Sail away, sail away, sail away~~~

~11th Anniversary Cruise~

As our 11th anniversary was quickly coming up and we had no plans, we looked around at the last minute for something fun to do. The weekend in Savanna, a trip to the Builtmore or NYC for several nights? After all the looking, we decided on what we have always loved..... another cruise. It would be a short one, and bought at the last minute for a great deal (with food and entertainment included, much cheaper than the other options)! We decided there would be no excursions or schedules (Norwegian free-style cruising), just rest, relaxation, sleeping in, food, fun and sun! In the spirit of ease and simplicity we even packed in only two very small carry-ons so we could get on and of planes and the boat without checking bags- Why have we never thought of this before, it is wonderful!
The first meal of many, and about the only picture of food as we rarely carried the camera around. Call it lazy? Maybe, but we called it carefree!
There were many other ships leaving the pier at Miami, and this is a picture of Nikki in front of Royal Caribbeans Majesty of the Seas- The same ship that we were on for our Honeymoon cruise almost 11 years ago to the day! Too crazy! As you can see, there was a storm on the horizon in Miami, but as we left port, the weather was picture perfect for the next four days.
Dessert anyone? And yes we did eat all four!
Playing the drums with the band in the Bahamas.
A picture of us in front of the Norwegian Sky, it was a beautiful ship! And look at that water- So clear and blue! In this port- Nassau Bahamas, we just shopped for some stuff for the kids and then went back to the ship for lunch and laid by the pool, sipped cold drinks and what else- RELAXED! Before we left, Cayden (surprise, surprise) asked if we were going to bring back "reminders" (he meant souvenirs). We said that we were going to just get one souvenir per kid- Right! They each ended up with four! As we floated away, Nikki asked me at one point how often I have thought of the kids, and it seems crazy, but we came to the conclusion that we though of them at least hourly. You see a turtle and think of Cayden, a cute little girl in a swimsuit about Mia's age, or the pink ice-cream and think of her, and we even saw a teenager with a plate of four hot dogs and a mountain of french fries and said: there is Brenner in several years!
As much as you try to relax and get away, the best of what you have done over the last 11 years stays with you!!!

A great sunset on deck.

We just love the whole cruise experience, the sunsets at sea, watching the water go by and a cozy cabin with the waves rocking away all your cares have always provided relaxation for us.

In keeping with the beginning pact of "no tours or excursions this time" the next stop at Norwegians private island was one of our favorite days. We got off the ship on the first tender to the island, picked out two lounges by the sea, filled up our drink cups and sat in the sun! There was a Beach BBQ provided and a band playing island music. Just over the dunes and past the palm trees were modern and clean bathrooms, but other than that, it was like we were in the middle of nowhere- and what a great place to be! We did kinda break the pact by renting snorkel gear to go out and swim over the reefs and we were so glad that we did as this was the best snorkeling that we have ever done! Beautiful fish! We saw Yellow Tangs, Black and White Zebra fish, Blue Damsels, corals and anemones, and even a Wild Sting Ray almost three feet wide. It was like swimming through the opening part of Finding Nemo! Again we commented on how much Brenner and Cayden would have loved it! We also met a very nice couple on the beach from New York, Michele and Stuart, that we had lunch with and decided to meet up for dinner back on the ship and see that nights show together. We had a great time with them the last night. The next morning we slept in one last time and off the ship and back to Atlanta. What wonderful days we had! We both commented that it seemed like much longer than four days had passed- and that was the point- we lost track of time !

Back at home and the kids going to school in their Nassau Bahamas T-shirts and Islander made shell and bead bracelets! The kids had a great time with Mimi and Granddaddy and even went to McDonald's for breakfast before school on Monday morning! Granddaddy knows how to keep them happy! Thanks Mimi and Grandaddy for the time off and away- we had a great time!

Summer Ends & School Begins

The kids all had dentist appointments the same day we picked up the Armada from the auto body shop so everyone got clean new smiles and "GRILLS".

The last several weeks of summer were filled with fun. We went to the Zoo to see the new baby giraffe, up to the lake to do some jet-skiing with friends and planned many play dates and several last summer sleepovers. With all this, Cayden still found some time to let us know that he was bored and we were waisting his summer! School can't come soon enough I guess for ungrateful little children! =)

Soaking in Lake Lanier.

Billy Bob Huckabee (AKA- Cayden) with his front tooth missing. It has changed the look of his face and also his speech, he slurs and whistles as he talks like a Appalachian hillbilly.

Brenner with all his books.

And Mia has started Ballet and Tap dancing and she loves it. She and her friends Morgan and Lindsay are all in the same class, so I hope they can focus on their foot work and tapping instead of their goofing and talking!

Mommy made the kids a first day of school big breakfast to start them off right (with daddy it is usually cold cereal or grits if they are lucky). Mia is holding a hippo that her teacher gave each child at orientation and asked that they bring them back on the first day of school named and ready to learn. After many name suggestions that started with the letter "H" to go with hippo, Mia decided on "Sparkles" so sparkles it is!

Three kids (and Sparkles) all ready for school.

Mia's last moment of freedom for the the next 16+ years to come. It is great to have two body guards with her at all times as she goes to school. Well make that one protector as Cayden may look the other way or throw her under the bus, Ya just never know! Day two and Mia's first school bus ride. As you can tell by the look on her face, she has been waiting for this moment for some time. That is really all she has wanted to do for the last several years is "ride the big yellow bus"!

Summer Days

-The last weeks of summer-

How did it happen again- summer break is almost over. A little over two weeks and the kids (all three) will be back in school. This is a picture of the kids at Country Kid's Camp. They loved all the fun "country summer" activities and could not wait to go back each day.

Their favorite things-

Brenner- The zip line into the lake, canoeing and the "Mud Day".

Cayden- The zip line, the fire truck hose down and looking for worms.

Mia- Doing all kinds of crafts and catching tadpoles. Also riding "trigger" the horse and painting him with finger paints. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

<>We also celebrated the 24th of July in high pioneer style. We pulled our family and provisions (a salad for the potluck and our camera) in a hand cart to a little valley (1/8th of a mile from the car) and hung out with some of the best Mormons around (the Monroe Ward). It was lots of fun, but super HOT! Come, come ye saints!!!
And Brenner is still reading, and reading and reading. He has only a chapter or two left in the final fifth book of the Percy Jackson series. All added up, he has read over 1,800 pages this summer. I think that meets the AR reading goal for the summer! Turns out all that finger and thumb exercise from all his video gaming also helps to turn the pages of books- who would have thought!!!

Gram's and Pa's Visit to Georgia

Gram's and Pa's visit to Georgia

Oh the kids had been holding their excitement from the day they heard Grams and Pa were coming to Georgia until their plane landed and the kids were half asleep.
The trip was sorta last minute and planned around Pa offering to come out and ordain me to the office of High Priest. It could not have been a better week, the weather (although a bit humid for Grams & Pa), the fun, the food, and the just good old family time spent doing nothing really! Past trips were planed around trips here and there and this visit was just good time spent together- it was "great time"! Swimming at the Tara pool.Pup Pancakes of course! Grams as always was the "cruise director" with all kinds of activities up her sleeve at any given moment. Sun Catchers, Finger Paints, Bubbles, Carmel Corn and many other Crafts made for "simple great times". Mia kept asking: "what 'actidity' is next Grams?" Even going through grams bags one time to get a jump start on the boys.BubblesMia and Grams reading and playing sticker princesses. We had lots of fun at the Vines Park and Pond. Feeding the ducks and nature walking.
Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky were the Bullfrogs jump from bank to banky!
We stopped and bought some "boiled Peanuts" from a road side vendor and Pa thought they were great- but Grams could not quite get into the southern spirit of it all. As you can see, little Miss Mia thinks they are yummy! They are a bit of an acquired taste- I have acquired to love them!
After my high priest ordination and setting apart as a high councilor in the Athens Stake, I found out that my speaking assignment for the following Sunday was changed from a ward assignment to speaking in a branch. They are a bit different, and as such, I needed a first speaker and fast! Pa, without hesitation, offered to speak and we both spoke on aspects of Member Missionary Work. The Meeting was great and a bit of a relief, as speaking in a small branch as opposed to a full ward was a more natural transition I think. The members and the spirit in the Madison Branch were great, and having my parents and my family there with me for my first assignment I will remember forever! Great Day!
Speak, See and Hear no evil.

Pa and his silly rhymes. Adam and Eve and pinch me quick went down to the river to bathe, Adam and eve were drowned, and who do you think was saved?..... Pinch me quick! The kids never tire of such fun and the opportunity to pinch each other!

Watching the Garden Railroad at Vines. Choo- Choo!!!

Another day with the ducks, but armed with bread this time. We almost got caught in a rain storm this day and the last minute "Run and Dash" to the car was fun, although no one ended up getting wet.

Mia and Grams and a Magnolia blossom.

Dinner in the backyard. Yummy!!!

Carmel Corn is becoming a Grams and Pa visit tradition!

In the flowers at the gates of Tara.

What would a visit to the South be without a visit to the Waffle House. Brenner and Pa's favorite meal. Make my hash browns "covered (cheese), chopped (onions) and chunked (ham) please!"

The kids in the Crape Myrtles. Although many of the Georgia flowers had finished blooming a week or two back, the Crape Myrtles were all in full bloom and colored the visit in pink, white and purple.
Gram's and her Georgia Kids

Thanks for such a great visit Grams and Pa, we love you and had the "BEST OF TIMES!"

Forth of July FUN!

Fourth of July FUN!

We had a great Independence Day with family and friends. The Georgia summer heat gave way for the weekend and the temps in the 80's gave us all some "Independence" from the heat and humidity.
There was plenty of Red, White and Blue, a traditional water balloon fight and as always, great summer cook-out food!
Here the kids are having a picnic in the backyard.

Mia and Morgan clapping in approval of the Cul-de-sac firework display- The boys were busy lighting them of course- little fire bugs!!!

And oh what would the Fourth of July be without cold and creamy homemade ice-cream!!! YUMMY!!!

Politically correct or not- the little southern rebel with her Confederate flag.

THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN?!?!?!

And the night ended with the always spectacular firework display at the front gates of Tara. We are always right underneath them, but this year the wind seemed to blow lots more spent cartridges and firework sparks our way. Someone said: maybe next year we should sit further back..... I said: are you kidding, I'll be right here in this exact spot again 365 days from now. There is nothing like feeling the pound in your chest as they explode so close and right above you... sparks and debree only add to the experience!!!

And just a side note:

Not to be out done by the bangs and crashes of the fourth, I wrapped the bumper of the Armada around a mini-van several days later. Just as with the fourth, there was also a bang and crash and some debree thrown around, it just was not as exciting or fun- but that is life I guess.... Some times it unexpectedly crashes. No one was hurt and we now are driving a fancy red rental Mini-Van until the Armada gets it's face back! "Yeah" said the kids as it has two TVs and video game hookups!