Family day at work

We don’t get to see Rob’s work very often. Every 5 years or so they have a family day. Our party line for the kids is that dad’s job is keeping the free world free. 

After today’s field trip to the campus they think dad works at science camp. He assured us that wasn’t so but after all you can eat snow cones, fun science games, sling shots, VR, drone race tracks and all the fun things we saw they don’t believe him.

I think everyone enjoyed flying these little planes through the cube farm most of all. 

I wonder how long it will take to find the one Ethan lodged in the projector of the conference room. 

It was super hot. Living here is like living in a swamp. We are always covered in a thin layer of sweat. And some times not so thin.

Ethan and Grace both hit pigs off the boxes in angry birds life size. Sawyer hit Rob several times. He probably enjoyed that more than if he hit a pig. 

It was fun!

When we got home we swam to cool off then did chores.

Ethan went jet skiing with his friends and I had stake activity days.

We ended the evening with dinner and ohio state football with Jess and Isaiah. It was a good day:)


Luka loved Mac’s toys!

Sawyer started his new job yesterday. Now I call him Jim, because he’s selling paper. 

So this morning Hannah and I were the only ones home. We did some cleaning up and she did some laundry. Then we went to the movies. We saw “Little Women” which we were both excited to see but we both didn’t love it. Jo was not very likeable and it felt long. It was still fun to go.

Tonight we went with the Strouds and cleaned the building. It went quickly. 

Animals

These two like to be on me and with me. My feet are constantly getting attacked. 
More interestingly though yesterday Rob got stalked by a gator while he was fishing. He came right up and watched Rob, when Rob moved so did he. Eventually it started to get dark (and creepy) so Rob left. 

Earlier this week Grace and I saw a black racer (snake) on the way to the bus stop.

Today I had a mammogram and a thyroid ultrasound. Next week it’s a colonoscopy. The fun bundle of med tests you get to take when you turn 50.

Mid week

I think Ethan likes having a brother in the house. He has someone to be rude to, to play video games with, and he’s not out numbered!

Yesterday Rob and I went with the Crawley’s to the temple. We had a nice night. It was actually, for me, one of those times when I really felt the Saviors love and my own worth. It’s very special and sacred to go to the house of the Lord and to know that He is real and loves His children.

I’m working on a fall puzzle. It’s going well:)


Today Luka went to the vet and Ethan the dentist (for a filling). I’m not sure who was less excited about it.

FHE

The start of another week. It’s officially fall, but that doesn’t really mean anything. We did have one morning walk that wasn’t too sweaty. 
Tonight we had H&S’s friends Becca and Spencer over. We all had dinner together, a very fallish menu of Cincinnati chili, corn bread, salad, and for dessert apple dumplings and blue bell vanilla ice cream.

Then we played jackbox.

After awhile Rob and I took Z for a walk and watched the fireworks.

Now we are watching the new TV season and the newlyweds are playing Mario Kart.

Gatorland

We went to Gatorland today. It was a lot of fun. It wasn’t crowded, it was hot outside, we saw lots of gators and Ethan even got to be in a show. The shows were really funny. 




















The misters were very welcome!

*and in the evening Grace and dad went fishing. Dad also went fishing with his new friend John this morning and they caught fish. 

And we had Navajo tacos for dinner which was a thumbs up from everyone.

Off Friday

Rob has every other Friday off, which is awesome. Right now he actually gets to take it too (which isn’t always the case). Today we spent the morning in the garage. We are working diligently but it’s been tough going from 1 garage + 1 garagemahal to 1 garage. I know the goodwill donation drop off ladies by name, and am so so grateful for a weekly bulk trash pick up day. I think one more full work day and we will be set...maybe.

After working we picked up Ethan and went to 5 Guys. That’s when I spotted the bloodmobile. I am only 3 pints into my 10 gallon goal so I was excited to stop! Sadly my iron was too low and I couldn’t donate. Only Rob could save lives today:(

In some good news we have two working bathrooms again!! Turns out when they remodeled the bathroom downstairs they punctured the sewage pipe with a huge anchor for the sink. 

Bad news we now have a huge hole in the dining room wall. 

Good news they will fix it and hopefully none of that will be out of pocket for us. We will see.

Also good news my ripped up brand new couch got picked up!! As soon as I get the refund I can buy a new new one and we will be fully furnished!

Tonight R and I went to the Millenial Mall (also known as the mall of $8000 watches and $3000 shoes (not even exaggerating)). We had a GC from our realtor to PB. I picked this lovely thanksgiving platter. 

We also stopped by the Apple store. It had a crazy line. This is the fanciest mall I have ever been to. If you ever want to shop Prada, Gucci, Breitling or such stores this is he place to go!

If you think ikea furniture is fancy and have a GC you too can buy a turkey platter, and maybe an ice cream cone, but nothing else.

Stuff

Hello pearly whites!!! This guy got his braces off and his smile is more handsome than ever!!

This little cat is crazy! He is fearless and agile. Also we all have shredded legs as he is no respecter of personal space. We need to get him fixed/declawed/tick&flea proofed. 


I was home by myself for 2 hours last night. It was lovely!! 

What did I do? Watched “my 5wives” and looked at Pinterest. 

Rob was off scout mastering. Grace and the YW were cleaning the toys in the nursery. Ethan was watching a face to face with the YM at the Gooch’s and Hannah and Sawyer made friends with another couple that a)also got married in April and b) also went to BYUI. They got together for a date night. 

Tuesday tradition

I wondered how often we’d go to the temple now that we live close. I hoped it would be often. So far it’s been once a week and I love it!

After we try a different nearby restaurant. Tonight I had the lobster bisque! It was delicious!!

Day off

Hannah didn’t have to work today and wanted to do something fun. We went to the Tibet Butler Preserve.  The trails were mostly swampy and closed but the nature center was nice. 

Then we went to a few Disney hotel lobbies to see the sights. 

Worlds worst picture taken at the Polynesian Resort.

This cute little family! Love them!! These girls are getting so big. I miss them❤️ Ruby in pink and Cora in green. Sunday best!


Last night Jess and Isaiah and little Mak came over for dinner and to spend the evening. It was a good night. I’m excited for the 3 babies to meet each other.

Waiting and watching

Today Grace had all state try-outs part 2 of 3. She made it...so far. We had to get up early and drive to Evans high school. All the parents had to wait outside, luckily there was shade.

We got our shelves and set them up!! I feel much more moved in!!

We lost Luka. Can you see him hiding in the top picture?


Here he is. 

Sawyer got a job. He’ll be delivering pizza.

So Utah is on fire and the Carolinas are flooded. We live in a crazy world. I guess I’ll be grateful for my one  shower and many many other blessings. 

How is it Thursday already?!

This week has gone by quickly if not entirely smoothly. 

We have a bathroom leak. This means we are all useing one shower. It’s okay but I hate having such expensive things in a new-to-us home broken. It’s also been quite a slow process trying to get someone in to fix it. 

Our house overall hasn’t been in as good shape as we had hoped. The inspector missed a lot and it’s been disappointing. I feel bad because I picked the house and it’s kind of a lemon. Then I feel bad for not feeling more grateful that we have a house and instead being a little bummed. 

Ethan is having problems with his calculus teacher. This is also very upsetting. He is a smart young man and has the potential to do great things with his life. A strong foundation is crucial and while I have lived my whole life never needing calculus for anything I have much higher aspirations for him. It makes me mad that he has a lousy teacher. Especially since his math teacher at QHHS was so awesome. I should write her a thank you note. 

We are not all the way unpacked, part of the issue is we got rid of bookshelves thinking we wanted to upgrade to matching ones. With all the house stuff that keeps popping up it’s been slow getting settled and that is unsettling and annoying. 

So there’s that.

On the plus side Hannah likes her new job. It’s at an  upscale club so good tippers and the other girls are nice. Hopefully she will have a great few months and make lots of money. 

We like the youth group. Last night the priests and laurels went to the Roddy’s and swam and rode jet skis. They do a lot of playing here. Jon was really good at mixing service and fun. We haven’t been here that long though so I’m not “throwing any shade” just yet. We may have arrived during a particularly fun set of weekly plans. It is very important for the youth to serve though.

I had activity days last night. The girls are cute and a little crazy! It’ll be a lot of fun working with them. Rob had scouts. He took Sawyer to help him. Grace had YW, they worked on personal progress. Last week they had a BoM read-a-thon. 

This week Grace went to the dentist and the orthodontist. The ortho is another frustrating thing. Our old CA ortho is supposed to refund part of our treatment payment. We paid upfront instead of the more expensive monthly payment plan. Since we only went half the time they are supposed to refund part of that. I have called at least a dozen times but still haven’t got it resolved. 😬

Tonight we are going to the temple. I’m really looking forward to it. I love living in the shadow of the temple and being able to go often. 

I also love living so close to Disney. We see the firesworks most nights and hear them every night. We don’t have passes yet. Which is sad:) 

I guess that’s it. The good the bad and the petty.

This cat likes to keep me company.

Our favorite turtles by “toasted”.

Sunday

pond before the storm

Sawyer and Rob both stayed home from church today.  Various people have been sick with assorted ailments in our family.  They were both sick today. Strange for September.  

I enjoy our ward and the talks and lessons.  I also love to see Ethan bless the sacrament. Today was all about reading the Book of Mormon.

sandhill crane

Dinner tonight was a delicious.  We had home made shepards pie and salad, followed by razzleberry pie and ice cream.  It was awesome! After we took Ziva for her evening walk a little early because there was a storm coming.  Lots of rain and thunder.

I love to walk around the two ponds in our neighborhood.We always see something fun.

Ziva and Luka

This dog is afraid of thunder.  And she's afraid of the cat.  They are slowly becoming friends though.

Cocoa Beach

We unpack and then conk out!  Last night we were watching TV. Then I went to the bathroom and came out to this sorry sight! 9:30pm:)

This morning we worked in the garage. Ethan mowed the lawn. Then in the afternoon the Crawleys and I went to the beach. We had fun. The water was warm but dark and seeweedy. I think from the storm that’s coming. 

We stopped for ice cream on the way home.