In Other News...

We had a REALLY GREAT week with Gram and Poppy.  We are glad they were able to come down and spend time with us!  It was lots of fun!!  We went to the beach, went swimming in Jake's pool, and played A LOT....  They had to leave this morning....and they actually took Jake with them!  So, Jake is now in VA having lots and lots of fun - and I'm still in SC....and missing him lots and lots, BUT - it's also nice for Chris and me to be able to hang out.  AND....I'm trying really hard not to mention Jake every 10 minutes and not to ask Chris if he will call his family to see how Jake is doing :-)  ha!  

In other other news.....I had a doctor's appointment this past week - the baby was hiding, so instead of just listening to the heart beat, they had to pull out the ultra sound machine, so I was able to SEE the baby sucking his/her thumb......and the heart beat was strong and wonderful!  Very exciting news!  PLUS, we find out the sex of the baby in about 2 1/2 weeks! :-)  Can't wait!  

PARRIS ISLAND GRADUATION

Yesterday was graduation day at Parris Island.  After 3 long months, FOX Company graduated 426 recruits....who now, of course are Marines!!  It was a cool experience to see.  Now, Chris has the WHOLE WEEKEND OFF (incredible) - and then we are headed to VA next week before he has to be back and get back to work.  Here are some pictures from yesterday:

                                    Here is HUMMER the bull dog, the Parris Island mascot

                      Chris is directly behind the color guard.....marching in front of his series
            Chris is in front and center of this picture (maybe you can see if you blow it up big)?!
                                                          Again, front and center.....
                                                             All of the graduates....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was Daddy's 27th birthday :-)  It was especially fun, because Gram and Poppy came into town to join in on the celebration.  Jake especially liked playing with the wrapping paper and ribbons :-)  I'm pretty sure the birthday boy had a good day....and we were glad to get to celebrate with him, since last year he was in Iraq.  We are VERY VERY thankful for Daddy....he is the best daddy and husband ever!  Thanks for letting us celebrate YOU yesterday Chris :-)  We love you!!

Thank You Aunt Jenn

WE LOVE THE CHAIR - THANK YOU :-)!!!!!!!  It has already been so much fun watching him explore his new chair...and enjoy sitting in it!!

Jake's New Chair

Aunt Jenn surprised Jake by buying him this oh so adorable chair from Land of Nod....complete with his name on it!  The chair part came last week - and the cover came in the mail yesterday while Jake was asleep, so I put it together, and he was very excited about it when he woke up from his nap.  He is going to have a lot of good times in his jake-sized chair :-)

               Posing next to his chair (and letting Mr. Bear take a turn sitting in it) :-)
                            Sitting in it for the first time....

                          Watching a little Baby Einstein in his new chair!

Playing in the HOT FL heat!

Here is Jake outside playing in the hot, FL sun!  It's probably about as humid in SC as it is in FL, but that doesn't stop Jake from wanting to be outside always (and Blake, too)!!  These are just some pictures of Jake riding a tricycle for the first time (although he could only go backwards)....and running all over the place! :-)  Jake is getting really big - and becoming very independent these days....he's not a baby anymore :-(  It's really exciting to see - and a little sad...

Spontaneous Florida Trip!!

This past weekend, we took a spontaneous trip to see my grandparents in Florida.  They live about 3 1/2 hours away from us...and my Nana had surgery about 10 days ago and my Mom and Aunt Beverly were headed down to FL, and so I decided that Jake and I would go for the weekend, since Chris was gone anyway.  We decided to surprise my grandparents - and surprise them, we did (so that was fun)!!  PLUS, it was not only a special treat getting to spend time with my grandparents - and them getting to spend some time with Jake, but it was obviously great to see my Mom and Aunt Beverly....and my Aunt Elaine, Uncle Don and Aunt Charline....and my cousin Melissa and Ron and their kids Rylee and Blake - and my cousin Jennifer!!  It was LOTS of fun!!  Jake was into everything (of course), BUT he was so excited to be with everyone.  He loved playing with Rylee, who is almost a year old - and he also loved trying to keep up with Blake (Jake thought he was AS BIG as Blake ..... it was pretty hilarious, actually).  Blake brought a friend over on Saturday - and Blake and Aaron were playing, but Jake would be in the same room laughing and running around thinking he was playing with them....and thinking he was "big stuff" ......  It was especially cute to see Rylee and Jake hug!  It was really just a fun time all around - and we always enjoy the opportunity to see cousins and family....and Nana and Papa, too!!  I wish we were able to be with everyone more!  

                                                 Jake and Rylee hugging :-)
Rylee, Jake, and Blake (it's pretty impossible to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time)! :-)
        Jake with Blake and Aaron......you can tell by Jake's face that he is LOVING life!!

SO SAD :-(

Jake has had a couple of friends move lately (that's what happens when most of your friends are military families).  This morning I realized that he was looking out the front door window...and I thought to myself that I bet he saw the moving truck at Jacob's house across the street....next thing I know, Jake took off for his room - and I walked in to find him staring out his window......I think he is wondering what is going on over there.  It's kind of good that Jake isn't old enough to quite realize that Jacob is moving.  Jake and Jacob have been playing every Tuesday morning for the past couple of months - and Jake LOVES it!  In fact, Jacob and his Mom stopped by Friday morning to drop something off - and Jake cried for 20 straight minutes after they left, because he thought they were coming over to play! :-)  I just thought it was funny/sad that Jake was staring out his bedroom window wondering what was going on over at Jacob's house this morning....  BUT, Gram and Poppy will be here tomorrow for the week, so Jake will not be concerned about Jacob one bit come tomorrow!

OH MY GOODNESS!!

So, besides the puzzle that I bought Jake at the Exchange while we ran errands yesterday, I also bought him THIS OUTFIT....which is a mini-version of PT gear that Marines wear when they PT.  Chris has been gone the past few days, so I can't wait for him to see it!!  HOW CUTE?!  I think we'll leave his hair alone for now, though!! :-)

Dancing Machine

This afternoon, we were listening to some country music on XM radio....and Jake obviously was really feeling the music....and started dancing and singing.  He has such GOOD moves - I hope he teaches them to me ;-)  I love when he tries to move so fast that he falls over - priceless....all of it! 

ps. totally unrelated, but I'm burning a Sun & Sand Yankee Candle right now.....it's wonderful - it's the next best thing to being at the beach and actually smelling the sun and sand, so - if you like candles...and you like the beach - it's a must have!!  *There is no charge for this wonderful suggestion :-)*

Still Working Puzzles...

As you can see, Jake is still really enjoying working puzzles....and we've worked several today!  I even bought him a new one at the Exchange when we were running errands today.  It's a number puzzle (2nd picture), so he has been working hard on that one today - and trying to figure it out.  It was really cute, b/c while we were shopping, I let him hold the puzzle - and when we went to check out.....all by himself, he put the puzzle on the counter, so that the lady could scan it.  THEN, he held a conversation with her while she checked us out (which meant that the 3 minute check-out turned into 10 minutes, b/c the lady was paying more attention to Jake than my items she needed to scan), BUT....I can't complain....no one else was in line - and it was pretty entertaining to watch.....

Of course, here is Jake clapping for himself in this picture.....after he had just put one of the pieces in ..... love it!  (sorry, I think I forgot to remove the red-eye)!!

Pool Videos...Enjoy!

Jake and I not only shared lots of laughs....but lots of good conversations, too (can't wait to find out what he's really telling me)!  And of course.....no afternoon would be complete without a little singing and dancing... :-)

Love my Pool!

Jake and I enjoyed the nice, hot weather in our "pool" yesterday.  He was actually really into it - and enjoyed splashing around and playing with the sprinklers.  It was a VERY FUN afternoon...LOTS of laughs shared by both of us!!

The Bib Says it ALL...

in my biased opinion, of course :-)

Bed Head

I love Jake's hair when he wakes up....this time it happens to be from a nap - but the mornings can be funny, too :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPPY!!!!!!!

Today is Poppy's 50th Birthday - and Jake wanted to sing him HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

We hope you had a really great day - we were celebrating you - and wishing we could be with you!  We love you!

Worn Out!

This was Jake before the fireworks were even over....sound asleep in Daddy's lap.  He STAYED sound asleep even during the grand finale - crazy!  It was a really fun day - and night!  4th of July is such a day for celebration......of our freedom!  Thanks to all the men and women who have served and serve this amazing country, so that we can have this freedom we SO ENJOY - and appreciate!!!  

More Fireworks...

Fireworks!

We went to Parris Island for the fireworks.  It was a lot of fun - and a really good show.  Jake especially liked watching all of the recruits in the background while we were waiting for the fireworks to start.  Jake was pretty tired once the fireworks started at 9:30pm, so he didn't have too much of a reaction.  He was definitely concentrating on them....every once in a while, he'd give a little clap - but he mainly was just staring up at the sky wondering what the heck was going on - and why they were making such loud noises!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

Yesterday (July 4th) started off with some relaxing...although Chris had to work, so no relaxing for him.  Recruits don't get to rest, so neither does Chris :-)  Jake and I relaxed, though - and played....and Jake was ALL FIRED UP for the 4th (as you can see by his t-shirt).  Then, during his nap, I made some sugar cookies - very patriotic, I was!  Then, Chris got home around 5pm - and we hung out - and got ALL FIRED UP with Jake for the fireworks :-) 

Celebrating a Victory!

The other night, we went to see Daddy play in his softball game (which Jakes LOVES).  We then had to celebrate the victory and Chris hitting 2 home-runs after the game, so I stopped and got us some ice-cream on the way home.  Here is a quick family picture before the celebrating began...

Here is Chris feeding Jake some ice-cream at 9PM!!!!!!  That is one lucky boy!  

Of course AFTER the ice-cream, Jake was all hyper and wanted to dance....

FUN NIGHT.