Celebrating love.

A big Happy Anniversary to my in-laws today! They are celebrating 30 wonderful years of marriage.

Thanks for showing us what long-lasting love is like, and giving us a great example to live up to!!

Happy 17th!

With Delaney in Crossville last year

Fresh flowers.

A lot of people say that fresh flowers are a waste of money. I have to disagree. I love having fresh flowers in the house. I usually keep them somewhere in the kitchen - an arrangement on my windowsill, or a vase on the table. I find them cheery and bright. I certainly could have used them around the house this week with all the rain we've had! I didn't have a chance to get any until we were out running our errands today. Luckily, our last stop, Publix, had some small bunches on sale so my wonderful hubby picked some out for me. They've got a bright orange lily in the center that is so gorgeous! Do you ever keep fresh flowers in the house?

Date night.

I just adore date nights with my hubby. It's fun to reconnect, do "adult" things, and pretend like we are still wild and carefree! Although, to be fair, I was never really wild. That's more Andrew's department.

On tonight's adventurous agenda are two places we've never been before.

Dinner at Merchant's
Drinks at the Patterson House

Hope your weekend is full of fun plans - make sure you make some time for your spouse, you'll be glad you did! Happy Friday everyone!

Can two year olds be grown up?

Last Sunday I ventured out to Target to pick up the items on Delaney's school supplies list.

And maybe a few other necessities. Ahem.

As I chose glue, markers, wipes, stuff for her lunchbox, etc. it hit me - my little girl is growing up.

Yes, I already knew that. After all, she's taken to calling herself a "big girl" and is growing taller, knows SO many words, is a total smarty pants, and has a personality all her own. But something about sending her out into the world still feels different. Until now, she's been with her grandmas all day during the week - and still will be, since she's just going 3 days a week to preschool.

We are so excited for her to start preschool. She'll love making friends and learning new things. We are so happy there was a spot for her at Grace, where she'll learn more about Jesus and continue planting the seeds of her faith.

Her first birthday I didn't feel sad or upset at all. Maybe a little bittersweet, but mostly excited for what the future would bring. I have had so much fun this year. Many more years of fun are yet to come, but turning 2 is a little bittersweet for me. Delaney is a little girl now, and has left most of her baby habits in the dust - other than diapers, which I am more than happy to say goodbye to!

This month we'll work on transitioning her to a toddler bed, this fall we'll attempt to potty train her, and we'll continue what we've already been working on - teaching her to stay the kind, compassionate, and loving little girl that she already is.

Moms, was the first or second birthday more of a milestone to you? After 2, did you feel like you had a little kid on your hands, and your baby was all gone?

Wordless Wednesday - Toddlertude.

Yep, more pictures.

While we were at the beach, my sweet husband obliged and did something he hates - family pictures.

I didn't plan ahead of time, so we threw together the outfits we had and ended up matching nicely! I had purchased this romper for Delaney from a Kelly's Kids trunk show months ago and was dying to try it out. I usually like more modern clothes, but this is just so Southern and adorable, and I am always a fan of seersucker, so I couldn't resist.

My dad snapped some photos on our Kodak - here are a few of my favorites!

 Sweet little girl in a sweet little romper

 Our little family

 My two loves

 Just adore this picture. Can't believe I made this little beauty!

 Had to thrown another daddy daughter shot in. I'm biased, I know, but these two are pretty cute!

The Klahns - 2012

R&R.

We are such a busy family. I love it, but it does get overwhelming at times. That's why I absolutely adore family vacations. This year we took a whole week away with my parents to our favorite spot in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. With the temps here at home above 100 for weeks on end, going down to the 85 degree beach breezes was so amazing. Delaney had a fantastic time and kept running in the "big pool" (ocean) over and over again. Daddy was so patient and chased her all around the surf! She built sandcastles with Pop, swam with Grannie, jumped into the pool a million times over with mommy, and had the best time she could possibly have had. Although its not all sitting on a chair and reading all day anymore, I love taking Delaney to the beach because she just loves it so much there and is such a happy camper when she is in the water. She runs into the surf with crazy, wild abandon and no fear! (That's where we come along to make sure she is safe!)

We ate seafood, grilled out, played cards, laughed, and yep, even managed to have a few cocktails! We celebrated July 4th from our condo, Delaney slept right through the fireworks just as she did last year. Maybe soon she'll be old enough to stay up past dark and be part of the fun, too! There were lots of fireworks on the beach so we had a decent view and didn't even have to get out of our PJ's!

Here are some pictures from our wonderful week:

 Hanging out in our jammies, early morning style

 Island girl all dressed up for dinner

 Playing in the sand with Pop!

 Mom and me

 Two peas in a pod

 My wonderful parents!

 Independence Day beach fun

 This girl definitely loves the beach!

 Visiting the Gulfarium

 Gotta love a ruffled bikini

Bedtime stories with Grannie & Pop