#124 - Daddy's Day, Hilton Head and Mommy's new hobby

A lot has been going on in the Saez household. First, today is Father's day. The day out of the year that we designate as the day to honor all the Daddies in the world. We hope that your day was very special, whether you celebrated with your father, celebrated from far away, or celebrated in memory.

Owen was especially excited to give his Daddy the little gift that he had made him (well, made with a little help from Mom). Owen just can't wait for that first fishing trip with his Daddy. I think it's coming pretty soon - as soon as the temperature drops a bit down here. And, if you can't tell, that's Owen's footprint inside of the fish.

This weekend, Lou had to attend a pharmacy conference in Hilton Head, so the little guy and I tagged along. A weekend at the Crowne Plaza, with its three pools, and endless beaches, well, could you blame us? Despite Lou being in class a good bit of the weekend, we managed to turn it into a little Father's day getaway. Owen did remarkably well in the hotel. He was so captivated by all the new sights and activities that he totally wore himself out. We got to hang out at the pool most of Saturday and Sunday, where he tested out his new floaties (life jacket thingy), and build sandcastles at the beach.

Midday Saturday, my cousin, Holly, and her two children met us for lunch. It was the first time we'd seen Peter since last summer, and the very first time we'd met little Ellie. Peter looks just like his Daddy, and is the sweetest little boy. He and Owen immediately started playing together and doing all the boy stuff - climbing things, chasing each other, etc. I love that our children are about the same age. It brings back such wonderful memories of the relationships I had with my cousins growing up.

Ellie is a cutie pie! She's a big girl, and all squishy and loving, and just the sweetest thing ever. She looks so much like her grandmother, I think. Here are a few pictures from our lunch:

This first picture of the boys is great......

but this one, I think, is just priceless!

Here's little Ellie, with her belly full and about to fall asleep. I could just squeeze those cheeks all day!!!

Here we are hanging out at the beach....

My handsome husband, who is also a wonderful, loving, patient father to our son. We are truly blessed!

Remember for Mother's Day.... Lou bought me a sewing machine. Well, I've been taking a few sewing classes to learn how to use the machine, and with the help of a good friend, I made this little outfit for Owen last week! Can you believe it? I'm the most non-domestic, uncreative woman I know, yet, for some reason, I've really enjoyed learning to sew, and I'm quite proud of my newest creations.

#69 - Home from the Beach

We're home from the beach - well rested, sun tanned, and content.  We had a GREAT time at Hilton Head with our good friends the Tooles (Eric, Claire, Marshall-6, Callie-4 and Henry-almost 2) and the Gammons (Chad, Jennifer, Charlie-almost 3 and Blake-4 months).  Eric, Chad and I first met almost ten years ago at SunTrust in the Gwinnett Commercial days.  It's awesome that we all are still friends.

Hilton Head was so much fun.  We stayed in a fabulous beach house right next to the ocean, with a private pool (a rather small pool, yet big enough for us), an awesome location, and tons of room for all twelve of us.  We ate, drank, swam in the pool, swam in the ocean, ate, drank, rode bikes, walked on the beach, ate, drank and slept.  Usually in about that order.  The weather was perfect.  One day it got really hot - we had to cut our bike ride pretty short after we all started over heating.  But, overall, a perfect vacation for us.  We can't wait to do it again!

Owen enjoyed the beach.  As is typical these days, he tries to put everything in his mouth.  That included ocean water and fistfuls of sand.  Yuck.  Hilton Head is great because during low tide, there are all these little tidal pools on the beach, and they ended up being the perfect, contained spot for O to play.  

A picture of little Blake.  He's such a sweet heart.  He hardly ever cries and just loved being outside in his little swing enjoying the ocean air.

Here's Lou on one of our bike rides.

Callie and Claire in the pool.  Callie's doll, Arial, was a hit amongst all the boys, Owen included.

Chilling in the pool....

From left, Claire, Owen, Henry, Eric, Callie, Marshall, Chad, Charlie and Jenn.

Marshall and Henry hanging out with Eric.

Owen got to taste his first ice-cream cone.  He's inherited the gene for ice-cream obsession, we believe.  He gets it from his dad, who is known to have had three bowls of ice-cream in one day. One for breakfast, even.

Mr. Henry looking too cool for school in his Spiderman googles.

Chad and Cutie-Pie Charlie

Jennifer and Blake chillaxin on the beach.

Teaching Owen how to drink from a solo cup - getting him ready for football season....

Callie having fun in a tidal pool.  The funny thing is that she and the other kids did not have on their bathing suit and were supposed to "stay dry" that night.  Ha ha!

Owen and me on a walk at night.

It was pretty windy that night!

On Thursday morning, we went to Harbourtown for breakfast, and then walked around the Harbour.  

Owen enjoying the swings in the playground at Harbourtown.  What you don't see here is about 3 seconds after this picture was taken he fell forward, and had it not been for Lou's quick grab, would have ended up on his head!  We'll be sticking to the swings with straps from now on....

Here's the view from our bedroom balcony.

And, one last picture of the Saez boys in the ocean.

This afternoon, while I was unpacking, this is where I found Owen.  That boy will climb into anything!

Still loving that truck.

My sweet sister took care of Cocoa for us this week, so today, Owen and I met Jenifer and Mom in Brunswick to pick up the dog.  Owen loved seeing his aunt and Nana and had tons of kisses for them!

Okay, back to the real world for us now.  Sorry for the incredibly long post.

Love,

Katie, Lou and Owen