Happy Father's Day, Daddy

I am a little behind in the blogging world but we have sure been busy. Summer is a time of many appointments, classes, and vactioning. We can't forget to tell you about our Daddy. He is a great husband and Daddy. Madi and Maci look up to him and love him very much. I couldn't be happier to have such a great husband who cleans, does laundry, grocery shops and cooks. I know I have mentioned that before but he is awesome. On Father's Day, the girls woke up with their presents at Daddy's bedside. The girls and I got him a Columbia fishing shirt, polo shirt and Ryan bought himself a lawnmower blower (real practical these days of gift giving). Maci was so excited to give Daddy her gift that she had for over 2 weeks in her bedroom. I didn't even know anything about it. It was adorable. It was a picture of Maci on puzzle pieces. So, Ryan put the puzzle together and their she was Maci with a big grin. Madison also made him a poem with her footprints and she wrote him a story. It was so nice seeing how they are growing with their love and expression. We then headed off to Ryan's favorite breakfast spot-"Dots". We had breakfast together with Ryan's family and then went to church. Later that evening, we grilled out at my brother's house and swam. We had a nice day! WE LOVE YOU DADDY!!!

Prayers for the Smoak Family

On Friday, while I was in a workshop, I received terrible news that Mason Smoak had lost his life in an airplane accident. He was trying to land and the plane crashed. I can't even imagine what the family is going through.
I met Tracee Smoak my first year teaching at Lake Placid Elementary. She is a very special person, one that you are easily drawn to due to her sweet and very considerate personality. We soon became pregnant together with our first baby. We shared all the new and fun moments of our first pregnancy together. I haven't seen Tracee or Mason in a few months but I always remember them both and continue to remember my friendship with Tracee. They have 3 beautiful children-one is 8, 5 and 1 months old. I pray for the Smoak family and to the Lord to give Tracee the support she needs during this difficult time. I know both Mason and Tracee have strong faith and that will help Tracee get through this rough time. You are in my prayers and many people in this community. I will be thinking and praying for you Tracee. God Bless!

Schools Out, we're going to Sea World!

Ryan and I decided to take the girls to Orlando on Friday the last week of school. It was a last minute planned trip but we booked at room at the SpringHill Suites Marriot in Orlando for two nights. We decided to hang out swimming during the day and then off to Sea World in the evening (once it cooled off). We checked in the hotel just to find out that it was "Gay Pride Weekend". I am not being biased here but I didn't want to have to explain to Madi or Maci what are all this women doing together (holding hands,etc). So, we just dealt with it and it wasn't too bad but note to self-it is always the first weekend in June.
On to the rest of the trip...The girls loved swimming in the pool. Maci tried so hard to learn her handstand under water just like sissy. She must of ran out of the pool a hundred times to tell Ryan and I watch me, watch me, or did you see my handstand? After many hours at the pool, we took of to Sea World. It was awesome weather. The girls loved the new "Shamu Rocks" show and the rides. My favorite are the Polar Bears. We went back to the hotel for a new day. The next day we went shopping. We shopped for awhile and had a nice lunch at Bahama Breeze. Daddy wanted to buy Madison and I new fishing poles (our new family sport,ha!). So, he took us back to the hotel room for a nap while he visited Bass Pro Shop. Later that evening we went off to Sea World. This time the girls took their bathing suits and got wet and had a blast. We had a nice weekend away and are looking forward to summer vacations.
Madi and Maci at the Shamu Rocks Show!


My favorite-the Polar Bears!!

Maci taking a picture of me resting after
the Shamu Show.


Crazy girls with crazy hats.


Daddy with his girls watching the Pet's Ahoy show.


Madi and Maci playing in the pool.


Maci saying "Wait watch me again".


OK, here it is my best handstand.


Madison's handstand.

Distance won't change a friendship

Tracy and Mike moved last week and we are going to miss them. We have been friends with them and the Brown family for 13 years. Our husbands went to college together and played on the Baseball team. Us girls began hanging out back in college watching many baseball games together. We did a lot of girl talk too! (SHH!) We were able to get all three families together and have dinner at Outback the night before the Cotton Family left town. We will with no doubt continue to be the best of friends. Looking forward to our New York trip in July. We love you guys!


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Lisa and Shane, Tracy and Mike, me and Ryan


The gals~~



Maci, Rylee and Madison at Outback.

Girls Night Out (we are going to miss you Tracy)!

GNO at Yianni's and Movie!!
One of my best friends Tracy.
Courtney, Barbie, Jenn and Cristy.
Ashley and I waiting on our Sangria's.
Tracy and Stacy enjoying their pedicures.
The two mommy's to be-Barbie and Courtney.
Friday night was girls night out. No kids, husband just girlfriends. We all wanted to get together to spend a night with Tracy before she moves (even though it is not a final goodbye, just short term). We started with coffee from Starbucks then headed to get a pedicure at T&K nails. It was so relaxing and fun to talk to Tracy and Cristy while soaking our feet. After getting pampered, we headed to dinner at Yianni's with all the girls-Courtney, Barbie, Ashley, Jenn, Cristy, Tracy and myself. What a yummy dinner! Yianni's is always very good. It was nice to sit and catch up with everyone. Especially to see how our new mommy (Jenn) has been doing with life with 2 little ones.
After dinner, we went to see the movie "Sex and the City". Now, I never watched the series but some of the girls caught the rest of us up on it befofe the movie. It was so fun and the movie was packed with girlfriends all over. We had a nice time of pampering, dinner and a chic flic (the movie was too funny)! I love all you guys! Tracy, we will miss you but I will see you in NYC in July and many more times. I love ya!

Beware of the Wolf

Madison with Aunt Lucy after the play.

Little Red Riding Hood happy she won her case.

Little Red Riding Hood taking the stand (as the plaintiff).

Little Red Riding Hood with her attorney (Sammy Donovan).

Seanna Hornick as the Judge.
Madison's class put on a play Friday. It was a play with classic fairy tales such as: "The Big Bad Wolf", "The Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding Hood". Part of the the play was based on the book that was written from the wolf's point of view. It was so funny. They put all the characters on trial and the judge and jury had to decide if they were guilty or not. Madison played "Little Red Riding Hood". She was so cute and animated. She was found not guilty of hitting the wolf over the head with a bat. HA! Enjoy a few pictures from the play!

Madison's 2nd Grade Awards

Madison celebrating with her friends after the awards.
Madison, Mommy and Daddy!

Madison sitting with her class.
Madison showing her ribbons and the presidental fitness patch.

On Friday, Madison had her end of the year awards ceremony. She received the following awards: Super Citizen (excellent behavior), Principals List (all A's), Music, P.E. and having over 50 AR points (reading books and earning points). Madison is in the 2nd grade HAART class which is an advanced class so I am super proud she did so well. We love you Madison and are proud of you! Mommy and Daddy!!

Madison's Surprise Early Birthday Treat!

Madison excited about her treat!
Happy Early Birthday! (dressed as Little Red Riding Hood-next blog)
Madison with her buddies!
Madison has a summer birthday so she never gets to celebrate her birthday in school with her class. So, this year I decided to surprise her with a treat. On Friday, her class walked out to the front of the school to find the "Ice Cream Truck". The nice Ice Cream man made a sign that said "Happy Bithday Madison". She was so suprised and it was a nice treat for a hot day!

Beach Babes on Little Gaspirilla Island

Peyton and Maci ready for their boxing match on Wii.
Getting ready for the beach, I think Maci is saying "Peace Out".

Peyton catching his first fish with daddy Jon.

Maci catching a pin fish with help from sissy.

Brady, Peyton, and Maci ready for a dip in the pool.

Leaphart family trying to catch a group shot.

Rylee liked eating the sand toys but she had fun!

Madison taking a picture of me right when we arrived at the house.

Maci striking a pose on the beach.

Maci splashing in the waves, WHAT FUN!

Little Brady trying to catch up with the kids at the beach shore.

Madison and Peyton

Madison, Maci and Daddy playing in the waves.

Maci, Peyton , Madison and Brady at sunset.

Ryan and I at sunset on the beach.

Petyon ready to go floating over the waves.

One of my catches-this is a jack fish!

We left town on Friday for the holiday weekend at the Island House. Thanks to Ryan's Aunt and Uncle, they are gracious to allow us to use their piece of paradise. This was a special trip for us because our girls got to spend time with cousins Peyton, Brady and Rylee. And of course, Aunt Angie and Uncle Jon. Grandma Becky also joined us and was a great help! We have never been to the beach house with everyone so it was a nice treat to get everyone together.

We started out Friday by getting their around 6:30. We enjoyed setting up and getting the pool ready for the kidos on the back porch. We settled down early getting ready for a full day at the beach. On Saturday, we headed down to the beach after breakfast and coffee, of course. The beach was a little rough but fun to splash in. My girls love the beach and enjoy it so much. It was nice to see all the cousins playing together. Madison absolutely loves her cousins. She thinks she is their second Mama. She will be a good babysitter one day. Later after lunch, we went on our first fishing expedition with the kids. They had a ball catching pin fish after pin fish. They thought they were catching the biggest fish of all. It was fun seeing them so excited fishing. We ended the second night with a spaghetti dinner. After dinner, Jon introduced my kids to the Wii which was a blast. Peyton and Maci squared off with a round of boxing. They both have the same, "I want to win everytime the play" so it was funny. Then, we played bowling and a few other games.

On Sunday, we ventured down to the beach for another day sunning and making sand castles. We had awesome weather the whole trip. While the kidos were napping, Ryan, Madison and I went fishing. I am really starting to like fishing. Never thought I would but it really is a nice relaxing family sport. I caught 3 jack fish and one snapper. Madison caught 2 jack fish and a snapper. Poor Ryan, had to help us out such much he didn't get to fish much. I finally am making a lot of progress in fishing because now I will bait my hook. We then grilled out for the evening and played more Wii and watched a movie. The last day came and the girls were bummed out we were leaving. We went to the beach for a little and then had lunch and began to pack and come back home to reality.