It's a beautiful life...

We went out to Stacy's for a few days and we had the BEST TIME. Stacy is an unbelievable hostess and makes us feel so totally welcomed. She had all of my favorite things for my "pre-birthday" celebration (i.e. Thai food, lemon pound cake made from scratch, yummy tropical cocktails, Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts for my girls, and a wonderful birthday gift with all my favorite stuff). Her house is so, so beautiful, her husband is more than sweet and her boys are beyond adorable and fun. As much as I want Stacy to move back to Orlando, I really have to admit that I am torn after days like this. The beach is 2 minutes (walking) from her front door. The beach is also private so we were the only people for miles and miles. The kids just loved every second of it. As we were walking home from the beach the first night, Iyla said (to herself), "That was so fun, I love da' beach." They played outside, did crafts, ate yummy food and just had so much fun. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Carters. I am feeling totally recharged.

P.S. I purposely left a set of toothbrushes for me and the girls there so Stacy might have us back sooner than she wants. Hehehe

Iyla loved this..Good thing cuz Santa is bringing a similar one for her.

The "Twinks"

Landon Bug

Let the fun begin

Sunset

Slow poke

Beach bum hair

Preston

"I love it here, Mama"

FUN!!!

So happy...

Look at that sweet little face

"Yay, for the beach!"

Nya and Mommy

I had to trick her into sitting with me

Leila and me

Loving this picture

itouch competition with 2 year olds, is this wrong??

My sunshine

Leila, Leila

I can sit up!!!

Seriously, so awesome

Beautiful Nya Bliss

Iyla and Preston

Dig, dig, dig

New life

Leila is really diggin' her new life.

Class photo

Seriously...could NYA be any damn cuter. I mean really....it just seems unfair.

9 months

My sweet Leila Sky is 9 months old today. What a long and challenging 9 months it has been.

Dear Leila,

These 1st 9 months have been such a long road for you. You are, without question, the most patient and easy going baby girl on the planet. I know that you will not ever remember these 1st 9 months of your life but I sure will. You have given me a new appreciation for the health of all my children. This was just a little bump in the road for you. I know you are going to go on to do amazing things in this life. Nothing can hold you down. I hope that you always know how loved you are. So many people have been rooting for you during these last 9 months. You have so many people who love you and who have kept you in their thoughts this whole time.
Some of the people that you will have to thank when you are old enough are:
-"Mom"(aka Grandma) for walking around the block approximately 32,785,430 times because it was the only thing to keep you happy while you were so uncomfortable in your cast. Also for playing with you endlessly and making you laugh. And also, for helping me (your mommy) with the your sisters so that I didn't completely loose my mind.
-Erika Froling for being at both of your surgeries (procedures) and for helping to take care of you (and me) while you were in that dumb cast.
-Jan for coming down and helping when "mom" was in Europe. She helped to take care of you and your crazy sisters so that I did not end up in the looney bin.
-And all of mommy's friends for helping to keep us busy and for supporting us through this long journey.

I am so excited to see what great strides you will make in these next 9 months. You ROCK baby Lulu!!!

Santa's arrival

We went to see Santa's arrival at the mall last night. We have been for 3 years in a row and I think it is becoming a tradition for us. It is really very cute. They have a full on party to welcome Santa to Orlando. He "magically" lands on the roof of the mall after the children chant for him. Then he just "appears" on the stage amongst fireworks and a large puff of smoke and they sing carols and everyone has a blast. The have very extravagant costumes for all the elves, snow fairies, reindeers, etc...They even have fake snow! I took a few shots but nothing too exciting. We went with Suzie, Sebastian, Owen, Bryce and Mary.

She is FREE!!!

My baby girl is free...now it is onto phase 3 of her recovery.

More with Seba

Here are a few more pics of Nya an Sebastian from their fun day at Universal.

Universal with Sebastian and Suzie

Suzie's birthday gift to Nya was to take her and Seba to Universal/Islands of Adventure ALL DAY today. Can we say BEST GIFT EVER!!! Nya had such an AMAZING day. Suzie sent me picture updates all through out the day to show me how much fun they were having. She has more pics to send me (hint, hint) so I will post em' when she sends em'. I am so happy she had such an awesome day and I am thinking we can make this kind of thing a tradition on the kids birthdays. Maybe?? Thanks Suzie, I know this took a lot of effort and I really appreciate you making her day so super special.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!"

"RUN!!!!!!"

Giant spoons

"Stop that DOG."

Perfect posing

Nya has the proper expression for this look...

Suess-land

Next park...

Job well done, Suzie

Boat ride