"Fwee!"

Our little Hendog turned three last week!  I know people say this all the time, but it literally feels like I just had him a few months ago.  Time flies when you're having fun!  Henry is the sweetest little three-year-old.  I could squeeze him and kiss those cheeks of his forever.  He is a happy boy!  He loves to dance and sing.  He idolizes his brother.  He tells David, Cohen and me that he loves us, randomly throughout every day.  He smiles non-stop, and loves life.  We are so blessed this boy is ours.  My cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing at him all day long.  

 Donuts to start the big day!

 Lots of phone calls from loved ones

 This boy still loves Buzz Lightyear

We celebrated with our Jax Beach family that evening.  Henry loved sitting on the front of the bus at Mellow Mushroom!

 Look at that happy face!  I made Henry's dream cake, covered in M&M's and Swedish Fish

 Cousin Love

It was a fun-filled day!  I still can't believe Henry is THREE!

First Day of School

Both Cohen and Henry started school today!  Cohen is in Mrs. Stewart's class at Community Presbyterian Preschool (VPK), and Henry is in Ms. Angela's class at Beaches United Methodist Preschool (2's Class).  They will be going five mornings a week!  

Cohen and Henry walked right into their classrooms, so excited to start the day!  No tears on their end or mine.  I am usually overly sentimental, but I was not one bit sad or teary eyed this morning.  I am so proud that my boys love school, learning and making friends.  

So excited for another fun school year!

Pawleys Island

We went on the annual Gainer family trip to Pawleys Island, SC last month.  It was a bittersweet trip because before the vacation even started, we said goodbye to our dear grandma, "Mama," Betty Jean Gainer.  Mama passed away as we were driving up to Pawleys, so it was a very emotional week for our family.  Thankfully, we were all together, and we were able to laugh and cry, and celebrate Mama's life.  

Mama, Dad and Uncle David

It was a busy week for my parents, aunts and uncles, having to handle all the details for Mama, and pack-up her condo.  We did manage to have a lot of fun at the beach, too.  Unfortunately, we didn't take many pictures!

The boys loved spending time with their cousin, Bennie!  Cohen is the best helper, and he was always making sure Bennie was happy and taken care of.

 Of course, the boys loved a week of non-stop play with Papa!

 Grady is now 11 years old, and still loves the beach

Cohen built some amazing Angry Bird castles.  He says he either wants to be a professional golfer or architect when he grows up.

Time on the creek

 Morning clouds over the ocean

The Gray Man is an old legend on the island.  Cohen was very intrigued by the story, and he left cookies outside for the Gray Man every night.

 I caught this little crab crossing the street to get back to the creek

 Rocking with Cohen

Although, the trip had some sad moments, it was filled with a lot of happy times too.  Pawleys Island will always be part of our lives.  Time passes, and things change, but we look forward to many more fun years spent in such a special place that means so much to our family.

I think this picture was taken in 1994 or 1995.  From left to right:  Uncle David, Lindsay, Andy, Aunt Lynn, Martha, Laura, Mike, me, Uncle Brock, Robbie, Kelly, Aunt Marie, Papa and Mama.

Our Fourth

Fourth of July is hands-down my favorite holiday of the year.  It incorporates everything I love - family, friends, food, fireworks and summertime.  We went to Selva's Annual 3rd of July Party with friends and Nona & Granddad.  The boys were so excited to run, bounce, swim and eat lots of treats.  

The Touseys & Hathaways

 Hen could have stayed in the bounce house all night

 We loved hanging with Nona & Granddad!

 Our little fish

 They are happiest in the pool

 The boys ready to watch fireworks

 Cohen LOVED the fireworks!  Like mom like son.

We stayed up well past bedtime, and the fun didn't end when we got home.  It was time for more sparklers in the driveway!

We headed to the beach on the morning of the 4th.  Henry was pretty cranky, but we figured he was still tired from the night before.

Boy were we wrong. Poor little buddy woke up from his afternoon nap with a high fever.  That changed our fun plans with friends that evening.  After a visit to the doctor the next day, we realized that our little guy had the flu...and then broke out with Hand Foot & Mouth the next day.  The following morning, Cohen was at the doctor with raging swimmers ear.  Our poor boys have had a rough week - four trips to the doctor in five days, but they are FINALLY healthy again!

Although the day didn't go according to plan, we still had fun with our family of four.  Henry ate a box of popcicles and watched Shrek, Cohen swam for hours in our new pool, and David and I enjoyed time on our front porch watching the crazies bike around the beach and the evening fireworks show.  

"Oh I've been smiling lately, Dreaming about the world as one, And I believe it could be, Some day it's going to come...Come on the Peace Train."

Summer Trips

This summer is keeping us very busy, and it has been a while since my last update.  I have to post pictures from our trip to Disney (in May!).  The boys had the time of their lives.  We stayed at Disney's Art of Animation hotel, which is basically a huge resort of four different themed hotels - Cars, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid and The Lion King.  We loved our stay at the Cozy Cone!  Everything is life size, so it really felt like we were in Radiator Springs.

Each resort has its own pool, but the Finding Nemo pool is by far the coolest.  Cohen and Henry would have been happy swimming in the zero entry pool all day.

We spent our first afternoon at Hollywood Studios.  There is not much there besides the Toy Story Mania ride.  Cohen and Henry loved seeing their favorite characters come to life.

 Waiting in line with Rex and Buzz

 Mr. Potato Head entertaining us in line

Hen was pretty wiped out after our drive down and no nap.   

 Dreams do come true!

The next morning, we went to the Magic Kingdom.   

 The boys loved the Dumbo ride!

 It was hot, and Henry wasn't thrilled waiting in line.

 Cohen had a blast on the Goofy's Roller Coaster!

 It was fun seeing all the characters at the parade.

 Another Toy Story Mania ride!  

They were a little unsure of meeting Mickey

 But they love the mouse ears (Henry's are Buzz-themed, of course)

Disney truly is a magical place, and Cohen and Henry had the best time!  David and I were worn out after two jam-packed days, but it was well worth it watching the boys' faces light up with excitement. 

Last month, our good friends, Kim, Brady and Hudson visited us for a week.  It was so special to spend time on the beach with our friends from Charlotte.  Born only four days apart, Cohen and Brady have been best buds since they were six-months-old.  Even though we live far apart, those two will be friends for life!  

The boys at Sliders

So sad to say good-bye

David and I will celebrate our 10-year anniversary in September, so we took a special trip last week to the the Gansevoort Hotel in Turks & Caicos.  It was amazing.  

Lobby overlooking the pool and beach

The island had a fish fry one night, and all the restaurants participated.  It was fun listening to local bands and eating the awesome food.  Here I am with "Henry the Conch."

I highly recommend Turks & Caicos.  The locals are so friendly, the beaches are amazing, and there are tons of good restaurants.  Seriously some of the best food we have ever eaten.  We went to one of the "casual beach restaurants" on the island our last night, and we ate on the beach.  We seriously felt like we were on The Bachelor.  

The Gansevoort is so awesome, we could have stayed at the resort the entire four days.

We brought a little piece of home with us to the island.  Cheers to 10 wonderful years!  And thanks to our wonderful parents who took care of Cohen and Henry while we celebrated!