Highschool Reunion at the lake: My how times have changed!

This past weekend we went up to Amy's family lakehouse to spend the weekend with my highschool best friends and our (rapidly expanding) families. It's funny to think how much times have changed. We have all known each other for over 15 years and our get-togethers have certainly evolved over the years. Less boy-drama and cheap beer; more kid-chaos and nice wine. :)

Kristen & Pete with Brayden (2.5y) & Peyton (6m); James & Amy with Ethan (3.5y) & Elliott (10m); Joe & Whitney with Baby Novak (in-utero); and of course me & Omar with Everett (16m)

It was so nice to be able to spend time together as families and let our kids get to know each other! You probably can't tell from this picture, but Whitney & Joe were even contributing to the kid count, although Baby Novak is still an inside baby. We can't wait for her to get here in July so she can add to the madness!

On Saturday we took the boat out to Pirate Island. Ethan was a great captain!

The kids all really loved being on the boat even though it was a bit cold.

Everett is looking forward to spending many years on boats in the future, both with her Pop-E in Charleston and up at Amy's lake again!

Everett had absolutely no fear of the water and actually walked right in up to her knees, despite it being cold. Time to start those swim lessons!

A bunch of cuties on the couch. Brayden & EJ are wearing their adventuring hats in case you were wondering (and yes, they put those on themselves).

Sunday was absolutely beautiful so we spent the whole morning outside playing!

Be honest: she looks a bit like her dad in the above picture, doesn't she?

The boys had a great time racing around!

ZOOOOOOOOOOM!

Everett decided to get in on the running.

Double-trouble!

We really wanted to get a picture of all the kids together, and by some miracle they actually cooperated!

The betrothed.

Everett (16m); Peyton (6m); Ethan (3.5y); Elliott (10m)

Brayden (2.5m); Everett (16m); Peyton (6m); Ethan (3.5y); Elliott (10m)

How cute are they? Thanks so much to Amy & James for opening their house to us, Kristen & Pete for making the long drive from Charleston, and Whiney & Joe for being incredibly tolerant and patient with a house full of crazy kids. It was wonderful to see everyone!

93 Years of Awesomeness

We took EJ to visit her great-grandfather, the "original" Everett, this past weekend. This was such a special & priceless time that we were able to spend with him and I am so grateful we were able to be there.

They really enjoyed their time together and she kept him quite busy all weekend.

While we were there my Aunt Barbara & Uncle Fred stopped by for the afternoon. Uncle Fred took some time to impart some wisdom on EJ, then he & daddy took her to look out over the sea-wall. I have a bunch of memories from growing up spent sitting on this very sea-wall, watching the boats go by and fish swim under my feet.

On Sunday, Papa's younger brother Ronnie and his beautiful wife Jackie stopped by to meet "Little Everett"

I am so glad Uncle Ronnie & Aunt Jackie were able to meet EJ and she had a lot of fun getting to know them.

In the picture below, there are 3 generations of Wilcox women represented: EJ is sitting in the rocking chair that belonged to her great-great-grandmother, and the picture over her shoulder is of her great-grandmother, my amazing & dearly missed Mimi.

Thanks, Pops for an amazing weekend spent with wonderful family. It was really special to spend this time together and I am so glad my daughter got to get to know you better.

Team Trouble: Adventures with the Tufts

This past weekend EJ and I drove over to Charleston to visit with the Tufts family. Kristen & Pete have two beautiful children, Peyton (Everett's BFF) and Brayden (Everett's future husband). EJ and I both really enjoyed spending some quality time with them, and I can already foresee these three getting into some mischief together down the road. :)

Peyton (6 months old) & Brayden (2.5 years old)

Brayden took Everett for a drive in his new car. Despite their ages and the fact that the car could only go 2.5mph, I already got glimpses of their highschool years. Lord help us all.

After going for a cruise, we put Everett to work mowing the lawn. Gotta earn her keep!

On Saturday we went to the Charleston Aquarium, where EJ enjoyed climbing on enormous sea turtles and rocking in an Everett-sized rocking chair.

Kickin' it after a long day.

One of my favorite things to see was how much Everett seemed to love Peyton. Sometimes she loved her a little too hard (gotta watch out for those overzealous pats and hugs)

And of course no visit would be complete without the obligatory babies in the bath picture.

Can't wait to pull these out for the wedding slide show. :)

Big thanks to the Tufts for making our visit such a pleasure! We miss you already!

Spring in February

The weather this winter here in Atlanta has been a bit crazy and for the most part felt more like spring. Even the cherry trees are starting to bloom. Last week we decided to take advantage of this awesomeness that Mother Nature was providing and headed to a local park.

EJ's favorite new game is tag, which basically consists of her giving you "the look" and then putting on the jets while you chase her or she chases you. Whittier Mill Park offers a nice big field for her to practice running in, with daddy and Miss Beyla as willing participants.

Swinging also appeals to her sense of adventure and she loves it when daddy pushes her as high as possible before letting go.

And of course, what could be more fun than zooming down slides? Even Miss Beyla enjoys that one.

Just another day in the life of the world's busiest 15-month-old.