Beach Weekend

The Smith's invited us to join them at the beach this weekend for Mardi Gras. It was a quick trip (Friday and Saturday), but we loved every minute of it!

Friday evening we had a DELICIOUS steak dinner followed by homemade chocolate cake! Yum!!! Then we went to the beach to look for crabs with our flashlights and came back to sit around the fire pit.

 Jackson was relieved we didn't find any crabs. He was nervous they would pinch him.

 You can't have a fire and not roast marshmallows. DUH.

 Saturday morning we had a breakfast feast and got ready for the big Mardi Gras parade.

 We played on the beach while we waited for the parade to start. Jackson thought the waves crashing on the rocks was so cool!

 Sarah & Ben ready to catch some beads. Wondering why Ben is wearing his Dad's shirt??? He sure did fall in the freezing cold water, and super mom here didn't have any extra clothes with us.

 Ben was a bead magnet!

 So was Jackson!

 Someone threw the fake cigar right to Jackson. He thinks it's a bat. A bat it is.

 Fam Pic

 The Young Normans

Saturday afternoon we went on a boat ride!

Captain Ben & Sarah pretended to drive the boat while the big boys....

 tried to catch some fish.

 They couldn't be happier!

 Captain Ben & Captain Lynn

 Captain Jack takes driving the boat seriously.

Thank you Lynn & Sarah for a fun weekend at the beach!!! 

Here's the video of Ben in the water:

Wonderful Weekend

Papa John & Nana came down this week and kept the boys for 2 nights while Ryan & I went away! The boys had so much fun with their grandparents, and we enjoyed being together without any responsibility!!! We stayed in the Galleria area. We did a lot of shopping and eating (and sleeping in). Thanks Papa John & Nana!

this boy loves trucks

Jackson pitching to his Daddy

Papa John & Ben

Nana reading the boys a bedtime story

Random February

We had some friends come over to play on Friday! Ana pretended she was Ben's mommy, and he loved every second of it.

Jackson thinks Gaines is the coolest kid. They were playing dodgeball.

Cute kids having a snack

Ben is growing up all of a sudden. He'll be 21 months old tomorrow. Hard to believe Jackson was only 22 months when Ben was born.

such a happy boy

I haven't felt super great this week, so the tv has been on more than usual. Ben gets easily distracted!

Have I mentioned that my parents are AMAZING??? I love them! I can't tell you what a blessing they are to me. The other day I was not feeling well and was overwhelmed with just about everything. I got a phone call late afternoon from my dad saying he wanted Ryan to pick up dinner for us on his way home and he would cover it. That made my whole day more relaxed and was such a treat! Tonight my dad delivered this beautiful cookbook to me for Valentines Day. My mom and I visited Sarabeths when in NYC, and I am so excited to make some yummy treats!

Have I also mentioned that I have the BEST husband? We got to go on a date last night (thanks to the church for having a babysitting fundraiser). He took me to my version of heaven...The Chocolate Bar! Oh my! I think I'll become a regular there.

Happy Valentines Day!