The Beach in December

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach! I grew up going ALL the time, especially in the summer... we would spend all day there and then my dad would meet us after work and take us out on the boogie board on the "big waves" I have so many fun and wonderful memories of the beach with my family. So, everytime we go down to California to visit the fam you can bet we will always somehow get in a beach day or two, even if it is December. The week after Christmas, we went to Newport with the whole fam. Even though the water was a little chilly, the weather was beautiful and it was a perfect day! We had a blast! AND, Jackson had a HUGE breakthrough.... not only did he walk all over and run in the sand barefoot, (in the past he has had issues with the sand on his bare feet), but he even played in the cold water a bunch! He got knocked down a time or two by a small wave and just hopped back up laughing and looking for more! We were so proud of him! Here are the pictures from our wonderful day, and there are many because they turned out great!

Bear did a lot of this while there...

while Jackson ran straight for the water (thats him in the green sweatshirt)

Uncle Colby looking for Sea Stars/Starfish

he had lots of success

nice face Colbs :)

Colby Skim Boarding into the waves

Here are a bunch of Jackson having tons of fun in the waves!

Here comes the wave...

run away!!

got him!

Papa and Aunt Shannon showing the boys how to squish the sea anemones on the rocks with their fingers so they squirt out water at them! One squirted right out into Deacon's face and it was caught on video! It was pretty funny

Baby Bear loved hanging out with Papa almost the whole time. Here's Papa making him some small sand castles. My dad sure loves the little guys! :)

Sitting on the B...

Bear really liked Aunt Brittany too!

Ahhhhhh (long sigh) .... now didn't that post just make you want to drop everything and head down to the beach??! I know I want to go!

A Way Overdue Christmas Post!!

I know, Christmas was FOREVER ago! What can I say? I'm a slacker! It's been a busy past few weeks, and that's all I am going to say! Instead I will just post these pictures!

Opening PJ's on Christmas Eve- my parents got all of us adults PJ's that matched our individual styles, and then "Gramie" made all the grandkids matching PJ's that had cars and trucks and tractors on them... very appropriate for all 4 boys!

Here's our attempt to get the 3 grandkids that were in CA this year together for a Christmas Eve PJ picture: (Eamon was wearing his in Florida this year... we sure missed them!)

1 kid looking at the camera

1 1/2 ish looking up

and 3 all looking up at least!

and that's all they were gonna give us!

Here is Jackson and John Christmas morning opening his new red Lightning McQueen fishing pole.... he had wanted one SO bad and was SO excited to get it!

New Scooters

Bear was pretty excited about the new wagon for Gramie and Papa's house

Testing out his brother's new fishing pole

And just playing outside

Bear with his 2nd mommy, Aunt Shannon

On the 27th, we went to Naples Island in Long Beach to check out all the Christmas lights!

We had such a fun Christmas in California! The boys were truly spoiled!

I Heart Boys

As the day where we declare our love is approaching, I've been thinking about something that I truly love... and that is having 2 little guys that are completely ALL boy! It has been a lot of fun now that Baron is not so much a baby anymore and can hold his own, to see the bond between Jack & Bear really grow. They are so goofy together lately and have lots of fun doing "boy" things. Of course we have those days where they drive me crazy with all the fighting, screaming and hitting and when they won't leave each other alone, but for the most part, they really love each other and have a lot of fun together. It's totally a monkey see monkey do situation.... one starts making fart noises and the other quickly joins in and they do it together for the next 10 minutes while giggling like crazy. You get the picture. They are fast becoming best buds and neither one likes it when they other one is not around.

Last night we had a true boy moment. Before bed, the boys decided that a great pre-bed activity would be to have their own WWF Smackdown in their room. Of course Daddy was there to join in with the tickling match that followed. Here's the pictures and videos:

They started earlier in the day with the intimidation part...

For some reason Jackson decided he wanted to wear his backpack, so of course Baron had to have his on too,(the whole monkey see monkey do theory), and they kept them on until bedtime!

Tickle wars!

Post Fight...

You HAVE to watch this video.... right around the 30-45 seconds part is hilarious.

Just another fun one...

Nights like that really make me love having boys.... BUT don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to have a girl one day hopefully not too far off in the future to dress up and do her hair... though I am sure with brothers like Jackson and Baron, you know she will be a total Tom Boy :)