Ocean City, MD 2014

Better late than never, no? :) We've been back from vacation for two weeks and this is finally done! (Though truth be told, I've tried several times but issues with Blogger have prevented me until now).

We had a great time in Ocean City, MD. Seth, the kids, and I rented a little condo from friends of Seth from school. Seth's parents and Matt and Erin (and family) were also in OCMD the same week but had a condo about 20 minutes away, on the boardwalk. Our condo wasn't anything super fancy but it did the trick for us! 

The living room, dining room, and front door. We had two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, and washer and dryer as well. 

We spent pretty much every day down at the beach near the rest of the family's condo, which allowed the cousins to play together! 

The first night we were there, we just went and checked out the boardwalk and ocean. Thankfully, Addison was perfectly fine with the sand! We also went to Harpoon Hanna's the first night, kicking off the vacation with a delicious bang! Mmmm....

We decided that with two little kids, we better be realistic about how much they can handle in a day. So, to play it safe, we opted to eat dinner in three nights during the week, and go out the other four. One night, we made burgers on the "grill" (i.e. the electric griddle) with fresh corn on the cob. De-lish! 

After dinner that night, we opted to head just a mile or so north to Fenwick Island, DE and check out a crepe and ice cream shop. We sampled a delicious crepe and got some ice cream too. The kids liked being able to watch through the glass. :) We also (quickly) checked out a country shop next door but oh my word, so many breakables. It's like bulls in a china shop with those two so we busted out of there pretty quickly. Bummer! 

We also checked out Sundaes in the Park nearby. There were kids activities and an awesome, awesome playground. We decided that we should just stay for the fireworks which ended up being cool for the kids. Carter said "wow, this was such a fun night, mom." :) 

The view of the beach from the pool at Seth's parent's condo. The weather was never super hot all week, which was nice. We were able to sit on the beach comfortably each day. Most days, we only lasted at the beach from like 8:30 or 9:00 until like noon. Then, the kids were ready to eat and clearly ready for naps. Thankfully, they napped most days for a couple hours. It allowed Seth and I some time for pina coladas, magazines, and tanning on our deck at our condo. 

For dinner Monday night, we went to Fish Tales. It was my idea so I take full blame. It was beautiful out and the tables were right on the bay. But it was SO WINDY so nothing stayed on the table, which was frustrating. Plus, it was right beside a kids playland so they were distracted the whole time. If we could have just sent them in and ate in peace (we were right by the playland), it would have been awesome. But a parent had to be with them, so it was kind of like eating in shifts. Plus, my shrimp was too spicy for all humans, so that was a bummer. 

We found some delicious polish ice on the boardwalk. So, so good. We also opted to fly Carter's kite (which never took flight). :) Worth a shot! We also took the kids into the Kite Loft and let them each select one toy. Addison chose a little stuffed kitten in a carrying bag, and Carter chose a stuffed bear and race car. Happy, happy kids! 

As we walked down the boardwalk, Carter couldn't stop talking about the Jolly Roger amusement part near the inlet. Of course tickets were so ridiculously expensive but we told him he could choose a ride. He picked the ferris wheel. So while Seth and Carter hit up the ferris wheel, Oma, Opa, Addison, and I hung out and watched. 

We also did some family pictures on the beach one night (taken by me). It went okay....basically as good as you can expect with two over tired kids who want to play and not smile for pictures. :) 

We took a walk out to the pier, got some snacks, and took in the sights of the beach. I dressed them both in neon so we wouldn't lose them. ;) 

On Thursday morning, we got the infamous surrey. Seth and I thought we were just super out of shape when we first got on because we were REALLY pedaling and our hearts were racing like crazy. At one point, Addison turned around and grabbed the brake handle and (thankfully) actually pulled it OFF. We had the stinking brake on the first 10-12 blocks. It was smoooooth sailing after that. PHEW! 

All in all, we had a great time. Vacation is certainly lively with two little ones...other than during naptime, I never got to read a magazine or glance at a book. HAHA. We ended up coming home the day before we had originally planned because of a rainy forecast, and it worked out well because it allowed the kids and I to go over to Roxbury to the cabin. 

Oh - and I found out while I was on vacation that I got the job as Director of Communications at Messiah College. :) 

Summer Happenings

Well, I haven't blogged basically all month and it's because summer has been fun and FULL. We've traveled, gone to parties, swam, and lots more. Today is the first time I've had a little downtime to catch up. 

A couple weeks ago, my parents came for dinner. We grilled out, played outside, and then went to Bruster's for ice cream.

We also went to NJ a couple weekends ago to celebrate the fourth. Seth's grandparents were up from NJ, Matt and Erin were in, and there was an opportunity for a "family reunion" of sorts. Gorgeous weather and yummy food. Unfortunately, it was too crazy for me to have my camera out too much so I didn't grab many photos. :) 

Some pics of our cuties throwing rocks at the creek. They love doing this, and even though we didn't bring swimming suits, they found a way to get wet! 

I hope you're having a great summer! The benefit of having a teacher husband is that the kids are home a few days a week now. Seth has been taking them to different parks and playgrounds, and they're loving it. A "Daddy Daycare" post will be coming up once I get all the pictures off my phone!! 

Oh -- and vacation soon, so surely lots to come in the next couple weeks! 

USA! USA! USA!

Couldn't love these little munchkins more! Showing their American pride for their 4th of July parade at school (and in support of the US World Cup game this afternoon). :) 

Addison's 2nd Birthday Party!

Well, I'm REALLY behind. Two weeks ago, we held Addison's 2nd birthday party--and the theme was ice cream. It was SUCH a fun one to plan and the colors were super cute together. The day was sunny and nice, but actually quite chilly. It was pretty windy--so much so that we never even put up the little EZ Up tent at all. People were even wearing jackets...who would have thought in the middle of June??? 

For the favors, I did homemade hot fudge in little jars with a bamboo spoon. 

Target Dollar Spot for the win on the take-out boxes in the perfect colors! 

I found the perfect bowls at Dollar Tree and all of them were cheaper than cheap disposables, so of course I got them. I had the dessert bar set up as her ice cream shoppe.

Cousins made the trip for the weekend and the kids were VERY excited! 

The night before the party, Carter and I whipped this up with some card stock and crepe paper. I had no other idea for the wall, so I was happy with how it turned out. 

For dinner, we had a pasta bar -- three kinds of pastas, three kinds of sauce, toppings, a big salad, and homemade garlic bread. De-lish! 

The pretty birthday girl. She was such a sweet little lovey. 

Cousins! 

Gift time...a very blessed little girl. :) 

Just some of the toppings - we also had hot fudge, caramel, bananas, whipped cream, and cherries! 

The birthday girl, ready to blow out her candles. :) 

I took her rag banner from last year, removed the colors that didn't coordinate, and replaced them with turquoise and orange--voila! A brand new banner! 

Dessert time!

We had such a fun time celebrating our precious little girl. I can't believe she's two but boy is it fun planning parties to celebrate her. :) We love you, sweet pea. 

On the eve of two

If you'll forgive me, I'm going to go sit in the corner and cry that my precious little baby is two tomorrow. Cliche, no doubt, but HOW DID THIS HAPPEN ALREADY?! I literally feel like it was yesterday that I woke up during the night to go to the bathroom and thought I wet myself on the way there when my water broke. 

Today, that 6 pound, 12 ounce bundle of love is a spunky, ridiculously cute, sweet, spitfire of a toddler. 

Addison, you are an absolute joy. You're smile can make the worst days seem not-so bad. Your INSANE amount of talking kills me it is so adorable. And you say things in the cutest way...like when you say "hold you" instead of "hold me" and "my do it" to every. thing. Like....everything. Independent girl! Other things you say that are super cute: "joosh" (juice); "mommy, sit down" (when you notice that someone else is about to drive you somewhere and you want me in the car); "I go rock rock" (ready for bed); "Mitt-ey" (Mickey Mouse); "Ass-in" (Addison); and so many more. You are fiercely independent one second and demanding to be held and not left out of our sight the next.

You hold your own with your brother but fight just like siblings do. Hugging one second, smacking the next. Sounds about right.

You are ready to potty train (yay for daddy who is home with you this summer!!). You always tell us when you go and want changed ASAP. 

You have a FULL HEAD of naturally curly blonde hair and mommy is sort of jealous. You are a little diva and demand the shoes you want to wear, love to have "a bow" (said with a southern accent), and like to help pick out your tops. 

You run right into daycare with no issues, but still cry every week when we drop you off in the nursery for church. You  used to do so good but now you get nervous. It's not as bad as it was a few weeks ago, so I think we're on the up-swing! 

You LOVE applesauce, yogurt, cheese (my word, the amount of cheese you eat is unreal!), bananas (but only to peel them, not to eat them....stinker). You FREAK OUT if something you are eating breaks when it isn't supposed to -- like a taco shell, poptart, granola bar, etc. 

You are still a ROCKSTAR sleeping (Praise Jesus!). You go to bed by 8 p.m. most nights and sleep til anywhere between 7:30 and 9 a.m. on days you don't have to get up. On school days, we get you up at 6:30 a.m. You used to pop right up, happy as a lark, but now.....WHOA. Watch out. Peanut does not like to be woken up prematurely. :) 

You went to Hersheypark last week and had a blast. You got so sad when you couldn't ride all the things brother did. You also went camping last month. You did okay, but 2 might be a little young. :) 

You still get ear infections like it's your job, but otherwise you're pretty healthy, thankfully. 

They call you "Addy" (Addie? Adeigh? Addi? not sure yet) at daycare all the time, and we've noticed Carter calling you that more often than Addison. We made it two years without a nickname, but it may be time. ;) Now, for me to just figure out how to spell it. 

You talk about Opa and Pa a lot and whenever someone mentions Pa, you always say "tracker" (tractor) because Pa gave you a ride on the tractor a few weeks ago. 

You are not a fan of swimming, but are perfectly content playing poolside while everyone else does. Thankfully, you like the sand, so the beach should be fun this summer! 

We love you SO much, Addison. Just the other night, daddy and I were talking about how we couldn't believe--even two years in--that we have a little girl. You are so much fun and are my squishly little partner in crime. You're a lover, that's for sure. We love your hugs and kisses and that you still let us rock you every night, even if only for a second before you say "okay, night night" and cut it short.

Happy 2nd birthday, baby girl. You're still the best birthday present in the world.