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

The one with the DIY project...

As many of you know, I am a big lover of pinterest and with that love, I find projects to do. Well actually for Josh to do and for me to manage. I am the house project manager. So anyway, I found this plank wall I just LOVED. So, I calculated out measurements and created a list of supplies. Then I called my dad to assist me at Lowes. I needed his help with the kids, help with navigating through the hardware store and his big ole green truck for the wood I needed. So with his help, I was able to get the supplies during the work week so come Friday night, once the kiddos went to sleep, Josh and I could have a date night in the garage.  Thank goodness for Josh's precision and patience with me, without him, the project would not even come to life. It turned out PERFECT!!! What do you think??

Love

The one where we party like we're Irish....

Our last name is McCarty, so we have all rights to party for St. Patrick's day! Right? Well we do, just like every other American. This is our 2nd year in a row hosting a seafood party. We had SO much food... 30lbs of Shrimp, 15lbs of Crab Legs, 50lbs of craw fish, 10 lbs of sausage, 50 lbs of oysters, 30lbs of potatoes and 15lbs of corn... I mean we bought a TON of seafood and we had probably about 50-60 people. NO LEFTOVERS. Seriously. We didn't foot the WHOLE bill. We charged people per head. It was so much fun. The kids love it because we are all outside, they can romp and run and roll in the dirt and no one cares. I can't wait until its warm enough for us to have a POOL party, hey now theres an idea!? We've been here since October and haven't been to take advantage of the pool. So anyway, back to the party.... it was great. You know the best part is our parents come. It's always been the other way around, we get dragged to our parents friends houses for the cookout and we actually are the ones hosting it now. Its hilarious to see the Dads out there playing beer pong and corn hole. I love it! It's all the family and friends that I grew up with and the other half is the family and friends Josh grew up with. Its such a blessing we still have such great friends to share fun Holidays with! The clean up was easy! The guys helped pick up everything outside and the ladies helped me inside. So, all in all, we will have a 3rd annual St. Patricks day party... the only thing different next year is we need to add Green Beer and maybe some Irish games! hehe

 LOVE

The one with my beautiful children...

Have I already used that title? I feel like I would have with how adorable I think my kids are!!! Anyway, these past several days have been AMAZING spring time weather. We have loved being out doors and with Miss Addison being fully mobile, she has loved it too. Cooper has always been a rug rat who loved outside. Yesterday morning I said Cooper, can you go get dressed (yes he picks out his own clothes AND brushes his own teeth!!) so we can go to the store. He replied, "No, me and Daddy are mowing the lawn today...." Everyday, I swear, Everyday Cooper asks to mow the lawn with Daddy. Between mowing the lawn, building camp fires and digging holes, Cooper is truly all boy. Now can our pool just warm up so I can throw him in at the end of the day and call it a bath? It's a salt water pool, so technically is like being in the ocean, and who showers after the beach! HA. Just kidding. But seriously, don't parents use the excuse, no bath tonight because you went swimming today? Yea, that's going to be me!

Addison is fantastic. She still is a pistol. Even more now that she can run from you. She knows what she is doing too. Her sounds and laugh is hilarious. She's becoming more independent, not relying so much on me for attention. We are learning that chalk is for coloring, not eating. We are learning the true meaning of "No Ma'am"... she gets her pouty face on when you tell her no. She's almost a pro at the mini 4-wheeler, it only took a few minutes for her to catch on to that. Next up, pink Barbie Jeep. She can't be sporting the blue and green and me-downs. She needs to feel and look like a princess! She's still me good little eater. I keep telling my self, I won't get lazy, I won't get lazy. When Cooper was her age, I was working a full time job and it was easy to make PB&J all the time... hence his LOVE for them. However, the new rule in the house now, is that Cooper has to try ONE new thing a day. And you know what, the majority of things he says, hey its good. Like he know will eat Mac-N-Cheese. I know what you are thinking, what kid wouldn't love mac-n-cheese from day one, but you know who is father (and grandfather-cough cough, Papa Jeff) are right?!  :) AND Cooper also found out that he does love grapes. So as they say, we are making baby steps... he didn't like Shrimp and we aren't even going to let him try filet Mignon for fear he will love it!

LOVE