Professional Pictures

We had some professional pictures taken of Ryan and Evan in July. Here are a few of our favorites. I'll post more tomorrow.

All Good things...

must come to an end, R & E. After we got back from Destin we spent our last week in Alabama. You had a chance to spend more time with Grandma P and your aunts and cousins. Daddy had to come back home for a little while, so the three of us hung out with Auntie Aliki and a friend from college, Ms. Kim, and her adorable little boy. We took a picture under the famous "Lifting the Veil" statue. It's a statue of Booker T. Washington (don't worry, Mommy will teach you ALL about him!) lifting the veil of ignorance from a former slave. It's symbolic of the creation of Tuskegee University. Mommy wanted to take you to see some of the other historic sites on campus, but it was way too hot. Maybe we can go back one fall and I'll show you. Ohhhh...and then you can experience another southern tradition--football season!

We packed up our things and headed back home. You two were a little less tolerant of the car going back. It was OK, though, because we weren't in a rush and we took our time. We left on a Thursday and made it home on Saturday. We stopped for the first night in a lovely little town in North Carolina. We though we could be home by Friday evening but you two had other plans. The ride was just too much to you guys, so we stopped for the second night--get this--in New Jersey! Only about two hours away from home! Yep, you two were soooooooooo over being in the car that we just said forget it! We'll go home tomorrow!

We had a fantastic first family vacation! There was so much to see and do, and even when we weren't seeing or doing anything in particular we were enjoying each other. You two learned so much and grew up so much in such a short time. You two are so smart! Mommy and Daddy are in complete awe of you--wonderful, beautiful you. We were a happy family of two, but now that there are four of us, we can't imagine that there was ever anything better than this. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Gulfarium

On our last full day in Destin we took a trip to the Gulfarium. Boy was it hot! The sun hats I found for you came in handy...except you refused to wear them! I was able to snap this picture right before the hats came off. Good thing the shows were under a covered area. Evan, I caught you in mid-snatch! Ry, you were right behind him buddy! We were on our way to see the dolphin show right before this picture was taken, Unfortunately, Mommy broke the camera right after this pic too. :(

This was a BIG sea lion! His name is Kyle.

You can't go to Florida and not take a picture of an alligator. That would be just plain silly!

This was the end of one of the shows and we were on our way to dinner. We were famished! Ry, Mommy was holding you while this picture was taken. You were hungry and ready to GO! As you can see, Daddy was very serious about keeping you two hydrated!

The next day we packed up and headed back to Alabama. It was a wonderful trip; one that we will never forget. You two had a great time and it was our pleasure to be able to take you. You two are the absolute best. Thanks for being you, Ryan and Evan!

Interuppting Vacation Recap-Letter to say...

today, on two different occasions, Evan took a few unassisted steps! He really wants to walk and has been toying with the idea all last month. He actually took two unassisted steps last Thursday August 5th. Today he just up and did it again. I am soooooooooooo proud of this boy! And his big brother too:)

Days at the Pool

One great thing about the resort is the pool. You could really never leave the resort ans still have a great vacation. These pictures are from your day at the pool. This was your absolute first time! Evan, don't let the shocked look fool you! You loved every minute of it!

Ryan, Evan and and turned back around to get something and when we made it to the pool this is what we saw! You were crawling all around the minute you hit the water.

Since you two loved the water so much we decided to get you these floaters. Can you say

ca-yute! See that pretty little girl between you two? That's Baby A, the Turners' beautiful daughter. She loved the water too!

Ryan had to check and make sure that Evan's float was blown up properly! You are such a great big brother:)

Daddy took you all around in the pool and you couldn't get enough of it! There was a waterfall and lots of kids playing-so much to see. Both of you enjoyed kicking your legs and feet all around. We'll make sure you two learn to swim soon. Don't be like your mama on this one!

But, I was happy to take a picture with the two of you in the shallow part!


We were glad to see that you enjoyed the water so much. Though we won't go out and have a pool installed in the backyard for you, we will make sure we blow up the pool you got for your birthday and let you play in it. Not quite the same thing, but close! :)

Reflection

Something about this picture makes me teary. I think it's because when I took this shot we were leaving the beach and I couldn't help but think about last year this time. Last year my babies were in the hospital; they were feeding and growing, and working on a little thing called breathing. Oh, but this year.

This year our boys played at the beach, splashed in the Gulf, and walked in the sand. They could see and hear and feel. And then they were all tuckered out.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...Mommy?

Before we went to the beach we did a bit of sightseeing. Boy was it hot! We kept you two hydrated and you were good to go! Ms. Curtisha wanted to do something fun; something we would ordinarily do. We noticed the "Zip" attraction.

Now let Mommy tell you, being "zipped," as they call it, is definitely not something I would ordinarily do. But we were on vacation, Ms. Curtisha wanted to try it, and your daddy was convinced that I wouldn't do it.


Here I am--about to be zipped! Was I scared? Ummm...YES! I was fine walking up the long winding staircase to get to the top, but once I was all harnessed and out on the ledge I almost backed out! You see that ledge near the outside of the gate by the guy's hand? That's the ledge you had to walk out on until you were suspended in air! YIKES! Mommy felt like she was walking the plank! But, I looked down at your daddy and the two of you and...

I did it! I got "zipped" from one side of the wharf to the other!

Weeeee.......................

Here is Ms. Curtisha being "zipped!" She even managed to strike a pose as she was going across! LOL :)

I'm telling you guys this because I want you to know that sometimes it's okay to take a chance and try something new. I don't want you two to grow up and be controlled by fear. Trying something new can be a good thing. I want you to have common sense, of course. Just don't do any old thing! BUT, some risks are worth taking. I took a chance and did something new, and it was actually fun. I'm glad I did it. I was afraid at first, but I overcame that fear. Having said that, if I had been too afraid and backed out, that would have been OK too. I also want you to know that it's OK to be afraid sometimes. Sometimes you should be too afraid to do something. Follow your heart...and your gut. Life is beautiful! Live life, my dears, but be smart about it.