Jake & Lilly's Big Beach Adventure

Jake and Lilly had their first day at the beach in Galveston today. Well, technically their first time to the beach was back in March when we visited San Diego, but since the weather was a bit chilly, neither really got to truly experience the water, waves, and the sand in between their fingers. My friend Charla ("G3" to Jake and Lilly) was brave enough to join me on this beach adventure! Both kids had so much fun splashing in the water, digging in the sand, and eating their picnic lunch on the beach. Lilly has no fear.... walking in the water, chasing sea gulls down the beach.... she had a blast! Jake was not completely sure of the waves, though he was starting to warm up to the whole ocean thing right as we were getting ready to leave. He hated getting salt water in his eyes, but he loved getting dirty in the sand... such a boy! I'm pretty sure more sand ended up in their mouths than anywhere else. They both loved the feel of the wet sand in their hands, but like everything else these days, it had to pass the "taste test."

Here is a shot of me trying to pose with my two little beach bums....
a much harder task than you would think!

Playing in the sand...

Lilly watching the seagulls overhead...

"Oh, no! More salt water in my eyes!!"

Here is a great shot of Lilly right after she tried to eat the sand.
(I promise it's not a booger... just a big glob of wet sand!)

Jake getting dirty...

G3 playing with Jake and Lilly...

Happy First Birthday, Jake & Lilly!

Jake and Lilly had so much fun at their birthday party this past weekend. My friend Shanna made these adorable shirts to match the "owl" party theme.

This is Jake's owl cake. We had to cut it and eat it fast before all the frosting melted off, thanks to the July heat!

This owl had a blue bow just like the bow in Lilly's hair!

Plenty of cupcakes for all! (Thanks to Auntie Bri for decorating them!)

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, Jake & Lilly,
Happy Birthday to you!

Yummmmmmm! This is delicious!

A new hat for Jake....

A baby doll for Lilly....

Farm animals, sea animals, bubbles and more!

Uncle Dave & Jake with Poppy & Lilly

Grammy, Jake & Cody

Noni, Poppy & Lilly

Lilly wants to walk everywhere now that she's a big girl!

We had such a fun time with friends and family! After cake and presents we all cooled off in the pool! Some of us even rode the paddle boats and canoes. Both kids were exhausted by the time we got back in the car to head home!

One Year!

It is so hard to believe that our two little ones are one! What a whirlwind this first year has been! And I am sure that this next year will fly by even faster!

Jake and Lilly had an exciting birthday this past Friday, and got to spend lots of time with family over the weekend.

These are some of Jake and Lilly's first year pictures. Birthday party pictures are coming.....

The Best Swimming Pool Ever

This Memorial Day Weekend we took Jake and Lilly swimming. They had a blast splashing in the kiddie pool! Lilly was determined to get her whole head under the water, while Jake was a little more reserved. My parents (Noni and Poppy to Jake and Lilly) were in town for the weekend. My mom saw how much fun they had in the pool that she had to buy them their very own pool for our house so they could splash around all summer long. We found the perfect sized pool for both of these water loving kids… and the best part… it came with over 50 brightly colored plastic balls!! Now the kids can enjoy playing inside and outside! It’s funny how much entertainment they got out of a $12 blow-up pool! In their opinion, it is the very best swimming pool ever!!

Having a blast throwing the balls inside...."Mmmmmmm....tasty!"

"Brrrrr....this water's a bit chilly!"