South Padre, Post 2

More pictures from our week at the beach...thanks Mom!

What a way to start the day!

Uh, mister, you have a little something on your face...

Enjoying some time on the balcony before heading down to the beach

Nana and Mr. Handsome

Playing on the beach

I tried to get him to wear sunglasses and a hat, but he was not too into leaving things on his head for any significant amount of time.  A little squinting never hurt anyone, I guess...

Fun in the sun

Posing for pics outside of Dirty Al's, the best fried shrimp place ever!

Not much of a smile from the little guy...guess he is ready for more shrimp and less pictures!

Ahhh...much better!

Eli has Nana eating out of his hand...literally :)

Getting quite the kick out of his silly Nana

Eli says "All Done!"

We did not have a high chair, so Eli got to eat his meals in the condo "on the run," which he loved.  As you can see, he did not stand still long enough for me to wipe the cottage cheese off of his mouth.  

Mischievous, mischievous, mischevious

Go Spidey, Go!

More mealtime for the little "Beach Bum"

Playing on the beach with his dump truck

Elijah will now make noises when he plays with cars

Elijah takes a little time to wake up in the morning, just like his mommy

Feeding the seagulls with Papa!

Not sure what to think of those crazy birds!

Elijah loved being held by his Papa

Hanging out with Nana and Papa

Taking a break in the shade

Eli enjoying a long walk on the beach

Elijah got much more into playing in the sand as the week went on

Papa and Eli on the beach

I love this picture. 

Exploring

Cleaned up and ready for bed after a long day

Wearing Uncle Daniel's hat and giving me the look like, "Mommy, I'm not sure what to think about this crazy guy who is holding me..."

Sweet shades!

Aunt Jenny helping Eli put on his shades

So cool!

"Hey, that's my hat!"

"You can wear it if you want to, but it seems a little bit small for you."

A shot of me and my boy on the very windy balcony!  Eli pointing as usual. :)

Contemplating my next move in a very intense game of Jenga against my dad :)

Me and my Mom...and the Jenga tower

One last walk on the beach!

Me and Mom on the boardwalk on a gorgeous day!

Me and my dad

One shot of the gang on our way out the car

Heading to the airport

This was after we left, but Daniel and Jenny went horseback riding on the beach at sunset for their 2 year anniversary!  So romantic and creative!

 Happy Anniversary you two!  We love you!

We had a great time and are so thankful for the time we got to spend with my family.  Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

South Padre, Post 1

This past week, Elijah and I went down to the beach with my parents.  We had a great time hanging out with Nana and Papa, and for an added bonus Uncle Daniel and Aunt Jenny met us there for the end of the week!  I am so thankful for a fun, relaxing week at the beach.


Elijah had a good time playing in the sand.  There were a bunch of families there and Eli always seemed to find the kids playing nearby to go hang out with.  Even more, he seemed to find their toys. :)  All of the other "moms" were really nice to let him join in the fun.  My parents bought him a bunch of fun beach toys that he did play with a lot...but there is just nothing like playing with someone else's toys I guess.  He would watch and try to imitate the things the older kids were doing.  I am glad that he had the chance to walk around and explore this fun surrounding, although we did keep a close eye on his to make sure he didn't fall in any holes, as the boys next to use were "digging to China", or go near the water without us.  He got into the ocean more this trip than the last time (since he was only 4 months on his first beach trip), but still preferred the shore to the water (as do I).   

I am noticing that Eli has been learning and understanding so much more lately.  I can now say things to him that he actually understands and (usually) obeys, like "can you get the ball and hand it to Mommy?"  Also, he would point at Nana and Papa when asked where they were, and make noises when he drove around his cars or boat.  He is developing cognitively so much, it always impresses me when I realize that he knows something I didn't think he would.


I don't have many pictures, but my parents do that they are going to share with me. Consider this public peer pressure, Mom, to share your pics. :)   Here is a first glimpse of our trip from some of the pictures I did take on my camera.

On the plane, heading to SPI.  Elijah did SO well flying down and back.  We took a 6:20 am flight down, which meant we woke Eli up super early.  He was happy and such a good kiddo on the way down and back, which I am most thankful for!

Playing with his books and eating his graham crackers and milk...the secrets to a successful flight. :)

Our reward...the beach (not to mention Nana and Papa)!

Ready for the beach...suited up in his Cars swim garb from Nana

Sunglasses stayed on for about 2 seconds, but long enough to get one pic (albeit a tad blurry)

Me and my little man, all washed up for dinner

Mr. Handsome with Nana and Papa

New Spidey PJs from Nana

Nana teaching Eli new tricks

"Is this how you do it, Nana?"

Calling Daddy to say he misses him!

Heading home and sending Daddy a text to let him know we're on the way.  Where could he have learned this trick? :)

This Week

Another day has passed, another week snuck by,
Sometimes I am overwhelmed at how quickly time can fly.

But like a gorgeous sunset, life changes all the while
It can't be paused, it can't be held,
But lived, and lived in style.

Each moment as it's passing, brings new colors into view
Reds and oranges, brilliant and breathtaking,
reaching to the very heart of you.

So gloriously wasteful, this common dipping of the sun,
but how often do we miss it because we live life on the run.

We must remember to remember, to see the beauty in each day,
In every breath, in every moment, in each and every way.

Our glorious Creator has given us a gift,
The gift of life, precious and full, to Him my voice I lift...

My songs of praise and thanks, for the blessings He has poured out
But most of all for Jesus Christ, the One there is no life without.

A little glimpse of the life I am so thankful for this week:

On June 4th, Ethan and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary!  I would not choose another person on the whole earth to share the rest of my days with.  I love you, Ethan.  You are my best friend, the man of my dreams, and the most wonderful father to our children.  I look forward to all the joys that lie ahead and all the life we have yet to live together.

Elijah has such a spirit of curiosity and is ever learning.  This particular day his fascination was the kitchen sink.

Our little curly cue, figuring out the drain.

"Fixed it Mommy!"

Soaking up the summer sun with my little boy!  We love our little pool.  I tried to get a picture of Eli in his star bathing suit (from Callie) and his white bucket hat (from Paula), but he only kept it on for about half a second.

Taking a little break in the shade

Always pointing. :)

A moment I will always remember.  I love you Eli and cherish each day and hour with you!

More fun in the pool

Germ-a-phobes, please skip this picture.

Elijah just finished dinner in this picture, but it looks more like he just came out of a war zone.  He is upset because I wouldn't let him touch the camera.  Any guesses why?

Notice the hair.  His new thing is to have his hands coated in food and then to put them on the top of his head and drag them down slowly over his face.  What a dirty boy...such a mess but so darn cute!  After dinner, while I wiped him down as best as I could, I kissed him on the head and actually tasted ketchup.  Gross. :)

Perfectly content with a messy face.

My little angel.  Your mommy and daddy love you more than words could ever say, ridiculously dirty and all!

Memorial Day in Shreveport

This past weekend, we finally made it over to Shreveport for a visit.  Elijah was glad to see many of his favorite people~ Pops, Mamie, Gimps, Gloria, Nonie, Gimpa, Lolly, and of course, Mr. Dog. :)  Here are a few pictures of Eli with his peeps...

Me, Jamie, Gloria, and the little center of attention.  Elijah loved all of the fun things that Gloria found to entertain him with!

Cuddling up on Gimp's lap

Eli found Nonie's cross necklace most amusing

Most of all he just loved all the attention from all of the Great Grandparents!

Sweet times with Nonie and Gimpa

Just kicking back and relaxing with his great grandpa.  I love his little folded hands and feet.

Four Generations of Cislaghis

Eli had fun making fish face/kissing noises with Mamie!

He took Pops for a long walk around the yard...

...going out for more...

...and heading back again.

I can take it from here Pops.

And finally it's time to head home. 
Thanks for the visit everyone, we look forward to seeing you all again soon.  Love you!