If only weekends could last forever!

Last night as we were wrapping up the weekend I said to Tony that I wished the weekends could last forever!  We are simply just loving living our life.  I know I say it in every post but I truly am just enjoying every moment.  

We have been taking the time to explore new parks around us.  A few Saturday's ago we went on a nice long walk then went to the St. Augustine Lighthouse.  The climb up to the top is intense but the view is worth it!  

On our nature walk!

Exploring new parts of Florida!

Break time!

St. Augustine Lighthouse

My babies!

Both kids have started their spring sports schedule.  Brody is playing baseball and Marissa is playing soccer.  It really makes the weeks a little crazy but both of them have been enjoying it!

Brody and Coach Daddy

Brody's team is the Phillies

Team pic after the game

We also spent a Saturday night at a restaurant overlooking the water that you can catch a beautiful sunset at.  What an amazing way to spend the evening!  After dark, the whole restaurant lights up with beautiful twinkle lights and it's an amazing atmosphere!  

Cap's On The Water Restaurant!

Beautiful Sunset Dinner

The kids went to Glowga with the kids next door on Friday night so Tony and I headed down to St. Augustine.  We just walked around the streets.  There is so much going on that it almost feels like a big city with live music coming out of different restaurants all over town.  We got some coffee and sat outside pondering life!  The kids had so much fun and it made for a fun night for all.  

Date Night in St. Augustine

Ready for Kids Night Out with Adam and Kara

Glowga pic with Marissa, Adam and Brody

More Glowga

Brody at Glowga

Beach time, long bike rides, swimming, park time, soccer games, baseball games and just enjoying being outside is what we are doing most every day!  

Paddleboard:  Our new obsession

My view as I'm laying by the pool!  Can't beat it!

Sunday Morning Coffee on the patio

Beach Time

Two happy, blessed kids

Fun Video

Tony was playing around with old videos and I thought it was really cute!  Hope you enjoy it too!

Brody's 1st Tooth Fairy Visit!

We've had a busy few weeks so now it's time to catch up on the blog!  Brody lost his first tooth last week!  He did a great job wiggling it until it was almost out and then I came in and did one little push and it was out!  He was so happy to have the tooth fairy visit!  Luckily for his birthday last year his BFF Kolden gave him a tooth fairy pillow!  I'm sure he will put it to great use in the next few years!  He instantly looks older with a missing tooth!  The adult tooth is already through the gum so it was definitely time!

My Aunt Anita and her friend Sonjia came to stay with us for a week and escape from the cold weather in Iowa.  It was fun to catch up with them and show them around our new digs!  They took us out for ice cream at our new favorite ice cream shoppe on the last night before they flew home!  We had lots of fun and even learned a few new games!  Can't wait until they come again!

Last weekend we kept on the go!  It really started Thursday night with a trip to the park with our neighbors and then we headed to school to see Marissa's project in the science fair.  Friday night, my husband the grillmaster, grilled us a very yummy dinner which was followed by a glow stick party aka gymnastics with the glow sticks on.  The kids love playing in the back yard and doing gymnastics and it has really warmed up this week into the 80's again.  We of course LOVE the warmth!  Saturday we spent at the Jacksonville Zoo.  Tony's family had gifted us admission for Christmas.  It was so fun to see all the different animals they had and lots of interactive opportunities as well. 

Sunday after church we went to the beach as we just had to take advantage of the beautiful weather.  After we forced ourselves to leave we tried a new seafood restaurant that had just opened on the intercoastal waterway.  Super yummy!  Can't wait to try it again!

Brody's baseball started tonight so I'm anxiously awaiting to hear how it went!  We also got our fence installed today so we are super excited about that!  It's the little things that get done around here that are the exciting things in our lives.  HA!  We are counting down the days until Grandpa and Grandma arrive over Spring Break!  Well that's about it for us!  Until next time....

Where did the month of January go?

I just realized that I haven't made a post in a month!  I guess life has been keeping me busy!  This is the first year I have ever had a fast moving January.  Usually it creeps by but not this year.  It's amazing how being able to enjoy the outdoors every day of the year is such a mood shaper.  The kids love playing with all the neighborhood.  Both kids have been going to birthday parties and Marissa has been loving all the sleepovers with friends she is getting to do!  Our next door neighbor, Amber took the girls and friends to a movie before their sleepover.  We've just been enjoying life.  Nothing too major going on just taking the time to enjoy this lifestyle.  I know I say it all the time but I just love our new home, neighborhood, school and church.  We are so amazingly blessed!  Here is a few pictures that our neighbor sent me of the kids over at her house playing.  These cracked me up so I thought I would post them. 

Playing Nerf games at our neighbors house!

Marissa and Laney using their imaginations.  Marissa spends loads of time next door playing with the girls!

Marissa with her friends at the movies!

We are going to be hosting some guests over the next month and we are excited that our families are coming down to enjoy our new home too!

I guess I don't really have much of an update except to say that we are settling in nicely and enjoying the new life we are blessed with! 

Tony being the grillmaster with his new grill!

We try to escape to the beach as often as possible!

Exploring a new (to us) beach in St. Augustine!

Loving our new patio furniture!  We spent A LOT of time out here!

Christmas 2015!

I'm totally playing catch up after a long Christmas break!  Marissa had 18 days off from school.  I think she really enjoyed not having homework and had time just play and hang out.  This year's Christmas was so different because it was SO HOT!  It was muggy, humid and 85 degrees.

We spent some very good quality time together and it was much needed after a very crazy year.  We went to the movies to see the new Alvin movie.  Tony and I went to see Star Wars.  Marissa and I did lots of baking.  We watched Christmas movies and played scrabble.  The kids sang at the Christmas Eve service at church.  We went to the beach to make sand castles and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Tony got a new grill for Christmas so we took advantage of grilling out almost every day since he got it.  Marissa and I went on a long bike ride on Christmas night around the neighborhood to look at all the beautiful lights.  We went to the "Noon Years Eve" party at our community center.  The kids loved the balloon drop at noon.  It was so hot out that we went straight to the pool!  I imagine there won't be many New Years Eve so warm but we enjoyed it!  New Years Eve our neighborhood got together and had a potluck with fireworks!  The kids had fun playing late into the night and we got to meet some new neighbors too!  Our neighborhood also had a luminary night before Christmas and a Christmas lights parade with lots of golf carts and bikes all lit up!  Super fun!  We also took a trip to Orlando to visit my Dad and stepmom.  They have a pool in the back yard but the water was a little too cool to jump in!  We got to ride in my stepmom's convertible and tour their neighborhood.  Super fun to catch up with them!  Needless to say, we really enjoyed our time together and now it's back to reality this week!  I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas break as much as I did!

Christmas Day 2015

Thank you Aunt Anita for the Dunkin' Donuts Gift Card!

Getting ready for the ball drop

Noon Years Eve Party

New Years Eve Fireworks

At the movies with her new American Girl, McKenna

Marissa's first convertible ride!

Girls bike ride!

Making my Grandma Manson's wreath!  Carrying on traditions!

Playing croquet in our backyard!

Swimming on New Years Eve!

Tony and I attended an awards ceremony for Marissa this morning.  She was nominated by her class and teacher for the character of pillar award of generosity.  We are proud parents!