Spring Break

We had the BEST spring break! We hadn't been back to SWFL since Hurricane Ian, and it couldn't have been a better week - beautiful weather, relaxation, and people we love.

We spent a great beach day at Lover's Key, which - like so many other places - has changed since the storm, but was gorgeous as ever. I found a tiny but whole sand dollar!

Soaking it in ...

The water was cool but felt great in the heat.

Our full beach day called for pizza and laughs at Paradise Pizza!

We spent a fun afternoon at Pop Stroke!

Grandma and Emma both had a hole in one!

Grandpa and Sara did not ... but still had a great time.

There was also ping pong, ice cream, cold bevs, and good food!

We spent a day at Ft. Myers Beach ... so different than it was pre-Ian, but full of people, which was good to see. Emma talked me into parasailing with her. I hadn't been in nearly 30 years!

Up, up, and away ...

Not gonna lie ... I didn't love every moment from this height. But I hung on tight and Emma kept me laughing!

The dip was my favorite part!

There are a handful of bars and shops open at FMB, so we hit those up for cocktails and souvenirs. It's sad that so many places in the area will never be the same, but also promising to see that they are all working to revive.

We were so excited when Melissa, Adam, and Cal arrived. These cousins were so happy to see each other!

Loved the pool time with my sister. We caught up on all the things.

We also took in a spring training game to see the Twins play the Red Sox. The Twins were at their home stadium in the middle of one of our beach afternoons, so we opted for a night game at the Red Sox stadium.

We had awesome seats right at the end of the first base line. Emma waited all night to either catch a foul or to recieve a toss from the right fielder.

Quality time with Sara, whose main goal was to come home tan (mission accomplished).

Near the end of the game, Emma's wish came true and the right fielder tossed her the ball he'd caught. We all had our hands up as it came in our direction; bounced off Grandpa and started to roll down the outside of the wall, but Emma reached over and grabbed it. She was thrilled! Earlier in the night she had purchased a ball, so she gave that one to Cal and he was thrilled, too!

It was a great night with all of my favorites.

And it was an even better week with my family. We were so needing to get away and unplug ... we did, and it was awesome!

Our flight home was a bit delayed, so we got in very late Saturday night. However, the night wasn't without celebration as we watched our Cyclones win the Big XII Championship as we were stepping onto the plane. Sunday was busy with getting our lives back in order, and we started the week tired ... the best kind of sun-soaked, memories-made, very-good tired!

playing catch up!

My last post was about winter break, and now we're getting ready to head out of town for spring break! The last several weeks have been super busy and more than a healthy amount of stressful. I am so glad to have arrived at a break that we all need.

It was a lower-key winter for us from a weather standpoint ... just one snow day. We didn't have a ton of snow, but of course it was icy and cold, and just enough for a day off in January!

Also in January, I was excited to be introduced at the Board meeting in my new district. While I'm still sad to leave Plano after so many years, several events over the past couple of months have solidified for me that moving on is the right decision. 

We followed up the Board meeting with some wings! It's hard to get these two to sit together or agree to smile, but they were agreeable on this night, I guess.

The Cyclones have had an awesome basketball season, and we were excited to go see them play in Ft. Worth. It was especially fun to get the win on the road ... we hadn't seen a win at TCU in several years!

Emma played indoor soccer and basketball this winter. Those seasons have now wrapped and we're a couple of weeks into outdoor soccer and softball.

She's also become a super reliable KDAF host and crew member. Most 5th graders particpate in KDAF throughout the the year, but apparently when someone is absent or doesn't show up, the teachers grab Emma to do it because they know she'll do a great job on the fly. I love that they send these pictures!

Emma and several of her friends were invited to the Bluebonett breakfast last month. They had to have read a certain numbers of this year's Bluebonnet Award winning books in order to attend.

Emma also had her last class Valentine's party. This year, she didn't make a box, but opted to collect her treats in a lulu bag.

Sara's team had a fun winter cheering for basketball. Now they are gearing up for tryouts, which will take place right after spring break. Sara has been going to extra tumbling and open gym sessions. I really love her commitment!

This winter she also interviewed for, and was accepted into, PALs for next year. It's a leadership course she took in 8th grade and can take again in 10th. She also applied for a new job that she'll be starting soon at Handel's ice cream!

This past week was Emma's final elementary open house. The 5th graders performed an Indian dance before we visited their classrooms. Emma is a hard worker and a leader at school!

Today the girls got their nails done - spring break prep! 

Tomorrow will be laundry and packing, and Monday is our flight to Florida. I cannot wait!

Winter Break

Our winter break has been AWESOME! School got out on the 21st, so Christmas was near the start of our break, which means we've had lots of down time after the holidays. We didn't travel this year for the holidays. Instead, we enjoyed quiet time at home with lots of catching up on resting and just being together that we desperately needed after a busy fall semester. 

Sara modeled her cozy new gear sold by the cheer booster club for social media. The girls have worked hard this year to rebuild the booster club's bank account, which had been left depleted by former coaches/parents. Looking forward to seeing them cheer again soon at basketball games! 

The last day of the semester was a 1/2 day. Emma got home and jumped right into food prep! She made some delicious chex mix and gingerbread cookie dough. Cookie decorating took place the following day, in time for guests and Santa.

I had to snap a photo of the house all lit up. We are definitely Team Colored Lights here!

On Christmas Eve, we had a few friends and neighbors over for appetizers and the Cowboys game. It was a great time! Here's the ONE photo we managed ... not our best effort.

Christmas morning was exciting, as always. I didn't do well taking pictures then, either, but Santa was good to everyone.

We received a new air fryer from G&G, so Emma launched into trying a donut recipe. Yum!

Christmas was a lot for Jim. Company, presents, food ... this guy was worn out!

Sara has practiced lots of driving over the break, and she's doing a great job! We've moved on from empty parking lots to neighborhood streets, side roads, and backing out of the garage.

Steve, Emma, and I met up with our DFW Cyclones to watch the bowl game. It wasn't a win, but we had a good time.

This image made me laugh ... tell me you're at a game watch with Iowans without telling me ...

New Year's Eve was probably one of my favorite nights of the break. We had a delicious dinner at one of our favorite spots, LaHa, and then spent the chilly evening outside with the solo stove burning.

It was a great night for the fire and watching the ball drop, and I was thankful for this celebratory night at home with my family.

On New Year's Day, I made a new black-eyed pea recipe. It was super good and I'm sure will bring us lots of luck in the new year!

Outside of the big festivities, we were busy with lots of little things. I did a major cleanout of several closets, resulting in filling up our trash can and making two big Goodwill runs. It felt like such a literal weight off! We ate out at our favorite spots, Steve and I enjoyed several day dates, and we did some shopping. Emma and friends scored a pickleball net from some people at the park, Sara had plenty of social time, and Steve and I joined a new gym just down the road from the old one. I spent a little time at my new school, and will continue to spend some time there this spring in preparation for next year. We slept in, watched movies, read books, and just soaked up all of the break. It couldn't have been better! 

Merry Christmas!

Fifteen (Sara's Version)

Sara turned 15 and, after all these years, I didn't have a birthday post ready to go on her birthday. I completely forgot (about the post, not her birthday) ... I can't believe it. Just the story of our lives these days, but here it is, better late than never.

We started December 11, 2023, at the DMV where Sara obtained her driver's permit. Next up is the big task of getting her behind the wheel, which Steve and I will start doing over winter break. Sara headed to school after her DMV appointment, her beloved Starbucks in hand.

At Fifteen (Sara's Version), Sara has adjusted to life as a high schooler. She loves being on the cheer team ... and she's really good at it. So fun to watch! While she's met her match with some of her courses this year, she's learning valuable lessons, working hard, and achieving.

Her favorite people are her friends, with whom she spends most of her free time. Whether it's at the mall, the movies, or just hanging out, she has some amazing young people in her life and loves spending time with them. It's a gift to watch her navigate and grow meaningful relationships, some of which I know will last into adulthood for her.

Sara Noel, at Fifteen (SV), is smart, beautiful, funny, sometimes moody, full of life and personality. We could not be more proud of this wonderful young lady, and we're excited to see all the big and little things this year holds for her!