What's Up Wednesday

What we're eating this week...

This week we are eating a lot of chicken. A couple nights we have grilled and then others I have just thrown something together to bake. Since we got home from our trip, I stocked up on fruit and veggies, and Caroline cannot seem to get enough of cucumbers and bell peppers.

What I'm reminiscing about...

I'm reminiscing about our last week at the beach. It was such a fun trip. Caroline is such a fun age that we can just hang out on the beach and she just plays and plays all day long. At one point, she just took off out in the ocean by herself to ride the waves not even thinking twice. It is so funny to me how she is scared of some things and has no fear of others.

What I'm loving...

I am loving summertime right now! I'm loving not having a busy schedule and just enjoying lazy days at home with these two kiddos!

What we've been up to...

Well, a few of the kids came down with illnesses while we were at the beach, and then more got sick once they were home including Will and Caroline. Will had his one year vaccinations the week before we left for the beach, and so he ran a low grade fever off and on while on the trip which I think was due to the shots. Then Caroline started going down hill Monday afternoon, and by Tuesday morning was running at 103 temp. So yesterday and today, we are just laying low trying to get everyone feeling better so we can start enjoying summertime again!

What I'm dreading...

I can't think of anything that I am dreading =))

What I'm working on...

I am not working on too much around here. I have been trying to get pictures and frames ordered from Will's one year photo session. Caroline jumped in on the session so I'm using those as her 5 year old pictures as well. {How is it possible that we are have an almost 5 year old?!?!?!} I can't wait to hang some of the pictures around the house! Something else, I need to start working on is birthday party planning for the big 5th birthday. Ha!

What I'm excited about...

We are less than a month out from welcoming a new baby GIRL to the family. I can't wait to see Caroline her baby cousin! She was all about baby Jack, but something tells me she is going to be even more crazy about this little girl =))

What I'm watching/reading...

While we were on our trip in California, I started reading some of Elin Hilderbrand's books. I read two on our trip which were really good. Then I have been trying to read The Castaways but I just can't get into it, so I have decided to put it back on the shelf. Ha! Now I'm going to start Silver Girl. I've read good things about it, so I'm excited!

Also, Stephen and I have been watching Shark Week the past couple nights! It has been pretty interesting- we turn it off when it starts talking about shark attacks though. I'm not too interested in those.

What I'm listening to...

Since I am rarely by myself in the car, most of the time I am listening to movies like Paw Patrol, Bubble Guppies, Dora, and Blues Clues. #toddlermomlife

What I'm wearing...

I did get me a new hat when we were at the beach. It is totally not my "normal" style, but I love it!!

What I'm doing this weekend...

With it being the fourth of July, I'm sure we will get out to the lake and cookout with family and friends! =)

What I'm looking forward to next month...

That new BABY GIRL mentioned above and celebrating my favorite almost 5 year old!

What else is new...

Caroline is in gymnastics and moving up to a new class. She loves gymnastics so she is really excited about that. =)

Orange Beach, Part 3

Oma had to fly out on Friday to meet Opa. We were all sad she had to leave, but we are so thankful for the six days she was with us!

On Friday afternoon, I followed through with taking Caroline on a dolphin cruise. When Stephen and I went to California in May, I went on a whale watching/dolphin cruise. When I told Caroline about it, she wanted to go so I told her we would go when we went to the beach, and she didn't let me forget that I told her that. Ha! It was so much fun-- we saw a TON of dolphins and her face was priceless!

They let all the kids "drive" the boat and take a picture. 

Papa found this starfish. It was so pretty. We held it in a bucket for a while then decided to release it. 

On our last night, Friday, we ate pizza around the pool then went back down to the beach and let the kids play in the sand and splash around. Since Oma had left, Will got to join in on the fun, and he had a blast!

We found a baby crab!

Orange Beach, Part 2

On this morning, we brought Will and Oma down to the beach. He loved just sitting in the sand and playing. 

This photo was from the second night of the trip. This was everyone that was at the beach at one point. Some of the group came late and left early. Some were sick, etc etc etc.

On Thursday night, we all went to Cafe Grazie. It was another restaurant that we ate at last time that was so good. Seafood and Italian food-- can it get any better? This was the "kid" table. 

These three cousins were the only three to make it to every meal. They had a blast! Some of the cousins didn't make it, some were sick, some left early, and Will got left at the condo with Oma. =)

Like Mommy, like Daughter-- Whats sitting on the beach without a fruity drink?

Orange Beach, Part 1

Last week, we were gone to Orange Beach with our family. We had a wonderful week making memories at the beach. There is no doubt that Caroline is a girl born for the beach. That girl can play in the sand and swim all day long and that is exactly what she did. Most days we were out there by 9am and stay out until 4 or 5pm. She absolutely loves it. She is just content sitting in the sand with a bucket and shovel playing. Oma came with us to help take care of Will so that we could somewhat have a vacation. We all know going on vacation with a baby really isn't a vacation. Ha! Anytime we took Caroline anywhere when she was around Will's age, we always lost a couple night's sleep. Thankfully, Will is a little more go with the flow because he slept like a champ for naps and at night. We are thinking Oma might have her a job each summer of going on vacation with us. =)) This is going to be picture overload of pretty much swimsuits and sand. Here we go...

As soon as we arrived in Orange Beach, we headed to Steamers. It was one of our favorite restaurants from the last trip in June 2013. We loved it so much, the guys ate there almost every day for lunch on this trip. You can never eat too much crab and shrimp. =)

The little ones decided the needed a fruity drink too. Ha!

And oh course... these two couldn't get to the swimming pool fast enough!

Will's first walk in the sand was a success - much better than Caroline's first walk in the sand. Ha!

One afternoon when we went to the lazy river, this is how Stephen was laying out because it was so HOT! 

The whole family went out to eat at Fisher's. It was so good!! 

One morning we took Caroline and Will to the playground. He loved it. I'm not sure he loved the playground or just the fact that he was out of the condo. Ha!

Rodeo of the Ozarks

We took Caroline to the Rodeo of the Ozarks on Saturday night. This girl loves her a rodeo, and this was one special because she got to see Miss Tori and Cougar.

Caroline dressed herself for the rodeo. She was so proud. Ha! Thankfully I convinced her to let me push her socks down into her boots. She said "It's ok. Everyone will be watching the rodeo and not looking at me." HAHA!