Roller Derby

Last Saturday night I was invited to go rollerskating...yes ROLLERSKATING...with some friends in Ft. Myers. These are the same friends that I used to go rollerskating with when I was in middle school. And I probably haven't been skating since. It was Tash and Amanda's birthdays and this is how they wanted to celebrate. (maybe Amanda more than Tash!) We packed all 8 of us in my mommy-mobile/mini-van and headed north. Of course we stopped at Bar Louie first because lets face it...who can skate completely sober??!! A drink may help the fall not feel so hard. We all enjoyed one drink and some appetizers and got the courage to get back in the van and head up to the rink. Just opening the door to the rink and smelling old pizza and smelly skates brought back all the memories of adolescence again. LOL We were relieved to see that we weren't the oldest people there; the most normal but not the oldest.

Shannon and Amanda were pros and looked like they've been skating all of their lives and together. They actually skated in sync with another and even bopped to the music at the same time. It was so cute; well not so cute as they lapped us casual skaters trying not to fall. We had this one little kid who kept cutting us off and falling in front of us the whole night! They made him get off the rink at one point. I mean skating and not falling is pretty hard; throw in obstacles like a falling kid and it's even harder.

We had such a great night and ended with a very late dinner at Carrabbas. It was great to meet new friends through old friends and everyone really had a nice time together. Happy Birthday Tash and Amanda and thanks again for inviting me to a very...interesting....and fun night! xoxo

We mingled at Tash's house before heading up to the rink.

(Side note: Tash just painted that room the day before -

I love that pretty blue color, especially with all that light coming in.)

Six of the girls crammed in the back of the van. By the way, see how
energetic everyone was BEFORE we went skating??

These are the girls that I spent most of my days and nights

with in middle school. Tash and I were inseparable!

Our late dinner at Carrabbas; everyone was totally wiped out!

Tash, Amanda and Shannon - The Three Amigos!

Who Could???

Who could give this cute little girl the grade of an 'F'?! She's so cute, that can't be...

All lotioned up for the waterpark!

Showing off her teeth!

Her daddy must be mistaken when he gave her an 'F' for Monday's behavior. LOL When Andy comes home from work and the dining room chairs are stacked on top of the table and on top of our bed; he never questions why. He knows why...we have the most energetic and trouble making 18 month ever! And we love her and wouldn't ever change her. We just love when she goes to bed at 7:15 so we can relax from chasing her!

Daddy's grades today...Lexi/Fafee was a busy baby!!

Congrats Heather & BJ!! They had a beautiful, healthy girl this morning...Madilyn Grace Fischer.

Enjoying the Beach with Friends

A few weekends ago Devin, Lexi and I were lucky enough to be invited to the Barefoot Beach Club at Lely Barefoot Beach by Kelly and her mother Hilda. We met up with Kelly, Brennan, Hilda, Tesa, and Blake. The kids and the moms had a wonderful time. Kelly has invited us again next weekend and I can't wait! Hopefully Andy can come this time. I know I've mentioned this before but beach clubs are AWESOME! I packed a bag of sand toys and water toys and sunscreen; the beach club provided everything else. I'm getting spoiled and I love it!

Oh and a quick side note...our beaches are beautiful and oil/tar is NOT present. It's business as usual at the Southwest Florida Beaches!

Here are some pictures of our fun day at the beach with our besties!

Enjoying the view with my favorite little ones.

Devin had a blast with the water gun!

Brennan and Blake enjoying the shade!

Brennan in his wetsuit, so cute!

Lexi is NEVER still...reminds me of someone else!

Moms and babes enjoying the waves.

Devin must have played with that truck for hours.

Lunch break...Did I mention they bring lunch

and drinks directly to you?!

Brennan practicing surfing on a lawn chair...that seems safe!

Thanks to Kelly and Hilda for hosting such an enjoyable and fun day by all. Can't wait for next weekend. :-)

Saturday with the Beckman Girls

Saturday mornings usually start early. Andy leaves for work around 6:40 a.m. and either the kids or the dogs will begin stirring shortly after. (its usually Sterling trying to bust out of her crate!) While the kids were watching cartoons munching on eggo waffles and bananas and I was drinking coffee contemplating on where to start with the house cleaning; I got a text message from Joanne to call her. When I called her she asked me what were we going to do together today? We discussed going to the beach, the water park, the pool, Target...we couldn't decide. I didn't care...I just wanted to get out the house and let the kids get some fresh air! I packed a bag full of beach/pool amenities and a regular diaper bag too. I figured we'd jump in the van and head to Joanne's and figure out our destination(s) together. And we did just that...We put Miah Jane's car seat in the van and off we went! First we headed to every one's favorite place (come one, admit it!) Target. I bought the kids their first pairs of flip flops; they have such cute ones there. After nearly an hour there we decided to hit up Waterside Shops. I haven't been there in a very long time (shopping in general has been absent from my routine) and I knew Devin would love the fountains there. Even though it was 97 degrees outside, Waterside is not that hot and again, it was just nice to get some fresh air. I was very proud of myself, with the help of Brennan's grandma Danielle, I spent $20 at Gap Kids and got 2 dresses and 2 shirts! Their sale is on through Monday; you have to check it out...Gap and Gap Kids! I pushed the kids to their limits and way past nap times but we were having such a nice time. We even managed to all five sit down at Silver Spoon for lunch before heading home. Even though Lexi was throwing crayons and cars around and Devin wouldn't keep his hands out of my water glass (he was trying to get my lemons out of my cup!) it was nice to sit with my best friend and our kids and have lunch. The craziness and insanity with the kids is always going to be there, even when they're older. It's awesome that they're going to grow up together and we will experience all of the craziness and happiness together. They're going to grow up going to the beach together, going out to lunch and dinner, hanging out and playing when the adults get together, sleep overs when they're older, etc. I'm very excited that our kids will share what Joanne and I experienced growing up...FRIENDSHIP that will last forever! :-)

Here are some cell phone shots of the girls goofing off in their highchairs.

This little munchkin' is one of the cutest babies ever!

That look is Lexi's...I didn't do anything wrong look!

CHEESE!

You would never guess that it was 2 hrs past nap time and that these two girls were T-I-R-E-D! They had so much fun trying to get every one's attention. We had so much fun shopping, having lunch and strolling through Waterside catching up and people watching. Can't wait to do this again...and soon I hope!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the world! We're sorry you have to work today but can't wait to spend the evening with you. We love you!

Video...Take One...Devin forgot what holiday it was!

Video...Take Two...Better

Video...Take Three...Lexi wants to join in!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads; especially our dads and the best grandfathers in world! We love you so much and wouldn't be here without all of your love and support. Thank you for being great role models in our lives and our children's lives. xoxo

Before and After

I swear Devin gets his hair cut a lot. In fact Andy takes him every time he gets his hair cut. You would never know we have his hair cut so often because it between cuts, it looks like this:

Then Miss Tori comes to the rescue and tames his 'fro once again. She even sits on the floor and cuts his hair as he is playing with Lincoln Logs or cars, etc. This past time she used a lolly pop to keep him still. She has a son Devin's age so she knows how wiggly and vocal a two year old boy can be. She manages to do a great job every time...I don't know how she does it!

I asked to keep it short on the sides but longer on top. Now that it's super humid and hot his curls are so, well, curly! Thank you Miss Tori, you've got your hands full with this toddler, I know.

Just dropped the kids off

Just dropped the kids off at Grandma Debbie's. Our weekend get-a-way has officially begun! :D

Play Date at The Ranch

I'm very behind in posting these pictures but with two toddlers and a full time job...who can blame me! A few weeks ago The Schaps Gang were all invited out to the Brewer Ranch. We always have fun out there! There are always lots of things for the kids to do both inside and outside. Unfortunately it's getting too hot and soon there will be too many mosquitoes to enjoy the things outside. Brennan was such a gracious host and let Devin and Lexi play with all his toys. Kelly made us adults a delicious dinner (as always) and the kids chicken nuggets and french fries...mmmm!

The Kids Table...I'm sure Lexi was up on top of the table soon after this picture.

Devin and Christian cruising on the gunk gunk, aka four wheeler. Readers relax, Christian went maybe 2-3 miles an hour in a circle in the backyard. No two year olds were harmed while visiting the Brewer Ranch!

Smooch and Lilah playing with us in the backyard.

Lexi and Christian on the four wheeler...for about three seconds; Lexi no likey!

Brennan and Daddy taking a short ride together.

We had so much fun; we love our play dates. The kids can play and the parents can catch up and enjoy real, adult talk. Thank you Kelly, Christian and Brennan for hosting such a fun play date. We love you guys! :)

Beach Bums

On Memorial Day Devin, Lexi and I were invited by Joanne and Miah Jane to go to the Pelican Bay Beach Club. What fun we had! All three kids really love both the sand and the water and were all well behaved. I even managed to sit down for a bit. Lexi only tried to drown herself once; it was a very calm day. LOL We hope to make it to the beach at least a couple times a month this summer. In fact we have a beach date with Kelly and Brennan tomorrow at another beach club. This is the way to visit the beach when you have kids. They provide towels, chairs, umbrellas, not to mention they can bring you food and drinks too. I don't have to pack a suit case when going to the beach...just two gigantic bags instead.

They loved sitting in the chairs in the water. Devin's so relaxed!

She's a HAM! (she preferred the shade) MJ in her adorable Watermelon suit!

Devin and MJ checking out the waves together.

She looks so natural...beach bum! Lexi enjoying the shade...and drinking all the water!

Lexi bringing me water from her shovel...thanks Lexi! And Miss Miah Jane thought we were at a photo shoot...what a cutie pie!

The best part about the beach is EARLY BED TIME FOR ALL! We love what the sun and water do to our children. They sleep like champs after a day at the beach or pool. And so does mommy! :)

BIG NEWS!!

We got a call last night from Andy's brother Nate and he and Cristina are engaged!!! He took her to Vegas this week for a relaxing get-a-way and had the room all decked out with candles and champagne and proposed immediately. We are so happy and excited for the both of them! No more Miss Cristina...soon it will be Aunt Cristina. :) Congratulations!

Funny thing is Cristina was beginning to get a bit antsy because they've been together for a few years. She has absolutely NO IDEA how long I had to wait. She had to wait a 1/3 of the time that I waited. She's a very lucky girl! LOL Obviously Nate is extremely lucky to have her in his life and we are so happy she'll officially (because she already is) be a part of our family.

Love you guys!