Great Read: A Tantrum for My Transformation

Link is here. Go read, mamas, you'll be glad you did!

The Beach

We spent a whole week at the beach. Honey and Poppa came, too (back-ups to help with kids, a must these days!). Aunt NeNe came for a couple of days, and Uncle Tyler, too. Annie and JJ had the best time playing in the sand, waves, and indoor pool (perfect for the rainy days). JJ liked to lay at the edge of the beach and let the waves roll him around. Annie preferred jumping into the pool, over and over and over. Sophie got her toes in the sand and the ocean for the first time. I love beach babies so I start 'em early!

sandy piggies


such a chill baby. oh, sand? cool by me.
 

kisses are yucky, Daddy!


pure bliss


hanging with NeNe


the Gent and JJ off on a wave adventure


thinks she'll try it, too


or maybe not


Sophie took lots of naps on the beach


if you couldn't tell, that's JJ down there


'sup?


oh hey, I made it into a photo without a kid!


ummm ignore the background ladies ;)


the pout. Sophie has mastered it young. watch out, Daddy.
 

sisters in pink ruffly swimsuits. could they be any cuter?


chilling with Poppa. and yay, found those fingers!


tummy time with Uncle Tyler


a partial family photo


the Gent and his big girl


beautiful rainbow on our last night

JJ's Happenings

Beach pictures coming later this week...in the meantime I thought I'd give you a quick JJ update. Court was last week, and was continued until mid-December. Which basically means everything stays the same for now. He has weekend visits with his mother twice a month, and his future is still very much in limbo. Our mantra these days: God is in control!

JJ is talking up a storm these days. Paragraphs, stories, and learning to pray. Too precious. He is almost potty-trained (still wearing a pull-up at naptime and bedtime)--WOO HOO! He still adores his stuffed animals, books, and running full speed everywhere he wants to go and dragging his feet anywhere you want to go. :) JJ thought the waves at the beach were the most awesome thing ever. He liked to lay in his belly on the sand and let the waves roll him around. He is really excited about football season beginning!

Art Museum

This has been one of our favorite places to hang out this summer. The kids love to be outside, but air-conditioning is nice, too. :)

Down by the Bay

Last week the Gent and I spent a few days in San Francisco. Sophie came with us and the big kids stayed with Honey and Poppa. We enjoyed the time away and a chance to explore a new city. We had great coffee in a little cafe we wandered into in North Beach, browsed the farmer's market at the Ferry Building, took in beautiful views of the bay and the Pacific from the Presidio, checked out the local baseball scene, and rode a cable car. With the exception of one public transportation official, everyone we met was friendly and welcoming. We now take offense at the notion that Southerners are slow, however. :) San Francisco is a city not in a hurry.

Sophie was the best little traveler. She pretty much lived in the Moby wrap on our trip and she was happy as could be. She slept well, ate well, and looked cute, which is about all you can ask for in a 10 week old infant. And now that we're home she's right back on her usual schedule. I would have four or five more babies if I knew they would all be like her!

We stayed at the Palace Hotel, which is very pretty and historic and was perfectly adequate. I never saw a doorman, the front desk clerks were fine, the concierge dismissive, the bell desk did not answer their phone. The rooms were loud. The bed was quite comfortable and housekeeping responsive. But certainly not the service I expect from a four star hotel. Lesson learned: either stay at a Hilton family hotel and earn the points, or splurge and stay at the Ritz.

the only picture of all three of us


dinner by the ballpark
 

a little free baseball through the outfield fence


yay Moby wrap! and the sweetest baby in the world.
 

the America's Cup qualifier race was going on. amazing to watch these boats sail!


the Palace of Fine Arts

Sophie Photo Fix

(the lighting is off in some of these, but I don't have time to edit today; enjoy, anyway!)

Words to Live By

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.