My Marathon Post

Sorry for all the super-long posts lately, but because of the crazy schedule, I've been having to catch ya'll up when I can. As I had so many trip pictures to sort through, this post took me like four days to write...no joke. Are you man enough to get through it? ;) Actually, I promise it won't hurt my feelings any if you skim when you don't want to read real in-depth. Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Ok, so maybe it's a bit on the tardy side, but better late then never, right...on August 7th, while we were down in Alabama, Spencer and I had our 4th anniversary. I can't even believe that I've been married to such a wonderful man for four whole years. It seems like a blink of an eye and forever all at the same time (although if it was only a blink of an eye, we'd have an awfully hard time explaining the 2.5 kids...). Here's just a few of the things I adore about my husband:

Spencer is easily one of the most patient, thoughtful, and genuine people I've ever known. What you see is really what you get with him. He's also one of the funniest guys ever (second only to my Uncle Eric and Spencer's cousin Zach...sorry, sweetheart, you can't win 'em all ;). While Spencer and I are so different in so many ways, instead of working against us, we've found that our differences really work for us. He's steady when I'm tumultuous, methodical to my spontaneity, logical when I'm illogical. Spencer's my rock. He's one of the best dads I've ever known-there's a reason why both of my kids prefer their father. He helps around the house everyday. He's always told me that taking care of the kids is my full time job, and if I manage to get anything else done (cooking, dishes, etc.), it's just a bonus. As an added perk, I think Spencer's pretty darn handsome. While I'm a firm believer that typically one does not have a soulmate they're supposed to go out, find, and marry, I know Spencer is becoming my soulmate everyday. I've said it before and I'll say it again-I've definitely gotten the better half of the deal with this one.

At our reception on our wedding day

Spencer being all manly and fixing a flat tire

Our happy family (minus Georgia...)

Spencer and the kids last Christmas

Sweet home Alabama...Where the skies are so blue

Earlier this week, we returned from our family vacay to visit my sister, Liberty, and her little family in Mobile, Alabama. It was a complete blast! First off, we got to enjoy seeing her three adorable little boys again, Josiah, Gavin, and Gunnison. They're getting so big and grown-up I can barely believe it. As an added bonus, Ezra and Gavin are only about two weeks apart in age, so they always get along really well (or at least as well as toddlers can get along;). It was a really laid-back, casual visit, which was just what the doctor ordered. Also, with having Spencer around 24/7, I was able to get a lot of help with the kids, which made for a nice break for me. Kit, Liberty's husband who's in the Coast Guard, had been called in for duty to help with an oil spill in New Orleans and was gone the whole time, so Spence was really good to help with her kids too. Even though we were only there for about four days (not including traveling time), we managed to squeeze a lot of fun activities into our visit, including a trip to the beach, a stroll on the boardwalk to see some alligators, lunch and playing in the park, an exciting dinner at Lambert's Restaurant (home of the throwed rolls), a quick trip to New Orleans to visit Liberty's husband, Kit and to see the sights, and of course, mounds of shopping. Hope you enjoy the multitude of pictures!

Georgia splashing in the Gulf of Mexico

Ezra, Gavin, and Josiah gathered around watching a hermit crab Spencer found

Georgia just rolling around in the sand at the beach. She adored it and ate a ginormous amount...it was truly disgusting

Ezra, however, was not such a fan of the sand.

He kept on trying to wipe the "dirt" off (he's a man of my own heart)

Jos collecting sand off the bottom of the ocean

Ezra was very frustrated when he stood near the edge of the water because the tide would pull some of the sand back with it. He kept insisting the "ground is moving"

Georgia and Ezra sitting on Spencer, whom they had buried up to his chest in sand

Mommy and Georgia splashing in the water. I'd take her in periodically to wash off all the icky sand:P

The kids enjoying themselves at Lambert's.

Ezra was particularly impressed that they "threw bread at [him]."

There's a huge wooden train out front of the restaurant that's a definite highlight to any Lambert's visit

Gavin digging in the sand at the park

Georgia and Daddy making beautiful music together

Jos rockin' out

Liberty and Gunner cheesin' it for the camera (doesn't he just look like another adorable little Applegate:)

Georgia managed to climb all the way up the wall completely by herself (don't worry, that's Spencer's hand you're seeing-he was keeping close watch)

And now for the Amazing Disappearing Gavin. I swear, this kid was nearly impossible to get in a picture. Here's the attempts:

I'm uber-impressed if you actually made it this far. Hopefully my future posts won't be quite so marathon-y. Have a fabulous day!