November Update... first holiday in the new house!

When we moved to Parkland, we knew we wanted to live near Pine Trails Park. It is a huge park with several turf, grass, baseball diamond, basket courts and football fields. It is an athlete dream for a back yard! Never did I realize we would buy a house where it is a 120 yards from my backyard. It has made soccer practices and referring jobs so convenient.

Jordan spent a lot of time studying and completing her referring certification and spends her free time off her own playing field and onto another reffing. A great way to make money doing something she enjoys.

We have company coming in for both holidays and well I have the perfect guard dog for the tree.

The VERY best part of this holiday is that Garrett is flying home for the first time to celebrate Thanksgiving with us!!!! We cannot wait and we all went to greet him at the airport.

Love having our family whole again!

Made some great appetizers for the Thanksgiving… this is Pinterest's version of a vegetable platter.

This was our version… NAILED IT!

  

It’s been a long LONG time since we have been able to have Thanksgiving dinner outside.

Love having my Dad as a part of our celebration!!

It is a hard holiday season without my Mom. I pulled off a lot of her traditions at the Thanksgiving meal.

  

We were also happy to have Gram and Coach join us for the holiday to make it complete.

And the entire cast of characters… Grandparents and Aunt Gail and Uncle Kevin!

We can’t have a visit home with Garrett without hitting the beach.

  

  

Having my family all together was the best gift ever!

Happy Thanksgiving!

October 2019

I started off October by meeting my sister at my parents house to visit my Dad and help go through some of my mothers things. I wonder if it will every not feel weird being there and not seeing my mom at her seat at the kitchen table or in her favorite chair in the family room. I traveled with Bella because… well I always do and because I believe that dogs have the ability to give you exactly what you need when you need it. Jennifer obviously felt the same.

I had to post this one of Scout, my sisters dog. She refers to her as her rescue dog and I agree they both rescued each other. Plus I don’t look as much like a crazy dog lady when I am around her. I swear though, this dog is human and acts like a model. She looks you in the eye and will keeps you honest.

We spent a few days going through drawers and closets … laughing and crying, taking LONG bike rides and enjoying meals together. We went to the beach for sun set and spent a lot of time talking about my Mom and the memories we have growing up.

I have a great set of friends that are really creative with their theme parties. This year we did a harvest craft night. I do not have one ounce of creativity, but my friend Kathy is the master and totally hooked me up!!!! I had no idea how crafty my friends were!

Our final presentation!

  

We dug through our decorations and our web/bug followed us all the way from MA.

First photo of Garrett at Camden Academy.

I have never seen his room this clean!

First homecoming dance and Ayden is doing the make up on Jordan. I love that they have each other. This reminds me so much of Jennifer and I! (Just in reverse.)

First Homecoming

Stoneman Douglas High School

It was heart warming for me to see how much Ayden wanted to help Jordan get ready. These girls are very different in so many ways but I love how they come together to support each other.

It is so nice to see these girls all dressed up when they are usually wearing cleats and shin guards!

Ok Bella was pretty excited for her as well!

Bella messing around on her walk… this is her “I am not taking one more step” act.

Halloween shenanigans with the Carr’s!

September Update.. a Birthday to celebrate! 2019

Taking a Friday night and having dinner with my crew. Missing Garrett while at school, but got the chance to talk to him and he is really enjoying it. I think is favorite things are the mess hall and ironically the uniforms (knowing exactly what he needs to wear) and the structure to his day.

This month we also celebrated the Ayden’s 13th birthday at an escape room. Yes, we got out!

Big months too as we are all getting new bikes! I LOVE mine and it is provided us with a lot of independence around town!!  We are picking out our baskets for our grocery store runs.

Particularly slow months… as you can see for Bella in one of her favorite spots.

We live in a golf cart community but his is our version of our golf cart… Bella and I pick up Ayden from the bus stop every day riding in style.  Bella never misses a chance for a ride.  

I wish I could sleep like this girl…

Love me some Bella!