Julia's Big Day

As an early birthday present, we took Julia to Sweet & Sassy to have her ears pierced. She has been asking to have it done for a long time, so we decided to wait for her 5th birthday. She was so excited and didn't cry or even flinch. What a big girl... 5 going on 16.

A Magical Family Vacation

We had a great family vacation this year. My parents arranged for the whole family, all 3 kids and their spouses and the grandchildren, to spend a week at Disney World. Sheila, the kids and I left a couple days early, so we could go to Sea World too. Sea World was a hit last year when we took the kids there, and we all loved it again. The kids love Shamu! We got to feed the stingrays, watch several other aquatic shows, go on some rides and even had dinner backstage with Shamu! That was a really cool experience being poolside where they train the orcas. Julia was able to meet a Shamu trainer and learn what it takes to become one. For those of you who have not heard, Julia has been saying for the past year that she'd like to be a Shamu trainer. Another highlight was riding Journey to Atlantis three times. It's a combination roller coaster/water flume ride that Julia and I love.

Julia & Hutch watching SHAMU

Julia w/ a SHAMU trainer

The next four days were spent at Disney World. We stayed in the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, a beautiful property at Walt Disney World. We visited all of the Disney parks and had an amazing time. Highlights included lunch with the Princesses at Cinderella's Castle. Julia even received the royal treatment with an appointment at the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique. We also had dinner with Mickey and his friends at a backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness. We went on all of the famous children's rides at the Disney parks, such as It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Snow White, Finding Nemo, etc. Julia and I also went on most of the thrill rides. We rode Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest and Mission Space, among others. So far, she really enjoys all of these rides. She throws her hands in the air on the roller coasters, but makes sure to keep saying "keep your arm around me Daddy" for the whole ride. Disney World was just an incredible time, as always, and it was great for my parents to see the grandchildren enjoy the experience. Thank you again to Mom and Dad for planning and giving us this great vacation!

Winnie the Pooh signed autographs & posed for a picture

Julia & Hutch w/ Grandma & Papa Helton

Julia dressed as Belle

We departed Orlando on Friday and headed to Amelia Island to meet Sheila's parents for the weekend. We had a great time visiting with them. If you've never been to the Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach area, it is really beautiful and nice. Sheila, Julia and I headed to Jacksonville Saturday afternoon to go to the FSU-Colorado football game. Hutch spent some quality time with Grandma & Papa Strausser on Amelia Island. We really enjoyed the game. Our seats were only five rows off the field, and the FSU cheerleaders were right in front of us! That was a big hit with Julia, who also says she wants to be an FSU cheerleader. Since Julia was there, the Seminoles won again. We are 4 for 4 when Julia is in attendance, for those keeping score. If we could just get her to every game, we would win another national championship.

Julia & Grandma Strausser

Julia enjoyed watching the cheerleaders up close

We left Amelia Island and drove home Sunday. We all had a great time, but we were ready to get back to our own beds and a normal schedule again. Hutch was even wilder than normal after a week of extreme stimulation and fun. It was a magical family vacation that we will never forget.

John

Go Seminoles!

Forgot to post this pic... love this one of all my sweeties.

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A Weekend in Tallahassee

Sheila had a craft show she was working this past weekend, so I took the kids to Tallahassee to visit Grandma & Papa Strausser. We had a great time! Julia and I went to the Florida State football game on Saturday, while Hutch got some one on one time with his grandparents. Hutch even got an early birthday present from Grandma & Papa's friends, Maryanne & Larry....a new garbage truck with all kinds of cool features. He loves it! The football game was a great experience. This was Julia's third Seminole game, and it is so much fun seeing Julia enjoy one of my great passions. You will see her "War Paint" in the pictures. She wore her cheerleader outfit with her Seminole Crocs and new FSU visor. She was doing the "War Chant" all during the game, even reminded me to do it a few times. FSU is now 3-0 in games that Julia attends, so I plan to take her a whole lot more, including the game against Colorado in 2 weeks.

It was just a really special weekend. Thank you to Sheila's parents for hosting us and showing Hutch a great time too.

John

Hutch & Julia sporting their FSU gear
Julia in front of the Unconquered statue
Julia posing during the game
Hutch & Grandma Strausser
Jonathan & Hutch
Jonathan, Hutch & Julia (Julia is smitten with Jonathan)

Wedding Pics

Julia and Hutch had the time of their lives being in cousin Christie's wedding. Little Connor had quite a time too! What a beautiful wedding... the bride and groom seem so happy. What a sweet couple. We wish you the best of luck!!!

Aunt Jenn, Connor, Julia & Hutch

Angelina, Hutch & Julia practicing before the wedding

Uncle Chris (Papa Helton's brother) took Angelina and Julia for a spin on the dance floor

Aunt Kerry and Hutch made great dance partners

Uncle Jeff, Aunt Kerry & Hutch

Connor looked adorable!!!

We had a yummy lunch at Lady & Sons... Paula Deen took a minute to pose with Hutch

Hanging Out

Hutch and Daddy enjoying a lunch date.

Julia teaching Hutch how to trace his hand... she loves doing arts/crafts, just like Mommy.

I want to be a fireman!!!

Fun in Panama City Beach

We just returned from a great family vacation in Panama City Beach. We stayed at Splash... an awesome condo resort with tons of kid pools. Hutch and Julia LOVED the big bucket that splashed water, the water slides and the lazy river. It was so nice to relax at the beach. The trip was so much fun... we were able to visit with all of Papa Strausser's family except Uncle Ray and Brandon (we missed you). We miss everyone and hope to see you all soon!

Julia & Hutch checking out the slides


Hutch was really good with the water guns


Watch out for the water bucket!


Look Mom... we got wet.


Bagels taste so much better at the beach.

Special Moments

Just a few additional items to share...

Julia w/ her doll Becca

John's cousin is getting married in September. The kids are both in the wedding and they are sooooo excited. We recently had a shower for the bride and groom (what a great couple... young love is so sweet and you can tell they both love each other so much). We had an awesome cake and cupcakes at the shower. That night when the kids said their bedtime prayers, we asked them what they were thankful for... Hutch said cupcakes!!! It was too cute.

Updated Pictures

Our little fashionista... she enjoys picking out trendy outfits.

Enjoying ice cream with some friends...

Check out the new kitchen countertops and backsplash...

Hanging out at the park...

Where did the month go???

It seems like the last month has just zipped by. The kids and I have been busy with Mom's Club events... Bruesters Ice Cream tour, playing at local parks, going to My Gym, picking blueberries, etc. If you haven't picked blueberries, you need to give it a try... there is a local place called The Berry Patch. We had so much fun picking berries, that we had to go a second time!

Hutch has enjoyed Sporttykes... he and a few of his buddies have learned basketball, baseball and soccer. They get such a kick out of it. At the end of each session, he gets a sticker, tattoo and lollipop... trust me, the main motivation is the lollipop. Julia tags along with her baby (doll Becca or Lily). She gets to hang out with some of the moms and we get a special treat at the little coffee shop while Hutch plays.

The kids have also been taking swimming lessons at a local pool. Julia doesn't really like to get her face wet, but she has really progressed... she likes blowing bubbles and jumping into the water. Big steps towards getting her face wet! More than anything, she likes being around the other kids, especially a friend's two young girls... As for Hutch, well, what can I say... he is fearless as usual. As I always say, he will be our rock climber, sky diver, skateboarder, etc. He is all boy and he loves dunking his head.

Other big news... John and I gave each other an early anniversary gift... new granite countertops in kitchen. That was all we planned to do, but John surprised me with new counters in the master bath and powder room too. I can't believe the difference!!! It is like a new house. I love it and don't want to put anything on the counters. It is getting me into a real cleaning streak too... which I needed to do anyway.

While the counters were being put in, the kids and I headed to my parents house in Florida... it is always nice to get away and spend time in Tallahassee. Thanks mom and dad for hosting us on short notice. We had a blast.

My sewing business is still going well. Lots of projects in the works. I need to get some pictures posted one of these days.

That is it for now... I hope to be some August posting up soon... again there is so much going on.

More Pictures from Chattanooga

Weekend in Chattanooga

July 4th weekend, we decided to take a family vacation to Chattanooga. We had not been there in YEARS!!! The kids had never been there. Man has it changed!

We started our trip with a visit to Ruby Falls. Julia and Hutch loved it and walked most of the way to the falls. They loved all of the rock formations and were amazed by the falls. We even walked behind the falls... I don't think they let you do that the last time we were there.


We had yummy barbecue at Sticky Fingers.

Saturday we headed to the TN Aquarium... what fun. Julia and Hutch loved the seahorses... sharks and jellyfish. When we asked the kids what they liked best... Hutch said the snakes (he is such a boy). We had so much fun touching the sting rays and small sharks... the kids could have stayed there all day. Oh yeah... they had butterflies there too. We got to help the staff release a few... it was neat to see the butterflies take their first flight!

Next we were off to the IMAX theater. We enjoyed watching a movie on Dolphins and Whales. Julia was very fascinated with the whales. She loves orcas (Shamu), so she really got into this movie. Hutch enjoyed it too, but it was a bit much for him.

We finished off the day with a trip to the pool. It certainly made for a good nights sleep!

Before we headed home on Sunday, we went on a train ride. Hutch kept saying... the train says chuga, chuga, chuga. He really liked going over the bridges, through the tunnel and seeing the train make it's turn at the end of the track. Seeing the trains really made me think about my Grandpa Lew, who passed away earlier this year. He used to be a train engineer and would have loved talking to Hutch about trains. (Grandpa... we miss you)!

We had so much fun in Chattanooga, that we plan to take a day trip there in the next few months. It was so nice to have this special family time away from home... thanks John for suggesting out little getaway and making the arrangements. You are the best!

New at this

Okay... I am not real savy with this, please give me time to ramp up. We have a few friends that have gotten us into this whole blog thing. Seems like a great way to keep in touch with those that we love. Enjoy.

Sheila and the kiddos have had a busy week... two playgroups, sports class, library time, swim time and more. The summer is definitely going by fast.

We are getting ready for some fun family time in Chattanooga over the next couple of days. Hope everyone has a great 4th.

Sheila