Kayaking at Shingle Creek and Caught the Bug...

We are having so much fun with our new hobby...Kayaking! 

So much so that we went and purchased 2 new to us Kayaks off of Craigslist. We caught the Kayaking bug after Kayaking at Shingle Creek with the kids last month,  We enjoyed it so much!

We then took them out for the first time across the lake that we live by , no kids and not 1 alligator was seen! It was a great time spent with my Hubby but I did learn that I need to take some time and study all of the different paddle strokes and which ones work best in choppy waters. 

Next we need to purchase an actual kit for loading the kayaks on top of the car , right now we are using pool noodles but hey it works! 

Enjoying every moment outside but can't wait for cooler temps! 

Spring Break 2014

So Spring Break 2014 has started with a trip to our local Barnes and Nobles where we let the kids pick out 1 new book to start reading.

Crystal~Sky on Fire

Abby~Wings of Fire

Tank~Jungle of Bones

After the bookstore we drove over to Melbourne Beach for some quick beach time even though we were not really dressed for the beach, sometimes ya just have to go with the flow and have Fun!

In the car and waiting to gas up

Soaked and Happy

So tomorrow is Monday and the kids have the whole week off , gotta make fun plans!

What do You typically plan on Spring Break?

November-Month in Review

Thanksgiving has come and gone, It was a nice day with Family and good Food! 

We watched a few movies and relaxed. The kids spent a lot of time at the Barn riding. 

So now it's December and we have lots to look forward to. What special  activities are you looking forward too?

This is our table with the hand-made name place holders that Tank proudly made. I did get a few pics of our Turkey and those are on my facebook page. 

As I think on it, this month flew by with kids in school and just regular random day-to-day stuff. I have to say I'm glad because I have a feeling December will not be so slow!

Summers and Broken Bones

So we went to Delaware on a working vacation with Richard for a week. It was so nice and we got to swim every day in the Hotel pool and walk on the Trails since the Hotel butts right up against a national forest. I took many pics and posted them on my facebook. After Richard was done and we had extra time we drove back to Lancaster OH to see friends and family, We even stopped by our old house which is still up for sale..so sad. I can't even begin to tell ya'll our emotions and thoughts on this situation, It's just an never-ending chapter in our lives, We may never be done with it.

So every Summer since moving we have been able to get Crystal to her BFs in OH. Since we were there we dropped her off and got her a plane ticket to fly back home in 2 weeks, she is 14 now and it's a straight flight, no stops..We've been thru this before with no complications. Only this Summer both girls are older and "feeling their oates" as my Grandma would say...

One week Crystal's BF broke her finger while riding her horse, trip to ER and then an Orthopedic DR..She will be fine, finger will "set" and then a few days go by...

Last week there with them (last week) Crystal falls off horse and breaks her collarbone in 2 places, trip to ER with many phone calls home asking if Hospital has permission to treat ect., sling for 6 weeks and no Horseback riding for 3 months. A visit to the Orthopedic DR while in OH to get letter stating that she is fine to fly home..Maybe PT in her future but that depends on how well her 2 fractures heal and knit back together.

This is our first broken Anything in the family and I'm hoping the last for many months, but with Lil Richard climbing trees, who's to say...

We have 2 more weeks till school starts, this is the most craziest Summer we've ever had! I'm not sure how Crystal is going to do the first couple of weeks in School, this is her writing hand in the sling, Good luck there girl!

This Mom needs a glass of Wine!

Exploring Ham

My Husband has had his Ham Radio License for some time now and today he finished his "Go Kit". Throw it in the back of his truck, head for the woods and throw a line up a tree and talk to people from all over. Just tonight in our backyard alone we talked to a gentleman across the pond, as they say!

As for house hunting we have put it on hold since Husband has to travel for work in July and we do keep getting disappointed in every house we look at. 

Husband had a nice Father's Day, he finished his project and I cooked a big dinner and we just relaxed outside, the simple relaxing day was good for us.

Have a Great Week my Friends!

Wrapping Up...

We are busy wrapping up the last 2 days of school here.

Crystal has received 2 awards, 

most improved in MATH

most improved in ENGLISH

It was a complete surprise since we knew she was struggling so much and we had many a late night working with her on these subjects.

We are so Proud of her!!

The other 2 kids sadly have to be retained due to low Reading scores, My Husband and I blame it on the FL FCAT tests and am looking for school options for next year. If we can help it they will not be going back to that school next year. It has been a weekly struggle with both their teachers this year.

We are excited for Summer and fresh starts next year!

Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge Day Trip

Yesterday we met my Sister and her family out at DeLand's Lake Woodruff Wild life Refuge where we walked for about 2 hours.

We saw a tiny snake that my Sister was brave enough to hold but I passed on..lol..

We did see a 5 ft alligator that was sunning itself across the bank and he kept an watchful eye on us but never moved, Thank Goodness..lol   The above pic is NOT the guy we saw though, he is from the webpage.

You can read more about the Wildlife Refuge below or google it. We plan on going back next weekend, it's free to park/walk and the kids love to see what pops around every corner.

The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located in north central Florida, twenty-five miles west of Daytona Beach, off U.S. Highway 17 in DeLeon Springs.

The Lake Woodruff Wilderness Area is part of the refuge, and consists of 1,066 acres (4.31 km²) or 4.9% of its total area. It lies along the western boundary, between Honey Creek and the St. Johns River. On the river's other side is the Alexander Springs Wilderness Area.

Christmas Re-Cap

Christmas was a very nice time here at the Graves Household, both G'mas came over along with my sister and even though there were moments of drama mixed in, the kids had a great time. I decided to not film them opening their presents this year like I have done last year because I got some very rude comments about how we had not given the oldest daughter enough presents..I'm not going to even acknowledge them since my oldest daughter is very happy!

We went over to my Step-Sister's and helped her bake/frost cookies and we had a blast!

We ate and ate and today I'm happy that Husband bought me a new bike so we can step up our riding this year! I'm having a great time riding with Husband, great excercise and we get to spend time together outside, something I have missed since moving from the farm.

On Christmas day my Scentsy lightbulb blew out and I bought a Wal-Mart Limited Edition Peppermint candle and we were so disappointed in the scent throw of this candle, even being in the same room with it and we could hardly smell it. What are your fav. store bought candles? I can't always run to BBW for their Slatkin candles or Yankee Candle store.

I leave you with a few pics that I was able to grab with my Iphone as the kids were grabbing seconds of Christmas dinner and one of us at my Step-Sisters frosting cookies.

Disney Pic and a Video

Here is a pic from our Disney trip and a rather long (about 7 mins) video of the kids on some rides. It's a Small World was my Fav. and to see the younger 2 reactions and looks on their faces is just priceless!!

We had so much fun and the kids are STILL talking about it!!