Here and there.

Miles new haircut. He wanted spiky hair.

Hanging out in the pool.

Miles caught fish on the pier with Gerald. He loves fishing with Gerald.

Gerald's new passion in life, fishing!!

I've found Gavin sleeping in a couple of random places lately.

Beach Vacation

I know we live at the beach. So, why did we vacation where we live? Well, we had a free place to stay on Sanibel Island, which is about an hour from our house. We were invited by our friends to vacation there with them for the week. It was nice being close to home, but yet being able to be away. We had a great time relaxing and enjoying time together. One of the advantages to vacationing near our home was being able to get a sitter to drive over and watch the kids one night so the adults could go to a nice dinner alone. The kids had so much fun on our vacation and I absolutely love watching their little faces light up as they experience new things. Even though we go to the beach often the older they get the more they can do at the beach. This year is our first year really riding the waves and it was a blast. We saw dolphins and sting-rays almost every day. Gerald and Miles fished some as well. Sometimes you don't know how much you need a vacation until you actually take one. We really needed a vacation! You will notice there are no pictures of me on this trip. I was behind the camera the whole time. Next time I will have to remember to get a picture or two.

This is their sand castle and Miles wanted his picture with it so he could "remember it."

What are you looking at?

Riding the waves.

Gavin is "all done pool" which means the ocean. Too much fun!

It rained some on our vacation and when it did it got cold.

Gerald and Rob riding the waves.

Gavin, Tessa, Drew and Miles. It's hard to get four in the same spot long enough to take a picture!

Gavin was sooooo excited!!

Look mom, I got it in!

Drew and Miles playing in the sand.

Gavin playing the water with daddy.

Here and there.

Gerald sang at a wedding so we had a reason to get dressed up and leave the kids for the evening.

Gavin and Tessa at the park.

Miles laughing with his best buddy Drew.

If you look closely you can see the alligator in the picture. We were at the park and we saw everyone stopping and pointing. Of course we had to check it out ourselves. I was trying to get a picture of the boys standing their with the alligator in the background. It didn't really work out. The alligator turned and started swimming toward us. We decided it might be time to move on. There was no fence!!

This just made me laugh. Miles has learned he can be "funny".

Me and Gavin at the beach being silly.

We went to Sanibel and rode bikes. We went with our friends Maggie and Ben. The guys rode this and Maggie and I rode regular bikes. It was lots of fun! The kids loved it!!

By the Grace of God

Tonight when I was trying to leave church my car wouldn't start. One of our members helped me out. I have a new battery on my car and I guess it came lose. He jiggled it and the car started working. He said to tighten it up when I got home. I left church and began praying we would make it home safely. We only live about 5 miles from the church. We made it to the light before our house and in the turning lane my car stopped. Cars were blowing their horns and Miles was getting upset. I knew the battery just needed to be jiggled again and we could make it. My key was stuck in the car. I got out and a car stopped to help, a lady, to push it off the road. Most people had just blown their horn, but this lady stopped to help. Then, by the grace of God, my car just started and I made it home. Once I stepped out of the car at my house the tears just flowed. I realized how different the situation could have been. I could have very easily been hit by a car because of where I was and it was night or worst something could have happened to my kids. I just couldn't stop crying when I got home. I don't think Gavin had ever seen me cry and he just sat quietly looking at me. Miles said mom I should have prayed at church about our car, but I didn't know. Then when I laid him down I thanked the Lord we made it home safely. He said mom why were you crying. I told him I was afraid and he said God said we should not be afraid. I've just been studying in my bible study how the Lord wants us to come to him with a child like faith. What changes when we're older? What keeps us from having that childlike faith? I think we just know more. We know more about the dangers in the world, but from the mouth of a four year old. God says do not be afraid. I'm just so incredibly thankful that the Lord protected us tonight!! Their is not a doubt in my mind that we are safe because of his protection.

Easter Celebration

We had a great Easter this year. We started out last weekend with a big event at our church. The kids didn't get to do the egg hunt there because Miles had a soccer game. So, on Easter we had a hunt at our house. Gerald led worship at our overflow service for the last time this year. He's done a great job all year!! Then we came back here to share Easter with three families from our church. It was my first time hosting Easter at our house. It was so much fun. I was a little unsure how I would get all the food ready in time or that it would taste well when it was finished. Everything turned out great. We're so blessed to have a home and friends to share it with. I look forward to doing it next year!

Gavin was into taking pictures this year. As you can see, Miles not so much.

Miles was "trying" to smile. Funny how they learn that they can't just smile, but that they have to try to smile. It makes him look like he's in pain.

Gavin really didn't know why he was running, but he had fun doing it.

Race to the finish line.

Miles playing at game at our church Easter egg hunt.

Gavin on the egg hunt.

Miles hunting eggs.

Soccer

We began a new adventure in the Malloy household. Soccer. We decided to sign Miles up to play soccer. I can't believe he's old enough to play organized sports!! He cried multiple times his first game because the kids were "kicking him". I started thinking that I had made a big mistake signing him up. By the second and third game he began to get the idea and he actually really went after the ball. Now, he's doing really well. He's enjoying playing and he's getting better at it. I must admit I'm a bit surprised. I'm also surprised at how much fun I'm having watching him! It's fun going through all the different stages with them and watching them grow. I've also surprised myself by yelling on the sidelines. I DO NOT YELL AT SPORITNG EVENTS! You wouldn't ever find me yelling or encouraging someone from the sidelines, but something about your child being out there has released the inner voice in me. I'm now a side line encourager. I think that sounds better than yelling. Who knew!

Miles throwing the ball in with his coach Rob.

His uniform is so big on him!

Miles in action.