A Perfect Evening

Last night was an evening that was beautiful and picture perfect. It was just the three of us. The Bethel Family. The weather was warm but not hot and the humidity had broke. Just having the day of the week Friday is cause enough to relax and enjoy the evening. I still feel that our evenings through the week are rushed and monotinous so when we get a break from the monotony it seems special to me.

I've been on a new recipe kick and with these new recipes comes a grilling kick too. I love grilling and I especially love grilling in the summer. It's just one of those things that comes with the season, like raking leaves in the fall and building a snowman in the winter. I also love grilling for two other reasons, the food tastes so yummy and Ryan does the grilling which is less work for me.

Last night the new recipe we tried was Grilled Shrimp Po Boy Sandwiches. I'm not quite sure what a "Po Boy" is but his sandwhiches are delicious. Our sandwhiches were accompanied by a Zucchini Couscous Salad, which was made with fresh zucchini from one of my girl friend's garden.



While Ryan and I cooked, Madison played in her wagon. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but the wagon is one of the best purchases we have made for Maddie. She will sit in that thing and play, eat and sleep. Although she probably loves it even more when we are actually pulling her around.



She also had a big night of blowing rasberries. She hasn't done it much in the recent weeks. I'm not sure if she forgot that she new how or if she only does it when she is extremely content and happy. I was so content and happy last night that I wanted to blow rasberries too.



While we ate our dinner, Madde enjoyed her snacks in the wagon. Please know that I don't always feed our child out of a bucket. It just happens that she has a bucket in the wagon and it's handy for holding a few snacks. Besides her snacks don't stay in there long, she always dumps them out and eats them from wherever she can find them. We're still working on the feeding yourself thing.



Ryan and I love holding our Maddie O. It often comes down to a small argument as to who gets her. I usually win.







I have a friend that has been so wonderful to us in letting us borrow her son's old toys. She plans on getting rid of them but before she does she let's us use them until Maddie is done. I'm talking a swing, bouncy seats, activity mats, a bumbo, a walker, cars to ride on, walk behind toys, blow up swimming pool, play table, the list goes on. We have been so blessed and greatful for our Ingrid.

Maddie got a new delivery of toys this week. One item included a little car that she can ride on or push and walk behind. She is still a little unbalanced when she sits on her own but does pretty well for the most part. She was able to sit on the seat and she even pushed herself a little bit, backwards.







Moments after this picture was taken, Maddie fell over. With my quick motherly reflexes I was able to slide my hand under her head before she cracked it on the concrete. Whoops! We're still working on riding the car too.

We're Baaaaaack!

Coming back from vacation is always bittersweet. It's nice to come back to the comforts of your own home but vacation is oh so nice. No worries, no work and most of all 24/7 family time.

We are typically travelers that prefer to fly. However, this vacation we decided we were going to hit the open road. Mostly because I had so much stuff that I "had" to bring.



As we all expected our little Maddie O. was the perfect traveler. She just sat back and enjoyed the ride. She ate her meals and snacks, had a little playtime and took several naps all in the comforts of her car seat.



When we stopped for gas, she stretched out in the front seat.



After a 12 hour drive, with a stop in Asheville overnight, we finally reached Myrtle Beach. We helped Daddy unload the car...okay, Maddie sat and watched and I took pictures.





We were anxious to get to the beach once we arrived. I couldn't wait to get our little munchkin in her hat and suit, load up the wagon and get those tootsies in the sand. I quickly realized that loading up the wagon wasn't a quick process. Nonetheless we eventually made it out the door.



At last....we are here we made it to the beach!



I can't rave enough about how perfect Madison was on this vacation. She went along with the flow and just took in the sights and the people around her. The wagon was one of the things I just had to have on this vacation. It was so worth the 12 hour drive just so we could have her wagon. Maddie played in her wagon, ate in her wagon and even took naps in her wagon.







Madison wasn't a big fan of the sand. The entire week we were there she spent about 3 minutes in the sand. I had to bend her legs to even get her to sit in it so we could take some pictures.





She wasn't quite sure what to think of the ocean. She loves the water and loves playing in the water but every time she went to splash around a wave would come up. I know if I was two feet tall and a rush of water was coming at me I would be a little freaked out too. So, couldn't blame a sister there.





Every evening we enjoyed a great dinner and wonderful family time. One evening was the traditional "Poker Night" Complete with a T-Shirt for the winner and tequila shots for the losers.



Ryan had a pretty good poker face going on.



So, Maddie worked on hers too.





Once she had it mastered she got to join in on the game.



Unfortunately, their poker faces didn't help. Maddie and her Daddy lost all of their chips and were eliminated. Now I already foresee some questions a brewing....No, Madison did not get the tequila shot. She's got 20 and 1/2 more years to go before that happens.

We had gorgeous weather the entire week. However, it was sweltering. The heat index was between 100 and 115 just about every day. After several hours at the beach we were hot, sweaty, salty and needing to be cooled and rinsed off. So, we headed to the pool.



Nana helped Maddie keep her cool with ice chips and dips in the lazy river.







We had such a wonderful time with our little Maddie O.





I am already looking forward to our next getaway.

It's Vacation Time!

We're going on vacation!

I love vacation, I mean who doesn't! My mother-in-law has been yearning for a family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama. She has been talking about going there as a family for two years. After our last family vacation to Myrtle Beach five years ago she's been anxious to do it again. Several months ago I said "Gayla, let's do it! Let's plan this vacation to Gulf Shores and whoever can join shall join us." And that's what she did. The dates were set, the evite was sent to all, the condo was booked, the travel arrangements were made and the anticipation was building.

Then.....the oil began to leak, and leak, and leak, and leak.

With fear that the oil would ruin our time at the beach our vacation location was moved. To where? Myrtle Beach, of course! We had such a great time the last time so let's do it again. The anticipation continued to build and the excitement of knowing that in a few short weeks I would be relaxing on the beach with my baby girl. And now we pack....





Five years ago when I packed for this vacation I was packing tube tops and skirts, Cute wedge heels to match new summer dresses, the perfect accessories to match each outfit, several bikinis so I didn't look the same everyday along with cover ups to match each. This time the packing is much much different. I mean way different and it's because I am a different person than I was five years ago. I'm a mom now! Don't get me wrong I'm still packing cute new summer dresses along with the perfect accessories but now I'm wearing flats. I've learned that heels are very dangerous when schlepping around a baby. I've put the bikini's away...for now, and I have one fabulous tankini along with a cover up that doesn't really match but it will work. My priorities have changed and I'm totally cool with that. I like who I've become, no strike that...I LOVE who I have become.



This packing has been going on for about a week. I've made my piles around the house of things that we must take. I've kept up on the laundry to insure that the things we want to take are clean and ready.





Madison has been helping me pack. Okay not really. I sat her on our bed so I could get my clothes packed and I turned on the T.V. Look at her. I think someone is addicted, just like her Daddy.



We leave Friday evening after Ryan and I get home from work. I can't wait until we back the car out of the driveway. Our vacation will then have begun and I can begin to relax. I'm anxious to see these little tootsies covered with sand.



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My sister has been on a mad hunt for a nightgown for Madison. Why? Because they are freakin' cute. She's discovered that it's not an easy task. Nightgowns for babies are readily available in sizes Newborn-3 Months and 2T and up but not so much for a 6 month old. She's looked everywhere and finally, success! Ta-Da!





See, I told you it's freakin' cute!

Speaking of cute....here's Maddie in one of the onesies my dear friends made for her.



Aren't my friends sweet?

On the not so cute side....Maddie was enjoying some delicious yogurt for dinner the other night. Then a sneeze crept up on her.



Bye for now!

Let's play ball!

We finally were able to attend one of my nephew's baseball games on Wednesday. It seems that every time he's had a game the weather, an illness or work has kept us from going. I loaded up Maddie's wagon and we headed to the ball diamonds.

Our little baseball star was focused for the game.



And our little munchkin was ready for some action.







Logan's team did great but I'm not sure if they pulled out a win because we had to leave before it ended....it was getting late. Logan also had some exciting news to share with us. He got his braces off! Look at this cute little face and those pearly whites. Lookin' good stud muffin!



It really doesn't seem to matter where we go, Madison just does her own thing. She sat in her wagon and played as the other little kids surrounded her. One little boy even tried to get in her wagon and she didn't seem to mind.

We've been offering her these Gerber Graduates puffs that basically disolve in your mouth. They look a lot like cereal and come in different fruit flavors. She's not really sure what to think about them yet.





And it usually just ends up stuck to her chin...which I find hilarious.



My niece and nephew are smitten with their cousin and I love it. It's so cute how they talk about her to their friends and get so excited when they get to see her. Logan is always talking to her and making faces at her and Brooke loves to hold her. Now, when Brooke holds Maddie she always insures that she has a free hand for her phone. OMG u cant miss a txt!



Maddie was really starting to fit in with the other kids. She even got into the Silly Bandz craze.





It didn't last long because once she noticed it was on her wrist she had to get it off and into her mouth.





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Madison gets a bath every night, doctor's orders. Some nights we take our time and allow her to play and splash until her toes and fingers are wrinkled. Other nights it's a quick in and out. Last night we let her play awhile. We have these cups in the bath tub that have holes in them for the water to pour out. I always fill the cup and hold it up for it to rain down on Maddie. She would always put her hand under the waterfall as if trying to grab the water. Well, a few weeks ago she decided to put her mouth under the waterfall and grab a little drink.





She looks like a baby bird and she does this as long as I keep pouring the water in front of her. She also makes the silliest faces in the bathtub. I don't know what it is but once she gets wet she turns into a little ham.



Have a great day!