friends

It's strange to think that just over 3 years ago none of these little people were here.

Instead, it was just me, Gabriel, Crystal, and Micah in this place on Friday nights with good food and the latest episode of Lost.

Things have changed a bit since then, but it's hard to imagine life any other way. These four are bound to be friends.

a bit too sweet

Liam is turning into a very nurturing big brother.

Whenever River drops his pacifier, Liam tries to put it back into his mouth, and when River is crying, Liam will gently pat his back or his head and say it's ok, River, it's ok.

He has always been a sweet boy, but never showed much interest in stuffed toys or dolls, and certainly didn't seem especially sensitive to others feelings. So his attentiveness to River's needs has come as a big pleasant surprise. Well, most of the time.

I was just now in the kitchen with both boys. River was lying on a blanket on the floor, and Liam was beside him, sucking on a lollipop. Next thing I know, the lollipop is in River's mouth, and Liam is saying Here you go, River in the sweetest little voice.

I had to explain that lollipops are a special treat just for big boys like Liam, and he didn't need to share with River. Ok, Mama.

And River just kept smacking his lips at that unexpected taste. I definitely didn't plan for him to get that first taste of sugar at 6 weeks...

River Dancing

Throughout the summer, there is live folk music at the park in downtown Siloam Springs on the second Saturday of each month. Last summer, I realized that listening to this folksy music on a hot humid night and swatting away the bugs, all the while reclining on a blanket, has made me appreciate living in Arkansas a teensy bit more. Rejoicing in these little things that have made Arkansans happy for generations somehow makes me feel more connected to this place. So, yesterday evening we walked down to enjoy the festivities.

River particularly liked the music, and he was grooving to the rhythms. Feast your eyes on some River dancing:

Liam enjoyed the music, too, but he especially liked making friends and mooching some of their food. They were kind enough to share their bananas.

Fun with Everett

Yesterday morning, we went to Fayetteville to visit with Crystal, Simone, and Everett. Spending a morning with such a dear friend does wonders. And our kids enjoy each other's company, too.

Everett and River are 4 months apart, just like Simone and Liam, but the size difference isn't quite as noticeable as it was for their oldser siblings (Oh, Simone, those legs of yours...)

Yep, I'll think they'll be friends.

and one more Destin post...

As much as we played in the sun and the water, that wasn't all that we did in Destin.

Gabriel carried two cranky toddlers for our stressful-so-tired-but-we-have-to-buy-groceries shopping trip.
Liam practiced coloring with Grace and Aunt Carolyn.

We walked around the harbor and saw big boats and fish in the water...

and we saw more fish out of the water...

Saturday morning, we packed up the car and headed home. The oil spill wasn't supposed to reach Destin until Sunday, but as we drove along the coast, we were able to see the effects as nearby as Pensacola, and even more so once we got into Mobile, AL. It's so sad to think about the devastation the spill will cause, not only for the wildlife, but also for the economy in Destin (and all of the gulf...). Destin is such a charming beach town. Not so touristy that it's overkill, but it's hard to imagine Destin without the tourists to support it. Not to mention the fishing industry. Ugh. So so sad.

Since there is no direct highway from Destin back to Siloam Springs, we took the quickest route which meant a series of meandering country highways through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

With more "presents" to keep him entertained, lots of sleep to catch up on, and a tummy full of Krispy Kremes (a very special treat), Liam was a fantastic traveler.

And, apparently, Gabriel has a huge fascination with capitol buildings. We have been married for nearly 7 years, and somehow I never knew this about him. Marriage is full of surprises.

So we stopped to see the Mississippi Capitol building in Jackson.

Where the boys admired a cannon.

And Liam didn't want to seize a picture opportunity...

Then it was back into the car

Until we made it to Little Rock. Another capitol building.

I never thought that being in Arkansas could be such a relief, but after a 17 hour drive, it feels wonderfully like home.

water water water

We spent a lot of time in the water: mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Most of the time it was just the four of us, but one evening Ben , Carolyn, and Grace joined us for a trip to the beach.

We somehow missed the signs for public beach access directly across from our condo, and ended up finding a great little cove in the harbor. Between the fish in the shallows, crabs in the sand, and boats coming and going, there was plenty to keep Liam and Grace occupied. And, the water was great for swimming.

Sweet little Grace.

The resort we stayed at had an amazing pool area, including a lagoon pool, a children's splash area, and a hot tub.

Gabriel loved being in the water even more than Liam...

But swimming is even better when you have a little one to splash with.
Liam's favorite part of the pool area was this fountain area.

And having a ball to splash with is even better. We went back to the beach Friday morning, and the waves were bigger and louder than the other times, which made Liam a little more than nervous.

It took quite a while for him to venture off the beach towel.

Since we planned to be at the beach all morning, we lugged the pack and play out and shaded it with an umbrella. This kept River completely out of the sand and sun, and proved an excellent place for a morning nap.

Gabriel finally persuaded Liam to help him dig a big hole in the sand, big enough that all of the kids playing nearby came and joined in on the fun. Ever the little extrovert, Liam thought the company was great.

This was the closest he wanted to get to the water. It's a good thing Gabriel didn't mind hauling bucket after bucket...

After a morning at the beach, we were ready for some seafood. I wanted to eat at a place that is more about really great food than really great tourism, and we found it here: Dewey Destin's Seafood, a whole in the wall shack overhanging the water in the harbor.

And the fish was as fresh as it gets: Amberjack caught that same morning. Yum!

After a long morning of playing, Liam was ready for a nap. He fell asleep in the car, and we drove around Destin for over an hour so he'd get some sleep.

It was a beautiful morning.

To Florida

We were on the road by 7 am Tuesday morning. This was the short drive of our trip: a mere 6 hours from Huntsville, Alabama to Destin, Florida.

Our boys are great travelers.

River slept the majority of the time, snuggled up in his car seat, which he seems to actually enjoy being in now.

Taking a cue from my own childhood road trips, we prepared several small "presents" for Liam to open periodically along the way. Things like a dinosaur figurine, a coloring book, stickers, lacing cards... all wrapped up and waiting for him to open them up. It's really amazing how much easier these small surprises made the trip for our energetic two-year old.

Welcome to Florida!

Back when we first learned that River was going to be born at the end of April, we decided to postpone our usual Memorial Day weekend trip to the farm in Iowa until August. Gabriel and I both thought that we wouldn't be up to a road trip with a newborn.

But then after River was born, and we realized that adjusting to life with two kids wasn't so bad, or at least that life at home is just as difficult as it would be on vacation, we thought we'd make a trip to Alabama for a visit. Not long after making those travel plans, Ben invited our family to join his for what is actually his work conference with very hospitable accomodations, including an extra room in their condo.

And that is how we came to find ourselves staying at this fancy schmancy resort on Destin Beach:

Gabriel and I planned to spend the next morning on the beach with our two boys while Ben attended meetings and Carolyn stayed in the condo with Grace.

After slathering ourselves with sunscreen, wrestling Liam into his swimwear, and gathering all of the beach necessities, we went to catch the shuttle to the beach, which started service at 9 am.

When the lady at the front desk politely informed me that the shuttle wouldn't begin service until 9 am, it took me a minute to register what she was saying. What time is it? It's only 8 am. What?

Apparently, the clock in our room was set to the wrong time zone...

So, Liam got to run around and splash in the puddles on the tennis courts while we waited for the real 9 am to come around.

Finally on the shuttle, which took us across the busy highway to Henderson State Park. Liam thought the shuttle ride was very cool indeed.

The last time Liam saw the beach was back in September. This was long ago enough that he looked clueless when we told him we were going to the beach.

When we first came down the steps, Liam saw the white sand and shouted, "SNOW!" But as soon as he stepped into it, he declared "Shoes off."

This is an extra large sand box.

As exciting as all of that sand was for him, Liam wasn't so sure about the water and those scary waves.

There's nothing like sitting in the sun with my toes in the sand.

River napped well out of the sun in the warmth of the gulf breeze.

What a rough life. Yawn.

Gabriel preferred to lay back at the water's edge, and ended up with a lot of sand in his pants...

And what would a giant sandbox be without sand toys?