Off to the Sun State

So much to do, so many people to see, but we did it! We managed to fit it all in. First stop, Grandma Shan and Grandpa Gary's fabulous house with so many fun things to do. Also, to add to the fun, our good friends Rod and Steph were able to meet us there. Golfing, the jeep ride, swimming, the cookout, hiking, hanging on the deck, the Sun, we enjoyed it all. The only problem . . . it went way to fast!

Water, the greatest toy ever!

Our great friends Rod and Steph with their kids.

A super cool hiding place Jett and Gabe found.

Jett's favorite hangout, the cave by Grandma Shan's house.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a great time! You have all the fun play toys and the kids love it. So many fun memories.

One of the highlights of the trip . . . Sawyer started walking! He loved walking behind the truck. He took about four steps without holding on to anything. He is getting so big.

Second stop, MiKell and Ty's. What do they not live by??? Tons of parks, swimming pool, trails, great shopping, In n' Out, the zoo. Could it get any better? Our kids loved it. To much to do and not enough time.


And Jett's favorite thing about the trip . . . visiting the coolest zoo ever!


There was a carousel.

Giraffes.


Awesome Stingrays that kids could touch.

A petting zoo.

And the two favorites, the orangutans and the camel rides! It was super fun, especially since we were with Merik, MiKell, and Ty (Why didn't we get a group pic?). It was a perfect day.

Jett and Merik have become fast friends. I can just see these two lady killers in a few years. This could be a problem! We love you MiKell, Ty, and Merik! Thank you for such a fabulous time. These are the kind of memories and relationships that we love to make with our kids. To bad it just can't happen more often.

Number One in lots of ways

I loved you from the very start,

You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun
You're part of me my little one.
As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I'd daydream of the things we'd share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC's.
I thought of things you'd want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I'd need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day I love you more.

Through misty eyes, I dim the light,
I whisper, "I love you" every night.
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
As mother and child our journeys begin,
My heart's yours forever little one.

-Author Unknown-

Happy 1st Birthday Sawyer!

We are having a . . . . .

A wee bit of heaven
drifted from above.
A handful of happiness,
a heart full of Love.
Author unknown

After a week of negotiations, the verdict was in. Rhett and I agreed to disagree. I found out what the new baby is going to be and Rhett chose not to find out. My whole side of the family gets to find out and Rhett's family gets to wait it out with him. This is just crazy! Let's just hope I can keep this to myself for another four months. Here's to modern medical technology!

Shakin' what their Mama gave 'em

Who's Who???

Sawyer's new tricks!

Vintage couture

We had a 60's party to go to and while we were getting ready Jett wanted to know where his costume was. So he went to my closet and found himself one. He insisted on the lipstick to complete the look. Rhett and I decided to go vintage. Rhett is wearing head to toe Dwight couture, including the shades! Although the jacket is really pretty cool, the pants I can't quite believe my Dad wore! He said he wore them golfing and he was really happening in those. I chose to wear an outfit given to me by my Aunt Anna. She thought I would look smashing in it, and boy was she right! I am sure glad my Mom held on to these little goodies. Nothing is better than vintage.

Sail away!

Nothing get's Rhett more excited for a trip than the thoughts of a bloody mary mix waiting for him on the plane. He can hardly wait to order his bloody mary mix, with a lime of course. Then I have to deal with the stinky tomato breath! Aah, the perks of traveling.



A wonderful getaway. Another honeymoon. Dropped the kids off at grandma's house and flew away to the sunshine and beaches! What could be better? Especially when we received my most beloved new camera that I have been coveting for awhile now, the canon rebel! I was so excited to try it out on our trip. These are the beautiful scenic pictures I took . . . .


. . . And these are the scenic pictures my dear husband took! Is there something wrong with this picture? Something that does not belong??? Oh yes, all the other women that aren't me!!! Rhett was having a great time getting in all the scenic sites around the pool. He really likes the new camera. How did I end up marrying my Father!!! I should have known better than to marry a scorpio. Funny thing is I ended up joining him in finding the best beach bod. Then when we got home Rhett shared his good fortune with my Dad! Wow, I guess I have been married way to long when our romantic getaway turns into this!

This is a ice sculpture and watermelon sculptures, wow, pretty amazing. This was in the dining room.

Jamaica was a beautiful island. We loved it there. We had a great time just taking in the sites.

Rhett tried parasailing. He liked it, but not quit the thrill he thought it would be. But then again we are talking about Rhett, the pilot.

The Dunn's Falls that we hiked up was probably one of the highlights. It was gorgeous and so much fun to hike right up the waterfall.

We shopped a little bit, but we didn't have much time, just got some presents for the kids.

I would say that these chickens are hanging out on the wrong side of town! HA HA!

The other island we stopped at was Grand Cayman. We had a great time here too. The highlight here was swimming with the stingrays. They would come right up to you and rub your leg. They are an amazing animal. We got to hold them and everything. At first, as you can see, I was a little hesitant, but they grew on me after awhile. Our guide told us that if we kissed there fin we would have 7 years good luck, but if we french kissed it we would get good luck for life. I opted for the fin, and thought I would visit again in another 7 years. Rhett however, decided to go for the big one. And here he is french kissing a stingray! After that all the guys in our group couldn't look like pansies so they had to do it too. What a stud, except for the fact that I am the other person kissing those lips.

The snorkling was really fun also.

Rhett getting in a few laps around the track before we go and eat again for the 20th time that day. I just sat and watched and waved when he went by. Vacation is no time to exercise!

This is going to be our yaht someday. We thought the name was perfect.

Rhett decided to try the duck one night for dinner. And yes, it is still our mutual decision that duck should not be eaten by humans! Domesticated duck or wild duck, it is all the same, disgusting. To bad they are so much fun to shoot. I was brave and decided to try escargot. Although I actually enjoyed the flavor, I believe that it made me sick the next day. So our consensus was that we just are not fancy rich food lovers. We love the farm home cookin'. Shooooot, are we redneck's or what!

In the end, I was the girl that Rhett took the most pictures of. And I guess that's what counts! We had such a great time. We are sold on cruising. It was fun to getaway with just the two of us. I think I remember why I like him so much! However, I don't know when I turned into one of those parents that talked about their kids the whole time we were gone! How is it that you can't wait to get away, but the moment you do you miss them. Thanks to Mamma they had just as much fun as we did. And that was the calm before the storm . . . kid number three coming soon to add more chaos, and of course more fun!