Best Buddies

{sweet dreams little ones}

Aidan and Toby are best buddies. Most of the time one is looking for the other. Most of that time one is bugging the other. Toby is usually hoping for even just a morsel of food from Aidan and Aidan just wants Toby to play, most of the time. Then there's times like in the picture where they just want to cuddle next to each other. When Aidan laid down he made sure that I covered him and Toby. He wanted to share. Too cute.

My thoughts on life right now:
Toby is going to be 10 in September. He's not going to live forever. Will I be more devastated that Toby is gone or that Aidan's best buddy is gone? I guess I'll keep telling him to live forever.

Snacking Poolside

Snacking poolside is one of Aidan's favorite things to do at the pool club. It's usually one of the last things he does before we head home. We were/are so lucky to be members of our local pool club this summer. We aren't there every day but it's nice when we are. Aidan enjoys playing with all of the kids and I enjoy the time out of the house and in the fresh air.

My thoughts on life right now:
It's crazy that I'm taking my son to the same pool that I went to when I was a little kid. I wonder if he'll do the same one day.

"camping out"

Aidan wasn't ready to nap even though he was definitely in need. Finally we compromised and he ended up napping in his tent in the family room. He was completely oblivious to the crazy storms going on outside.

My thoughts on life right now:
I could just snuggle right up to him.
He's so peaceful.

Annual End of Vaca Pics on the Beach

{Aidan.2009}

{Aidan.2010}

Isn't it totally amazing on how a little one changes in just one year? These are both pictures I took of Aidan on our last nights in NWW. It's going to be the tradition to take pictures of Aidan and a family pic of us together at the end of the week. It's neat to compare one year to the next and I just love the lighting of beach pics. Thanks to my sister printing out last year's family pic {currently the pic by my bio on the blog}, and me finding a frame for it, we have it hanging in our dining room. I can't wait to print and hang this year's pic.

My thoughts on life right now:
I'd like to get a pro family pic done one year on the beach. Or maybe just one with coordinated clothes:)

Sweet Treats on the Beach

It's funny how the older you get the more you realize what's going on around you. For instance, last year the Fudgy Wudgy man was just another beachgoer to Aidan. This year he was Aidan's favorite person. Oh heck, he was asking for ice cream as soon as his feet hit the sand! The Fudgy Wudgy man sure made Aidan one happy boy this week.

My thoughts on life right now:
Thankfully he doesn't know the ice cream truck yet ;)

Water Park!

{Yay for the tram car}

We don't typically take the tram car but on the day we go to the water park we certainly ride it back! Thankfully it's free since we have the bracelets for the park. Aidan really enjoys the ride and we enjoy not having to carry him back way too many blocks. This ride was especially sweet since he got a yummy lollipop for the ride.

My thoughts on life right now:
He was so little last year, barely walking, now he's talking.

Post-beach naps

{The beach wore him out}

Typically after our trips to the beach we're rushing around getting showers and dressed and dinner, but if we get off the beach before dinner time then Aidan usually is pretty pooped and is quite happy with a cup of milk and then some cuddle time with his bears and blankie. As you can see, it was one of those days.

My thoughts on life right now:
Don't we all wish we could nap like that after a day at the beach?
Can you imagine if furniture was still made like that?
What's he going to do when that blanket doesn't cover half his body? There used to be a time we could swaddle him in it. Crazy.

Great weekend!!!

{WARNING: LONG POST AHEAD BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH IT :)}

What an awesomely fun weekend! Friday afternoon I went for a mani and pedi with Meg at a new nail place nearby {have I ever mentioned how fabulous it is that Sean works from home which means I can sometimes sneak out during Aidan's nap time?}. They were quick and efficient without sacrificing any pleasure. I think if I could get one every few weeks I definitely would, but that's not exactly economical especially since I don't get paid in the summer. Too bad though, that's when my feet look the worst! :) After that and once Aidan woke up from his nap, he and I headed out to Deptford to pick up a few things for today. We met up with Chrissy {My sister's future sister in law--got that?} and her little guy Connor. He's just a few months older than Aidan so the boys were quite happy to see and entertain each other while we checked out BB&B. After getting Steph almost all of her platters, serving bowls, and other stuff that matched her dishes, we left. Aidan and I ran a few more errands before returning home to hang out for a bit before resting up for the fun days to follow.

Saturday I headed over to Meg and Colby's because I'm lucky enough to have a sister-in-law who doesn't just give me fashion advice but is also talented enough to do my hair for special events. She did a great job and I got hang with two of my favorite doggies while I was there. After running back home, dropping Aidan off at the in-laws where he had a sleep over, and then running back home to get ready, Sean and I were finally out the door to go to what turned out to be one of the very best weddings we've been to.

We arrived at Chelsea and Phil's church and it was still raining a little. Boo. But that didn't stop the ceremony from being beautiful, despite the fact that all the cameras were a little getting used to. Oh, one of the coolest things about this wedding is that it's going to be featured on TLC's Four Weddings. After driving around in the construction mess, we ended up at the bar at Indian Springs Country Club, where the reception was. We enjoyed cocktail hour upstairs on the large porch until it got too hot and then we enjoyed it in the chilly AC. I must say from that point on it was one of the most efficiently run receptions. We had soup, salad and dinner done by 8:15 for a reception that ended at 11. Awesome. Lots and lots of dancing, laughs, and bright camera lights filled the next few hours. The film crew wasn't too obtrusive, or maybe we just got used to them. I wanted to take the photographer home with me and bring him to any party we would ever get invited to because he was just a bundle of fun and energy. He literally danced around the floor and guests while taking pictures. I can't remember the last time I danced that much, smiled that often, and had that much fun. I guess I finally let loose. Once that was over we spent too long figuring out what we were going to do....after party/no after party. Finally after an impromtu group stop at 7-11 we stopped and hung out with the newlyweds before we all left them to enjoy their night. Thank you Chelsea and Phil for an unbelievable time!

Onto Sunday, Steph's bridal shower day!!! I picked up our little man from the in-laws and enjoyed some great Aidan laughs before heading out the door to Steph's bridal shower. She knew about the day and time, but not the place, and Brian was going to get her there. We had it at the Riverview and it was great. All I had to do once I got there were a few final touches and put the favors at each place setting. The guests arrived by 1:15 and Steph by 1:40. She was so happy and Brian, although a little overwhelmed by the estrogen in the room, was beaming too. Steph got soooo many things off of her registry and some other great gifts too. The food was delicious and so was the cake. I'm so glad I went with the chocolate chip with chocolate mousse filling. Yum. Everyone kept complimenting how beautiful the view was and I was thrilled it wasn't a rainy day. The room overlooked the river and since it was so nice out there were boaters out. I was able to pile everything into my Pilot, thank goodness for SUVs and efficient packing skills. After everyone left Steph, my mom, and I headed back to Steph's to drop off all the goodies and go through her wishing well. She has so many thoughtful and generous friends and family. She had a great time and I'm so glad!

Finally home now enjoying the couch and silence of the brand new ceiling fans that Mike installed for us today. Yay!!! No more 20 year old fans in our bedroom and Aidan's room and we even got a fan in the office that had none before. I can't tell you how quiet it is upstairs. It's glorious.

My thoughts on life right now:
I wish I had more weekends like this.
NO, not weekends this busy just good times.
So thankful for having a sister-in-law that's more like a sister and a friend.
Yay for my sister and all the great stuff she got.
Two days of wearing heels is not my cup of tea but it was nice to not feel frumpy. :)

Exhausted after pool time

Happy 4th of July!!!

{Aidan & Madison}

In a spur of the moment decision we headed down to Colby and Meagan's shore house in North Wildwood on Saturday afternoon. We spent about an hour or so on the beach and then hung around that night. Sunday we spent some time on the beach and then hung out at the house before walking up to the boardwalk to see the fireworks. Before going for the walk, Aidan enjoyed some Madison time. He was so happy to hold her, well, at least for a few minutes. I got some cute shots on my camera and need to upload those still. Aidan didn't really like the fireworks this year. He said they were too loud and didn't even want to watch. We were originally on the pier by the waterpark, but then quickly walked back toward the house once we realized how bad the wind was blowing sparks and smoke toward us. It was a beautiful night out though, and we certainly can't wait to be back down there for vacation in a couple of weeks!

My thoughts on life right now:
My little guy isn't so little when he's holding a baby.
We LOVE the beach.

Sleeping in the aerobed for the first time. Let's hope for a good night:)