We have another "baby" in the house!

Hey friends!  With all of the excitement (for us) of vacation, I forgot to share about our new "addition".

No, we didn't adopt a baby or another pet, but Chelsea did get something for her birthday that she's been wanting forever.

Meet PRISSY!

Prissy is a "reborn" doll that looks just like a real baby. Chelsea has hinted around that she really, really wanted one for a while now, so we finally managed to find a baby that would be a good fit for our family. We specifically asked for a baby that wouldn't cry at night and keep poor Mommy Chelsea awake all night. (if it were really that easy).

Baby Prissy was such a good girl on our trip and didn't wake us up once during the night!

While there, we went to the Carter's store and bought Prissy a whole new wardrobe! As expensive and cheaply made as most doll clothes are, it was a better investment to buy several preemie/newborn outfits that were on sale (40%-60% off!). 

So expect to see more pictures of our newest baby, Prissy!

Let's hope it's not another 4 years!

Last week, we went on a much anticipated vacation to the beach. It was the first time we've all been somewhere as a family in 4 years. We definitely didn't plan on it being 4 years between vacations, but sometimes life and bills get in the way.

This year Chelsea was turning 21 and had initially asked for a party, but then decided she would rather have a vacation instead. We told her she could go anywhere she wanted to, and she chose "the beach!", so that is where we went!

(We also thought it was so awesome that Marty and I spent my 21st birthday in Florida just like Chelsea.)

We are so fortunate that the weather was fantastic...once we got there. I swear, the forecasted "scattered showers" followed us for the majority of the 260+ miles we drove! Once we got there however, the weather was perfect!

Now on to tons of pictures!

View from the 18th floor.

My precious Chelsea the morning of her birthday!

 

 

Giant Lite Brite at Wonderworks.

Jameson as an astronaut in Wonderworks

The last morning we were there, 5 stingrays were swimming near the shore!

LOVE this picture!

 

LOVE these two more than anything!

Love that smile!

I love this man!

My favorite picture from the whole trip! I love these people with all my heart!

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head home. We had a wonderful time full of family and fun! We've already started making plans for next year's vacation (hopefully).  But, as much as we loved the beach, we were SO glad to get back home!  We just hope it's not another 4 years before we get to do it all again!

Twenty-one

Hey friends!

Today, and this week, is very special!

Today, my precious Chelsea turns TWENTY-ONE!

I am the Mama to an ADULT! How is that even possible? I'm still just a kid, too, right?

Anyway, her wish this year was to go on vacation "with just the family", so you know we did everything in our power to make that happen.  So this morning, Chelsea woke up here:

Paradise!

Happy 21st birthday Chelsea! You have come a long way from that teeny-tiny baby girl!

We love you more than words can ever say!!

 

She's not a baby anymore!

Today is a day that 20 years ago, I never thought I would see.

Today is Chelsea's 20th Birthday!!

I mean, how in the world is that even possible it's been 20 years since that scary day she was born?  Some days, it seems like a lifetime ago, and some days, it just seems like yesterday.

When I was a kid, 20 years seemed like an eternity.  Now, it seems like it's just a blink of an eye.  I can't be a mom to a 20 year old.  I mean, I'm still just a kid, right?

Since we had a huge graduation party a couple of weeks ago, we decided Chelsea's birthday would be low-key and full of fun, family time.  Because Marty & I both had to work today, Jameson had Science Camp, and the weekend was crowded with people celebrating Father's Day, we celebrated on Friday. 

 After a couple quick appointments first thing in the morning, we all headed out to the movies.  We all decided on "Men In Black 3."  We all enjoyed the movie (even though I think Chelsea and I would have probably enjoyed "Snow White and the Huntsmen" more) and headed to Fuji's for a fantastic meal.

Aren't my kids just so well behaved?

After the fantastic meal (where Chelsea even got to watch several minutes of General Hospital), we headed off to shop the rest of the day away.  Chelsea rarely asks for anything, but on this shopping trip, she asked for cowboy boots.  Normally, finding boots wouldn't be much of a problem, but Chelsea has itty-bitty feet.  It's almost impossible to find "real" looking boots in her size.  We went to many, many stores, and finally found these bad boys:

She LOVED them!  At the same store, she also found a straw-type cowboy hat.  Now she's all ready for the Scotty McCreery concert in September!

During our multiple stops, she also found several CD's (yes, she has an iPod Touch and an iPad, but she still loves her CD's), and some clothes.  And she also found these shoes:

Sorry for the horrible picture quality.

She just had to have "HEELS".  I mean, she's had some tiny heels before, but these heels are pretty high.  I have been scared to death she's going to break her ankle or her neck, but she's walking in them like a champ!  She said, "Now I look like all of my friends".

 It was a great day and we all had a fantastic time, especially Chelsea!

We hate that we will be gone for her actual birthday today, but she is mature enough that she understands that if we could be with her, we would.

Happy Birthday to our precious Chelsea-Belle!  We love you more than anything!  We are SO PROUD of you and everything you have accomplished {so far} in your beautiful life!