Book rack

So Jennifer was laying there reading a book, and I had a thought. Women have it made. I've tried lying on my back reading a book but my arms get tired from holding the book up high enough to read. Women have an advantage because they don't just have a rack, it doubles as a book rack! (Hope you don't mind my warped sense of humor.)

Anyone for a good book?

I was reading a book to the kids the other day and Jennifer took this picture. Don't I look so comfy? On a side note, when we went to the library, the kids did not want to go, yet they each came out with books they couldn't wait to read or to have Scott read to them.

Taking advantage of the good things

The pool is the best part of our living arrangements. When we first showed up here, Mia wouldn't put her face in the water and Brody was barely swimming. Now Mia can make it the length of the pool, Brody and Kaleb both hang out in the deep end, diving the nine feet down to the bottom, and Emmi has started swimming across and back in one breath. It is amazing how much they have progressed.

The trip home

from preschool is only 0.75 miles, and Mia loves riding the bike. Well, this particular day the afternoon thunderstorms came a little early and caught us. Lucky for us, Jennifer was waiting to capture it on video for everyone to enjoy.

Back to School! :-)

Well, the time has finally arrived.....summer is over and school has begun again. Monday the 24th was the first day back to school for the kids. Jennifer has been anxiously awaiting this day. The three older go to school all day, and Mia has a three hour preschool every day. Enjoy the pictures from their first day back.

Emmi did not want to smile, so here is her sarcastic smile. (She takes after her mother!)


These handsome boys either are best friends or worst enemies, depending on the hour. Here they were friends.


Mia was extremely excited to be starting school. She was even happier it was every day (last year Jennifer participated in a preschool co-op which was only two days a week).

Our old daughter...

If you can believe it, is now 11 years old! I can't believe how quick it has gone. She is growing up so fast I don't know what to do. Stan and Ralph, you still haven't gotten back to me on good handguns. Sixteen is just around the corner.

The kids preparing to fatten themselves on the birthday dinner. Emmi requested Meatball Marinara subs and Frog-eye Salad. Jennifer did an awesome job as always.

As per her request, it was a Strawberry Jello cake if I'm not mistaken.

Random pics

The kids playing in the splash zone at the zoo.

Kaleb posing at the Zoo.

The family watching the Clyde and Semore show at SeaWorld.

Here is Jennifer and Mia in the front car of the Shamu Express at Sea World.



Our friends from Texas came to visit. The are climbing the palm tree in front of the house and eating the palm dates (look like apricotes).



Brody and Kaleb are preparing to ride the flying fiddler at Sea World.



Emmi and Courtney on the Flying Fiddler.



One of Mia's many drawings. I try to remember and take pictures before I throw them away.

What would you do for 25 cents?

Mia shaved Courtney's armpits! phew wee!

Thursday rain -

caught us a little unprepared. We went to Orlando on Wednesday to pick up Jennifer's cousin from the airport. We spent the night down there, went to SeaWorld Thursday, and had reservations for a magician/comedian dinner show. Well, we were headed to the car Thursday afternoon and decided we had time to go through one last exhibit. When we came out it was pouring rain. We had to walk the mile or so to the car...we were soaked, Jennifer was in a white shirt, we didn't have dry shoes to wear, nothing.

We did our best to change into dry clothes/pajamas in the car. Then we made a quick stop to buy some flip flops and a few other items so we would be dry again. We made it to the dinner show with time to spare and no one was the wiser.

The show was funny and entertaining. The dinner tickets were a combo deal which admitted us to all the exhibits. It was amazing, we spent a few hours walking around and playing (they are all interactive science/fun exhibits). We finally had to leave just because we still had to drive home, they don't close until midnight. You can read all about it at Wonder Works.

A hard day at work, going to the Bahamas...

On Friday I had a flight which was not a pilot training flight for me, it was a navigator training event (part of the crew of 13 on board). This is a great because I was not graded, I was able to sit back and fly.

We took off from Jacksonville, headed south along the eastern coast to West Palm Beach, then headed west out to the Bahamas. From there we turned north until we were able to fly west again to return to Jacksonville.

In case you didn't know, there are times where I really love my job.