It ain't summer till you go to the beach...

I have been itching to get to the beach and FINALLY we're going!!!! We're leaving Wednesday and heading to Gulf Shores. Amber, Duncan & Harper are going with us and I know we'll have a blast!! Whit & Harper are close in age and they have so much fun playing together. So, I'm sure I'll have lots of cutie pics of the kids to post when we return...but for now I have packing and planning to do...amber and i have been discussing food and such for a week now! yes, we are over-planners and we can't help it!!

A tour of the Ballard's house

I took LOTS of pictures of Sarah & Nate's new house yesterday! I know some of you have been waiting to see the pics, so here they are! I attempted to make it like a tour of the house so I hope you can get the idea.

Front of house (obviously!!)
The Ballards!! aren't they cute!! they are coming up on their 1st anniversary very soon...july 7th
view from front porch looking onto Myrtle Street

when you come to the back of the house there is a detached garage and a very tiny efficiency apartment (although i don't think anyone could live in it in the state its in!!) But, Sarah planted some pretty flowers in front to add some color and prettiness to the back of the house...
if you stood in front of that car you would be facing the garage/apartment and the flowers in the above pictures...then you walk down these steps into the patio area and to the back door...
here is the back door to the house...enters into the kitchen...
back door...laundry area is in the kitchen for now...they want to move it into their master bathroom/dresing area eventually.
sarah's least favorite room in the house, hence the thumbs down...THE KITCHEN!!! AAAHHH...seriously people...this kitchen is pretty bad...she painted everything a very dark burgandy wine color...and it is a BAD paint job at that. Being that Nate is a chef, they plan to gut the kitchen, hopefully next summer, and start from scratch. Its kinda funny to see all of their bring colored kitchen stuff against this awful color...I think sarah hates it not only b/c of the yuckiness, but b/c it doesn't look "cute"!!! love you, sa!!

Dining room...view from the kitchen
looking into the kitchen...
side of dining room...this is the china cabinet that our grandmother gave them...isn't it beautiful!! and our father made the rocking chair you see in the corner of this picture. we have one too!

Living room...this picture shows the dining room opening and the hallway...
different view of the living room...this is from entering the front door...
and another view....
and another

Guest bathroom...I love this bathroom! I love the green and crisp white & black...crazy lady left the candellabra chandelier (no idea how to spell those two words!!) anyway, the room looks really good now that they've added fresh paint and a new pedastool sink and new faucet...and the cute hand towel w/ the "B" monogrammed on it was our housewarming gift to Sarah & Nate!!
Here is Whit demonstrating how to flush a toilet
Sarah's fun peacock's are a great accent in this bathroom!

Sarah & Nate's room...a very pretty light blue
The master bathroom...unique turquoise! there is also a "dressing room" off this bathroom but i wasn't able to get a picture of it...that is where they are storing a lot of tools, etc.
the toilet "nook"

Leaving the living room, this hallway leads to the bedrooms...
guest bedroom with wonderful built-ins and 2 closets!
the yucky-green 3rd room...i think they will use it as an office first, then maybe a nursery one day??!!?? they have yet to paint this room so don't think this is the color they picked out!
the built-ins in the 3rd bedroom....the lady who lived here was crazy and painted dark colors everywhere!!

Rub-a-dub-dub

Whit's new thing to do in the tub is get on his belly and then put his face in the water and blow bubbles!!
Such a happy child!!

A Whale of a Good Time

We went whaling at Maggie's house last week!! Whit was the only boy this time which is pretty unusual. Here is Maggie not too happy that her mommy went inside to get her sippy cup.
Ella like the Newk's cup

After the swimming, Maggie wanted to get a little studying in...i think this is a human biology textbook!!
Ella wanted to chat on the phone.

Whit LOVES ice!!
These boys also love this wagon!!!
sugar infused ice!!! yummy!!!
i think he was just looking at the grass?!? who knows??
The boys and their cooler...don't worry, ice only!

Fun in the Sun

We had a fun day on Saturday playing in the yard...the sprinkler, ice in a cooler & popsicles are SO popular with Whit & Aiden!!!

Happy Fathers Day Buddy!!

Here are a few pics from Buddy getting his Fathers Day happies!
The motorcycle that Whit picked out for Buddy (he wants a real one...i'm not so into that idea, but i did find a card in the shape of a motorcycle!!)
A mousepad for Buddy to take to work with a picture of Buddy & Whit
Buddy's cards, mousepad, handprint mug and a new Dallas Cowboys t-shirt...Happy Fathers Day Buddy...WE LOVE YOU!!

Fun places to play

In the last few days, Whit has found two new fun places to play...his toy boxes!!! (doesn't that make perfect sense?!?!) He kinda fell into the one in his room b/c he was reaching for his paci, but then he discovered that he was right there sitting on his toys.

Then a day or two ago, he decided to get into the one in the living room...I think he realized it, too, was fun to sit in!!