Amazing pictures

So, I'm not even going to try to repost the pictures that Tricia took of our family and the Bells and Lagraizes on our vacation...there are just too many and I would only end up duplicating her post.  So, go here http://www.bettydonnephotography.blogspot.com/ and admire Tricia's amazing talent!

Beach vacation with friends

We just came back from a weekend in Gulfport with very close friends, the Bells and the Lagraizes. Twelve of us crammed into a three bedroom condo; I wasn't sure how that would work out, but it was great. Everyone got along really well, and all things considered, it was fairly stress-free. We're already trying to plan for next year! The children are all absolutely adorable, if I do say so myself :) We had some professional photographs taken by Tricia Hopper Butts of Betty Donne Photography. Below is a sneak peak of that session and several snapshots taken by yours truly.

Savannah Bell, Eli Lagraize, Joe & Jack, Avery & Cecilia Lagraize

Joe trying to feed Cecilia one of his peas (that I'm sure was covered in sand.)

I'll have to ask Leah exactly what Jack was telling Cecilia in this picture.

Jack & Brent are checking out the huge frog in the pond outside our condo.

Sweet Savannah playing in the sand.

Nothing like a game of follow the leader.

Savannah and Shona wading in the water.

Joe was quite sleepy when we went out for our evening walk on the beach.

Happy Father's Day

We're taking care of Mom's dog, Maggie, while Mom is in Japan. She and Joe are getting along quite well.

One of Brent's Father's Day gifts is a book of sheet music for the Imagination Movers' songs.

Another one of Brent's gifts was a tye died t-shirt that Jack and I made. We also made matching ones for the boys and for Grumps.

Joe wasn't really in the mood to model the t-shirts.

Swimming Lessons

Jack is taking swimming lessons for the first time this summer. Our friends Emily Adkerson and Caroline Reed are in his class, and they are all doing very well! (Jack is hesitant about going under water, but he seems a little more confident every day.)

Jack & Emily drying off after the lesson.

Jack & Ms. Colleen

Jack thinking about jumping in the water.

Updates

I've gotten behind on blogging, and when that happens it becomes a challenge to get started again because there is so much to cover.  So, I'm going to make a quick list of the things I intend to go back and blog about later (I will date them according to when they occurred in order to keep the history chronological, so if you really love my family and can't stand to miss anything, you'll need to check April and May periodically to make sure you haven't missed late posts :).  That will allow me to feel like I haven't skipped anything and will allow me to get back into the groove.
So, here's what will come (or has already come and gone):
-Jack's 4th birthday
-Easter
-Jack's 4th and Joe's 1st Jazz Fest
-Start of summer
-Joe is crawling
-Trip to Orange Beach

Joe's first time in the race car buggy with Jack

Both boys were excited to sit together in the Kroger shopping cart!

Family Beach Vacation

We went to Orange Beach for Memorial weekend with Grandmommy, Grumps and Mimi. We had a great time!