A family weekend in Myrtle Beach - September 16 - 18, 2011

Just before lunch on Friday, September 16^th, Ray, Jen, Bella and I headed to Myrtle Beach to spend the weekend.  Later that afternoon, the rest of our gang headed down to meet us there.  Saturday morning the nine of us went to breakfast, and then spent a couple of hours at the Ripley’s Aquarium.  Bella got to touch the hermit crab, but didn’t want to touch the stingrays.  (Stephanie did; she said they were slimy.)   After that, Ray, Isabella and I played on the beach.  Bella ran on the beach yelling “Papa, I running on the beach!  Watch me run!”  Saturday evening we enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner at The Chesapeake House.  Then it was back to the condo to watch the rest of the USC football game and a game of Yahtzee.  Before leaving on Sunday, we went down the Arcade to play for a while.  All in all a very fun weekend with all of the kids! 

Isabella is 24 months old - August 21, 2011

On August 21st, Isabella turned 2. My, how these last couple of years have just flown by! Bella is such a happy little child and is talking up a storm these days. In these pictures, she was talking with her Papa using my phone. (Papa was in the laundry room about 7 or 8 feet away from her...) One of these days I'll actually get caught up - I'm running behind on getting pictures posted.

Bella's 2nd birthday party

On 08212011, Bella celebrated her second birthday with a party at Fun Zone.  The main attraction was 3 big bouncy houses - Bella's very favorite thing to do.  One featured a "rock wall" which she scampered up effortlessly like a little monkey.  Once she got to the top, she would slide down the slide.  She did this time and again.  Another was an actually bouncy house.  At one point she was in the bouncy house by herself yelling out "I-like-this-bouncy-houuuuse!".  It was great!  Then came a zoo themed cake and monkey cupcakes, both of which Angela made for the party.  They were very cute and very yummy.  The kids had a blast!  (So did the adult!)

This is the doll cradle that Ron made for Isabella.

Fun in the bouncy house!

Bella had fun on this bouncy house.  She scaled the rock wall to get to the slide.

Monkey cupcakes that Aunt Angie made for her birthday party.

Aunt Angie also made a zoo themed cake!

Bella's new "motor bike" (her name for a bicycle).

Bella is 23 months old - July 21, 2011

On July 21, 2011, Isabella turned 23 months old.  She really loves the water and has absolutely no fear of it.  (Which is a bit unnerving!)  With her floaties on her arms, she bobs around like a little cork.  She's comfortable in the deep end, as well as the shallow end.  She also loves jumping off of the side of the pool.  Bella jumps off, usually going completely under the water, then pops out laughing.  She's so fun!

A visit from Linda - July 16 -22, 2011

Linda flew in on July 16th to spend my birthday with me this year.  We had a wonderful time, from the birthday celebration with the kids which included a yummy Lowcountry Boil to the trip she and I took to Myrtle Beach to shop and relax, and everything in between.  All-in-all a truly nice time.  Too bad the only pictures we had were from the airport on the day of her departure on July 22nd!