Litchfield Beach - Day 1

     Since today was our first full day at the beach, Marcus thought it'd be a good idea to get up at 6:30.  :)  I actually just think it was too bright in his room AND he was in an unfamiliar place, so that's why he said, "Onna get up!" as soon as I walked into the room.  Nonetheless, we're on vacation, so I decided to roll with it and just be thankful (even though my eyes would hardly open).
     We tried to let Daddy sleep for 2 more hours, so we ate breakfast, read books, and hung out on the large balcony looking at the ocean, seagulls, and the few people who were out on the beach.  Right about the time Daddy was waking up, we decided to go for a walk.  We checked out the two pools, one kiddie pool, and one jacuzzi.  We briefly glanced at the beach, but so far, he is not really impressed with the ocean.  He doesn't downright HATE it, but he's not squealing with joy either.
     Around 10:30, Uncle TJ and Aunt Liv showed up and the festivities began!  We helped them unpack their car, brought everything in, then all five of us headed for the beach.  It looked like we were moving in because we had SO MUCH stuff.  Mark carried the four beach chairs, I had Marcus (who was pulling his blue wagon with sand toys) and our beach bag with towels.  TJ and Olivia had their towels, boogie boards, and I can't remember who was pulling the cooler, but someone was.
     We gently introduced Marcus to the water in the soft sand where it was receding due to a lowering tide and played in the sand with him there.  Again, he didn't really like it so some of us went back to the chairs with him while others played deeper in the ocean.  I had forgotten how much I like the sway of the waves and the sound as they crash.  TJ, Olivia, Marcus, and I ate our sandwiches back on the dry sand while Mark worked on his tan. 
     We stayed out until about 1pm then Olivia and I took Marcus to the kiddie pool.  Now THIS is where he LOVED being.   The kiddie pool is one foot deep and about six or seven feet in diameter.  It was PERFECT for him.  He jumped, kicked, and splashed his little heart out.  We would've stayed longer but, well... let's just say his pool diaper was beginning to leak a dark substance. :(
     Skipping ahead, he took a nap and slept two hours.  While resting, Mark, TJ, and Olivia played a new card game and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them share in their competitive spirit.  I'm sure we'll be playing it again after Marcus goes to bed tonight.  The 3 adults went back to the beach to play football and Marcus and I joined in after he woke up.  We had one more round in the pool before eating supper, here in the condo, cooked by Olivia and I. 
     It's just after 8pm now and Marcus is WIIIIIIIDE open.  He's been playing on the bed with Olivia and then playing ball with Mark and TJ.  He's in heaven getting all this attention, but let's be honest.  Mark and I are pretty happy to get away and rest ourselves.  Having TJ and Olivia here REALLY helps and gives Mark and I a few extra minutes to ourselves. :)
     I can't promise a blog every day, but I'll try to share pictures of our adventures each evening.

Marcus' first view of the ocean - ever.

My two loves

6:30am on the porch

This was a first.  Mobile ice cream truck...float...boat?  Whatever you call it.

Marcus and Aunt Liv

He thought splashing was the most fun thing.

Playing "nertz"

Just after he woke up, watching Daddy, Uncle TJ, & Aunt Liv throw a football.

Everybody in the kiddie pool

Future Gamer

A BUSY last week - it was AWESOME!

     Since I'm so late on blogging about last week, here's a condensed version:

1) Tuesday afternoon we drove to Atlanta and took Marcus to his first Braves game.  They played the Yankees and those stinkin' Yankee fans were EVERYWHERE!  Marcus did not like staying in our seats, so we were up a lot.  He LOVED running the 90-foot base for kids in the upper left field and doing the chop with fellow Braves fans.

2) Wednesday morning, we went BACK to the stadium for a 9am tour.  This was my 2nd time but Mark's first.  Yet again, it was the best $12 you can spend.  This time we got to go into the Braves dugout (last time, it was the visitor's side) and we weren't able to go see the clubhouse since there was a home game scheduled for that night.  We also were able to check out the Braves Hall of Fame Museum.

4) Mark worked Thursday and Friday as usual and then we picked him up at the end of his route on Friday afternoon and headed to Virginia.  We visited with my cousin Shad, his wife Lauri, and their eight wonderful children.  Mark had his first "cow milking" experience and we really enjoyed our time with them (as usual).

5) Saturday, we spent the day resting and relaxing.  Mark got up around 8:30 to eat breakfast and went BACK TO SLEEP until after 10!  It was good for him to rest.  He definitely doesn't get enough sleep on a weekly basis.  Marcus was spoiled by his Granddad, Granny, Aunt Liv, and Uncle TJ.  He rode the 4-wheeler and tractor, took long walks, played with the dog, Molly, and just got all-out spoiled.  He now thinks the world revolves around him.

6) Saturday afternoon, we had a Father's Day/Birthday cookout for Granddad and enjoyed a cake made by Aunt Liv.  Even though it was decorated for the Yankees (Dad's favorite team), it was still yummy!  We were back home by 9:30 that night and we all slept HARD, back in our own cozy beds.

Ready for his first LIVE Braves game

Daddy & Son - first view of the stadium

The first few innings - it was pretty hot out there

"Go Braves!"

Keeping hydrated with his baseball cup - how appropriate

Starting pitcher & catcher meeting the bullpen pitchers in the outfield before the game

Me and our sweet baby boy

Yes, this chicken actually does the chop, too.

Daddy & Marcus waiting in line to run the base

This was BY FAR Marcus' favorite part of the night.

View from the highest point in left field.

The last time we all were in Braves gear was the day we took Marcus home from the hospital.

Future Hall-of-Famer, Chipper Jones

My sweet boys

Doing the CHOP!

Someone got in bed with us at 6:30am.

Sweet little naked baby!

Family photo in the Braves dugout on our tour of Turner Field

Doing his best "Bobby Cox" impression

Jackie Robinson's retired number

Wore.  Slap.  Out.

Sweet little calves at Shad & Lauri's home

Elizabeth took Marcus for a closer look.

Mark giggled the whole way through milking this cow.

He even squirted fresh milk into Micah's mouth.

Mark fed one of the calves with the milk he just extracted from the mama cow.

Playing with Granddad & Granny

Aunt Liv took Marcus for a 4-wheeler ride

Trying to convince him to try new fruits proved fun, but not productive. 

On the tractor, he learned how to raise & lower the bucket.

Riding up to the top of the hill

Point to his Mama & Daddy

Playing ball in the front yard with Granddad and "Maw-wee"

Granddad, Olivia, and the cake she made him.

The 2nd Greatest Man Ever Created

     The 2nd greatest man ever created is still sleeping in our bed, breathing so heavy, it's almost a snore.  He's the best looking, hardest working, most dedicated man around.  Even though he's not perfect, he truly knows what it means to live out a life of righteousness when others are watching (and especially when they're not).  This man is faithful to the Nth degree and is patient beyond belief.  He follows God's Word as his daily guide and is more than a "hearer" of the Word...no, he's definitely a "DO-ER."  He's a successful business owner, entrepreneur, and man of many ideas.  Not to mention he's the Sunday School Director of our church, star player on the church softball team, and master fixer of anything I can put on his "Honey-Do" List.  This man knows how to LOVE his wife and provide for her, more than just financially.  He makes her laugh, slows her down, and fills in her many gaps.  On top of ALL that, he's the most fun and well-balanced father currently on Earth.  He plays with his son, shows him the ways he should go, and even changes poopy diapers.  His son goes absolutely BANANAS when he comes home because he knows the fun is about to start.  By now, you should know, this man is my husband, MARK PETER SCHUURMAN.  Jesus Christ was the only perfect man to walk this earth, but next to him, Mark is a close 2nd.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  We love you!!!

The first time they met (side note: the date on our camera was wrong - it was 9/18)

Last Father's Day, we went to Charlotte to watch one of Daddy's friend's play baseball.

This year, we went to Atlanta to see the BIG BOYS play ball.

Daddy teaches Marcus all KINDS of things.

Yes we do, son.  Yes we do.

Canadian Newlyweds Come to Visit

     This past Tuesday, Mark's cousin, Kevin, and his new bride Brianna stopped in Asheville for a visit.  They currently live in Calgary, Alberta but honeymooned in Charleston, SC.  Since they hope to live in Washington, D.C. in a few years to practice law, they were driving up there.  Luckily, they took a few hours out of their drive to stop in Asheville and visit with us. 
     We'd never met Brianna and she was just adorable.  Marcus took right to her and it was obvious she had been around children before.  She and Kevin brought Marcus a Calgary Flames beach towel, Flames hockey stick, and a Toronto Maple Leafs puck.  He's been hitting the puck around the house ever since and demanded on bringing his stick today as we drove around town. 
     We spent most of our visit out on the porch in the perfect weather.  It was warm, but not hot; there was a slight, sweet breeze, and there were only a few white clouds in the beautiful blue sky.  We got to hear about some of their wedding festivities and future plans before they had to hop back in their rental car and hit the road again.  Speaking of the car, it was a SWEET ride!  They were driving around in a brand new silver mustang.  Brianna said the car was too cool for them, but we thought they looked good in it.
     Even though we live far away from most of our family (especially the Canadians), it's nice when someone gets to stop in and visit...even if it is short. :)

Checking out his new gear.

Brianna showing Marcus how to use his new stick.

Daddy stepped in to show him how as well.

Brianna, Kevin, Marcus, Mark, and Leah

Even though they just met, Marcus was willing to hug Brianna.

Sweet ride