Charleston

 Andy and I had a FUN and much-needed trip to Charleston, SC, the last weekend of September (which just so happened to fall on my 31st birthday).  This was the first trip we've been on in over 4 years with me being not pregnant or nursing.  We started off our time with pre-dinner drinks at The Gin Joint.

 We loved eating all the fresh seafood.  Andy got some great oysters at Amen Street.

 And a hand-rolled cigar at a rooftop bar.

 Headed to Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms for the day

 The birthday girl at The Obstinate Daughter. Best restaurant ever.

 A boardwalk at Sullivan's Island

We ate, and walked, our way through Charleston.  We loved the grits and breakfast at Hominy Grill, had a fabulous dinner at The Mactinosh, had fun browsing the market, and enjoyed watching football at the 82 Queen bar.  

While we were enjoying an abundance of free time, my amazing parents had driven up to watch our babies.  I think they had fun :)

September 2014

The kids started Mother's Day Out at First ARP.

Jackson goes MWF and Ellie goes on Wednesdays.  I.LOVE.IT :)

 Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for these wild munchkins, but I think we're all happy when we get a little 2.5 hour break from each other.  

Real life photo shoot below, modeling our Christmas jammies:

Checking out a BUG

 Meeting little Charlie Beck

 SEC Tailgate party

 Ellie is coloring. Yikes...wonder when she'll think that crayon looks pretty on the walls?!

Ellie is talking SO much, combining words ("air-pwane," "fi-twuck," "hew-ro," "I DO IT")

 Loved her cupcake from Cooper's birthday party

Jackson loves this counting game (beans and an ice cube tray). His preschool teacher has a special ed background and stays up-to-date on research. She says that because of the finger swiping motion of iPhones/iPads, kids are having trouble developing pointer finger muscles and therefore having difficulty writing.  This is an easy one-to-one way to work on muscles and identify one bean per tray slot.  We don't do these activities often, but Heather is great about keeping the parents updated on fun things to do with the kids.

More Greenway talks with the donkey

Ellie playing with her friend Luke

Some of my fave reads

As promised, here are some great reads.  Hope you enjoy!

Excellent reads: (as in, I am still thinking about the books)

any novel by Kate Morton is an addictive read

Vacation reads: (although some days you want an easier read in the middle of your week)

Encouragement reads:

By far the BEST book on parenting and grace that I've read. However, give yourself grace when first starting to read it. 

I'm still slowly reading through this one. Great read thus far

An excellent read that I recommend to everyone, whether you've faced immense suffering in your life or not. Invaluable information for those who are suffering, those you know are suffering, and as always, a solid book by Tim Keller.

If you end up reading any of these books, let me know what you think!