Beach Portraits

Our photographer from vacation has posted some pictures on her blog. If you're ever in the St. Augustine area I strongly recommend her. Check them out!http://www.alisonmillerphoto.blogspot.com/

Asher being Asher

Like Father, like son...playing with electronics!

Asher update

Asher is 16 months, and Monday was his first day in his new class. I think I just stood there for like 30 minutes waiting for him to freak out or something. I stared as he ate his breakfast. I had another mother peering on with me as her baby girl ate too. When I got in my car I realized it was ME that was freaking out. Sure, he's not starting kindergarten but this is huge for us! He's going from two naps a day to one. They don't eat in hi-chairs anymore either. He has to sit a little table like a big boy! It's just a whole other vibe in this class. There is much more curriculum. I'm excited but very scared to experience the things he'll learn. I'm scared only because of the realization of how quickly it all goes.
Well getting back on topic-- I called to check on him about noon. To my satisfaction the teacher said he was actually doing better than the other kids. Of, course! His transition was made a little smoother because four of his buddies from his previous class moved up too. Anyway, I was very pleased to hear he was just rolling with the punches. That evening he was very tired though. Evidently, they play hard in the new big boy class!
Today, he had his first gymnastics class. They have an instructor that comes to the daycare that you can pay extra for. They said he was so funny. He was trying with all his might to jump. When I asked how it went the daycare manager demonstrated for me what he did. It was a jumping motion that left him still very well planted on the ground. He's still a little too unsteady to be airborne. Once again I was happy to hear that he handled the new gymnastics time well since it's out of his sheltered little classroom. They went on and on about how social and cute he is. Tonight he was a little entertainer showing us his new trick of "jumping".
Then, my mommy ego grew even more as I entered his classroom to pick him up. His new teacher met me at the door gushing over what a good boy he is. She said that she just tells him that she needs to change his diaper and he comes right on. He never fusses, and he's a very happy boy! She went on and on, and of course I let her. I like to think he has the perfect personality. He's very social like me, but he's very chill like his Daddy. Man, am I glad he got the chill part:)
Well, thanks for humoring me by letting me brag. That's the latest on our very well adjusted little Asher!

Vacation pictures

Here are just a few highlights of our trip (in no particular order).

The lighthouse in St. Augustine

Asher and Mommy on the beach

Crawling around the condo floor after our family portraits.
Hopefully, I'll get those to post in the next few weeks.

The Fam at what is to be believed (and greatly debated) oldest house in the country

Playing on the beach at night

Asher and Daddy having fun. Don't be fooled though. Asher did not like the sand AT ALL. Most of our sun-time was spent at one of the pools.

Getting our fresh seafood fix...exept Mark. This was his first meal after the "plague". A turkey sandwich had to do:(

Asher's favorite part of the resort...the kiddie pool. He loved to let the sprayers knock his pacifier out of his hand and say "uh oh" over and over.

Doing it again!

We're Back!

It's Monday, and we just walked into the door about 30 minutes ago. We left Tuesday (22nd) and stopped half way. We arrived at our resort in Palm Coast on Wednesday (23rd). Then, we left there Sunday (27th) morning and spent the day in St. Augustine. Now, we're back in good ole Chatt-Town. We're grateful for our vacation but relieved to be back. I must be getting old because I'm looking foward to my own bed:)
The trip was interesting to say the least. It FLEW by. There were 4 couples each with a child a piece. Well, out of those 12 people and 2 condos only 3 did not get a stomach virus!!! We were the first family to get it so we had the burden of feeling like we ruined everyone's vacation by bringing the sickness. I promise we didn't do it on purpose!!! Not to mention, one of the girls lost her wedding set off the balcony and never recovered it! Someone will be a VERY happy person one day if they find it. Needless to say, she was sick for the rest of the time just for that. However, I'm going to try to focus on the short positive, well time we had. Asher loved the kiddie-pool, and St. Augustine was a lot of fun. The resort was beautiful, and the niceset place I've ever stayed really. It was the Ginn Hammock if you're ever looking for a great spot. There are pictures to follow, I promise! My gears are already turning planning our next family vacation!

Countdown...

I'm goofing off right this minute, but in just a moment I'm getting hard at work...working on my job, packing, cleaning, getting excited, so on and so forth. I'm beginning to get really excited because we leave on Tuesday for our vacation in Palm Coast, FL. We're not leaving at any certain time since our reservations aren't until Wednesday. We're just travelling at our leisure and will drive as far as Asher and we can stand. Also, it's Mark's birthday Tuesday so I'd say that's a pretty good present! We'll be heading back sometime Sunday or Monday. We don't have to be back to work Until Tuesday the 29th. So, please forgive me if you can't get me while we're there. I'm certain work will call so my phone will be OFF! If you need me or want to talk just call Mark's phone, or leave a message. I'll check them periodically. Please pray for safe travels. Tootles!

The House continued

Speaking of the house, here are a few pics to show the progress under way.

Living Room Before-- That white under the chair railing is some lovely wallpaper. mmm!


Before again



After...I'm still working on accessories and little things. I had lamps but returned them. I've got to find some still.

Please over look the bottom shelves and Asher's toys pushed to the side. You get the idea though.

There is still a little molding that needs to be finished around the fireplace. Trust me it's come a long way though. The white under the new chair railing is wainscoting instead of that nasty wallpaper.

The pictures don't even do it justice. The work has been MUCH more than paint. Not to mention, Mark is rewiring each room by as he goes. I'm very proud of him!

I'll try to find some more pics. For some reason I can't find the others on the computer.