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 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Being the Irish lass that I am (and German and English and God only knows what else from my dad's side of the family), I knew I wanted to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Originally, Tom and I were going to run a 5k that day (hey--they offer green beer at the finish line!), but we decided last minute not to run it just in case his flight home was delayed. And it was, so I am thankful I didn't have to wake up bright and early on his first morning home to exercise. Instead, I loved being able to go somewhere as a complete family for the first time in a long time. We headed to Curtis Hixon Park to watch them dye the river green and to listen to live Irish music. If I'm being honest, it wasn't even that much fun (It was hot. I was sweating. Ella wasn't feeling well), but to look next to me and know I have Tom home, I was perfectly content. 

Lil' Leprechaun 

Sweaty messes. 

Wrapped...

around his finger already...

It's safe to say the girls have missed their daddy. Although from the looks of it, Madeline really just wanted him home so she could have some of those Peeps;)

Home.

My heart is home...the girls have their daddy back. I have my husband back. I feel like for the first time in 8.5 months I am breathing again. Simply put: Life is good. We are very ready to enjoy the next two weeks of rest and relaxation. I think we deserve it.

I think our smiles say it all.

It's almost time...

for Daddy to be home! We are just a day away from having him home in our arms and enjoying two blissful weeks. We've been busy making signs for the airport and gathering a few of his favorite things to welcome him home with. It's been a very long 8.5 months without him and the anticipation of seeing him again is almost overwhelming. This is the longest we have ever been away from each other at one time and I'm full of nerves. Excited, anxious, worried (I hate all that traveling he has to do!), but more than anything I am just a plain ole happy girl knowing the day we've been waiting for is right around the corner. 

A few of his favorite things...besides us of course;)

Sign making party! 

Deep in concentration:)

Working hard? Or hardly working? 

One of the final signs

Can't wait to see you my love!