Summer chores...

Its summer time and we all know that means... the kids are going to work around the house :). Steve feels it will help me out while he is gone to have Aydin learn how to take care of the yard. Last Friday, Aydin came home from school and mowed the front and back yard. I have to say, for his first time... he did pretty good!!

Morgan feels she should have a turn next time... that will be interesting!

Steve's fun ride...

I am not sure if you all remember a few years ago, I got the chance to ride in a gyrocopter Tonight- Steve finally had his chance!! He was smart (surprise) and brought the camera. Although there are not any pictures of him in them, there are great pictures of the Fernandina Beach area, the coast, and our house.

Our house is the one with the red umbrella...

Fernandina Mill

Fort Clinch

Downtown Fernandina

11 months and counting...

Liam is already 11 months!! Where did this year go?? Although he getting into everything making our house look like a hurricane every time he passes through a room, he is the best!

Falling with STYLE

Some may ask, why we do the things we do.... this weekend I cannot answer why we did the things we did!!

Over the soccer season, we have had the opportunity to watch skydivers fall to their 'death' but not really, and land next to the fields. Every time I saw someone in the air... I would lean over to Steve and mention how I thought it would be so fun to skydive. Never in my life did I actually think I would go- but it was a nice thought- until about a week ago.

Steve called me from work one morning informing me that he had booked us a skydiving trip for Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:00am. For a whole week, I had the chance to think about it, get nervous, think a little more, and get more nervous!! I think for a moment or two, Steve did not expect to go through with it.

Friday morning came and at 10am there we sat at Skydive Ameila signing our lives away, putting on the proper equipment, checking out the plane, learning how to jump (FALL) out of the perfectly good plane, and land (if we made it) safely.

We finally got on the plane around 11:00 and I have to say, I was finally calm. I was ready and surprisingly excited! The plane... was SMALL.... the four of us (jumping) and the pilot was all that would fit. I do not think we could get another parachute on board even if we wanted to.

About 15 minutes into an amazing flight, we reached 14,000 ft. and got ready to fall.... I mean jump. Steve went first and was about half way down before we actually made it out the door. Looking out the door was nothing but exhilarating. I was finally ready!! As Darren (my tandem jumper- I was his 17,322 career jump) yelled a loud YOOHOO- we were out and flying. It was the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. What a perfect place to skydive. We had the coastline, the river and the marsh scenery and it was beautiful.
I do have to say- as soon as the parachute was pulled, Darren thought it would be fun to spin in circles..... me not so much. I feel like a wimp for saying this... but my stomach could not handle spinning. I had to ask (more like tell) Darren if he did not want puke all over him he had to stop. Thankfully for both of us he stopped and we were able to have a slow and peaceful drop. What a day!!

I am happy to say- when Steve comes home next summer from Afghanistan, we will be going again and this time... with his Mom and sister Heather (Mike too if we can convince him....)

Enjoy the pictures...

Before we left...

Diedrick, Steve, Darren, and me

No turning back now....

So happy!!
Im ALIVE!! and I DID IT!! were my only two thoughts...

SOCCER!!

The kids spent their spring playing soccer!!
Aydin traded in his baseball bat and glove and put his shine guards and cleats on.... and it was worth it! The past few years, Aydin played spring baseball and over the years realized how much it was not the sport for him. This year he decided he wanted to play soccer and what a great choice. He was a 'beginner' to say the least at the beginning but over the season became the most improved player and one of the leading scorers on the team. He shinned and we could not be happier for him that he found a sport that he truly enjoys (other than football).

Morgan is Morgan.

She would be fine sitting on the couch with her blanket or playing barbies and dolls. She finally got out on the field and loved it- I guess it helped that I was her coach this year... Morgan was pretty good- when she wanted to be. She had a few great games with scoring 6 goals herself to some she barley ran in. Thats Morgan though- if she doesnt feel like playing, she wont.

I can safely say, both kids will be playing soccer again next Spring.

Beach days....

Its beach time!! Mom (Steves mom) has been here since Thursday and we have been spending our days hanging at the beach. The water temp is already 78 degrees and so nice!! Its a great start to the rest of our summer beach trips~

Sleeping in the hole...

Mom did NOT want Morgan to bring that jellyfish any closer!!

Happy Easter

Easter came fast this year. We got back from Disney on Friday and Easter was that following Sunday. Saturday we went to our friends parents annual Easter egg hunt and BBQ where the kids had a blast!!

Sunday we woke up EARLY to see what the Easter bunny had left for the family. The kids were so fun!! Liam even loved it. We went to church (all of us:)), came home and dyed eggs, hid all of the eggs inside the house (the kids requested it), and then went to the Evatts for dinner and fun. We love days like today where we can celebrate all our Savior did for us, spend it with the family and finish it with great friends.