Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A Few More Firsts--

Corn, Streaking, Water Tables, Breakfast Party, Hiding, DARCY and Backpacks!
 
Over the summer Wesley encountered a few firsts that we did our best to document.  One of his favorite vegetables is Corn on the Cob...and rightfully so.  We have plenty of farmer's markets around town and we try to hit one in particular on Saturday mornings near the oceanfront.  So Sweet!!


Corn on the Cob!!!!

I do it!

STREAKING---Wesley has been fortunate and never really had bad diaper rash.  This day was a little different so we didn't think it could hurt to let him run free in the privacy of the back yard/porch!  He looks like he is in jail but he was actually "talking" to the pelican statue that is in front of him! 


 
 
WATER AND SAND TABLE!!!  I decided to follow the lead of my sister and buy this for Wesley at the beginning of the summer.  Chris had been traveling a bit and on weekends, so it was a nice surprise for Wesley and helped us pass the time while we waited for Daddy to come home!  He loves it!  He's a big fan of the water side and dumping the water all over himself.  He usually ends up in a diaper because he has soaked all of his clothes!
 

 
 
 
BREAKFAST PARTY!!!
We had been trying to organize a get together with some friends--a cook-out in the summer sounded appropriate.  The problem is we couldn't coordinate all of our schedules so we had a brunch instead!  It started as an overcast day with sprinkles but turned out to be beautiful.  Wesley had his way with the water and did his best to make sure he wasn't the only one wet!




 
 
HIDING!!!
I had a party for work and pulled all of the dining room chairs away from the table.  This was the invitation Wesley needed to play under the table.  The photo of he and his father under the table didn't turn out but Wesley was not alone in his hide n seek!!


 Sticker Fun!!!
 
 
 
DARCY!!!
My best friend from college and the one who convinced me to move to Key West was back in town for her 20th High School Reunion.  We had not seen each other since Chris, me and my parents attended her wedding in Hawaii 5 years ago.  Two babies later for Darcy (twins-Luke and Sadie) and one for us, we were lucky to spend several days together.  Best of all, Wesley was able to meet her!!!
 
 
 
MY FIRST BACKPACK!!!
 
In anticipation of our vacation to Bald Head Island in September which entails a ferry ride (no cars) and traveling like you are flying...I bought Wesley his very own backpack.  His diaper bag is actually a backpack so he is used to seeing us carry/wear one.  I thought I was going to have to peel it off of his back!  He would not take it off for the first two weeks.  He would reluctantly take it off to get in his bed but as soon as he made a peep in the morning, it was to ask for his backpack.  The novelty wore off after about 2 weeks and he still loves it, but no longer trying to wear it to bed!

 
 
I couldn't help but post this...this is Wesley's first time seeing his Dad blowing the leaves off of the back deck with no shirt on.  Go Daddy Go!

 
 

Father's Day 2013


POPS...You are the Man!
 
While in Holden Beach for our Marchant Family Vacation, we had the pleasure of celebrating a very important day of the year...Father's Day!  With the direction of my sister-in-law, Betsy, the wives collaborated and put together a phenomenal "Father's Day Field Day".  I am not sure I have laughed this hard in years!  We had several relays that involved the kids and the dads...it was awesome!  This should be an annual event!



The Grand POPS!!!

Dads with their babies!


May the best Man win!!!




Friday, September 27, 2013

Marchant Family Vacation 2013



COUSINS!!!
 
Really not sure how to sum up this vacation in words!  It was so FUN, FUNNY and again, so much FUN!  My ENTIRE family spent a week at Holden Beach, NC --2 grandparents, 8 parents and 8 grandchildren!  We have done this trip several times but for some reason, this year sticks out as one of the best.  The kids all had such a great time together-all 8 of them, all under 6 years of age.  The youngest is Wesley but only by one day.  His cousin, Graeme, is one day older!  The oldest is Logan who turned 7 this August. His brother, Hayden, Princess Clare, and cousin Preston are all born in 2008, then Luke and Ian came along in 2010 --that makes 8 grandchildren!  It also makes for "new friends" since none of us live in the same town.  There was never a dull moment, always someone to play with and we all got along fabulously! 
 
You may recall in an earlier post that we weren't sure that Wesley really would enjoy the beach.  Think goodness for cousins and following the pack.  It wasn't but a few minutes and he was right in the thick of things.  He hasn't looked back and is now a true beach baby!
Graeme and Wesley--one day apart in age!


Cousin Stand Off


From Princess Clare to Shark!

 
Ian is on a mission!!

 

In order:
Hayden, Graeme, Logan, Preston, Ian, Luke, Clare and Wesley!!!

 

Hayden is sporting his lei for the party!
Clare has been crowned with several rings!
 
EVERYDAY IS PLAYDAY AT THE BEACH!!!

My naps were so great at the beach and I woke up crazy and ready to go again!


 Boys in the Tub!
 
 
Who said I didn't like the beach?

     The pool was always full of chaos!


 
OUR POPS!!! The BIGGEST kid of all!!!
 
 
All snuggled in!
 
   Pops in Heaven with his G'children!!!



  Attack on Pops!!!
 
 
 
 
TRUE TO MY NAME---BEACH BABY!
 


 

 
 

J.J. Pays a Visit!



Two Things I Love...JJ and the Beach!
 
Chris' mom came to visit for a weekend in June.  The weather was nice but not exactly hot, still a great afternoon to play at the beach.  The only problem was that Wesley was not a fan of the sand!!!  Chris and I were a bit worried to think he wouldn't be a Beach Baby!  You can see below we couldn't even hardly get him to walk on the sand, even with shoes on!  Not sure if the uneven footing bothered him or what but he didn't care for it!  It didn't change the wonderful visit that we had with JJ. 




Let the Summer Begin!

 
 
Let Me Show You My Gills!!
 
 
We have squelched any concerns of Wesley not being a water baby.  We opened the pool pretty early this season and Wesley has enjoyed every minute of it.  Here are a few photos of the first swim of the season.  Chris was usually the lucky one to take him in because if the water isn't lukewarm, I am happy being photographer.  Wesley on the other hand could swim in pool of ice water if we let him.  Any opportunity to splash around and he takes it!  By the end of the summer he was using a swimmie that goes on his arms and around his chest.  He got brave and would jump off of the steps alone and swim about on his own.  This was a great year for the pool!!!



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Strawberry Festival 2013

 
 
Pungo is Still Country!
 
We lived in Virginia Beach when I was a kid, from my pre-school years to Kindergarten.  We lived on a great street with mostly military families--we were the exception as my Dad was in medical sales.  I remember driving out to our neighbor's father's house to get crabs----all the way in Pungo.  In fact, I think it may have been past Pungo.  All I remember is that it was FAR.  I also remember going to a favorite family restaurant in Pungo which ironically, is still there today (has changed hands but still called "Blue Pete's").  Anyway, we now live very close to Pungo.  Virginia Beach is a very large city and has spread across acres that were farmland turning them into developments and shopping centers. 
 
I am sure that the Pungo Strawberry Festival was around when I was a kid but I don't recall making the trip (only for Crabs!).  We have lived in our house (5 miles from Pungo) for almost 4 years and finally made it to the PUNGO STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL!  Boy have we been missing out!  All of the farms surrounding the one stoplight in Pungo grow strawberries among other things but you really can't go two miles down the road without passing two farms on either side...great for pickin' and even better for a great festival.  It is a true festival in the traditional sense, vendors, food carts, carnival games, a petting zoo, etc...heaven for children and families!
 
Me and My KiKi!!!
The big highlight of the festival is the parade...not your average big parade but the best homemade floats from the 4-H, local boy scouts, masons, corvette club, strawberry queen, princess, etc...you name it, if it's local, they were in it!  So we made a trip with our daycare family, Mrs. Sheila, Jeff, Kenzie and Dillon and met up with our other daycare friends, the McClendons...
 
Needless to say, it was a really great way to spend a Saturday.  Luckily, it was very pleasant, almost cold weather and a festival "out in the country" that we won't miss next year!
 
Gearing up for the parade!
Wesley to the right with his buddy, Ryland and sister Jillian on the parade route

Adults---before the show!