Beachin' It

I'm aware that I've turned into one of "those bloggers." You know, the ones that blog like once a month or every two months. I apologize. But we were on a FANTASTIC beach get away in an ocean front condo for a week, and I just got to be spoiled rotten with the beach lifestyle of doing NOTHING. We have been back home officially a week as of tomorrow, but I'm just now getting back to the blog. If you're on facebook, these will be redundant, but I needed to have these on here too. No oil there. The water was breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing that kind of view out of your back door every morning really makes you appreciate God's artistic side. What a mind He has! He does it up big and flashy.

Chrissie's mom owns 3 condos in Florida, and she graciously allowed me and my kids to come down with the Larkin clan. Yep, that's 5 kids and 3 adults in one beach front condo. What a tribe! But we had an absolute blast. The kids just loved it. Sage hasn't been to the beach in 3 years, but she has talked about it ever since. I was very worried about being the only parent to my kids while there: out of routine, out of my own BEDROOM, but it really all worked out wonderfully. Travis was not able to join us this time, but Sean was a lifesaver for Chrissie and me. He'd take on all 5 kids and let us go out a few times. It was heaven! Jaggar loved the waves splashing up on his feet, and Sage had a blast playing with her bffs, Harrison and Isacah. Thanks, guys, for an awesome trip!

Sand!

Yay, Florida...minus the NASTY bugs all over my car.

This is an actual house that is beach front property. Isn't that insane? I'd love to see the inside.

silly kids

Playing in Seaside

Always a fave.

You can't really tell from this picture, but these canvases had the paint on them raised several inches. They were gorgeous. and fascinating at the same time.

Pier Park, which serves as a kid dream/parental nightmare. They had fun though. Sean took care of them here while Chrissie and I shopped around the shops everywhere. It was kind of an odd place with little touristy stores like boutiques and fudge shops. Then just around the corner was a Target, Borders Bookstore, Victoria's Secret, etc. It was just an interesting mix to me.

He is always smiling.

The kids loved this fountain.

Fishing with Grandmary, Chrissie's mom. Check out that crystal blue water.

little divas

sand fleas AKA bait

Friends.

I did it: I got IN the ocean. I normally have a rule: Don't swim in water with any living thing aside from humans. But the water was so perfect that I had to give in.

Sean caught a fish!

This is one of SEVERAL actually...before...

and after! It was a fantastic meal too.

Our girls' night

Part of Rosemary Beach, which was my favorite. The stores are so neat and fun, and everyone is riding by on bikes.

Mr Early Bird on our bed.

Chrissie and I went on a 12 hour outlet shopping spree. Jaggar finally crashed. I wished I could've joined him. WHAT a long day! I got mostly clothes for the kids and ONE splurge for myself: a swarovski necklace and it is SO me.

The evening

Get Away

We are at the beach! Lots to come!

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Prayers Please

Please pray for my sweet boy. He woke up at 1 this morning screaming. Travis went in to get him, and Jaggar began what would turn out to be countless times of throwing up. When he wasn't throwing up, he was screaming from not feeling good. My heart aches for him because I'd rather have anything than a stomach virus. Be well, Jaggar, in Jesus' Name!

Playa Playin'

Sage is napping, and of course, Jaggar is not. His new favorite thing is not only climbing on top of the picnic table but standing on it, so as the responsible mother that I am, I took pictures. He was just so proud of himself. He's the cutest thing that I've ever seen. He's a little flirt too. We ate lunch at the mall today, and he kept turning around to the girl sitting behind us saying, "Hi! Hi! Hi!" It was so funny.Love those blue eyes

Can you see that he is rotten?

Getting down...only to get back up. He can actually get down really well.

Jaggar's First Swim

Last week, I made my first venture to take both kids into the pool. It was Jaggar's first time too. This time last year, I had a newborn, so I did no swimming last summer. Mom sat outside and took pictures while the kids and I swam. Sage is at a great age now because she can touch easily in the shallow end, and she's not terrified. Jaggar, on the other hand, will probably NEVER be terrified. I remember when Sage wouldn't let US take her off of the steps, but Jaggar would go off of them alone. He loved the water and enjoyed splashing and "chasing" his big sister with my help. I'm glad we are at this place in our lives now where my baby doesn't seem so fragile. He thinks he can keep up with the big kids, and he does for the most part. :) Just slow down a bit, bud.

Sometimes he had to climb up the steps and get out on his own. Actually, the steps seem to be his favorite place because HE can stand.

He loved it.

Meanwhile...

He loves her, and she loves him.

Best friends

She'd swim all day if she could.

Mayer kept thinking that there was something over in the deep end. He wouldn't leave that spot.

Fresh out of the pool and snug as a bug

Loving Nonni

For the past 2 weeks, we were so blessed to be able to have my mom visit and stay in our home. She was able to celebrate Jaggar's first birthday with us, which was a blessing because she had to undergo her second open heart surgery just 6 weeks ago. Thanks be to God, she is doing wonderfully, and we had one of the best visits we've had in a long time, simply because this is the best she's felt in 4 years. Jaggar was shy at first, but in (I'd say) 2 days, he was lunging for her from me. Something about those Nonnis...

He's kind of into hitting/love tapping now. He actually got his first spanking while mom was here (a smack on the hand) from me for hitting me in the face at a restaurant right after I told him no. He's "loving" here though. We'll say that anyway. I think it's a combination of: At times, just being a rascal + excitement. He does wave his hands and bang on things when he's excited...but then there's other times...

"I need to see inside your mouth."

His morning naked stroll with Sage and Nonni...not really. It was bath time, and I thought this was so funny.