Soleil's Second Christmas!

Taking an after lunch jog in Clearwater.

Coming in for attack!

Uncle Jon, Soleil and Granny

The Gates Family

The Neill family- Uncle Andy and Dad

The big guy and the little guy head to the beach.

love

My favorite gift.

This is MY ride! This was the hit gift...although she did enjoy playing with the clothes boxes.

We were so glad that my brother Jon spent the holidays with us.

Santa was very GOOD to Soleil!

Engrossed in a good book with Granny.

Eager to get into the cake at Ricky's second bday party.

Hanging out with Nana and Papa.

Soleil and her Papa riding Santa's sleigh.

Soleil helped Granny hang out clothes.

Ricky and Soleil waiting for Santa.

This holiday season was very different for us, for a number of reasons. I experienced Christmas in a wheelchair. While it was heartwrenching at times, I really am happy to be alive. As a result of my accident, the whole family came together for Christmas. Even my brother, Jon and my Uncle Andy. We also got to experience Soleil's first "I get it now" Christmas. She was sooo excited and covered her mouth with her hands and jumped up and down.

I wish you all the happiness in 2009!

Coral Reef Park in Miami

Strike a pose, there's nothing to it.

This park had such futuristic looking equipment AND everything frightened me!

Soleil-our wish come true.

Daddy, Soleil and some friends rode on this spaceship type ride. I was the work horse, pushing it to spin. And, I have to admit, that was my decision because anything that spins scares me!

Uh, I see three of every thing. These chairs were like something out of space...

Wait, Daddy! I'll save you! Not sure who enjoyed these dangerous chairs more....





We recently took Soleil to Coral Reef Park in Miami. It was voted one of the best parks in the US by Parenting Magazine and it is easy to see why. We were in Miami to visit Soleil's Uncle Andrew. Soleil and her uncle spent some quality time together, and are anxious to see each other again soon.

Soleil's Halloween!

Two heads are always better than one! While this picture is adorable, it is extremely rare. Especially because these two are seldom still and Soleil usually alternates between loving Ricky and using him as her personal punching bag!

Birthday boy Brody, who turned one on Halloween!

Peanut Butter and Jelly diving head first into Brody's frog pool.

Mr.Not-So-Happy Peanut Butter (aka Ricky)

Soleil's debut as grape jelly. I'm proud to say she takes after her mother and kept loading her Elmo bucket full of candy. We actually had to stop her from taking every candy in the container!

This is us trick or treating in our neighborhood. This is before we got any candy.....she was much happier AFTER she got candy.

Soleil's Welch's lid...Darrin made everything for the costume from scratch.

Ms. Grape Jelly. Soleil didn't quite grasp the whole concept and actually started giving people candy out of her container!!

A big girl and her little pumpkin!

Soleil's just-my-size decorated pumpkin!

We took Soleil trick-or-treating for the first time this year! It was SO much fun. She dressed as grape jelly and Ricky was supposed to be peanut butter. Unfortunately, he got sick and Soleil had to go solo.

What do the beach, zoo and parks have in common? SOLEIL!

Last weekend we took Soleil on a five mile bike ride through the Dead River park. She really enjoyed herself, especially pinching Daddy as he rode. A slight hitch: Mummy wiped out and took Soleil with her. While Soleil was fine, Mummy has the scrapes and bruises as reminders. Falling down at 33? NOT so cute!

Biking on Dead River trail.

Soleil and Papi at the zoo, checking out her favorite animal, a giraffe.

We headed to Clearwater Beach a couple of weeks ago. As a Bahamian, every time I go there, I wonder out loud how it got its name...It isn't clear!

Yay! I found a shell!

Concentrating...

Shelling! This gal loves to go shelling!

Daddy, Soleil and Papi at Owen's first birthday party. Papi might just be Soleil's favorite person right now...she talks about him daily and looks in his room for him.

Now, admittedly, I am a terrible artist. However, isn't the paint supposed to be ON the paper?

Soleil and Ricky taking a bath...I think this may be blackmail material later!

Soleil is talking nonstop now that she is in school. She really seems to enjoy school and looks forward to going every day. Here are some of her favorite words:

No way! (finger pointed for emphasis)

Walk

Boat/Goat

Barbara (neighborhood donkey)

Water (loves it!)

Caca( I laugh every time)

Please

Sit (she makes you sit down-future teacher)

Mommy/Da-eeeee(when asked her name, she responds, MINE!)

Stay posted....Soleil's first Halloween costume coming soon.

Soleil in September

One island gal. Ya'll wan' ya hair braided? Shrow me one piece a straw...I coul' plait, ya know!

Studying chalk intensely.

Sharing love and a laugh with Daddy.

Ricky and Soleil at Jovany's birthday party. Where were these kiddie pools when I was a kid?

Enjoying a popsicle at Ricky's house.

Trying out a tot bench on Anna Maria Island.