Pre-Christmas Family Dinner

Because of our various schedules and other family get togethers, we all got together the Wednesday before Christmas to celebrate with the Lovoy clan. Dinner was delicious--shrimp with roasted red peppers and tomatoes, salad, bread and tortonis for dessert. (Bamma is one mean cook!)

After dinner, Carter and Callen opened presents from Aunt Emily and Uncle Steve. Carter received a Toy Story alien "fishing" game, Callen received a princess card game and they both received "Hungry, Hungry Hip.pos" to play as well. Of course, they had to try them out immediately and all of us were pressed into service to play.

Checking out the lighted up Christmas house

Steve, Carter, Callen, Sue, and Emily visiting before opening presents

Sue, Big Pat and Carter getting the alien game working

Steve and Emily helping Callen set up the Hippos

Carter and Big Pat fishing for aliens

Carter wins the fishing game

Big Pat, Carter, Bamma, and Callen pause for a picture

Ken acting as his usual self trying to antagonize me

Big Pat is the proud "keeper" of Callen's sucker

Steve, Carter, Callen and Emily play the inaugural game

Callen showing Bamma how to play cards

2 + 4 = 5 Busy Days

Earlier this summer, I agreed to help Bamma keep my nephew and niece at LBF for a week. My sister had requested this as her birthday present so that she could have some "grown up time" and a chance to do some decorating/work around her house. Little did I know how much fun I would have (and how tired I would be) by the end of the week.

I got to LBF about mid-afternoon Monday. As I began to unload my stuff from the car, I heard little voices saying, "Aunt B? You here?" Carter and Callen had awakened from their naps and were ready to play! I quickly brought my things inside and then we all went out to play.

A late afternoon swim in "Bamma's Pool"

Callen decided that she needed to wear Carter's goggles to see

Waiting for the dolphins on the dock by "Big Pat's Water"

Tuesday brought another day of playing in the pool and playing outside. Carter and Callen thought it was great fun to ride their toys on the front deck.

Trying to ride two at a time on the Diego Hot-Wheels

Supervising the drying of Bonsai after his bath

Callen saying, "Nanny Boo Boo," trying to get Carter to chase her

That afternoon, as the sun was setting, we went down to the dock. As luck would have it, the dolphins came into the harbor to feed. There was obviously a young one in the group and he/she kept surfacing and slapping his/her tail on the surface of the water. Just as it was leaving the harbor, it made a HUGE leap completely out of the water! Carter and Callen both saw it and thought it was just the neatest thing EVER!!! As they ate dinner, Bamma told them both that we would be going on an "adventure" tomorrow morning, to which Callen replied, "Swim in Bamma's pool?" We told her that we were going to do that too, but there was something else we were going to do first.

Wednesday morning, we got everyone up, dressed, and out the door just before 7:00 A.M. We headed over into Florida and stopped in Perdido Key at the McD's to get everyone a chocolate shake. Then, we made our way to the Pensacola Naval Air Station to watch the Blue An.gels practice. Carter wasn't sure about the whole situation at first, but he warmed to it quickly once he saw all the planes landing and taking off. He really enjoyed watching the tricks the Angels did and watching them "catch up to each other" for their stunts. The one thing that caught us all off guard (and made us jump about three feet into the air) was the flyover from behind where we were sitting. Callen watched for a little while, but I think she got hot and then kind of dozed off on Bamma's lap.

Showing off her fashionable sun hat

One of the Blue Ang.els formations

(They are only 18 inches apart)

Carter enjoying the "Over the Top" formation

Thursday was Sue's birthday, so we started off the day by calling her and singing "Happy Birthday" to her. Carter and Callen told her all about the Blue Angels. (Callen kept saying, "I ride in the strower, Mommy.") We played in the pool most of the morning and after lunch and naps, they rode and played on the porch.

Bamma, the manicurist

Carter and Callen playing outside and yelling, "Bamma!" through the window

Kicking back, relaxing, while watching Diego

Friday morning, we asked them if they wanted to go swimming before we went to meet Mommy. They both emphatically said, "No!" We spent some time gathering all the toys and clothes they had brought and then went outside on the porch where we played and sang for awhile. Both Carter and Callen would ask periodically, "Are we going to meet Mommy?" and finally, it was time. We met Sue in Greenville and handed off the kiddos.

Mom and I had a GREAT time with them, but we were worn out by the time we got back here Friday night. I do hope that they had as much fun as I did!

Slacker

And, yes, I'm referring to me as the "slacker." This summer seems to have gotten away from me. I had every intention of doing a better job blogging during my time off this summer, but we all know the saying about good intentions.

In the mean time, here are a few snapshots of what's happened between Memorial Day and now:

Carter helping Big Pat and Uncle Steve hoist the flag on the boat

Callen enjoying a popsicle poolside

"Do Mom and Aunt B REALLY need to take 9000 pictures of us?"

Fire in the State Park that started June 25

Hanging out with/on Bamma in the pool

Loading up for Big Pat's Birthday Cruise and Dinner

C-Buddy and the Director of Childcare Services "up top"

The CEO with the Managing Partner

The Keeper of the Director of Boat Operations with the Director of Boat Operations

Hollywood enjoying her "Ice Cocktail" with the Director of Food and Beverage Services in the background

I think we all have had a great summer so far and, hopefully, I'll do a better job keeping everything "ship-shape" in the near future!

The Zoo

And, no, I'm not talking about my classroom! Saturday, I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Birm.ingham Z.oo with Carter, Callen, and Sue. At first, Callen didn't want to have anything to do with me because she thought that I was there to babysit while her mom left. She quickly figured out, however, that that was not the case and that we were all going to the zoo together.

Arriving at the zoo

We loaded up and headed out. The first thing that Carter wanted to see were the elephants. We meandered through the zoo for awhile, Carter chatting about some of the animals we were seeing, what he wanted to see, and announcing that he was there to see the elephants. Callen, on the other hand, was quietly drinking everything in...from the animals to the people around her to everything. She didn't say much until Sue started to push the stroller to which she quickly said, "No, no Mommy! Aunt B push!" And, with that, I became the "official stroller pusher" for the day!

We saw lots of things. It was so great to see them discover the animals. When Carter saw the elephant he was SO excited! He pressed his face up to the fence and was mesmerized. When I asked Callen what the elephant says, she replied, "Roll Tide!" That's one smart girl!

Checking out the elephant

(I love how Callen is copying Carter, squatting down to see through the fence.)

Callen telling me that the elephant says "Roll Tide!"

With Sue and one of the giraffes

Checking out the wild dogs

Looking at the lions

Watching the Pallas Cat

Carter demonstrating what a good lion's roar he has.

We ended our zoo tour with a ride on the train. By that time, I think everyone, Aunt B included, was getting a little sleepy. We headed back home so the kiddos could have some lunch before taking a nap. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the morning at the zoo with them and I can't wait to do more fun things this summer!

Enjoying the train

(Some people were a little sleepy!)