Virginia Beach

What thrills you? I mean to your very core? What brings joy and happiness and purpose to your life and reminds you that life is good and that you are so happy to be a part of it?

• Laughing! Laughing so hard that I can't catch my breath, or I cry, or I have to run to the bathroom, or better yet listening to Isaac peel with laughter (usually at Max and Ruby). He makes my heart happy.
• Come Thou Fount from the BYU singers Thanksgiving CD, with full orchestra. I always say "Ditto." in a silent prayer as I listen.
• Reading something marvelous: sometimes in the scriptures, sometimes on a blog, sometimes on an email from Eric, sometimes in the newspaper (that happens less as we don't subscribe). I love to read anything that makes me think, laugh, or learn.
• Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, I love you and I miss you. At times I am homesick for you and I waunder back to you in my memories. Can't wait until our next meeting.
• Ocean! Mmmmm...Ocean. Ocean. Ocean. The waves the sand, the seagulls, I love everything about it. Mundane daily tasks seem so trivial as I listen to the sweeping waves and I am reminded that there is greater purpose to life. I think I am my best me when I am at the beach. My best or happiest conversations with Heavenly Father happen at the beach. It is so painfully obvious that He is when I am standing at the brink of sand and water. Mmmm...ocean.

Cape Henry Inn at Fort Story gets high marks from this lowly traveler; close enough to the beach to hear the waves when we opened our patio door, and far enough away from "Virginia Beach" to not feel boardwalk-ish.

Isaac loved the play ground, and talked his ole lady into joining him.

My mom celebrated her 68th birthday with us on the beach. We started off having a fancy pantsy breakfast (from McDonald's) on an Atlantic Beach. Couldn't beat the scenery. Christy said that was her favorite part.

When we asked Isaac what his favorite part was he said "Chasing the birds." It's a wonder that the seagulls didn't drop anything on our heads. I still giggle as I think of Isaac throwing a bit of egg Mcmuffin into the wind at a seagull. The muffin came right back at him and the seagull went after it. Isaac yelped like a girl and I laughed until it hurt. I guess the real wonder is that we didn't have to go change Isaac's pants.

There was a beach wedding-so romantical. It was not a "reserved" beach, so there were plenty of strangers who were gawking. What's the proper etiquette? We moved as far away as possible (to the other side of a No Trespassing fence, to help them feel like it was private, but stayed on the beach. Christy was acting as the paparazzi.

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My mom had her 68th birthday while we were there. She isn't really a dwarf, we barried her legs in the sand.

Me and my boy...what a heart throb. I love Seth more than the beach.

Honey heart and other randomness

Arrrr maties, September 19 is interrrrrnational talk like a pirate day. Shiver me timbers if the ole wench didn't take it to heart. Gladdens me heart.

Seth thought the monkey costume was a scream...errr, I mean Seth Screamed when we put him in the monkey costume. He smiled some, but was happy to get out of it. Right now he is sitting to my left as I type this and laughed like it was a good joke when he saw this picture of himself.

Tricky business, and sometimes he stands on his head and swings his arms up. He still isn't walking, he is not a risk taker and likes the stability of all four limbs touching the ground, but sometimes he will stand and clap for himself.
Honey Heart Grandma with her Honey Heart. Isaac likes her a lot. When it was time for her to go home Isaac said. "We're gonna keep ya, Grandma." Wish we could.
Isaac was taking a bath. Seth was not. Seth threw himself over the tub so he could join his brother, I guess clothes are optional.

TV or no TV, that is the question

I am reading blogs and facebook. It is lame and soaks up my time and attention. Isaac likes to be diverted with the TV, but I often times tell him no because it does nothing for his brain. (hmmm, I might be feeling a little like a hypocrite) Just now:

Isaac:Mom can I watch TV?

Me: Mmm, yes.

Isaac: (incredulously excited): Did you say yes?!?

Evidently, it doesn't take much to make me feel like I am an okay mom after all.

You've had a birthday, shout HURRAY

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SETH!

You have your mommy wrapped around your chubby little finger. I could eat you up. We have been nearly inseparable this last year and are still happy to be paling around together. Your papa and Isaac are also members of your fan club.

Birthday festivities took place at Grandma's and Grandpa's (Eric's parents) house. Carol, Martin, Trent, Great Grandma Hatch, Evan, JaNeece, Sam, Lauren all came to help celebrate. Cousin Even descibed what happened perfectly: Little Seth fell asleep in his high chair with his head rolled back and his mouth wide open during lunch before the cake was even brought out-hilarious! Seth slept that way for about an hour, and then when he woke up the party resumed.

These are a few of your favorite things:

• Isaac
• 6:20 pm or whenever your papa walks through the door
• raspberries
• being held
• going to bed with your mommy
• bathtime
• jumping
• grandma's canned pears
• music and moving your little body, you shake it even while sitting down
  
• books, eating or reading them
• the laptop, boy do you love pressing the buttons, you've removed several of the keys of daddy's laptop
• the remote, it also has buttons

Here are some things you could do without

• Isaac
  
• changing your diaper
• gerber baby food

Cowgirl Up!

While in Panguitch we had the chance to ride horses.

Isaac and Seth both rode

After the kids rode, Jenny decided she wanted to ride. The horse's name was Smarty Bullberry.

Smarty Bullberry wasn't particularly fond of Jenny, and bucked her off half way through the ride. Jenny, the cowgirl that she is, timed her jump off the bucking horse onto the corral fence. No photographic evidence as we were all gasping watching Jenny's skill.

I love my Cowgirl!

Roots

We have had a busy summer, apparently too busy to blog. Not promising alot with this one, but trying to get back in the habit. In July we spent some time in Panguitch Utah...

Clearly a good time had by all

(pictures and comments to come)

Lame, lame, lame I know. But I really will write on Sunday...and probably post some pictures. I'm not home so let's everybody give me a little space...and thanks for giving me some already seeing as I haven't written a bloomin' thing since June 21. Oi.