Why is this the first time?

Point Clear. Why is this the first time I've been to Point Clear? Its a great place to celebrate Memorial Day and my birthday. It was right up our alley--watching evening sunsets paired with wine and cheese boards and great conversation and by day swimming at the little sand beach, boating, water skiing. Solid family fun. When we needed a break from all the activity we headed into Fairhope where one could hardly take their eyes off their stunning, perfectly structured flower beds to go inside a boutique and shop. Fortunately for their stores, they might have the most lovely sales people around because we walked out bags in hands. The kids also had a blast at the classic toy stores. It was a great way to start out my 34th year! Thank you Buss\Liebschutz family for having us, we promise to be back!

our little wet dancers - they couldnt say out of the water. 

We could have lived on the dock. 

Water skiing

the sunsets

Not your typical tourist spot

Far from the the typical summer tourist spot is the Pearl River. Home to "Caireskill" our Caire family river camp and also home to crystal-clear waters, cypress knees taller than a grown man, and the musical melody of summer sounds. Here we found reprieve from the fast-paced end of year schedules and had a magical time. We all we're kids again when we tried to catch lightening bugs and went swimming every day. There was also the experience that couldnt be recreated by Disney as we canoed through canopies of moss draped cypress trees while trying to spot the yellow headed Prothonotary Warbler after listening to its call. And then we can't forget the true sense of urgency and adventure as we to paddled in on the canoe with lighting bolts from the summer-spur-of-the-moment thunderstorm shooting down in the river. It all worked out: we made it to the screen porch moments after the rain started, but most importantly the camera was fetched and safely settled inside our bag before the first rain drop landed down atop our head.

New Orleans. A quick 24-hour visit to say hi to family was jammed packed with insects, food and more food. We started with an inspiring trip to the Insectarium, which I'll admit made me more jumppy than I ever imagined, but gave us a renewed respect to the little creatures that make this planet a good place to live---their hand in decomposition, pollination and more is critical to our livelihoods. Next stop was magazine street for a sweet treat a succre a favorite sweet spot and off to aunt Tyra's where we enjoyed a classic southern meal of fried pork chop. The next day included a two hour walk in uptown and along St Charles. With of course dining and shopping at favorites such as Fat Hen.

Tucker is 2

It feels like only yesterday when Cory and I were walking out of Dr. Willis's office with a sonogram in hand that showed we were expecting a healthy little boy. "A boy?" We thought, "What are we going to do with a boy." We love having a girl -- and Cory really thought we were going to have another girl. We could have never expected how this little boy would melt our hearts or never could have imagined how sweet and loveable he would be with all his hugs, kisses and sharing with his big sister, or the laughs we could get from his "songs" and peak a boos. And, now that he's really talking and "playing" the piano, well, lets just say we probably wont have a quiet house again until the kids are in college. We're looking forward to all the years ahead, but holding on to all the sweet memories.

Peep Show

The table was covered with peeps as for the 3rd year in a row we prepared our annual peep k bobs. Yum!

Happy 89th Birthday

Happy 89th Birthday to Grandadday {aka William Philip Shattuck - the one Tucker was named after}. We took a road trip to Asheville to celebrate the big day. If Tucker turns out anywhere near as great as grandaddy we will be happy parents. A handful of reasons I'm proud: 1) He takes care and adores his wonderful wife after years and years of marriage 2) He still finds lots of reasons to laugh 3) He's a decorated veteran and protected the County he believes in 4) He was a wonderful doctor who is still amazed in the miracle of how our bodies work 5)He's still learning and talking about new things at his age and 6) Hes a great story teller.

It was calling our name to run around

Jayne and Tom

Springtime in North Florida is one of the many reasons we live here. The crisp, chilly mornings, crystal-clear blue skies and the smell of daffodils make every day even more memorable. Today, as we wound down the sleep back roads of Monticello, the small sign on Highway 90 was the only hint that we were near HoneyLake Plantation and about to arrive at the celebration for Jayne and Tom's rehearsal dinner. Though once you turn on their fence-linef, Spanish-moss draped lane, you know you are in a taste of the good ol' south and this only continued to get better once we arrived to the friendly hugs of Jayne and Tom's family and friends and then settled down for a great southern shrimp boil. Caroline was quite the perfect flower girl hanging on to every word of direction from the wedding planner and Jayne. Tucker on the other hand was more fascinated with the piano and water fountain. Let's hope tomorrow the front of the chapel will be more appealing to little T. One thing is for certain, its going to be another fabulous day tomorrow for the wedding uniting this meant-for-each other couple.

Cheers to the smiles of tomorrow!