Summer FUN!

We had such a fun time at mom's house for the Bennis Family Reunion! It was so wonderful to see everyone and seeing Julia with her cousins "Ronnie" {Ryan} and "An-yeen" {Angelene} was priceless! We had a few beach days but otherwise we lounged all week in the backyard by the pool... it was HEAVEN! Family is so important and I feel so lucky to have been blessed with amazing family!

The whole crew... minus photographer Uncle Joe

Taking a break from the big pool and hangin' with Gigi...

 BUBBLES!!!

 My water-bug...

 Being silly with Annie Sue...

 'An-yeen' {Angelene} and 'Aunt Minnie' {Aunt Mary}

 Sam still with a smile on his face after the 4x4, fries and shake!

OOPS the flower was over watered!

So after splashing water to dilute the OOPS it's turned into a cousin dance party! These girls have MOVES

 Even Gigi played 'Corn hole' / Bags...

Nana's horsey was a huge hit with the kids... frequently there was a line! Uncle Joe thought JJ's pajamas were quite fitting for a photo op! "Pony Rides 50 Cents"

Lubing up with sunscreen before one of the beach days...

Needless to say everyone was greatly missed when we all had to get back to our own realities! But we keep busy with dress up, beach days, date nights, Father's Day, Julia's first time bowling and Annie Sue's Graduation kicked off all of the summer festivities. :)

Here is JJ and Gigi eating puffs between the grad ceremony and going out to dinner...

'Annie Sue' did it! Class of 2011 -We went to the graduation, had dinner at Elephant Bar and then came back to our house for a pre-party to her after party plans. Pre-after party goodies {sangria not pictured}! 

Julia hearts dressing up. Adding a tutu is a must... but it usually includes a wand... crown... and as you see in her 'watermoney' outfit an actual slice of watermelon. She is a fashionista that LOVES accessories! Oy!

 A rare date night when 'Nanny' kicks us out of the house during her visits. Thanks Mom! XO

 Beach day... digging and filling a hole with the water. Her favorite! Note her water shoes... still not a huge fan of sand.

 ...any body of water will do for our water-bug!

Father's Day 2011 - Julia made Daddy his first homemade tie {Courtesy of Art Soup}

 ...with both of his kids!

 1st Bowling experience... she got her first spare at Ryan's birthday!

 'Annie Sue' introducing Julia to 'Lil Mer-may' {The Little Mermaid} Duke liked it too!

Just had to include this... Can you tell which picture is BEFORE nap and which one was AFTER nap! Just like her mama - this kid needs her sleep.



Julia's "Happy Day" - birth week celebration!

Okay... so this was back in July - but remember my "I'm Back" revival post? ...I'm a work in progress! And I thought a great place to start is Julia's 'HAPPY DAY' as she would say. Just like Mommy... Julia's birthday turned into a Birth-Week, as it should! Began with her 'Par-dee' at Art Soup, then special day painting with 'Annie Sue', Scripps Birch Aquarium with Daddy, Mommy, Nana, Papa & 'Annie Sue' and a fun filled day at Sea World with friends Nola, Gavin and Olive for her actual 'happy day' ended with a cookout with neighbors 'Addie {Allie}, Ronnie {Ryan}, Beff {Beth} and Rad {Brad}' along with Grandpa and Grandma and of course Mommy, Daddy, Duke and 'Annie Sue' that culminated with a 'happy day' dance party!

Julia turned T-W-O on July 12th and it started with her "Happy Day Par-dee" at Art Soup a week before her actual birthday!
What a magical celebration... Art Soup dotted every 'i' and crossed every 't' - Miss. Julia had so much fun celebrating with all of her little friends and painting, drawing and exploring the toddler wet room they created for us. She also had tons of fun with her Annie Sue creating Minnie and Mickey puppets. The Minnie Birthday Crown Art Soup made is still (to this day) a huge hit! We really embraced the Art theme for the party, from painter palette invitations and cupcakes to all of the creative and interactive activities {14' plexiglas's easel, VW Bug Car to paint, craft bar, chalk board fire truck and so much more} Art Soup has to offer. But when Tiffany - one of the owners asked what Julia was into as we were trying to decide on an additional craft for the party, I said Minnie and Mickey with no hesitation. They intertwined aspects of Minnie and Mickey into so many intricacies of her party - it was amazing! From the butcher paper Mickey silhouette 'table cloths', to the "Happy Birthday Julia" banner with Mickey ears to her Happy Birthday Minnie Birthday Crown, to the puppet crafts, to the 'happy birthday julia' mickey silhouette necklaces... they hit absolutely every mark! It couldn't have been better and my little angel had a great time with her friends. {to learn more about Art Soup you can check them out at http://www.artsoupsd.com/ } Here are some pics from her party...

Getting ready with Mommy the morning of her party... yes she puts a tutu on just because!

Now she's all ready to go to her 'Happy Day Par-dee'



Party Time...

Painting...

Making Minnie puppet craft with 'Annie Sue'...

With Mommy & Daddy...



Lunch with my friends...



Mmmm PIZZA...

Sweet Stop...

CHEESE...

All the time that 'Annie Sue' and Julia spend together is special but they have never had a paint playdate before. Julia talked about it FOREVER. We have the artwork hanging up in the house... she often points to it and says 'me an Annie Sue payneen'. 'Annie Sue' put together this collage to highlight one of their magical memories. XOXOXO

THEN on her actual Birthday, we had a Birthday playdate with some friends at Sea World {Julia's 1st visit} and boy did she have fun with the fishies!!!

She loved the new sea turtle exhibit... here is she and Nola taking it all in! Nose to the glass...literally! Precious...

LASTLY, we capped off her Birth-week with a BBQ with family and friends. She opened her dollhouse and went nuts and ended the evening with a crazy dance party!

Here with 'Addie' and 'Ronnie' before the dance party infront of her new doll house...

Julia dance-dancing...



*sigh*... we had fun!

Hiatus is an understatment!

Ok, embarrassing... I've been "hoping" to update our blog for quite some time (another understatement) but my new favorite quote is...
"Hope is not a Strategy"!
I'm learning that being busy is a blessing not a burden and we make time for the important things... so here I am, making time. So much is happening and time just seems to go by faster with each passing day. I am a work in progress and am focusing on turning my 'hopes' and 'dreams' into strategy and plans!
Wish me luck :)