The one in Jekyll Island....

One of my very favorite people in this world was married last weekend…. Allan. Allan and I are not only 1^st cousins but also close friends. As the only child myself, having him and being so close was a blessing, kind of like a brother. Although he didn’t live close, we were close. As kids we romped around the neighborhoods, playing hide-n-seek, running through the streets like banshees, only until it was dark of course. We spent a lot of time coloring and drawing, Allan was always SO good at it. My flower drawings had nothing on his Batman Christmas Ornaments. We would watch What About Bob on repeat. We even “produced” and “acted” in our own movie, Jaws 5. If you haven’t seen it, PLEASE contact me. Uncle Curt put it on DVD for the fam one year- Greatest production of all time. As we grew older, we only became closer. College came, which meant road trips and stories to tell for a life time…. Some of course weren’t so funny at the time, like being puked on by one of his friends or Allan missing the FL/GA game because he was sitting in a cell, but looking back, the memories that surrounded those weekends were hilarious. Many many good laughs and times spent with him. I am so thankful and blessed we’ve had so many good years of laughs. And as we grow older, and have families those memories will only get better.

 SO, back the bride and groom---Allan married the love of his life, Anna! Want to talk about a gorgeous bride…. Anna was that, stunning and beautiful. The met at GA Southern years ago… we’ve all been hoping and praying he wouldn’t let this one get away, she’s too perfect! Not to mention the wedding was perfect, fantastic weather, beautiful setting all for the perfect couple. Cooper was the ring bearer. He was loving wearing the tuxedo in the hotel, he thought he looked just like Daddy…. Until we got to the Jekyll Island club to take pictures before the wedding. Bless his little 3 year old heart, all the pressure of looking like a stud and all the people coming up to him, he just couldn’t bear all the attention. He was a hot mess for the whole 2 hours prior to the wedding… no pictures, no talking, only crying. After many prayers later, by the grace of God, Cooper instantly changed his attitude right before his big act. His tears ceased and I think his nerves stopped, and he walked down the aisle like a little angel prince. He was so handsome. He stood next to Allan and the groomsman the whole ceremony AND even smiled for dozens of pictures after. He was a trooper. At the reception he pushed some chairs together and with his ring bearer pillow and his Daddy’s coat as a blanket, he closed his eyes and slept through all the dancing and craziness. The next morning I asked Cooper did he have fun…. His reply, “Yea Mom, I was Cheesin!”

And with that, we cheers to many years of health, love and happiness for the new Mr. and Mrs. Allan Simmons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE

The one with Spiderman....

It's a VERY rare occasion when Spiderman joins the McCarty family, but he did. He came out at our San Marco Concert in the Park. There are certain things that I just love and miss so much about San Marco. One of course is our neighbors, who have become such good friends and two is the festivities. 2 times a year, there is a concert in the park at the Preservation hall, 2 blocks from our old house. Its family fun, kid friendly, beer and wine friendly and food truck friendly. Cooper did something new and adventurous this time.... he got his face painted, that's right folks. Cooper got his face painted!!! Last fall he waited in a long line to shake his head no when he got in the hot seat, but he went for it this year and it was AWESOME!!

LOVE

The one where we cheers the mommas...

Happy late mothers days! At least it is still May, we should really get mother's MONTH!! OK!!! Anyway, as I was going though pictures I realized I forgot to post them. Mothers day was great, relaxing as it should be, hardly any cooking with handsome hubs who does all the dirty work. The fam came over... we had a burger bar- build your own. It was great. Anything on the green egg is amazing, or is it the cook? I'm going with the COOK! 

 Anyway, as we were going through some REAL throw backs, we came across this beauty! Isn't my mom gorgeous (and still is!) BUT I realized how much Addie really looks like me, as a baby. I am doing the happy dance inside. For the longest time I thought I was just the incubator for Josh. LOL. I thought his genetics were so strong, no child would look like me, but I think we found my mini me....

LOVE

The one with the botanical gardens....

Thanks to Josh's green thumb and our home being in an established neighborhood, our backyard is blooming. Blooming FULL of gorgeous flowers. We've planted a ton, but there were also a ton of plants, I had no idea made such amazing looking flowers. Who knew, I would have botanical gardens right in my back yard. Josh kept saying all winter, Allie these plants are going to be AWESOME (stressing the word AWESOME)... but not having my own green thumb, I was like cool, they just look like green bushes to me. LOL So anyway, I am so happy and thankful for my husband. He's doing awesome keeping up the yard. Its like paradise. We couldn't have picked a better home to raise our kids in.

The pool is rockin. Up to 82 degrees, hopefully it Will hold steady and increase a little. But the kids love it. Addie is already kicking from one side of the pool to the other, un-assisted, I might add. Of course she has on her swimmies. But who knew a one year old would be so comfortable in the water. It's awesome. Cooper is perfecting his belly flop and cannon ball. He has a good teacher- don't look at me. I don't "swim" just yet. I may step in, but its still a teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeny bit chilly for me. Unless I've been laying out for a while. Volleyball tournaments start soon. Josh has NO IDEA how good I actually am, shhhhh!! ;) So looking forward to the summer and pool parties, green egg grilling and cold beers by the pool. Feel free to join us anytime!

LOVE

The one with the first group beach trip...

Summer is officially upon us! We had our first group trip to the beach. A bunch of our friends and their families come out, a total of 9 kids in the group. Cooper naturally attracts to the oldest boy, 6, Phillip. And Phillip attracts to "Mr. Josh". Probably because Josh is a big kid at heart. But we so enjoy the beach trips. All the kids just LOVE LOVE LOVE it. And they are all so stinking cute out there in their swim suits playing in the sand. We have "thing" when we go to to the beach. I HAVE to get a Publix sub (banana peppers on the side) and Josh has to get a pound of the Publix popcorn chicken. It doesn't feel like a beach trip without it. Thank goodness Lent is over, so that I can eat sandwiches again! Anyway, our pool is feeling great. And as last week, Cooper still wakes up wanting to get in the pool.

Cooper's new favorite breakfast food, besides pop tarts, are bagels! Yes, that was his new food to try and he loved it. He said the bagels were good just like grilled cheese. Oh yea and Chic-fil-a. If you know Cooper you know how much he loves McDonalds, but I got him to eat the chic-fil-a nuggets and he said YUM these are better than donuts!!! So he is coming around, slowly but surely! We are "working" on Addison feeding her self... LOL. Ok, not really working on it, but she likes to hold the spoon, so I give it to her and then of course it ends up on the ground. AND we stick with whats easy... eating with your hands! Too cute, huh?

 So until next time... check out these beauties, loving the pool! Cooper will be swimming in no time. He can kick and swim on his own going the length of the pool. He's a pro and loving every minute of it.

LOVE

The one with the water rats....

Yes, that's my kids, water rats... and we are proud of it! They just can't get enough of the pool or the beach. The pool finally warmed up to 80 degrees... just a few more degrees and I'd be happy! Of course Cooper doesn't mind the 80 degree water, he's been asking to get in the pool ever day all day.... So we were lacking in the float department so we took a trip to Wally World- cheap floats that get beat up and only last a year! You know momma needs her own float to relax on! But they love it. Addie finds comfort in bringing her blanket in the pool. At least we have extras, but she's happy with it, so whatever works. Cooper is becoming a little less fearful. He still doesn't like to be thrown in. I did that, and he cried saying mommy I don't like that. He likes to ease on into the pool like me, where as Josh and Addie jump right on in.

We also took the kids to the beach this weekend. Its amazing how much Cooper has grown in a year in size and bravery. Last year he wouldn't have much to do with the water without us and now the moment you get out of the car, he's like mom can I go to the water. PLEAAASSEEE!! He has his boogie board and he jets straight to the water. We look for the run outs, so its a small pool of water all the kids play in. Its great. I park my chair right at the edge so my toesies get in and sip on my ice cold beer, while Daddy has to "play"! Addison has NO FEAR! She went straight in. Splashing and all. Although she isn't quite the fan of the taste of salt water, but who is really? It doesn't slow her down.

Enjoy the first pictures of summer.....

 

LOVE

The one where we are saved...

As Josh and I are deepen our relationship with Christ, I felt the urge to post this to facebook on Good Friday, from Isaiah, Chapter 53, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us Peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." I feel like I am finally understanding and having the deep faith of what all these "holidays" are REALLY about. And it could be that I am not longer a kid and expecting the gifts. Its not all about the candy, egg hunts and presents, Its about taking time, remembering and counting your blessings and giving thanks to the big Man upstairs. Its about relinquishing control and having the faith and understanding that we can not control what doors close behind us and open before us and we may never know exactly why, but we do know the He does not close a door without opening another. We get so wrapped up in the gift giving (especially at Christmas) that we forget while we are all stuffing our bellies until we are blue in the face. I am totally guilty, guilty yesterday on Easter Sunday- but I am comforted in knowing Him and thanking Jesus for all of you in my life, my beautiful family, my healthy kids and of course, my ever so handsome and smart hubs.

I took lots of pictures yesterday, its not often both kids are cleaned and with clothes on the right way (I dressed them! DUH). Cooper is into dressing himself these days, which means shoes are on the wrong feet, shorts are hit or miss being on right and the shirt is typically on backwards. Not too mention he likes his gym shorts with a polo. TOO FUNNY. I couldn't just pick just one picture of my sweet babies!!! Addison LOVES the camera. 

Our Easter was spent at Aunt Kelly's. It was wonderful, the whole family (in Jax) made it out there. It just so peaceful and enjoyable at her house. Its obviously the host and hostess but the river may have something to do with it too. The water is calming. At least to me. The kids did the typical Easter Egg hunt. Cooper crushed it. We have more candy than we know what to do with. Now for Josh, Lent is over, so at least he can FINALLY indulge. As for me, I will be making my way through the Jimmy John's drive thru one day this week. I gave up sandwiches for Lent. That was very hard, but it's supposed to be right? I don't know that I have ever salivated over grilled cheese or PB&J but these last several weeks, I have. So praise Jesus and thank you, I can eat my beloved Jimmy Johns again! A.MAZING!!!! MORE great pics.... enjoy

LOVE