Bye-Bye 2009!

We started off our New Year celebration with a bit of a rough start. I had planned to take some time off work to spend with Ben. Our two days together were planned with dates, yardwork, naps, stuff that normal couples do...But, our plans changed quickly as Turner came down with pink eye. Poor buddy was miserable!!! Look at how swollen his eyes are.

As you can see, after some great eye drops, Turner is all better! We decided to leave early for St. Simons and take advantage of their warmer weather!!

Of course, all the great photos come out foggy! Poppy took the boys and I to Bennie's Red Barn for dinner. The fire, Christmas tree lights and yummy foods kept the boys occupied while we enjoyed fried shrimp, steaks, collards, salads and onion rings. I do miss Red Barn! Pre-babies, Ben and I went frequently with friends and family. Red Barn is where we made the Dove-Slade introduction to celebrate our engagement!!

Another foggy one, but regardless, I wanted it in my "memory book".

Breakfast at the Slades! Poppy always buys us the good stuff and granny gets many laughs watching us throw food, as if the dogs were there to clean up the mess!

Now that we are tall enough to climb, we can climb into daddy's favorite chair and read books!

The boys loved playing in Poppy and Granny's frontyard...looking for sticks, throwing balls down the long driveway, throwing acorns into the bushes, exploring the irrigation holes and just being boys!

Now, our boys know how to share (most of the time)!!!

On New Year's Eve, we decided to go visit some dear friends of daddy's in Jacksonville. The short trip was so much fun for all! Mommy enjoyed getting to know Julie and Denny better, the boys loved playing with their son, Ben, and the pups and daddy loved just being with one of his best buds again!!! We had not seen them since our wedding, so a reunion was much needed!!!

Denny and Julie brought out the snacks of a lifetime!! Daddy muched on cookies, nuts and hummus with crackers as Taylor hogged the Fruity cheerios! Taylor even slapped Turner's hand when he tried to take one. Sweet Turner brought Taylor his sippy cup and said, "juice"...slap from Taylor's hand was all the thanks he got. Turner, used to the reject from Tay, took it back, drank from it and smiled at me. Good kid.

The boys snacking in the Bolena's sunroom while Ben tried to teach them how to play Nintendo. Maybe next visit the interest will be in games.....this visit, it was their baby rocking chair and pups that stole the show!

The men drove the boys and mommy and Julie enjoyed a quiet ride to the beach for lunch! Daddy's better be glad because if i would have seen a mall, they would have been eating solo!!!

Lunch at Cruisers in Neptune Beach... I gave the boys bowls and lemons for entertainment. LOL. This was pre-Taylor's meltdown. The meltdown, which is rare, caused daddy and Denny to alternate with mommy and Julie so we could all have a peaceful lunch!!

Playtime back at the Slades!

Of course, the boys did not understand why they could not get in the pool!!

Daddy and Turner playing with the big ball. I just love those trees!

Naked baby shots.....15 months. Turner poses for mommy!!

Taylor: " I don't have time for naked baby shots. I have to burn off the dinner I am about to eat."

Naked Taylor from the back!!

I have been working on "feet first" for getting off furniture and down the stairs. It has finally paid off!!!

Dinnertime!!!

Storytime with Poppy before bed!

Taylor: " Happy New Year! Did someone spike my milk? I am exhausted..."

Turner (and monkey): " zzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

WELCOME 2010!!! Goals for this year include getting our house back pre-boys!!! We have finally opened up the bottom part of the stairs for them to explore. As you can see, their beloved dogs want to play on the stairs with them too. They are doing great holding onto the railing and going "feet first" on their knees, even when holding toys!