She's a Cheer Leader!

Go Gloucester Red Mites!!!

Picking Blueberries

Today the weather was so amazing that we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go pick spray free blueberries at a local farm. We had a blast. One minute your bucket is empty and the next it's overflowing with wonderfully delicious yummy blueberry goodness. We ate as we picked and now have to find recipes so we can savor these blueberries all year. We really want the girls to explore and experience all that nature has to offer and I felt like this was such a great way to do that. Olivia loves shoes, loves picking them out and pulling them on and off. She does not like wearing them. She picked barefoot and in the end discovered moss for the very first time. I love seeing first time reactions! I remember when Elise first discovered grass. She would not put her feet down. Olivia loved the way the moss felt and started jumping from one moss "pad" to another. This was her highlight of the experience, I'm sure.

The bucket harness rocks!

Taking her job seriously!

I think I may have paid for some grass too!

Discovering the moss, in the process of jumping.

Olivia's Birthday!

Trying to take a family picture is always fun with Olivia!
Blowing out the candles

Loving her cake. Yummy!

Puppies, Puppies and more PUPPIES!!!

She is the master at unwrapping!

Cutie Patootie

Cake made with love by Mommy!

Phil's deployment

So I haven't had all the time in the world to get on here and post like I originally planned to do. I babysit my friend's children anywhere from 3-4 days a week so I have been staying busy! Phil has been gone a month now although it seems more like six months. We are doing OK, getting by, at peace with all of this. The girls are doing wonderful and adjusting well. I wanted to share the pictures of us at the airport the day Phil left. It was really hard to say goodbye. We tried to wait until the last minute. Nothing like looking at your husband and knowing you're not going to be seeing those beautiful blue eyes for such a long time. We miss each other terribly. We get to talk often and we email a lot. If anyone wants his email let me or Lisa know. He'd be happy to hear from you. Also, his zip has changed recently so email me for the correct one.

~Blessings~

Garnet

Our little Dennis the Menace

Ahhh, Olivia. She the cutest thing but take your eyes off of her for just a second and you'll regret it.

Realizing early on that she was going to be into everything, I decided to document it. Maybe on her wedding day I'll make a slide show....

Stuck behind the couch. How she got back there (and why) haven't been figured out yet.

One of the five walls she decided to decorate with a Sharpie. She also gave herself a little decoration as well.
We needed to do some touch up painting anyway.

I thought Blue's Clues would be enough entertainment but I guess my spice rack was more fun.

Caught red handed and not concerned with the time out that is coming. We now have a child lock on a cabinet above the counter. Go figure.

Oldie but goody. One of my favorites. Meow.

Crawling: When it all started.

When I figure out how to upload the one of her stuck in the toilet from my phone, I'll have to add it. It's great! We just love her adventurous spirit and her strong will. She is always making us laugh and keeping us on our toes.

Swimming

Elise has turned into a fish overnight. She swims so well now. Below are some pictures we took with our underwater digital camera.

Enjoy.

Elise and Daddy being silly as usual

She loves her new goggles.

Practicing her dive.

Her swim across the deep end.

A different kind of family photo!

Fishing trip

A great way to start out any day. Our veiw going out into the Gulf of Mexico.

I reeled this in. It's was easier than any of then snapper (probably because it was so small).

Phil reeling in a six foot shark. Phil won.

Me and my grouper.

We had an amazing time fishing in the gulf. Perfect day, great captain, tons of fish. Thanks, Barry, for taking us out. Definately a highlight of my vacation!