Rehearsal, Wine, & Painting

Friday afternoon we all gathered at the chapel at Camp Blanding for the wedding rehearsal. 

Tim, Mom, Dad, Kevin, Zach, and Greg hanging out before we got started

 The bride & groom chat as the flower girls get their directions from the chaplain 

 Travis giving Camden some "special" instructions

 The wedding party

 Soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Seaward

 Morgyn, Madisyn, & Emma

 Dad and Mom's other sons: Tim & Kevin

 Callie, Emma, and me

 Callie & Mom

 These kiddos are ready to rock and roll on the wedding day

 Callie, Nathaniel, Gena, and Anthony

 Gifts and thank yous from the bride and groom

The kids were SO EXCITED  to finally meet Aunt Callie!

It's time for the bachelorette party!

 Connie & Mom are not sure about their artistic talents, but they did great!

 The bride opening some presents

 Gena needed to chat with our model to make sure she had painted his abs correctly :)

 So happy to have a new sister!

Family & Friends Fun in Florida

We met up with Uncle Lou for lunch on Wednesday afternoon and then had some fun with the new remote control boat he gave Camden that evening at the hotel pool. 

Thursday adventure to St. Augustine with Nana & Grandpa

 Official Junior Rangers 

Friends since kindergarten reunited for an extra special occasion:  

Kevin, Travis, and Nathaniel

 Flower girls and ring bearer hanging out in the pool

Fireball toast to the groom at one of his bachelor parties

 Nana, Camden, & Emma on Jax Beach

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

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