On the way

Just wanted to share this cute picture of Erin at the Tampa airport as she was getting ready to leave. She had her car seat, ready to be buckled up safely on the plane, and her backpack full of crayons, markers and coloring books. She was so big, and so cute. We both cried, and she hugged me more tightly than she ever has. I miss her.

(picture is bad quality due to being taken with my phone)

Just me and my boo

Sean is in Oregon, Erin is in Milwaukee with Brian, and it's just me and Brendan left at home. It's quiet. Whenever any of my babies are gone, I realize how much I actually thrive on the chaos. I don't particulary appreciate the stillness and quiet like one may think I would.

Bren and I will be going to Animal Kingdom together tomorrow. It's our little treat. It'll be good to have some one on one time with Bren.

Sean in Oregon

Sean is having a great time in Oregon, and Grandma and Grandpa are loving having him there. This is their first time meeting Sean, so it has been quite an adventure for everyone. Here are a few pictures that they have taken so far. I'll continue to update with more pictures as they send them to me.

(Edited to add that I will be adding the pictures that Grandma and Grandpa send me to this same post as I get them, so keep checking back to see them here)


Sean and Larry's mom (he calls her great grandma)


Entering the House of Mystery

Sean participating in some activity at the House of Mystery

Sean and Grandma cooking breakfast


Just after Sean arrived on Monday evening.


Grandma showing Sean off to her tenants


Grandma showing Sean all of the pictures throughout the house

He has landed

One minute ago. He's on Oregon soil, and I'm relieved. I knew he would be fine, but I'm still relieved.

Leaving on a jet plane

Sean is officially on his way to Oregon. We had to be at the airport at 4am today for his 6am flight (rules for traveling as an unaccompanied minor), so it was an early start to the day. The boys and I had breakfast in the terminal while we waited for boarding, and then Sean was off. My boy is so much like me it's not even funny. He has my passion for new adventures, for traveling, and the excitement that it brings. This is his first time flying completely by himself, and it's a cross country flight no less. He wasn't a bit hesitant.

Grandma and Grandpa, he's on his way!!!

(These pictures were taken with my phone, so they are a bit blurry).


Bren took this picture while we were waiting for Sean to board


Ready to go


And he's off

Erin and Grandma B

Erin and I spent the weekend with Grandma B in Jacksonville to celebrate her birthday with her. It was a relaxing two days, and we spent most of it just sitting around talking. Erin didn't want to leave, and before we left she asked Grandma if we could come back in a "couple of days". I wish.


Grandma B, Erin and Emily


Grandma and Erin at Shogun

All made up

Erin and I had a "girls day" last Sunday. The two of us went to the mall together, did some shopping, and then she got a makeover at Diva N Dudes. This was her second time having a makeover there, and she was totally in her element. Picking out barrettes, hair extensions, glitter colors, etc. It's so cute to watch her. Afterwards she and I had dinner together before heading back home to color. Here are a few pictures of her after her makeover.


Picking out hair clips before getting started (taken with my phone, so not very clear)


Leaving the mall

At home, hiding the picture that she was coloring so that I wouldn't see it (it was for me!)

Break time for me

The summer term is officially over. My last final exam was Wednesday evening, I submitted my final project yesterday morning, and now I get to take a break until August 27th! Moving forward...

They're home

The boys got home the night before last, but with finals yesterday I didn't have time to update. I'm so happy to have them home.

They really did have a great time with Larry, Martha, Madalyn and Trevor this summer. For Christmas last year Larry and Martha bought each of the boys their own dune buggies, so this was their first time being able to ride them. They had a blast with them, and every time I called they went on and on about how much fun they were. I'm so glad that Larry got each of them their own so that they were able to ride along with one another, and with their little sister on her pink camouflage four wheeler. They also took a trip to Tennessee to visit Martha's family, and Larry took all of the recreation vehicles with them so that they could play there, too. Apparently Martha's family has a lot of land as well.

The boys made homemade doughnuts with Martha one evening, and they really enjoyed that as well. They spent a lot of time out on the boat, and just playing with the other kids in the neighborhood.

I'll have them both home now until the 30th, and then Sean will be leaving to go to Oregon for two weeks. He is very excited about meeting Grandma and Grandpa for the first time, and spending time with them. He is literally counting down the days. He's not the slightest bit nervous about his first cross country flight by himself. I guess the flights that he and Bren take by themselves back and forth to Atlanta every year have seasoned him up a bit.

Mini Etnies

So Etnies are the coolest thing in shoes for boys and men. I know that, and the boys have had them for the past couple of years. But what I DIDN'T know, until yesterday, is that they also make them for little kids, including little GIRLS!! On the way out of International Plaza yesterday I saw these in the window of a shoe store, and I knew that I had to get them for my girl. She was there, and she agreed (she is, at the age of four, a shoe addict)! There was no leaving that store without a pair of Etnies, just like her brothers have. Aren't these the cutest little shoes!!

Coming home

My boys will be home tonight. I can't wait!

Another day at the beach

Clearwater Beach on July 8th.




Pure joy

Mom's sandy feet

The most beautiful hair I have ever seen!

Independence Day

Here are a few pictures from July 4th at Aunt Linda's house in Deltona. Not many because I just didn't take as many as I normally do.


Tony's youngest son, Maddox


Erin and Hailey


Shadows behind the smoke (love this shot)

Bears!!

Erin came home to a huge package on the front porch from Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Larry. She was so excited, and absolutely loves her new bear family! Thank you both.

Clearwater Beach 7/1/07

Sunset at Clearwater Beach. One of my favorite places to be.

Erin peeking at me over part of the playground

Flying out

The boys are leaving tonight to fly to Atlanta. They'll be gone for two weeks. Mom isn't a happy camper today.