Sea Island 2013...iPhone Snippets

This was our first trip ever to Sea Island, GA. We stayed 4 days at the Beach Club within the Cloisters Resort. It was magical, all we hoped for in a beach vacation and more. The kids had so much they wanted to do and only so many days to fit it all in. Aston attended the excellent golf school at Sea Island 2 days in a row and then officially played his first 18 holes keeping his own score. He tried to do the shooting school but it got stormed out:( Stell took a cooking class and made us a million cookies...amazingly cute. The food was ok but the night Jeff and I left the kids at the Kids Club and ate at Georges for their famous personalized tasting menu was the absolute tipping point of this trip. It was here where we realized how amazing this place was for little people and big alike. Bingo was all they made it out to be...a truly awesome event. Stell passed out but Aston was SO into it. He could have stayed until midnight. We of course spent lots of hours on the beach too, shell hunting and digging rivers and lakes. On the last night we headed to the Lodge for s'mores, gymnastics on the golf course and a fantastic sunset. Time to save up for next year!

March in iPhone Pics

Instagramming in March!



Lylee and Stell got some quality time together durning the Lazaro's first trip back to Charlotte. We went to the playground, had some pizza, did our nails and romped around the bookstore...Lylee is so very missed...we are thankful for her visits! Come back soon LB!



Never before seen iPhone pictures (aka not instagrammed)



Eve turned three this month! She had such a great party at the Y dance studio...We still talk about it a month later...Happy Birthday Evie!



Kate and Aston had a soccer game at the same time one weekend...played next to each other:) We all headed to lunch afterwards at Cantina...notice the pirate napkin hats below...



Egg dying/decorating...we blew our eggs out this year! Kids loved that part (see above in instagram pics)



Golf and egg hunt at the club (Old North State)

February in iPhone Pictures

We had snow in February!



The kids started swimming lessons at the MAC with Kingsley and Jack...



and here's the rest of what happened...

lots of playdates, a trip to the zoo to see the baby tigers, Bab's turned 64, Chuck turned 70 and I turned 35, Stell and I made her a "wedding dress" and now stell wants to sew daily, Links went into heat the day she was supposed to be spayed hence the diapers aka Bitches Britches, a Sports Connection birthday party for stell's bud Penelope, Aston and Dad are Star Wars Angry Birds junkies, dinner party with Stephan, Emily and Thomas, Links starring down ducks laying eggs by our pool, my birthday card from Stell, birthday soup by Lucy, nails and rollers are not uncommon on the Stell, Links always watches Stell intently in the bathtub...it's really funny, more outdoor play with somewhat warmer weather, and we got a new couch!



The kids went to see Wizard of Oz amongst many other shows with BB and Babs, we found one of Links lost teeth, Links has a best friend that is a stuff dog her size that Gram gave me years ago...they wrestle many times per day:), Aston and Stell in a photoshoot to promote Pigtails and Crewcuts, making pancakes with dad, a special Valentine for Holden (Aston's "girlfriend") although Kate got one too:), Valentine musical instruments, Links making herself comfortable in a chair we moved outside while the carpets were being cleaned, the kids sitting on the Latin Boy and Girl, my Valentine flowers from Dad:), and the results of cleaning out the attic...

January in iPhone Pics

January was a busy time of playing catchup after the Holiday crazy times...but we did have lots of playdates...most notably with our Lylee Lazaro. Lylee moved away in mid-Jan so we had to get in as many last minute "dates" as possible. There isn't a day that goes by that Stell doesn't mention her BFF Lylee...we are anxiously awaiting her March visit!

We also have some pics of snuggles with our favorite dog, Linx; playdate with Jack; the photo shoot for Pigtails and Crewcuts; skateboard swinging, journal writing; our new art table; cheerleading with dad; xBox Kinencting; legos...legos...and more legos...; cowboy boots, Nana's Necklace, and fuzzy bear hat; devouring our gingerbread house; green juice; golf; Linx in training; amazing bracelet from Lylee; Ninjago Legos complete; dancing ballerina dog; Mama Beth Anne braids; new retro barrette created by Mama Anne; first snow; a farewell Power Hour for our Beth Anne...

Hole in One on New Years Eve 2012

Jeff got his first EVER hole in one on 12.31.12 at Old North State. It was long over due. The icing on the cake was that not only was Aston with him when he did it but he witnessed the whole thing...he was even the first to the scene to confirm what his Dad had just achieved. Babs was there too...so special...

Below are the words and iphone shots straight from an email Jeff sent out to friends and family after the big day...so proud hon:


Tee/divot from 177yds, downhill/downwind. Hit 9 iron:


Ball Mark:


Pose:

November and December in iPhone Pics

NOVEMBER: We had a playdate with Grace, Gram came to visit! and had lunch with Aston at school, leaf piles with Linksy, Stell reading to Links, Aston's Black belt up on the wall at ATA, more sleeping Linksy...and the Turkey Trot!



DECEMBER (the cruise): More on the Cruise later but here it is in iPhone pics...Stell telling stories at the Michael Angelo dinner, Aston was asked to write a note best he could that said "I Aston Lee will not poke" because he was annoying his sis, exploring the pool deck, beach/kayak/paddle boat times at Princess Cays, passed out mei, beautiful new Christmas cape made by Tai Yi Puo (Aston and Stell's great aunt), sand castles with cousin Aiden, shoe tying with new braids from Grand Turks, Yoda Museum sign



DECEMBER: Jack and Aston make the gingerbread house, Stell goes to girls only North Pole party at Emi's house, Links covered in toys, Stell and I at BB's Christmas Party, Beth Anne turns 30!, Links meets her new vet (my good friend Dr. Lisa Shaw), Christmas cookies while decorating, the Willette, Karakus and Lee clan exchanges Santa's bag gifts at the Willette house, new Christmas Pjs from Gus the elf, Stell and Kingsley perform in their ballet class for parents, Santa's Bag group, Lylee and Stell have some playdates, Ninjago (aston's "big" gift), Santa at Santa's Bag, more decorating, Christmas cards on a ring, playing doctor (Stell's new favorite playtime pastime, Santa at South Park, Pottery Barn doll on Santa List, Mason's baptism, bubbles with Links, making reindeer food, sleepover in Mei's room on Christmas Eve, Linksy opens gifts from Gram, Stell got what she wished for!

  

The Latest: Life is Larger and Livlier with "Linksy"

We adopted Links (formally known as "Trixie") officially on Saturday from the SPCA. She's a Boxer/Lab mix....so we think:) Her Birthday is 8.24.2012 which makes her 10 weeks old now. she.is.a.love.

We've had her for 2 days...and this is what we know of our Linksy thus far:

• She has yet to have an accident in the house...whines to go out...immediately does her business (both kinds!)
• She LOVES the kids...she's a whole different bouncy-self when they are around...
• Kids can't wait to wake up to see her...love has begun and then some...spend hours outside playing with her
• She will be a chewer...always has something in her mouth
• Had her first obedience class at Petco...found out she has a long ways to go with lease training...but she's such a baby still
• Sits on command (Aston's doing...no joke...worked with her for an hour outside on day 1) and comes sometimes:) only if there's nothing better to do like chewing pinecones
• Gets lonely so always likes to be around someone...but great in the crate at night (in our room...she can see us)
• Looks awesome in Pink...and she better because she doesn't have a choice with Stell around...notice Stell already bough her a tutu
• Had her first bath this morning and HATED it
• Left her 2x today in the bathroom with her blankets and toys and whined/scratched at the door but soon settled down and slept
• Within 10 minutes of letting her out of the bathroom today for the second time; she moved herself out...blankets and toys...even her large green bone...kids and I couldn't stop the laughter...she was like "that was fun and all but I like it better out here!"
• Have been told this is the cute/fun stage and there is worse to come before better...don't remember this time with Libby...so want to cherish it while it's good!

Her name "Links" came to us after we made a LONG list of possibilities as a family with some outside help too:) We decided it was a good fit because she loves having golf balls in her mouth (golf links), Aston's favorite toy besides Legos is "smart links", she reminds me of Restoration Hardware's Luxe Fur collection in the Lynx color (have a bean bag and pillow in Lynx and she blends right in!):) and of course she is just what we needed...she's our missing link:) awwwe... We call her anything from Linksy to Linksy Lee or Luxey Linksy...Stell of course calls her "Princess Linksy" but we all still goof and call her Trixie here and there!

Links is currently at my feet while I post...nothing better...if this keeps up I may actually stay up to date with my blogging...hmmmm
nah...who we kiddin';)

Setpember and October in iPhone Pics!

Stell and Lylee play-dates and dress-up...dress-up...dress-up!

Stell cut her hair while I was away for the Blue Ridge race...feel like it happens to everyone...I remember when Kate did it at a similar age so I was less irate than I could have been. Pigtails and Crewcuts did a good job of hiding the damage...



Aston and Jack have been taking private golf lessons with the Head Pro at PCC since school started. This is Aston's highlight of his week! Each Thursday I pick up the boys from school and we go back to our house for snack and play, then I drop them at their lesson and Coach Rob delivers them back to our house via golf cart (the best part really). The last few pictures of the boys in all out laughter was when they played a joke on Coach Rob...they had squishy halloween eyeballs in their hands and they gave him a hi-five/shook his hand...boys, boys, boys! According to Coach Rob both boys are "great friends and great golfers"...



There was no golf while PCC had their Member/Guest tournament so I took Stell and the Boys to Hunter Farms for pumpkin picking, a hayride and to feed the farm animals...cute cute cute



Kingsley and Stell had a special girls and mommy's night out with Ashley and I. We met many of our friends at none-other-than The Fresh Beat Band concert. I had a Keratin treatment that day so needed to take cover when it started sprinkling! Both girls had a blast...we even ran into Jacob, Dao and Thang! Special thanks to Mama Anne for the awesome non-iPhone photos and Kingsley for many of the phone photos:)



Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the boys had a sleepover! Aston's first ever! Jeff took them to Chick-Fil-A and Sports Connection and back home for a final bedtime of 11pm:) They slept in underpants bc said it was "really hot"...kinda was... Checkout Jack's dino he drew...Aston has kept this and traces it:) He says he likes having friends who can draw...(Kate W. being one of them!)



Stell decided one rainy day that she was gonna golf...and she did...all on her own...in rain boots...some day I will post the video...she sank a 6 foot putt on the first try and Dad about melted



In the latest Taekwondo news, Aston received his Black Belt Recommended! This is kind of a really big deal...so proud of our man for sticking with 2-3 classes a week since he turned 3! He will have to go through 3 more testing rounds that will happen every couple of months and then he'll be considered for his 1st degree black belt...very exciting! Mr. Gaston Reyno is Aston's teacher...they have a special little bond lately which I love...



The boys had been talking about/planning this lemonade stand in the car to and fro school for weeks when Ashley finally took control and pulled the trigger. She and the boys built the table, made the signs, made the lemonade and lured in the customers...I came late to witness the AMAZING success they were having. Some customers were friends like Mama Dao but many were strangers. These boys aren't shy boys so they definitely did their darndest to get themselves some customers! Later after the lemonade ran dry they went back to Jack's house to count their earnings...they made $42 in 1.5 hours...wow...next time for charity? They split the money evenly and even gave some to the girls who did help some too:)

This was over a month ago now and Aston still says this was the best day of his life..."ever in the whole world"



This is the last collage promise. It's a bunch of randoms. L to R: London visited so we had a reunion play-date...Aston got a smooch; all the baby stuff I said bye too because Aunt Megan needs it now!!! Wahoo! She took it home last week when she visited; Jojo and his family made the PCC Magazine:); Aston wrote all by himself "Thank You Mom Love Aston"...don't remember why but i remember the tears in my eyes; London, Cash, Stell; Daddy and Babs with kids on top at Race for the Cure; Me, Lecia and Shannon at the Race for the Cure; Dad racing for the Cure; Cash, London, Maela, Stell; Kate chose Aston to be her Lunch Buddy after she reached her 10 checks in Mrs. Cathcart's class...LOVE; Kids went to see the Charlie Brown play yesterday with BB and Babs; Aston running down Jack's street ducking behind every bush while Stell and I wait in the get-away-car so he could "ghost" the Hall house ("ghosting" is a new Halloween tradition where you stealthily drop a bag of Halloween goodies at the front door of a neighbors and then they put a picture of a ghost in their window to indicate they have been "ghosted" and in turn they need to "ghost" 2 new neighbors)...new to us this year

Summer 2012 Randomness in Video and iPhone Pics

May 2012 iPhone purge:



June 2012:



July 2012:



August 2012:

April iPhone Purge

L to R: Stell passed out on her brother while playing an iPad game, Y2 yoga with Kate and Eve, Easter at BB and Babs...again playing iPhone game, playgroup egg hunt at the Willettes, Stell's idea of an Easter outfit...Mia's old dance recital costume, butterfly buddy, glamor girl Stell, BB teaching a cooking class at Johnson & Wales, running through the trails by our house, Aston "scoring" at soccer, Stell passed out after her snack at the table, screaming/crying kids...forget why, Stelly working it again, Aston's spring break sports camp crew, Aston came down in this on Easter morning...this boy loves to "dress up", racing through the trails with mom.

L to R: Movies with Mrs. Amos, Taekwondo Brown Belt testing, the princess is passed out, team Coach Chad (photo by Hudson and James' Nanny), "Look Kate I PASSED!!", buying the movie tickets, backstage photo by BB of Aston and Tanya (Aston and Stell's yoga teacher who also happened to be a star in the Busy Town play they went to see!), Aston's fake birthday at school since his real birthday falls during summer break, dinner at the club with the Hall kids after tennis lessons!

iPhone Purge-March 2012

LtoR: New Easter clothes from Gram, Stell's first golf outing with the boys, playdate with Eve while Bruce was in hospital for hip surgery, Stell asleep while coloring, planting spring flowers with dad, more planting, nap in Mom's bed, watching Annie with Aunt Wook, Eve's 2'nd birthday!, Stell and I chillin' after Wook and Lance's wedding, Stell peeking in the hair salon while Wook getting hair done for wedding, go fish with Kate at our house, Mama Beth Anne reading to the ballecinas while we wait for Mrs. Kathy's class, bubbles with Jacob at BB and Babs for St. Patty's Day dinner (we took Jacob so Dao and Thang could go to a school function), Stell swinging her new clubs from dad, asleep on the floor in a nest she made for herself, playdate with "Kingzee" (Kingsley), one of the many special notes from Kate, new horses from Bob (they were his girls when they were little)....  

The Last 1.5 weeks in iPhone pics...and tennis photos by Ashley...

LtoR: Mei has been sleeping in the upstairs bathroom because she claims to be scared of her room:(, Kingsley and Mei at PCC tennis...they stamped everything in sight while we waited for the boys to finish their lesson:), new kitchen bath shower, my birthday necklace made by Kate Kate (I love it!), Kate and Aston "driving" my car, My dear friend Wendy (far right) turned 40, new bathroom vanity, Mei's fancy braid ala Wookie, Aston assembling his latest 20 stars lego spaceship, Aston is a new brown belt!, tennis, more tennis...notice the happy face, Aston and Dad before Doughnuts with Dads at school, my birthday orchid from Mama Anne, Mei modeling her Easter shirt we made at Betsey's house, my birthday card from Aston, we made the big decision for Aston to attend Charlotte Latin next year, Babs and I shared a birthday cake made by BB of course, chef Stellyn at cooking class in school, beers! while we watch tennis...thanks to Ashley:)

Jack and Aston had their second tennis clinic this week. I can't tell you all how much this boy is loving this activity and his new friend Jack. It's really special because Jack will be joining Aston and his other buds at Latin next year too! Here are some fun photos taken by Ashley (take note of the first one with the tongues out...they both do this when concentrating...cute):