Pool Fun

One of the best things about summer time is the afternoons spent poolside. OK, well, that makes it sound nice and leisurely - like it used to be pre-kids....book in hand, headphones on....warm sun on my skin...ahhhh, the memories....

These days, I still spend it poolside, but now being "poolside" usually just means me being around the pool and trying to keep Jake from crawling strait into it! While Jake is happy just watching from the side or - at most - sitting and splashing on the top step, Julia is a true water bug. She is as happy as a clam when she is in the water and she is becoming quite the little swimmer. She loves having her vest on because it means that she can be independent and "swim" on her own. She and Jeff have a few favorite games they play...dad being the dolphin while she rides on his back while choking him with her arms...throwing the dive sticks as far as she can and having dad go and retrieve them....jumping off dad's shoulders and into the water below...etc. She never wants to leave - at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to spend her summers as a lifeguard at the pool.

Mommy Julia Day

We have a new tradition...Mommy and Julia Day. This summer I have taken it upon myself to give Julia a morning spent with just the two of us. Just like the old days. We put Jake in Fisher CDC (which I feel he needs regardless in order to quell his mommy addiction) and we head out for 4 hours of fun. Today we started our day at Longboarder Cafe and had a huge and delicious breakfast. Julia chose french toast over pancakes today...and as much as I wanted to join her in her french toast endeavor, I opted for the "hawaiian scramble." It was delish...love that place! We then headed out to the Oceanside Farmers Market, which conveniently is right outside of the restaurant. I bought some local produce and Julia talked me into a balloon animal and a "baby cactus" (a kid-friendly one of course). Lastly, we made our way back to base and took advantage of the $1 bowling on Thursday at the alley. Here is a picture of my little one in action - you can't really make it out, but of course she chose the ORANGE ball. She actually bowled a 64 - which I think is pretty good for a 3 year old!

Jake's Baptism

It was a good day when Jake finally got baptized at 9 months old (yes, I know that is late...but trying to coordinate everything with the base chaplin's office and with family far away, it took a bit of extra time). The Vandaveers came down for Jake's special day and Jake wore a baptism outfit that my mom handmade (she made Julia's as well). We got lucky because the base chapel only does baptisms one sunday per month and somehow we managed to be the only ones that day! We had the chapel all to ourselves...which was nice because Julia decided that she just HAD to go potty right in the middle of the ceremony! :)

Jake was a champ and didn't really fuss at all...he was a bit wiggly, but what else can you expect of a 9 month old boy, right? He sure was darn cute in that outfit though, huh?

More Pictures

Yes, yes, I know....the blog is never updated. Yes, yes, I know.....I need to get organized. In the mean time, here are some other pics of our (now not so) new baby....