Entertaining a dear friend

We enjoyed having Mitch's long-time friend Derek over for dinner last night. He was Mitch's college roommate, was in our wedding and has always been a dear friend to Mitch.

Scarlett just smiles and smiles at Derek... it is so sweet!

It was a gorgeous night so after dinner the boys threw a softball while Scarlett put her swing to good use!

Bless the boys hearts... I totally put them to work! They were so sweet and put together this glider. Here they are trying it out....

So thankful for friendship... both new and old!

Party planning with a fat lip.

I woke up this morning to what I call the "hysterical" cry. Poor, sweet Scarlett had woken up happy as a little lark and was bouncing inside her crib when she hit and busted her lip. Bless her precious heart. I ran to her room quickly and there was already blood on her mouth and little hand. It looked worse than it was. She settled down and has been herself for the most part today, but boy does she have a fat lip.

We are hosting a get together for Scarlett's 1st birthday this weekend for our family, so we have been trying to make many preparations for the big party! Now, her birthday is not actually until April 6th but due to some family members' schedules we are celebrating early. I have tried and tried to figure out how we can do seating inside, but I just don't see how we could do it so will you please join me in praying for beautiful, warm weather?

Scarlett and I worked on putting these little retor chairs together. We picked them up on clearance last year at Lowe's for $2.50 a piece!

She loves sitting in them and trying to rock.

We have got lots on our to-do list this week with a trip to Sam's Club, decorating, cooking, etc! That is enough to fill up these 2 girls' week!

Scar discovered a market tote full of some of her toys that I had put away in order to make them more "exciting" when I pulled them back out.... well they certainly were just that! She loves going through bags/boxes on the floor like this.

And Scarlet's favorite... she got ahold of the lens cap while momma was operating the camera!

Hope you are having a fabulous Tuesday thus far!

Key Largo... Montego... Baby why don't we go?

Well, we are back and had a wonderful trip. I am trying to catch up with my blogging! And, oh, the laundry! Well, here it goes....

We stayed in Key Largo, FL last week and could not have asked for more beautiful weather. It was like a dream, truly. Scarlett was an EXCELLENT traveler and the activity mat turned out to be a huge success along with the Biscoff cookies the Delta flight attendants passed out, ha! We were all so impressed with Scarlett's ability to "go with the flow." She missed countless naps and was still a champ. Here is our little traveling girl...

Here we all are (minus Mitch who was playing photographer) cruising through the Keys. We went to several of the different Keys. It was very different than what we have seen of the rest of Florida. It was very Caribbean feeling. Crystal clear water, warmth, lots and lots of plants, and a very laid back feel...

Key Largo is definitely the place to go if you like to fish... it is a fisherman's dream! Almost all of my family members are big time fishermen, but we sadly did not do any fishing while we were there.

Honestly, this may sound awful, but we are really good at doing pretty much nothing while on vacation! So, we enjoyed the pool, the nice amenities, tennis, sea side dining and a lot of quality time together (my personal favorite!).

We could not get over the beautiful foliage... it was so stunning.

Scarlett played hard! I was so thankful my mom packed this little walker for Scar... she found her way around very easily :)

Water and a birthday.

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. I cannot think of a better way I could have celebrated than being with my family that I love so much (minus Chaz, of course!). We had a really fun, action packed day centered around lots and lots of water. My mom was so sweet to watch Scarlett for the first part of the day (which I know they both loved). So, my dad, Ryan, Mitch and I set off on a day of adventure! I have to say, listening to me describe this day sounds nothing like what I would have thought of doing on my birthday, but I loved it! We started out by kayaking through the beautiful Mangroves at Florida's John Pennekamp State Park. It was breath taking. Such a display of God's amazing creation. This might sound silly, but I wanted to see a Manatee SO bad. I did a science project on Manatee in the 4th grade and have been fascinated by the 'sea cow' ever since. We did not see one though. After we finished our Mangrove tour we headed out 5 miles to sea to snorkel! This is one of my favorite things. We had to do something that I did not like though... wear a wet suit. Yea, that is a "gut check" in every since of the term!

We had to document it though! So here I am with my favorite sister!

And oh my word, the boys were cracking us up in there suits. Quite a sight for both of these MEN.

We could not take the camera with us on the boat, so we will have to remember what we saw. It was so beautiful. We saw tons of Parrot Fish, Barracuda and all kinds of beautiful little reef fish.

When we got back Scarlett was all dressed up for a birthday celebration for her mama!

I love this little outfit on her! My mom is so thoughtful because she knows this is my favorite. If I could, I would dress her like this everyday. Mitch says it looks like a bathroom rug, ha!

WARNING, I did not fix my hair or put makeup on because that is one of my favorite things about vacation... who cares about that stuff!

Here I am with my sweet girl that was still in my belly this time last year. She is the greatest joy I could have ever asked for.

And the love of my life, Mitch. What would we have done this time last year if we could have pressed 'fast forward' and seen just a snap shot of our doll baby here? I know, passed out from being overwhelmed with love and excitement!

And I did get to see a Manatee like I was hoping... just not like I had planned. My parents got these 2 puppets for Scarlett and I. Meet Georgia, the manatee and Mr. Turtle Dude, the sea turtle (as we have named them)! We have some sweet friends who have 2 puppets that interact with their kids all the time and it is SO cute, so they inspired us to get some for Scarlett (Heather R. if you are reading... I am talking about Koala Bear and Quack Duck at your house!)

I had a really nice birthday and was so thankful to celebrate it with ones I love so much.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day on Islamorada at the Bass Pro Shop's Islamorada Fish Market (of course we had to visit Bass Pro!). It was a sunny afternoon and we enjoyed some good sea food.

Scarlett enjoyed playing with some empty clams Nonni gave her. She was cracking us up putting her bread inside of them and them shaking them up.... it was so cute.

I love this sweet picture of Mitch and his girl :)

Scarlett living it up with her Nonni and Pepaw. She is crazy about them. I am pretty sure she will have withdraw from all of the attention she is getting this week!

Pepaw wanted to show her the boats.... she saw lots of them!

We are family...

Just soaking up the gorgeous day....

I think this face might mean, "Back up momma and quit taking so many pictures.... I am trying to take in the scenery!"

Sweet curls and a little sea side dining...

I don't know if it is the Florida air or what but these little curls are melting my heart!

We enjoyed a little sea side dining this evening. I forgot to bring a bib so we made Scarlett a little napkin bandana!

This girl loves to people watch. You have to set her facing out toward the room, otherwise all you will see is the back of her little head!

It is hard to get everyone looking at the same time... Oh Scarlett :)