Hilton Head (Vacay part 2)

 So, at Hilton Head, we stayed in a nice resort right on the water so I was able to do beach time alone, close by the hotel while Dan was in his meetings. It was gorgeous weather, right before this major heat wave we're having (104 today).  The girls did great in the sand and water. Ashlyn even took her first stand-up time here because her knees were taking a beating on the sand.  Ari played well in the water with her swim vest on. So fun.  They liked the beach much better than the pool.

 I took over 350 pictures from Wednesday to Sunday so it was tough to choose. This one above and the one below are so precious to me. The three of us went out early one morning, before 8am to play in the sand and it was quiet, gorgeous and special. I'll never forget it.

The seaweed seemed to be an issue to some but the girls didn't mind. Dan tried his best to get them to 'build a castle' but knocking it over is so much more fun!

 (all 4 of us!)

 Each night, there was a fancy dinner at an outdoor seating area, white napkins, glasses and two forks!  The girls, thankfully, fit right in with the hundred other children in destroying the fancy-ness of it! There were fun games they made the new FAs play and Dan had to spin around while the Regional leader wrapped him in toilet paper (no pictures, Ari had just had an accident and I almost missed Dan's turn).   Such fun family environment!

 Our family the night of the awards banquet. Ari was not feeling so well and wouldn't smile.  Fun times!

Me and my handsome (certainly the most handsome FA of ALL of them in our region, undoubtedly) hubby.  Next year, we won't be so 'new'... and it will be much more fun.  Until then, push hard Dan and keep it up; we are proud of you!!

Happy Birthday Ashlyn Claire!

Ashlyn.... I don't have any weight or height stats for you yet because I've been lazy and neglectful and haven't made you a ONE year check up yet. I love you too much to let it happen! 

 This past weekend was your birthday and we celebrated by going to Hilton Head as a family. We went for Dan's regional meeting for his job.  It was crazy, busy fun and you were a sand-eating, beach splashing, center of attention grabbing, not sleeping little pickle.  Funny. Predictable. Happy.

 You love to make that face above and say "Ooohh" in surprise or excitement.  Your feet speak for you too as they kick and bounce in eagerness.  You are starting to say a few words and use your sign language but still resort to shouting/squawking your needs and wants. Determined. Focused. Driven.

 You also are getting feisty with Ari and will smack her every once in a while when she takes your toys from you.  It is really funny but also, not very kind so I have to hide my smile as I discipline.

 You are still a mommy's girl for now and when you're tired or grumpy, I'm the only one who can care for you.  You arch your back, scream and put up a fight if we set you down for one second.  Opinionated. A leader. An instigator. I like your personality as its developing.

 We sang happy birthday to you at least 10 times because Ari likes to sing it. We celebrated with a birthday breakfast drove home and then again sang at bedtime.  We put a candle in your oatmeal and sang again!  We didn't have cake. Traveling was time consuming and you don't know the difference!  Plus, the candle in your oatmeal scared you anyway!

 You LOOVEED the beach. You would army-crawl and stand up a few times on your own and then sit down immediately when you realized that you were standing up! Super cute.

I could literally post hundreds of pictures of you. You are funny and photogenic in all the pictures from the weekend but I'll stop here!  Girl, stop growing up so fast!

Davis Family (Vacay part 1)

We just returned home from our first family vacation to somewhere other than a family member's house. (Nothing is wrong with visiting family, but we felt different this time: doing things on our own to unique places). First stop, McClellanville, SC to visit dear friends Carrie and Nate Davis. They moved to SC to pursue sustainable farming.   

 Ari loved their fields of chickens, sheep, pigs and the big field dog. So fun for her to experience it. I wish we could have stayed a week to help out and learn the ropes.  

 There were about a hundred baby chicks resting in a house and the girls loved their soft little selves. Ashlyn would squeal and squirm at the animals. Ari was brave and held one.  Nate and Carrie's kids are older and are obviously very comfortable on the farm and Ari wanted to do everything and anything they did. It was sweet to see her interacting with older kids.  

Out in the field are the laying-hens. I love their colors and their demeanor. Maybe someday I can get some cute ones to hang out in the backyard! :) Pictured below is Ella and Ari and some ladies eating a snack.

We can't decide who to betroth: Ari & Caleb or Ashlyn & Caleb.  Both are valid candidates and Caleb is a cutie.  

Here is all of us with two extra kiddos.  No comments on who they are.  

 Though the mosquitos were out to eat us alive, the farm was gorgeous and fun.  The company and conversation (and delicious food) was even better.  It was pretty sweet to know that everything we ate for dinner (chicken, veggies, potatoes, 'angel' eggs and more) was ALL from the farm.  The way things should be.  

(Yes, it IS Ashlyn's FIRST birthday today. I'm aware I'm not posting anything about it yet. Call it denial, call it busy-ness, call it neglect, call it what you will. A ONE year old--Tears. We celebrated and will continue to do so)

Sunday Adventure

When I was dating Dan, I envisioned our future as one of travelers, adventure-seekers and lovers.  I saw us on airplanes, on missions and in constant motion. We loved going to REI and we love (still) looking at maps and reading books about wars and people. And despite what his roommates thought, we actually were studying and watching historical movies and documentaries.  ;) We are big dreamers and still are... and we are definitely in constant motion!

Our dreams just include two little mini-minis and their sweet spirits are full of adventure too.  This weekend, we tapped a bit of our adventurous sides and headed up the road to Crowders Mountain.  We've hiked the other 'mountain' before (King's Mountain) with the Haller's but we wanted to try this one out on Ari. The trail was 0.7 miles up strenuous as described by the guides. Ari frequently would sit down and say, "I'm done walking now."  So funny.

I carried Ashlyn in the Moby wrap for the way up and it wasn't so bad. She would squeal, kick and jump up and down at every dog we saw and that was tough but also funny.  Ari commented on every single person in her own quirky ways "Girl drinking water from her water bottle." "Those boys running fast."  "Nice girl marching."  Then proceeded to continue to shout "March" at the lady walking intensely with her walking sticks. The lady thought it was hilarious and was generous with conversation.

Dan is more of a 'get to the top of the hike and then relax' guy. On our honeymoon, he wanted to spend hours looking at the views on the massive hike we did. I do too but in my head I still have to get all the way down!  Thankfully, we switched packs and Dan got to carry Ashlyn in the wrap. She looved it and was super cute with him (who needs Ryan Gosling when you got this guy?) :)

Cuties

We really enjoyed our Father's Day hike. Maybe it will be a new tradition! 

(Special Hello/Happy Fathers Day to my Dad in Japan! Hope you're having a good time and enjoying the many blog posts I've been doing... just for you :)

Iron-Clad Dad

Happy Father's day, Dad.

We love you more than we can say. 

When you come home and say "Hey Ladies!"

it's the best part of our day.

Thanks for wrestling, swimming and throwing. 

Attention: exactly what we need

and thank you for knowing.

We know you work hard beyond our comprehension.

God designed it that way, you: our protection. 

You deserve honor, praise and cheer.

This year, we can barely give a beer. 

Never quit, your reward is us. 

We don't need much, just popsicles, cookies and kiss-us.

Thank you for waking each day with a dedication to our mom. 

You amaze us with your demeanor, calm.

Enjoy the next year as we stay little. 

Soon, our attitudes may be wary and fickle.

Our love for you will never change, dad.

Our friendship with you will always be: iron-clad.

Ari: Almost 2.5

I decided to change things up once Ari became a toddler and instead of doing monthly updates with stats and pictures, I am going to take a video interview with her. Because she is talking so much and I want to remember what she says and her little ways, we'll occasionally take video of what she does to document these wonderful developmental monuments of vocal proportions.  On specific birthdays/half birthdays, I'll ask her the same type of questions to see how her mind changes through the years.

Here's one:

Some things that Ari has said/done lately that I'd like to document:

-I taught her that thunder is God saying "hey". At the time of the storm, I couldn't think of anything else to say. I now regret telling not her the truth about what thunder... Because a week later in the LIBRARY, a big thunder boomed and she yelled "HI JESUS!!!!"

-She corrected someone once when they said she was naked. She said "No, I am not nakey, I am wearing big girl panties".

-Whenever we are in public places, Ari will walk up to people and wave and say "HI". Sometimes, she'll even say "Hi, nice boy or nice girl".  She is not shy one little bit (My parents tell me that I was like this).

-We were watching Star Wars the other evening when Ari wasn't in the mood for bedtime. We let her sit with us for a while and she asked "What's happening?" every 2.9 seconds.  I kept trying to make it clear to her what was actually happening and I asked her what she saw when there were spaceships in battle. She said "Bumble bees and a pickle."

-This is kind of an Ashlyn-development but still cute: When we go over the railroad tracks (to get anywhere out of our neighborhood), Ari likes to say, "Bump, Bump." Well, lately, Ari will go around to everyone in the car and make them say it as well. "Dadda, say Bump Bump." Mamma, Ashlyn, etc... The other day, Ashlyn answered!! She said, using two syllables even, "Bump Bump."  !!!

Cosmos

The cosmos in the garden are out of control but still really gorgeous. Here are recent photos. 

(boring post... we've been busy here)

Backyard ice cream

 We have been enjoying homemade popsicles out back after dinner. Ari helps make them and then we freeze them for after dinner later. Fun for everybody!

Ashlyn even joins in the fun! She gets mad because she holds it and its too cold for her hands!

 It is these little things I hope the girls remember!