Glen Oaks Valentine's Dance 2013

This past Friday, Marty and the girls attended the Glen Oaks Valentine's Dance. It has been a Father/Daughter tradition since the girls became Glen Oaks Tigers.

The girls glammed up with sparkly nail polish, shiny lipgloss, and fancy dresses. They even wore some of my expensive perfume since it was a special night with Daddy.

 Lily loved the pink roses Daddy bought just for her.

 Such a handsome pair!

 Little Bug was delighted with her red roses from Daddy.

Aren't they precious?!

 Taking a moment to be silly!

Stealing a smooch!



 Since we live right behind the school, a lot of friends came to meet up at our house. Sofie and Molly looked so beautiful and grown up.

 Silly Girls...Sofie, Kinley Reck, Lily, and Molly Reck.

 Lily with her BFF, Brylee Lackey. They were feeling very grown up since this is their last dance at Glen Oaks.

 Off they go!

This was a bit of a milestone for Lily as it is her final Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Dance. Of course, she and Marty will make new memories together. Still, these memories are too precious not to revisit for a moment. Here are a few of my favorites...Daddy and Daughter Dance ages 4, 8, and 11.

This one is suddenly looking so grown up!

And this one is right behind her...if only I could keep them little.

Jack Unplugged 2013

Jack has been playing his guitar for about a year now, and he is getting very good. I love the mini concerts he plays for me in the evening when I am preparing dinner and he is practicing in his room. He has been working hard to get ready to perform at Boyd Unplugged at Boyd High School.

 I was so amazed by his confidence and courage playing in front of his peers. He was a hit!

My Music Man makes me so proud!

Lily Sprained Her Knee

While were in St. Lucia, Lily sprained her knee in her dance class. After we got back and saw the way she was limping, we took her to the doctor and her prescribed her to rest her knee for a couple of weeks.

That meant crutches.

Lily thought the boring gray color of her crutches was cramping her style, so we used a little duct tape and a feather boa to dress them up.

She was delighted...I think her exact words were, "Totes Adorbs, Mama!" As you wish, My Sweet. As you wish.

Glen Oaks Winter Talent Show 2013

Just before Marty and I left for St. Lucia, Lily performed in the Glen Oaks Winter Talent Show.

She sang "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift and she was sensational.

 

It was an especially special evening since this was Lily's final performance at a Glen Oaks Tiger. Her bestie, Brylee Lackey, was there to cheer her on! Such sweet girls.

Our Fantasy Island... St. Lucia

Marty and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on August 1, 2012. We wanted to mark two decades of happily ever after with a special trip, but we had to wait to get everything planned and paid for in order to make it happen. On January 27th, our dream came true, and we spent 4 lovely nights in St. Lucia, West Indies. It was unbelievably beautiful and a trip we will never forget! Here are a few of the highlights...

 On the way to the island, it was fun looking out the window of the plane. The islands were so beautiful even from 35,000 feet.

 After a seven hour flight, we finally arrived at St. John's Club Morgan Bay in St. Lucia, West Indies...and Rum punch was waiting for us!

 Our first picture outside our room at the resort. We paid for a gardenview room but received a free upgrade to a partial waterview. We were so happy to be in paradise!

 After unpacking our bags, we settled in with a couple of drinks on the beach.

 More rum punch!

Al Fresco dining by the sea...Delicious!

Coffee Caribbean Style...

On our first full day in St. Lucia, we took the bus into Castries, the capital city, and went to the Old Market for souveneers. We found some great stuff for the kids and we saw this street vendor selling coconuts for lunch.

After a busy day of shopping and sailing, we enjoyed another sunset and a wonderful dinner on the Morgan Pier.



 Get your motor running....ATV rides into the rainforest and through the banana plantations.

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After a long ride, we finally made it to the lookout point for Grande Anse Beach..the most secluded in all of St. Lucia.

The untouched Atlantic Ocean protected from development for the sea turtles who nest there.

 What an adventure!

Another beautiful sunset...the sky looked as if it was on fire!

 Dinner. Good food. Even better company.

 Sulphur Springs Volcano. It is the only drive-thru volcano in the world. The mud was boiling!

But, after a mud bath and a soak in the hot springs, my skin felt baby soft.

 Diamond Waterfall

 So fun!

 The Pitons otherwise known as Twin Peaks

 Creole lunch on the beach

 A great view and a great meal

We went snorkling in this clear, blue water. It was magical.

Enjoying new friends and cold drinks while boating up the Caribbean Coast...breathtaking!

Marty fulfilled a lifelong dream of learning to sail. We got as many hours as possible on these Catamarans and he is a natural sailor.

Our final morning, we saw this double rainbow while eating breakfast. It was a perfect ending to a dream vacation.

St. Lucia is truly our fantasy island.

Bug's Birthday Bash

Sofie's December birthday makes party planning a bit messy. Most of her friends have lots of plans due to Christmas. So, this year, we celebrated Little Bug together as a family on her birthday, but waited until after the Christmas crazies to plan her party with friends. Sofie and her buddies spent the afternoon playing as Cosmic Jump and it was big fun!

 The Sofie's...Sofie with her Bestie Sophie Geddie

 The girls loved playing on this inflatable slide!

I get by with a little help from my friend...

 Sophie Geddie, Little Bug, Molly Reck, Lily, and Gracie Branson

 Make a wish, My Sweet!

 Something is very funny!!

Sofie wanted Paul Frank decorations and ordered chocolate Buntini cakes from Nothin' Bundt Cakes...Yummy! And too cute!!

Did somebody say presents?!



Happy Birthday Little Bug! We love you to the moon and back!