first day of pre k 4 [2014]

Only a week and a half behind...but here is R's first day of school and last first day as a preschooler!

I can't believe this is his third year at Snuggle Bug!  We have been SO blessed by that place and I will cry the day we have to say good bye.

Poppy took R to school for me...he has always done this and I am so thankful since me and KeeKee have always had to be some where else!  They went to Chick to grab some of their favorite breakfast together!

Here is a comparison from 2013-2014

And 2011-2012!

Man how things change, but we are having so much fun on this ride!

catfishin' with poppy

Ryder got to go catfishing for the first time a few weekends ago with Poppy.  They went to one of Poppy's childhood friend's house out of town and caught some big ones!  Some R couldn't even reel in himself!  They both got some sun and had a blast!

Visit from Luke & Tonya

Tonya and Luke came to town the week before school started on Thursday night. They had family stuff that weekend with the other side of the fam but wanted to squeeze in some time with us too and we are so thankful! 

Ryder got to learn what a "meter" was and how to put money in it!  

Poppy went with us to get them...

And there they are...yellow and blue coming down!

They worked from home on Friday while I went to work too...but we all snuck away for lunch at the one and only Tacos 4 Life!  We all got different tacos so it was fun to share! 

Friday night we went out with the fam and tried a new place...Naru.  They were so sweet and brought this creation out to Ryder.

Uncle G even joined us!

Then we were off to Blue Sail for some coffee!  They had just reopened that morning after being closed all week!  Tonya even snuck buying me a giftcard for my birthday while we were there! ;)

We are so thankful for their time here with us!  

big cedar [cuatro]

Last update from vaca!  Wahoo!  

Truman's Coffee House was my go to spot for the week! 

The morning air was so crisp and beautiful!  I loved being away from everyone to soak in the view and some of His goodness!

After visiting the marina and doing their thing...Poppy & and R came and found me at the coffee shop.  Again, the weather was just too perfect--it couldn't have been any better!  We enjoyed some breakfast together and then we were off to let R ride a pony! 

He has ridden horses before but he still enjoyed this ride!  He even picked out a shirt that has his horses' picture on it as a keepsake! 

It wasn't the best day to go swimming because it was a bit chilly, but we wanted to enjoy this beautiful view!

We enjoyed lunch by the pool which was very relaxing!  Then Poppy and R were off to ride jet skis (I wasn't up for it)...and just read some more by the pool!  

 And of course we all had to squeeze in a nap before our dinner reservation at Devil's Pool!

It was a fantastic vaca and I can't wait for us to go back...and neither can Ryder! ;)

big cedar [tres]

We were there the weather got pretty crazy!  Like we're talking in the 60s...during the day!-In the middle of July!  Crazy right!?  Dad and R would get up and go canoeing or do whatever...and I would get up and around when I was ready, then walk myself down to the coffee shop!  This particular morning I remember everyone was in hoodies or long sleeve shirts with shorts!  Craziness, but I loved it!  

I never made it in the canoe with these guys, but they had a blast and R of course LOVED it! ;)

His KeeKee has taught him all about plants and flowers etc.  Not my thing...but maybe one day!  He says that these particular flowers "hug your nose" when you smell them!  I just DIED laughing!  I thought it was something that KeeKee had taught him...but she said no, that was something he came up with on his own!  

Down at the Marina, they have their own little "beach"!  They even have the chairs and umbrellas provided for you!  I had plans to make it down there, but never did!  I will most definitely next time!

Turtles every where!!!

We decided to change things up and go into town for lunch...and not eat at an attraction restaurant, but at a local spot.  We tried Rocky's and had some delicious spaghetti that Poppy and I split!  I'm sure Ryder had mini corn-dogs, just like he did every where else that week!  Obvi, someone got a little crazy with taking selfies! ;)

Then we made a stop at Dick's 5 and dime just to look!  Obviously this was a happening place!  Actually...we stopped because a guy my dad played baseball with in college owns it!  We actually ran into him inside believe it or not!  Ryder got some new Legos and a cool space shuttle.  I looked high and low for a tacky coffee mug that I actually liked, but didn't have any luck.  

Doing what dad does best...we drove around looking at places.  Found some trout resorts where people could rent cabins and go fishing.  Pretty neat and very beautiful!  

We did some shopping...and R got some ice cream before we headed out to dinner and then our first and only show! =)

More selfies!!!  Haha!  Some how...I got us tickets on like the umm...fourth row!  LOL--so this guy was scared to death of the "real whale" before the show even started!!!  But all was well and we all LOVED the show!  It was long but worth it!  It definitely made me want to see other shows at the Sight and Sound theatre in the future!

One more day of Big Cedar and I'll be done! ;) 

big cedar [dos]

Day 2 we got a little pooling in, in the early morning!

After heading in after lunch to give R the chance to rest up before heading out again...I was trying to take a selfie to send to my mom in China when I opened up and drank this DC, R just couldn't stand the fact that I was taking a selfie without him and ran clear across the room to jump in the picture with me!

Not taking a nap like he was supposed to be doing with Poppy...

...and then 30 minutes before we need to leave, this is what he does!

Our evening was spent at Big Cedar's new addition, Top of the Rock.  You have to get in the car to get there, but it's just around the corner!  No more than a 5 minute drive!

While they were redoing this area, they found a cave...and have since turned it into an attraction site.  The golf cart cave tour had only been opened 2 weeks when we were they and our tour was guided, but I heard them say when they got the proper railing up it would be an "on your own" type deal.

It was a very neat experience and I'm so glad that we got to experience it!  Luckily the weather was so nice that week...and since we were moving, it kept things breezy!

Inside the cave...

Love these two!  R got mud in his shoe so he took it off!  Ha!

Coming out of the cave...and headed over the bridge!

They let us stop and take pics at this beautiful view.

Then it off to the literal "top of the rock" for dinner reservations!  (This is the view of the practice course...it is all artificial, including the "sand")

The menus were made out of old wood, and were bond together with a strip of leather...VERY unique!

R took this of us!

Surprisingly...everything was Mexican--I stayed with what I knew and went with the fajitas!  Can't go wrong there, and I was right!! ;)

Then we were off to tour the rest of the place...including the cutest little chapel! 

Out of the bottom floor another restaurant is this beautiful infinity pool!   

This is a little bit hard to see...but there is a little bitty ole cabin in the middle of those trees--nothing special really.  We couldn't figure out what it was, so we finally asked someone.  It is an old civil war cabin that has been turned into the "Honeymoon Suite" for couples that get married in the chapel!  Craziness right!?

Looking back at everything from the chapel...

The chapel wasn't quite complete yet...but they still let us in, but only to view this floor (there are 2 or 3 OTHER floors, down below)...yes that back wall is glass to be able to see the beautiful view!  It was breathtaking, and nothing like I've ever seen before!

I think this outdoor area next to the infinity pool (that has doors that go directly inside) would make a fantastic reception area for guests after attending a wedding in the chapel!

We came back to Big Cedar before sunset...and noticed something was going on!--They had smores going for everybody!  They handed us the cutest little package of two graham crackers, a marshmallow, a Big Cedar chocolate bar and a wipe and we were good to go!<<--this another="" felt="" font="" i="" is="" isney="" it="" reason="" thought="" very="" world-ish="">

Somebody LOOOVES their smores!

I'm gonna try and get the rest of our trip up on the blog this week, so stay tuned!