Isle of Palms

I am blogging today from the Coastal Retreat center looking at the ocean. It doesn't get much better than this. We go every year with our church group. Unfortunately nobody was able to come with us except a family from out community this year. We are still having fun though! Blake has really started to get brave while we've been here. He is taking a lot of steps and even walking a short little distance by himself. He's made a couple of dive-bombs but is doing well overall. He's babbling all the time and pointing at everything. 

     The weather here has been good for the most part. Monday was fantastic, yesterday was beautiful in the am but rainy in the afternoon and today the weather has been sunny and hot. We took Blake down to the ocean on Monday and he had a blast! He didn't want to get out. I may try to take him back down there today but have to have time to shop, hahaha! Hope everybody is doing well!

Blake's First Birthday

Blake's first birthday fell on a Saturday so it was perfect timing for a party! We rented out a picnic shelter and the pool at Camp Kinard and had a little cookout. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the food was great. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! Blake got so many nice gifts and he was having a blast in the pool. He was asleep before we got in the car to go home. 

Lake Norman Birthdays

My cousin Alisa and her family are home from China for several months. Her son turned one at the end of April, and her daughter turns 3 just several days after Blake turns one. Since they were home, we decided to do a birthday party for the three of them up at the Beam lake house on Lake Norman. We got there around lunchtime and had a great meal. Then we did the boat rides and jet skiing. After Zeb and Kayleigh took their naps, we did cake, ice cream and gifts. 

     I really didn't think Blake would dig into his cake, and I was right. He touched it a couple times and ended up just painting his whole body with icing. Zeb however, dominated his cake and ice cream and would've eaten the whole big cake if it would've been within his reach. It was hilarious and I got the best laugh watching him eat his cake. He was truly having a good time. Kayleigh used a fork and ate her cake like a lady. After the boys (whom we called Shrek and Smurf because of the color of their icing) finished eating/painting, we threw (not literally) them into the lake to wash off. They both absolutely loved the water and like the little floats we had them in. 

     I hated to leave because I was having a really good time. My family is very important to me and I think sometimes I get a little too sentimental. I wish we lived closer to our NC family but 2 and a half hours isn't too bad. Could be way worse I suppose. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics of our little birthday group!

Music Recital

I've been teaching piano lessons at Gilbert Music Vault since 2006. We currently offer piano, guitar, drum, violin and pretty much anything with strings lessons. Since all of the other teachers are guys, I decided last year that we needed to hold an annual recital. Last year it went well although I didn't get to go because I was 9 months prego and got put on bedrest 2 days before the recital. This year we had it at our church on Friday, May 29th and it was amazing. Our teachers are truly blessed with gifts of musical talent and it shows through our students. They did a fantastic job and a good time was had by all. We had at least 100 people and the fellowship hall was packed! If you want to come see a good concert, come join us next year!