prayers, and snuggle for a few minutes before I leave the room.  Recently our snuggle time has also become chat time.  Emma Jane will say, "Mama, I have somepin I want to talk to you 'bout."  Every night we talk about something different and it leads to a long string of disconnected (or are they?) Emma Jane thoughts.  This is how our conversation went tonight.  Please forgive the lengthy dialogue, but I wanted to record at least one of these conversations while it's still fresh in my mind.  Times like these are just too precious to forget.

EJ:  Mama, why do we have dinner?

Me:  Well, so our bodies can be healthy and strong.  That's why we eat all of our meals and make sure we have servings of fruits and vegetables.

EJ:  But I don't wike vegetables.

Me:  Well, it's important to eat them.

EJ:  But why?

Me:  So you can run fast and jump high and have plenty of energy all day long.

EJ:  Mama, why do we go to school?

(Notice the whys have begun to take over our child!)

Me:  So we can learn new things like how to read, how to write, and how to share with our friends.

EJ:  Mama, I wike your eyebwows.  You have bootiful eyes.  Are your eyes bwown?

Me:  Yes, my eyes are brown just like yours.

EJ:  But my eyes turn green when I cry.  Why do they turn green?

Me:  I'm not sure...

EJ:  Mama, open your mouth and say Ahhhh!

Me:  Why?

EJ:  I need to check to see if your teef are white.  Have you been eating sweeties?

Me:  I guess I better go brush my teeth.  (As much as I love this conversation, I do have to leave at some point and this is the perfect way to exit.)

EJ:  No, mommy, I want you to stay and snuggle for just one, two, free mo minutes.

Me:  Can you lay here quietly with me while we snuggle?

EJ:  No, 'cause I have somepin very impotant we need to talk 'bout.

....and so it continues...every night...and I wouldn't have it any other way!