Busy, Busy, Busy!

We have been having a good summer break so far. We have been spending most of our days at the pool. Ally and her stepson Talon came and swam a couple of days. Ally was trying to teach Sophie to swim... she loves the water, she started off jumping in from the step in the pool and is now jumping in from the side in the deep end. She goes right under and comes back up... now if we can get her to keep her mouth closed she will be fine. :)

We have been back to water Country a couple of times. Tristan and Chandler really enjoy it there. Hopefully we will get back there this week before Tristan goes to Louisiana.

The kids and I went to Maryland today for Collin's first birthday... my friend Kelli and Jamie's little boy. We met in NC and they live in Maryland now. It was so nice to see them again, it had been a few years.

Friday night we went to Ellaine's for dinner with Teresa, ate some yummy Phillipeno food and had a fun time with the girls. We will be celebrating Sophie's birthday tomorrow and Monday. I can't believe she will be 2! Well I am off to bed, it's going to be a busy day tomorrow.

started summer vacation at Busch Gardens

We had so much fun Sunday. We took the children to Busch Gardens and Water country. Tristan finally will ride the roller coasters so he rode once with Roland then with me. Sophie was great so we were able to stay till 6 then we headed to water country for a couple of hours. Tristan and Chandler rode the slides and Sophie and I stayed in the kiddie part. She loved the wave pool!

We are going to try and go once a week this summer, that should keep them busy!!



LET US OUTTA HERE.....

The big bad wolf

Yummy.... Turkey leg!

Sophie playing at water country

we couldn't get her out of the water!!

End of 2nd grade Luau

Chandler had her end of the year Luau this weekend. They had Strawberry daiquiris (virgin of course) and kiwi and strawberry punch. Pizza, hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and cupcakes.

We had a water balloon fight, hula hoop contest and limbo contest as they jammed to some reggae music.


The table decorated

Chandler won the hula hoop contest!!

Deborah and Eliana having a hula hoop contest

having a water balloon fight on the trampoline

Chef Chandler

Chandler decided she was going to make dinner tonight. She made chicken nuggets, we dipped them in ketchup and honey mustard.

She is getting excited for her cooking summer camp and told me " I can already cook" , so she had to fix dinner. She also mixed up some fruit punch to go with it.

It was a fabulous dinner and she had tons of fun doing it. :-)


getting the chicken nuggets out of the oven all by herself!!

chicken nuggets with ketchup and honey mustard to dip ... yum yum

putting dinner out


Chandler making fruit punch

School year is coming to an end

It's that time of year again, the kids have one more week of school. It is also my last week with baby Emma for summer break. The kids are getting excited and I am just trying to find ways to keep them busy. Chandler is signed up for day camps throughout the summer, Tristan is leaving to go visit his family that live in Louisiana for a couple of weeks and Sophie will want to spend her days outside... as usual.

Tristan had his end of the year band concert at Busch gardens in Williamsburg Friday , when they were done playing they rode all the roller coasters. He was so excited. He took pictures of every ride and was sending it to my phone. He must take after me. Roland and I love riding them. I am excited ,when we go now he will be able to ride them with us.

Roland and I took the kids to Old town Alexandria on Saturday , we walked around the water front. It is so charming there, I wish we could live there!! I think it is my new favorite place...luckily it isn't too far. After that we shot up to DC to go to the Smithsonian, it was so crowded though.

I forgot my camera and was so BUMMED, we would of taken some cute pictures that day.

Our neighbors came over for dinner when we got home and we spent the rest of the evening talking. They left around 1 am and Sophie woke up at 5:30 so needless to say I am exhausted. Funny, seeing as how she sleeps till 10:00 during the week and 9ish usually on weekends. I told Roland today, it's like she knows when I stay up late- happens every time.

Chandler is sick with a stomach bug and will more than likely miss school tomorrow. She has had a fever since last night. Hopefully no one else gets it. I spent the day cleaning and spraying Lysol on everything!

Chandler is having an end of the year Luau with all her school friends here on Sat night, she is so excited. I will be busy this week making sure everything is perfect for it. I think Pam is coming over this weekend too. She moved to Baltimore, so she is close now. For those of you that don't know Pam , she is a friend from NC that lived next door to us.

Well Army Wives is coming on soon, first show of the season and I love it!! I'm going to go curl up in bed and get ready. :)

Girls weekend in Alexandria

lunch at a cute little Greek restaurant

Dinner at Brabo restaurant at the hotel.... so yummy!

Our room at the Lorien spa and hotel

I got out for a lovely weekend get away with a good friend of mine, Meghan. She planned the whole trip and it was so much fun. We didn't go far...just incase. Old Town Alexandria is beautiful, great shops and food. We went to the red door spa near DC for pedicures and to get our hair styled. Sunday we had amazing massages, I needed that.

Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day cookout- Ally and Eric came over sat for burgers on the grill. We had a fun time. I want to give a special thanks to my fantastic husband for supporting our country and family. You are such an honorable man.

burrrr.... this water is cold, I think I will stick to the steps for now!

Tristan helping sophie in the deep end

Sophie and Chandler enjoying a fun weekend at the pool.


Chandler had fun at her Luau party this weekend

They Keep us Free

by Roger Robicheau

In time of need their will is sure
American, their freedom pure

Protect our life and liberty
Unselfishly, they keep us free

Each soldier knows what is at stake
The risk is grave, there’s no mistake

With pride they serve our country strong
They face each foe to come along

Remember them while in your home
Or where you choose to freely roam

Don’t take for granted what you see
Some left this life, so it could be

To God I urge you all to pray
For soldier’s brave, to face each day

We should be thankful, one and all
For those who march to meet each call

Thank you honey:)

Night Night , Sleep Tight

The bond between Sophie and Tristan is beautiful. I love how she looks at him like he can protect her from anything. Tonight she went up to his room at bed time and fell asleep with him. I could of sat at the end of his bed all night watching them sleep.

I think the day has come

Sophie has decided to sleep through the night. After a long 23 months of sleepless nights last Thursday she finally did it. Yay for Roland and I!! I didn't want to jinx it but she has done good. She had one night where she woke up crying but went back to sleep right away. I really didn't think she was ever going to get it. Now we just have to get rid of the bottle and potty train her.

An update on every one else-
Chandler is gearing up for summer. We are getting ready to sign her up for cheerleading and hopefully horse back riding lessons this summer. She can't wait for the pool to open Saturday. She has been busy with playing outside, little gym and end of the year activities.

Tristan is ready for school to be over!! He has been reminding us lately how much we are going to dread the next few years as he enters the teenage years. Overall we can't complain , he trusts us and talks to us so hopefully we can do this.:) He has been having band practice after school and his SOL tests. His band concert is tomorrow.

Roland has been working an insane amount of hours and I have been busy with the kids. I can't wait for summer!

Chandler's play

Chandler's second grade play was a hit. All of the kids looked so cute in their costumes. I have to admit I did good. Chandler was so excited, she didn't even seem nervous. Who knows she might have real talent.

An Aesop Adventure

That is the name of Chandler's play on May 12Th. She has been very excited and waited patiently for me to finish the costume. I have to admit I was a little worried about the ears, I am not creative. I tried a couple of different things and finally went with the picture. She loved it! It took forever to glue the cotton balls on and I have numerous little burns on my fingers, all worth it.

She keeps saying she is nervous she is going to forget her parts, I just laugh to myself, after all she is a sheep. She definitely takes after me in the acting department.

Afternoon Downtown

Roland and I had a wonderful Sunday afternoon by ourselves- Yes, you read right! Papa offered to watch the children and I jumped at that. We woke up and went downtown, we love it down there. It was high 90's and just great. We started the walk off by getting some fudge and looking around the antique stores. They have such cute stores down there. It reminds me a little of Park Ave back home. I took a picture of the tattoo shop , it always makes me laugh, I should of gotten my tattoo there and then taken that picture to my mom. We ended the afternoon at the Capital Ale House. The beer book was 35 pages, I was a little overwhelmed so the bartender suggested a pear ale- went great with the summer heat. The bar was an ice bar, that was really neat.

We love looking at the houses down there and reading about everything that took place centuries ago. There is so much history in Fredericksburg. I am so happy we are stationed here, well minus the winters of course!!

Ice Cream- Ice Cream, We all scream for Ice Cream

What a great day we had, it reached high 90's and I loved every second of it. Our bones are thawed out now that is for sure. We started out the weekend with a barbecue with our friends Eric and Ally last night Chicken, steak, salad and wine. We had a fun time.

Chandler went to Baylor's ( her best friend) soccer game and Sophie and I played outside. Tristan hung inside all day...party pooper!! We ended the evening with ice cream from Ben and Jerry's , YUMMY:) Sophie ate a whole scoop by herself.

oh and by the way- I hate when I forget to reset the date on the camera!! :)

Spring Is Here

FINALLY- I am a happy girl! The grass is green and the trees have leaves again. The weather has been beautiful, and this weekend we are going to be high 80's.

My dad and I got the new mulch laid and started planting flowers. It is such a refreshing feeling when the flag goes back out and the flowers start blooming. The highlight was hanging all my ferns on the front porch... and getting them on sale. :)

Now I just need to keep the birds from making nests in them. It is cook out time!!

Happy Earth Day

We celebrated Earth day by planting a Pine Tree seedling. Chandler's teacher gave them to all the children in class, great idea!! Chandler and I decorated picture frames for presents to share with teachers. We had so much fun.

Sophie at the beach

Sophie was so cute at the beach, she sat there for hours playing in the sand. I was completely amazed because she doesn't sit still for anything. I figured she would just run around and we would be exhausted. Tristan, Chandler, Rylee and Gylian played in one sand hole, they buried Chandler...that was great fun for them. Sophie sat in the next hole with her little shovel.

I am burnt to a crisp and still hurt, but it was worth it. Charity , Roland and I had a nice time just sitting there taking it all in.

Surf's Up

We had so much fun at the beach. We all got a bit burnt.:) The kids had a blast and Uncle Jason showed up and taught Tristan and Chandler how to surf! They loved it!! There were not many waves so it was a perfect day to show them how. Hopefully when we move to Florida the kids will be able to surf every weekend...FINGERS CROSSED!

Easter at Mom and Dad's

We had a beautiful Easter with friends and family in Florida this year. It was a fabulous day, sun was shining and the weather was great.

We woke up, went to church, and the kids headed straight in the pool. It was so nice seeing everyone and dinner was great. The kids had a small hunt for eggs. Sophie, Bella (Jamie Clark's daughter) and my niece Bella had so much fun running around.