Beach birthday party

We celebrated our younger son's fourth birthday at the beach today.  I can't even believe how fast he is growing up...  Here is the happy boy with some of his balloons and a lollipop treat from the pinata.  :)

Watching the cookies bake

These are my boys actually watching the chocolate chip cookies bake in the oven this afternoon.   Ha ha!  They couldn't wait to try them out.  They are so precious and adorable!  

Daddy's little helpers

My husband is building a play fort in our yard for the kids.  They absolutely love going out to help him...even if it's only for 15 mins after he gets home from work.  Look at my younger son's arm around Daddy's shoulder....precious.

Beautiful dunes

I live in paradise... wouldn't you agree?  I loved the way the wind was moving the dune grass as the clouds rolled in at the beach tonight.... beautiful.

Goal!

Well, ok, not really a "goal"....they were practicing at soccer to kick the ball into the net with either foot.  My son loves to run and kick the ball....he may not understand which direction to run in or what the whole object of the game is yet (ha ha), but he does love to wail on that ball.  He had the biggest smile on his face when he got the ball in the net.  :)

My baby

I shot a picture through the sliding glass doors today of my baby boy playing on the porch.  He was riding his tricycle around like a crazy boy - back and forth, back and forth.  Finally I got him to stop and look at me.  Nice smile! ;-)

Boys on the boat

We went out on the boat this morning.  It was such a great time! My older son and I snorkeled all over the reef!  He was such a sponge - asking what every fish was and so genuinely excited to soak up everything.  His favorite sightings were the school of barracudas and the spotted moray eel.  Meanwhile my younger son got "whale rides" on his Daddy's back and rode in the blow-up boat while Daddy towed him around the reef.  It was one of those days where you look up in the sky, throw your arms out, and say "Seriously? THANK YOU!" and just feel gratitude flowing out of you....  I'm sure my face cracked from all the smiling.  I've been dreaming of this day to be able to snorkel with my kids and husband on the reef for a long time.  :)  I snuck this shot of my sons on the bow of the boat as we were getting ready to drive back home.  They were both happy and exhausted; my baby boy just reached over to kiss and hug his brother, and I caught it!  Their bond makes me melt...