BOO

It was rainy today and we had no plans so here is what we came up with....We're starting to get into the Halloween spirit around here!

Butterflies

We took a SUPER quick trip to Kiawah this weekend (we were there less than 24 hours) but it was still lots of fun! We went to pick up some furniture and Matt had to drive the UHaul back by himself, so he left early Sunday morning. Mom and Dad and I took the girls to The Sanctuary for breakfast and then let them run around on the green. (Have I mentioned before that this is probably one of my favorite places on earth?!?) They had a BALL.  The lantana is out and with that comes loads and loads of butterflies. They see butterflies at school all of the time and love to watch them. The girls chased them all around and had fun chasing Nana and Bop Bop too!

When they were all done, they needed a rest and climbed into the big chairs to take a break! I can't believe these two will be one and a half on Saturday! Time is going by WAY too fast!

A special Happy Birthday

The girls and I traveled to Hilton Head on Tuesday to celebrate my Grandpa (the girl's GG)! He had a big (not too big) birthday and it was so fun to be able to be there with everyone! Gramp said it was the 39th anniversary of his 50th birthday. I like that description!!! He is the youngest 89 year old I know! My parents and Aunt Conni and Uncle Ron were there too, which made it even more fun! We all went out to lunch at Palmetto Bluff. I think it might be one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in my entire life. If you've never heard of it...look it up online. It's just unbelievable. I've been talking about it so much since we got home that I think we'll have to take another day trip there sometime soon so that Matt can see it! The girls were well behaved and loved that they could run around on the grass. There was a precious little chapel to explore and Aunt Conni and I even took the girls on the swings. Uncle Ron brought the girls some balls to play with which have been a HUGE hit. He also brought them their very first Whoopee Cushion which is only fitting. It's been a Zellar tradition for as long as I can remember. Not sure if we should be proud of that or not. I'm thinking not....but it's still funny every time. Great Grandma got the girls some books too which they haven't put down since we got home. I think they're getting the wrong idea though...we went there for Gramp's birthday and they were the ones to get all of the presents!
It was a fantastic day and we feel so blessed to live close enough that we could be there to celebrate my wonderful Grandpa! We love you!!

Perfect weekend

Have you ever had one of those days that is just perfect and you know you couldn't describe it well enough and ever do it enough justice? That was Saturday for us. 

We headed to Kiawah for the weekend so that Matt could play with Dad in the annual Habitat for Humanity Golf Outing which was held on Sunday. They had a blast and played great! We arrived on Saturday and headed straight for the beach. It was an amazing day and not too hot with a great breeze. The tourists have all gone home so it almost seemed like we had the beach to ourselves. The girls had a ball. Matt took about 20 videos on his phone of the girls playing in the water and running on the beach and none of them capture how hilarious and sweet it was.  They were squealing and giggling and smiling ear to ear the entire time we were there.  I'm putting on a few of the videos just so you can get a feel for how much they loved it.  They also both climbed onto BopBop's tummy and played there for a while. It was such a great day and I will always remember how happy my beach babies were on this day. I'm so happy that they love the water as much as we do! (And also really happy that it's only a 4 hour drive to Kiawah and that we live 10 minutes from the beach!)

Ladies Lunch

While the boys played golf, Nana took us to The Sanctuary for lunch! The girls had their very first strawberry smoothies. They were in total heaven...and can you believe, the lids stayed on and NO smoothies were spilled?! Shocking! It was so much fun! (And yes, that's a scrape on Riley's forehead...she faceplanted on our driveway the other day! She's fine...I think I was more upset than she was!)

A Happy Birthday and A Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was Matt's birthday! The girls and I had so much fun trying to spoil him and show him just how thankful we are for him and all that he does for us every day. We had a great weekend! Last year, the girls and Madison made a special birthday card for him and the pictures were fabulous. I sure missed Maddie girl this year! I needed her help! I attempted to take pics of the girls holding "Happy Birthday Daddy" signs. That quickly became an attempt at just a regular picture, which then became an attempt to just capture them blowing daddy a kiss.  None of these pictures turned out like I'd imagined, but I sure did laugh a lot attempting to get them. You should see the ones I didn't put on here (all 200 of them).  Matt had a wonderful birthday and we just hope that this year is one of his best yet!!!! He's feeling a little older today (he played his first tennis match today and won...but I'm not so sure getting out of bed is going to be easy tomorrow morning!) but we love him so much!!! Happy Birthday, Daddy!

*****As a side note...*****
One year ago today, September 9th, 2011,  we received the news that rocked our world completely about our sweet little Riley girl and her congenital heart defect.  Her surgery didn't take place until October, but if you've followed this blog for awhile you will probably be as shocked as I am that it's been one whole year from our diagnosis day already. I will never forget that day as long as I live (I will probably remember every second of it). It wasn't something I ever expected to go through and wouldn't wish on anyone.  I could never have imagined one year ago today that she would be doing as well as she is. She is such a miracle and truly amazes us every single day. She is running around the house, laughs non stop, loves to read and play and loves her "sissy" more than anything else in the world.  She loves school, loves to be outside and gives the best hugs in the world. Thank you GOD for Riley, for her doctors, for our family and friends and all of their support, for all of our prayers answered and for blessing us with our two sweet girls. We are so thankful!!!

Our first love

So. The girls have a boyfriend. As of right now, we think Reagan is REALLY in love...Riley is still on the fence but sure seems to be smitten. Our across the street neighbors, Kay and Christian have the most wonderful little boy named Joshua. The girls have become good friends with him (and I ADORE his mom!!!) and we play together a lot. The girls call him "Joshy" and stare out of our front window looking for him. It's beyond adorable.  They came over for a playdate this morning and we all took a walk tonight. Before we said goodnight, they all gave big hugs (there may have been a kiss or two in there too...but they were just quick ones!). We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors who have become wonderful friends already too.  We can't wait to see these kids grow up together...and who knows, someday maybe I can compare these pictures to the ones that they take on their way to prom! (although, let's hope that "Joshy" doesn't have to take both girls...I'd like to think that they will both be able to get their own dates!!!).