Beautiful Sunset with Beautiful Friends

Sunday after Susan's baby shower we headed to The Naples Beach Club for some much needed running around and dancing (for the kids) and relaxing and talking (for the adults).  The weather couldn't have been more perfect, the company couldn't have been better and the sunset couldn't have been more picturesque.  The kids had so much fun running around on the lawn and dancing to live the music and even got to blow (or eat if you're Lexi or Adrey) bubbles.  It was a perfect way to end an exhausting but fun and eventful weekend. 

I was feeling a tad bit of disappointment in myself for not doing anything with or for the kids this past weekend.  On Saturday I shopped for the shower that was on Sunday and then had to get ready for the wedding while the kids were napping.  Shortly after they woke up for naps we left them with Grandma and Grandpa Schaps so we could head out to the Schimmel wedding.  On Sunday morning I made floral arrangements for the baby shower and didn't do anything fun with the kids.  Well mommy made up for it because the kids had a BLAST at the Naples Beach Club!!  They were so exhausted by the end of the night that they sat in the wagon waiting on me to pull them back to the car.  Usually I have to beg and plead to get them to leave somewhere fun.  I wore those little boogers out!  Woo Hoo...There was no complaining from them the rest of the night and I forgot that I was once disappointed in myself.

These pictures mostly come from my friend Leah as I did not snap any pictures myself.  Some of the pictures come from Kristina, Susan's sister.  So thank you dear friends for letting me 'steal' your beautiful pictures of our perfect evening to share with my friends and family.

Joanne's happy and beautiful sunflower Miah Jane

Another beautiful and happy toddler, Adrey

 Tried to get a line up of the kids and as you scroll down you'll notice they drop like flies!

Devin, Lexi, Presley and Adrey

            And one down...three to go!

I love this picture...I think the look Lexi is giving Presley is priceless!

   And now we're down to my two little hams...

The last one standing...Mr. Devin Andrew...as happy as could be with his balloon.

The most adorable and perfectly content baby you'll ever meet...Adrey's lil bro Charlie

Lexi love her pita and had one in her hand practically the whole time.

Lexi blowing bubbles with Susan.  Nice face Kara! LOL

Devin blowing bubbles with Susan.

More blowing bubbles with Susan!

Joanne and MJ checking out the gorgeous sunset!

Sunday was so much fun...from the shower to the sunset at the Beach Club.  I love and appreciate my friends so much!  Weekends like last help us remember how lucky we are to have each other.  I hope to post more pictures from the Susan's shower and the Schimmel wedding soon. So check back soon!

Cheyenne sleeping with her teddy bear!  So cute...

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

So, yeah....that's all I have to say...HOT HOT HOT!  Do we know how to turns heads or what??

We had such an awesome weekend full of celebrations.  Saturday was Aaron and Meghan's beautiful wedding and Sunday we threw Susan a baby shower and then headed to Naples Beach Club for some music and fun in the evening.  I have so many pictures to post from this weekend but the picture above needed to be posted by itself! LOL  These are some of the smartest, funnest and most beautiful ladies I know. (MJ included!)

Weekend Fun!

What a weekend we had!  I am exhausted just thinking about it.  I knew next weekend was jammed packed with social events so I wanted to spend a lot of time with kids this weekend...outside and moving.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! This weekend's weather is another reason I insisted on being outside.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!  The humidity is finally down and feels just perfect outside.  On top of keeping my kids entertained and outside playing this weekend, I decided to start potty training Lexi.  I knew it would be much easier than with Devin since she's seen him go through this same process and well of course, cause she's a girl!  She will do anything for a sticker; that is my potty training whisperer secret #1.  You just mention the word sticker and she will run for the bathroom!  It was interesting being outside and away from our house so much this weekend while trying to accomplish this big task.  Another potty training whisperer tip is to keep a potty in your vehicle.  Both of my kids used the little potty quite a few times in the back of the van this weekend.  It's sort of funny...I used to keep a cooler, beach chairs, stereo for the beach, favorite cd's, etc. in the car and now I keep a kid's potty, Thomas the Train DVD's and any toy to occupy a child for a couple minutes.  LOL...Things have changed...a lot!

Saturday morning I decided to take the kids to Fleischmann Park since we had to visit daddy at work and that's the nearest park.  I wasn't thinking very clearly because Saturday morning every child under the age of 13 is playing football or cheering at that football field. The place was packed and kids were running around everywhere.  I think that's one reason Devin and Lexi had so much fun there. They've never seen so many kids before! I kept them both on the small kids' side of the park for as long as I possibly could but they both wanted to play with the big kids and climb up the big kids' jungle gym.  It was very scary for me to watch Lexi climbing up the rock wall and then get to the top and stand up.  I was happy for her and scared for her at the same time.  There are no pictures from the big kid's side of the park...my hands were braced for a fall the entire the time...Seriously.

Lexi on the smaller, safer slide

A cute but bored Devin on the small kids' playground

On Sunday morning we had a play date with two of the cutest and nicest little girls at Cambier Park.  Macy and her mom Tash and Taylor and her mom Amanda met us at the park bright and early to play.  (Tash and Amanda are friends of mine from middle school and were the same girls here I went roller skating with...what a fun night!)  Cambier is one of my favorite parks to take the kids to play.  I packed the wagon (thanks Jarbo's!) and pulled the kids around the park in their new red wagon.  They thought that was much cooler than the double stroller and mommy got a good workout too. Another great morning was had at another City of Naples beautiful park!

Devin, Macy 'Wonder' and Lexi on the slide

Taylor, Macy and Lexi...these girls may quite possibly get into all kinds of trouble in the years to come!

Taylor and Lexi on the slide

After the park we drove over to Grandma and Grandpa O'Dean's house to get a swim in before the water gets too cold.  It was such a nice day, we even ate lunch outside on the patio.  I hope this warm, less humid weather is going to stick around for awhile.  Even the dogs are loving it!

Grandma Debbie and Lexi are the only ones saying cheese!

We had a nice afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house in the pool and sitting outside.  I brought laundry over there (we still have not replaced our dryer!) and got two loads done while the kids napped and played.  Lexi's only potty accident this entire weekend of course happened at Grandma's house. (sorry!)  She did such a great job, I'm very proud of her.  I just wish I could work with her during the week but I'm just not home enough.  So the weekends are the only time I can work on potty training.  I hope by the end of October she's completely potty trained.  That would be so nice!  No kids in diapers = HAPPY PARENTS!

This Saturday Andy and I have a friend's wedding to go to.  We are really looking forward to it and should be a beautiful night.  We also have friends, Susan and Brian, that are in town from California and we can't wait to spend some time with them.  On Sunday Susan's family is having a baby shower for her; she and her husband are having a baby boy.  We are super excited for them and can't wait to see them!  I should have lots of fun pictures from this weekend to post.  Can't wait!

Dancing with Daddy!

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

This weekend went by entirely too fast but we enjoyed it very much!  On Sunday late afternoon we even managed to get outside and run and play football for 30 minutes.  It was incredibly humid and warm but the sun was hiding behind clouds allowing us to play outside.  Devin kept asking us if he could race outside; the kid loves to run!  So we brought all 3 dogs outside too and made it a family affair.  After Daddy and Devin were racing we tried to play a little football.  The kids and Sterling had a blast...okay and Mommy and Daddy did too!

As you can see Lexi's football stance is almost perfect! LOL

Devin had on his Tony Romo jersey but because it was so warm outside he took off a layer of clothing.  These pictures would have been perfect if he were wearing a football jersey.  We hope Devin keeps his love for running or racing as he calls it.  He has plenty of running genes...well...running through him!

Saturday evening Barron's Class of '95 had a very small gathering (15 yr reunion) at The Pub at Mercato.  It was a very low turn out but a very fun time!  My friend Jen and her two kids, Lindsey and Trevor, came over to babysit.  Our kids LOVE them to death and had a great time!  We can't thank Jen and crew enough for coming over and allowing us to get out for a few fun hours. We love you!  We had no worries at all leaving our little ones in their hands. 

It was EXTREMELY warm and muggy/humid out.  I'm not sure why I bothered to shower and dry my hair.  After 15 minutes of sitting outside all of the girls were passing out hair clips like it was candy on Halloween!  We had a few more people show up that were not in this picture but this is the fun crowd we hung out with all evening!

All in all we really had a perfect weekend; Kids got to play and run around, Mommy and Daddy got an evening out with old friends and I actually got some house work done as well.  Now if we could just get some cooler weather so we could spend more time outside; I'd be really happy!  We got some of our fall and Halloween decorations out on Sunday but it just doesn't feel like fall yet.

Time to Play Catch Up!

We have been very busy and very sick in the Schaps household.  Maybe the very busy part is what contributed to the very sick part?! ;-)  The colds we all had were over and done with in two days but it was like a domino effect...First Devin, then Lexi and then Mommy.  Before everyone got sick we were busy bodies playing up a storm.  Last weekend we had two play dates, one on each weekend day.  Chrissy and her 1 year old Colton came over to get a real taste of what it's like to have a brother and sister 16 months apart.  Chrissy is pregnant with a little girl, which she is naming Avery Jayne (I think that's beautiful!), and her two will also be 16 months apart.  I hope we didn't scare her too much! LOL It was nice to chat about the double stroller, the sling vs. baby bjorn and just plain living with two babies under one roof and how to keep it together!!  (still learning that part...)  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures since I was trying to keep three dogs happy while locked up and three toddlers from killing themselves!  I wish I could have captured Colton's face when he walked into our play room.  Very cliche but he was like a kid in a candy store.  Big eyes and big smiles and he just dug right in!

We also had a play date with my friend Jessica and her two kids Ross and Bridget.  Really the play date was for Bridget and our two kids since Ross is only 7 months.  We haven't met Ross before last weekend and have only seen pictures.  He is just as happy and cute as he is in her blog. (The Florida Johnstons-->)  Bridget is the cutest & funniest little girl and has a HUGE personality.  She is going places! LOL :-)  Of course I couldn't get one picture where all three were looking but you can't say I didn't try.

Oh and did I mention Bridget is a HUGE Gator fan too?!  Chomp...Chomp!

I think this was the hottest and most humid day the entire summer and it was mid September!

Where are you dear Fall...we miss you...

We may not have Fall weather but September still brings smiles to our faces.  It kicks off our favorite time of year...FOOTBALL SEASON!!!  We were invited over to our dear friends, The Jarbo's, house for the Sunday NFL games.  I love this time of year...fantasy football, terrible (and by terrible I mean YUMMY) food/snacks, get-togethers and yelling at the tv (why does it feel so good to yell at a tv?)!  Below is a picture of my first 7 layered dip of the 2010/11 Football Season.  It was delicious! 

Gabby and Devin sharing a seat...Don't they look cute together?  13 years down the road maybe...

Quick Story: We couldn't find Lexi for a few minutes and I peeked in Gabby's room and there she was.  Sitting at Gabby's vanity playing dress up with all her play jewelry.  It was the cutest thing and Lexi couldn't have been happier. Guess what Santa is bringing her this year?  Poor girl only has her brother's trucks to play with in the house.

Gabriella and Lexi in the pool.  Gabby is so sweet with our kids and is always so nice and shares everything with them!  I didn't get any pics of Cal but he is a real champ.  He lets Devin go in his room and tear it apart up and down.  Devin is in heaven in Cal's room. 
 He has the best big boy toys a little boy could dream of!



Lexi dolling it up for the camera!  Eric and Devin are being silly in the background.

We always have such a great time at Eric and Amanda's house. Thanks for always letting us come to your house and allowing our kids to trash it! LOL  We love you guys!

This past Saturday I attended a baby shower for my friend Randi who is going to have a baby girl next month.  It was a fun shower and beautifully decorated.  I got to catch up with good friends and relax and enjoy myself for a few hours.  I remember at one point I looked over at Lynn and said I am going to help clean up but I'm enjoying sitting and relaxing right now.  I never sit and I hardly ever relax! 

The hosts; Tesa, Kelly and Stacey and beautiful mom-to-be Randi!

Lynn, Me and Joanne...enjoying sitting, sipping and gossiping!!



Aren't the colors in our dresses beautiful together?  We all appropriately dressed for a baby girl's shower!
Tesa, Me, Joanne and Kelly

As always, the girls threw a fabulous party with plenty of champagne and delicious food.  Randi was showered and showered with wonderful gifts.  It is always fun to watch the mom-to-be's expressions and then ask...what is this for?...how do you use this?...I've never seen this before?!  God if I could only go back in time...I remember at a friend's baby shower years ago we were playing Pictionary and I got the word ONESIE to draw.  I didn't know what it was and I lost! :-(  I can't believe now that I never knew what a onesie was.  You live and learn...fast in my case!

I think I've caught everyone up so far.  Like I mentioned we've been busy but having fun!  Last night we attended Miah Jane's 1st Birthday Party.  It was so much fun and I will post pictures soon or just link Joanne's blog entry since she's so great at blogging about her beautiful daughter.  (Mama's Little Bandaid -->)