beach bums...

Aaaaaand another 2 months has gone by since my last post.  It's not my intention for this to be the pattern.  It just is what it is, you know?

As a matter of fact, I've had this post in mind for quite awhile and I've only just had an opportunity to go through my [thousands and thousands of] photos to choose some to post here.

I thought with the end of summer approaching, or at least the end of beach season, it would be neat to post some photos from some of our trips to the beach this season, including Natalie's first time at the beach and in the ocean (intracoastal waterway):

[these were taken in May, when Natalie was 10 weeks old --

her first trip to the beach]

[these were taken a month later in June, when she was 14 weeks old]

[these were taken at the end of June, when Natalie was 4 mos old --

isn't her bathing suit adorable??]

[these were taken at the end of July, when Natalie was 5 mos old --

she took her first boat ride AND got into the water for the first time!]

These are not the only times we went to the beach; they're just the times I took my camera along, so as you can see, we have been quite the beach bums this season, since I'm now able to stay home with my littles (praise the Lord!).  Deacon loves going to the beach and now playing/swimming in the water.  He's gotten very confident with his puddle jumper, and it's nice for mom & dad, too, knowing he will pop right back up to the top.  :)  

So long, summer!  We'll see you next year!  Bring on F A L L!

summertime on the coast...

You know, there are worse places we could live, I suppose...

 

Living on the coast most definitely has its advantages, especially in the summertime.  I think I've mentioned before my (life-changing) discovery of Instagram -- the photo app I use to basically capture my life as it happens.  It's so great because I don't always have my big honkin' DSLR with me, and yet I can still capture sweet memories.

 

I wanted to share a little of what we're doing this summer, instagram-style (just to further clarify, these were taken with my phone, using the instagram app -- it's freakin' awesome!)...

 

 

 

 

Happy summer, y'all!

ridin' bikes.

Wasn't one of your favorite past times growing up riding bikes until it got too dark (or until the mosquitos had sucked every ounce of blood out of you)?

These cute kiddos enjoyed that past time when they were together for Father's day weekend.  We're grateful for Grandpa & Grammy's looooong drive way...

 

[readin' while ridin'...even better!]

[can't get enough of these beautiful blue-eyed boys!] 

 

[I hope they'll always be good friends.]

summah-tiiime...

Whew, it's hot.  We are most def into summer around these parts.  And taking advantage of our proximity to the beach...

::  photo cred goes to my sister-in-law, Jill, for all these great shots ::

Deacon is definitely warming up to the beach now.  Ha, ha!  Get it?  Warming up...?  Aaaaanyway, he enjoys the beach more now that he can run around.  He's not so fearful of the waves and actually enjoys having his feet in the water with the waves rushing over them.  Every time we go, he gets a little braver.  He's a lot of fun to watch.  :)

And, as always, he's very friendly to everyone we see.  To the point of awkwardness, I think.  Of course, he charms everyone, but as his mama, sometimes I have to pull him away for being so, um, friendly.  Know what I mean?  Playing with other kids' toys, eating other peoples' snacks, tuning other folks' radios...  Okay, that last one hasn't happened, but we came pretty close one day...

AHK-WARD.

I guess it's okay at this age, though.  I'm hoping he'll grow out of the "overstepping boundaries" thing, but will keep that charming, friendly, kind disposition for all of his days.  It's one of the things I have prayed for him since we found out we were going to have this precious child.

And I do mean precious...