Weekend Wrap-Up

Hello Ladies! 

I can't believe it is already August 1...this year is once again flying by!  Olivia is into her 4th week of school, and the boys are planning on enjoying their last full week of summer break...they head back to school next Wednesday!  It has been HOT this summer, and the boys have spent lots of their summer indoors...and I am ready for them to be back in school:)

We had a great weekend over here, somewhat low key, but it was nice!  On Thursday I picked up Kenny (the kid's dad) at the airport, and they were super excited to see him!  After I got him at the airport, we stopped by to see Mark and Harrison at work.  Mark took Kenny around for a tour, then the four of us went and had lunch together. 

When we got back home, the little kids were all so excited to see their dad!  Normally when Kenny comes to visit he stays with us, but this time he decided to get a hotel right here in town, and it worked out great.  Someone would drop off him and a few kids each night, so Mark and I got a little break! 

On Friday, Olivia was so excited to have her dad come to drop off, and be there when she got off the bus!  After Olivia got off the bus, they headed back to the hotel to swim for a bit for dinner.  We grilled, hung out, the guys fished, and it was just a low key, but fun night. 

Friday night the two girls spent the night at the hotel with their dad, and Olivia loved swimming until almost midnight!  They spent the bulk of the day Saturday swimming, and then they all took a nap!  Saturday night Mark and I went out for a few hours to see band and have a few drinks.  It was nice to have the kids be able to hang with their dad.

Saturday night all the boys stayed with their dad, and they all came back here Sunday.  We spent the day basically just being lazy...and it was nice to just hang out.  We had an early dinner of fajitas and clam chowder and then Harrison took his dad to the airport. 

The kids just loved seeing and spending time with their dad.  I know I say this all the time, but I am so so thankful for our situation.  Divorce is never easy, and when there are children involved it seriously just sucks.  We have ALWAYS put our children first, and have really tried to keep things as happy as we can for the kids.  I am so blessed to be married to a man who is so accepting of my ex-husband, the father to the children that he now loves as his own.  Mark and Kenny really do get along, and it is nice.  There is no animosity, no hard feelings, no competition, just two men who love these kids more than life itself, and my kids really do benefit from it.  Mark respects who Kenny is, and Kenny respects Mark, and all he does for the kids. 

I am really so proud that we have always been able to put our differences aside, and always keep the kids, and their best interest FIRST.  It isn't always easy, but when I can sit here and look at my kids, my husband , and my ex husband all eating dinner together, or all sitting on the couch watching a movie laughing, I know it is ALWAYS worth it.

Just a couple boys with their dads!

So, that was pretty much our weekend!  This week will be spent getting Jack and AJ ready for school!  Thanks for stopping by today...have a GREAT Monday!

Weekend Wrap-Up...Tuesday Edition

Happy Tuesday Ladies!

 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!  I can tell you that it was SO nice to not have to set any alarms for this morning, and to have all the backpacks and lunchboxes put away for a while!

 

I had mentioned last week that Mark and I were heading out of town over the holiday weekend for a little R&R...kid free!  It has been a while since we have gone away for the weekend and been away from the kids, and the kids were just as excited that we were leaving as we were! 

 

It was so nice to have the alarms shut off Thursday night!  Mark took Friday off, and since we were only going about an hour away from home, we didn't need to get up super early!  We got up Friday morning, spent some time with the kiddos and then headed out around 10:30, I had called early that morning to see about early check in and they told me the room would be ready by noon.... AWESOME!  We hit up Dunkin Donuts and headed straight to the beach!

 

We arrived just before noon, we were going with one of Mark's co-workers, and she was there waiting on us!  We got up into our room, dropped our bags and headed to the pool!

 

It was so great to just spend the day poolside, relaxing with a cold drink in our hand!

 

 

This was our little beach, and it was perfect and very private...it was AWESOME!

 

Inside my Yeti was the most delicious tropical drink from Seagrams...they were so yummy!

 

After a few hours by the pool, we came back up to our condo and had a few snacks and a glass of wine....seriously it was just the perfect first day of our little getaway!

 

Our views were pure perfection!

 

Friday night Mark and I went to dinner and went to a little bar/restaurant at the resort, and had a yummy dessert and I had the best pineapple coconut mojito...probably the best drink I have ever had! 

 

All week long I was battling a headache, and Saturday morning I woke up feeling miserable, I had the worst tension headache coming from my neck, so before we even attempted to do anything for the day, I found a place that offered a mini neck/shoulder massage.

 

It did the trick, and I felt a million times better!

 

I got back shortly before lunch, and we packed up our cooler and headed out for an afternoon of beach and pool.

 

It was so peaceful sitting on the beach, watching the dolphins jump around...LOVED it so much!

 

I was pretty excited when I realized my Yeti also kept my Seagrams bottles cold!

We had the BEST time!

 

Saturday night we had dinner at one of the hotel restaurants, and it was super yummy...and I once again had to have that delicious mojito!

 

After dinner we walked around the property, walked out onto the pier and just enjoyed the beauty all around us!

 

It was all so pretty! 

 

We ended the night out on our balcony, another perfect day!

 

No secret Mark LOVES to cook, and each morning he made a delicious breakfast...I am so lucky to be his wife...he is just the BEST!

 

And as I was drinking my coffee, I saw this pretty little rainbow!

 

We spent Sunday at the pool all day long!  The weather was PERFECT all weekend!

 

Sunday night we were tired...even though we didn't do much all weekend, being out in that hot sun just wipes us out!  We ordered take out, ate in our room, and watch the NASCAR race...it really was the perfect way to end our weekend away!

 

The sunset from our balcony was gorgeous!

 

Monday morning we got up, cleaned up the room, got all our stuff together and were out the door by 10!  It was so nice to only have an hour drive home!

 

We had the absolute best time, but it was so nice to get home to our kids!  We love our kids and love being parents, but it is so important to give yourself a break, get away, focus on your marriage, and just enjoy each other! 

 

We absolutely LOVED the resort we stayed at, we loved it so much that we booked it again for Labor Day weekend...and the kids and my mom will be coming too...we can't wait!

 

Hope you guys have a great Tuesday!  Today I am planning on catching up on all the laundry and cleaning my kitchen! 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Weekend Wrap-Up

Happy Monday Ladies!

 

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!  All's I know is that the weekends go by way TOO fast!

 

We had a nice low key weekend over here!  I am still not feeling 100% yet, and now Mark has the rotten cold that I had!

 

After I got the kiddos to school Friday, I came home showered, and it was a day for just ME!  It is RARE that I ever just devote a whole day to myself, but with it being Mother's Day and all I figured why the heck not!  First stop was the salon for my hair appointment...it has definitely taken me MONTHS to find a salon that I like here, but I have found one, and Lewis...he is AWESOME!  Normally I HATE sitting there getting my hair done, but I actually enjoyed just sitting there reading People magazine...and I was happy to have ZERO grays when I walked out!

 

After getting my hair done, I made a stop at the nail salon...and again, I sat there for the better part of an hour, sipping a Pepsi, reading magazines, enjoying a wonderful pedicure! 

 

After my pedicure, I was STARVING, so right next door was a little restaurant that we have been dying to try for either lunch or breakfast, so I stopped in there, ordered a BLT with a side of onion rings, I came home, and had about 20 minutes to enjoy my lunch out on the patio before it was time to pick up Olivia from the bus stop.  The weather Friday was sheer PERFECTION...not too hot, no humidity, I enjoyed eating outside!

 

We spent the rest of Friday just hanging out...the boys came home from school, went straight out back to fish, and us girls sat on the porch watching them fish!  It was a really great day.  It felt so great to not do a single thing around the house Friday...that never happens, so it was just awesome to kind of have a day for just me! 

 

These two spent lots of time Friday night just cracking up...they are too much together!

 

Love these guys of mine!

 

Harrison is LOVING fishing...who knew!!!

 

 

 

Saturday morning we all slept in until around 10...FABULOUS!  Mark and Harrison had a few errands to run, and the rest of us just straightened up around the house.  Then once the boys were done with chores, it was of course straight out back to fish some more!

 

This is pretty much what my backyard looks like at ALL times...chairs and fishing poles everywhere!  I love that electronics have really taken a back seat since we have moved here.  It is so great to see them spending the bulk of their time outdoors!

 

We had a few errands to run Saturday afternoon and this outfit was PERFECT!  I couldn't find my shorts on Jcrew Factory, but they are so comfy...they zip on the side and have the perfect amount of stretch to them!  And I picked up this cute little top a few weeks ago at the Loft outlet, and I have worn it a few times and it is perfect!

 

Saturday night we made frozen pizzas for dinner, sat out back for a bit and watched the boys fish, and then we finished the night on the couch watching the NASCAR race...another laid back, perfect Saturday!

 

Sunday morning Olivia and I were the first ones up...she sat outside with me while I drank my coffee and talked my ear off.  I love having conversations with her...she is just the sweetest, funniest little girl!  I am so blessed she calls me mommy!

 

Once the rest of the gang woke up Mark made a delicious breakfast!  I'm so thankful to be married to a man who really loves to cook! 

 

The boys...fished ALL day long....I love how quickly Harrison has adapted to his new life here! 

 

Mark made a delicious dinner...steaks, baked potatoes, string bean casserole...and a yummy pina colada for me!

 

I enjoyed sitting outside relaxing, watching all the kids out back...it was a perfect day, spent with the 5 that call me Mom! 

 

I have to give a special shoutout to my hubs...he woke up feeling miserable, with a terrible cold, but he still managed to make the day all about me, cooking me breakfast, cleaning it up, and cooking me a wonderful dinner...yes I am BLESSED!

 

We have a super fun week ahead!  Olivia has no school today and tomorrow, AJ has a field trip to LEGOLAND Wednesday, Wednesday night Jack is being recognized in an awards ceremony for his outstanding academics, and Thursday he has his field trip to Bush Gardens! 

 

The boys have 14 days of school left and Olivia has 12...another school year that has FLOWN by!  Be sure to check back tomorrow for Show and Tell Tuesday!

 

Hope y'all have a GREAT Monday!

 





Weekend Wrap Up

Happy Monday Ladies!

 

I cannot even believe we are already into May!  This year is FLYING by!  We are in the home stretch over here..just 3 more weeks of school for the kiddos and we are out for the summer!

 

We had a great weekend over here!  Mark was off, and now he only has to work one Saturday every 5 weeks so I am pretty excited about that! 

 

Friday after I got the kiddos off to school I ran to Target to make a few returns and pick up a few things.  I really wish I could go into Target for exactly what I am going in there for and not wander the store and walk out with bags of stuff I had ZERO intention of buying!

 

 

I know y'all can totally relate!

 

After my Target run I came home and did lots of housework and got caught up on the never ending pile of laundry! 

 

 

 

I was super excited when this arrived Friday afternoon!  I absolutely love this fun little box, and pretty much loved every single item!!! 

 

 

Olivia was beat after school Friday, and while I was making dinner, she was taking a little nap on the couch with Chico!

 

Friday night we just hung home, watched some TV and a had a nice relaxing night home.

 

Clearly Mark had a rough week too, and was in need of a foot massage from his #1 girl!

 

Saturday morning we slept until about 9 and it was nice to not wake up to an alarm. Friday night I felt a cold coming on, and woke up Saturday morning feeling like crap.  Sore throat and all stuffed up!!  We had some of Mark's co-workers over Saturday for a little cookout, and we had a great time!  I left my phone inside pretty much all day and night, so didn't really take any pictures...but we had a great time! 

 

The only pictures I did snap was when all the boys decided they needed to swim in the canal!  they had lots of fun jumping in and swimming! 

 

Everyone left around 10:30, and I put the food away and went to bed, I was feeling miserable. 

 

I had high hopes of sleeping in Sunday morning, but Chico had other ideas:)  I woke up feeling worse than I did Saturday.  So I pretty much spent the day just laying on the couch, taking little cat naps.  The boys spent the bulk of the day fishing, and the girls just kinda hung out watching TV.  It was a relaxing day, and since I was feeling super crappy it was fine by me. 

 

We ate leftovers for dinner, hung out on the porch for a bit, and the boys did some more fishing!

 

 

Olivia was entertaining herself for quite some time with some blue solo cups!

 

I am hoping to kick this cold and get back to feeling like myself!  I have high hopes to get my butt back in gear this week to start working out again.  I have been AWFUL with diet and exercise lately, and I need to just do it!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a great Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



Weekend Wrap-Up Daytona Edition

Happy Tuesday Girls!

 

Hope you all had a great weekend and a great start to the week!  We got home Sunday night and I was completely exhausted, so my weekend wrap up is coming to y'all on Tuesday this week!

 

No doubt!

 

I had mentioned we were going to be taking a plane to the Daytona 500, and I was seriously freaking out about it...so you can imagine how happy I was when Mark called me Friday afternoon and said there was some issues with the plane and we couldn't take it!  I was so glad, but quickly started to panic...Mark said we would leave Saturday now instead...do you know how hard it is, and how expensive it is to get a room that short notice, the weekend of the Daytona 500!!!  Well, we figured it out and made it happen! 

 

We spent the bulk of the day Saturday with the kiddos, I ran for a quick mani/pedi and Mark took the boys out on some errands and had lunch with the boys, Brooke and Olivia.  We left around 5:30 Saturday night and headed to Daytona!

 

A few road trip essentials...Pepsi in a Styrofoam cup, a Monster and some Twizzlers!

 

 

We got into Daytona around 10 and were starving...this pizza was pretty darn good!

 

We got to our hotel room about 11:00 and went straight to sleep...alarms were set for 6:30!

 

We woke up Sunday morning, showered, checked out of the hotel, made a quick Starbucks stop and headed over to NASCAR credentials to get our passes!

 

Hot passes in hand...we are ready to go!

 

With Mark's job, comes a ton of perks, he knows A LOT of people affiliated with NASCAR, and these guys always take care of us! 

 

One of his clients, for one of the race teams, hooked us up with a parking pass, so we were able to drive our car and park right in the drivers lot...AWESOME!

 

Hello Daytona 500!

 

Driving in the tunnel to get to the driver's lot!

 

 

 

Olivia LOVES texting from her Ipad...I was hysterical reading this message she sent us...love that she said she would be a good girl and not be sassy...and that she loves me so much better than the others:)

 

 

Lots of action and so much fun going on here!

 

First stop was parking the car and having a drink...at 10:30 in the morning! 

 

 

 

It was so much fun being right there, watching all the drivers riding around in golf carts...and seriously Kyle Bush has the cutest little boy ever!

 

I am definitely a huge Jimmie Johnson fan!

 

Martin Truex Jr...he is from New Jersey, so that right there makes him AWESOME!  And if you watched the race, you saw for yourself that he lost by inches..literally inches!!

 

AJ is a huge Carl Edwards fan....and he was one of the nicest guys I have ever met!  He was more than happy to take this pic! 

 

I am a huge Samantha Bush fan..and she was just sweet as could be!

 

Right down with all the action...we LOVE it!

 

This is our friend Hollywood...he always makes sure we have passes and everything we need for race day...we LOVE him!

 

I love this guy so much! 

 

 

 

As big football fans, I have always liked Joe Gibbs, and I had the opportunity to get to meet him and chat with him for a few minutes Sunday before the race started.  My boys were thrilled to have me bring these home for them!  And congrats to Joe Gibb Racing for winning the Daytona 500!

 

The day was truly amazing!  It was such an amazing experience, and I am so glad that I am able to tag along and do this all with Mark.  I know that I tend to brag a lot about my kids and husband, but I am just so proud of him.  I can't even count how many people came up to Mark, saying how much they miss him still being in Charlotte to take care of them, amazed that so many of them now come to Florida for him to take care of them.  I was so proud...many came up to me saying what an great man he is, and how much they appreciate all the hard work he does for them to make sure they are taken care of.  I am truly so thankful for this man  He works so hard, and gives so much to me and the kids, we are so truly blessed to have him in our lives.  He has a work ethic that is so strong, he is so dedicated to his job, his clients, and I am so glad my children can learn from him.  He is a true example that hard work definitely pays off!

 

We got home about 8:30 Sunday night and we were EXHAUSTED!  We ate some pizza with the kids and then everyone went right to bed!  It was a whirlwind, crazy, busy weekend, but it was AWESOME!  I was tired on Monday, so I spent the day cleaning, catching up on laundry and not much else!

 

See you back here tomorrow for What's Up Wednesday!