Living in Georgia

 Jason left last Saturday (the 4th) for his two week Army Annual Training and we sent him off with a nighttime treat before he left.  I love this photo of my boys, as they all look so happy and the small ones look so grown up - especially Ethan.  We couldn't pry that cup of frozen yogurt away from him!!  And, as usual, when Jason leaves all hell breaks loose.  Tuesday night we were all getting ready for bed and I was getting Ethan and Wyatt out of the bathtub when Wyatt slipped and banged his chin on the edge.  Normally Wyatt gets out first but this time I got Ethan and that just drove him crazy.  He was jumping up and down and as soon as I told him to stop he slipped.  I thought he had just cut his lip or his gums as I only saw blood but then he titled his head up and I saw his chin - too much of the inside of the chin.  I got him dried off, and kept a washcloth to his chin but knew I needed to get him to the ER.  But the last th...

 We always have so much fun celebration the 4th of July and decorating for the holiday is just as much fun for Jack and I.  We got creative this year in where to put things.  I loved Jack's idea for these star necklaces.  Hmmm, maybe he'll take over my Willow House business one of these days!  I really didn't want to change up my door bucket display, so instead I just popped in a red, white and blue star.  A lot less work and yet still patriotic!  With three little boys, I've changed up a lot of my holiday decorating to be more simple.  Instead of big elaborate displays, I simply add a few pieces to existing displays.  I love the cloche and it was so simple to just add the wire stars inside.  What's a party without food and drink?!?!  We had a yummy sangria and a fizzy red, white and blue lemonade - both were perfect for the hot day.  How cute are these little eagles that my neighbor made?  Love ...

 Thirteen years ago today I married my best friend - and boy what a ride it's been!  We married in my grandparent's backyard, the same place my parents married, amongst family and friends on a beautiful Seattle summer day (the only nice weekend day that month, remember?).  I should have known when those devil horns came out that I was in for a crazy, wild ride.  We've had our share of ups and downs but we've gotten closer because of them.  There has been so much that could have torn us apart but I think it's only made our love and commitment to each other stronger.  We moved across the country to a place where we knew no one and had no family.  And while I was scared and sad to leave, it was the best thing for us and I haven't looked back once!  We made our own family and filled it with friends that have become more like family than some of our actual family.  We've lived in three houses but have owned several more.  We've...

 After a much-needed stay at the beach, we headed home via Fort Pickens State Park.  With a military buff behind the wheel and a couple little mini-me's behind him, we had no chance to drive straight home -- but who wants to do that?  Ft. Pickens is the largest of four forts built to defend Pensacola Bay and it's navy yard built back in the 1820-30s.  We had a lot of fun doing a short walking tour of the fort.  That black dot in the middle of the picture is a Navy plane (maybe a Blue Angel) that we watched circle us and then land.  I really want to come back down and stay over a Tuesday or Wednesday so we can watch the Blue Angels perform. We had a great time and are so happy that we have friends that live here so we have an excuse to come back again and again and again....