Beach Trip

When Holly was 6 weeks old my mom invited me and the kids to join them at the beach for some R&R and the promise of some free babysitting. So, we jumped in the car and made the drive to Destin. I took this picture while we were there:

This past week we were back down there with the Slotkins. Holly was lounging on this same chair so I had the idea to try to recapture the shot. What do you think?

And since Holly's expressions change by the second, we also got this one:

Gotta love this girl. If anything, she keeps me laughing, which is a real blessing these days.

We had a great time at the beach and got to spend some time with the Slotkin's sweet new baby, Vaughn, who really is the sweetest, calmest baby in town. We did some bonding, and I even got him to smile and laugh--which was the most precious sound in the world.

We missed Joseph a lot this trip. We miss him all the time, every day. But this was a trip he would have especially enjoyed since buddy Logan was there. Holly and Logan do get along like a house on fire, though, even though they are a year apart.

Here's a picture of them too cool for the beach:

In baby news, I am 17 weeks along and will find out in 3 weeks what we are having!! I was really thinking girl for a while there, but now I am just not so sure. You guys have any guess?

While I Was Sleeping...

As some of you may know, many of my family members have bumped into Nicole and Keith around town. To name a few....my mom, my father-in-law, brother-in-law, both brothers, and my husband. I always obsessively have my eyes peeled for them, but alas have never gotten to see the celebrities in person.

This morning, Allen met a friend for coffee at "The Good Cup" which is a fabulous little coffee shop down the street. While he was there, who should also happen to be there enjoying a little date? You guessed it.

Nicole and Keith.

Of course, he diligently tried calling me but I had moved my cell phone into the kitchen and so I didn't wake up (the one morning this week I sleep in!).

But I'm still holding out hope. I have a couple of months left here, and now that I know where they drink coffee I can stake out there with Holly every morning. Just kidding.

Maybe.

Funny Holly

Holly has been cracking us up lately, as usual. I just have to share some recent conversations:

Grey (her buddy): Let's go, Holly! I'm the king of the castle!!
Holly: Oh yeah? I'm the princess of the castle!!

Holly (to Grey): Mommy! Oops, I called you Mommy. What was I thinking?!

Holly: Daddy, look, the baby in my belly came out (showing off her baby doll).

Daddy: Interesting. So, who's the baby's daddy?

Holly (without missing a beat): Oh, she doesn't need a daddy. She just needs a mommy.

Daddy: Really? Do you need a daddy?

Holly (casually): Nah, I just need a mommy.

Poor Daddy! She just doesn't know just how much she needs him yet. One day she will realize what a lucky girl she is to have the funnest and funniest and sweetest daddy in the world.