I’m Jamaican Man!

Aren’t we all ready for a Jamaican vacation? 

My hunny is! 

We can dream can’t we? 

 

*LRW*

Summer Reading 2011

I love teaching and could work all summer on school stuff, but I made myself promise to give myself 2 full weeks of no school work and just enjoy my summer and decompress.  I finished my post-planning check list and turned in my classroom key Thursday, June 9th and successfully made it to Wednesday of last week.  Hmmm…12 days I was almost there!  I didn’t actually do school work I was asked to help with first grade interviews but still it involved school stuff.  I didn’t make my 14 day promise but I have definitely decompressed and enjoyed my break so far. I have read 5 books this summer and I want to try and fit in one more before next week when we have a school training.  I fear they will give us a professional development book to read when I am in full reading for pleasure mode. 

There is just something about a good book that sucks me in. 

Started this book last summer so I had to restart it! It is the fifth in its series. 

I am sucker for Nicolas Sparks.  I have read all his books but would have to say this is one of my favorites thus far.  A lot of suspense!

I had never read a book by this author and this was given to me by my mom to read and really loved her writing style.  She has another book out called Summer House and am thinking that might be my 6th summer read. 

Grandma D gave me this book when she visited this spring and told me she thought I would enjoy it.  It was about the intricacies of family which we all have to deal with. 

I bought this book a few summers ago but never got around to reading it.  Wiesel is a Jewish man who endured the persecution during the Holocaust. Night was his story and it was a gripping one at that.  If you enjoy history definitely pick this one up. 

Any summer reading suggestions would be welcomed!!! 

*LRW*

Many Blessings

Last years birthday festivities were the biggest and best celebration yet other than my 21st birthday...haha!  This year it was so relax and really enjoyable.  Adam was ready to do birthday presents as soon as we woke up.  He was excited which of course got me excited!  I ask for a pair of new Sperry’s and a surprise.  Boy did he not disappoint he surprised me with a new gorgeous Coach purse!  I am in love.   

It’s she a beauty!

Adam took me out to breakfast to Sisters which we had been wanting to try for sometime now.  We are creatures of habit and ordered our usual Belgium waffle for Adam and banana pancakes for me.  They were delicious but the best thing about breakfast was the entertainment.  We sat on the patio and right outside on the street was a farmers market full of shoppers and families out for a morning of fun.  

We ran some errands and had a lazy afternoon at the pool with that included our pool buddy Lulu!

Then it was off to birthday dinner at our favorite pizza joint Blue Highway Pizza!  The apps, salads and pizza were delightful as always.  We ordered three different pizzas and all shared while Jimbo really analyzed and rated each pizza for what he liked and didn’t like…haha!    We did however save room for some delightful Betty Cake!! 

Jimbo and Torie

Annie and Devin

Mark and Adam

My hunny and Me

It was a great day to be with family and friends!  I am so grateful to have such amazing family and friends who took time to celebrate me!  A special thanks to my mom for coming up from Tampa to celebrate with lunch at BJ’s on Friday!

I am so excited because I get to see them all this weekend too!  The whole Mirabella crew!  Have a fantastic weekend! 

*LRW*

Tangled Castles

My most cherished summer memories as a child include water and family.  The first 2 weeks in July were always spent in Michigan visiting my mom’s family.  These 2 weeks I had to forget my city girl ways and learn how to rough it, because we stayed at 16 Mile Lake Camp, which my Great-Grandpa Parker built for the family year and years ago.  I love when you pull up the tree canopied drive way and you can see his name he left in the foundation.  The lake is where you would find us at any time of the day either floating on the big stinky black tire tubes, the paddle boat, or just swimming.  We caught bull frog fish, minnows, and even the disgusting leaches that got a salt bath immediately.  We would take evening walk along the wooded roads and pick blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries for an evening snack.  It was 2 weeks of our lives that were not crazy, it was simpler time of family fun. 

In June or late August my father’s side of the family always geared up for the Fun Filled Family Reunion (Kimball style).  My Granddaddy and Grandmommy would make all the arrangements at a Florida beach resort.  Each family got their own room and most of the time there were adjoining and that is where the craziness really began.  There were 18 cousins and we sure knew how to drive our families crazy.  Each day we had different things planned such as sand castle contests, scavenger hunts, drama night, dinner at Crabby Bills.  With 10 of the grandchildren either in or out of college we haven’t had a family reunion in quite sometime, but the memories from those reunions will never fade.  

I love having those summer memoires on the water with family.  It has been a few years now that Annie and I began a summer tradition of our own.  A girls trip to the beach!  It is always just what we need at the start of the summer.  Each year is has got more and more fun as AB gets bigger and more fearless of the water and the sand.  Last year she didn’t even what to touch the sand so playing in the sand was not much of an option.  This year she dug right in and I was ready to build some “tangled” sandcastles with her!

Day 1 Prior to seeing Tangled multiple times!

Day 2 After seeing Tangled!

AB with her “pupl” shovel

Day 3 After watching Tangled I think 3 times! We have a tower for Tangled and one for AB two smaller towers for Annie and Aunt Nen. 

Uncle Adam could have “eaten” AB up in that sweet watermelon suit!

Aunt Nen and her #1 Beach buddy this year!

*LRW*

Mrs. Whitehurst

I haven’t been called that in over a week and I have only teared up once at the thought of it.  I am in full summer mode now but on occasion I still miss these little guys!  Hope to see them around town soon!

Water, Water, Water

Life around here has been busy as I finished up the last few weeks of school. Yesterday was the last day of school and I am feeling like I am ready for some summer fun!  In the month of May Adam was so busy with the watermelon harvest that we did not do many exciting things, but we got to spend 2 wonderful days on the water with family and friends. 

The first day on the water was spent at one of our favorite places BLUE RUN!!!!  Adam’s dad had bought these awesome water toys that pull you through the water which we tried out.

Our second day on the water was Memorial Day.  We went out with Adam’s 2 best friends and spent the day down in Crystal River.  It was so fun to be out on the water on such a gorgeous day. 

We even got a picture with UF’s Riley Cooper!