To the beach...

We had a successful trip to the beach on Wednesday night and I couldn't be more happier with the beautiful photos we took of the kids. It's amazing to me to see how big they have gotten in just the last year... and I feel so blessed to have my husband and our two amazing children in my life.

On vacation...

With life about to get really exciting around the Fitzgerald house, we decided to go on a vacation to Pawleys Island, S.C. Pat and I debated back and forth about going on vacation, but in the end we decided that we really did need to get away from our lives in Ruckersville and enjoy some family time.
Last year, we fell in love with the Litchfield Resort on Pawleys Island. It's a private resort that is very family friendly and affordable... and we've been able to get great deals on condos both years we've traveled here.
The next few posts will be pictures from our trip this week... I can't tell you how wonderful it has been to spend time together and see our kids so happy!

I'm going to be a teacher...

One of the biggest reasons I haven't been able to post lately is because I've been working on getting into Virginia's Career Switchers program to become a middle/high school English teacher.
The program starts on Aug. 20 and will last through December. During this time, I'll be doing work online and going to Saturday classes once a month. I'll also be working in one of our local schools while keeping my job at the newspaper.
It's going to be a very busy fall, but it will be worth it when I can teach in a classroom and share my love of learning with young people.

Cool Dudette/Dude ...

Need I say more...

Playing in the back yard....

Pat took these pictures one afternoon while I was at work and he got some great shots... so I'm sharing a few of them with you.

Independence Day at the Fitzgeralds...

I know I'm weeks late posting these photos, but Pat did such a great job taking photos of Savannah and her sparklers that I had to share them.

My two youngest enjoy the outdoors too...

Here are some pictures of the younger kids enjoying their new toy...

Happy July 4th...

I have to admit that I have three children, the one I married and two I gave birth to! No offense to my wonderful Mother-in-Law, but there are certainly times when I think that I have a grown child on my hands... like when he buys the children a "Slip-n-Slide" and then proceeds to enjoy it more than they do!
My only concern is that we're going to end up in the hospital emergency room if he keeps on going the way he was in these pictures.

The many faces of Julius...

I took these shots this morning before we left the hotel... and they capture so many of my wonderful son's moods.

Pool time...

We decided to spend Saturday night in D.C. so we could rest up after a long day of traveling and visiting and so we could enjoy some pool time.
Pat and I bought the kids so floaters on Friday so they could be more confident in the pool and it certainly did give them great confidence... I have two water babies on my hands (they are Pat's children, you know!).
Pat went upstairs to get the camera this morning because the water was too cold for him to enjoy this morning... it was after we were in the pool for about 45 minutes and the kiddies were wearing down quickly.
This is the only reason you don't see excited faces in every shot...

Butterfly Garden...

We met our friend, Michelle, up in Washington, D.C., this weekend and had a blast visiting the National History Museum. She was visiting a friend for the July 4th weekend and we were able to get together for a few hours on Saturday.
Michelle lives in Northwest Arkansas and is one of the wonderful women I'm lucky enough to call my friend. It was great to see her so happy and close by... and hope that the next time she comes to visit we can get her down here to our neck of the woods for a wine tour!
Here are a few pictures we took in the Butterfly Garden at the National History Museum... I didn't take my camera out before that because I was spending time with my dear friend.
The only regret I have is I didn't get a picture of us together... but I will do that the next time she comes to visit.

P.S. The first picture is of a butterfly that landed on Pat's back right after we entered the garden and I had to pry him off before we left... I think Pat found a new friend.

Julius' new bed...

We set up Julius' new bed this week and it's been an adventure getting him to settle down into it each night. Julius outgrew his crib a while back, but we've used a crib tent and his exhaustion to keep him in the crib as long as we could.
Well, a few weeks ago he finally start climbing out multiple times in the night and we knew it was time to break down and buy him a new bed (although the crib converted into a toddler bed, it was well passed it's prime.
So, here are a few pictures of Julius in his new bed... we still have some things to do to his room and then we'll showcase it all... it will be in an Air Force/Cars theme.

Our own Strong Man...

You can see we're in for trouble...

Mama trying to be artistic...

Here are a few shots I took on Friday ... I'm always trying to find the perfect shot to send to Grammy and Papa or Grandma!