Stroller Rides

One of the first nights we were here, we went for a walk with Pepe. The girls were having a blast, especially when Aunt Caitlin decided to start running and spinning them around in circles....wish my camera video had a zoom, because their faces were priceless!!! Fun times. It was fun to see the house where my dad grew up and the house that my mom and dad shingled and the house that I remember visiting when I was little...so many good memories, all in the same neighborhood!!!

Florida - Day Three

Whew - it is a very different feeling to wake up to humid hot weather. I have been having lots of hot flashes with this pregnancy and unfortunately when I feel really hot I start to feel very nauseous. So I am trying to sit out on the porch and feel the breezes off the water and take deep breaths, so far so good! The water is so pretty to sit and watch....we could spend all day just relaxing on the porch and watching the kids play. We decided to go to Jungle Gardens today....another special memory I have from growing up!! It is right down the road from my grandparents house. It is a beautiful little zoo/park with nature trails you walk along and see reptiles, birds, flamingos, turtles etc. We watched a fun bird show and I think Angel was a little confused how these birds were riding bicycles and roller skates. Alli held a parrot and fed flamingos....Angel just wanted to watch from a distance!! She and Emma did enjoy feeding the fish and walking along the trails. I got them each a cute bird that makes bird calls when you push their bellies. A fun outing and not too hot in the shade!! Then later that afternoon we went and picked up Meghan and little Albert at the airport. Bertie boy has gotten so big!!! Almost looks as big as Emma.....he is so happy and will easily smile at you! The girls love the baby and Emma just wants to give him lots of hugs and kisses. My cousins Emily and Michael and Aunt Ann came over for a visit so that was fun. We made spaghetti and salad for dinner, yummers!! We had a little eventful night as Megs and Albert are sleeping up with me and the girls and when one of them would wake up and fuss....it would trigger another one to chime in and then the next. So hoping that gets better!! So nice to have all my sisters together and making lots of special memories!!

Florida - Day Two

Day Two - we had a very leisurely day today. Meme had gotten me my FAVORITE (big memory growing up) French chocolate buns that I used to get spoiled with for breakfast. The girls just started PLAYING all day long....from the pool room to the porch to the swing...so much to do! Emma loves roaming around and watching the birdies. We went to a few stores to get some supplies and then spent time blowing bubbles...Angel is very excited that she can now blow them all by herself! They really enjoy these legos meme has and the tree swing outside. We got to see my Aunt Ann and cousin Emily today too so that was fun. The girls have been so busy that I think they will sleep really well tonight! Meme and Pepe have a great upstairs apartment (I will try and video their house) and that is where I am with the girls. I was a little worried about the sleeping arrangements but so far so good. Angel is sleeping in the play pen which allows me to leave her up there at night and come downstairs. She goes in there for some quiet time during the day but hasn't really been napping, just not her normal surroundings I think. Emma will crash on the couch for naps and sleeps with me in the king size bed at night (I love MORE AND MORE those big beds every time I sleep in one!). Caitlin, Pepe and I played a couple games of pool....which I hadn't played in years but it is a lot of fun!! We had some yummy chicken salad sandwiches for lunch....Meme had a rotisserie chicken that I just cut up and used. Another fun day and the girls just love being at their Meme and Pepe's...and so do I.

Florida Fun - Day One

Well, we made it and have been so busy I am just now getting around to try and catch everyone up. The girls and I and my sister Alli left Seattle on a 6 am flight Monday morning. Getting the girlies up at 230am in the morning was not fun. I also do not enjoy getting through security with a double stroller and two little ones. The man didn't believe me when I said the stroller would not fit on the conveyor belt to get screened, so after two attempts he finally agreed and screened it manually. The girls are never sure why they have to take off their shoes and coats and take everything apart....but we made it through and finally got settled on the plane. I am so thankful I am still nursing Emma because it is a great tool to get her to quiet down on the plane and go to sleep!! So she took a great nap and then was waving to everyone on the flight when she woke up. Angel lived up to her name and was so good!!! We had a layover in Atlanta and I officially hate that airport. We had to take a series of elevators because of the stroller and then a tram to even get to our new gate and then waited (which in an airport is no fun for the little ones)....and then boarded a very small plane (no room with an infant in lap)....and made our last leg before we arrived in Sarasota!! Angel loved looking at the clouds and says they look like white pillows! She also enjoyed getting snacks and coloring on the tray like a big girl. So finally we arrived about 5pm Sarasota time to hot weather and sunshine! It is so good to see Meme and Pepe again and their house which I had not been back to in almost 7 years or so. So many memories....and very weird to be back here with my two girls and very excited that they get to experience some of the same things I did when I was little...how blessed are we!!! Caitlin had already arrived the day before and the girls were excited to see her. Meme and Pepe have a great outdoor covered patio and then huge screen porch. Emma loves to lay on the rocks and watch the birds (big pelicans) splash into the water. Angel likes exploring although she does not like going out on the dock over the water. So....we had some yummy lasagna, visited, got unpacked and called it a night!!!

Musical Collage

I hope most of you were able to go see Musical Collage at CSTOCK. It was a fun and beautiful production all done by the kids!!! Alli's song BLEW ME AWAY (I know I am biased)...but she truly made people cry and sounded beautiful!! Here is a video my mom took at the last rehearsal...the show nights were even better...check it out and enjoy!! Her song is "I'm Not Afraid" from Songs from a New World.

Here is another short video of a friend of Alli's performing "My New Philosophy" from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown......very FUNNY, and again from the dress rehearsal but at least you get a taste of it!!