Ft. Lauderdale Surprise

What started off as a seemingly normal birthday morning for Anna quickly turned into an exciting day.

  Within an hour of opening the contents of this birthday envelope... 

she found herself here, at the Atlanta airport, getting ready to board her first flight!

 

I loved watching how mesmerized she was by the beauty of the clouds and what she saw below.  Meanwhile, John Caden was more bedazzled with the snack--and even discovered that dipping his pretzels into his apple juice was a yummy treat. 

We spent lots of time swimming with cousins at Gramma's house.

Grampa organized an indoor soccer game for us: Falkins Family Adults vs. Falkins Family Kids.

 

Uncle Aaron outdid himself this year with our Fire Station visit!

 

  

We, of course, made a visit to the beach and to some of our other favorite spots...

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 9th Birthday, Anna! I think it will be one that you'll always remember!

What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes?

 

 

How happy a kitchen windowsill lined with homegrown tomatoes makes me!

My Happy Place

I love opening the gate to our backyard...it feels as if I'm entering my very own secret garden... 

 

I also love being able to bring a little bit of my happy place inside...

 

Especially when I get to see this little fellow enjoy the fruits (or vegetables should I say) of my labor. 

Exercising to the Sound of Reading

Overheard:

John Caden: "Anna, since you already finished your exercises, will you keep me company by reading to me while I get mine done?"

Anna: "Well, certainly buddy."

And here are my quick, sneaky shots as proof that this really happened: