Myrtle Beach 2010

And we're off! This year we had a whopping ONE WEEK window to have our family vacation due to Chris's current job responsibilities. I wasted no time in booking a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. I have been there countless times, and I knew it would offer the sand and sun that Sarah loves as well as the rides and shoppes that I need when I begin to sunburn (which happens every time I go to the beach!). After a two day jaunt with a 6 month old, we were happy to arrive and rushed to the Piggly Wiggly to grab our much needed groceries for the week.

Sarah was ecstatic to find a Sarah sized shopping cart in the store.

The first night there, we decided to hit the beach and let Leah see what all the fuss is about!

We opted to take a babysitter this year to give us a little kid free time. Our neighbor, Shelley agreed to come along. We have known her since she was little and the kids love her. It was wonderful to have her along!

Our baby girls first outing on the beach. Can you tell how happy she is to be out of the car and in the sun?

She was not so sure about the sights and the sounds at first.

It is so cool to see our girls experience things for the first time!

Cold but interesting...

I love the serious face, she is trying to figure this ocean thing out.

Sarah is the resident beach bum. She asks us to move to the beach all the time! I am glad she loves it as much as I do.

Mommy and baby sharing a breezy beach moment.

Leah loved the sand...A little too much! She had it in her eyes and mouth every time we visited the beach. And boy did this make her mad!

A nice transition to our mad face. I am quite used to seeing this day to day, but realized that I had deprived my readers from seeing Leah's full fury. This particular face was due to a hot day at Broadway at the Beach. I think I would have cried too if I could have gotten away with it! It was HOT!

Sarah and Shelley braved the heat to take time to ride the tea cups.

Sarah on the carousel. We all took turns riding it with her to get a nice breeze. Did I mention it was hot?

More fun rides for the big girl.

We stopped for a cool treat (ice cream). Since Leah couldn't share in the cool, delicious treat, she opted to play with the camera instead. Cheese!

Let me see this thing you keep pointing at me!

Look at the sweat, we all NEED some ice cream!

Sarah was a hoot pretending to be attacked by this bear. She is really developing a great sense of humor. (Just like her daddy)...

Shelley and Sarah had a great time hanging out on the beach. Chris and I were happy to take turns with her playing with Sarah while one of us either watched Leah back at the condo or on the beach. It really worked out great to have an extra set of hands!

What a Daddy's girl this on has become! She won't let Daddy put her down. If he is anywhere to be seen, then she sees no one else (this includes Mommy).

Papaw Coleman gave Sarah some money that they had been saving to spend on vacation. She wasted no time in spending this money. She purchased "Princess" from the Build a Bear workshop. She is princess crazy these days, so the name was quite appropriate!

Now for the "photo shoot"...We TRY every year to take an all white photo on the beach. I think they make the most beautiful photos. We have always had great luck with Sarah in terms of posing for the camera in the past. Boy how times have changed. We managed to eek out a few good photos of the girls, and zero good family photos. Who knew that adding one extra face would make the money shot so much more difficult to achieve?

This was my favorite shot of the day, and it came very early in the shoot. Sarah loves her sister so much and I can see it so clearly in this photo.

Time to explore. This can't be good when a 6 month old is involved.

Notice the facial changes, it is hot, sunny, and Leah is digging in the sand. How do you think this will end?

How cute. She gave us a few precious photos.

She looks so happy, it was wonderful to see her smile. She has had such a rough few months of life, we loved seeing her happy for a change.

She simply couldn't get enough of the sand.

The heat is beginning to roast us all...

Our little cutie. Sarah simply loves to pose for the camera.

Yes folks, this is the BEST family shot we got. When Leah was done, she was REALLY done!

Daddy can make it better.

Sarah couldn't resist getting the dress wet. I think it made for a cute ending to our adventure. We officially survived the first beach vacation with two kids. And had fun to boot! Yeah Coleman family!

Fun times at Fort Boonesborough

What can I say? I LOVE to travel and "visit" history. We happened to be in Richmond on a particular late spring weekend and we happened upon Fort Boonesborough during a festival that displayed the clothing, tools, etc. of the Post Revolutionary Era in Kentucky. Yeah! What fun we had with the girls. Below are some of our memories. This is one of the entrances to the fort. We began our tour by watching a short video recreation of life there during its heyday. I wondered how Sarah would deal with the guns and such, but figured if kids could live it back then, she could certainly watch a recreation. She was "brave" as she said. She was enthralled at the size and the fact that everyone (except the native Americans) lived inside the walls. She was most fascinated by the holes that the rifles fit through to stave off invaders.
Leah mostly enjoyed being with her Daddy. Such a Daddy's girl.

Our family in blue. Yes we color coordinated on this day. It is the ONLY way I can get Sarah to wear any color other than pink these days.

Inside the cabins, folks were recreating life in the fort. Boy was it hot! I couldn't wait to find the couple of air conditioned cabins. Then I realized, these people never knew air conditioning, and they covered everything but their hands and face with clothing. Yikes!

What a beautiful view from inside. Isn't history amazing? (I know, I am a dork).

Local "merchants" selling their goods and shooting the breeze.

I was particularly interested in how infants slept (due to the fact that my infant refused to sleep in a crib at this time). Look how "comfortable" the babies must have been. Check out the "quilt". Time to snuggle up with Smokey. I bet they were warm!

We then ventured outside the walls to visit the Native Americans and others who were selling goods outside. Sarah was too spooked to take a photo with this man. Leah (as you can tell) didn't mind touching a complete stranger!

Our family. I am especially misty right now as I write this due to the fact that Chris is halfway across the world right now and we miss him so!

This Native American began speaking to us in German (huh?) He kind of scared Sarah so she kept her distance.

I love the beauty of Gods creation. Man didn't do too bad of a job either.

What a fun and educational family day!

Random thoughts

I have been so busy this year that my blog has truly taken a backseat. I have vowed to get up to date in the next few weeks. This post is a compilation of all of my random thoughts that I would like to preserve for posterity. For those of you who don't know, this blog has really become our family record. I have one hardbound copy in my possession of the early years in Sarah's life, and I am committed to doing the same for Leah. Wouldn't you love to know what your Mom was thinking and feeling during your early years? I hope they cherish this as much as I will.

This has been Leah's bed for the past four months. It is called a sleep and play. It was a desperation purchase at Baby's R Us by a couple of sleep deprived Coleman's that really paid off. This wonderful invention saw us through Leah's reflux problem and for that I am forever grateful. I had to sneak in and snap one sleeping baby photo before she gave it up completely. Believe it or not, Leah has begun sleeping in her crib! I had to buy a two inch thick temperpedic mattress topper, but it was well worth the $40 bucks! She is still not sleeping through the night (this is a whole other story), but at least it is a start.

Sarah has spent the better part of 2010 playing dress up. She was recently asked to be the flower girl in our next door neighbor's wedding. Here she is practicing with some pretend flower petals (which were colored and cut out by miss Coleman herself). I found this dress at a yard sale and it made a perfect flower girl dress for the rehearsal.

Leah seems to grow and change on a daily basis these days. But one thing never changes...Leah has a LOT of hair. It is becoming curlier as the humidity and heat of summer descend on us in full force. I love it! Maybe she will be my little bohemian child who likes to wear long flowing dresses and listen to coffee house music. Only time will tell.

My two blessings from God.

They truly love each other so much. I never understood the sisterly bond until I had them. They truly light up each time they see one another in the morning. So sweet!
Leah has become quite the Daddy's girl since he returned from Argentina. She usually screams when I leave her sight, but now it's Daddy's turn. She wails uncontrollably when he leaves her side.

We are a blessed family beyond measure.

Preschool Graduation 2010

Sarah was so prepared for graduation 2010. This is the fourth time she has been on stage for a program. The first time, she stood in the corner and cried for me until I had to come up and sit behind the crew to make her wails stop (embarrassing). The second time, she showed signs of nerves but got through. This year has been totally different. Four year old Sarah is more confident and ready for her close up. And yes, she chose to dress in what I have dubbed her "uniform for spring 2010. Even though it was warm enough for short sleeves and sandals, my girl insisted on wearing a sweater and leggings (do you think she is a bit stubborn like her mama?).

Sarah and one of her absolute favorite teachers of all time, Mrs. Brenda. She looooves music class so much. Thanks Mrs. Brenda for all you do! By the way, this is an all volunteer preschool, but I think it has as much to offer as any other preschool!

Sarah is one of three four year olds who will not be attending kindergarten next year, due to the timing of her birthday. Most of her class will be in graduation attire, but Sarah will be back for one more year at preschool.

This is Jacob, one of Sarah's "boyfriends". She has one at church (Caden), one at building blocks, (Jacob), and one at Providence (Caleb). I think she means this to be her best friends who are boys, but sometimes I can't be sure. Caden has been known to carry Sarah's Bible for her when leaving class, Jacob supposedly knocks folks down to sit next to her at lunch, and Caleb and Sarah have been seen holding hands walking down the hallway. Do I have a player on my hands or what?

Here is sweet Emma, another one of the graduates.

Mrs. Linda and Sarah. I honestly worried at the beginning of the year about how Sarah would take the change from Mrs. Lacy and Mrs. Christy's class because she was so attached, but she fell in love with Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Jane as well. What a blessing to have such loving women volunteering to help train up my youngster!

The graduating class.

Sarah and her friends are called up to join the graduates, since she was in class with them this year.

Notice the safari hat. The graduation had a safari theme. It was so cute!

Here is the threesome that have been together from the beginning. Landon is 6 weeks older than Sarah, and Avery is two months younger. They are the four year olds who will be back next year. The have known each other forever literally and are pretty close.

Sarah is getting down with the music. Priceless!

Sarah and her best buddy, Avery. These two are inseparable. The teachers have to separate them with assigned seats in class. I wonder why? LOL

Receiving completion certificates.

We are so proud of our big girl.