Florida means Friends

 Finally, we made it to Vero Beach to visit some of our besties, Brandon and Jen and their 3 sweet babies. It was so much fun, just to be with them and eat with them and go to church with them and sit in their backyard and chill.  Not only that but it was 50 degrees warmer at their house in sunny Florida than our place in "Friginia."  ( That is funny- I just made that up!  Ha!)  We did so many fun things... check it out. 

 

 

 

We got to meet little Eli who was 4 months old (I think).  Look at those blue eyes!

Hanging out at Vero Beach.  Sorry for the glare from my white self.  Yikes.

 

Ruthie and Isabelle bonded- Ruthie got to have a little sister for a week!

 

Best kid ice cream eating picture ever.  Collins is hilarious.

Backyard movie projected on the house!  Lion King.  Awesome.

I love Aunt Merrill!!!

Too sweet for words.

 

 

Ruthie caught a fish in the lake behind the house.  We watched birds- and saw otters playing!

 

Our last day we headed to Sea World.



We met up with my cousin's wife Michele, and little girl Jayde for the day.

Beautiful Mama and baby Eli.

Hey Uncle Brandon!

We saw the Shamu show...

And our family favorite- the Dolphin show.  Look at that!

 

It was such a fun and refreshing trip.  I loved seeing my friends and seeing our kids become friends!  What a JOY!

 

Love ya, McSheas! 

Finger Painting

Peter's first time finger painting

Valentine's Day

 

Pete loves "balooms"

 

 Yummy breakfast!

 

"Yes, really yummy,"says Pete.



Ruthie and Glitter

Ruthie and Glitter.  Ruthie has been riding a few times a month at a farm nearby.  

Petey loves bath time (January- 22 months old)

Visitors from the Past

I've said before that one of the fun things about living in DC is getting to see the people that come to town for various reasons.  My dear friend Cary and her husband Craig came in town in January and it was so fun to catch up in person.  Cary and Craig are friends I made in college- and also Beau who lives here in NOVA too.  We had a University of South Alabama reunion at our house.

 

 

Beau and Craig hadn't seen each other since their time at South.  Over 10 years ago I think! 

 

 



Snow Day!

January- Ruthie's 8th birthday

Ruthie turned 8 on January 15th, and we had some fun celebrating our little-big girl. 

 

 

Eight years ago!  How time flies!

 

Ruthie chose gyros for her birthday meal.

 



 

Daddy bought her some pink carnations- and without knowing it- they are Ruthie's birthday flower!

 

 

Brothers love their big sister!

 

It is interesting that both grandmothers gave Ruthie gifts that they have been saving until she was older - JuJu sent a Madame Alexander doll, and Nonni sent a vintage tea set made of real china.

 

After much debate, Ruthie chose a "faux" sleepover/pizza party.  Her friends wore jammies and watched a movie based on the Mandie books that Ruthie loves.  

 

Friends Lauren, Mella, Sarah, Julia, Maggie, (Ruthie), Mac and Annalisa (under the hat)