WW...our 4th...the outtakes

because this is just a smattering of the pictures we usually get when trying to "capture the moment"...but that one picture that's perfect...makes all of these funnies worth it!

Our 4th

Trey and Addie living it up on the 4th

The 4th of July has long been one of my favorite holiday...fireworks...summer...celebrating our freedom and everything good about our country.  This year further validated my love of the 4th...we spent the afternoon with close friends and family eating all sorts of amazing things (basically an appetizer dinner...my fave) and then we walked down to watch the fireworks with the rest of virginia beach...i tell no lies when i tell you there were thousands of people at our local park to watch the city fireworks...it was insane and a true test of one's patience but only one day a year so we celebrate the insanity.  I had some concerns about Addie...she doesn't like loud noises..they terrify her (i.e. the vacuum, lawn mower, blower..you get the picture) and we all know fireworks are noisy!  But that kid...she LOVED them...ate em up...wanted more...and more...and more.  We watched the NYC fireworks on TV when we got home and she's still asking daily for more fireworks...sorry, kid...its just once a year.  There sure is something magical about the good 'ole red, white, and blue and celebrating that is something special....

my girls

from our home to yours....and a little surprise

wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!!!  and yes, we are pregnant!!!  16 weeks along and I'm hoping to catch up with some posts with all of the details soon.  this little one is due may 30, 2013 and i cannot thank all of you enough for all of your support and encouraging words this summer!!

wordless wednesday...our 4th

happy 4th and wordless wednesday!!!

Weekend Rewind

Week 2 of "Weekend Rewind" with one of my fave bloggers, Tami over at "Little Moments Like This"

Every weekend is too short...and this one was no exception.  We started off our weekend with my hubs having his wisdom teeth taken out on Friday...which went fine...just some soreness and he was a little out of it for most of the day.

Saturday was spent doing a bunch of tidying and cleaning....the hubs outside....me and the girl inside (with dance breaks and story reading mixed in).

Onto the highlight of the weekend...Mother's Day!!!!  I hope all of the mommas out there had a wonderful day!!  My baby girl made me the sweetest gift I could have ever asked for...here she is hard at work on it....

My parents joined us for breakfast in the morning and it was glorious...french toast casserole...sausage cheese squares...fresh fruit...and scrambled eggs.

 

I'm am SO very lucky to have such a wonderful woman to call mom.  I simply don't know what I'd do without her!!!

The rest of the day was spent working on our green thumbs and harvesting some of the fruits of our labor....

 

Above is our romaine lettuce that has done totally awesome this year....

And our tomato plants we successfully got in the ground yesterday afternoon

 

And....my pots I finally got the plants in to pretty up the deck...

 

And...I should also mention that the hubs and I made a pact this weekend...to start the dreaded "d" word....DIET.  Ick....I hate that word but we are both in desperate need....I couldn't even bear to post the pictures of my lil bro and I on his graduation day because my appearance is totally lacking.  It's not healthy...my back hurts because of it....and I'm totally miserable.  And...I'm not really a fad dieter because I know they are often not sustainable but I think the "17 Day Diet" shows some promise so we are going to give it a go.  In combo with Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred."  It also doesn't help that June 9th we have a black tie event to attend...so we have no time to waste.  I know the key to these diets is meal planning....so here's ours for the week...

 

Wish us luck...and please if anyone has any experience with this or any helpful tips...do share!!!  I'll keep y'all posted on our progress!

J

looking back and thinking ahead....

wow...so totally un-planned but it's been a really long time since i've even logged into my blogger account, read my gmail, or looked at my twitter feed.  I checked in a few nights ago for the first time and quickly realized that it seems like alot of my bloggy friends took the holidays off too...i hope my absence didn't come off as neglect because it surely wasn't that...i just needed some time to soak it all in.  Christmas is by far my favorite holiday and spending it with my family...completely uninterrupted by the world around us is a priority for me.  With that being said, we had a wonderful christmas...spent some quality time together as a family, watched addie enjoy christmas a little more this year, reflected on the wonderful year 2011 was, and got knee-deep in on kitchen remodel planning (more on that later).  That being said...I wanted to share some of the highlights of the year...


1.  Addie's first full year - I can't even begin to describe how much she's changed this year...she's grown by leaps and bounds, made new friends, started MDO and Little Gym, started to grow a little hair, talks to the dogs, enjoys books, loves bath time, developed quite the little personality and can be quite fiesty at times (wonder where she gets that from...ahem).  We've been so lucky to share this year with her...there are moments when I can't help but stare at her and thank god for being so lucky to be her momma.

2. My soul sister welcomed a baby boy into the world on none other than my birthday.  I can't wait to snuggle him up and only wish they lived closer!!!


3. Our trips to South Carolina and the Outer Banks - We've never been big travelers as a family so taking 2 trips in one year as a family is kind of a big deal around here.  And I'm so glad we did....I soaked in every minute of each trip...there is nothing like time away for a fresh perspective and a renewed spirit.

4. I joined the blogging world - Always said I never would but now I can't imagine not doing it.  The people I've met (well you know, virtually) and the support that everyone has offered me has been nothing short of amazing.  I love reading about what everyone else has going on and sharing in their special moments of joy and happiness.  I've learned SO much and can't wait to share another year of my life with you guys as you share yours.  And I promise...to those that did blog over the holidays, I'm going to catch up...it just might take me awhile...my work schedule is about to get SUPER crazy for a couple months.

As I head into 2012...I have no idea what this year has in store for me and my family.  I have hopes and dreams...some too personal to share but here are a few:

* Another wonderful year as a family of three...may we all stay healthy and continue to grow and love each other more and more every day.

* The completion of some very exciting and long overdue projects around our home.  I'll share the details later but to say I'm excited would be a drastic understatement.

* Sticking to our budget and financial plan.

* More time with family and balancing my life with work.  I did a much better job with this in 2011 and really hope to continue to improve upon this in 2012...I need to remember to leave work at the office and cherish each and every minute spent with my family.

I hope you and yours enjoyed the holiday season and spent it with those that matter most...

J

Dear Santa, I need your help...

The hubs and I have gone back and forth on what to get Addie from Santa.  Last year, we did a few things and filled her stocking with goodies (no worries, the grandparents made up for what we lacked) but decided that setting additional money aside in her college fund was more important (boring, i know).  So, we put the bulk of her "santa gifts" in a college fund and still had trouble finding space for all of the other lovely gifts she received.  This year is slightly different...she doesn't get Santa but she I do feel like she understands "new toys" and she LOVES new things...preferably, shiny...loud...and big.  The hubs wouldn't let me buy her a Ferarri so she'll have to settle for this trike we decided to purchase instead:

She also tends to gravitate towards the Mega Bloks at Little Gym...so we decided she needed her own set for home: 

I also scooped up some Melissa & Doug puzzles for her:

But, thats it.  Lame?!  I'm torn...should I buy more...looking at what we've got doesn't seem like much (sure, there will be clothes and books in addition to the above) but at her age I don't know what else she'd want.  Space is a major issue in our house and with a plan to put our house on the market next spring I'm trying to manage the extras.  So...I'm curious...what is everyone else doing??!!  I'd love to hear what you're giving...or what you're thinking in terms of Christmas gifts this year...

From our home to yours...

Virtual holiday wishes from our family to yours...A huge thanks to Lis for her beautiful photography above!!!

almost wordless wednesday...scary santa style

but, really...can you blame her?!  She doesn't remember last year so she has no idea that this man dressed in a red suit will be bringing her presents under her tree christmas morning.  So for now...he's just someone that lost track of the days somewhere along the line and doesn't realize that halloween was over almost 2 months ago.

Don't tell my husband...but, I have a list!!!

The hubs and I have a long standing tradition of agreeing to not buy each other Christmas gifts.  Instead, we pool our money we would have spent in addition to any we receive as gifts and buy a joint gift that we both can enjoy.  So..whenever he asks (because he still does;)) I simply say..."uumm, nothing I really want."  But, we all have a list and so I thought I'd join in with Becky over at "From Mrs. to Mama" and Aly at "Analyze This" for the "Show Me Christmas" link-up and share my secret little list.

Hunter Boots

I've never owned a pair of rain boots and up until recently haven't really been interested but I'm pretty sure I *need* these Hunter boots.  Ooohh...and those cute pink wellies that are lapping over the top..I *need* those too...because I live in Va Beach and we get ssooo much snow (insert sarcasm here) that surely these would make the perfect snow boots too.

Shark Steam Mop

Imagine the horror if my hubs actually gifted me a cleaning device for Christmas...ha!  I don't really get wrapped up in that type of stuff but I've seriously been eying the Shark steam mops for some time.  I've heard awesome things about them and my house is entirely hard wood, tile, and laminate flooring...the broom and sponge mop are getting old (cue the swiffer commercial...)

Williams-Sonoma place setting

Our current everyday place setting is nearing the 10 year mark...and although they've held up remarkably well...I've been dying to get my hands on my very own crisp and clean Williams-Sonoma place setting for everyday use.  Boring...I know, but these little things make my day...yep, I'm simple.

Clothes from Ann Taylor LOFT

Lets see...its been almost 2 years since I've REALLY shopped for myself.  As soon as I knew I was going to be welcoming a baby girl into my life its been much more fun to shop for her.  Plus...with all of the added body weight...shoes and handbags are really all I can enjoy shopping for.  BUT, I am in serious need of a wardrobe overhaul...and I'm pretty sure those that see me on the regular are sick of my "standard uniform" that they ALWAYS see me in.

And last but certainly not least....

A WHITE CHRISTMAS...a girl can dream right?!?!

the view from our front door

And it is possible...see the pic above is from the crazy snowstorm we had the day after Christmas last year (yep, 14 inches of snow in good ole' VB)....see, I do NEED those Hunter Boots!

I'd love to hear what you guys are wishing for...so, head over and link-up with the girls above or go check out what everyone else is wishing for...maybe you can find some ideas for those "hard to shop for" people on your list....you know, the type that always respond with "uumm, nothing i really want."

Paradise found...

Last week was a special one...I turned the big 3-0 and we spent the week in the Outer Banks with my family doing a whole lot of eating and relaxing...oh, and I spent alot of time watching for wild horses.  As a child, we didn't get the chance as a family to get away very often but I clearly remember spending Thanksgiving in the Outer Banks one year with my family and some close family friends.  To say I've never forgotten it or that it was special would be an understatement.  My love for the Outer Banks runs deep but with SO much development in the last 10 years that place is starting to look a little foreign and over-grown to me.  So, we mixed things up and decided to stay in the 4x4 only area - meaning simply, there are no roads - just beach and houses dotted along the way.  Peace and queit are a plenty and this just so happens to be a part of the Outer Banks where the wild horses, known as "Bankers" (or "dog dog dog" as Addie liked to call them - I have to wonder if she marveled at how much bigger these dogs were then hers at home) also like to freely roam.  Seeing one was important to me...something about their beauty and freedom strikes a cord in my heart.  As luck would have it...I saw plenty and on a daily basis nonetheless.  While visiting down there I spent some time reading about these horses and their history - I found it insanely interesting that these horses are actually considered "feral horses" by the US Wildlife and Fisheries Department as they are believed to be descendants of domesticated Spanish horses that were either unloaded to lighten ships as they passed by the very dangerous North Carolina coastline (home to many many shipwrecks over our history) or swam to shore after a ship had wrecked and learned to live on the land.  As they are not native to the Outer Banks, they are considered to be a nusiance because they are not a part of the established ecosystem.  While there are laws in place and not-for-profit groups that exist solely to protect these beautiful animals, they do control their population numbers by birth control and various adoption progams.  I know I'm a geek but I couldn't help but do a little research to learn their history and how they survive.  If you're ever in the Outer Banks, I highly recommend taking a tour or a drive up to "where the road ends" in Corolla to see these amazing animals.

I know Thanksgiving has come and gone but this trip just reminded me how much I really have to be thankful for in so many different ways...and...to only be 2 hours away from paradise might just be utopia.  Here's the play-by-play of our trip:

Good morning sunshine - our first sunrise

Waiting for DaDa to arrive Monday night - beach driving in the dark = sketch

horse sighting about 300 feet from our rental house 

crossing the road - the grass is always greener on the other side

"up close and personal" - horses along our fence line

"red sky at night - sailor's delight"

our house for the week at sunset

the most amazing sunset I've ever seen

Happy Turkey Day

breathing in the salty air

huh?!

right after my bro told me he didn't want his picture taken and my momma

Addie and the boys

My dad's best pose - and my super embarrassed brother

our short trip up the beach to the NC/VA state line

kickin' it in the high chair - because its vacation and that's what we do

where I enjoyed my morning coffee

oohhh the food...i must have gained 10 pounds but it tasted SO good

running on the beach

looking for shells

and success

our last sunset...until next time