Strawberry Picking

Yesterday we went strawberry picking at Stafford Farm, a close 15 minute drive from our house. Evalee was a good helper and helped her Mommy (Ashley) pick the strawberries and put them in the bucket; Christian "helped" by picking the strawberries and eating them. You can imagine what his clothes looks like after eating a handful of extra ripe, sun-warmed, juicy strawberries. :o) The kids had a great time, and now we each have a large bucket of strawberries to show for it. These farm fresh strawberries are so sweet and nearly melt in your mouth, it will be hard to go back to the store bought variety. The plan is to make strawberry jam next week, and maybe some bread or strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream. Yum!Our strawberry shortcakes (on the ride home after a visit to the park too.)

Easter Weekend

A few pictures from our Easter weekend:

Christian and his new lawnmower from Nana and Papa (it was too cold and wet Saturday morning to bring it outside, but I think Christian enjoyed mowing the floors in the house- or maybe he thought it was a vacuum cleaner?)Easter Sunday with Mama. It got up to 86 degrees! And yes, humid too.After church, brunch at the O Club on base, and a nap, C went hunting for Easter eggs in the backyard. They were filled with fruit snacks which he loved!Last but not least, a BIG congratulations to Steve's brother, Will and his engagement to Brittany this past weekend! They are planning to tie the knot August 2012!

Tampa Getaway

Steve has already had two week-long TDY's since being back from his deployment (another one coming up in a couple of weeks.) Fortunately, on the second we were able to tag along...to Tampa!

Nearly spur of the moment, we decided to drive the 8ish hours with Steve (the hotel was already paid for, and what's not to like about Tampa?) We happened to mention the trip to our dear neighbors, Leigh and Jana Marie and they decided to come for the first half of the week since JM was on Spring Break. What a great time we had! Beautiful 90 degree weather, Starbucks in our hotel, and a fabulous swimming pool! We were already familiar with Tampa from our trip last December, so I had a pretty good idea about how to get around and where to find the fun things to do.

We went back to the beautiful white sands and crystal waters of Clearwater Beach. Definitely more crowded than when we went in December. Christian went in the ocean for the first time and loved hanging on Jana Marie. He refused, however, to put his feet in the sand (or walk on it for that matter.) Any time I tried to put him down he would have one foot curled in the sand and the other raised like a flamingo. I guess the texture must feel so funny to his toes.We also enjoyed taking walks along the Riverwalk, which was right across from our hotel downtown. They have a nice playground for the children, and we liked watching the big birds and reading the creative names on the yachts parked on the docks.The last couple of days Christian and I were on our own, but we walked to the Florida Aquarium and marveled at the fish and sea creatures and enjoyed getting a little wet at the fun splash zone (I wish I had thought to bring his swim trucks.) Looks like Steve may be going TDY to Tampa often, so Christian and I may just have to tag along when we can. Christian is becoming such a pro at traveling and there is still so much more exploring to do in Tampa!

Christian is 19 Months (tomorrow)

Sitting in his "new" big boy chair on the back patio:

Gahh! Growing bigger by the day. This week C had his very belated 18-month appointment. He weighed 26 pounds, and was 32.5 inches tall. Putting him in the 50th percentile for both weight and height for children his age. This also means no more vaccinations until he is four! Woot!

He is also talking so much more these days. His current list of words are:

• Mama


• Dada


• Nigh Nigh (Night Night)


• Ba Buh (Bye Bye)


• Baul (Ball)


• Hi-ya (Hi)


• Hat


• Hot


• Eat

It's really a fun age since he picks up on so much and understands more than we know even if he can't always express it himself (of course, this is why the pre-verbal stage is so difficult at times too.) Christian will often try to repeat things that we say and we really get a kick out of him saying words (and sounds) in his sweet little boy voice...sometimes very LOUD boy voice. :o)

Christian has quite the arm. He loves to throw (hopefully a ball) and is gaining quite some distance and speed when he does so. He loves balls right now!

We love you little buddy!(Above) At the Riverbanks Zoo this past week. (Below) Playing at the playground at Swan Lake.

A Little Treat

Look what Christian had as an after dinner treat last week. (Vanilla ice cream- I know, of all the other possible flavors.) I try to keep the sweets to a minimum, but sometimes you just gotta spoil them right? :o) He definitely enjoyed the treat, although surprised by the cold at first.

Chopped

No, this is not a post about my favorite Food Network television show, but rather my hair! I have been debating for literally YEARS about cutting my hair drastically. I have had long hair of various lengths for as long as I can remember (think middle school!) so last November I had a good 6 inches cut, easing into a "bigger" decision. Last weekend while in Charleston, I finally did it and had another 5 inches cut (now I regret not doing "Locks of Love" had I known I would really cut it all off.) I know this may not seem like a big deal, but having had long hair for such a long time, it really was for me. I had just gotten to the point where I wore it up more than down, and was getting too lazy to style it; there really wasn't even a point in keeping it long. So there you have it, a new, fresh me just in time for spring. :)

Without styling (now much more wavy- it will probably be crazy with the humidity this summer):

Straightened look:

A Pretty and a Cutie

Steve is TDY this week (boo) but we have been enjoying some nicer weather and have been hanging out in the backyard. We also enjoyed a girls and boy (5 girls and Christian) weekend with some friends in Charleston. Here are some photos from Monday of another beautiful garden bloom (a rose this time) and Christian playing in the yard.

Our Dining Room

From my parents for Christmas we received money to put toward a dining room table. Our dining room had been sitting "empty" (other than becoming Christian's playroom) for about 10 months so we finally purchased a table and chairs last month. I am excited because the room is just too beautiful to not be used and made a little more formal. We decided to purchase a set that could possibly be used as a kitchen table in a future home since our current one is a small 4-seater from when I was a child! Here are the first inside pictures of our house- starting with the dining room. Yes, it is undecorated at this point other than a single wall picture, but you get the overall view. (Sorry they are so dark.) Christian is enjoying the new table as well...

Bears

Christian has been going through a phase lately where he really likes to play with his bears. He carries them from room to room, puts them on the floor and then snuggles, rolls, and wrestles with them. Of course, it is even more fun when Daddy joins him. Below are "Everest," "Daddy Bear" and a homemade Pooh bear that he received as a gift on his first birthday.