Updated Saturday morning - Hi, everyone, I wanted to let you know that I'm afraid to get too complicated with trying to enlarge the slideshow. I'm worried I might lose the script I have. It's pretty complicated. ugh. Again, if you'd like to enjoy large size pics, just double click on the slideshow, and it will take you to our on-line Picasa album where you can scroll through the pictures. I'll choose a few of my favorites to post as stills in a few days. We're getting ready to celebrate a first time father in our house this weekend! Be back soon with pics!
We hope you enjoy the slideshow! We had a wonderful time relaxing, eating seafood, exploring and spending time with my folks at the beach last week. This was Ava's first time at the ocean, and she loved the sand and water. She was a little explorer everywhere we went! She decided to crawl from the beach tent all the way down to the ocean which was probably about 30 ft. We all said she would have kept going if we hadn't scooped her up. You'll see us playing on the beach and in the pool on Edisto Island, playing at the putt-putt and kiddie area where we stayed, taking day trips to Charleston and Beaufort, and exploring Botany Bay in Edisto on our last day. Ben and I got go on a loggerhead turtles date late one night, but we weren't allowed to take pictures because they were nesting. We all had a great time and are looking forward to going again next year with Maia Grace!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
My First Trip to the Beach!
***Update*** I'm working on the beach photo album when I can. Bear was sprayed by a skunk last night, and I need to do this elaborate cleansing regimen, so it will be in the next few days when I post! I'm sorry for the delay! Bad dog! Oh, and those are tomatoes on his head. We heard last night at about 10:30 that tomato juice works, so here we are pouring diced tomatoes and tomato sauce with juice all over him! Nasty!
I'm excited to post Ava's first beach pictures! We rolled in last night after spending a week in Edisto, SC with my Mom and Dad. Ben and I had never been, and it was a beautiful low country Southern town. Here are two pics I'm posting to kick off our beach trip! Ava's waking up from her nap, so I'll be back to post some more hopefully tonight. There's a slideshow gadget that I'm going to learn how to navigate that I think will be a fun way to show you some pictures. I need to create an album first, though. I'll work on that tonight!
She had a ball in the sand, and of course, it was everywhere!
I'm excited to post Ava's first beach pictures! We rolled in last night after spending a week in Edisto, SC with my Mom and Dad. Ben and I had never been, and it was a beautiful low country Southern town. Here are two pics I'm posting to kick off our beach trip! Ava's waking up from her nap, so I'll be back to post some more hopefully tonight. There's a slideshow gadget that I'm going to learn how to navigate that I think will be a fun way to show you some pictures. I need to create an album first, though. I'll work on that tonight!
She had a ball in the sand, and of course, it was everywhere!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Home Sweet Tennessee Home
Hey, everybody!
Checking in to tell you that we're home now! I'll be catching up on the blog and returning e-mails and phones calls in the next few days. I won't even tell you how many pictures we took of Ava at the beach! It's embarassing. Rest assured that I'll post some really cute ones very soon. We had a wonderful time!
Checking in to tell you that we're home now! I'll be catching up on the blog and returning e-mails and phones calls in the next few days. I won't even tell you how many pictures we took of Ava at the beach! It's embarassing. Rest assured that I'll post some really cute ones very soon. We had a wonderful time!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Her.... Here...
Many times, when I go to my blog, I'm the one looking for encouragement! I often go to Bring the Rain, started by an amazing stranger, whose heart I've grown to love. She, like the rest of us, has known pain and suffering, and her heart speaks words of wisdom and encouragment. The background for the post is that she just returned recently from a mission trip to India with Compassion International. She wrote a post last night, called, "Her, Here." If you need a lift, I would strongly encourage you to read it. Pour yourself a glass of tea or coffee or soda or whatever, and hang with her post until the end. I promise you'll be blessed. Scroll down the right-hand side of my blog until you get to my blog list. Just click on Bring the Rain, and it will take you there.
Here's to what each of us can do to be her, here...
Love and peace to you!
Emily (who SO should be packing!)
Jenn, I got your message earlier. Thank you! I love you! We'll try not to get too much sand in our swimsuits! Love Evan's t-note, by the way. Just made me and Ben smile. :)
Here's to what each of us can do to be her, here...
Love and peace to you!
Emily (who SO should be packing!)
Jenn, I got your message earlier. Thank you! I love you! We'll try not to get too much sand in our swimsuits! Love Evan's t-note, by the way. Just made me and Ben smile. :)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Off to the Beach!
Mommy has packed everything in the world she thinks I'll need for the beach and thought it would be a good idea to try on my new lifejacket. I'm not so sure about this! I can't move!
We'll be leaving on Saturday for a week at Edisto Island with my folks, and this will probably be my final post until we get back. I'll post Ava's first beach pics next weekend. If Ben takes the laptop, I may be able to upload from there. We'll see. We may decide to go sans electronics. We're all looking forward to rest, relaxation and seafood!
See you soon! Love to all,
Ben, Emily and Ava
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Ava is 9 Months Old
... and on the move!
Ben and I went to the pediatrician together yesterday for Ava's 9 month well visit. It was Ben's first time seeing Ava in that environment. He got to see the fish aquarium and watch the Backyardigans. :) Ava only got pricked in the toe this time (no shots), and she didn't even flinch. I told him that he'd have to come to the 1 year visit to go through the shots with her!
Ben and I were remembering our own well visits last night and were laughing about that "torture" device that you used to have to stick your finger into, knowing that needle would snap down and prick you. We both hated that thing! I remember dreading that thing more than the shots I think! When I got older, I got a stick of Carefree gum from the doctor. I can't chew that gum to this day and not think about the doctor's office! I wonder what memories Ava will have when she's older?
Here are her measurements as of 6/1/09!
Weight: 22lbs 3.2 oz
Length: 29 in
Disposition: Happy!
She was so good with Dr. Gilley yesterday. She's one of the women doctors there, and we've been doing the rounds trying out different ones to see who we think will work best for Ava and Maia when she comes. I think she really liked Dr. Gilley. Men doctors are a little scary for her, even when they sing Barney songs. :)
We're trying all kinds of foods now that she's nine months old. Her newest favs are chickpeas, egg yolks and Yo Baby Apple yogurt. I tasted it, and it is really good - a lot better than big people yogurt - probaby because it's made with whole milk! Yum!
I captured a few shots of her enjoying her egg yolks this morning.
Ben and I went to the pediatrician together yesterday for Ava's 9 month well visit. It was Ben's first time seeing Ava in that environment. He got to see the fish aquarium and watch the Backyardigans. :) Ava only got pricked in the toe this time (no shots), and she didn't even flinch. I told him that he'd have to come to the 1 year visit to go through the shots with her!
Ben and I were remembering our own well visits last night and were laughing about that "torture" device that you used to have to stick your finger into, knowing that needle would snap down and prick you. We both hated that thing! I remember dreading that thing more than the shots I think! When I got older, I got a stick of Carefree gum from the doctor. I can't chew that gum to this day and not think about the doctor's office! I wonder what memories Ava will have when she's older?
Here are her measurements as of 6/1/09!
Weight: 22lbs 3.2 oz
Length: 29 in
Disposition: Happy!
She was so good with Dr. Gilley yesterday. She's one of the women doctors there, and we've been doing the rounds trying out different ones to see who we think will work best for Ava and Maia when she comes. I think she really liked Dr. Gilley. Men doctors are a little scary for her, even when they sing Barney songs. :)
We're trying all kinds of foods now that she's nine months old. Her newest favs are chickpeas, egg yolks and Yo Baby Apple yogurt. I tasted it, and it is really good - a lot better than big people yogurt - probaby because it's made with whole milk! Yum!
I captured a few shots of her enjoying her egg yolks this morning.
Monday, June 1, 2009
A Camping We Will Go!
Ah.... the woods...
There's just something about the woods, about getting away into a forest and smelling the smoke of a campfire. It's all the better when enjoyed with great friends and good food!
Ben and I were working on our rather large, unexciting "to do" list this past Saturday, when our friends, Eric and Kristie Arendale, called and invited us to join their family at Cumberland Mountain State Park - about an hour away. After weighing our "to do" list, which involved spraying thistles and folding laundy, among other things, we decided to drop everything and pack up! We've been talking about taking Ava camping, and both of us have great memories of camping growing up. We're so glad we dropped everything and went on an adventure!
We arrived at the park Saturday evening, set up camp, and came home the following afternoon. It was a short, spur-of-the-moment trip, but we had a great time! We hope to go back again this summer or fall and enjoy the lake and maybe take our bikes to ride. Here's a few photos of our adventure. Today, it's back to thistles and laundry... :) I just know I can find joy in doing those things!
The kids - Sam and Sera Arendale and Miss Ava enjoying snacks together.
Ava and Sera sharing some time together. I feel sure these two will be big buddies someday!
Enjoying our campfire that night. Ben, Ava and I are sleeping in the tent beside the airstream. The Arendales bought this airstream not too long ago and have been working hard to get it ready for it's maiden camping trip! It's a sweet set up!
After we went to bed, Ben and I woke up to noises outside our tent - like a rattling sound. We both said, "Do you hear that?", and we guessed it was raccoons. After a few minutes of listening and realizing we BOTH had to go to the bathroom, we heard a crash! It was the lid to the garbage can. So you can imagine us poking our heads out of tent and looking for raccoons on our way to the bathroom! We were armed with a mini flashlight. Thankfully, we didn't encounter him our way to the bath house. I bet he was watching us, though, because we heard him rattling the can again when we crawled back in our tent.
The next morning - we took a short walk/stroller ride around the campsites before we headed home.
I love this picture of Sera looking out of the camper!
Eric, Kristie, Sam and Sera Arendale - our friends of many years! We've been through a lot together, and we're so thankful for their friendship.
Our families together!
There's just something about the woods, about getting away into a forest and smelling the smoke of a campfire. It's all the better when enjoyed with great friends and good food!
Ben and I were working on our rather large, unexciting "to do" list this past Saturday, when our friends, Eric and Kristie Arendale, called and invited us to join their family at Cumberland Mountain State Park - about an hour away. After weighing our "to do" list, which involved spraying thistles and folding laundy, among other things, we decided to drop everything and pack up! We've been talking about taking Ava camping, and both of us have great memories of camping growing up. We're so glad we dropped everything and went on an adventure!
We arrived at the park Saturday evening, set up camp, and came home the following afternoon. It was a short, spur-of-the-moment trip, but we had a great time! We hope to go back again this summer or fall and enjoy the lake and maybe take our bikes to ride. Here's a few photos of our adventure. Today, it's back to thistles and laundry... :) I just know I can find joy in doing those things!
The kids - Sam and Sera Arendale and Miss Ava enjoying snacks together.
Ava and Sera sharing some time together. I feel sure these two will be big buddies someday!
Enjoying our campfire that night. Ben, Ava and I are sleeping in the tent beside the airstream. The Arendales bought this airstream not too long ago and have been working hard to get it ready for it's maiden camping trip! It's a sweet set up!
After we went to bed, Ben and I woke up to noises outside our tent - like a rattling sound. We both said, "Do you hear that?", and we guessed it was raccoons. After a few minutes of listening and realizing we BOTH had to go to the bathroom, we heard a crash! It was the lid to the garbage can. So you can imagine us poking our heads out of tent and looking for raccoons on our way to the bathroom! We were armed with a mini flashlight. Thankfully, we didn't encounter him our way to the bath house. I bet he was watching us, though, because we heard him rattling the can again when we crawled back in our tent.
The next morning - we took a short walk/stroller ride around the campsites before we headed home.
I love this picture of Sera looking out of the camper!
Eric, Kristie, Sam and Sera Arendale - our friends of many years! We've been through a lot together, and we're so thankful for their friendship.
Our families together!
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