Father's Day 2015!

The week started off celebrating Father's Day!    We are blessed by two great father's who set the bar high for what being a daddy looks and feels like.   Jimmy is no different.  I often sit back and think about the qualities Jimmy demonstrates to the girls that they will look for as they date and marry.   It sure is a high bar and my prayer is that they don't settle and always keep their focus on Jesus!

The girls made breakfast for Jimmy (on their own with no help from Mommy).  It was leftover birthday cake and strawberries.  It was so sweet!

a little downtime on the porch

Daddy and his girls 

I love these girls and their Daddy!  

Maggie said "He is best at baking and not good at coloring" on a questionare they did about Daddy.   

Gracie said "He is best at drawing and not good at soccer" 

ahh, even the puppy got in on the photos 

Great sisters!   

Love these girls

Jimmy's Father's Day gift.  We did a photo sitting.   I love how these photos capture their personalities together.  

We are enjoying the summer when its cool enough on the porch. 

This week we enjoyed 3 girls in the home.   Our niece Ally came up for the week and went to camp with the girls.   It was a busy week with camp, swim team and tired girls!  

Headed to the pool 

Gracie ready to swim her heat and Ally (and Aunt Tammy) standing by to cheer her on. 

Maggie's idea of swim team since we pulled her off.   We will try again next year. 

Swimming hard

Playing Tenzi (dice game).  

The girls left after camp Friday and will be in Atlanta their Grammy and Papa, Aunt Tammy and Uncle Joey and cousins.  No doubt another fun week!  We are always thankful, that while we miss them terrible, they have such wonderful family that not only is willing to have them but truly enjoys the time and memories made.

Birthday Week: Age 36!

This week was a big week as we got back into routine for camp, swim and work.   We made a decision to pull Maggie out of swim as its just too much for her with all day camp (no naps), practice several times a week in the evening and long meets!   She is okay with this and we worked with Gracie to understand its just like when we pulled her out of tennis when she was about the same age.   We will all go and cheer Gracie on every chance we get!

Bella came home Sunday after being boarded for vacation.  She had quite a time there as always.  We were glad to have her home. 

First night home and she thought this was her place for the night...my side!  Sorry girl move it! 

For Maggie year 1 attempt at swim team in the books.  She was a trooper but needs a few more years on her. 

Begging to go home after just one heat!    Daddy agreed and got her snuggled in bed at home. 

The youngest swim team member and one of the oldest (who adores Maggie). 

While the bigger girls wait they eat and play games! 

Gracie doing great at back stroke 

The girls having peanut butter for breakfast means so does Bella

An evening drive in from Atlanta after a day of meetings and this was the view!  Thank you God! 

The week wore these two little ones out! 

Friday night and Maggie did not even wake up for dinner.  She went to bed quickly. 

And I turned 36 this week.  It was so special with all the calls, texts, Facebook messages, and my family.   Jimmy and the girls surprised me with dinner out (who wants to clean right?), a cake and sweet gifts.  Most of all it was spent loving my family and being together!     I did think how much 10 years represents.  When I was 26 we had been married a few years, had wrapped up my MBA, was several years into a great career, had no babies, were in our first house and were growing in the understanding of how God would continue to meet us where we were.   Its been a great 10 years.   I feel so blessed to have a husband who adores me, supports me, works hard to make our family a success with his leadership at home and at work, 2 beautiful daughters that teach me every day how to love even better, and wonderful friends and family that walk beside us each day!  

A friend at work sent me a picture of her Diet Coke this week.   Made me smile. 

A cake and sweet prize.   

one of my prizes was a picture of this sign framed for my office.  This is the sign as you enter and exit Seabrook Island where we vacation every year.   I always love it as it reminds me the value of slowing down in life, and not just slow but being gentle.  

My girls.  You make 36 not look so bad!

Seabrook Vacation 2015!

**WARNING:  Photo Overload!

We had a great week at the beach with the Whitmer side of the family.   The week away was a wonderful time with grandparents, cousins and time to refresh.  We took lots of naps, enjoyed many hours at the beach and pool, and enjoyed God's creation in a new way.     The pictures have captured the story of the week!    Thank you Mom and Dad for the week away together to laugh and be reminded how wonderful family is when you are together and invest the time and effort!   We miss you already!

Someone likes to sleep in the car!  (no more than 30 minutes into the long trip) 

This little one likes to watch movies and TALK! 

More time to sleep 

she finally fell asleep

A quick dinner stop in Atlanta to see Grammy before we keep driving

two sound asleep girls as we pull into the driveway 

Day 1:   Downtown Charleston and of course Hyman's. 

Gracie loves their hushpuppies! 

Someone did not want to walk so Uncle Gabe was nice to give a ride! 

Ellie getting some KK time!

Auntie Rach time with Ellie as we walk through the market 

These girls were all attacked to every dog we saw

My love! 

Any Gjysh got in on some carrying too!  I think they forget she is almost 6! ha 

Our favorite gelato place in Atlanta also has a shop in Charleston.  We had to make a stop. 

My girls have the best Aunts and Uncles!  

My favorite part of driving onto the island is the long road to get there! 

and finally some pool time! 

Monkey in the middle and they are relentless!  

I caught a fish! 

My parents are wonderful!  I am so glad we get the opportunities to spend time together! 

No doubt Maggie is telling Gjysh a story! 

These two love each other (most days they show it!)

An eagle's nest not far from the house we were staying at.   The girls took daily trips to see it. 

yep.... and we saw several!   

Uncle Gabe thought she would be a good treat for the gators! 

a night on the beach 

first night on the beach and a fun walk 

These are two of my favorites! 

Gracie is like her Mama and could spend hours, days and weeks at the beach and pool. 

Daddy camped out with her to play in the sand

A ride on the beach 

My loves!  

they are so sassy some days! 

These three are everything to me!  

Ellie is right there with the girls almost all the time!  We are so blessed to get to see her so much.  

somedays even being at the beach makes for a hard day!  

however short, the girls enjoyed the time to see their cousins from Cinci

The girls with their two oldest cousins (Caleb and Micah) 

You make each year better than the last my dear!  

Ready for family pictures on the beach 

This never gets old! 

Maggie snuggles with Mama 

Gracie snagged some too! 

This girl could have drove for rings all day long!  She is quite the swimmer!

The zero entry pool makes for a nice place to nap! 

KK playtime in the pool 

and nap we did about every day! 

Love the sweet cousin time! 

Maggie playing a little.   She preferred to keep it where it was more calm and she could dive. 

our view for lunch one day 

KK hugs!  We were glad we were able to be there to give them lots of love! 

nothing better than grandparents! 

priceless! 

lunch date 

Angel Oak annual trip 

Someone was a little tired! 

Daddy with his girls

My family 

My brother and his wonderful family 

Gjysh and KK at the tree 

is this girl really 9?  

Gjysh and KK with their grand girls

how many buckets do you need Ellie? 

o that hair! 

Gjysh found the girls some crabs! 

the trick is to grab them from the back.... 

this one was a pincher 

a day at the beach together!  

of course any time at the beach or pool we had to break for snacks 

Maggie was doing a great job kicking and using her arms 

Thumbs up! 

Gracie and "Brownie" (her favorite horse to feed each year) 

The horses like to give kisses! 

This was the first year Maggie was not too timid and wanted to feed them 

More kisses!

and more naps 

some quite art time when we needed a break from the sun

watching for all the wildlife 

The girls created a show for us one night 

yep, like Uncle Gabe they wanted tips! 

a Java Java (to share of course) 

and more naps 

silly beach girl

thanks Mom and Dad for a date night while we were at the beach! 

a new restaurant we tried.  It was so yummy

sister giggles! 

Gracie's birth mark on her arm really shows when she has been in the sun.  (Jimmy as one on his leg just like it) 

yes....this was what we saw on one of our nature walks 

Hunting a gator 

yes, this was my view every day at 8am.   I hit the gym before the day started.   It was a nice way to start the day. 

snack at the pool 

Love that face! 

Our last day Gracie had an ear infection so we spent the afternoon at the Minute Clinic.  

She did not feel like playing in the water, but she did lay in the sand

One last stop to see Brownie 

Saturday morning and we are ready to head home!  

no sharing this Java Java! 

Lunch with Papa (and Grammy) before we finished the drive home 

June 11th while we were gone Bella had her 1st Birthday!   She had a time you can tell! 

Birthday girl!  We love you 

Each year the beach is a great retreat.  Each year I need the same reminder.... slow down!  Take a breath.    Don't run so had!  The signs are everywhere!

yep..slow down 

even slower!  

Until next year!