Sunday, July 10, 2016

The Zs & Ks in Jax

Before the wedding festivities began in Jacksonville, we spent a few days with the Zimmermanns.

Amelia Island was gorgeous and I would love to spend more time there some day

Sunset from the backyard
Beach day at Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island
The LOVED boogie boarding!


Zane & Camden playing paddle ball
A walk on the beach with Sherri
Zane, Sherri, and Zach
Someone was worn out and snoozed away on the beach
Sherri & Emma making a drip drop castle
Corn hole in an amazing backyard 
Birthday boy Zach and Camden
Carly and Zane

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Godmother Reunion

As fate would have it, my bestest pal in the whole wide world moved to North Carolina the week we were there visiting! We loaded into the Parker's van and drove to Goldsboro for a delicious BBQ lunch with the Davis family.

This was something I dreamed would happen one day: both of my kids together with their godmothers.

Mandy and I met our sophomore year at UNI and quickly became friends. She was part of too many great memories of college to count. We were roomies during student teaching in San Antonio and she was my maid of honor.  When I found out I was expecting Emma, I immediately knew she would be the best godmother. :)
Jessi & I knew of each other when we were RA's at UNI, but our paths would not cross again until we were both teachers at Sullivans School in Yokosuka, Japan. Jessi became part of our family and was Emma's best friend.  :) When I went through RCIA and joined the Catholic Church, she was my sponsor. Camden Lee's arrival in the world meant that this extra special friend would be a part of our family forever as his godmother.
 Special friends with their sweet babies
 2 of the best friends a girl could ever wish for!
 Ida, Mandy, Me, Emma, Mirabel, and Camden
 My heart is overflowing with happiness in this picture 
 Emma & I saw Mirabel when we visited San Antonio over winter break in 2010. She was only a few months old and now she's getting ready to start kindergarten. Meeting Ida for the first time made this lunch even more special!
 Ida, Mirabel, Emma, Max, Camden, & Maggie

First Trip to NC

Our mega summer vacation the U.S.A. is underway! 
We flew into Orlando, then hopped into our rental car the next day and drove north to Fayetteville, NC. When Nathaniel & Callie planned their wedding in Florida, I immediately decided that we had to see the Parker family while we were in that part of the country! 

A tour of historic downtown Fayetteville



 Emma and Max hanging out
 Dancing with Maggie
 While teaching together in Japan, Malibu & Diet Coke was our drink of choice.  No reunion of Jessi & Vanessa would be complete without enjoying one! :)
 Morning smiles
 Playing Rock Band
 Maggie & Emma 
 Max & Camden
 These cuties are ready for church!
 Camden and his wonderful Godmother after Mass



Monday, June 20, 2016

Father's Day 2016

Happy Father's Day to all the awesome dads out there!  Emma & Camden decorated the driveway before our pool party.
Zane, Ron, Camden, and Chris
Monday was Zane's birthday, so Emma made him an R2D2 cake to celebrate
Me and Thea Rae
Chris was busy working all weekend welcoming the USS Eisenhower to Naples. Today was the first morning he didn't have to leave the house before 5:00. Belated Father's Day cinnamon rolls on the porch with Camden.


Field Day 2016

We love to celebrate the end of the school year at NES with an awesome field day.  This year's theme was the Global Games.  Each grade level was a continent and each class was a country in that continent.

Parade of the morning teams.  Here comes Emma and her USA 5th grade class.
Awesome volunteers, Zane, Chris, & Steve,  are busy at work
USA!  USA! USA!
Mr. Beane running the torch to begin the games
Parade of the afternoon teams lead by 6th grade Antarctica
Ice Ice Baby Dance
Me, Sherri, & Jenna
Me and Jenna conquering "Mt. Everest"
Camden in the tug of war
Love these ladies!
Jenna & Steve
Me & Chris
Dance party at the closing ceremonies

Water balloon slingshot