Last Day

We brought the kids bikes down here. The area we are staying in is closed off and have very little traffic. Caitlin actually learned how to ride without training wheels. We took the bikes to the center of area. We let the kids each pick out a souvenir. Braden took all of a minute, Caitlin took forever, she has a hard time making decisions.

My little poser! He keeps asking me to take his picture, though if I asked him to pose he would refuse. It all has to be on Braden's terms.

They had fun playing around in the center. Of course it helped that I bribed them with candy if they sat nicely for me!

My sweet Caitlin and her Daddy! She is such a Daddy's girl!

Braden and his new pet lizard!

Now we are getting ready to do the annual beach family pictures! Let's see how well we do!

More Vacation

James and I decided to take the kids fishing to a local park. They had a kids pond so we figured it would not be too hard. The pond was covered in lilly pads and other stuff. We caught a lot of seaweed! The kids could not understand they could not catch a fish so easily like they do back home.

We tried to move around the pond, tried different baits and different rods. No luck.

The kids got bored very quickly! Plus it was very hot. We figured it was best to go back home and swim!

About 2 days ago we had a big storm which was good because it pushed the oil away from the shore. Therefore, yesterday James was able to take the kids into the ocean. I went to take some pictures, I cannot get into the water because I got another ear infection. Of course it had to happen while we were down here. Thank goodness James is so good and spent so much time with them in the water!

They both loved using their boogie boards to surf the waves. Braden even did well this year, last year he was a bit hesitant.

Both kids keep talking about playing in the waves! And they both crashed last night as soon as their heads hit the pillow, it wore them out!

Today is our last day. The kids are sad to leave, they have had so much fun. It is nice to not have to be anywhere at any specific time. We are all more relaxed!

Florida Vacation

We left on Saturday for Sunnyside, Florida it is in between Destin and Panama City. We are staying with Nana and Poppy and the Rego's. By the time we got here the kids were just excited to see each other and play together.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to the beach. The kids were in the ocean for a few minutes and started complaining that their skin itched. Caitlin said it was all over. We left and came back to the house to clean up. Everyones skin was sticky and there was black spots on our feet. We find this so sad, we can only imagine how bad it will get. We have decided to stay here and stay out of the ocean. James went running on the beach this morning and said he saw over 40 people picking up tar balls. I think they are trying to keep the beach look clean, the only problem with that is people think the ocean is fine too, unfortunately it is not!

We have spent a lot of time at the pool. Braden is now swimming across the pool without help, no floaties or anything! He was even taking breathes today. He also like to do Cannon Balls, and he actually does them well!

We have had a lovely time so far. We look forward to the rest of the week, even if we can't go in the ocean.

C's bday party and swim meet

We had to cancel Caitlin's birthday party because both kids got pink eye, it was fantastic! We ended up having it on Memorial day which was good because the dad's were around. Don't think Braden is being sweet above by kissing my hand, he is blowing out his sisters candles!

I had every intention on making princess cupcakes then I was pressured for time and went to the store and saw this perfectly good princess cake. Caitlin loved it.

It was a water party. We had a double slip in slide and a sprinkler going. It rained in the middle but the kids got back out quickly and played.

This was the second official swim meet for the Willow Creek Sea Hawks, Caitlin's team. She gets so excited about the meets.

The first match she does it the front stroke. She was amazing tonight, she did not take a break at all. She came in second place, four in all. Her good friend Sofia came in first, she is an amazing swimmer.

She is suppose to wear the goggles though our pool is salt water, which is so much better on their eyes. She tells me she can tell a difference when she is in a different pool.

This is her getting ready for the backstroke race. The third one they do. The second one was cancelled, it is the relay and one of the girls was missing.

She improved so much this time. Last week she was dead last, this week she was third, and close to the second place girl! I am so proud of her!!

This is just trouble. I have to work the first half and he just wonders around. All the girls keep an eye on him for me. I keep hearing "Braden James!" Amazing how everyone knows his entire name!

James made it for the last race, Caitlin was so happy to see her Daddy there! She loves him! He was so proud of his baby girl!!

Last Day of School & Swim Meet

Yesterday was Caitlin's fifth birthday and the last day of school. Both kids had their end of the year parties. Nana came to help out, so I would not have to cover both parties. Caitlin got the Always Lovey award. Her teacher said she is always giving hugs and wants to sit in their laps. That makes me smile, she is my sweet little girl.
The school provided snow cones for the kids. Both kids loved them. They had crafts and activities in their rooms and snacks. It is always fun to see how they are around their friends. Braden has a few boys that are buddies.

Before snack time, saying the blessing, so sweet!

Caitlin has her first swim meet yesterday. She is swimming out of our neighborhood. I am amazed at how well she is doing. She has always been a good swimmer but now she is doing strokes and breathing as she swims. After the second race, she told me she was ready to go again! She did a total of 3.

Everyone makes comments about how little she is, but she can swim! This is her taking off.

They have to swim the length of the pool. Though at this age they can grap the lane markers if needed. She did not need to the first race, she did the second, I think she was tired, and her goggles were not staying up.

The last race she did was the back stroke. Nana asked her what she was going to do and she said she did not know. But she was able to do it! And she did not have to stop! We were so proud of her!

She has meets every Thursday and practice every day. It is a lot of time but so worth it. We were suppose to have her birthday party today but she woke up with Pink Eye in both eyes. Then an hour after Braden started getting it. Oh so much fun!! So, the party is now set for Monday!

Amicalola Falls

Yesterday we took a trip up to Amicalola Falls in North Georgia. James and I went there before we were engaged and have not been back since. We have tried to go back a few times but once our battery died on the way, another time it ended up raining. So we finally made it today.

We started at the bottom and walked all the way to the top, 604 steps. And both kids did it. There are a few places where you are going up stairs after stairs, and we were so proud of them, they never even complained.

They loved seeing the falls as we walked. Then we went down and decided to do a more scenic route. It was a bit longer but it was fun. Caitlin liked following the colors marked on the tree, to determine which path we were on. At one point a very small snack crossed over her shoes, she screamed then laughed.

Needless to say they were wiped out by the time we got done. It hit 90 degreed in Georgia yesterday but it did not seem that hot because of the shade and the light mist (still hot just not that hot!).

This is a very busy week for us. Caitlin has graduation tomorrow and as I type this I want to cry. I cannot believe out little girl is almost five, Thursday is her birthday. Thursday is also her first swim meet. She loves swim team and has all ready improved. I looked over last week and she was doing the breast stroke to the middle of the pool without stopping! She has had to take a week off though because she got swimmers ear. Friday she has her birthday party. She is having friends over for a water party in the backyard.

You will see lots of pictures from this week!!

Dance Recital

So I am still learning on how to post pictures and type text, these pictures are out of order, but that is ok! Today was a busy day for Caitlin. She had a soccer game at 12 then had to be at the church for her recital at 1. Needless to say, she was so excited to get dressed up! She was so not in her game today during soccer, she was daydreaming the entire time!

I took Caitlin to dance at 1, got her dressed in her costume, thank goodness for one of the young girls there that could do her hair up, she still does not have a lot and it is hard to keep up. The parents were told to leave, Caitlin did not even notice I left. She loves being around all her friends.

I got into the theater and shortly after my parents arrived then James and Braden. Of course out recital is the longest. Caitlin's class does their tap routine just before intermission and then her ballet routine at the end of the recital. The entire thing was about 2 1/2 hours. Braden had fun driving everyone crazy!!

He actually did really well considering how long we had to sit there. He kept asking "Is Caitlin up next" It was a hard wait!

We picked up Caitlin after the recital and gave her flowers. She was on cloud nine! She was did a beautiful job!

We asked all her dance friends over for a cookout after the recital. Four came over. They had such a good time. They ate, played, ate more, dug into the cake!! It was nice to see that they could just be little kids for awhile!

I was not allowed to use flash during the recital, so I only got a few pictures! But don't worry, James got it on DVD!