Kelli is in Japan....

Over the past few months (especially while in Jacksonville) I was asked what my youngest sister, Kelli has been up to. I was going to try to convince you all that she has a job, but instead I'll tell the truth.
She sent me an email a few days ago from Osaka, Japan. Her windward quintet was invited to play in a chamber music competition... whatever that is. I must admit I'm musically challenged. I can't even get past the terminology.
Anyhow, their airfare and hotel were paid for so of course they couldn't turn down the opportunity for a trip to Japan.
To hear Kelli's music, you can visit their website listed in the sidebar links.
Kelli finished her master's degree at Yale last year.... officially making me the only sister (there's 4 of us girls) without a master's degree.
Yes, I'm feeling inadequate, but not enough to go back to school.
CONGRATULATIONS, KELLI!!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend.....

I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day Weekend.

Our Weekend Recap

Thursday afternoon we headed to my hometown of Jacksonville for a four day weekend. Thanks to the high gas prices, there were fewer cars on the road than we expected for a holiday weekend which made for a nice drive.
It was our first trip home since my Dad docked his boat and moved into a beautiful 3 bedroom condo. We stayed with him and the accommodations were outstanding with two guest bedrooms and several home cooked meals. We’ll definitely be traveling home more often. The first few hours there were a little crazy. The boys were a little wild from being cooped up in the car and I was just waiting for them to break something. We child-proofed the house and set some ground-rules and were even approved for an additional night’s stay. (Thanks Dad!)
Sam was able to see 5 baseball games at the ACC college championship and couldn’t have been happier that his team won. Go Canes!
I stayed busy visiting with family and friends. Over the course of the weekend I had a belated Mother’s Day breakfast with Mom, a lunch and shopping trip with Adrianne, a dinner with Linda, and a late night catching up with Sheri. I also spent an afternoon at Jason and Maggie’s in St. Augustine. It was a busy trip with very little unscheduled time, but it was so nice to see everyone.

Gabby enjoyed exploring new territory.

Zach was wresting with Grandpa within minutes of arriving.

Gabby was all smiles in Grandpa's arms.

Gavin enjoyed having lunch with Adrianne, Anna and the girls.

Friday night we went to Linda's for dinner. Although we talk quite often, it was so nice seeing each other. It was the first time Gabby met her, but she took to her so well.

We visited with Maggie and her mom while the kids played.

When Jason came home from watching a baseball game with Sam, we went to the neighborhood pool. I couldn't resist taking all these pictures of Gabby in her bathing suit.

Jason and Sophia at the pool.

Gavin still can't stop talking about how much fun he had with Uncle Jason in the pool.

Zachary is very afraid of the pool, but he enjoyed sitting and playing near the steps.

Check out those chunky thighs!!!

Saturday night Justin came over while Sam and Jason were at another baseball game. They built sheet forts and stayed up until midnight!!!

The following night Gabby and I went to see Sheri. Dad told me to take a key, but I didn't think I'd stay out late so I didn't. (Dad knows how Sheri and I like to stay out late from our numerous late nights during the summer I brought her to Italy.) Needless to say, I should have brought a key. I ended up having to call to get in, but it was fun and fortunately I was able to sleep on the way home today.

Happy Birthday, Kim!!!

I guess it's just a week of birthday's for the Kims in my life. Last Saturday was my sister, Kimmie's birthday. Unfortunately my sister lives too far away to celebrate it with her. Today is my friend Kim's birthday. She lives right here in small town USA. Ironically both Kims are the same age, went to the same college, and lived in the same dorm.... and didn't even know it.


So today I woke up early to fight the traffic across town to wrap Kim's porch and welcome her into this new decade of life. I normally don't wake up before 8 am so I didn't think she would suspect it was me, but I think she knew right away. (oh well! It was still fun.)


We celebrated over breakfast on Monday. Kim, Amanda and I decided it would be our new tradition to do this. Last month it was my birthday breakfast at IHOP, this week it was Kim's at Denny's. We're saving the Waffle House for Amanda. Fortunately we have several months to save up for that one.


Here is a picture of Kim. Yes, Amanda, I stole it off of your blog!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!!!!

I'm back and blogging!

I took the week off from blogging. I was so busy that I couldn't keep up the house and the "no blogging with a messy house rule" went into effect. Luckily Sam was very sweet this morning and helped me get the house back in order.

So let's rewind.....

This week we took Gabby for a hearing test here locally and then we headed for the "big city" for an ENT appointment. While we were there we had dinner and enjoyed the view of the beach.

Here are some other random pictures of our week....

Gavin loves to dress up in various costumes, but the Spiderman costume seems to be his favorite these days.

If you look closely in the picture below, you'll notice a "boo boo" on Zachary's right eye. I put them both in quite time one afternoon so I could do the floors, but within 10 minutes of Zachary being in his room unattended, an injury occurred. So much for a few minutes of peace and quiet.

This is one of my favorites. Gabby lights up when Sam comes home from work. As soon as she hears his voice, she starts looking for him. She smiles from ear to ear when he picks her up.

We hung my Mother's Day painting from Gavin in the dining room and he couldn't be prouder of his beautiful work of art.

Art for the Heart

Tonight Gabby and I went to the Art for the Heart Silent Auction. It was a really cool experience. I met so many nice people including a 25 year old nurse with Gabby's same heart defect.

Below is a picture of Gabby with her picture and storyboard.

Since heart families could attend the event for free, I was able to save my money to bid on Gabby's artwork. Sam and I decided over lunch today that I wasn't coming home without it. I wasn't the only mom that wasn't willing to part with their art. One of the moms couldn't be present so she placed a $100 bid on her one year old's art. I bid against one other person for Gabby's picture and waited until the very last minute to write in my bid. I think it's very sweet that someone would bid for our children's art. In fact, every item in the auction had a bid placed for it.

Happy Birthday, Kimmie!

We wish we could be there with you to celebrate!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Here's our weekend recap....

Saturday was the Great Mom's Walk. Our Mops group has been planning this event for the last few months. There were tons of fun activities, door prizes and free food. The boys loved the Sherrif's dog.

Later in the afternoon Gavin and I went to a birthday pool party. On our way there I was pulled over for running a stop sign, but the nice officer didn't give me a ticket. On the way home from the party while approaching a cross street, Gavin and I observed a police car coasting through a stop sign. We were shocked to discover it was the same officer. Gavin thought he needed to write himself a ticket. (I thought that was really cute!)

Today Gabby showed off for me for Mother's Day. She was pulling herself up and smiling for the camera

We had a really nice day. After church we went to Seaside. We strolled through some shops and walked on the beach.

Tonight I finished the project I started for Mended Little Hearts. They're having a silent auction for charity next Saturday and need artwork from "little heartists."

Sam isn't sure he wants to part with it so he may be placing a bid.

Completing this project was a great way to celebrate Mother's Day.

It made me think of how blessed we are to have such a happy, healthy little girl!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms in my life!

Happy Mother's Day...(with a video)

A Tea Party....

This morning I had a Tea Party with Gavin in his preschool class. He's been looking forward to this event for over a week. He's been telling me for days that I need to dress pretty and that he needed to look handsome. It was so sweet to see him so excited.

They practiced pouring tea during the week so Gavin is now an expert.

His teacher is very creative. They made these beautiful pictures using their hand and foot prints.

This was Gabby's first tea party and she was happy to be there!

Savannah taught us tea party etiquette and reminded us to keep our pinkies up and to try not to slurp!

I think the teacher knew better than to sit Gavin next to Leah. They get so giddy around each other.

The teacher also knew better than to sit Gavin next to Tristan. They're a handful together. We're going to miss Tristan and Aimee when they move :(

Here's a picture of Kim reading her card from Savannah. The cards were so cute that I had to take a picture of mine below.

When I picked Zachary up from preschool, he had a gift for me also. It was a cute little keepsake box with his pictures all over it. It's also probably one of the coolest gifts I've ever received.

Here is the beautiful note inside.

And finally..... Here's a reason that I would totally fail as a preschool teacher....I'm working on an art project with Gabby to be donated to a charity auction. It requires her handprints and as you can see, I'm a novice. Apparently I bought the wrong ink pads so now we both have pink hands. Go ahead and laugh! If you have any suggestions on how to remove NON-washable ink from hands, please comment or send me an email.