A Bucket Of Ocean

Oh the wonders of the beach, a provider of endless entertainment, I would say relaxation as well, but who are we kidding with three kids? Jim's grandparents provided a wonderful vacation for us and we are so thankful. We'd also like to thank all of the family for all the help with our crazy children!

I wanted to show a comparison of our two girls. This is Emmy and Lydia at age two at the beach. It's amazing how the gene pool works, they don't look too much alike do they?

Emmy 2007

Lydia 2009

Here's Rhett, being three months old, he seemed pretty unimpressed with the whole beach thing. However, he sure looked cool being unimpressed.



Lydia said so many funny things when we were down at the beach. I wish I could remember them all! Lydia was afraid of the water for the first half of the week, but loved playing in the sand under the umbrella.
Crystal: Let's go to the beach!
Lydia: I don't like the beach, let's go to the sand.
Crystal: Lydia when you say you're going to the beach, it means you're going to the sand.
Lydia: No Mommy, It's not the same, let's go to the sand!
Crystal: (too tired to argue with a two year old.)



Aunt Kate: Lydia, would you like some water in your bucket?
Lydia: No, I'd like a bucket of Ocean.



Emmy was a beach addict (as everyone should be), one of her favorite things to do was have her Aunt Emily catch fish for her bucket. Look how big my little girl has gotten!


More to come!

What Sleep At The Beach Looks Like

Here's a small glimpse of our beach trip.

When sisters steal all the toys, what's a girl to do?



When Jim watches Rhett.

A Meeting Of The Minds

Two weeks ago we got go to the mountains for the annual "meeting of the minds" where all the pastors in our denomination get together and make big decisions, and all the wives enjoy each others company will running like crazy people after their kids. This is one of my favorite times of the year where we get together with old friends and their families. While Jim was on a break, we went for a little hike on Glassy Mountain, home to Carl Sanburg, a famous poet. And yes, Rhett went with us as well, even though we don't have the pictures to prove it.

Just so you know we didn't leave him at home.

The girls eating yogurt on the porch of our hotel room.

Is love in the air? As parents you are always hoping that your children will marry someone wonderful. I would be happy with any of the children we hung out with. However, these children were the most photogenic, so for now, we will go with them.

This is Spencer Sims and Lydia, and this is how I found them when I decided to grab the camera.

Peter Sims and Emmy, they couldn't let their younger siblings get all the attention.

Let's just say that we will keep these photos for the rehearsal dinners, just in case!

Before And After

Before Jim turned on the shop vac.

After Jim turned on the shop vac.



Before Rhett was sleepy.



After Rhett was sleepy.

"Let's Start Over"

Emmy: (holding out an empty bowl which used to have strawberries in it) More.

Crystal: (giving the look of shock and awe as I have been over this so many times with her)
Emmy: (coming to the realization of her mistake) Mommy, let's start over...Mommy, can I have some more strawberries PLEASE!
Crystal: (trying to keep the shock and awe look, but loosing it into an uproar as I get the strawberries)

My dad's looks were always so much scarier than his words. I've learned from the best!


While feeding Rhett, Lydia came for her usual; distract Rhett while he's eating and take away as much Mommy time away from little brother as possible.
Lydia: I've got a big eww yuck (what Jim used to yell as he changed poopy diapers has now become their name).
Crystal: Go tell Daddy (oh how I love the excuse of feeding Rhett).
Lydia: No, you can change my eww yuck when you're done with Rhett. I'll wait.
Crystal: (completely bummed).


Here's one of Rhett just for fun.



Cats...!