Logan's 4th Birthday

It's turning out to be a very busy birthday week for us! Tonight we headed to the bowling alley in Oakbrook to have some birthday fun with our cousin Logan. Today he turned FOUR YEARS OLD! We were out of town for his real birthday party, so we treated him to some bowling fun and pizza! We all had a blast!

We set the boys up on their very own lane with their ball roller and bumpers. It was Logan's first time bowling, but it didn't take him long to get the hang of it!

Stryker has been bowling several times (the very first time being Christmas break 2010!) lately, so he knew exactly what to do and refused any help. YES SIR! You go right ahead Big Guy!

Dan, Melissa and I enjoyed a couple grown up games on our lane.
Side note: The three of us used to bowl on the same team together in a league...FIVE YEARS AGO! We were in the middle of our bowling season when Melissa found out she was pregnant with Logan! Crazy how time flies!
After a couple games for us (I was doing PRETTY badly!) and a couple games for the boys (they lost interest as you can imagine....), it was time for pizza and presents!

Happy Birthday Birthday Logan!!

Stryker checking out Logan's presents

Logan, Micah & Stryker enjoying some pizza!

 The Bowling Boys!

Happy 4th Birthday Logan! It's so hard to believe it's been four years as I can remember your Mom announcing her pregnancy and I can remember the day you were born so vividly! I hope this next year turns out to be as much fun and adventurous like the last! 

Celebrating Turner!

We celebrated Turner's birthday tonight in the Hearthstone! This guy got to have a sleepover with two of his buddies, but FIRST we had a cookout, cake & presents! Stryker LOVED hanging out with the big kids and even getting some b-ball practice in with Mrs. Adrian.

The kiddos enjoying some hot dogs before playing again

Kendall's Bubbles

Me & My Silly Boy

CHHHHHEEEESSSSEEEE!

Happy Ethan!

Miss Bella

Time for Gifts!

Linds & Her Babies

A cookie cake! My fav!

Uncle Dan & Kendall during the birthay song

Make a WISH!

Thanks Mrs Adrian for giving these crazy kiddos all that sugar before bed!

Happy 8th Birthday Turner! Hope you had a blast with your pals! Thanks for letting us help you celebrate!

Mommy's Sleeping Angel

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

See me safely through the night,

And wake me with the morning light.

(snuggled sweetly with the bear his Uncle Bubba gave him & a glow stick)

Roadtrip Weekend

Thursday after being in Columbia with Jimmy and our family, we headed over to Aiken to spend the weekend at Mom & Mark's before Katie & Logan's wedding. Thursday night, Granny, Mom & I finished up the wedding programs I made and we watched Stryker, Dan & Poppa play Wii. I was so happy to have my little guy back after 6 WHOLE DAYS, I couldn't hardly stand it. When it was time for bed, we cuddled before falling asleep.

Friday was a busy day for us gals, as we were doing preparations for the wedding rehearsal dinner Mom was hosting. After a super yummy breakfast, Stryker went straight to playing some Wii and staying out of the way :) We were able to sneak in a dip in the pool for a couple hours before it was time to get ready for the rehearsal. Mom did such a great job hosting! The BBQ dinner was delicious and everyone had a great time! After the dinner, the boys (Dan, Logan, Mark and Logan's friend) loaded up in a limo Dan had booked and headed out for an impromptu Bachelor Party. Mom, Granny, Stryker & I headed back to the house to unload our cars and RELAX! It was a fun evening!

Saturday was WEDDING DAY! We woke up early to another big breakfast cooked by Nana (MAN! She spoils us!). Daddy & Stryker hit the pool for a while and I hit the showers. I went early to the church to take pictures of the bridal party getting ready before the ceremony. The girls looked like they were having so much fun and Katie held it together perfectly. She made such a beautiful bride!!

After the ceremony, we went over to the recreation hall for the reception. Katie and her family did an amazing job with the reception decorations, food and atmosphere. Stryker ate his weight in carrots, celery and wedding cake :) He ran around with his cousins (Mark's family) and watched his Uncle Logan and Aunt Katie dance. I'd say his wedding reception experience was a hit!

Stryker watching the Bride & Groom's first dance

Mommy & Daddy at the reception

After the reception, we decided to head back to Nana & Poppa's house and load up the car for the ride back home. We were suppose to stay Saturday night as well, but after 6 days baby-sitting Stryker, Jimmy's departure, a wedding rehearsal and a wedding, we decided Nana & Poppa could probably use a break (and a good night's rest!). Daddy was nice enough to drive home, so Stryker & I got the back seat.

Reading the paper



We laid low on Saturday night after the road trip home. I did the unpacking and did some laundry. It was a very low key, relaxing family night. Sunday, we woke up did our exercising and then had a family water park day! Stryker LOVES Whirlin' Waters and Daddy certainly has got his money's worth out of the park passes. It wasn't super packed and the weather was beautiful so a great day was had by all!

Lunch break

After the water park, showers and a nap, we headed out for some Mexican dinner at Los Arcos. I'm on a Mexican food kick lately and I just can't get enough. Stryker usually eats cheese quesadillas, but tonight I ordered him a nacho cheese beef burrito. He wouldn't eat it :( I can't understand why seeing as he eats tortilla shells and nacho cheese. Heck, he eats more chips and queso dip than Dan & I! Ah well, guess we'll stick with what he likes. After dinner, we hit Zaxby's for a Birthday Cake Milkshake... they'reeeeee baccccckkkk! And OH.SO. DELICIOUS! Stryker and I shared one and certainly indulged.

Birthday Cake Milkshake Goodness!

We had such a wonderful family filled 4 days! Thanks Nana & Poppa for watching Stryker and letting us stay at your house. Good luck Uncle Bubba on your deployment- WE LOVE YOU! Congrats to a beautiful couple, Mr & Mrs Logan Stowell :) 

A Weekend Wrap! (Although it was more like 1/2 a week!)

Stryker left with Granny, Nana & Poppa on his vacation Friday, June 29th for a week! They ventured up to the mountains for a couple nights and then Stryker joined Nana on her week off of work at their home in Aiken. They swam, relaxed, visited the Honour's in Cola and did some wedding rehearsal prep. And while Stryker was keeping Nana & Poppa busy, Mommy & Daddy had some fun adult times together!

Think I packed enough for him???

Friday morning before I left for work, I made sure to get some final angel kisses from my boy! He is the sweetest and I knew I'd miss him terribly!

He & Daddy hung out at the water park that morning until it was time for him to go to Granny's that afternoon. He enjoys this weekly tradition with his Daddy so much! He loaded up with Granny and headed to Aiken to meet Nana & Poppa, then off to Hendersonville they went! With no cell service, I didn't receive any pictures or videos...WAAH! We did, however, talk to our little man over a handful of times a day :)

Friday evening after work, Dan & I joined some friends for a Riverdogs game. Lucky for us, the tickets were for a suite! And good thing too, because it was un.bearably.hot. I don't know how those guys played a whole game! The sunset was beautiful at The Joe though! What a treat for lowcountry lovers!

(Bark & Dan)

Saturday morning, Dan actually took the boat out of storage and pulled it around to the house for us to take out. After determining that it was just too dangum hot to mess with the thing (heat indexes of 115!), we opted to join the Grant Family at the pool instead! We quickly covered the boat back up and headed out to meet our friends. We had a fun afternoon in the pool with Lindsey & Kendall while Ryan & Ethan stayed inside in the AC.

After soaking up all that sun and a taking a nap, we headed to dinner with The Grants sans Kendall. We went to our old favorite, La Hacienda. Nothing like a little mexican food and a margarita to spark a summer evening!

After dinner we headed over to another old favorite for a couple drinks at the bar. And promplty decided a photo shoot was in order :)

My love!

Me!

My BFF & Me

Kisses for him!

Whew! All those pictures and you'd think we were a little vain :)

Sunday, Dan & I split up and headed out to hang with our respective friends. Dan and the guys hit the golf course and my girlfriend and I hit the beach! What a beautiful day at Sullivan's Station 28.5. The wind was blowing pretty well all day so the kite surfers had a go of it! What a beautiful day!

And after every gorgeous summer day, there's bound to be a summer evening thunderstorm. One rolled in Sunday evening and was a beautiful sight! The lightning was amazing and we watched from our porch.

Monday & Tuesday were work days for me, so we laid low. We did get to venture out Tuesday evening to help celebrate Tiffany's birthday. It's always a good time with great friends!

The Birthday Girl!

Wednesday we headed to the beach with friends to celebrate the 4th of July! What another gloriously beautiful day out at Sullivan's! Robert & Cassie, their friends, The Reeds and The Cortes' joined us for some serious beaching ALL DAY LONG! What fun and a classic lowcountry summer celebration! If only Stryker would've been there, it would've been totally complete!

Baby Tanner enjoying his first beach outing!

Our 4th of July Beach Crew

After a day full of sand and ocean (and HOT!), Dan & I headed home to shower and grab some dinner. While we were out, we stopped by our favorite local establishment again to enjoy a few cold ones on our last night alone. We also got to catch the Goose Creek Firework Display from the parking lot with friends. Can't beat that!

Happy Red, White & Blue

Sapphire's Girls

Although we missed our little buggy VERY VERY much, we know he had fun with his Nana, Poppa and Granny and enjoyed the visit with them. And we enjoyed having some Mommy + Daddy time!