Happy Birthday to Mammy & Me!

Tonight we had a double-whammy birthday party for Mammy and Me! Mammy's birthday was last week but we couldn't all be together so we decided to celebrate together tonight. Bear, Laci, and Marlee, along with Papa, Cici, Jamie, & Kenny joined us. Jared made DELICIOUS baked chicken...one of my favorites. He also got us a publix cake...oh me oh my how I LOVE Publix yellow cake and buttercream frosting. I loved my gifts and Mammy loved her's too. Here's to being another year older. I think I will count backwards from now on. With that said, Happy 29th Birthday to me!

Brooker went scalloping!

While Jared and I were on our anniversary get-a-way, Brooker went scalloping for the first time. Papa, Cici, Jamie, and Kenny went to Homossassa and invited Brooker to come along. We took him to the pool with his mask and flippers the night before they left to teach him how to snorkel. He caught on right away and Jamie said he did great! I can't wait to give it a try myself :)

Happy 9th Anniversary to Us!

Jared and I made a plan when we got married that we would alternate years to plan an anniversary get-a-way! This year it was my turn. We knew we didn't want to go far or do anything too extravagant because next year is the big 10!! I planned a weekend for us in Palm Beach. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton on the beach and it was just wonderful. Friday night I wanted to surprise him with an activity that I just knew he'd love...cooking school! The one I originally wanted to sign up for at the WilliamSonoma store did not have a class on Friday night so I had to find something else. While researching on the Internet I came across the Publix Apron Cooking School. If you've been in a Publix before you've seen the ladies that stand at the little booth and make meals to sample...Yep, that's this school! The reviews were all good so I thought we should give it a go...Besides, the class that night was "Couples Grilling." How perfect! We arrived and Jared was not too sure about what we were about to do, but we put on our aprons and got to work! There were 4 couples taking the class together. We  prepared a chicken, pork, and beef entree along with several sides and a dessert. It took forever but it was FUN! Jared even admitted the next day that it was really fun and he's glad I planned that for us :) Saturday we spent most of the day at the spa...WHAT AN AMAZING SPA! I got to relax and read and lay around...things I seldom have time to do at home. Saturday night we had dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and went to a movie. Sunday morning we headed home to get our babies. It's been a blissful 9 years and I'm so glad I married my very best friend in the whole world!

FBC Kids Arts & Crafts Day

Today was another fun day for FBC Kids! Mrs. Mandy put together lots of hands-on craft activities. They painted bird houses, made melty bead creations, sewed, and did bubble painting. Brooker thought it was all fun, he loves crafts like his momma! Mary Kate wore her puppy apron and took it all in :)

The Circus Came to Town

Well, it wasn't exactly the type of circus I was hoping for! It was quite interesting to say the least. We joined the Prices and Zwayers and shared some good laughs throughout the night. We laughed mostly in disbelief at some of what we were seeing! What happened to good, wholesome circus shows? The kids still enjoyed it so that's what matters most! 

At the petting zoo. These animals were HUNGRY! One of them stole the whole cup of food out of my hand :)

Brooker sees something interesting!

Look at all those blue mouths!

Sweet pic of Samantha and Heagan

What a Creation!

We spent an hour or so at the Children's Museum today. Mary Kate is a wild child in there so I have to do a lot of running to keep up with her! I finally got her contained to the lego/block building area so Brooker and I could be together. We worked hard on this creation!

Heartland Magazine Photoshoot

A good friend, Morgan Taylor, asked if she could use a picture of Brooker (and maybe Jared too) to put on the cover of the August edition of Heartland Magazine. Of course we didn't mind so Morgan had her sister Lauren (a budding photographer) join us in an orange grove and do her thing! She captured some of the most precious pictures of Brooker and Jared. I love them all. Don't know how she will decided which one to put on the cover!

House of Blues

Tonight we loaded up in a limo with friends and headed to Orlando for dinner at Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse and some live music at House of Blues. It's always a great time being with this crew!

Laura helped me get a guitar pick from the band. The lead singer, Hunter, played at the races this year. Brooker met him  at the races and got to sing a song on stage, so I thought it would be fun to give him this pick for his guitar. He loved it!

Happy Birthday Cline & Parker

Today we celebrated Parker's 3rd birthday and Cline's 5th birthday! The boys had a superhero theme. We know all about superheroes!  Mary Kate enjoyed helping open the pinata for the little kids and Brooker liked hitting the pinata for the big kids! They loaded up on goodies. The kids swam, ate pizza, and loaded up on cake. Happy Birthday sweet boys!

Brooker in Kentucky

Brooker has been in Kentucky since Saturday. Mammy and Pappy said he did great traveling! Brooker LOVED the time he got to spend with Rylie and Baxlee. Here are a few pictures from their trip.

Brooker and Baxlee playing in Kentucky Lake

Enjoying a little chocolate milk on the drive.

Somebody is happy...he got some toys for the car!