Dog Days of Summer

Here are the pictures that go with the videos.  When I look at these it makes me so happy that I am a Floirda girl raising another Florida girl.  There is nothing better than swimming in your backyard until you can't swim another stroke.  That is the way we Florida kids roll in the summer!

Pool Time with Texas

When Mike got home from work today he decided to take Peyton for a much needed dip in the pool.  She loves to jump in from the side, however she isn't a big fan of Texas attacking her hiney to get her to jump.  Take a look...

A park date

It is so hot outside and the thought of going out to play in the afternoon is enough to make me cry.  So I decided to get an early start today and take Peyton to the the splash pad at the park.  We were the first ones there and she was content to play by herself while I sat in the shade and watched.  After masses of children in summer camp showed up she was done and I was grateful.  As reward to her for behaving so well and me for being pregnant, we stopped for ice cream on the way home.   A pretty successful Tuesday morning!

28 Weeks - 78 days to go!

I realized today that I haven't mentioned much about being pregnant and how it's going.  So here is a quick update.  I am 28 weeks pregnant tomorrow.  The doctor just scheduled my csection, which will be September 25th, unless CJ decides to come early.  Other than that, nothing exciting to report.  I am growing larger and more uncomfortable by the day but also more excited to meet this little guy too!

We talk to Peyton a lot about CJ and what it will be like when he gets here.  I really think she is excited to have a baby brother.  She tells me that she is going to hold CJ and "let CJ sleep in my bed when he cries".  She is going to be an amazing big sister!  Mike and I can't wait for this family of three to be a family of four.

I had to include this picture of Peyton with her bee glasses on.  She got them at Kenley's 1st birthday party yesterday and she loves them!

Happy Monday!

Oh Summer!

There isn't much else to do on blistering summer days in Florida besides saty indoors or swim.  While Peyton hasn't quite mastered full blown swimming, she sure has got a knack for fearlessly jumping off the sides.

Happy Sunday to all!  Stay cool!

Peyton's First Fishing Tournament

Yesterday Peyton fished for the first time in a kids fishing tournament.  It was for ages 3-15, so not only did she just make the cut but I am pretty sure she was the youngest kid participating.  We were joined by almost  the entire Whitaker family.  Needless to say we had quite a few expert fishermen along for assistance and some friendly competition.

 The morning started kinda slow.  It was REALLY hot and we weren't catching much.  But while we were waiting we found this adorable baby sea turtle floating on some sea grass by the dock. 

 He couldn't have been more than a week old.  Craig thinks he was displaced by Tropical Storm Debby last week, as he was inland and not near the beach.  We took a few quick photos and put him right back.  He was the cutest little creature I have seen in a long time!

 Here is the first fish caught from our group by Connor.  A man on the dock told us it was a black bass.  That fish started the competition off for our group right away.  Connor was fishing with his Papa, and Peyton was fishing with Unlce Craig and Mike.  The boys were about to get serious!

 Aunt Nicole and I were on bait, drink and snack duty for the day.  Which meant we would say things like, "Anyone need a water?" and then we would find a fan to sit in fromt of for 10 minutes and then take the water to the needy person.  It was a rough job! :)

 Riggin' hooks...

 Fishing...

 Her first fish on the line! 

 And there it is a 30 pound catfish!  Just kidding but it does look big in that picture right?  I believe her first fish was 13 ounces and 14 inches long.  Not bad for a little tike.

After each fish the kids took them in for a weigh in and then they were released.  Kids were running every direction all day.  It was so fun to watch!

 Fish #2

 She caught 7 catfish in total, so evetually I stopped photgraphing each one.  But each time she caught one she was so proud.  She would start screaming, "It's the biggest fish ever!".  People on the docks would clap and cheer as the kids passed by and Peyton would smile so big as she marched her fish to weigh in!

 Connor and his Papa caught the coolest animal by far.  A 29" stingray.  He won an award for most unique fish of the day. 

 Peyton and he fishing buddy, Uncle Craig.  She has been telling us all about their special day.

The tournament so amazing for the kids. No matter what each kid got a prize.  Peyton could have selected any number of prizes when it was her turn, a fishing pole, tackle box or a huge fishing net, but she chose a small pink fishing net.  She had seen them on the table earlier in the day and asked me to get her one.  I explained that they were prizes and that she might win one but we couldn't buy one.  So sure enough my girl remembered that little net and that is what she chose.  We had such a fun day with everyone and I know it is a memory Peyton will keep forever!  Happy Fishing everyone!