A Wedding & Vacation

Our family just got back from a week long vacation and it was wonderful!  There weren't too many activities planned and we were able to relax most of the week.  We went to Treasure Island, FL, and while we normally don't travel that far (the trip took around 12 hrs!), this year we had a wedding to attend.  One of Josh's cousins got married and Josh's parents, his niece and another cousin, and our family decided to attend the wedding and then make a vacation out of it.  We found a great house to rent with plenty of room on Treasure Island and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  If you are ever vacationing on the FL coast, let me know and I will give you the info for the house. 

The FL coast was also beautiful.  The Gulf's water was really pretty and thankfully, the oil has not moved that far down.  Thomas really liked playing in the sand, but wasn't crazy about the waves.  He liked being in the ocean, but not on the shore.  We didn't put Josiah in the ocean, but he did get in the pool and loved it.  He instinctively knew to kick his legs and looked like a little tadpole in the water! 

Josh and I had heard a few months ago that Busch Gardens had just opened a Sesame Street mini-park within the park and we thought it would be fun for Thomas.  In hindsight, we should have taken into account that the heat index would be over 100 and having two small children who both still need naps.  We were also very worried about Josiah because he was so red and hot.  We were constantly blowing a fan on him and spraying him down with water.  Thomas did have a good time, but we spent a few hours riding a train around the park and trying to see an Elmo movie in 3D (it was canceled several times).  We should have spent the day in Elmo land, because that is what Thomas enjoyed the most.  He rode the rides and played in the water. 

We had a great time learning to play poker at the house where we stayed.  They had a poker table complete with cards and chips.  Josh's dad knew how to play, so Josh joked that "the Baptist deacon taught the Baptist preacher and his wife, as well as two underage girls how to play poker!"  We played poker almost every night after the boys were in bed and while I didn't win very many games, I still enjoyed it! 

I'll admit this vacation was hard to leave.  The only time we truly ever get away is when we are on vacation.  Because we do live right by the church, Josh never truly gets away from work.  He heard a pastor say a few months ago that when he and his family moved out of the parsonage into their own house, that their family's stress level decreased remarkably.  We aren't moving anytime soon, and I'm very thankful for our home, and will continue to strive for relaxing vacations! 

Mr. & Mrs. Culbertson at the wedding. 

Josh and his dad kayaking in the inlet.  We all had a lot of fun in the kayak with our experienced guide, Josh's dad!

Thomas riding a hippo at Busch Gardens...he loved it!

Our sweet baby at Busch Gardens. 

Josh's wonderful parents!

The girls and Thomas.  He had a great time "playing" with them all week. 

My wonderful friend, Elizabeth, came to visit!  She lives only an hour and a half away from where we stayed and it was wonderful to have a day to catch up with her.  We have been friends since our freshman year of college.  A true and sweeter friend you will not find!

First Birthday!

We celebrated Josiah's first birthday on Saturday, a day early.  Originally we had planned the party outside at our house, but it was so hot we moved into the church (benefit of living next door to the church).  We invited family and some close friends to help us celebrate his big day.  Josiah was oblivious to it all, but he sure did enjoy his cupcake!  He tried to put the whole thing in his mouth at once!  When we opened gifts, he got a little upset.  I'm not sure if it was all the people and the noise, or Thomas eagerly putting every gift in his face - maybe a combination of all of it! 

At one year, Josiah still only has 2 bottom teeth.  He is not deterred by only two teeth because he eats anything we give him.  Now I mainly feed him table food: peas, green beans, lima beans, corn, potatoes, squash, carrots, etc.  Thomas has always been such a picky eater and it is so nice to have a baby that will eat anything.  In fact, we have to stop giving him food because he will eat as long as food is there. 

Josiah finally mastered crawling the week before his birthday!  He has rocked on his knees for months now and scooted backwards, but the kitty inspired him to crawl.  He finally found something he really wanted!  Now he follows me from room to room and it is so cute!  He's not pulling up yet, but I'm sure that will be soon! 

Here are some highlights from the party:

First taste of cupcake

Putting the whole thing in his mouth!

A very happy baby!

Love this picture!

This is when he was happy opening gifts....

And this is when he is not!

Thomas takes over while Josiah rests on mama.

I love that sweet boy!

Rite Aid Paid Me!

Yes, that is right: I made a profit shopping at Rite Aid!  Here is everything I got: 

Total before sales & coupons: $64.78

Total out-of-pocket: $14.18

Total rebates: $15.99

My profit: $1.81

From the picture you know that we will at least be clean shaven and smell good!

By the way, I will be posting pictures of Josiah's first birthday party soon.  The stomach bug has hit Thomas and me.  I'm recovering, but he just got it today.  Praying Josh and Josiah don't get it and spraying lots of Lysol!

New Haircut

Josh and I decided that we needed to cut Thomas' hair short for a variety of reasons.  One is that he is so hot natured and sweats all the time so a short cut would help keep him cool this summer.  Another reason is that his hair is so unruly.  Between the cowlicks and the crazy crown on his head, his hair is always sticking up somewhere, so I took him to get it buzzed this morning.  I will admit that I had to hold back the tears when she was cutting.  She said to me, "Dianna don't you cry!  If you do he will get upset."  So, I held it in but he just looks so different to me and much older too.  Here is his new cut...for now. 

He looks so grown up to me! 

Look at that grin!

He found this hat in some stuff of mine and has wanted to wear it ever since.