Happy Trails!

This picture sums up the level of success I had trying to maintain control over toddler antics...

After her first retirement and eleven years, my mom has retired again!  This time, it's the real deal.

My mom spent eleven years at Holy Trinity Parish Preschool.

It became her family.  The board celebrated my mom's vivacious personality.  While this seems a given, as my mama is one of the most creative, forward thinking people I have been blessed to meet, this has not always been the case, neither professionally nor personally.  My mom is bigger than life, and lots of people can find that overwhelming.

Not HTPPS!

While my mom accomplished a lot at HTPPS, her biggest contribution has to be the garden.  With the slogan, "Children Grow HERE," the school built a massive garden and incorporated an extensive gardening curriculum.

Alexander and I were excited to drive up for the party held in Gammie's honor.

While I was embarrassed by Potatoes's antics during the party, luckily everyone there has a solid understanding of crazy toddler life, so I don't think we bothered anyone.

He ran around the party, yelling, "Where's my Gammie?!  Where's my Gammie?!"

He insisted on being in pictures with her.

When the priest was offering a beautiful description of all that my mom has done for the school, Potatoes kept yelling, "They're talking about me! They're talking about me!"

He insisted that the cake be cut.

I was very happy when Uncle Craig and Aunt Heidi arrived!  Not only did they bring him a CAT dump truck, he was also thrilled to see someone else he knew and immediately attached himself to them, giving Gammie a chance to mingle with all her guests.

This gave me a chance to see lots of people I haven't seen for a long time.

Bev, who was there the day I was born, came and we got to catch up quite a bit!  My mom's friend, Sallie, who worked with her at Pinckneyville (her first retirement)

 surprised my mom by coming!  I also got to see Beth, Richard and Sara.  Sara was my student when I taught pre-k at HTPPS.  She is a gorgeous teenager now!

I got to see most of the Hyde crew as well, including meeting Natola's new baby, and seeing Nimron and Tasanya for the first time in years.  The Hydes make gorgeous kiddos!

As a final gift, the school built Kay's Corner in the garden!

It is a beautiful corner, made perfectly for my mom to come back and share her fabulous storytelling skills.  The toadstools were the perfect touch.

Even Zoey is captivated by Gammie's stories!

We had a blast at the retirement party.  We then headed home for a few days for a couple work appointments and to try to get back in routine.  After a few days at home, the whole Martin crew loaded up and headed back to Atlanta.

I'll post about that soon!

We love you, Gammie!!!

A Very Happy Anniversary

Five years ago, after ten years of waiting, ehem, I mean dating, I finally got to walk down the aisle and marry my favorite person.  Daniel, you are still my favorite.

Best picture ever!

We celebrated with a fun night out at Boshamps with delicious food and then went to the Salty Duck to play games and watch hockey.

I beat Daniel at shuffle board with no handicap!!

It was certainly not a traditional five year anniversary date, but we have never been normal.  We were laughing the whole time (until the Caps lost in a game where they dominated).  Good music on the jukebox, good games, good company.

Here's to many more!

Photo Drop

We enjoyed our short spring immensely!  So much so, I barely paused for a blog update.  As we take a break from the ever intensifying heat, I wanted to do a quick photo drop of our Martin Mayhem, ehem, I mean Memories

Construction Junction

 

His favorite is still the excavator.  He even got to pull it up and drop it back down at this awesome event put on by the community

Getting ready for when he gets to drive Grandpa's race car

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Yacht Club

After the sale of the empty lot on our road and with construction looming, we decided to finally join the yacht club that is two doors down from us so we can guarantee a water view and water access.

Papa is especially thrilled for an easy access for his sail boat.  He wowed the local yachties with his keen skills.

All joking aside, he had multiple great days of sailing!

We put my dad to work on a few things while he was here...

But let him relax in his role as Papa too!

We went to see the planes by the base gate.  Now every morning when we drive in to his new in-home care, Potatoes says, "I go see planes and helicopters with Papa and Zoey!"

The Yacht Club hosted a fun Derby Day

The mint juleps were so strong we could not drink them, but they made for a nice photo!

Our Cinco de Mayo celebrations looks a bit different than they did a few years ago!

Squadron Beach Bash!

Swinging like airplanes with Lucy

Work Fun

We work hard and play hard.  I got to go out on the Solaris boat cruise with our work family... spouses and kids not invited.  Good times!

Using Aunt Heidi as a jungle gym

Oh, and I got a new car!  After eleven years in the Camry, we decided it was time for an upgrade, both for the family and for my job.  After a lot of searching, we decided on a Certified Pre-Owned Acura MDX.

Still can't believe how fancy it is!

That's one of Potatoes's new phrases... "oooh, fancy!"

The whole family loves it!

Fun with daddy

I am well aware that my little guy loves me, but his daddy is his everything.  We watched Brave for the first time last night.  At the end, when it looked like the queen was going to be cursed to remain a bear, Xander hugs me and says, "Aww, she loves her mommy so much."  I said, "Yes, she does!  Who else loves their mommy so much?"  Long pause..... "I love daddy so much!"

That's what I get for fishing....