Oh Beach...How Do We Love You (Part 1)

We have been living it up at the beach this summer.  Jacob and I have been blessed to spend a week with my parents in New Smyrna Beach, FL and then a week with Jared's family in Destin.  This boy is a beach-loving, water-loving little thing. I will do these pictures in two posts.  These are from our trip to New Smyrna.

When we left for our trip Jacob said, "This is a beautiful day for baycation (vacation)."  Then several times throughout the trip he would say, "This is a great baycation."  Ah, what a cutie!!!

I had never been to New Smyrna before and I must say that I am a fan.  It was quaint, not over-crowded, beach was easy to walk on, there was the best breeze all week, and wonderful seafood.  We had a fabulous time!!!

We spent the night halfway down.  Jacob loved getting to ride on the luggage cart.

  

I was waving at them from the balcony

Seriously...this kid would stay in the water all day if we would let him

We built some sand castles too

and took lots of walks in the early mornings and late at night

And who could come to the beach and not swim in the pool

This was his first time to try the boogie board and he was a fan.

Two peas in a pod

We found a cool lighthouse.  Jacob became downright obsessed with this.

On our last day we took a trip to Daytona Speedway.  If you know my child, you know how excited he was about this!!!

Getting ready for our tour

He chased the poor birds all week too

"Stop taking pictures mom."

This one got out of order somehow...J and Coach on the outdoor tram 

Thank you Coach and Mot for a wonderful baycation!!!!

Introducing.....

Baby V #2.  He/She is expected to make their grand appearance on November 14th.  We are SO excited!!!

The ole blog here has taken a huge backseat the past few months due to extreme morning sickness and exhaustion.  It's all worth it though and I am feeling much better.

We had our big ultrasound this morning and little bit is plugging right along.  Healthy and growing!!  We are so excited about this new addition to our family and can't wait until November.  It's going to be a surprise on whether it's a boy or girl.  I for one can't wait to find out!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

from my little sweetheart

and his best friend.

Sugar Mountain

We went to Sugar Mountain over MLK weekend to go skiing with my mom's ENTIRE side of the family. 21 of us in one house for 3 days. It was crazy, but we had a FABULOUS time. Beware....there are a lot of pics in this post.

our family of 3

The first day we took Jacob and Graham (my cousin's little boy) sledding. These two had a blast.

about to go down for the first time

ahhh....he just melts my heart

at the rental place getting our skis

We got a lot of snow while we were there and couldn't resist a little snowball fight on the back porch.

Graham got him good in this one

making a snowball

sweet sweet Caroline

having a blast

right before going skiing
for the first time

all ready to go

So.....Jacob had been talking about going skiing for weeks before we actually got there. He. was. pumped. He was excited when we got to the cabin. He was excited when we went and got our ski rentals. He was excited walking to the first slope. He was excited getting his skis on. He was excited about going down with his Daddy. Then....he turned and SAW the slope. We are talking about the melt-down of all melt downs people. This kid SCREAMED the whole way down. "I don't like to ski." "I don't want to ski." "I want to go back to the cabin." "I don't want to ski." Then, while we waited to go back up on the magic carpet he just kept repeating over and over again, "I'm just so scared Mommy. I'm just so scared." Jared and I talked to him and tried to get him watching everyone else do it and about how fun it was. He was not having it I tell ya! Anway, we got back up to the top and he is still in major freak-out mode. He asked us if we could leave. Jared and I both told him that there was nothing to be afraid of, we are right there with you, we know you will love if you just give a try, etc....We managed to get him to go down one more time and that was it. He fell in love. Halfway down the slope he starts screaming, "whahoo. we are going fast. we are skiing" He laughed hysterically. As soon as we got to the bottom he looked at me and said, "let's do it again." By the time we got back to the top a 2nd time he was ready to just hold a hand (before Jared had skied down with Jacob in between his legs). And, since we were just holding one little hand our sweet and fearless boy pretty much skied down that big mountain all by himself. We couldn't have been more proud. WAY TO GO LITTLE BUDDY FOR OVERCOMING YOUR FEARS. And see....you realized you LOVE to ski.

this was still in freak out mode

look at him go

going down the mountain with his dad

braving it by himself
by the way....I just love him all bundled up like this

Jacob and Amelia

he had so much fun!!!
last picture after turned in our skis

When we got back in the car the last night I asked Jacob, "Buddy. What was your favorite part about skiing?" He told me that he liked going fast. He then asked me what my favorite part was. I looked at him and said, "My favorite part was watching you overcome your fear." He got THE biggest smile on his face and in the sweetest voice he said "Me too mom. At first I was so scared, but then I tried it. Now I love it!!! (and he placed his sweet little hand over his chest)."

I love him. And, we can't wait to go back next year!!!!!