Back in Time

I promised to catch up, and that's what we're doing!  We started yesterday with Sam's birthday celebration(s), and now we're going back to May and June.  In late May, Caroline and I took a trip up to NC for Allyn's baby shower and Memorial Day with the Greenville crew at the River.  Baby Gibson (who is due any day now!) was celebrated in style at the new Rubright river house, which is stunning.  My only regret -- no belly pictures of Allyn!  We started with a visit with Nana and Papa...

Checking out the beginnings of Papa's grapevines...

...and Nana's garden...

...and playing in the baby pool...

...and with Rusty and Gracie!

Back at home, we snuggled and got ready to go to the BEACH!

 Every Summer, we spend a week at the beach with my extended family, the Swarming Stricklands!  The kids were in Heaven all week playing with their cousins.  Here are a few great shots from the week....

The kids having some post-dinner ice cream...

...and playing on the BEACH!

 ...gathering lots of shells...

 ...goofing around with Daddy...

 ...and with Nana and Papa...

 ...and making a break for the OCEAN!

 One afternoon, Uncle Alan was out on his kayak and a pod of dolphins came to swim alongside him!  All the kiddos left their lunch to come watch...

Playing indoors...There was a lot of play doh time...

 ...playing with Papa's hat...

 ...and reading...

...and when Sam fell asleep on the couch, Caroline and Papa put all his toy bugs on top of him!

...and then Caroline tried (unsuccessfully) to wake him up!

Aunt Tricia brought beads for the kids to make ankle bracelets.

Caroline, checking out the ankle bracelet her big brother made for her :)

One morning, all the older kids went to the water park while Nana and Papa played with Caroline.  Sam wasn't interested in the big slides, but he had a blast in the play pool.

So tired from swimming, he LITERALLY fell asleep standing up before we could get home for lunch and nap time.

Getting some love from both of my kiddos...

COUSINS!

Every night after dinner, the kids went back down to the beach to run and play until they exhausted themselves.  This is what I remember most about these vacations as a kid, and I just love that Sam and Caroline will have these memories too...

A successful vacation!

Sam's Third Birthday!

As usual, we're months behind here, but we're going to try to catch up.  

We're going to start with SAM'S THIRD BIRTHDAY, an occasion which has stretched out over most of the month of July!

The festivities began two days before his birthday, when we let him open his presents early (since his real birthday was on a school day).  There wasn't anything big Sam wanted, so he got lots of little presents, which he had soooo much fun opening.  For months (literally), Sam has been pointing out things at toy stores, Target, basically anywhere we go, and asking "Can I put this on my birthday list?"  We had to remind him he couldn't get ALL of those things, but he was so excited to open up some of the things from his list!

Lots of little cars and trucks and trains were opened that morning...

 Caroline was very helpful with the gift-opening, but looked a little bored in this shot :)

He stopped and played with every present before he moved on to the next, which was so cute.  It took almost all morning to open them all.  One of his favorites was finger paint and paint sponges (what on Earth were we thinking?!?!  So fun, but messy messy!)

The next day we went out to Chip and Phy's house to celebrate with them, with Mere-Mere and Scott, and with Aunt Sue, Uncle Ted, and Logan.  The highlight -- Cars-shaped cupcakes!

After a third celebration at school on his actual birthday (I sent cupcakes for snack time, and Mrs. Huggins made him a birthday crown which he got to decorate and then wear all day), his FOURTH celebration was a joint beach birthday party last weekend with his buddy Liza.  Liza and Sam were born a week apart and have been in the same class since they were 3 months old.  This is their second joint birthday party, and it didn't disappoint.  They both loved it!  Here are a few favorite shots...

Obviously those cupcakes were good!  Sam had so much fun at the party.  He played his heart out and was so, so happy to have so many friends there.  

All those celebrations left us one tired birthday boy when they were all over.  As soon as everyone left, we sat Sam and Liza down in front of a movie while the parents all started cleaning up.  He was out in five minutes and slept for 3 hours!  That's one happy kiddo.  

 I can't believe it's been 3 years since Sam was born, but these have been 3 of the very happiest years of my life.  This little boy - a little man, really - has such a sweet heart.  He amazes me every day in so many ways, but the most amazing thing about him is the way he likes to take care of people - especially his baby sister, but really everyone around him.  I love him more than words can say.  Happy 3rd birthday, Sam!