Full Florida Days

We are getting the most out of our wonderful surroundings.  Whether it's a day at the pool, running to the park, biking the city or just enjoying the weather, it is such a blessing to be here!  Here are some pictures from today - we got to do a little of everything today, so enjoy!   It was just a regular day, and it was great!  We miss Lance so much, but we are loving our surroundings. :)  We hope you are great, too!  !

After a long day, my boys are looking like this.  We LOVE to play outside most of the day - it's a great way to wear us all out with lots of giggles and as few tantrums as possible!

This morning, we had the triathlon bikers outside our porch.  I don't know if you can see them (there are two bikers in this picture), but they had an absolutely amazing day to ride.  I have to admit - I wanted so badly to be on a bike, racing with them, though I know I wouldn't keep up.  I think a mini (sprint) triathlon might be in my future.  I don't know if my body could handle the full thing, but the competitor in me was definitely excited for these participants today.  What an accomplishment!

After stopping to cheer on the participants, we went to the nearby park.  LJ had to keep putting his shoes on and off again because "My feet are diwty, mom!"....Ahhh, I wonder where he gets that?  :)

When we arrived at the park, this little Heron arrived with us.  He stayed, no matter how close LJ and I got, seeming to watch us.  I loved that.  

I know - most of the time, LJ looks a lot like me, but here he looks just like his dad.  It may be simply his expression, but if you look closely, you see Lance.  ;)

Looking out on to the airfield as planes take off and land.  Rookie runs to him because he doesn't want him getting to close!  Their love-hate thing never ceases to amaze me :)

After we watched the triathlon participants in their "race", LJ was ready to run one of his own.  He ran back and forth to the fence saying, "I won, boys!  I won!"

Lance's all-time favorite catcher, watching him up close.  I love this one.

Kreativ with a K! (Another post below it!)

I received this award on another blog, and I'm sharing it!  This is what you do to share the award:

1. Post the award on your blog, and link to the person who gave you the award.

2. List seven things you love.

3. List  seven blogs you love.

4. E-mail or comment on those blogs to let the people know you've given them the award.

Some of my loves are (in no particular order):

1) Lance - the love of my life!

2) LJ - a walking expression of that love - hopefully more to come?  Just not yet!

3) Jesus - isn't He wonderful?

4) Our families - without family, what are we?  We love our parents, grandparents and siblings like crazy - I think we have the best!

5) Home!!!  (any home, but especially the one in Alabama where my bluebirds peck on the window to say good morning, (or "we're out of food!")

6) Animals - any animal, any size - I love them all! (Maybe some, like snakes, from a distance, though :)  

7) Everyday life - I love routine, living the expected, monotonousness of every day  - booooring, huh?

8) Baked goods  :)  Especially those with chocolate ( I know, one extra)

7 Blogs I Love (I actually love EVERY blog, but these are the ones that update most often and sweeten my morning cup of coffee!):

1) A little piece of Reese  - amazing pics, sweet little one

2) The Collins Clan - friend in Alabama who have so much wonderful living to share

3) Things Above - a challenging spiritual blog by a friend

4) Lindsey and Adam - loving her wit as she shares the monotony that is baseball season

5) As The Marshalls Grow - new beginnings and lots of love!

6) Love the Bardens - such an exciting time, overdue for this family.

7) The Bruney"s  - how cute is that little Shelby?!  LJ's favorite Alabama playmate!

8. The Schultz Family - how interesting is that? 

A great visit!

Isn't it fun to spend time with old friends?  My friend, Lindsey came to visit.  We met our freshman year in college when we cheered and have been friends ever since.  We have been with each other through a lot and have some strong ties that bind us together.  Needless to say, we had a great time - LJ was yelling, "Bye, Linds!" out the window as we dropped her off at the airport.  :0)

Lance and I found this little restaurant downtown within biking distance.  Lindsey got on Lance's HUGE bike as best she could, and off we went!  It's called "Fresco's", and we ate by the water.  While it's too far to walk (LJ would FUSS!) and too crowded sometimes to park, biking is the perfect fit!

...wishing there was more icecream in that cone :)

Lindsey and LJ enjoying their Ben & Jerry's - I had a cinnamon bun icecream - has anyone else ever had that?  IT IS AMAZING!!!!

One morning, we drove to a restaurant Lindsey's friend suggested.  It was great!  We were close enough to the beach that we decided to stop by and enjoy a few waves before heading back home to the pool :)

Sweet one of LJ and Linds walking in the surf

I did not have to use my zoom -- this squirrel was really that close!  I brought LJ some animal crackers for a bike ride to the park.  When we stopped to snack, squirrels surrounded us, begging for one.  They would hold them in their little hands and eat - it was so cute!  I didn't know if they were sweet and kind or if we'd end up on "When Animals Attack" after they mauled us!  My heart says, "pick him up and hold him!"  My mind says, "Don't - that thing could have rabies!!"

And we miss him already!

Well, Lance has to do his job, so LJ and I are missing him already!  Here are a few pictures of today - we really are making the most of our location!  :)

OK, so this was actually taken SUNDAY before church.  I had to include it, though.  Can you believe this little guy??  By the way, the sourpuss look is because he was playing "baseball" with the plastic wrapping of his new toothbrush, and I asked him to take a picture instead.  :)

After breakfast, we headed to the pool. This is his "To infinity and beyond!"...pool style.  He loves it!

My two favorite boys ever!

He was kind of working his attitude today, so I figured this look was appropriate.  Mohawk with a shirt that says "Trouble since day one"...Things have gotten "tougher" in the trouble department since about day 700-ish.  Too bad he looks like a perfect angel here.  Sometimes, that's exactly what he is!

Waiting for us to unlock the bikes from the fence.  He thinks it's his job to tell the cars where to park, so he's standing there as a car passes saying, "Car...go this way."  Here, I think an airplane distracted him from his parking detail. 

Ah...I love this kid.

What a great lunch!  We ate right by the water within a few minutes of bike-riding.  He's ready to go home!  Sweet boy!

LJ and Rookie's "Tield" (2 posts!)

Near our new "home", there is a vacant baseball field.  You know what that means...lots of baseball for LJ and fetching for Rookie!  LJ, Rookie and I enjoyed a late afternoon out there today, blowing bubbles and playing baseball.  LJ and I ran the bases about 10 times, and Rookie followed us the whole way.  There's also a new post from yesterday below - don't miss it!  :)

This ball has outlasted any other ball we've owned.  Somehow, it has made it through baseball games, catch with Mommy, LJ "batting practice", and even Rookie fetch.  What a deal!

He doesn't know there is a tarp on the mound!  :)  There's that ball again - look at that form!

Sometimes that ball is tough to share - Rookie knows LJ has hidden it in his hat!  :)

Rookie not watching the "pitcher", but waiting to see where it will land!  Look at the ball leaving LJ's fingertips! 

That red face is a sign of an afternoon well-spent!  Hope your's was great, too!!

A day exploring

Well, today we spent the day exploring by bike.  You'd never know by how much we did, but Lance had to be at the field at two.  It's amazing how much you can see on two wheels!  

Of course!  The day starts with a little baseball...full "uniform" (nike baseball outfit) and catcher's mask are necessities!  

We grab our bikes after breakfast and head to a playground near the water.  The bikes allow us to see so much and play everywhere!

LJ climbed all the way up to the top!  Lance followed him  :)   Getting down was another story...

After that, we decided to bike to the pier near the Vinoy hotel.  I had taken a picture earlier of a pelican, thinking it was great.  Little did I know, there is a HUGE group of them on the pier waiting to be fed!  If you look closely, you can see that LJ is reaching up to grab a pelican that is flying just over his head.  He was giddy-shocked!

Is it just me, or are they totally posing "I'm too sexy for my pier" style??

Can you believe how close they let us get to them?  They didn't move a muscle!

After the park, we biked to Barnes & Noble to check it out, then went to have sushi nearby.  LJ loves him a shrimp tempura roll and ate 1 1/2 bowls of miso soup.  It's awesome that he likes it because it allows Lance and I to go.  We loooove our sushi lunches!!  Of course, we had to stop for a cone at Ben and Jerry's on our way home!

After his nap, LJ and I went to the gym.  I found a place with great childcare, (LJ plays basketball while I work out), then we went to eat at Chic-fil-A across from a local mall.  Because there's a playground at the mall, we decided to check it out...why not?  We are in trouble because it was fun AND there is a Great American Cookie Co. right next to it!

Saying , "To infinity and beyond!"

Ahhhh....what a day!  What a place!  He was so ready for bed!  Hope your day was great, too :)

Some pictures!

Here are some great pictures from Me-Maw's awesome visit!

No dreamer is ever to small; no dream too big.

  

Ice cream to buy us some time at the mall :)  He LOVED it!!!

What a treat to have Me-Maw in the pool with him!

Happy Easter!  Shake that egg...I wonder what's inside!

The infamous "catcher's mask"...he wears it almost all the time, using the chin guard to cover his mouth.  It's very hard to understand what he's saying :)

What a great, crazy night!  Opening Day at Tropicana Field...Go Rays!