Everglades City Airboat Rides

Our friends John Michael and his sweet wife Amanda came to visit on their tour around Florida.  We decided to take them on an Everglades Airboat ride as they had never been before.

When we met our captain, I immediately knew we were in for fun, he certainly appeared to be long time resident of Everglades City.

He was part of the "glory days" of drug smuggling and money that poured into the small fishing town in the 70s and 80s, and was even in the documentary "Square Grouper".

Once our captain found out we had a mutual friend, I think he decided to take us on a fun ride with some extras thrown in ;)

 Photo bombed by Captain Shane

 Beautiful Florida Mangrove forests.

 I love this picture.  I am so thankful for friends who are more like an uncle to our children.  It means the world to me that we have friends who love our children, will sit with them, and make memories with them.

 Nate Dawg got to sit int he captain chair.  He did an awesome job!

 This picture is Awesome!

 After the airboat ride, we walked through the boardwalk to go hold an alligator...but had fun with the decor as well.

Super fun day with super fun friends!

Chick Fil A Cow Appreciation Day

There are moments that I hope my children look back on and remember...and these Chic Fil A Cow Appreciation Days are one of those moments.  I hope they remember getting dressed like a cow for free food all day.  It's good, clean, free fun!

Hannah had to make a new shirt this year.  She made a cow bell...it says "Jingle" on her...in Hannah-speak

 She also wrote "Hapee frog day, wups, I mean happee Kow Day.  Jingle Jingle."

I think she was trying to write phonetically like the cows.

 On our way for FREE breakfast!

 We were the only cows in the store...and maybe even the first of the day.  We got a lot of strange stares.

 Nathan and Nicole made cow ears.  Nate was proud of his, they had a front and a back.

 Mooo-ing for the camera

 2nd round...for a late lunch.  Facepaint is off....food was still free!

I love my little cows!

Painting with Pastels

Two years ago at a homeschool convention, I purchased a DVD lesson on painting with Pastels.  I had no idea what that meant...but I thought it looked interesting.  Fast forward 26 months, and I finally opened the DVD case and put the disc in the player.

Today, the kids and I invited Yaya over to try our hands at painting a "Peaceful Lake" with pastels.

First, we made cardboard easels this weekend.  Apparently, they worked really well.

We followed the DVD, step by step.

 Hannah is signing adding the finishing touches to her picture.

 I love that we all had access to the same pastels and we all followed the same instructions, yet our projects looks very different.

Yaya with her girls and their painting.

Randomness

This post is full of completely random pictures from May and June.

Some of my awesome CC mama friends.  I love these ladies!

Nicole's AHG level up display.  

More little CC cuties!

The view at one of our local parks where we like to walk, run, and bike ride.

Nate decided he needed to measure everything on this particular trip.  He's a hoot!

Spontaneous road trip!  I even rented a car.  woohoo!!!

Brother and Sister love

Naples Zoo with yaya

This was the moment Hannah decided she wanted to be a Tiger trainer.

Ice cream for hard workers.  They cleaned Jeremy's shop and was paid in Ice cream.

We watched the Great Dock Canoe Races.  I've lived here my whole life, and this was my first time there.  Quit the fun day.

Sweet Mother's Day set up.  

Nicole holding sweet baby Gracie.

I told him to grab a book, we would lay on the couch and read together.  2 minutes later...this is what I saw!

Memorial Day- we went to the military museum, met some veterans, and paid our respects.

 Oh- this was a fun surprise.

 It's Carly!!!!!

Jeremy and I went to a Cubs vs. Marlins game together.