Well hello there...

Whew...I have thought about writing a post for a while but get exhausted just thinking about all the stuff that has happened this summer and summer isn't even over yet!

The biggest news of the summer is that Spices Etc and Mo Hotta Mo Betta have a new home! And it is only 8 minutes from our house. That is right folks. We got ourselves a new warehouse. That meant taking our house off the market but it means much bigger things for the businesses and our family. It is 8 minutes and no traffic (those of you still fighting the traffic and commutes...move closer to work...or move to Savannah...life is good here...number 7 on Travel and Leisure's Top 10 cities in US and Canada!) and the other great thing...it has this mack daddy ice machine. I am talking about the kind of ice machines that you used to find in a hotel and you would lift up the door and see tons of glorious ice cubes. It is pretty awesome. It is the first thing the kids do when they visit daddy and Papa at work. They go straight to the ice machine. Heck, sometimes I go straight to the ice machine too. Lots of hard work went into getting the warehouse ready and even more moving two businesses but they are finally all moved in and getting settled.

This is the right side. There is the exact same warehouse on the left. The left is Spices Etc and the right is Mo Hotta:


I helped with vacation bible school. I was in the kindergarten class. Wow. I was exhausted after three days.

We had a bad storm and our neighbors tree fell in our yard. They were great and took care of the tree removal. Luckily it didn't hit any houses, sheds, fences or our new swing set. It did crush our old swing set and an chair but the damage really was minimal. We weren't home when it happened.




We had a family friendly fourth of July picnic and firework show with friends and neighbors.




We took Jimmy on a little mini vacation to Atlanta. We visited the Aquarium, the World of Coke and the Zoo. When we were at the zoo he told us that he was tired of seeing all of the animals so we headed home. His favorite part of the trip 1. the hotel room, 2. watching movies in the hotel room 3. swimming in the hotel pool. 3. Watching movies in the car. 4. Drinking lots of coke. So next time, we are just going to find a nice cheap hotel with a pool, drive around and let him watch a movie and then let watch a movie in the hotel room and drink some coke. It will be much cheaper.

First trip to the Varsity:








We had our first trip to the dentist. I was pretty nervous about this one but he did great! He let her count and polish his teeth but he didn't like the water or the suction straw so she just let him rinse his mouth out with a cup and water. That suited him and me just fine.






This past Saturday we went to Sea Island for the day to visit with Jimmy's uncle, aunt and cousins and their children. It was so much fun to see everyone.

Island in the yard, that is what is was...

Not too many people can say they have a deck island in their backyard. We can..or I should say we "could." The deck island takes a little bit of explaining. When our house was originally built in the fifties there was an above ground pool. Due to the former above ground pool there was a large concrete slab in the backyard. The previous owners chose to build a large deck to cover it up. While it looked okay, it was wasting valuable yard space and had to go. We didn't want the time and expense to remove the slab so we (well, mostly Jimmy since he did all of the work) decided to make a playground for the kids and they LOVE it!!

BEFORE:


Halfway removed:

 

 

One of three truck loads of mulch:





We had some plants moved to other places in the yard and a few removed and the play area is bordered by railroad ties, one that Jimmy had to use a chainsaw to cut!


Getting started:


Almost done...


All done! Little Jimmy kept saying "You did a great job, Daddy!"


Just a little bit more landscaping to do but like Little Jimmy said...Daddy did a great job. He did ALL of the work besides moving and replanting the plants and palms. He took the deck apart, hauled it all to the dump, three truckloads of mulch that had to be hauled by wheelbarrow to the back yard, 5 railroad ties and one had to be cut with the chainsaw and he put together the playset for the kids. Lots of fun to be had in the backyard this summer!

Girls Weekend

Two weeks ago I met Whitney and Lindsey for a girls weekend in Amelia Island at the Amelia Island Plantation. We had such a fabulous time and Amelia/Fernandina was a great location! We all wanted to get away, yet stay coastal. Whitney and Lindsey flew into Jacksonville, I picked them up and then we headed to the plantation. We stayed at the Omni and it was perfect! It was a bit rainy on Saturday but that didn't dampen our spirits. Instead, we went to see Bridesmaids and it was HILARIOUS! We also ran into my friend and former co-worker Angie. She was on a girls weekend too and we ended up having drinks together in downtown Fernandina. Little did we know that another friend and former co-worker, Tara was right around the corner in Fernandina. I don't have Facebook on my phone so I had no idea. Who knew it was such a happening place! Great little getaway if you get a chance.

We liked it so much that we are going to take a family trip there for a few nights in August!

Mother's Day

We had a great Mother's Day! We had my parents and Jimmy's parents over for a good ole fashioned cookout. Hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, chips, watermelon, beer, cokes and ice cream sundaes and root beer floats for dessert!

Sissy, Cecilia and Jimmy:


Three generations: Sr, Jr and III


Papa Joe


Mimi


Last Tuesday Jimmy had Mom's Day at school. They put on a wonderful program and then we had brunch together. He made me a cinnamon roll, sausage ball and fruit kebab and made several wonderful gifts. I love being his mom!!

Birthday and Wedding

Jimmy celebrated his 36th birthday on Thursday, May 5! We had some cupcakes at home in honor of daddy's birthday. For little Jimmy a birthday is not official until there is cake. I have to agree! Then Jimmy and I went out to dinner at Ruth's Chris. YUM!




Friday we headed to Macon for a wedding of Jimmy's good friend, David. David and Jimmy have been friends since middle school and there was some proof at the rehearsal dinner slide show! Middle school pictures are awesome in general but middle school pictures from the 80's are twice as awesome. It was a gorgeous day for a wedding and Haley, the bride, was stunning! The cicadas were in full force and provided some of the background music.

Savannah boys:


I love this group shot of everyone laughing. Everyone so happy on such a happy day.


The photographer wanted them to act funny/crazy. Don't you just love those?! Jimmy seems happy to oblige.


Jimmy looking good in his seersucker. I think we coordinated pretty well!

Cat and Ash

A Royal Wedding

I got up at the crack of dawn yesterday to watch the Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. I can honestly say that I never thought much about the Royal family of England until the recent engagement but like many, I was sucked into the the fairy tale of commoner meets royalty, the anticipation of the dress and the pomp and circumstance of it all. It was fun to watch and they seem very happy (like I know them...). But I hope (like I hope for anyone) they have a long happy marriage. I did snap a few of my own pictures to commemorate the day.

Jimmy is obviously thrilled with the royal wedding:

 

Cecilia and her cinderella dress:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter

Easter Sunday did not go as planned. My poor little buddy woke up with a stomach bug :(. He was not at all interested in his Easter basket or candy. He was supposed to sing with his Sunday school class this morning (his first performance EVER) but he ended up staying home with daddy and I went to church with Cecilia. Cecilia and went to Gin Gin's for lunch and my parents were there as well. I hope that it is just short 24 hour bug!





Nora's first Easter!

Papa Joe Love:

Cousin Love: