#236 - Fishing for Snakes

Who needs to live on a lake, or the ocean or near a river, when an empty lot next door works just the same for "practice fishing" as Owen calls it.  He loves to cast his fishing rod, watching the line travel 20, 30, 40 ft away, and then reel it back in.  Sometimes he catches swordfish, sometimes redfish, and sometimes he goes fishing for snakes.  Yes, snakes.

He saw a snake at Ms. Bobbie's house this weekend, and promptly told us that the snake was "pushinguss" and that means that "pushing" gets in your body if you get bit and you "die real fast" before you can even get to "Daddy's work" (a hospital).  

He wanted to go fishing for snakes last night, and if you listen closely, you can hear how he describes the snake.

Being the mother of boys is so much fun!

#235 - What a Racket!

#234 - Happy Father's Day 2012!

We celebrated Father's Day weekend with a trip to the beach on Saturday.  It wasn't until we were packing up to leave that we realized this was Benjamin's first trip to the beach.  He did pretty well, except for the first fifteen minutes or so - as soon as he saw the sand, he shoved a fist-full of it in his mouth.  It took a lot of water and tears before he was better!

But, we all had a great time at Tybee!  We swam in the ocean, looked for crabs, tried to catch little fish in our nets, and walked up and down the beach.  It was a near perfect day - highs in the 80s and very breezy.  And, it was a perfect way to celebrate Father's Day and honor Lou for being a wonderful, loving dad.  Our boys are truly so blessed to have him as a daddy.  

Father's Day 2012

Owen and Benjamin enjoyed filling buckets with sand

Check out the video - you can see the baby crab Owen caught. 

Going to the beach sure does wear you out!  Benjamin fell asleep with the bottle hanging from his mouth.  He stayed like that all the way home.  Ha Ha!

Sunday morning, Lou got plenty of Daddy Time in with his boys.  They love climbing all over him!

This weekend, Owen found a dead frog in our driveway.  Yuck!!!  After he picked it up, I told him to go throw it away in the side lot next to our house because I didn't want him playing with it.  Well, unbeknownst to me..... instead of throwing it in the lot, he opened up his Daddy's car door and threw it onto the floor board.  Later that day, when Lou climbed into his Explorer, he had a dead friend waiting for him at his feet.  Can you believe Owen?  That little stinker!  When Lou asked him how the frog got in his car, Owen started giggling and laughing and fessed up to putting it there.  He was so proud of himself!  Happy Father's Day!

#233 - Memorial Day Weekend in North Carolina

We met the Tylutki's and Abuela Isa in North Carolina over Memorial Day weekend.  It was a really great family vacation, and well worth the long drive to get there!  It was wonderful seeing everyone, especially since the Tylutki's had not seen Owen or Benjamin since November.  

Unfortunately, little Benjamin woke up the morning of our trip with a fever, and felt puny the entire weekend.  Bless his heart.  The little guy just can't catch a break.  If you remember, the last time we saw them, at Thanksgiving, Benjamin was sick then too.  One of these days, they'll get to love on a happy and healthy baby!

But, despite Benjamin being sick, we loved spending time with the familia.  We rented a great house in a community called Bear Lake Reserve, which is near Cashiers and Sylva, North Carolina, right in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains.  The weather was beautiful, and the scenery was breathtaking.

As soon as Noah and Grace arrived, Owen was in heaven.  He spent every second with the two of them, playing and laughing, and enjoying time with his primos.  As usual, Gracie was so, so helpful with both of the boys.  She read to them, played with them, changed Benjamin's diaper (ha ha!), and sang to him when he was sick.  She's such a sweetie!

And, it was really special to spend time with Susan, Mark and Abuela Isa.  Even though we talk almost daily, and skype often, there's nothing like waking up in the same house together!

And, there's nothing better than a grandmother with ALL of her grandkids together.

The community not only had great views, but also had ponds to fish in, hiking trails, and an awesome set of pools and hot tubs.  We had a blast!

Daddy and Owen fishing.  Owen caught tons of fish!

Noah, Grace, Susan and Mark

Noah and his Tito Louie - it doesn't matter where we are, Noah is just thrilled to be with his godfather!

In front of the pool, overlooking the lake

The four grandkids - Noah, Benjamin, Grace and Owen - sitting on the edge of the pool

Another family picture!

Swimming in the pool

And, Abuela Isa was happy as ever to sit on the sidelines, holding Benjamin, and watch all of us play

When Benjamin got tired, she took him inside the clubhouse, let him nap in her arms, and watched us through the windows.  God is good.  :-)

Most everyone went canoeing or kayaking in the lake.  It was so fun to watch them from above!

It was a wondeful weekend, and we can't wait to see the Michigan gang again in July!

Somehow, we never got a family picture of the four of us, so this one will have to do.

Love, the Savannah gang

#232 - Bumble Bee Birthday Party

This weekend, we celebrated Benjamin's birthday at our home.  It was a special day, marked with perfect weather, filling food, and pretty great friends and family. 

We had a fun 1st Bee-Day Party - bumble bees were the theme, from the invitations to the food (Bar-Bee-Q) to the decor and the delicious cupcakes:

Here are some pictures from the party:

INSERT BATH TIME HERE TO CLEAN THE GOBS OF YELLOW FROSTING FROM BENJAMIN'S HAIR

A special thank you to everyone who celebrated with us, whether in person or from afar.  We truly appreciate it!

#231 - Happy Birthday Sweet Benjamin

Happy Birthday to our precious little boy, Benjamin Lawrence Saez!  It's hard to believe that he's turning a year old, and no longer a tiny infant, but becoming a big boy.  

As we think back through his first year of life, there are so many wonderful memories we have.  He's been a happy baby, with a smile that just melts your heart.  His eyes are dark like his brother's and his mommy's, and his cheeks are so cute that you can't help pinch them.  And his hair.... where did it all come from?  We've had to trim it a few times to keep it out of his eyes.  It's a dark, auburn brown, soft as a feather.  

And, his personality is just precious.  He's his mommy's boy, his daddy's buddy, and his brother's best friend.  He adores each of us.  He follows us around the house, and is content playing with pretty much anything that is not a toy - cups, plates, shoes, purses, trash cans....  He's an independent child, but absolutely loves playing with Owen.  They chase each other from room to room, read books together and make each other giggle.

He's got just a little bit of a temper.  If Owen takes away something he's been holding, he will throw his head back and let out quite the scream.  And, if one of us say no to him, he will put his head down on the ground and cry.  He definitely knows how to communicate!

Benjamin Lawrence completes our family.  He is a blessing to us and brings us immense joy.  We are grateful for his sweet face and loving disposition.  And, we are so proud of him and thrilled to be celebrating his 365th day of life.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin!