Once you go MAC,

you never go back!

even the boys think so!

My helper

Helping his little brother put on shoes...

Even if they didn't fit! ;)

Toy Story on Ice

We took the boys to see Toy Story 3 on Ice.

Jackson and Luke, our favorite twins, went with us.

It was AMAZING!  I don't know what I expected, but it was definitely a great show!  The characters were so lifelike, Layton kept saying, "It's the real Woody, It's the real Buzz! Look, Mommy, look!"  He believed that they had come to life right in front of him!  I love seeing his little eyes light up and get so excited!  Luke on the other hand was entertained for about 30 minutes, the last hour was a struggle.  He wanted to get down and had a hard time sitting still:(  Maybe he like it better in a few years?

One of the best thing about seeing a show "on ice" is there is not a bad seat anywhere.  The stage is so big that everyone as the luxury of seeing the action! 

After the show we went to eat at Joe's Crab Shack:) Yummy!

It was a fun night with our boys, Buzz, Woody, Bullseye and Jessie! :)

Standing

Biting

Waiting

Teeth and a Nose Wrinkle

These have to be the two cutest little teeth...

along with the most adorable nose wrinkle - ever!

Both melt my heart:)

As seasons change,

so do children. 

Summer has ended.

As I look back at this beautiful season, I realize that my babies had grown up right before my eyes, in my very own backyard.

As spring began, I would sit and rock a sweet baby on the back porch while big brother would run and play. Now at the end of summer, that sweet baby is doing his best to get down and join the fun.

As the sun sets in the last days of summer, I recognize that my toddler is turning into a little boy who dreams of "swinging hard", throwing fast balls and being "safe!" as he slides into home plate.

Oh, the days of summer have transformed my little ones so quickly...

Summer, would you please stay for just a little while longer?

It's so bittersweet to see how my babies have change in the midst of just one season.

Swing

Beach

Our family vacation this year was to the sandy white beaches of the Gulf.  It's my favorite.  We usually go every year, but this was the first year that we traveled during September.  It is by far the best time to travel south...no crowds and the weather was PERFECT!

It was Luke's first beach vacation and I probably went a little overboard on pictures.
But they are priceless:)

My sweet baby boys

A kiss for his little brother

My mom and dad traveled with us this year.
Let me just say, now since we have two children, I hope to never go on another vacation without grandparents, they make it soooo much easier and enjoyable! 

Our family of four:)

*************************************

Our vacation started out with a late evening at the beach and pool.
We watched the sun set.
It was breathtaking.



But before the sun set, we had a little fun in the sand!

and ran on the soft sugary white beach,

and watched the waves, with the breeze on our faces,

and built sandcastles too!

Luke discovered sand for the first time

 and was intrigued by the sound of the waves.

oh, and like to eat sand too! 

A kiss from his Mimi

and another kiss at sunset

A lot of our days were spent going back and forth between the beach and the pool....swimming, sleeping, eating, and relaxing....

sounds like fun, huh?

Jump!
(I love how he is looking at me the entire time!)

Everyone took lots of naps!

My beautiful son at sunset playing in the sand

And my boys.....just as different as can be.  

but both as sweet as ever.

Did I mention that there was lots of sleeping?
Just checking.
I took lots of naps on the beach with a sweet baby on my chest.  It was heaven.

Pops with his littlest boy...

who was just a cute as can be in his little crab hat and swim cover...

2008 FLASHBACK: Layton's first trip to the beach and a little crab bootie too!






Pops and Layton had fun going UNDER water together...

Luke fell asleep on Mimi's shoulder...it was such a sweet sight!

Me and the boys.



and then I got the privilege of having Layton fall asleep on my shoulder.  I loved every minute of it. 

My little sleepy crab

My hot husband! :)

Pops soaking up some of Lukey Bear

Date night!  Blake and I went to dinner, all by ourselves!  Thanks to Mimi & Pops!

Two of my favorite three boys

While we were there, we rented bikes and rode on the Sandestin property, which is beautiful!  We rode over to eat breakfast, shop and enjoy the amazing weather! :)

The boys LOVED it!!!!!!

Smile! This was his first time on a bike:)

Mom and Dad enjoying the bikes too!

The boys loved it!  So much so, Blake and I are thinking about getting bikes with buddy seats.
Its a great family activity!

Little toes in the ocean for the first time, holding Mimi's hands.

A nose wrinkle under the umbrella

Grandson and Grandfather, a beautiful bond

Hey there cute boy! Having fun?

Mom and Dad had time alone, too.  I thought this was sweet, just the two of them sitting underneath the umbrella....they need more time like this:)

Luke doing what he does best.....snuggle up to someone - sleeping! ;)

Some of my favorite pictures of Layton playing in the ocean

He was also obsessed with running down the beach, chasing birds....He never looked back - he would run and run!

Needless to say, he loves the sand

Layton and Pops flying a kite and a beautiful windy beach day.

Sweet brothers

I love this picture!  It's like Luke is watching his big brother, wanting to go and play, but content to sit and watch. 

Luke began shrugging his shoulders, it is TOO sweet!!!

It was a great week....I feel so blessed to have these sweet memories tucked away for another year. 

And our family has grown by two feet in the past two years...
 Layton's first beach vacation in 2008

And here we are now!