Amelia Island

We recently visited a place we called home, Amelia Island.  It was such a great 4 day visit.  We spent a lot of time with our friends and helped my Mom move in from her summer stay in Sherwood Forest.  She and Lee bought a house there on the island (one that we have admired for the entire 4 years we lived there) and it already feels like home! 

Family day at the beach!

 Landon was back at home running around the tide pools.

 Elle enjoyed digging in the sand.  She used to not like the sand, so this is a nice improvement.  :)

 Daddy and Landon were running around the beach, so Elle and I took a few pictures together.

 Elle pointing at her Daddy and brother by the ocean.

We were drawing in the sand.  :)

Later that night we met up with some friends at Sliders Bar and Grill.

 Landon LOVES to run and play on their playground.  And it's great for us because the kiddos can play and we can sit at a table nearby and enjoy some relaxation.

 Kisses for Mommy!

 It was a 'blue moon'!  A blue moon occurs when there are 2 full moons in a month which happens only twice a year I believe.

After a long day on the beach, these lovely ladies joined us for dinner!!  Friends from Atlanta, Leigh and her daughter Ellie, and our old neighbor Rebecca!  Love these gals!

 The next day GG arrived!  We were all really excited to see her!

 Mom was so excited to be back in her new beach house...she immediately put on her bathing suit and cover up and was ready to go!  :)  Landon helped her bring some things into the house. 

 Meanwhile, Paul and I hopped out on the beach to do a little paddle boarding with our friends!

 From the left, Jason, Robby and Paul...and over on the far right is sweet Ellie.  Leigh and Rebecca were out on the paddle boards!

When we came back from the beach this is what we found...one tuckered out little man.

Later in the evening, Mom was nicely settled in, having a glass of wine and enjoying her little back patio...feeling right at home.

We didn't bring Elle's portable seat, but Mom loves feeding Elle like she is still a little baby and Elle just soaks it right up, opening her mouth up wide and saying 'MMMMM' after each bite.  Too cute.

Snuggle time with my babes before bath and bed time.  And also...look at how old Elle looks in this picture...she's such a big girl!

Loved being back on the island.

Landon's New School Year

Landon started his second year of Preschool!  It's Monday through Thursday with an extra gym/tumbletots class on Mondays in the afternoons.  He really loves his new teachers and is making new friends!  We are so proud of him!

 

School Orientation!  

 His teachers Ms. Tameira and Ms. Adrienne (teacher asst.) are really great!

His main teacher, Ms. Tameira (on the right) has made it her personal goal to help Landon come out of his shell!  Our sweet shy boy.  In the last 2 weeks of school, we are seeing some changes!  So, she's doing a great job!

 On his very first day of school he was just so excited! 

 What a beautiful boy.

 Love this little man.

 He was laughing at himself!

 Modeling his 'temporary' school bag.  :)

Later that day after bath time, the kids were dressed and ready for bed and this is what we found around 6:30pm downstairs.   Landon is having so much fun at school that it's exhausting him! :)  And the funny thing was Elle was poking him and trying to wake him up to play more haha.



Elle loves walking in with her big brother when we drop Landon off.  They love each other so much and we are such proud parents of these two beautiful babes!

Landon always asks if Elle can stay with him during the school day.  Elle will actually run into his classroom and sit in the chair next to Landon and look at the teacher with the expression on her face that says, "Ok, I'm ready to go...teach me!"  

Another smile that says, "Mom, you've taken enough pictures"...but he's a trooper.  They had a birthday party this day at school for one of his classmates.  

 Showing off his new backpack!!

 He loves the sharks!!

 

We are so proud of Landon and already are seeing big improvements from last year!  Just like going to the gym for us, the hardest part is getting there.  But, once he walks into his classroom he gets really excited, kisses me goodbye and heads in to socialize and learn for the day.  Those moments are always very special to me.

 

Today he received a treat from the treasure box!!  He was so proud of himself and was so excited to show Elle and I when we picked him up.  The teacher has a reward system for good behavior where the kiddos receive marbles (to put in a box with their name on it) and at the end of the week if they have 10 marbles they get to pick something out of the treasure box.  Landon picked out the lollipop...go figure! :)

 

Proud of you Landon!!  We love you!



Adventures with Uncle Hayes

Uncle Hayes arrived and the kiddos were SO happy!!

Later that night the Flatt family invited us out to get some Thai food with them...super yummy.  Love Elle's expression here...like 'Mom, Uncle Hayes is trying to give me a kiss, what should I do' haha.

The kids LOVE Sarah.

Landon crawling all over Sarah after dinner.

Elle had a lot of fun with Elizabeth. Tickle game!

Having fun at the pool!

Getting adjusted to the water...a few more minutes on the stairs and he was ready to start swimming!

Uncle Hayes was having so much fun with these guys!

Landon was Uncle Hayes's shadow the whole weekend.

Pure joy on Landon's face.

Elle making funny faces with Daddy.

All having fun!

 It was nice to have an extra set of hands...I got to sunbathe by the pool and relax!  :)

 OOOhhhh, big girl jumping in!

 Landon swimming while a shark..aka Uncle Hayes swims underneath of him.

 Baby girl just lounging and eating some grapes.

 Landon toss! 

 Jumping game!

 Sweet angel.

 Mommy jumped in!

 Big kisses...this is Elle's 'big' kiss, she opens her mouth as wide as she can and matches my lips.  It's her favorite one these days.  :)

 At 'Flip Burger Boutique' in the city.  A winner from the Bravo show, Top Chef opened this up a few years ago and it was so good.

 Swimming in the deep end!

 Hello Hollywood!

 I think she was posing.  :)

 Loves her sunglasses!

 Hahahah.

Here are 2 great videos of our time with Hayes!