My Golden Birthday

God could have not blessed us with 2 more perfect babies. Because of them, my heart is whole...truly the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life!  Was happy to be greeted by them with big smiles on my Golden Birthday!  The first thing Chloe said, still rubbing her eyes, was "Happy Birthday, Momma!"  That is all I ever need....

Last day as a twenty-something

{taken this morning to mark the occasion :)}

Well, this is it...my very last day as a twenty-something.  I have to say, my twenties have been good to me--finished my undergrad at APSU, got married to my high school sweetheart {8 years ago}, was blessed with the two sweetest babies I could have ever prayed for, started in a business that I never thought I would be part of {but, LOVE}, bought 2 homes, bought 3 different cars, deepened friendships with so many wonderful people {most importantly Brittnye}, learned to be a supreme multi-tasker, am beginning to learn to let go {this is a tough one}, and learning to be a forgiver.

There have certainly been some low points, but the highs certainly out weigh the lows BY FAR!

I'm thankful for all the experiences my twenties have brought me, but I'm ready to embark on the next chapter with my husband and 2 growing kids.  Ready for life adventures without diapers involved, ready for school activities galore, t-ball practice, dance recitals, ready to deepen my faith and deepen my relationship with Blake, and everything else the next 10 years will bring!

Thankful for the journey so far!  Here's to the BIG 3-0!!!!!! 

Milestones

Last Thursday was the start of my sweet girl's 2nd grade year.

My first thought is...how did she get so big so fast.  I feel like 2nd grade is OLD.  Before I know it...I'm going to blink and she is going to be a sassy teenager.  I guess maybe the fact that I'm turning 30 in less than 2 weeks is making me a bit nostalgic too.  Either way, she is growing up way too fast.  Sometimes I find it hard to believe that God gave us these two sweet children to mold into adults (Lord help us!!) :)

Chloe on the 1st day of 2nd Grade

This year at Clarksville Academy, she has Mrs. Williams.  I'm thrilled with her teacher this year because she has over 30 years in the school system so I know she is seasoned and knows what she is doing.  I feel like this is going to be a pivotal year for her with reading and I'm looking forward to having good guidance on how to best help Chloe progress!  So far, the year is off to a great start.  I love that Chloe is still so excited about school, learning, and making friends.  So thankful she is a sweet, outgoing little person. 

Thursday was a 1/2 day; Our tradition has been to eat lunch and go see a movie...this year was no different.  We met my Sis-In-Law and my Niece for lunch at Olive Garden and then we headed to see the movie Planes.  It was cute and we got to spend some good one-on-one time with Chloe!

{the girls wanted to show off their new backpacks}

I would hate to give an update on Chloe without giving one on the boy.  Carter is still a very vivacious 2 1/2 year old that never slows down.  He is so sweet and has eyes that will just melt you but he is ALL BOY!!  Much different than my sweet natured first child.

I LOVE this photo. Our babysitter, Kaylee, took this last Friday while babysitting the kids.  You can see the pure joy in his face!  That is Carter!!  She said right before this that he was in tears, but Chloe threw a pillow at him and he instantly calmed down (nothing like redirection)!!

Both kids have been very interested in 'playing golf.'  So we give them a ball and a club and let them go at it...Chloe, at this point, is far better at hitting the actual ball than Carter, but either way, they both have fun with it!  The weather  has been so nice...glad we get to spend some time outside at night! 

Because my co-worker, Amanda, and I share an August birthday...Casey got us some yummy cupcakes from Nerdy Birdy.  They are gluten free and delicious!  We went with the Chai Vanilla Buttercream Cupcakes...they smell and taste like pumpkin pie.  YUM!  We have eaten on them for 2 days...have to say...I have looked forward to coming to work just so I can have a cupcake!

Finally, a candid shot of Carter and his crazy self.  He likes to wear sunglasses...but upside down, of course.  He thinks he is quite funny! 

Life Post Vacation

Well, since our vacation mid-July, things have been just as busy, but that's normal with 2 small kids, I guess.

Chloe lost her 3rd tooth!!

We've attempted to eat out a bit more with this crazy 2 year old.  Here is his 

"I'm Innocent Face"...convincing, right?  Dinner at Olive Garden! 

Dinner at Chipotle (see the trend in the innocent face...)

This night, it was just 3 of us...Chloe had a sleepover with her buddy, Rebekah!!

We've been to the lake a ton in the last few weeks...

Once with the Reigle & Ladd Families...lots of kids and craziness.  Fun times! 

Chloe gave tubing another try with Madalyn (she's quite the brave 10 year old so that gave Chloe extra confidence)!!

This photo sums up our friendship...Kasey (on the right) always making us laugh...always!

Lake time with the Jenkins Crew.

It was raining most of the morning so Chloe decided to play "beauty shop"...Carter was so thrilled for her to give him a mohawk!!  I love all their faces in this picture!

and finally, my Dad bought his dream car--

a 2012 Shelby GT 500

It's beautiful...proud for him and thankful for his loyalty to Jenkins & Wynne ;) 

Day 4, 5, 6

Truly, the days are kind of running together as I'm thinking back...but, I do want to make sure to document all the things we did (in the best order I can get them in ;))!  

Port #2: Costa Maya, Mexico

**we did not port until 12:45 this day and had to be back on the boat at 4:45...I just didn't think that was enough time to get the kids off, do anything, and get back on...its a small process to get off and back on.  So the kids and I hung out on the relatively empty boat and Blake got off to do some shopping / eating!  It was a nice, quiet day!

Port #3 Cozumel, Mexico
We did get off in Cozumel.  It was HOT!  We grabbed a taxi and went to a private beach club area.  It was nice, low key, not crowded and the food was TO.DIE.FOR. Best guacamole and pico I have EVER eaten!  It was fun!  Fun memory...some of the employees were walking around with a parakeet and a giant lizard.  You could hold them and get your picture made. Well, Chloe had NO interest.  Carter was so excited to do it, but his little arms just couldn't hold the bird up and he wasn't strong enough to hold the lizard on his own! 

more from on the boat...

lobby of Disney Fantasy / hair braiding by the pool / pool snuggles with Carter

Chloe and I had the opportunity to attend a Princess Tea--just the 2 of us. 

It was so special.  There were only a few girls there and we got up close and personal time with 3 of the Princesses--Belle (Chloe's favorite), Tiana, and Cinderella.  They gave Chloe a doll, crown, an autograph book, and a jewelry box with a necklace and bracelet.  We got to enjoy some snacks and tea together!

July 23, 2013

celebrating our 8th anniversary--we had about 1 hour to ourselves and then enjoyed dinner and a show with Chloe!

The next night was an "at sea" day...but, it was jam packed with activities starting with dinner.  We snapped a few photos, then we headed to the Pirate Mickey Dance Party!  After the Deck Party, we had the opportunity to screen Monster's University in 3D (the movie was actually still in theaters while we were on the boat)!!!  After the movie, they had a fireworks show, but we didn't make it...we were all too tired!!  

Port #4 Castaway Cay: Disney's Private Island in the Bahamas

We were so excited about this final port because we knew it would be the beach, family friendly, and there would be plenty for us to do!  Well, the beach was great, but the kids just weren't super excited to get into the water...so, we played for a bit, enjoyed Cookie's BBQ, then we headed back to the ship to enjoy the pool while it wasn't so crowded.  Confession--we put Carter in the nursery for a few hours this day (he hated being there), but we wanted to have some nice quality time with Chloe on our last day!

Other photos / activities---not necessarily in order: 

Chloe got to be pampered in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  She requested to be dressed as Belle.  Sadly, this was the day that she got super sick so she wasn't completely in the mood, but I knew she would regret not doing it later...so we pushed through it; she looked so sweet being all dolled up!

at the pool / Chloe dressed as Belle / kids eating on the ship deck while ported at Castaway Cay / Blake and Chloe riding the Aqua Duck / Chloe at the Ford Reception #2 / piggy back ride in the tiny room

visiting w/ Pluto at the Ford Reception / family photo in the main lobby / Chloe & I at Castaway Cay / photo of Castaway Cay from the ship

....sorry for the photo overload!!  But, it's hard to be away for 7 solid days and not take tons of pictures!  We had an amazing time and made so many great memories.  Looking forward to doing it again soon...maybe when Carter is a tad older ;)

More Stingray Tour Photos

Totally forgot that our Tour Guide snapped some photos of us while we touched the sting rays...the photos were priceless...so thankful he had a great camera to catch the memory!!

So much fun!  Truly, the best day on the cruise--hands down!

Grand Cayman

Day #3

Port: Grand Cayman

I was a bit hesitant at our first port...only because I had never been on a cruise.  I didn't know what to expect when we got off the boat.  All I can say--Grand Cayman was BY FAR my favorite Port.  The people were amazing.  The excursion was so fun!!  I would vacation there for sure! 

We didn't book anything in advance...so when we got off the boat and got bombarded by people...we just kind of drifted towards the first excursion we came across.  It ended up being a Stingray Tour.  Again, I was a bit hesitant especially because we had a 2 year old with us...they didn't seem to mind ;)

The first stop was in the middle of the ocean...there were tons of boats kind of in a circle on a sand bar.  When you got off the boat, the stingrays came right up to you.  It was INSANE.  The kids got in the water but weren't so interested in touching the stingrays.  I think Chloe may have brushed against one.  I have to say, I didn't love the idea either...but, you only live once!  After visiting with the stingrays, we boated to another location to snorkel...followed by another stop to touch starfish!  It was an amazing day.

Here is the day in photos:

After breakfast, we made a few Character stops...

Jake from Jake & the Neverland Pirates {Carter's FAVORITE}

Lilo & Stitch

Headed off the boat.  The water in Grand Cayman was the most amazing color I have ever seen!  The picture doesn't even capture it!

On our tour--Stingray & Starfish

Later that day--swimming and dinner at the Animator's Palate.  Our Table number every night was 71.  This was my favorite restaurant because it was so kid friendly.  The turtle in the picture below was Crush from Finding Nemo...what made it so neat was that the turtle interacted with the table guests-asked questions, knew their names, etc. 

More Character stops after dinner:

Captain Mickey

Peter Pan 

A bit more about our trip...

First, I have to say, we are so blessed to have been able to take this trip. Hands down, at this time in our lives, we couldn't have taken a trip like this on our own...but, thanks to Ford, we were able to give the kids {and us} the opportunity to experience the magic of Disney for 7 days at 4 different locations!  We cruised on the Disney Fantasy, which is the newest Disney Ship...it was amazing--impeccably clean, so much food, the staff was so great!  I can't speak highly enough about our experience with everything Disney!

I'm going to attempt to narrow down each day with a few pictures...which might be a tad bit hard because I took over 400 pictures on my iPhone...that is NOT including the 65 pictures we purchased from the Ship!

Arrival Day July 20th, 2013
Port Canavaral, Florida

{flew into Orlando}

{on the bus...headed to the boat}

{as we were walking onto the boat--YES, we all wore Mickey shirts!!}

{beautiful Minnie statue in the main lobby area of the Disney Fantasy}

Chloe was so excited to meet so many of the Princesses on the first night...her favorite Princess is Belle so, of course, that was the best sighting on Night #1 of all...little did she know, we would have some great one-on-one time with Belle later on in the week!

Day #2

At Sea

{clockwise} a bit of lounging--well, about 45 minutes worth ;) / chloe enjoying the mickey slide / carter splashing in the Nemo splash pad / the kids hanging by the pool--thank goodness I packed the puddle jumper

On the first night, Ford hosted a reception before dinner for everyone in the group.  There was a special appearance by Captain Mickey.  The picture I captured is horrible quality--thankfully, Ford gave us great quality print outs to keep!!  I just couldn't get over how beautiful Chloe looked on this night...so grown!  I just adore her! 

After dinner at the Enchanted Garden, we changed clothes and headed to the 8:30 show.  If I remember correctly, the show was Aladdin...it was AMAZING.  I expected no less from Disney!  Afterwards, the kids wanted a 'treat' so we headed to the shop and left with Captain Teddy and a Mickey Pillow Pet!

and, of course, some character appearances!! 

 

I just love how Carter has his hands in his pockets like an old man :)  I was so incredibly impressed with how well Carter did with all the picture taking.  He would look right on cue and smile so BIG!  He wasn't scared of the actual characters...he would walk right up to them and hold their hands!!  So sweet!! 

Day #3 and #4 tomorrow!!