Sea Isle City, NJ

Every other year we go to the Jersey Shore for a big family reunion! Last time we went Claire was Aubrey's age so I was excited for all of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins to get to know Claire better and to meet Aubrey. And the past two times I've been pregnant and nauseous so I was excited to be able to relax. The flight there started off rough...Aubrey busted my lip with a toy and she cried most of the flight. Luckily the people around us on the plane were super nice and understanding. Claire was awesome and could probably fly by herself if I let her. The beachhouse we stayed in was perfect for the girls, no steps, a great balcony with views of the beach and lots of room to play. We stayed pretty busy all week...

On Monday some went crabbing! Claire and Brad and I went up to the bay to watch them come in with their catch.

The girls LOVE the beach. The water was freezing and they didn't seem to care! I was really proud of myself for doing so well with the sunscreen...no burned babies! We played horseshoes and Claire loved playing with my cousin's kids! It's a good thing our house was close to the beach because Claire would put one foot into the ocean and have to go to the bathroom (and not the kind you can just do in the water).

Since we had so many babysitters around, Brad and I were able to go out to dinner one night!

On Wendsday we rented bikes and rode on the boardwalk. It was a little foggy but again, the girls had a blast.

That night we went to eat Mack's pizza and ride rides on the boardwalk. I don't think I've ever seen Claire so excited. Aubrey was a grump.

Brad and my Dad took Claire fishing. They didn't catch any fish but they had fun!

The girls were so tired from all the activity that naps were almost a given everyday!

We ate out a lot and played games in the evenings.

It's a tradition to have a putt-putt tournament! Brad and I went with my brother and sister! My Dad won...I am terrible.

The week flew by. We actually have an awards night at the end of the week. I didn't get any pictures of that but it's always a blast! I loved watching my girls experience new things and my parents loved spending the week with them. On Sat. we drove to Philly to visit my Dad's side of the family!

My Nanny was recently put into a home so we went to visit her. It was very hard...I cried. She doesn't speak anymore, but the funny thing was she kept patting my stomach and smiling like I was pregnant. I told her I just ate too much on vacation ;)I am glad to know she is well taken care of.

We celebrated my cousin Jill's son Cale's 3rd birthday and met my cousin Kim's baby Brooke!

The flight home was easier. The flight attendent let Claire announce "Welcome aboard" over the speaker. Aubrey slept the whole way. We made such wonderful memories and I can't wait to go back again in two years!

Ballet

Claire has completed a year of ballet/tap class. She LOVED it! She has her recital this Sat. but they got dressed in their costumes last week for pictures. She looks so grown up. I can't wait to watch her dance on stage...she knows all her steps. I found Aubrey pulling out Claire's dance clothes so I dressed her up and she was so happy. The poor girl has had to sit and watch her sister dance for a year!

I am so behind!!!!

I have gotten so behind in my blogging that I don't even know where to begin. There was Easter in Houston, the Ft. Worth Art Festival, a trip to the Bahamas, Aubrey learned how to walk, a visit from my college roommate and her daughter, a trip to the Ft. Worth Museum, summer fun in the sun,we put our house up for sale so we can move to Frisco to be closer to Brad's work, another trip to Houston to swim at my parents pool and lots more. I have pictures of all of these things but it would probably take me a week to upload everything so I am just going to start from today and hopefully get back into the groove! Sorry I got lazy!

It's Spring!

We have had a busy April! My friend Czarina opened a Zen Baking Company store in Deep Ellum and some friends and I got to go help her celebrate one Sat. night!

Brad and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this month. Claire was our photographer...

We had friends over to play in the new playhouse!

My good friend Sonia and her husband Tyler came up from San Antonio for a visit and we went to the Arboretum!

And we planted flowers!

Oh, and Aubrey can use a fork!

The Parsons Playhouse

It is finished! Brad did a great job on the girl's playhouse. He got the idea form the prairie houses at the Dallas Arboretum, drew up the plans, got some wood from his Dad and started building. It took two months, a lot of weekends and evenings after work, but it turned out great. I admit, there were times I wanted to burn it down because I really needed him to help with the kids, but I know they will spend hours playing in it. They are lucky girls to have a Dad that wanted to make something special for them. We had a cookout and invited our friends over to help break it in and I think it was a hit! Thanks Brad, we love it!