'Lil Lady

The bundle of sweetness is TWO! And she's playing the part of a two-year-old very accurately. It doesn't take much these days to invoke a falling out or a trip to time out, but she sure can be sweet, too!

These pictures are so precious.  Partly because Brielle is part of my heart.

And also because here is Kendall at the same age!

Dolphin Cruise

Papa planned a dolphin cruise this year for Kendall (and the rest of the family). Since, as mentioned earlier, Brielle refuses to wear any flotation safety device of any sort and didn't seem to be willing to abide by Florida Coast Guard regulations, she and Gigi stayed behind this year.

This was the highlight of the trip for Kendall (other than the lazy river!).

The cruise did not disappoint.  After a thirty minute ride, we floated up behind a shrimp boat and saw lots of dolphins up close.

This cruise was definitely a winner!

Orange Beach 2014

We took our third annual beach trip with Gabe's parents recently. We had perfect weather, and a grand time although we spent way more time at the pool than the beach which is always Mama's favorite. Somehow spending time at the beach with small children is way far removed from the hours I spent under my umbrella doing absolutely NOTHIN for an entire day before kids. Therefore quick beach visits are just what's needed these days.

Gave and I never seem to get a pic together these days.  So here ya go...

This beach babe enjoyed viewing everything in a chair, removed from any sand.

Except for a few shovel fulls into her bucket, Brielle had very little to do with the sand or the waves.

Here's the one time Brielle's toes touched the sand.

The annual family sand castle was already under way.

THIS was the girls' favorite part...the pool with a lazy river! Kendall just about grew gills and fins as she spent four solid days in the pool. Solid.  In the pool.  Except when her cruel parents made her get out and go to bed.

Brielle was not gonna be out done by her big sister.  That included refusing to wear any floatie or life vest of any kind.  At all.  No flotation device.

Kendall has gotten so brave this summer in the water and we are so proud of her!

And as usual, no one was ready to go home.  Except maybe Daddy who had swum with Kendall for four solid days too.

Birthday Celebratin'

To help celebrate Brielle's birthday, we did a very summer thing to do: we went blueberry pickin' at a friend's house.

Brielle loved picking blueberries.  Actually, she loved eating her findings so after several fistfuls, she and her buddy, Caleb, went to play on the swing set and with the sidewalk chalk.

Here's Kendall, Seth and Caleb hard at work, until they soon traded their buckets for more outside fun.

Then we ate a birthday lunch of "chick chick".

Here's our loot.  About 75% was picked by Mommy.  Another 15% was picked by Kendalland Brielle together.  The last 10% is in Brielle's tummy.