Florida - Day Ten

Today I was not feeling well at all...it was another hot day about 86 and humid. It got humid even for Meme and Pepe and they turned on the AC in the house. After we were ready in the morning and Megs was packed, we drove out to Palmetto to the house that Mamasan and PopPop used to live in that we grew up in. We have such fond memories of that house, the loft, the yard. It was a bit sad to see it so run down and the beautiful things about it destroyed. It was also bittersweet to be standing there imagining PopPop walking around in his red shorts and fan hat doing all kinds of work around the house and in his workshop. And then there was Mamasan in some bright colored capris and her sun hat doing the garden work and tending to the flower beds. It was sad and happy all at the same time remembering them and all the memories we shared at 1511 - I think they were smiling down from heaven as we visited and remembered. Then we also drove to their last little place they had in Melwood Oaks and it was great to see that again as well....Mamasan used to love the little pool right across the street. After that we came back and got Megs and Bertie ready for the airport. On the way there Emma swallowed some juice down the wrong tube and started coughing which led to throwing up....all over the car seat and herself. So when I got to the airport I changed her. We then found out Megs plane was about an hour late, so we decided to get some frozen yogurt and the girls loved the water fountain and fish tanks!! We eventually said our goodbyes (although we look forward to seeing them again in about a month back in WA) and then went home to take a nap. For dinner tonight we went to my Aunt Ann's house because it was her birthday today. Uncle Andy is quite the cook and he made a spread of ribs, hot dogs, sausage, bread, salad, veggies, fries and it was all very yummy. They had their kitchen remodeled since I was there last, and it is beautiful. Emma (and actually even Angel a bit) enjoyed playing with Shadow the dog especially feeding her cheerios. We had yummy ice cream cake for dessert....then it was to baths and bed!! Hard to believe tomorrow is already our last day here!

Florida - Day Nine

Today I was not really feeling well at all. I keep trying to remind myself that it is the little one needing all my energy to grow healthy and strong....but man I am glad you somewhat "forget" what this pregnancy naseua and sickness feeling is!! So trying to make it one deep breath at a time.....although the second I go from horizontal to vertical it doesn't get any better!! Today was a HOT day....86 and humid!! We went down to Bayfront Park....on the water and where all the sailboats are. There is a great playground park their for the kids...Angel loved climbing up everything to get to the big slides!! Right next to it is a fantastic water fountain park...the spouts are just the kids size and lots to play with. I wasn't sure how the girls would react, but they both LOVED it....so not expecting to go to a water park, I just stripped them down to their onesies and let them play. Unfortunately, I did forget sunscreen and poor fair-skinned Emma did get some sunburn on her arms and face. I dont' think it is bothering her and I just hope it doesn't get too bad. Bad mommy!!! We will definitely hit that place again, but this time with sunscreen, towels and bathing suits in hand!! Megs picked us up some yummy Chick-Fil-A for lunch....had to get my fill once more!! Then me and the girls headed up to take a nap...they were out in 5 minutes!!! Aunt Ann and cousin Emily came over and Emily brought little presents for the kids....so sweet....thanks EM....they love them! We had a yummy chicken packet dinner and sat out on the porch watching the girls play. It was a beautiful and actually comfortable night with cool breezes off the water. So.....Megs and Bertie leave tomorrow so this is our last night sleeping with them in our quarters...we will miss you both!!! Emma and I will have way too much room in the bed. The kids looked so cute today in matching outfits from Hanna....thanks Aunty Megs.

Florida - Day Eight

Today was a very comfortable temperature day and nice outside....I think that storm yesterday cooled things off a bit. So Meme and the rest of us girls plus Bertie decided to go down to Main Street and window shop. I wanted to pick up some treats and more chocolate buns at the French bakery as well. So we enjoyed some walking, the girls got a couple treats at the toy store and then we stopped and had lunch at a DELICIOUS little Greek restaurant. We got some bruschetta which was yummy with Feta cheese via the Mozzarella....then I had a yummy roasted chicken sandwich. Meme had a lamb gyro that my hubby would have been very jealous about. The girls just loved to play more outside.....they love to collect the rocks and then re-distribute them everywhere. Angel likes picking flowers (Sorry Meme if you are missing some parts when we leave!) and the birdies and pelicans keep them laughing as well. Megs made a yummy pork roast dinner and again Megs and I tried to stay up and watch a movie and about half way through it decided we needed to head to bed.....sad but true.

Florida - Day Seven

Today it was nice not getting up super early to head to mass like we do at home. And I woke up lots due to the HUGE and LOUD thunderstorm!! It rained and poured and was nice to have a good storm again, don't get ones like that back home! So we had a relaxing day (Although I have not been feeling very well at all lately!) and then that afternoon my sisters and I decided to take the kids to the mall for a bit. We got pretzels and smoothies and rode the carousel again....we also picked up a webcam for my Pepe as a belated birthday gift and hope to get him set up on Skype soon so we can SEE them back at home. I grilled (thanks dad for the tips) a yummy flank steak tonight....hubby usually does the grilling at home....and it was delicious with some roasted red potatoes and asparagus. I seem to get more and more tired.....Meghan and I were laughing because we used to be able to stay up so late all the time and now with kids we are exhausted come the end of the day!! Welcome to mommyhood!! Meme and Pepe live right on the water and have two little docks so Alli and our cousin Emily enjoyed a little trip out on the dingy off the dock and made it back safe and sound. A nice relaxing Sunday and a COOLER one too!

Florida - Day Six

Today the girls had their first real meltdown......got a little tired and grumpy in the afternoon and mama was about to pull her hair out. So the three of us headed up to bed and enjoyed a nice little nap before mass. The girls enjoyed some popcorn snacks and everyone Skyped with Uncle Chris. We had to take Caitlin to the airport and say goodbye before heading to Church. It was a very WINDY day today and the water level was almost up to the docks. I had not been to St. Martha's in forever and it seemed so small to me from what I remember when I was little!! Meme and Pepe are ushers and we enjoyed meeting some of their friends. Angel was so funny....when she saw the priest walk by she said: "Mama, that isn't Father Lappe, that is a different one!" Their priest does a special individual blessing for all children after mass so we walked up with all the kids and then he even gave me a special expectant mother blessing too!! After mass, Aunty Megs treated us all to a DELICIOUS Italian dinner at this little restaurant called Primos. It was almost the best Italian meal I have ever had.....I of course had Chicken Marsala and we enjoyed delicious bread and oil dipping sauce and then some bruschetta as well. The kids were very good and enjoyed coloring directly on this neat table cloth they had for that purpose. Yummy yummy!!! It looked like a storm was coming in tonight and it started late!!! They need the rain here so that is good!!!

Bertie Laughing

I made up a silly song the other day and Bertie started laughing!! He is getting so cute!!!

Still so much in love....

Florida - Day Five

Today we got up and everyone got dressed up a bit. We headed to JCPenneys to take pictures of all the grandkids and the great-grandkids with Meme and Pepe and we even got some good sister shots and kid shots. So we are very anxious to see them. Then we headed into the mall to take a stroll and grabbed some lunch at the food court. I wish Chick-Fil-A would move to the west coast!! They had a little merry-go-round that the girl LOVED and we had to ride a couple times. Then on the way out they hooked me into letting them ride the other fun rides....Aunt Caitlin was also giving them fun rides in the stroller...which Emma loved!!! It was a bit of an exhausting adventure and we took it easy the rest of the day. Emma and Angel could spend all day just roaming around the house and the screen porch playing with all the fun toys and rocks and watching the pelicans in the water!! Megs made a yummy vegetable rice bake for dinner and Alli went and spent the night with our cousin Emily. So she had fun. Hard to believe Caitlin already leaves tomorrow!! You have to click HERE to see funny pics of Aunt Caitlin teaching Angel how to lift weights!!

Florida - Day Four

Today was experience the beach day. We headed down to Lido Beach and once we finally found a parking spot ventured out to the sand. Angel was a bit intimidated right away by the massive sand and all the people and crashing waves. So we found a spot and sat down. I knew Angel would not go near the water and she didn't. She was quite content sitting on the beach towel watching and playing in the sand. I thought Emma might have liked to get her feet wet, but when we got close to the water she got scared by a wave and lost her balance and fell on her bum in the water......then that was the end of that!! She was quite fussy the rest of the time and I don't think knew what to make of this whole water/sand thing. So Aunt Caitlin helped Angel walk along and find sea shells which she really enjoyed. Baby Bertie enjoyed it however and Megs has some cute videos over at her site, www.thesturhahns.com and one of the girls too. So once the kids had enough (and the hot sun was making me feel very yucky!) we decided to leave Caitlin and Alli to enjoy the sun and beach and Megs and I took the kiddies home. Alli and Caitlin got some red sun (Alli said she didn't realize that legs would burn!) and in the short time we were out there, we got some sun too....especially Angel's cheeks!! So maybe when they girls get older they will like the water more. Too bad we don't get here that often for them to get used to it. We had a relaxing night and made some yummy tacos for dinner. Last night sleeping was so much better....all the kids slept great and didn't wake each other up so hopefully that will happen again tonight. Trying to enjoy the moments of all the sisters and kids being together with Meme and Pepe......who knows if this will ever happen again.