31st B-Day

Today is my 31st birthday.  Michael and Sophia are both very sick and I am pretty sure Michaela is coming down with it too.  So this year this is my theme!!

Flashback Friday

Flashback Friday ~ Date Night with Michael ~ July 6, 2012

So the girls were staying over at my parents house and right before I left work to pick them up my mom called and asked if they could keep them another night...I paused and said, "Yes, of course!".  It just so happened to be a Friday night so I am thinking DATE NIGHT!!  So I called my husband and asked him out.  We bounced around a few ideas and landed on going fishing.  He had mentioned recently that he would like to go and so off we went.  It was quite the evening.  

We arrived rather late.  Like almost six.  He was in a panic because his regular bait shop was closed.  We pressed on and with three minutes to spare we found another bait shop, purchased our shrimp and off we went.  

The place we chose you have to walk to.  Ok, you have to hike to.  Just keeping it real.  As we started the hike, I feel like something is on my legs.  I look down and they are covered in mosquitoes.  I scream out and my husband says run.  SIDE NOTE: they were NOT eating him since he had sprayed himself as he loaded the car before we left.  I take off running, which is an activity I don't normally participate in. I was covered in bites.  There was a ton of standing water thanks to tropical storm Debby.  It was bad.  On our way back he sprayed me with bug spray and it was much better.

So, have I mentioned that I don't really fish at all.  He does.  I don't.  

We arrive at the beach and get the hooks baited (is that what it is called?).  I cast it in and reel it in.  I cast again (patience is NOT my virtue) and as I start to reel it in again it becomes harder and harder.  I think I have a fish.  I do have a fish.  I panic and scream for Michael and he comes over to help me.  

The first catch of the day night.  It is a Jack (sp?) four pounds.  You don't eat Jack.  Supposedly they are fun to catch because they fight.  I would not know the difference :)  He is holding my catch as I don't enjoy touching the slimy fish.

Michael was so excited.  I think mainly because I had actually caught something and it happened all in the first five minutes.  

I bait my hook again and I am not lying...next cast I get another fish.  I was in total shock.  Michael was in even more shock (maybe even a tiny bit jealous).  I was excited.

See my second and final catch for the night.  Again, he is holding it.

We were only there for about two hours but Michael then went on to catch four more fish and a crab.  It was a fun night (don't tell Michael I said that or he will think that will be the date night of choice).  We came home and had leftovers and fell into bed.  

 So grateful for my hubby.  I love him more than I did the first time we ever went fishing.  He was the best catch ever!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback Friday

Flashback Friday ~ First Disney Trip with the Little Ladies ~ A trip we will never forget!!

November 2007

Our trip started with a stop at one of our most favorite restaurants...Chevy's!!!  It was quite the eventful dinner with Michaela throwing up right after our special dinner arrived...not the way we planned for our little vacation to start.  I love Sophia's face in this picture!

The next morning we all woke up feeling much better and headed to Downtown Disney...one of our most favorites stops.

We ate at Rainforest Cafe

Daddy and Michaela rode the little train.  She loved it!

Then we took a picture with Michaela's favorite princess...Cinderella.  She had the hugest smile on her little face.  Meanwhile, Sophia is checking out the crowd :)

The next day we headed to Magic Kingdom.  I was nervous at how we would do since Michaela threw up again in the parking lot but we ended up having a very magical day!!

Sophia did not love waiting in line but she did like to be on her Daddy's shoulders.  Then she could people watch.

Michaela was quite the little ham.

I think she spotted a princess!!!

Sophia loves Disney popcorn...go figure.

Their first 3-D show

And finally...a little nap!!!!

How magical

Minnie's House which the girls LOVED!

We ended the night with Mickey Mouse

The rest of the vacation was filled with lots of POOL TIME

Although, it was a rough start it was a wonderful time together as a family.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend this time together as a family on our very first foursome vacation.  I'll never forget it!

Joseph ~ Part II

After we got all ready at Gram's house we headed to the school.  The kids had to be there early so they had snacks set up for the parents while we waited.  The theme of the night was "Diamonds and Denim" so lots of people were decked out in western wear!  The girls both had their boots on.  They can't wear them to school so they just wear them every other waking moment.  I love their little boots.  Their principle had the cutest red boots on so she took a "shoe pic" with the girls.

Love this...We LOVE Mrs. Johnson.  She is such a sweet and godly woman.  We are blessed to know her!!

Here are the girls right before they headed in to get set up.  Each class wore a different color t shirt which represented Joseph's coat of many colors.  Very cute!

Both of the girls sang a little solo line in two different songs.  They were both so excited.  I am so grateful for people like Mrs. Whitfield who inspire our girls to use their gifts to bring glory to the Lord!!

After the program the school had a barbecue dinner and silent auction.  It was lots of fun!  The girls had a blast hanging out with their friends.  It was a nice night of fellowship.

Sophia was walking around taking pictures with my phone and one of the teachers took a picture of her. Love her Minnie Mouse Bow...thanks Auntie Mimi & Grammy!!

It was a great night filled with lots of great memories!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Let's talk about Saturday.  I was pretty excited about Saturday.  It did not live up to its expectations!  I had big plans but they changed.  We did sleep in a little, key word little.  We had pancakes which was nice.  Michaela had a birthday party in town so we had to leave by 10.  At about 9:30ish the sky turned black and the thunder started rumbling and the lightening flashing!  By 10 it was POURING.  Did I mention that it started to rain?  I mean hard rain the kind you curl up on the couch and read a book because "I am not going out in this?" kind of rain.  However, when you are a mommy and your sweet seven year old girl is SO excited to be going to a birthday party you get in the car and trudge on.

While Michaela was at her party which by the way she had a wonderful time, Sophia and I had a mommy/daughter date.  We went Easter dress shopping and had a nice lunch out.  I failed to take pictures as I am sure my little camera would have been ruined for all the moisture!  It rained the whole time we were out...ALL 5 hours!!!!  We did not see the sun until we were about 10 minutes from our house.

Even though it was a yucky day we still had a nice time.  Michaela had fun at her party, Sophia got some treats and we found Easter dresses!! Plus as another bonus I found them dresses on clearance for 12 dollars.  They were the same style but different print...YEA!!  They wore the bonus dresses today for church.

Here is a picture of my 2 little ladies in their new dresses...I love these girls SOOOOOO much!!

Sophia is currently sporting the "Mulan" look with her hair...she is so funny!

Disney {Day Four}

This was our last day at Disney.  Both of the girls were feeling much better which was a blessing.  As soon as they woke up they went swimming.  They both love the water and love to dive and play around.

I really did not take a lot of pictures that last day but we had fun.  We went to Animal Kingdom first so we could ride Everist and do a few other things like...the Nemo show.

After AK we headed back to Magic Kingdom for a few final rides.

There it is!!!

The girls hula hooping on Main Street

Alladin was our final ride.  We had a great time.  I am so grateful for all the memories we were able to create.  I just LOVE my family!!

Disney {Day Three}

I am not quite sure what happened on the morning of Day three, but I did not even take one picture.  We slept in that morning and headed to Hollywood Studios.  Sophia was definately sick and not feeling well at all so we just spent a couple of hours there.  .  She really just had cold symptoms, but was miserable.  Sophia did discover that she LOVES the Star Wars ride...go figure.  Michaela got to ride the Rock 'n'  Roller Coaster for the first time and LOVED IT!!  It was a fun day.  We headed back late afternoon to take a nap because we had another very exciting late dinner planned.  Sophia slept for 2 hours and woke up feeling much better.  I did remember the camera for dinner.

On our way to dinner...

We headed to the Grand Floridian to eat at 1900 Park Fare with CINDERELLA!!  

The first special guest to our table was Prince Charming and he was just that...very charming.

The girls really loved this dinner. 

The next visitors were the stepsisters and the stepmother.  They were really funny and pretty much stayed in character the whole time.  

And finally...CINDERELLLA!!  She is Michaela's favorite princess by far.  So this was an extra special treat for her.  Sophia was most excited about Prince Charming :)

The Grand Floridian was beautiful.  Quite pretty to see and walk around.  We also discovered a nice little treat after dinner.  We were going to take the ferry back to MK and then catch a bus back to the hotel.  By the time we got to the dock the fireworks at MK were about to go off.  We knew we would be able to see them from the dock so we waited and watched them there.  It was the most special way to watch the fireworks.  It was beautiful!!!  I think that was my most favorite magical moment of the trip.