St. Augustine Florida

We went to St. Augustine for a day and half trip. St. Augustine is the oldest and first permanent European settlement in the United States. Grace has been studying Florida history for school and it focuses a lot on St. Augustine. So when my mother in law was down for the week. We decided to spend some time exploring and learning about this part of Florida. The kids all enjoyed exploring a new place. Grace in particular found it fascinating since she knew the history of everything. She thought it was cool to actually see and be in the very places that she had read and seen pictures of from her history book.
The statue of Ponce De Leon
The cannons at the Castillo de San Marcos
Castillo de San Marcos

The Spanish guard at the Castillo de San Marcos
My four jail birds at the original jailhouse.
Henry Flagler was a rich oil man who back in the 1900's discovered St. Augustine, it was just a small, poor town at that time and built beautiful hotels and a church. He also brought the railroad down through St. Augustine (so people could stay in his hotels) and finally down to the Florida keys from New York. He had a lot of influence on the town and he is buried in this church.

Happy Birthday Noel

Today Noel turned 8 years old. It is hard to believe how fast it has gone. Noel is a very sweet, hard working and loving kid. He loves sports, football, baseball and Taekwondo. He listens very well and strives for excellence in everything he does. He loves to play with his legos, read Magic Tree House books, loves Star Wars and Star Trek. He is very mature for his age and yet not "too old" either. We love you Noel and look forward to seeing the wonderful man you will grow up to be.

Presents and cake

A special collectors item from Papa John

Ella Lost Her First Tooth!

Today Ella discovered that she had lost her first tooth! It was very loose and she said that she had wiggled it before breakfast but by 2pm it was gone! She thinks that she swallowed it. She thought that was funny and wrote the tooth fairy the cutest note. She informed the tooth fairy that she had lost her tooth but had swallowed it and that she still wanted to the tooth fairy to leave her money. She also wrote that if the tooth fairy was uncertain, to check in her mouth to see the hole where her tooth used to be.
It is hard to see where she lost her tooth because her teeth are very spaced apart. It is the bottom front right as you are looking at her.

Papa John Visits

It has become a tradition for my dad (Kris's) to visit for Graces and my birthday in February. This year he came a few weeks later. Although it was cool this year we still had fun visiting Circle B Bar Ranch, playing at home, watching Noels football game and a day in Orlando with my Aunt Bev, Papa Johns sister. We all love when Papa John comes to town.

My Aunt Bev and Ella at the Science Center of Orlando
Ice Cream Treats in Orlando
Playing cards
Getting ready for the big football game