Randomness

I have been sick for two weeks. I thought I was better and then over the weekend I started having major issues with vertigo. By Monday morning I was in rough shape! I stayed home from work Tuesday and finally went to the dr. She said my ears have fluid in them, redness, etc. so that explains the vertigo. I've never had it before, but it's awful. She also gave me something to help with the dizziness. All this and Nick leaves today for NYC for work stuff. I hope after 24 hours on antibiotics I'll be good to go. I sound like a seal when I cough and it's driving Nick nuts. We are also having friends over for the Super Bowl and I don't want to get anyone else sick! The basement is DONE so that will be fun. We have the theater, play area, tv, basketball shooting thing, and lots to do.

On another note, the kiddos must have known how I felt today b/c as Hunter said "We were perfect angels this morning. Can we have a treat on the way to school? And mommy, I think were gooder than you this morning". Yeah, probably right! It was wonderful in comparison to most mornings getting out the door.

In other news, Nick and Hunter leave for Mexico in a couple of weeks. I'm starting to get nervous about my baby leaving the country without me. I just don't like Mexico. I don't know why I agreed to this!

The best news ever---we are going to Hawaii next year! It's a long time away, but I have always wanted to go. I wanted to go on our honeymoon, but Nick really wanted to go on a cruise. We went over budget on building our house (that we moved into one week after getting married), so I agreed with the cruise. I always have wanted to go. We are going to Arizona on March 11th of this year for a conference for Nick's work...we've gone places the past few years now that he qualifies for it. The cool part is there is not hardly any stuff Nick has to do so it's basically a paid for trip (we've been to AZ, Disney, etc.). It's at this awesome spa and my mom has already agreed to watch the kids. So they just announced that in 2013 it's in Hawaii....The best part is we don't pay for flights, hotel, food, etc...yay!! Unless the market crashes or something horrible (ie. 2008 or worse) happens and he loses most of his clients, it's in the bag! Can't wait.
He said I need to be nice to him for the next 12 months or he's taking Hunter and not me. Ha....No promises that I can be nice, but I will try. I'm just so excited. I've been so stressed with work, sickness, kids, so this made my day yesterday!!! Love you Nick!!!

Dolphins and boating in FL

More from our FL trip...we had some dolphins swimming super close to the boat and it was so neat! We went out on the boat twice and took it along the Marco shoreline and then to shell island. It was super fun :)

They were SO close to the boat!!! The kids loved it :)

 There were three of them swimming around the boat

 Bridge to get onto Marco Island

 It was a nice day, but I had gotten too much sun the day before, so I had to wear a long sleeve shirt to recover! 

 Captain Hunter...As a side note, several years ago (pre-kids era), we took this boat out and totally got stuck on shore b/c of the tide. We had stopped to let Chopper (our baby at the time) off on shore to go pee and literally we had a problem! Nick and my mom were pushing like crazy every time a wave came up to try to rock the boat back into the water--we barely made it. I guess you have to take that seriously. We'd go to shell island in the morning and then we'd come back later and there would be a huge sandbar that wasn't there four hours prior! Thank goodness there is an app for that b/c my dad likes to live on the wild side so we put a tide app on his phone so we didn't die. 

 Hunter and his Nana :)

 Nick took some fun pictures as we went along the shore of Marco

 On the way to shell island--so pretty!! Hunter is looking out for dolphins

This island is awesome...it's so pretty, has great shells, and a nice beach. All these boats pull up and hang out. There are several retired people who have boats with grills and liquor licenses--they sell burgers, hot dogs, chips, water, pop, beer...they said we were his best costumers one day--who the heck spend $50 on the beer boat? Nick and my dad--that's who.  

 One day there were three of these things up in the sky. The guys were crazy dipping down and shooting back up in the air--looked like fun! 

 While my sister was back in FL in zero degree weather working, my dad was chilling on the beach! 

Nick on the way back from the beer boat...ha! 

 

Florida pics--Air boat ride

We went to Everglade City the second day (30 miles from Marco) and went on an air boat ride in the everglades. It was too chilly for the beach or pool, so it was a good afternoon to go. It was really neat!! The kids really enjoyed it, even though we didn't see any alligators. 

 Hunter and Jack must take after their Nana b/c Nick and I did not want to touch the alligator and they were holding it! Thanks but no thanks. 

 All 6 of us plus the captain fit on the boat--it's loud so they give you headphones to wear. 

 This guy landed right in front of me. He kept staring at me and it was totally freaking me out, but made for some awesome pics! He was only about 1-2 feet from me! 

 I love my camera! 

 The water is very shallow (like two feet deep), but since there is no motor it works. We were going super fast around the corners which was super fun.

 The captain stopped so both kids could have a seat in his spot for pics :) (He works for tips!)

 I love Jack's facial expression here--like he's so tough for holding the baby alligator! 

 Another boat we passed...they do this spin-out moves which was neat. Our captain said he didn't want to do it with the kids and I said we wouldn't let them fall out, so we had a few spin moves...like spinning out on a jet-ski. Nick and I got a little wet, but it was fun. Jack kept saying "do it again!"

Do you see the raccoons coming out of the woods? 

 I guess they are used to being fed, so they come out and beg....I still hate them and was afraid they would jump on the boat. 

 They were out on the branches getting as close as possible to us...we could have touched them (the captain did, but no thanks). He claims they bite, but since they don't have rabies you don't have to go to the hospital....yeah, I would not be taking any chances with that.  

I guess I'm like my dad...

he would not have ANYTHING to do with the alligator. He's such a baby about it--he wouldn't touch it either. My mom loves that stuff. 

More pics to come from the beach! 

 

TGIF

Thank goodness it's FLORIDA. I heard it's super cold and nasty in Michigan, so I'm glad I'm not there. We came down to Marco Island on Thursday morning and come home this Wednesday. It's been a fun trip so far...mostly thanks to my parents being here with us and helping a lot with the kids! Nick and I have had some dates, time alone, and lots of fun with the kids too. The trip got off to a bad start. I was disorganized and left my purse on the plane when we got off the plane in FL. I realized it ten minutes later, ran to the Delta office and they told me it was too late....the plane had taken back off--complete BS, but whatever. I cancelled my credit cards, bank card, etc. I figured given the fact that it was a nice purse, had cash in it, gift cards, car keys, and more I would not be getting it back. Today, four days later, I got a call from Delta that they have it back in Detroit. I have not talked to the lady yet, but as long as everything is in there, I'll be happy. I don't even care about the cash so much, but the purse itself and just my insurance card, medications, etc. and I'll be happy! I didn't think there was a chance I would get it back at this point....God is good! And whoever found the person was honest :) Yay! I had just gotten this Coach purse for my birthday back in November and although it wasn't a $2,000 prada purse, it was expensive as far as I'm concerned when it comes to purses!

Well, lots of fun pictures from our trip, but we have gone WAY over on our data package for the month due to ipads, laptops, etc. here with the kids, so gotta run!

Huge Iphone photo dump

We are finishing our basement and it's almost done--YAY. It's Nick's project. It could be grounds for divorce since I never see him anymore b/c all he does is hang out in the theatre room. There is a large open living room space, bathroom, bar area, bedroom, theatre room and more! 

 Bathroom....

Theatre screen---it's awesome, but I don't like hanging out down there when kids are sleeping b/c it's loud and I feel so far away. 

 We have six seats that we got at Costco--they recline and are super comfortable. There is a step too so the back row is up higher. 

 Saturday was the last session of basketball for Hunter and soccer for Jack. We are signing up again. Hunter got a certificate and trophy. 

He's proud of himself! He is a good player. He's for sure the fastest and one of the best shooters. They suggested he move up to a more advanced class. 

 Jack got his certificate too :)

Our cutie pie soccer player! 

Hunter loves to cook! He made chocolate chip and banana pancakes the other day. He gets so proud of his work! 

 He also made spaghetti the other night for us...it was yummy!! 

 Nick surprised me with roses a few days ago--he was being rude and trying to make up for it! 

 Hunter got a punching bag from Nana and Grandpa, so we hung it in the basement--a good way to get out any aggression!  

 I took Jack to the mall on Saturday for a haircut. We went to get chinese food and he made a cute little friend. We even went to the play place after and they were so cute together following each other around :) 

 This is why I need a girl. I bought new nail polish and both kids wanted their nails painted. ha! 

 My friend at work made me this scarf....so sweet. Jack loves it too.  

Rare sweet moments!!! I cherish them :)

 

 Daddy had to work the other night so we played games, took pictures, and had lots of fun! 

We went to Jungle Java yesterday with some friends. This was before Jack puked all over the place. I think we cleared the place out! Poor kid said his tummy hurt and proceeded to play and then threw up a massive amount. We left asap and then he puked all over himself in the car too. He is home from school resting today! 

We've been doing lots of sledding. We have a good hill in our back yard and also go to Vets Park where they have great hills. 

 I love my boys! 

Rule breaker!! 

We leave for FL on Thursday--can't wait!!! I just hope we don't all get sick like Jack!! 

Jennifer