Father's Day Weekend 2011

This being Matthew's first official Father's Day, we decided to make it into a weekend-long celebration, rather than just one day.  We didn't do anything particularly exciting, but I think Kyndall and I managed to make it pretty special for him.  For us, it's the simple things that mean the most, like time spent together making memories that Kyndall (and we) will carry in her mind and heart forever. 

On Saturday we did a few things around the house, made a run to Publix, and caught up on housework.  Not very much fun by my standards.  So around 5:00 we headed over to Mt. Pleasant for dinner.  Last week I asked Matthew where he wanted to eat for Father's Day and he said the Okra Grill.  It's one of our favorites, but it's in Mt. Pleasant so it's about 25 miles from here.  About the only time he gets to eat there is when I'm stuck in the hospital having liver surgery or delivering a baby---and yes, he takes full advantage of eating there at those times!  The last time he had the opportunity to eat at Okra Grill was when Kyndall was born, so he was excited to go there for his Father's Day "treat".  We enjoyed a yummy dinner and thankfully, got there just in time to beat the HUGE crowd. 

We had already decided that after dinner we would stroll over to the Isle of Palms and let Kyndall experience the beach for the first time.  She's never seen the ocean or felt the sand between her toes, so I was excited to see how she liked it!  So around 7:00 we arrived at the Isle of Palms and to my delight, Kyndall LOVED the beach!!  As soon as we took her out of the car and she felt the breeze in her face, she started giggling and she continued to giggle all the way down to the water.  My little beach baby!  I only wish her first experience could have been on the beautiful powdery white beaches of the Gulf, rather than the Atlantic.  In my opinion, there's really no comparison in the two!  But she loved it nonetheless!

Being the picture lover that I am, I went to the beach armed with several different outfits for Kyndall, in hopes of taking full advantage of the great lighting and beautiful scenery that time of day.  For those of you who know about photography, you know that you capture your BEST beach pictures in the late afternoon when there are no shadows or glares.  Thankfully, my timing was right on and I got some pretty cute shots of Kyndall and Matthew, which was my goal for the day.  I was also able to do her 4th of July photo shoot pictures, which I will share with you a little later this week!  But for now, here are a few of my Daddy-Daughter pictures.....



And of course, Mommy can't be left out.......

A really nice man offered to take this picture for us and I love it, except for my CRAZY hair!!!  Uggh.

We enjoyed a great time together on the beach, and even got to watch the sunset---one of my favorite things to do at the beach!

Kyndall was covered from head to toe in that icky brown sand, so as soon as we got home it was bath time!!!

There's nothing better than a clean, yummy smelling baby!!!!

This morning Kyndall let us sleep in a little, and then Matthew put her in the bed with him while I got ready for church.  I thought these pictures were so sweet, especially on the morning of his very first Father's Day.

For some reason, lately she is very interested in our TEETH!  Future dental hygienist like her Mommy, perhaps??

Here we are all dressed up and ready to go to church.....



We decided to keep Kyndall in church with us this morning, on the premise that she wouldn't be too disruptive or fussy.  She did GREAT!  Being the dancing queen that she is, she sat up on the pew and was completely entertained by the music and singing.  As soon as it was over, she fell asleep in my arms and didn't make a single peep the entire service!  Whew!

Sorry for those of you who think I'm crazy for taking pictures (and video!) in church, but I just couldn't resist this cuteness!!!  I promise nobody saw us, and I'm sure Jesus didn't mind! =)

Watch this video and see how engrossed she is in the music....she loves it!

After church we went to Sticky Fingers for another yummy Father's Day meal....

Take a look at my 9 month old chowing down on a LEMON!  She is crazy about them!  She started crying uncontrollably when I finally took it away from her!  Being the mean Mommy that I am, I actually gave it to her hoping to see a funny reaction---at least a funny face---But she didn't even flinch!  Silly baby!



After lunch it was time for presents! 

In case you're wondering what that piece of paper that Matthew is holding says, it's a voucher for a day at the shooting range.  I got one for Matthew and my Dad as Father's Day gifts, and I even got one for myself.  When my family comes up here over 4th of July weekend, the 3 of us will be making a trip (my first) to the shooting range.  Matthew and my Dad both loved the idea.  Me, I'm not so sure!  But being the prissy girl that I am, I knew they would both get a kick out of seeing me attempt to shoot a gun.  I'm sure it will prove to be quite comical.  Blog post on that to follow in a few weeks!  

We spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out as a family and enjoying our time together.  I am so thankful, not only on this day, but everyday, for the wonderful Father that Matthew is to Kyndall.  I could not have asked for a more loving, caring, involved Daddy for my sweet girl.  I love seeing the special bond that the two of them already have, and I look forward to seeing that continue to grow as she gets older.  The Lord has surely blessed me and Kyndall with a wonderful husband and Daddy and we are so grateful.  I am also incredibly grateful for my own Daddy.  The older I get, the more I am realizing how much the two of us have in common.  Our personalities are so similar in so many ways, and I take that as a good thing!  I hope all of the Dads and Dads-to-be out there had a wonderful day!!!