Our last California visitor for a while

Had a very special friend visit me last week/weekend! Ashley and her daughter came Thursday evening and stayed till Tuesday morning. She helped me stay calm for the remainder of Jeff deployment and catch up since the last time we saw each other. Ash and I started playing softball with each other in 6th grade and played travel ball with each other after splitting up when we began high school. After high school we were still friends, but did take a break from each other cause I was being an idiot! I do love how we came back together cause there were days I never stopped thinking about her. She was a sister to me and still is a sister to me now. I can honestly say she is one of the few people who gets who I really am and understands me. We have this relationship that we can bullshit with each other and there has never been the beating around the bush or hurting one anothers feelings! Love that about her.

The night she got here and we were giving our kiddos baths.

The first day they were here, we dropped Jt off at school and headed to the beach! I took them to Micklers and we did find a few small shark teeth. But the water down there is so pretty and I wanted Ash to see the Sea Turtle nests. We also checked to see when they were marked so we could figure out when they might be hatching! The hatch days are for September, so she wouldn't get to see it:(

T man and Hayden playing in the sand while Ash and I were sifting through the shells
Ashley

That night after dinner we took the kids to get a frozen yogurt. That was the best beach day while she was here so I'm glad we went!

The second day I took Ash and Hayden to 13 Gypsies from Diners, Drive ins & Dives. Hayden was going to stay with the boys, but Jt ended up being sick and having a fever. So we had a girls day out instead! What do girls do best, Shop? Yes, but we ate and got pedis and ran a couple little errands. Which we ended up taking longer then expected and by the time we were heading home, Jt was vomiting and crying for me:( I felt so bad, but OMG did we have a great time. The food was awesome and the company was even better! Definitely going back for the scallops!!!!
(Hayden being silly with her tootsie roll, she was fitting in with the locals or better yet with Jt)

That night we also welcomed Jeff home! I'll post a picture late!

The third day Hayden wanted to go to the alligator farm and so did the boys! She had a great time seeing all of the animals and wanted to go back the next day! We saw a banana tree, a python the size of a truck (length wise) and ate at good ole Harry's again!

My MIL have this thing for Shrimp & Grits! They have the best so far!

The fourth day, we went to breakfast after dropping Jt off at school. We went to the Metro Diner from the triple D show, again! There are a lot of them around here!

We headed to Pump It Up afterwards to let the little ones play. Definitely got our exercise as well followed them around! Up and down, jumping and laughing! The best is when its with your kids and friends who act like kids! Ash and I could have been on AFV if the hidden cameras saw what were doing! lol I will not tell though!
We came home and went shopping that evening!

The fifth day was time to say goodbye:( I made breakfast and visited until we rushed off to take Jt to school and head to the airport. I was definitely a sad morning, tears and sad goodbyes!

I seriously can not wait to get home and be with all of my great friends and family.

We had a great time with the Fry's and can't wait to see them in October when we go home for my brothers wedding! It will be so nice to spend time with everyone!

1st week of Lunches

Asked Jt if he wanted to buy lunch or have mama pack one for him? He said a packed lunch!

This was his first week of lunches, some were a little to much, but being they eat lunch at 10:30 am and don't get out of school until 2:40, he needs a little snack in the afternoon. I checked what was coming back everyday so we have adjusted the amount!

He did come home Thursday asking to buy lunch at school on Friday, but the turn around for his account didn't go through till Monday. So he took a lunch Friday and bought his first school lunch Monday. When he got home he said, he was taking a lunch on Tuesday! lol

I didn't take any pictures this week, but today he requested: plain noodles, edamame, kiwi, juice box and oreos. It looked pretty good if you ask me!

First Day Of Kindergarten

When I was pregnant, I was always told, "They grow up so fast!" I really didn't take that serious until the first year went by fast and now it's just flying by. Makes you want to bottle them up! They really do grow fast and now I say it to those first time moms.

I also can't believe the new worries that come with a child officially starting school. Will he make NICE friends, will he have somebody to sit with at lunch, will he make good choices that you've taught him over the years. I can't even imagine how I'll feel as he gets older. Especially driving and all that comes with high school.

{Jt is going to an Accelerated Academy School this year. His teachers said the kids should be reading by the end of the year! He has homework every night and says they are learning a lot of math.}

First Day of Kindergarten

Jt walking into his class

After getting situated and sitting down. He was really quiet and taking it all in.
We said our goodbyes and I stood outside of the door watching for a minute. He couldn't see me, but he looked so scared.

The teacher handed this to me when we came into class. She told me to read it when I got back to my car. {So sweet}

I sttod at the end of his hallway and greeted him there. He doesn't look very happy, but he said he had a lot, lot, lot of fun!

T and I took him to get ice cream after school!

We are so proud of our BIG boy! He is so smart and will do great in the years to come.

Speaking of....

beach bums.......

Got this the other day when T man and I went to see about the Sea Turtles.
He insisted on taking his clothes off and being it was an unexpected beach stop, I let him!
How about that view!!!

End of our Summer Days.....

First task after our company left and T man was feeling better was, "get rid of the bink!" Especially while Jeff is gone. He would be a total push over on this one. He hates to hear T man cry and we would end up fighting over a stupid BINK!!!

T was so ready anyway. He was starting to chew on them and one by one they were going in the trash! I was not going to buy anymore. They are so expensive and all they do is hold this poor child back. He hasn't stop talking since I took it away!

The first day was rough, but by the second day he asked for it twice and never heard a peep about it after that. God, the thought of doing it was frightening, but it actually wasn't that bad! Note to self: Don't offer the next baby a bink! {ok, maybe! But that's worse case.}

Jt never needed or wanted it, T man needed it.

So glad that is over!

Besides, he has the cutest smile that was hiding and now he lights up the room!

Boys will be boys, right!?!?

These are just a few of the little creatures we've caught around the house. Jt is getting better at catching and letting them go now. Before he would want to keep them until he eventually killed them. So proud of him for being so gentle and letting them go to eat the bugs around our house!
Our friend Kelly and her 2 girls invited us to the Fernandina Beach public pool the week before school started. The boys have been dying to play with her girls, so they were thrilled! We had the kiddie pool to ourselves, Kelly and I laid out while they played so it was nice and relaxing! We then went to lunch and headed home to rest!

A few days later gma Kathy came to rescue me from cooking another meal! We sang happy Birthday to her and had some yummy red velvet cupcakes! Although it was her celebration, she made us a yummy salmon dinner. Can't wait for Jeff to get home and help me cook! Thank you Kathy!!!!

We also went to The Metro Diner from Diner, Drive Ins and Dives. OMG was it good! Small and fun. Definitely going back. All the things that were on the show would give you a heart attack, so I stuck to my favorite. Eggs Benedict!

We then ventured downtown to ride the train that goes around downtown. We saw some pretty interesting people, buildings and it was FREE! That was on my list of things to do this summer. I definitely didn't want to do it alone though.
The boys loved it!

The last day Kathy was here, I asked her if I could run out by myself for a couple hours and putz around. She was more then happy to watch the boys, so I headed to the beach! Again, I went to Micklers. Searching for shark teeth is addicting! It's so hard to do with both boys, but managed to take T on another day and found a few more!

Anyway, there are a few turtle nests. I'm hoping we can catch them hatching!

I pretty much just sat on the beach searching. No screaming, No one calling me MOM and the sound of the ocean in the background!

I seriously could be a beach bum. My heart is truely here, but my mind is wanting to be home. Hopefully one day we can either retire or have a house at the beach.
Overall, it was awesome! Haven't really had a moment to myself since Jeff left.

{Finally caught up on my blog!!!} Now time for school!

An old friend visits.....

After my mom and 2 nieces left, Eunique was here to keep me company! She came Tuesday before everyone left and stayed here with us until Saturday.

I'm so glad she came, but felt so bad:( Tanner was sick and I was getting sick. T man was running a fever the whole time she was here, we ended up having to take him to the doctor on Friday. So the reason I feel bad: well, she flew this whole way and I couldn't really entertain her other then hanging around the house. We did manage to have dinner out on Wednesday. We went to an Art festival downtown by the river. We each picked up a painting/digital art piece. T man had a 102 temp when we got home, so the next day we just hung out.

Eunique played with the boys. As you can see from the picture with noodles hanging out of her mouth! She was an Alien who had eaten some body part! She really entertained them for me and the boys had a great time with her. "Rasbolo, Zeek"

On our way to the doctors office, we stopped and took pictures of these murals! Really cool graffiti if you ask me. It was actually an art studio, so technically it wasn't illegal! My favorite it the Zombie!
Yes, we baked again! Brownies are my favorite and Eunique wanted to try the stuffed ones!
Some other random pictures!

The picture above of us 3 is when we were dropping her off at the airport:(

We really were glad we got to spend this time with her. Even though we didn't do much, the time we had at home was worth more then site seeing! We really haven't been able to spend much time together since we've been moving around so much. She was my first friend that I met outside of high school, she was my first boss and a life long friend! She is awesome!

Love you Zeek for coming and spending time with us!

My only regret in our journey of friendship was not having her in my wedding. She's been there for everything, hope I will be there for her everything!

The last days of family visits

{August 1st 2012} The day we all said goodbye:(

We will all see each other again in October!

My mom and step-dad plan on coming back in February for the Daytona 500! So we will be excited to do that with them!

{July 29th 2012} We headed over to St. Augustine to do a ghost tour in a hearse. Jeff and I have been wanting to do it, but we never seem to do any of the things we want. The girls gave me more motivation to get on it! So we to the gmas and had some fun! No ghost were out, but it was kind of creepy riding where the dead had been!
I think the girls were freaked out! lol
I scared the crap out of them that night! We weren't getting in action so I screamed while looking in a window! I'm surprised the gmas didn't have a heart attack or pee themselves! lol To funny!

Just some random pictures below!

The last couple of days were spent close to home. Courtney wasn't feeling well and I had another friend coming for a visit. I also had to get Jts registration app together. So we hung out and enjoyed each other!

I absolutely love this picture! Just rained and the sun was trying to pop through!

What a great visit we had with everyone! So glad they got to come here and see Florida!

P.S. we welcome anyone! Bring it!!!!

Catty Shack, Boat Ride & More Visitors...

The last weekend the Fam Bam was here I wanted to take them to the Catty Shack to see the tigers being fed. Sorry, I didn't take pictures this time. I wanted to enjoy the scene and watch the girls get a kick out of it. That same night Candace and here family came in from Panama City Beach, FL for a weekend visit. We went out to dinner and enjoyed each others company. They got to visit with the girls and my mom, which was important to me. I was wanting Candace to meet my mom. Her friendship means a lot to me, plus I've told my mom so much about her. She is just a sweet heart!

The picture above on the bottom right, was Jt waiting for Leiana. He fell asleep waiting for her on that Friday night. He misses her even though they fight like an old married couple!

While our company had some errands to run, we headed out for a boat ride to see the river and dolphins. We originally wanted to go on an air boat, but it was out of order, so we decided to do this instead. Not bad, but all we saw were dolphins! Always getting pictures of my baby. Jt never wants his picture taken:(

A pod of dolphins hunting

This is another group, but working with the ones above.

Check out this boat! Party time!

Had a good little visit that weekend! Hot, but fun!

July 23rd through the 27th

{July 23-27th}

We were a little traveled out at this point. Our original plan was to go to Disney World, but the funds were low and we were all starting to get little coughs and some of us not feeling very well. We hungout here and went shopping around some of the shops I haven't been to yet.

My mom and I snuck out with Jt one dayand got a pedicure! Jt insisted on getting his own, but they hadn't even started on him by the time we were finished so he hdidn't get one:( He was a little upset! Shhh, don't tell Jeff!

We made Oreo Truffles one day, watched a few storms from our porch, Courtney got her makeup done by a gal at the MAC counter and we played!

These are just some random pictures from Ashley's camera.

South Carolina Bound

{July 22, 2012}

Crossing the boarder from Georgia in to South Carolina! My mom and I wanted to head to Kathy and Art to see their boat and we needed to get the girls, so we took advantage of the opportunity to head that way and see a little of the States up North. The East coast is beautiful and there is so much history! I wish we could travel and see everything!

(this is so out of order, this was on our way home from SC)

We needed some DQ to make Tanner happy! He wasn't digging the car ride at all:( nothing a yummy strawberry shake couldn't fix!)

Kathy & Art's boat

My mommy and I

These are a little out of order, but we had a visitor. This one came right up to the boat and smiled at us. I'm not kidding when I say smile. After swimming with them, they just make you smile and the expression on their faces are just so happy looking.

This is the same guy from afar. He was coming towards as we headed towards him! They were every where, but this one was special.

Kathy playing with the boys. I think she was taking them to jail! lol

Our Captain Art

My mom enjoying the bow of the boat and looking for dolphins! The views are amazing and the home off of the water are just beautiful.

Hilton Heads Lighthouse

Miss Courtney headed to the Captains quarters to check out whats going on!

Love this picture! Kind of a submarine shot if you ask me!

I can't wait to go back when Jeff gets home. I want to try paddle boarding here and explore some more of the Carolina's. What beautiful state!