Cardinals vs Nationals

Trevor took Trace and Kaylee to the Cardinals vs Nationals Spring Training game. They had a fun afternoon together. It's nice having Spring Training so close to home.

Becki's friend, Susie

We had the pleasure of hosting Becki's high school friend, Susie for a week. She was a delight to get to know. We went out on the boat with the Nelson's and found a sea star and saw a manatee up close. We took her to DuBois Park and out to eat at U-Tiki and to Blue Pointe. She came a stranger and left a friend. 

Aunt Stacie

Aunt Stacie has recently won the award of "Our Most Frequent Visitor" with this being her 8th time here. We love hosting Aunt Stacie! She is easy going and very helpful taking the kids to/from their many activities when Trevor is gone, helping with meals, taking the girls to Late Start Wednesday, and just being good company! I love my sister!!!  

Galena Birthday Weekend

I am blessed to have spent an amazing weekend back in the midwest with my family. My mom, Stacie, Shelli, Bree, and I rented a beautiful house in Galena in honor of Grandma's 97th birthday. I got into town a day early, so had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my dad, Sue, Dave and Darla. We played Up and Down the River and ate my dad's homemade lasagna. It was great to catch up with them!

The rest of my time was spent in Galena with my sisters, Mom and Grandma. We decided to surprise Shelli by also celebrating her upcoming 50th birthday this weekend. I had compiled a Memory Book of 50 Memories of Shelli, which we surprised her with. She cried tears of joy and we spent two hours reading the book aloud together. It was very special.

The following day we surprised Grandma with a gift box full of birthday cards Stacie had organized for Grandma. She spent time reading through each card, while my sisters and I went into downtown Galena for a brewery tour. Stacie had arranged for Shelli's childhood best friend, Vena to surprise Shelli at the brewery.

The rest of our weekend was spent back at the Galena house enjoying each others company. The highlight of the weekend was the dance party Vena insisted we have that night. Bree became our DJ playing songs from her phone through the wireless speakers in the house. We put in our song requests and danced away. Grandma requested "When The Saints Go Marching In" by Louis Armstrong. She got up and danced while holding onto her walker. It was a precious site. Mom got up and showed off her dance moves, which she had learned from Grandpa Carie years earlier. She impressed us all. Stacie challenged us to a somersault and cartwheel contest. We laughed, sang and danced the night away.

Bree and I then laid in bed and played some of our favorite old songs and videos to each other into the early hours of the day. The following morning, Bree made us a yummy egg scramble while showing off her newly acquired cooking skills. I loved my weekend away with my family!!!

Good Friends

Kaylee has been blessed once again with really good friends. She's blessed with good friends, because she IS a really good friend! They decided to get dressed up, go out for breakfast at the Jupiter Beach Resort and do a photo shoot. Below is Delaney, Camryn, and Lily Doster. Not pictured is Lily Hass. The five of them have become their own little friend group of really nice girls. 

Hamilton

In honor of Becki's 70th Birthday and as a Christmas gift to the girls, we went to Hamilton. We had a nice dinner in Rosemary Square prior to the the show. In preparation, the girls had been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack and I had been listening to an audiobook about Hamilton's life. Our research paid off and made for a fun night!

Key West with Grandma Becki

Prior to Becki's arrival, we asked her if there was a place in Florida she would like to explore. She chose Key West and we happily complied. We stayed in a beautiful condo the Hyatt Residence Club. It had a gorgeous ocean view and fun activities like shuffle board and ping pong. It was a chilly weekend so we enjoyed these dry activities.

We explored Key West via the Hop On and Off Trolley tour. It was a fun way to explore the city other than the rowdy, eccentric, cross dressing crew that hopped on at one of our stops. They were a bit disruptive, making it hard to hear our guide. Other than that, we enjoyed yummy food and shopping a bit. Our best meal was on our way back home in Islamorada. In the future, we decided that Key West is not for us as we are clearly not partiers. However, we loved Islamorada and the beaches and activities it has to offer, as well as the roosters roaming around.

Flagler Museum Tea Party

Becki arrived earlier this week and will be with us for four weeks. Becki and I decided to explore the Flagler Museum or Whitehall, which used to be the home of Henry Flagler. It was completed in 1902 and was deemed as more grand than European palaces, with its 75 rooms. We had fun touring the home with our audio guided tour and learning more about Henry Flagler. He made his fortune as a co-owner of Standard Oil, along with John D. Rockefeller. He invested his money in the railroads and was famed with bringing tourism to Florida as his railroads went along the East Coast ending in Key West. He also built several elite hotels, such as the Breakers Hotel, which is visible from his home on Palm Beach. Becki and I ended our time at Whitehall with a tea party. It was a fun day!!!

Kianna's Teenage Room

Kianna decided she was ready to move on from her dinosaur themed room to a more mature, teenager room. For Christmas she got a new fuzzy chair, a white comforter, new sheets and the white lights. However, the room still didn't look grown up. So I decided to surprise Kianna with a collage wall, which my mom helped me design while she was here a few weeks ago. Then Stacie helped me hang the pictures today. Kianna is thrilled with the finished product.

Trace's Friend Party

Trace had Michael Lopasky and Hugh Jackson from his soccer team, Collin Butters from church and our neighborhood, and Caleb Carley from school over for the night. We ordered pizzas and I made a giant cookie cake and ice cream for dessert. After eating dinner, we jumped in the car and headed to a trampoline park called Defy in West Palm. It had a ninja course setup and the boys were in 2 hours of jumping heaven.

When we got home, I gave the boys the choice of a shower or jumping in the pool with their clothes on. They all chose jumping in the pool, despite the rain and cold weather. Needless to say, they didn't stay in the pool long, but all showers were avoided. The boys spend the rest of the night playing soccer on the Nintendo Switch and sleeping in the living room. Trace had a blast with his friends!