Stroll down memory lane...

This is where it all started...where Tom proposed to me back on Aug 2, 2003. I love when he comes up with really sweet ideas and taking the girls back here after the aquarium is definitely one of them.  I'll never forget pulling up to this park and looking at a gazebo completely lit up with candles and roses scattered everywhere. I'll never forget how handsome Tom looked or how I about fainted when I saw the ring he put on my finger. Bringing our girls to this spot meant a lot to me...to see how far we've come from a newly engaged couple to where we are now...it's a beautiful thing. It's important for our girls to grow up and see their parents in love, being affectionate and to know we love them more than anything in the world. They'll have to endure seeing us hold hands, hug and kiss for a long, long time! (No matter how many times we have to hear Ella say "ewwww stopppp!" ;)  One day, I will want the same happiness for them as well.

I would have loved to have taken better pictures on the gazebo, but it's under construction. And for good reason...the whole thing looks like it could fall down at any moment! Sad:(

The area has since built a nice playground

Daddy's girls!

The pier there is gorgeous!

I love this shot of them!

Florida Aquarium

Venturing out with both girls is never easy no matter how many people there are to help. But for some reason, when Tom is with me, it just seems easier. He is definitely my more calm, patient half.  I actually ENJOY taking the girls places when he's around to help! The Aquarium was a lot of fun. The girls seemed to love it. Ella was certainly hesitant with anything alive that she could put her hand in a tank and pet. Needless to say, we didn't pet any sting rays that day. She barely touched the starfish before telling me "this is gross mom!" She completely takes after me with nature. We have a love/hate relationship for it. :) And as always, the girls didn't want to leave so in order to maintain their smiles, daddy bought them a few prizes from the gift shop. (Spoil much, Tom?)

Daddy...

...is way more fun than Mommy is.

What a saint Tom is for allowing Madeline to give him a pedicure. He was cleaning blue nail polish off for awhile.

Such a cute dad:)

Yeah, he wins. Mommy would never attempt this.

Busch Gardens

Gosh, it's been YEARS since I went to Busch Gardens. It was way before I had kids. As a matter of fact, I called my BFF Bridget and asked her if they still had the awesome dolphin show there. She laughed at me and said it's been closed for a long time. We decided to take advantage of the Hero Salute and spend a day at Busch Gardens for free. Thank you Anheuser-Busch for supporting the troops! We had a fun family day and the girls definitely didn't want to leave. Tom quickly silenced any whining with a trip to the gift shop and stuffed tigers for everyone 4 and under;) 

For my ADPi ladies:)

Anyone else sense a little trouble brewin' with those two driving a car one day? Yikes!

Soaked from the flume ride....Madeline not wanting to give up the popcorn even while sleeping...and then watching her big sister on a ride she was a tad bit too short for:(

Daddy goes back to Preschool

During the month of February in Ella's class some of the dads came in to talk about their careers. Of course Ella's dad was unavailable to discuss what he does at his job so the teachers invited him in during R&R to read a book to the class instead. He was dressed in his uniform and I believe the kids LOVED it. It's always cute to see "civilian" children in awe over a soldier. Ella has grown up looking at her daddy's uniform her whole life. But that's not the norm for the kids around here. Tom did a great job reading and interacting with Ella's class, but my favorite part of it all was the look of pride on Ella's face to have her daddy in her classroom. He's a total rockstar in her eyes. 

We were lucky enough to stay to listen to the "music" session of class:)

Happy birthday, My Love

My man turned 31 over the weekend. Has a whole year already passed since the last birthday post? Geeeez. I swear ever since kids came into the picture, time flies by. I wanted to make his birthday weekend extra special for him. One, I am just grateful he is home with us to celebrate it and two, I love his birthdays because that means he catches up to me in age:)

We kicked off the weekend with awesome seats at the Lightning game. I knew he wanted to go to a game while he was home and he loved how close we were to the ice. Luckily for us, the Lightning won in overtime so he left the game in a good mood!

The next day, we packed our bags for two nights away, sans kids, on St. Pete Beach.  Talk about R&R. I would like to say this was a gift just for my husband, but I think anyone who knows me...knows I needed this time away to ensure my sanity. We had a gorgeous hotel room that overlooked the water and I love that we didn't have to travel far to feel like we were on vacation. I think I pretended to be in the Caribbean all weekend. Between the sounds of the steel drums playing, the palm trees rustling in the wind and multiple frozen drinks in my hand, it wasn't too hard. We had a delicious birthday dinner at Salt Rock Grill. Seriously yummy. We spent some time at the tiki bar and lots of time on the beach, with drinks from the tiki bar;) The weekend was just what I had hoped for: relaxing, romantic and fun. The perfect way to celebrate the man I adore.

Our view

Tom said he only added sunscreen around his eyes to prevent wrinkles;)

Happy 31st birthday, my love. I do simply adore you. I love growing "young" with you and I can't wait for everything the next year has in store for us. You may be another year older, but to me, you're a fine wine and you only get better with age. Thank you for making all of my days sunny, turning my frowns upside down, and for being my glass half full. I am lucky to be your wife, your best friend and the mama of your babies. It may be your birthday, but I got the best gift...YOU. Love you always.

Lil' Golfing Girlies

Let me just bring us back to the year 2000. Tom picked me up for a date and he took me miniature golfing. I forewarned him that I was pretty good at it, but he wasn't scared. Well after I won (and by an embarrassing lead I might add)...he must have lost his mind. The next thing I know we are driving some bum from the parking lot to the ghetto. That's right my sweet daughters. Your daddy picked up a homeless man. I am surprised we survived that adventure. Tom has a very hard time telling anyone "no" obviously. We can laugh about it now, but only because we made it out alive.

Needless to say, when we took our kids mini-golfing for the first time together, I opted not to play. ;)

Clearly, Madeline is enjoying herself.

Is it possible for all three of them to look at the camera in unison? 

"Mine Ella!! Mine!"

Sometimes being the smallest really stinks:(

 Let the records show, Ella won the round of golf. And afterwards, instead of Tom being out of his mind from losing to his 4yr old, he treated us all to yummy root beer floats. I love having him home!

Park Date with Daddy!

I'm pretty sure Madeline was in her own little heaven having her daddy all to herself. She didn't have to share his time with her big sister and I really believe I was along for the ride to only take pictures. If my kids kicked me to the curb for anyone else, I might be offended. But because Madeline ignored me for her dad, I am completely ok with it. I need her to get to know him better. It's been a harder adjustment on her than anyone else having him home. She is still not 100% certain about what he's doing here and I am hoping before the two weeks are up, she's running into his arms and won't want to let go.

"C'mon daddy!"

Happiness...

...for me is watching the man I married make our girls smile and giggle like crazy. All while looking super hot;) 

They were putting on a fashion show for their daddy