Bayou Bound, Part 3

Oh my goodness, the amount of pictures we have from this weekend is a little out of control.  I'm going to keep the text to a minimum and take you on a photo tour of the last 24 hours both in FL and back in PA.  Enjoy the ride!

Last night the boys requested some pics of Penn and I, so here's our photo shoot.  I would not mind feeding Penn with this gorgeous sunset backdrop on a daily basis!

Koen and Casey enjoyed some soccer and Tavin some loves with Nana.

After Penn's dinner I took him down to the water.  The sun was warm and the breeze had died down somewhat (strangest May weather weekend here ever!).

Penn also had some pre-bedtime swingtime (yep, stayed in PJ's all day...hey, we're on vacation!).

Last night I babysat Elizabeth so Phil & Leah could get out for a few hours.  We had some pretty sweet snuggles.  Look at her precious little face!

After good night's rests in both locations it was time to start another fun-filled day.  In Pittsburgh it was the marathon, so Doug took the boys, Casey and Nana down to cheer for the runners.  Koen loves his cousins...can't you tell (how precious!).

And Tav is VERY into Nana (or as he affectionately calls, "Nanny Bread").

We had a laid back morning here in Florida and then went to Mexican for lunch (without even realizing it was Cinco de Mayo!).  Penn had his first experience with a tortilla chip (I only let him play with it, not eat it).

He was way more excited about being on a date with me. =)

Now, there was a first for Tavin today too.  His first Pirates Game!!!!  I received a lot of photos via text from Doug, so enjoy!!

Tav had to skip his nap to go to the game, so it looks like he caught a little down time snuggling with Nana.

A little post-game ice cream (like they needed more fun stuff today, seriously, they are never going to want boring mommy to come home!).

Before Penn's nap, I had some sweet one-on-one time with him out at the Bayou.  Loved it...the backdrop, the baby, all of it.  Ahhh...

Penn's waking up from his nap, so I'm going to go.  Only one more day left with my brother and his family.  Stay tuned for the final installment at some point.  

Bayou Bound, Part 2

The irony is hilarious, but I left the Burgh in beautiful weather and down here at Rocky Bayou, it's been an odd mixture of rain and wind overshadowing the normal sunny and warm May weather.  Oh well, the company is great and the time with Phil's girls is precious (not to mention I love my special travels with Penn!).  Last night I tried to get a few pictures of Penn and his one year, one day older cousin Eleanor.  Penn seems to not mind his curious cousin.

But I don't think this is a look of a positive reaction for Penn's curiosity in her direction.

Eleanor also helped Penn learn the ropes of her old exersaucer.  Penn might be wary of unfamiliar adults, but he is soooo comfortable with little ones.  He loves to watch Eleanor!

I got some sweet cuddle time with Elizabeth yesterday.  She is so sweet!  She even waves at the camera!

And then this one she just looks sooo perfect and peaceful!

While we were stuck indoors most of the evening (save for the awesome covered back porch here) due to rain, Doug and the boys had some post-nap playtime at a playground.  Look at how grown-up Koen looks!

And it turns out Tav was in quite the awesome mood after a 3 hour+ nap (Daddy wears this guy out!).  He was doing his "outside dinosaur voice."  Apparently he and Doug got a book about a dinosaur learning his inside and outside voice.  Perhaps it will be helpful in training our intense decibel level children?

Here he is striking another pose.  Super adorable.  I wish he didn't have the hilarious sunglasses on (cute, but oh, those blue eyes underneath!).

We all had good rests both back in the Burgh and here on the Bayou.  The boys at home woke up to another gorgeous day and I woke up to rain.  Thankfully it cleared by 10am, but before that happened we killed time taking pictures...again.

Here's some closeups of Elizabeth who had some great wake time showing off her big baby blues!

Big sister didn't want to be left out, so I invited her to join the photo shoot.  

Back in Pittsburgh, Doug had the boys helping get things ready for his mom's visit.  Nana should be a nice distraction and help while Mommy is away, although I have to say that Douglas is one talented Daddy.  The boys are having a blast.  I don't think they will care if/when I come home!  Tav was in charge of Swiffer sweeping, Koen had the Swiffer duster.  

Koen also cleaned up their room and made the beds.  Look how proud he is.  (Is it sad that I wish I could just straighten up the comforter and pull back the curtains?).

Since the house was picked up, Doug thought they should get out of there before they messed it up again.  They headed to Home Depot for some mulch.  Turns out there was a workshop going on and they got to build and paint their own little planters.  The boys loved it!

Penn has finally rebounded from last week's cold and the lack of sleep and strain from the travel day.  He is really warming up to Uncle Phil and Aunt Leah and is much more comfortable here.  Here he is just being a man like his Uncle Phil, a little Lazy Boy time never hurt anyone, right?

Bonding with silly Uncle Phil.  Penn's still deciding what he thinks. 

Well, that's it for now.  I'm really enjoying the laid back nature of Phil & Leah's hospitality combined with having one versus three of my own kids to care for.  Rain or not, it's relaxing and very enjoyable.  Hopefully I'll post more tomorrow!

Bayou Bound, Part 1

This weekend Penn and I have the special treat of flying down to Florida so that I can be with my brother, his wife and their two daughters.  The occasion for the trip is to meet their newest addition, Elizabeth, but really, I didn't need much of an excuse.  I've been missing family, I love hanging out with my brother and wife, Leah, and well, they live in paradise.  Tavin and Doug took Penn and I to the airport yesterday morning.  I was so thrilled that Tavin was completely fine with Mommy "leavin' on a jet plane."  He seemed so thrilled to be looking forward to a few days with Dad (and not to mention he and Koen can NOT stop talking about the impending visit from Nana and cousin, Casey on Saturday/Sunday).  Penn was amazing on the plane rides despite the fact he's still getting over the weird cold/virus that blew through Tav, Penn and I this past week or so.  Here he is all ramped and ready to go!

And right after liftoff he was ready to nap, so I smuggled my travel bed into position, laid him in and after one sad, pitiful cry he put his thumb in his mouth and passed out.  

Tavin had a great morning with Doug.  Look at this super happy picture I received upon landing for our connection in Chicago.  I think he's regaining his strength and silly stamina!

Doug took Koen and Tavin to Highland Park after Koen got out of school.  These are such sweet (and dilapidated) brother pictures.  Koen was dressed for "crazy day" at school, that's why his shirt is inside out and unbuttoned. =)

The rest of mine and Penn's travel day went very well, although Penn was exhausted of course.  He's such a trooper and great traveler.  He even pretty much adjusted to the time change in our first evening and went to sleep at his normal time, sleeping all night long and waking up happily after 7am and chatted to himself until 8am.  He and Eleanor had some playtime in their PJ's after breakfast.  Penn's saying, "I'm so happy to be here!"

"Ok, this time I'll look down and you look up, Eleanor."

Apparently the rest of the big boys' night went well at home too and Doug successfully got them out the door on time for school (for Koen) and speech therapy (for Tav).  Look how grown up they are (and yes, a little shaggy, I've yet again forgotten to schedule a hair appointment!).

Pittsburgh is actually getting warmer, brighter weather than we are in Florida today, but you can't beat this lovely backdrop, the peaceful bayou (and not to mention the adorable Eleanor!).

She and I spent almost two hours out in the backyard this morning playing while Penn took a nice long (and much needed) morning nap.  She is super talkative and relational.  I'm so enjoying getting to know her better.  Phil grabbed my camera and got her to do some poses this morning.  Such a sweet face!

Well, that's it for now.  It's relaxing being here minus 2 of my boys.  I miss them like crazy (and Doug too).  We love coming to Florida together and enjoying my family and all the outdoors has to offer here.  Next time, we have to all make the trek!