Family Trip to Madeira Beach

The salty air of the beach, warm sand, and sun fill that random jar of memories I keep bottled up in my head. Scouring the beach for the perfect shell (if vacationing on the west coast) or jumping my highest to tower over the waves (while vacationing on the east coast) remind me just how much fun it was being one of the kids on family vacations. Our ginormous family has always been able to push the busyness that consumes our lives aside to make time for each other, and to make time for memories. Looking back, I am thankful that 'the adults' always did this for us (and themselves) and fast forwarding to now, I am thankful that we are able to do this as well for ourselves and our children. By a family trip, I don't just mean my little family. I mean four generations of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles - all in one trip!



We packed up kiddies, bathing suits, and sand toys. We shopped for donuts, chips & dips, kiddy treats and beer. And we simply enjoyed - making memories one shell search, sunset, and sand dollar digging session at a time.









The guys raced on the sand and hurt themselves, and us gals had a little race too which may or may not have made one or two of us bust our asses.  I shall spare you the pictures.

Hours were spent with toes in the sand, drinks in hand, laughing, reflecting, and playing.







I sure am thankful to have a baby who looves the beach. She spent the days soaking up the fresh air.



And playing hard means sleeping hard. Baby girl slept the best she ever has. Two full two hour naps per day and long, long nights of snoozing. All the walking and cruising around surely helps!



Madeira Beach, Florida did not disappoint. With beaches and sunsets, and a boardwalk full of shops, bars, and restaurants, memories were made in abundance.





While our little miss has been on several beach trips with us, and even some of her cousins, this was her first trip with the whole crew. She loves keeping up with all her cousins and they are just as happy to let her keep up. Cousin love makes me happy!
{insert edit here: my husband just texted me while on an away rotation "cousin love makes me happy?!"} Haha, yes he is right. But come on, sisterly love, brotherly love -- you get it, right? ;)

Baby girl's got a soft spot for Johny -- who takes on her walks, cuddles, and shares plenty of playful moments with her -- including scouring the shore for shells to write her name in the sand with :) I was 12 when he was born, and he was 13 when she was born, so it's fun to see the dynamics that I had with him being shared between him and my daughter now. Awwww ;)



It's not just the kiddies that make up the memories. It's the whole family combined. The generations of family members coming together to catch up, enjoy each other, and remember past memories of moments just like these. That's what makes it all so special.









Siblings, young and old, got along (for the most part) and begged to come back again soon. Sunset gazing makes for a tranquil atmosphere, that's for sure!





Some of my favorite families on the beach this weekend, together making up one big family, creating memories and loving the moment.

The Smollett's


The Vicario's


The McDonald's


The Barr's


We sure did miss a few of the family members who couldn't make it, but you were without a doubt thought of.

I think I can speak on behalf of everyone by saying we are truly thankful for the opportunities to spend moments like this together - and we will truly love looking back on these memories while creating new and similar ones in the future.


So much sun, so much fun!

Check back soon for my 'trip after the family trip' to see how I spent the rest of the week!

Happy October!! {from my not-so-festive self}

We are 10 days into October, folks! By this time, I am normally well over a month deep in orange and hay and pumpkins galore. See here,  here, here, and here. (wow, looking back, I freakin' love Fall!) A festive mantle and a "Don't-I-Just-Scream-Autumn" wreath traditionally take over our home and porch in an abundance by now. But, ladies a gentlemen, sadly (or not so sadly?), that is just not the case this year.

I am in Florida. It is 90 something degrees outside. And I am on vacation at the beach for a week. And did I mention I don't live in my own home currently? Oh yeah, and my beloved decorations are stowed away not so neatly in a pretty little storage unit that houses our whole entire boxed up home. Fall projects, decor, and baked yummies - you may have to wait until next year for our little Barr family. Sad, yes, however I know I will make up for it when time permits! And dammit, you betta believe I will make time permit.

Amidst a beautiful week at the beach with family, hanging in the gulf on my husband's back, little cousins surrounding us - we caught a front row view of dancing dolphins in their natural habitat. It has been great and I have nothing to complain about - Beautiful, breathtaking, and memorable - yes. Just not so 'fall-y' if ya know what I mean!

With that being said, we found a pretty little pumpkin patch nestled in the heat of South Florida. Beyond exciting for this momma -- it was Baby E's first trip to the pumpkin patch!



The hay ride may have been hay-less, but did my baby girl notice? Heck no.



She loved crawling amongst the pumpkins and trying hard to avoid her photo-overboard mother following her around with a camera. That screams 'fall', right?!

The best part about this year -- which beats a hay-filled hay ride and fall colored leaves --  is baby girl getting to spend the season with family.

Does it get better than that?





I plan to return to this gem at least once before Halloween, to soak up some more memories and get us in the spirit after returning from the beach. Baby E had a blast with her cousins and little friend :)





Four little beauties playing together at the pumpkin patch makes this mommas heart happy!









It's certainly not about the weather, the leaves, or finding the perfect pumpkin -- while those things just add that festively fun touch -- it's about creating the perfect day for perfect memories, at least in the eyes of a child. As adults, we can point out imperfections everywhere, but these sweet girls' whose eyes lit up at the sight of pumpkins, well they had a blast being outside, being with each other, and ultimately sleeping soundly on the way home. I just need to remind myself about the little things that matter most!

A perfect day in their eyes, indeed!



To make up for my lack of fall decorating and festiveness, prepare to see such said missed decor at baby girl's first birthday party. Yes, I said first birthday -- which is ONLY one month and 3 days away. Sigh.



My little pumpkin melts my heart every single day. In every single way. I don't need cool weather to be reminded just how wonderful it is to have the pleasure of raising this sweet girl every day.

That time it became semi-impossible to take photos of Baby E...

There was a day -- not too long ago -- where I could plop my little one anywhere I wanted and get a great shot with ease. All by myself, at that!

Gone are those day?! Who knows.

Shots like this:



or this..



Well those were easy peasy. Ya know, just randomly amidst changing her or in between switching activities, we'd lay down quick to snap some monthly photos, and a few minutes later I was pretty happy with what I was able to capture in that short amount of time.









~~~~

Now, I looove me some candid photos! Don't get me wrong. Really, that's all I ever take these days, aside from the occasional "oooh, let's take some real photos of her" here and there.

And it seems candids are pretty much all we'll be seeing for the next 4 years or so until I can potentially get her to pause for a millisecond to take a slightly-posed photo-- if that happens then haha. But I'm okay with that!

As I've said, I do loove me some candids, especially mid-play when having fun or exploring.



But...as much I'm okay with mostly candids, we've gone the first 10 months of her life taking these monthly photos.



~~~~




So, it only seems appropriate to finish out the year.

Meaning: only 2 more sweat fests-- full of millions of shutter clicks, rolling baby girl back into position a gazillion and 4 times, having her laugh her butt off at us for moving so dang quick and looking back to see how close we are, and tons and tons of roars, laughs, and giggly screams that make us lose our voice to get her eyes to look at us at the same time as a smile out of her. Wish us luck. Ha.

After all, this is all for HER to have for when she's older, right?! Ha....yea. okay.


'Look, guys, I can hula dance' (last pic on the right)


'Hahaha, you want me to sit still? Suckers!'

'Tell me to smile one more time...see if it works!'

'I'm ready, ready, ready to take off. Try and get a pic, ma!'

'I'll just schmooze Daddy a bit..try and distract him, you know..'

'Maybe I'll empty this entire basket and pretend like I like to play with this stuff that I never touch'

'What, you guys are giving up on takin' my picture? Oh, by the way, I love you Daddy!'

'Booooring!'

'Muahaha -- while these fools are laying on the rug resting up after sweating their butts off, I'll have me some fun. What's up here?!'

'Ooh, Momma gave up on takin' my pics and decided to play with my blocks. Let me go mess them up!'

'....and then proceed to climb my chair!'

Yes, yes, these were fun photos to take, as you can see! Haha. And just take a look at what her sticker looked like by the time it came off. Most of her other stickers are pristine!


And perhaps the saddest end to the photoshoot....that beloved blue frame she decided to push over? Well, it broke :(


Despite the (fun) craziness these monthly photos may have entailed, I will at least attempt 11 and 12 month photos. Daddy is actually going to be gone during the 11 month photos, so don't be surprised if it's just a photo of her in a downward dog yoga position. We can't just skip the next 2 months, can we? I mean, can't you hear it now 'Mom, you took 10 months worth of these pics and really couldn't do 11 and 12..really?..Awesome."

If she were the 4th child like myself and barely had any photos of her, then yes, perhaps that's what I'd hear. But let's be honest, this gal -- the first child -- will have the complete opposite outlook. "Mom, did you REALLY have to take THAT many photos of me...?"

Yes, baby girl, yes I did!

Say cheese!

Baby E {10 month photos & favs}

Double digits. Ahh! Our girl turned 10 months on September 13, and we, yet again, had a busy time in between 9 and 10 months! It's safe to say this entire year will be pretty busy -- especially seeing as though hubby is leaving again for the month of October and baby girl and myself will once again be all over the place! It sure is fun at the moment, but at the same time we look forward to the time we will have our little 'normal' life again (but not trying to rush anything as we are enjoying ourselves day by day!)

And this 10 month old girl? Well she wants nothing to do with pictures! A post will follow with how difficult it is becoming to capture these pictures of our always-on-the-go little one.

~~~~

The 10 month favorites! (which are prettty similar to both 8 & 9 month favorites, with a few new additions)


bath letters & numbers // clip-on umbrella (which clips directly on the go-pod -- perfect for the beach!) // little swimmers // gerber lil crunchies // BOB jogging stroller // go-pod // freshly picked moccasins // think baby sunscreen // amber teething necklace // fsu cheerleader dress // baby board books

~~~~

10 month stats :: I don't have exact stats but at 9 months, 1 week, she was 16lbs 7oz., so hopefully a little bigger than that!

Milestones ::

{Taking little steps} This gal attemps to take about 2 steps at time (before she gracefully face plants into the rug or uses that diaper as a butt cushion). She's taking lots of risky steps and getting so close.


{Freakin' fast child} Ha, I know I'm not in the minority here with having a child that travels faster than the speed of light, but seriously - she cray cray. Girl will flyyy through the house!



{Climbs Anything & Everything} We have a climber! Can't keep our eyes off her for a minute these days.

{Says} Dada, occasional Mama (starting to say it more), she has repeated 'Get!' when telling the dog to get outta here (maybe not so good?!), and says 'Uh-Oh!' with the cutest little 'o' face after dropping things. Like so:

{Has 4 teeth} All 4 front (2 top, 2 bottom) have cut through the gums.



SLEEPING :: This has taken a slight turn. She decided to start waking up earlier and earlier. Mama no likey! But our cuddles and falling back asleep together certainly make up for the early riser our daughter has become.

Her favorite places to sleep? For sure the stroller and the car!

EATING :: Nurses about 4-5x a day and has expanded her little palette. She has begun eating more 'people' food such as fruit (strawberries seem to be her favorite - just like her momma!) and waffles, breads - actually, just about all carbs!



Not at the top of her 'favorite food list'? Peas and carrots, apparently!


Hold the peas, ma!

Although she does enjoy her baby food peas. Who knows!

MISC. ::

{Started Brusing Teeth} And she loves it...



{Dog Lover} --or troublemaker? These 2 get into shenanigans together :)



{Jogging Queen} Baby girl loves going on jogs with Daddy. Best part about it? They run by the park each time and stop for a swing!

Veryyy sleeepy!

These two looove each other :)


{Toilet paper obsessed} If you can't find her due to silence, we know where she is. In the bathroom -- pulling the toilet, paper ripping it up, and shredding it into teeny tiny pieces. Why not?



Sure do love her 'oh crap, I'm busted' face.





{Celebrated her first Labor Day} At the beach, of course! And got to hang out with all of her family :) Including Aunt Maggie who came to visit from Memphis!


Our early riser allows us to witness some amazing sun rises :)

{Park Lover} Baby E loooves the park - swinging and playing in the water, and going down the slides with momma, cousins, and friends.

{FSU baby} Enjoying fall and football!!

Our curious, beautiful, and adventurous 10 month old is keeping us on our toes, as well as keeping us laughing non-stop.



Our bed time ritual reminds us that even after the craziest of days, we are a family full of love and laughs -- and her smiles, hugs, and back-and-forth crawls to mommy and daddy to give kisses leave us all going to sleep happy! We are so in love with our girl.

Happy 10 months, sweet Baby E!

Mommy, Daddy, and Puppy love you so so much!

Come back shortly to see some of the outtakes of her less-than-stellar 10 month mini photo shoot :)