Daddy's Girl in the Bahamas!

It all started with a trip to Sea World and Emma begging to swim with the dolphins. She was relentless about swimming with the dolphins, Shamu or anything that we would allow her to jump in the water with. It was Spring Break 2010 when the dream was born for us to allow her to swim with the Dolphins when we traveled to the Atlantis on our summer vacation.

One of her THIRD birthday surprises in June was this certificate her Daddy made for her to swim with the dolphins along with a stuffed dolphin. She was super excited and talked about it everyday until she slipped on her wet suit and it was time to turn her dream into reality. I am not sure who was more excited her, her Daddy or me (the photographer).

Entering Dolphin Cay for a day of fun and memories that will last a lifetime.

Hmmm...thought Darla, "our grandma by choice" would be so proud of this one. I also could not resist the cuteness of all these itty bitty wetsuits hanging just waiting for little people to jump inside.

One look at our witty itty bitty and the gentleman handed over the suit and told her to have a great time. She did not move 3 feet before she sat down on the floor and got straight to work.

Of course she wanted no assistance getting it on, so she ended up with both feet and legs in the arm holes. She sure knows how to keep a crowd entertained.

You are looking at one very happy and excited Daddy that could not wait to experience this with his baby girl. I teased him and told him that she was really the boy he had always dreamed of. All kidding aside, Curtis has traveled all over since he was a young child and he always dreamed of the day he could do these types of things with our kiddos.

My husband the rule follower and his "mini me" paying very close attention during orientation. This is where we learned that 7 of the dolphins at Dolphin Cay were rescued shortly after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. Their story brought tears to my eyes, yes I am real sappy like that especially when it comes to animals. You see, Emma's love and passion for animals comes naturally to her and I was the same way as a little girl, thanks to my Daddy. Those 7 dolphins are living the life now at the Atlantis and being treated like royalty. So happy for those little bottle nose fellas.

They are off to get in the water and meet Hercules, native of Louisiana. Hercules, thank you for being so sweet and smelling like strawberries according to our baby girl. Emma has told everyone that the Dolphin smelled like the little red fruit that we love to eat.

I think we have 2 happy Frazier's right here while the other 2 observed from the Beach.

Everyone needs and deserves a little dolphin kiss in their life.

Hercules, I think you might be a little thankful that Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana a couple years back.

Daddy congratulating Emma for being so brave and helping him make dreams come.

Daddy was not the only one who was proud. Our two trainers were very impressed by Emma's skills and lack of fear. Most of the kids dropped their fish in the water when the dolphin swam their way. Not our Emma, she held it in her hand and waited for Hercules to open his mouth and beg a little before she dropped it in.

Look at you Emma. You had just turned THREE years old when you did this and I am confident that you will do it again one day. I am looking forward to returning next year (God willing) and us swimming with the dolphins as a family.

You are looking at Emma's BIGGEST FAN! This little guy sat in his stroller the entire time and just talked and clapped as he watched his Daddy and Emma interact with the Dolphins.

I can not thank God enough for the Daddy that he has blessed my daughter with, I am not sure they come in better packages than the one we got! Emma, your Daddy is everything that I pray you will find in a spouse one day (a very long time from now). You are looking at a man that is everything God intended for a Daddy to be and so much more.

We are so proud of you big girl and I think you are feeling super proud of yourself in this shot.

From the very beginning when we decided Emma and her Daddy would do this he would always say things like "Why don't you do this with her?" or "We can do it one day and y'all can do it the next". Even up until it was time to do it, Curtis said, "I feel bad that you are not getting to do it with her." My comment would always be, "I can NEVER take that away from you, I know how long you have dreamed of this day". Truth is, Gavin and I could have done it had we booked it in May but it was all booked by the date of travel. In the end, I was so happy with being the photographer and just watching the 2 loves of my life from the shoreline. However, I do look forward to the day we will swim with the dolphins as a family. Sure hope Gavin does not try to bite one (just kidding buddy).

It was a great day spent at Dolphin Cay on the property of the Atlantis. We met some really nice families, trainers & dolphins while making memories and dreams come true. There was a time in my life when I thought I was the biggest Daddy's girl on earth, but after watching my husband and daughter, I think they've got me beat. Emma, we are beyond PROUD of you little girl!

Sand, Beach & Family Fun

Just a glimpse of the days we spent on the beach. The weather was a little tricky when we were in the Bahamas, so to insure that we got beach time daily we would arrive at about 7:30 every morning. The benefit to doing this was a front row seat, a chair with a canopy and less crowded beaches.

Of course we had to get pictures of our names, destination and the year in the sand.

Playing in the sand was one of our favorite things to do on this trip.

My handsome little man was not so sure he liked the sand in the beginning, but he came around quickly. I think he realized it would get kind of boring sitting around on a chair all day.

Emma Lou was up for anything on this trip. She did not think twice when we asked her if we could bury her in the sand.

Daddy & Emma making there way to the ocean for a morning swim. Daddy really enjoyed being in the ocean with both of our sweet babies.

This little guy was so cute when he would stand up and walk through the sand. He would try as hard as he could to get where he needed to go, but it was a little hard. When he decided he had enough he would crawl up on any ones chair and make himself at home. No one really seemed to mind at all and would laugh at his big ole smile once he made his way up there.

Daddy made lots of trips back and forth to the beach with buckets full of water for us to use for building sand shapes and castles.

We had our very own little beach bum on this trip. Emma would have played on the beach all day long by herself, she was so content. She would wake up in the morning begging to hit the beach. When it did rain she would tell her Daddy, "it's no big deal Dad we can go to the beach in the rain".

Emma's vacation friend Erica from "neticut". We had to explain to Emma that vacation friends were people that we would probably never see again, she did not like the idea of that at all. She wanted to find Erica everyday at the pools and the beach.

My sweet babies hard at work in the sand.

Sifting through the sand one scoop at a time. We actually had a duffle bag filled with all these beach toys that we brought from home.

Hmmm....we were so thankful Gavin decided he liked the beach and did not mind getting dirty.

As for this one, there was no stopping her on this trip. She was a trooper that was willing to do more than was sometimes offered. She was super brave and had a great time no matter what we were doing. I am pretty sure she fell in love with her baby brother all over again on this trip. She could not keep her hands off of him and if he was not laughing at her, she was laughing at him.

Both of our kids ended up loving the beach and the sand, which is a wonderful thing for us because we heart Beach vacations!

Bahamas ~ The fun begins!

I have finally gotten a chance to start journaling our vacation after getting over the anxiety of looking through 2000+ pictures. Yes, we were extremely camera happy and excited to use our new camera we purchased days before traveling.

We were so super excited to spend a week at the Atlantis with our kiddos and introduce them to all the resort had to offer. We chose this destination because we felt like it would be a great place to go with our kids and never have to leave the property while offering so many things for all of us to do. Needless to say, it did not disappoint and both of our kids LOVED it!

We spent hours each day staring into all the aquariums and watching our kids as they stood mesmerized at the sharks, fish, manta rays, starfish, seahorses, conch, sea urchins and the life that exists under the sea.

Our little man got so excited the first day that he took off running and ran right into the aquarium wall sending him flying backwards about 2 feet and landing flat on his little back. We laughed all week about it, after we made sure the goose egg on his head was okay.

Every evening we walked down to the Marina and enjoyed watching the local entertainment, eating dinner and having dessert. Gavin and Emma both enjoyed beating on the drums and shaking the noise makers they had out for the children to help the Bahamian band.

Enjoying her "PINK" ice cream from the Ice Cream Parlor that was a very popular hit on the Island.

Emma decided to grace the stage one day and sing her very own rendition of "Pants on the ground" for all the onlookers. It was so funny and was only the beginning of her entertaining us and others on this trip.

One of our favorite things to do was visit the sea turtles several times a day. They happened to be housed very close to The Cave we had lunch in everyday. I loved hearing Gavin say "turdle" and getting so excited to see them.

We could have stared at these guys all day. There were about 25 of them in an open aquarium and they were beautiful and big. This was one of my favorite things to do when we were here on our honeymoon too. It is hard to tell their size, but some of them were about 3 feet in length and width. They had the cutest little faces you have ever seen. Emma was begging to get in and swim with them. The girl is a lover of all animals big & small and I am confident she would have gotten in without question had she been allowed to do so.

My sweet baby girl sitting up in a circular cut out to an aquarium, yes white dog traveled to the Bahamas with us along with the twins. I love the way these aquarium pictures turned out of them. Funny thing is, I have this exact picture of me and Curtis from when we visited the Atlantis 5 years ago.

Emma & Gavin ~ this was by far the BEST vacation your Dad & I have ever taken in our life. There were many people who thought we were nuts for taking you guys here and that none of us would enjoy ourselves because you guys were so young. You guys were TROOPERS and great little travelers. Each morning we were up, dressed and out of our hotel room by 7:30 every morning (usually on the beach) and did not return (with the exception to change clothes or clean up) till 10-11:00 every evening.

You guys crashed at the beach, by the pools, in the stroller, on walks through the aquariums or wherever and whenever you got tired. Everything about this trip was perfect and you both enjoyed all it had to offer and got so excited with each new adventure. Emma, I know you will remember it for the rest of your life and don't worry little buddy we are going back, so you will get to add these memories to your memory box too.

There is something so special about seeing a vacation through the eyes of your own children. Emma & Gavin, Thank you for helping us make memories that will last a lifetime.

Souvenir???

Hoping to get some pictures posted soon of our vacation after sorting through all 2200 of them. Most people bring home a t~shirt, magnet or cup from vacation but my over achieving child decided it would be a good idea to bring a PARASITE home with her as a souvenir.

We are hoping to get some results back from the Dr. in the next couple days to determine exactly what it is and start treating it properly. I must admit, it was worth the great time we had but I am ready to know what is going on and be done with it!

I Can Only Imagine...

Today we celebrated the life of my Uncle Eddie (my Mom's Brother) who left this world to meet Jesus on Wednesday night after a 5 year battle with Cancer.

It was a beautiful celebration that honored the life he lived that glorified God, honored and respected his family, maintained life long friendships, was a cornerstone in his community, a leader in his church, a husband of 42 years, a Daddy of 3 amazing children, a grandfather to 5 little ones that he adored, a brother that cherished his relationship with his sisters, a gifted athlete, an Uncle that was compassionate, a Son that watched after his Father, an encourager, a hard worker, an advice giver and so much more. As I sat and listened to the service I was PROUD of the man I got to call my Uncle for 38 years.

“I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (2 TIM. 4:6-8)

We will never forget the smile you always had on your face, the jokes you loved to share, the laughter you added to every room and your warm heart. You will be missed, you are loved and you will never be forgotten. I have included this in my journal to Emma & Gavin because I want them to remember what an amazing man you were during your life here on earth. Thank you for the memories and for being such a sweet man! The world and our family are better because of the life you lived.

Brave Girl @ 37 Months Old

Happy "monthly" Birthday baby girl. Our wish for you is that you always love & enjoy life as much as you do today. You are the sweetest and happiest little girl I have ever laid eyes on in my entire life & I think there are so many others that would agree.

We just returned from vacation where you & Daddy swam with the dolphins and it will always be a cherished memory for us all. Not to mention, you looked so stinkin' cute in this wet suit that you put on by yourself at first. Shortly after, we realized you had your legs in the arm holes. Oh how you keep us laughing Emma Caroline!

I am sure people thought I would stop taking your monthly picture by now, but I can not bring myself to stop (maybe one day). I always want to remember you at every little stage of your life.

We love you to the moon and back sweet girl!

I NEVER want to forget!

We have just returned from our week long stay at the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Everyone of us are exhausted, but it was the most AMAZING trip of my entire life and I would do it all over again. Yes, even packing and dragging 9 bags and a double stroller around the world.

There are so many things about this trip that I want to remember forever from walks on the beach, looking for seashells, playing in the ocean with our kids, building sandcastles, looking at sea turtles, swimming with Dolphins, watching Emma go behind the scenes with the trainers to participate in a feeding of stingrays, Gavin pretending to ride a horse, playing in the sand as a family, rides in the lazy river, eating lollipops, trips to Oh Sugar, hearing my son say turtle, boat & fish for the first time, getting dressed 4 times for family pictures and being rained out every time, watching the sun set at Cove Beach 2 nights straight, staring into the aquariums for hours, Gavin sitting in a pizza box eating his dinner, jumping on the bed with Emma, entertaining 2 kids on the plane for hours, marshmallow fights in the hotel room, both of our children being the welcoming committee everywhere we went and shouting hi or hello, the excitement in their faces with every new thing they experienced, Emma striking up a conversation with ANYONE who would talk back, burying Emma in the sand up to her neck, Gavin pooping on the floor in the hotel room (yuck), late night hunts for milk for Little Man, Emma searching for a peddler on the beach to sell her a starfish, watching Emma seek friends she could play with and falling in love with 5 year old Erica from Connecticut, watching my husband as he glowed with pride that Emma was so brave with the dolphins and stingrays, Gavin so excited about the huge aquariums that he ran right into the glass of one and it knocked him back about 2 feet leaving a goose egg on his head, seeing my kids love each other like never before, enjoying the week away from technology, being able to focus on my sweet family of four and so much MORE!

On our way to PARADISE!

the Frazier Four are on their way to enjoy some fun in the sun, build sandcastles, play on the beach, swim with the dolphins (1/2 of us), find seashells and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Praying for beautiful weather, safe travels, a relaxing trip, undisturbed quality time with my family of four, those that are sick or struggling while we are away & the person who is lucky enough to sit by us on the plane! Pretty confident we will have to buy a round of drinks for everyone sitting within 3 rows of us. It should be interesting to say the least, praying my kids sleep the entire flight.

I am going to take this week to focus on my family, my marriage, being a Mommy, my career, my blessings, friendships, how I can make a difference next school year, setting some new goals, reflecting on life and my relationship with God.

Feeling super giddy thinking about my little ones playing on the beach together. Please pray traveling mercies over us while we are away.

the BEAST @ 16 months

Daddy celebrated a birthday yesterday and today we celebrated 16 months of life for this little guy. Hmmm...maybe I am kidding when I call him a beast and maybe I'm not, still trying to figure out if it is Baby #2 or just a BOY thing he is going through.

Gavin, you keep us moving 100% of the time little man. We can not turn our back on you for a second or you are eating out of the trash can, climbing up something, eating dog food, banging the walls with a toy or zooming your car up the fridge. You are a super busy little guy with a mind that works non stop. Just a few facts about you at 16 months old:

• Weigh 28lbs, wear size 6 extra wide shoe, 32 inches tall, size 6 diaper & 2T clothes
• Playing in the water is at the top of the list
• Climb the slide standing up on the Rainbow
• Say 31 words & phrases regularly (Momma, Dadda, Emma, Nana, uh-oh, thank you, dog, Rara, hi, bye-bye, no, Beamer, hi Kitty, Hi Daddy, night night, hello, E-I-E-I-O, Amen, I love you, cheese, hold me, airplane, shhhh, boo, baby, set go, A-B-C-D, help me, ouch & Happy Birthday to you {you just started saying this one yesterday on Daddy's birthday and it is the cutest thing ever})
• Just finished cutting 8 teeth at the same time, this might be why you bite all the time
• Got your 2nd haircut today with the clippers on a 3 & 4, Thank you Mrs. Julie
• Very social and chatty
• Enjoy bike rides in the bike trailer
• Hang off the side of the kitchen table, bathroom sink or drawers to the point that your feet are not even touching the ground
• Started putting your hands over your mouth when you get upset and crying, like poor pitiful me
• Play with trucks and cars saying zoom or making racing noises
• Still enjoy your sister's pink kitchen
• Laugh at your sister constantly and think she is so funny
• Began walking so fast that is almost like you are running
• Visited your first movie, Toy Story 3
• Played on a slip-n-slide for the 1st time
• Feed yourself with a spoon or your hands
• Love to eat and you eat alot
• Would be outside all day everyday if we would let you
• Pretend to talk on the phone or cell phone and walk around saying, "hello, hello, hello"
• Fight with your sister over the baby doll stroller
• Stand at the crayola easel and put the letter magnets on the board and say, "A-B-C-D"
• Prefer your Mommy all the time and scream if I get out of your sight, so sweet yet so annoying sometimes. You and separation anxiety are in a battle right now.
• Love our weenie dog Beamer & kiss and hug all over him while he licks you nonstop
• Imitate anything your sister does or says and want to be just like her
• Emma runs and Daddy says "ready, set, go" so you get against the wall and yell "set, go"
• Have a special place in your heart for Grandma Carol, my Mom (most people do so good choice buddy)
• Push your sister on her bike or riding toy all over the house, so sweet but seems like she should be pushing you
• Your kisses are big open mouth and you just put it over our mouths, super funny and so sweet.
• Started climbing up the stool and trying to turn on the water and brush your own teeth
• Very jealous of your sister or anybody else that gets Mommy's attention. You will push your way into my lap and start open mouth kissing me.
• Pretend to lock Beamer in his kennel when we leave

There is so much that you are doing and it is all the little things that I HOPE I never forget. You like to be on the go and rarely sit in our laps or let us love on you. It is like you are on a little mission all day, every day. You are so curious about the way things work and you are afraid of NOTHING (Including ME!)

We love you so much Gavin and have enjoyed every single day of the last 16 months with you. You are my SUPER "witty itty bitty" and something about your little personality tells me we are in for big surprises when it comes to you. Good or bad, we are in it for the long haul sweet boy. Always know that Mommy, Daddy & Emma love you to the moon and back!

Pedaling at THREE

Grandma Carol got Emma this bike for her Birthday. Emma was very specific in her request for the perfect bike. She wanted it to be all pink and only pink, the girl is OBSESSED with PINK!

We thought the Itty Bitty would struggle riding it because she had a difficult time on the tricycle. She quickly proved us wrong when she turned our house into her own personal bike trail. Our walls now have a few blemishes where she has bumped them while riding her bike all over our house.

Serious concentration going on right here and so cute how hard she focuses. She has done a great job and we are so proud of her determination and willingness to push hard till those pedals started to turn. You would think she had been riding for months once she got the hang of it.

So we are officially in the stage where we are changing clothes 4 times a day and getting our self dressed not welcoming any help. This little outfit is a prime example, 100 degrees outside and my child picks a long sleeve shirt, size 18 months (she wears a 4t) and puts it on backwards. This is one of those battles I choose not to fight and instead just praise and promote her independence. I think she might really be part DiStefano, reminds me of those four country kids more and more everyday!

One happy little girl right here and so proud of herself for riding a BIG girl bike. We are proud of you too Emma Lou!

Welcome to Emma's 3rd Birthday

When my girly~girl declared she wanted a firefighter party for her 3rd Birthday, I was not a bit surprised since she makes me promise on a regular basis that she can fight fires when she gets big. Immediately I started searching for party decorations and had very little luck, so I dreamed up my own.

The announcements were designed by our photographer, Darla DiStefano Photography. She also gets the credit for all the photos included in this post. Darla, thank you so much for capturing so many wonderful memories of my little ones THIRD celebration.

A party is not complete without balloons (Polka Dot Market) and a birthday banner (Love September).

Table set up in entry with fire hydrant water sprinkles for the little ones and a basket full of chocolate covered oreos for each guest to take as they leave.

Cupcakes in a jar for the taking and they were oh so YUMMY!

Little metal firetruck held gifts and added a little cuteness to the decor.

One of the few things I was able to locate in the store to go with our party theme.

I created these tissue flowers and poms that could be found hanging from the ceilings and growing out of pots. Super easy to make, directions can be found on Martha Stewart's website.

Cake table that held cupcakes, pictures, party hat, plates and napkins. My sweet girl could not keep her hands off this before the party got started.

Cake was designed by a local lady and she is amazing. Every single thing on this cake was edible and so detailed.

Birthday crown I purchased from a sassy little site, True Love Found.

Cupcakes made by Mommy & Daddy for Emma's special day. The cupcake holders were polka dot, striped and some had Dalmatians on them.

When the cake was delivered, I thought it was PERFECT. The little girl had red hair, green eyes, a few freckles, hair in pig tails and 2 big yellow bows just like my EMMA. It had to be one of the cutest cakes I had ever seen, so very personal and super YUMMY! Leigh, we are customers for life.

Mix & match plates and napkins that tied in with the firefighter theme.

The kiddos enjoyed eating off these little uniform shirts and a couple adults did too.

Not your typical party food and very RANDOM. We decided to let Emma design the menu and she chose all her favorite foods.

Chik Fil A chicken nuggets, fruit, peanut butter & jelly (fire hydrant shaped, thanks to a cookie cutter), Cheetos, Goldfish, Juice and Sweet tea could be found on the menu.

So super easy, Chik Fil A actually delivered it to our front door along with lots of ice.

Drinks, Drinks and more Drinks.

All the desserts were red, white, yellow & black.

Sixlet candy in our party colors.

Marshmallow pops dipped in colored chocolate and sprinkled.

Oreos dipped in colored chocolate and sprinkled.

Basket full of treats for the little ones to pick up on the way to the Fire Station Tour.

Each little girl got a Firefighter umbrella from Western Chief along with a goody bag stuffed with lots of firefighting goodies.

It was so much fun searching for all the striped and polka dot red, yellow and black. It was not easy but we got our hands on lots of it.

Goody bags were filled with wooden firetrucks, stickers, tattoos, cupcake in a jar, chocolate covered oreos, fluorescent yellow glow bracelets, a fireman hat, badge, candy, Lego firetruck kit and man (boys) and umbrellas (girls). The little ones each got a bag and a fire hydrant water sprinkler.

I have learned that all kids love to hit a pinata and Emma requested to have one at her party. We had a lady make this one off ETSY and it turned out perfect.

We were able to find a local company that actually had a Fire Truck moonwalk for rent. It was so cute and we got in it the next morning and jumped some more.

Popcorn machine that matched all the red decor.

Giant fire hydrant and fireman hats used on one of our patio tables.

One of our friends was kind enough to loan us this hose from his station and we draped it over the fence behind our swing set.

Emma's got this playhouse from us for her Birthday and all the kids loved playing in it all day. It has a kitchen, table and 2 chairs. Daddy is mounting a marker board in there soon.

You are looking at one happy little girl that had a great Birthday party. After cake and ice cream, we went to the fire station in our neighborhood for a tour.

These bookmarks were out on the table for the kiddos to make their own firefighter bookmark. It was super hot outside, so we wanted to have an inside activity for them to do while they cooled off.

Happy Birthday to you Emma, she was so excited to blow the candles out on her cake. Rosette tank was ordered from Modern Frills.

We had the best time celebrating with lots of family and friends. At the end of the day, I was so thankful Emma picked out her party theme and menu. I struggled with it in the beginning, but had a great time thinking outside of the box and not sticking with a traditional theme. This party was all about Emma and her favorite things.

Bag tags that were also designed by my wonderful, creative & talented photographer. Notice the license plate on the front of the firetruck, our last name.

We love you so much Emma Caroline and hope you had the best THIRD birthday ever.