Day 1 and 2 of Vacation 2011

After 4800 miles and over 2000 photos, I think I might be able to start sharing our vacation trek across parts of this country. A much needed vacation, and an uneventful one for the most part.
The first few days were a little hard on Elizabeth after learning her cat Snowball was going to be spending some time in the hospital when it was learned that she had a hairball blocking her colon. But all is well now and that cat is back home adjusting to life again after having surgery to remove the blockage and spending the whole vacation in the clinic.

The first stop on our trip was in Florida near Mayport Naval Station where we lived for five years after John joined the military. Right next to the base is a park and campgrounds where we camped out for two nights.

After setting up camp, we walked down to the beach and strolled along the shore to cool off from the hot day. That is what I missed about living there, walking distance from the beach.

The next day consisted of more beach time and some friends to go along with it.
We spent the morning at the beach, left, had lunch, and then headed back meeting up with friends I had made while living in Florida.

These two used play together ALL the time, along with another friend who has long since moved from Mayport.

Aubrie and Lexie were only three the last time they saw each other, so they didn't have the chance to get as close, but you can't tell that from the photo.

Friends picking up where they left off........

These two, Anthony and Ryan, have stayed in touch through xbox, playing games together the last four years..... They used to play baseball together, a lot of baseball.

Two teenage boys building a sand castle, I think.

Skim boarding I think he called this.
The friend really good at it,
Anthony...... not so much.


I unfortunately missed the part when he fell. He didn't last very long on it. fun to watch.

Snow! January 30, 2010

Here we are in the snow today. The kids loved it, I loved seeing their faces light up this morning when they awoke to find it snowing..... Priceless.....

Poor Lexie would only for about five minutes at a time before her hands were too cold to play any longer.

Unfortunately the snow is light and fluffy it isn't any good for packing and making a snowman... we are hoping perhaps when the continuation of snow and the temperatures dropping that perhaps the snow can be more snowman, or snow queen as Lexie keeps correcting me, making snow.

This picture is of the Endview Plantation, if you can see it through all the snow.

They are predicting about 4-12 inches... which I think we are going to get very close to meeting that mark. I haven't seen snow like this in YEARS! I am just glad I do not have to get out in it for any reason.

My attempts at family photos this year.........

I thought I had a cute idea for family photos this year…… all of us around our Christmas tree…. WHAT was I thinking!!!!!???
Here are our attempts to getting a decent picture…..

This would have been a good one, if Anthony didn't look like he was so far back.

There was coughing

Eyes not staying open…..


And the need for cute poses……


Or without being to close or too far from the camera…

I am sooo not a photographer….
But. . . .
What was that look???

Anthony insisted on being behind the tree instead of closer to the camera, in almost every shot he looks like he is way back there....lol

Oh come on!!! Just one good picture, PLEASE!!!!!

This. . . . .

Was the best I could do......

And don't get me started on Lexie's choice of apparel..... It was either argue with a five year old that we don't wear dress up clothes in family photos, or just let her have her way and save the battle for something else.....I was losing anyway. If Belle can wear the red cape in her Christmas special why can't Lexie....as she pointed out....What could I say....

Christmas decorations

I love Christmas, I love celebrating Christ, I love the atmosphere it brings to my home, the chilly air, the decorations, the winter crafts we do, and the Christmas movies and hot chocolate with my children.
We go through a lot of hot chocolate this time of year...lol


I probably went a little over board with the garland and lights this year, well, I think I do it every year. At least Anthony thinks I perhaps did in the living room anyway. I just love the warm homey feeling it gives me.

I see where a few decorations need a little adjusting....





I have garland and lights around every door way and window in the living room, that is three doorways that lead to another room, one that leads to the back porch and three windows…..and the one by the tree, not to mention the tree…
I didn’t seem to get them all pictured, but you get the idea… talk about a night light! LOL…




I have garland on the front door, no lights, just my seashell ornaments I made, garland over a doorway in the hallway and even garland and lights on the railing leading up the stairs…. and candy canes lining the hallway downstairs....THE KIDS LOVE IT, as do I. We even decorated our downstairs screened in porch since we really don't have a yard, looks nice... and festive...

My village once again with the hustle and bustle of people enjoying the holiday season.

Our angel on top of our tree who watches over us, and baby Jesus, our savior....

Camp out

Well, we survived camping out with the kids last week. It was nice to get away for a few days this past week, a time to relax and end the summer and to get ready for a new school year for us all.

The morning we arrived it was spent getting the tents and things set up and the camp fire ready for roasting marshmallows later that evening.

Lexie wanted to help by trying to cut the wood for the fire.

Then she wanted to try rubbing sticks together to see if she could get the fire going..... (she saw that on tv somewhere, lol)
But, when that didn't work, she decided that it would become her drum set instead.

Who doesn't love a good toasted marshmallow.....

We walked the Civil War trails and enjoyed nature. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Though there were a couple of interruptions for open houses for school and an appointment for my mouth issue.

It was nice to get out and enjoy nature, the massive tall trees, finding interesting critters.

lizard or salamander?
And I don't know what this interesting creature was, it walked right in our path back to our camp, quick as well, so it was hard to get a good clear picture because it wouldn't sit still. Anyone know what it is?

Waking up to deer outside of the tents in the morning was pretty neat, or spotting them on nature walks.

As long as we kept our distance they didn't seem to mind us there, if we attempted to get any closer, they ran.

Under my link of the things I find interesting you can see more of the beauty of nature that I tried my best to capture.

But it does appear this morning that the kids did get into either poison ivy or oak. Mild enough that we didn't think it needed to be seen by a doctor, just some poison ivy itch medicine and they were feeling better. Elizabeth seemed to have it the worst, but all three kids got it in one form or another.....

Baptism

Today was the Baptism. I very much enjoy the Chaplain's sermon and the service each week. This was a good experience for the kids and I to take together. I thought I was going to cry the whole time, watching my children get baptized.

I didn't realize all that was going to be seen was Lexie's poor little head. O'well still a good picture.