Category: Uncategorized

I fell in love with kayaking after taking one out for a few spins during our time at the lake last summer with Tom’s family. Then, Tom bought me a kayak on a Black Friday sale at Academy Sports for the best Christmas present ever!!!

On Sunday, I got to take my kayak out on it’s maiden voyage. I went on a guided tour with three Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center guides and 11 others down a calm river. We paddled about an hour one way, rested and floated, and paddled about an hour back. I love, love, loved it.

On Monday, I met two sweet friends from church to kayak on the lake. They were so thoughtful and brought me a whistle (for if I get into trouble on the water) and a waterproof bag (that I can fill with necessities and clip with a caribiner to my kayak). We paddled for an hour to the left and an hour back, stopped for a bathroom break and to stretch, and paddled for an hour to the right (rested and floated) and an hour back. It was one of my favorite days of the summer.

We were so excited to go to St. Petersburg, FL to the beach this week!!!

Click on the picture page to the right, “Beach 2018“, for pictures…

We were beyond excited to get to take the boys to Disney World and to share it with Grandma and Grandpa!!! We spent the first day at Magic Kingdom, the second day at Hollywood Studios, the third day taking a break (resting, walking around Disney Springs, and swimming), and the fourth day at Animal Kingdom. It really is such a magical place, and we are so grateful for our time together there.

For more pictures, click on the “Disney 2018” link in the Picture Pages column to the right…

We had a snow day on Friday!!! It ended up being mostly freezing rain and a light dusting of snow, but the boys still had fun getting bundled up and going outside to play in it.

I picked up a craft kit at Five Below before winter break that I thought the boys might have fun with…painting glass stones. They were already hard at work on them this morning just after breakfast. Jonas painted a volcano, a tornado, a hurricane, and a spider. Xander created a fish, a penguin, and (will create) a few more sea creatures. Roman made the earth, a smiley face, a blue monkey, and a person in the snow.

What a joy to be able to enjoy the Grand Ole Opry tonight with my brother, Darren, listening to my sweet mommy sing!!!

Tom, Roman, and I ended up heading back to the splash pad with Jonas and Xander after camp…they loved it too!!!

We spent a wonderful week at Lake Norman in celebration of Grandma and Grandpa’s 50th Wedding Anniversary!!!

We loved getting to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa, the Northern Seyfrieds, the Longs, and the Paccassis. Fun times included: boating, tubing, kayaking, wave runnering, swimming, fishing, playing board games, watching movies, going to mass and praying as a family, slack lining over the water, playing pool and ping pong, watching fireworks, etc.

For more pictures of our time together, click on the “Lake Norman 2017” picture page to the right.

Tom is coaching Jonas’ soccer team this season!!! Xander and Roman and I went out to the practice field with them this afternoon to see how it’s going. Tom is so great with the boys on the team, and I think they’re going to have a lot of fun playing soccer this spring. Here’s a picture of Xander goofing off…he and Roman had fun finding rocks for their rock collection and hanging out with the other player’s siblings. We’re looking forward to the first game on Saturday…

Here’s a picture of one of my very favorite parks to run in…it was so beautiful and peaceful this morning after a night of rain and a week of having the boys home for spring break.

I loved being able to go on the 2nd grade field trip to Traveler’s Rest Plantation with Jonas!!! It was a beautiful fall day. The kids went on a tour of the plantation home and talked about the difference between living now and living then (electricity, indoor plumbing, air conditioning, etc.), played with old time toys (Jacob’s Ladder, Buzz Saw, Cup and Ball Toss, Ring Toss, etc.), wrote with a quill pen, and learned a folk dance (the Virginia Reel). I’m so thankful for the enriching activities that the boys get to take part in through their wonderful school.

Jonas was honored in this morning’s assembly with a Cardinal Pride Award for displaying a positive attitude, being responsible, having integrity, and doing the “extra”. Go Jonas!!!

Roman and I had fun at the Discovery Center this morning where we met up with some moms and kids from our wonderful moms’ group.

Click Here for Video by Tom

It’s time for another installment of “What Did I Just Say?”…

“We are going to have to have jingle bell time out when we get home.”

“Let’s not put the carabiner in your mouth, honey.”

“We are not riding scooters on the mattress.”