still catching up...

While we were in Savannah for Will's birthday, we played in Forsyth Park with Granddaddy and Aunt Angie. Hannah was running in her search to find my dad and fell on the sidewalk, hence the band-aids on her knees. She's tough, though, and willingly participated when I spotted an empty park bench...

I do like to dress my kids alike. My mom got them these outfits and, as fast as kids grow, I'm going to let them wear them every chance I get.

Later we met the family for pizza at Vinnie Van Gogh Gogh's, one of my favorite places in Savannah.

Will and Crystal.

My niece and nephew, Jordan and Austin.

Joseph playing with Aunt Trudie and Crystal.

The next day was Trinity Sunday and we went with my dad to St. John's - the church he attended for some 40 years or more - on Madison Square in downtown Savannah. The music was beautiful and it was nice to be there to worship with my dad who I rarely get to see. {He moved to WA a year ago.}

no problem mon

As I have a habit of doing, I wrote this post and meant to post it once all the pictures were uploaded and I got sidetracked.

Several weeks ago we had a surprise Jamaican/reggae themed 30th birthday party for my brother, Will. We loaded up and traveled to Savannah for the shindig. I took the kids a couple days early and we actually got to spend a good five days, something that rarely happens. I don't know how surprised the birthday boy really was, but a good time was had by all. Crystal, his girlfriend, did a great job with the details and my mom and I enjoyed helping plan. My dad came from Bellingham, WA, and other friends and family came from out of town to surprise him.

The kids were around for the surprise part and then carried off to bed.

Hannah and Aunt Katie dancing to the drums.

Three Joseph Alexander Bucks.

Surprise!

Will and Crystal, party planner extraordinaire.

the girl who likes to dress up

Dora princess costume? Check. {I'm not sure she knows who Dora is.} Big tutu? Check. Necklace, crown, and other accessories? Check. And she won't go anywhere without shoes and socks. These plain white ones are among her favorites. Go figure. The cheesy smile is a staple as soon as the camera is pointed in her direction.

Just another day in our house. Happy Friday!

zacchaeus

I posted this on Facebook, but it bears a repeat. Hannah learned "Zacchaeus" at preschool. She sang with her class in church a little while back. I was so proud she actually sang and did the motions. Fast forward a few weeks and it is still her favorite song. A couple weekends ago, Hannah, Joseph, and I sat in the car while Joe got a haircut. I got her to sing for me while we were waiting...

She's so country. Words like he and see are two syllables. And I love how she says Zacchaeus, like "ZacCHAEUS!!! You better get down from that tree right now boy!"

Ah, I could watch it over and over and over. Love her.

zihuatanejo

Where, you say?

Zihuatanejo is on the Pacific coast of Mexico, south near Acapulco. It is a fishing village; not a big place and not commercialized, which is why we like it. We went on our honeymoon and said we'd be back in five years. And we were. Five years and seven months to be exact, two moves, and two kids later.

It was my first time away from Joseph, and a year and a half since I'd had a break from kids. Let's just say it was much-needed and much-anticipated.

We watched the sunset every night as we ate dinner with our toes in the sand. I know....rough.

We Skyped the kids every day for a little bit. Hannah liked to see the pretty flowers on our pillows.

We ate. And ate. Home of the best guacamole I've ever had, served at our little table on the beach.

Due to the fishing being so good, we ate fresh-caught fish every day. I had this yellowfin sushimi for lunch one day on the beach. 

We went into town briefly one afternoon to buy some souvenirs for the kiddos.

Great trip. It was different this time around, more having to do with us than the resort. I told people when we got back that I think it was different because we are different. On our honeymoon there was no thought of what was going on back home. This time, we thought a lot about what was back home. Every time we saw a little native girl run down the beach, or a baby boy playing on the sand with his parents, we thought of Hannah and Joseph. We missed them, and wished at times they were there. {At very brief times...We know how relaxing a vacation is with little ones.}

My mom came to stay at our house so Hannah could go to preschool and there would be minimal disruption from routine. We left before the kids woke up on a Monday morning and came home after the kids went to bed on Friday night, so it was close to a week without seeing them, but we had these signs (and more decorations waiting for us):

Thanks again Mom, and Mama and Daddy Buck for helping make our trip possible!