Scalloping in Crystal River

A few short days later we loaded up the girls (including Aunt Kimmy and Haylee!) in the Swagger Wagon and headed out to Crystal River for a long weekend. Winter Haven Gramma and Papa rented a house out there to take advantage of the scalloping this time of year. We all had a blast... lots of fun in the sun! Thursday, upon arrival, Kim, Papa, Bryan and I headed out to the scalloping grounds with lots of luck! I did burn my tooshie but it was worth it. Friday, Kim, Papa, Bryan and I headed out with a fishing guide. We caught enough fish for dinner (and some that got tossed right back in!) but it was HOTTTT!!! Saturday, Uncle Carl, Bryan and I headed out for another scalloping trip. That one wasn't quite as successful. We were fighting with hundreds of other boats for the good spots and the water was a bit too rocky for Uncle Bobo. We had enough scallops for an appetizer... for two people. ;) Sunday was a bit more relaxing and we took a trip out so the girls could swim. We took LOTS of pictures so I'll try to narrow it down as best I can.

Our 'booty' from the first trip out

Cleaning the scallops on the back porch

Time for an evening cruise

My SHARK! I actually caught a keeper Bluefish too believe it or not.

Kim's first Trout! Yummy!!

Dinner time!

Brianna loves the water!

Haylee and Kim

Lights out!

July 4th weekend

For the 4th this year we headed over to New Smyrna Beach. Worked out perfectly because I could go to my good friend Nichole's baby shower AND hang out with the family all in one weekend! Two of our good friends have condos in the same complex so we had lots of room to take over the beach. Brianna wasn't much of a fan of the sand and just prefered to hang out under the umbrella in the shade with whoever would hang out with her. She is more of a pool girl. Addison LOVED the water and actually put her head on Bryan's shoulder while jumping waves and asked if she could take a nap out there because she was so tired but didn't want to go in. So sweet.

Pebble Beach

Bryan and I got some much needed R&R during a quick trip to Half Moon Bay, CA over Fathers Day this year. Bryan won a trip through a promotion at work to stay at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay and spend a day at Pebble Beach for the US Open. We weren't allowed to bring cameras to the US Open so I have no pictures from that day. Even if you aren't a golf fan, the scenery was just breath taking and completely worth the very long three hour bus ride. We sat in the grandstand of the 7th hole to wait for Tiger Woods (of course) and watched the seals play in the waves between swings. It was amazing. Bryan and I walked most of the course and were completely exhausted!!


The view from the back of the Ritz


Straight off the plane... we couldn't help but check out the scenery as soon as we got to the hotel!


The Ritz


One night at dinner

A Visit from Missouri

WAY back in June, or maybe May(?) Michaela came to visit all by herself and stayed with Gramma and Papa for 9 days. She had a blast getting spoiled by her grandparents and hanging out with her cousins. I was only able to snap a couple shots but managed to get some good ones of the girls. Here they are...


Haylee and Michaela hangin' out on the raft


Addison bein' silly


Snack time!

Look Who's Walkin'...

And how could I forget to do a post of this?! She took her first stumbling steps for the babysitter during the Kentucky Derby party and has come so far since. This was taken just this morning.

Our little Mermaid!

Here is a quick clip of Addison swimming! For those of you who don't know, she was petrified of getting her face wet a few weeks ago. Thanks to only three 10 minute ISR swim lessons, she loves it. Yeah Addie!!

Haylee Birthday Part II

Not only did Addison love the water... so did Haylee! Winter Haven Gramma brought over some noodles and Haylee loved using that to help her make her way around the pool.



Here is one of the FEW breaks Addison took to catch her breath!



And of course, what party is complete without opening presents? Haylee was so sweet to let Addison 'help' her open a present or two or three!!



Brianna couldn't help but dig in to some chocolate cake herself!! Yummmmm....

Happy Birthday Haylee!

We had a very busy weekend celebrating Haylee's birthday. Friday night Winter Haven Gramma and Papa came over to see Addison sing in her Spring Concert! I don't have a good picture of her singing but we did manage to capture this cute one of Brianna....

Addison did a great job and mommy even won a drawing that got me a $100 tuition reimbursment! Yeah me!!

Saturday morning Addison and I headed over to Chuck E Cheese for Haylee's birthday party with her classmates. Addison was NOT a fan of 'the mouse' as she called him but gradually she warmed up to playing some games. This picture was taken about 5 minutes before we left...


Haylee, on the other hand, loved 'the mouse' and had a great time eating pizza and singing songs with Chucky E Cheese.


After the Chuck E Cheese party we headed back to La Casa de Irish for a pool party and cookout with the family. Addison could not get enough of the water. She has been taking swim lessons and has done a complete 180 from not wanting to get her face wet to begging to swim all around the pool. Its' great, we are so happy she enjoys it now!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Belated Mothers Day to all you mom's out there! I had a nice relaxing weekend with my family lounging by the pool... starting to like the perks of the new house even more as the weather gets better! Addison is in school this year and made me a plate. I tried to fight back the tears when she gave it to me but I just couldn't do it. I never thought I would shed tears of happiness when someone gave me a plate covered in marker but there have been alot of things I never thought I would do before I became a mom. Here is a picture of the masterpiece...


THE plate!


Enjoying some time pool side


Haylee and Addison hanging out in the hot tub

Brianna's Party

I decided when Addison turned one that a baby's first birthday was meant to celebrate Mommy's survival of the first year rather than baby's. However, Brianna's first year seemed to go by a lot quicker and with fewer bumps, that's for sure! She was a good girl at her 12 month checkup where she weighed in at 25 lbs. She is in the 95th percentile for height, weight, and head size! Doctor said she is the size of an average 15 month old. So, she might have to be the basketball star Bryan has always hoped for.
Brianna had a fun, small birthday at home this year. Alabama Gramma came down to see the new house and join in the festivities. Addison had lots of fun playing with Gramma while Mommy got ready for the party. Brianna was quite the trooper because we discovered later she probably had Roseola. She was in the fever stage at the party and broke out in a rash the next day. Woops!! And as promised a few weeks ago, here are the pictures from Brianna's First Birthday party.


The banners I always have to have! This one said Happy Birthday Brianna!


Brianna's special cake to get messy in


The Birthday Princess


Getting some help with her presents from the older party guest


Yumm Yumm!!

Happy First Brianna!

Yesterday was my little baby's first birthday. I can't believe it's been a whole year. Time has certainly flown by. We are having a little family party for her this Saturday so there will be lots of pictures to follow. Until then, here is a picture of Brianna doing her new favorite activity... climbing up the stairs. Poor mom.

Home Sweet Home!

We are all moved into our new house and we just love it! Special thanks to Alabama Papa and Uncle Kurt for helping us get this house in tip top shape. Uncle Kurt ripped out more carpet than he probably wants to admit to! More importantly, he logged some serious hours putting Casey's old playset together for the girls. Uncle Kurt was Addison's favorite person during construction! Poor Alabama Papa was just down visiting for Great Gran's birthday and got sucked into lots of manual labor around the house.
Despite all the clutter and craziness, we were able to have a great Easter with Nana Jo, Aunt Kim, and cousin Haylee. Addison must have told us four times this was 'the BEST Easter ever'! Brianna had her first hair cut just a few days ago to get ready for her first birthday and looks gorgeous! She is a great little girl and is getting so big, 24 lbs already! Addison is still loving school and turning into a beautiful person. But, I'll get to what you really want... some pictures!

Addison helping Daddy get his ball out of the hole. We were visiting Great Gran for her 85th Birthday!


Brianna at the Easter Egg hunt. She was trooper because it was hot!!


Addison hanging out in her new playset


Haylee and Addison right before the big Egg Hunt!


Checking out their treasures

Big Changes

We put an offer on a house and it's been accepted! Right now we are in the stressful world of appraisals, inspections, moving, and signing our life away. Closing is set for March 12. It's about 5-10 minutes from here. It needs a little TLC and upgrading that we aren't too concerned about because we plan on being in this house for the long haul. It will come with time! Plenty of room to watch the girls grow up. They even have little mini walk in closets... they won't know how lucky they are!

There has been a huge picture drought around here and I do have an excuse... Addison's first year of school has turned our house into a one big sick house! I'm hoping this last bit of cold weather will be it and things will start turning around. I feel like someone has been sick since shortly after Thanksgiving for all except a few weeks.

I will close with the one picture I took all month. I think it's time to take the bumper out. What do you think?

Okay, and one more...

Proud Parents

Okay, so it's almost February and I don't have the Christmas pictures up. I have to admit that I find myself staring at the 184 pictures and just can't even begin to narrow down which ones are 'blog-worthy'. So, I am currently attempting to post a slide show on the side of the blog so you can browse through all of them at your leisure. I will spare you some pain and narrow the stack down! Syberts and Alabama Grandma and Papa came to visit and we all had a great time. Aunt Kelly made the big announcement that they are expecting #3! She is due right around the same time as Michaela and Addison's birthday, end of July. We have our fingers crossed that we will find out tomorrow if it's a girl or boy. I'm guessing boy...
We had a big day at the Irish house today. This morning we had Addisons first Parent/Teacher conference at school. Bryan and I are so proud of the strong, independent girl she is becoming. She was very shy for the first few months and never wanted to sit in circle, sing songs, or participate in group activities. Thankfully, she has blossomed and even has a new little best friend, Sophia, that she pals around with. Her teacher thinks she is just the sweetest little thing and is always looking to please. She also couldn't say enough good things about her coloring and thinks we might have a budding artist on our hands!
I thought the most appropriate way to commemorate this entry was with Addison singing a song she learned in school... so cute. Enjoy!

Light Up UCF

UCF has a festival each year complete with tons of lights, a huge ferris wheel, a carousel and even an ice skating rink! Which, by the way is a joke in central Florida because it was more of a big slushie rink. We met up with some friends and went to a basketball game beforehand and then headed outside for the festivities. Bryan tried to take Addison on the carousel but to our COMPLETE shock, she told him to get off because she wanted to ride it alone! Can you believe my BIG girl?! To top it off, she hopped on the extremely large ferris wheel with daddy and had a blast.


Brianna watching her BIG sister on the carousel!


Daddy and Addison


The family

Addison's Christmas Play

Addison had her very first Christmas play this year. I think there were bets going on between the teachers on whether Addison would even get up on stage much less sing and dance. To be honest, I was leaning towards her not stepping foot on the stage once she saw all the people! But, not only did she sing, she danced too! Her favorite song was 'Away in a Manger' and we practiced that lots. We were all so proud of her. Even Brianna cheered her on from the audience.

The girls before the big performance

I've attached a video of Addie's class singing, I won't be offended if you need to mute it! This is the only one I have that she smiled in. She was so serious the whole time!

Brianna loved it!!