Monday, June 29, 2015

Ferry Memories

After posting the pictures yesterday of our time on the ferry - I was reminded of the last time Jaxen was on a ferry…

May 2013 - Family Vacation to Galveston TX


I should have re-created the above picture!

And just because I found this while searching for the above pics…


Ha ha!
So stinking cute!

And now…after finding the above pictures…I was reminded of the very first time Nik and I were on a ferry…

October 2010 - Seattle WA

Sorry for the poor quality of pictures…it was easier of me to take a picture of my pictures 
in my photo book, than to find the originals on the computer!


The ferry took us from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.
It was one of my favorite parts of that amazing vacation.


I think I am now done with all my “Ferry Memories”!



Sunday, June 28, 2015

Birthday Fun Day!

My Birthday has come and gone…

but I have some great memories (and pictures) to capture celebrating my “34th”!

Friday morning we slept until we woke up and took our time getting out the door.
After a quick trip to the bank to pick up Jaxen’s Birth Certificate and cash 
we headed 45 minutes to Cape Vincent.

Here is a map to show you where we went:

Once we arrived in Cape Vincent and made our way to the ferry dock, we had a bit of time to kill.
So we wondered around on the boat docks….throwing rocks in the water and taking a few pics.

My little family - ready for my birthday adventure!

Jaxen would not let me take a picture by himself - so Nik joined in.

Once the (very small) ferry arrived, we loaded up our car and were able
to get out and walk around while on our way to Wolfe Island.

This little cutie enjoyed being on the “boat”!

Wolfe Island did not have much to offer.
Once we arrived we went through a customs check point.
All we needed was our Enhanced Drivers License and Birth Certificate (for Jaxen) 
and they let us in Canada!


Wolfe Island is known for their windmills.
But being from Texas, and driving by the massive windmill farms in West Texas,
these looked like their babies.

Sorry, Cape Vincent, in this case - everything is bigger in Texas!

So we drove 17 miles across the island (hoping for something exciting to catch our attention);
parked our car; and waited for the ferry to take us (as walk-ons) to Kingston.

This ferry was a bit bigger.

Again, to kill time, Jaxen threw rocks in the water (see his hands below).

Jaxen was a little hyper-active (as in, would not stay in one place) on the “boat” 
but loved every second of it!

Bye-by Wolfe Island, sailboats and windmills….

Hello Kingston, Canada!

You can tell from the pics…it was a beautiful day!
High 70’s. Perfect adventure weather!

Once we landed in Kingston we headed towards Downtown -
I was looking at the beautiful buildings (right in pic below) and Nik spotted the Street Vendors (left). 

After a “snack” we watched Jaxen for way too long chase this particular duck all over this pond.
It was pretty funny - it was as if the duck knew Jaxen was running wherever it went
and so the duck kept changing directions…and Jaxen just followed suite. 
Screaming and laughing the entire time!





Once Jaxen realized he could actually touch the water…we kept moving along.

We had no idea what to really do in Kingston, so we just walked the downtown.
It was pretty fun!
I found a place I wanted to eat lunch.
Guess what it was?
If you know me well, you probably guessed a hamburger joint. Correct!
Nik thought I was a bit crazy for wanting a hamburger when we were in Canada
and could eat a variety of things.
But a girl wants - what a girl wants.
And since I have been on my diet, I do not get hamburgers very often.
So I found a local place and enjoyed every bite of my lunch!

We explored the Downtown a bit more…
stopping at a local coffee/tea place; a candy store for Jaxen; and gelato to top the day off!


As Nik was finishing his gelato, we parked ourselves under a tree in a beautiful park
overlooking the water and all the boats.


I think this is my favorite picture of the day (below):

After that - we decided to leave. 
Back on the ferry we went….

Good-bye Kingston!

Good-bye Wolfe Island and the windmills!

This boy was tuckered out! 
We took the stroller so he did not have to walk as much, and I’m so glad we did.
Kingston was really busy - lots of people and lots of traffic!

After we arrived home; and after Jaxen went to bed; Nik and I rented a movie.
The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Seriously our day was so nice and relaxing.
I had the best time going somewhere new, and just being with my family.
Since we were in “International Zone” our phones didn’t even work.
Which was a nice break as well :)


**********

The following day (Saturday - my actual birthday) I had a cleaning job.
So I worked from 7:30-4:30.
But when I got home (and after a quick shower) Nik treated me to dinner
and took me shopping so I could get a new purse!

IT WAS A GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

It’s almost my birthday….

Saturday is my actual birthday…but I’m celebrating tomorrow!!!!

When Nik handed me the mail tonight and I received two birthday cards (thanks mom and mamaw!) it finally clicked that my birthday was in two days. Seriously, these last two years my birthday has snuck up on me. I blame Jaxen. Ha ha.

I didn’t totally forget….I just hadn’t planned things as early as I normally do.

A few days ago, I texted Nik to see if we could get out of town on Friday, for my birthday. He said yes. Here is the rest:


Yup. All I ask of my husband (for my birthday) is that he let me plan whatever I want (within reason, of course) and he just goes along with it. Whether that be a party, or a gift or in the case of this year…a day of exploring!

So here is what all I have planned for my birthday…

1 - A birthday dinner with friends. This one didn’t really pan out…everyone was really busy this week. Hoping for next week though!

2 - A Date with my husband. Wednesday night (we did not have church) I paid a babysitter and we went to play tennis and eat at Chipotle. A perfect date!


3 - A day of exploring. I am (about to start) planning our day tomorrow. All I know is I want to go to Canada. I’m thinking of taking a ferry ride there, with a short stop to explore an island along the way.

4 - A massage. This has not been scheduled yet, but will be soon! 

5 - Shopping. Just for a few things!

Sounds great, huh?!

I’m excited for my birthday. Not so much my age. I will be turning 34. Not bad…but I’m definitely now in my “mid-thirties” and that just sounds a bit “old”. Sorry to everyone older than that - but it just does! I know, I know… I am young and have my whole life in front of me…yada yada yada. Don’t worry. I am not rushing anything, trying to enjoy everyday, loving my life and soaking each year up. That’s all you can do, right?!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

This Face


This face....

makes me laugh everyday
puts a smile on my face with his cheesy grins
melts me with those eyes
reminds me of his daddy
is full of mischief

…but is also perfect!

I need this reminder sometimes! 


Monday, June 22, 2015

Weekend Highlights

Highlight # 1 - Last day of swimming lessons!

The last day of swimming lessons, Jaxen was super hesitant about getting in the water. It was really weird. I actually gathered all our stuff and told him we were going to leave if he did not get in. By the time we made it to the locker room, he was screaming that he wanted to swim. Not my ideal way of getting him in the pool, but nothing else would work!


He had the best time once he was in the water!




Highlight # 2 - Spaghetti for dinner!

When Nik is away, Jaxen and I eat spaghetti for dinner. It is not Nik’s favorite meal, but I know Jaxen loves it, so I am happy to oblige! Jaxen also helped me “cook” that night.


Highlight # 3 - The Black River!

Nik was out of town Friday night and most of Saturday. So Saturday we woke up and headed to the Black River. I jogged along the trail and then after, I let Jaxen throw rocks into the river. It was a beautiful day and he had so much fun…and only got a little wet!






Highlight # 4 - NYI President!

Nik was at our church’s annual District NYI (Nazarene Youth International) Convention Friday and Saturday. And Saturday he was elected as our new District NYI President! It is a pretty big job, and I know he is a bit nervous about it…but he will do great. He has a heart for this area of ministry and has already been helping out and leading in different areas on the district.

Highlight # 5 - Fathers Day!

When Nik returned home from his trip - we had presents, a card, steak and some Peanut Butter / Dark Chocolate Chip cookies waiting for him! We were happy he was home and wanted to celebrate Father’s Day a bit early.


Before I was pregnant, Nik was not 100% sure he was ready or even wanted to be a daddy. Then Jaxen was born and within minutes it all clicked. Nik loves this boy something fierce and they have a very special bond that even I am in awe of at times. Jaxen thinks the world of his daddy, wants to be just like him (see picture below!) and says “Daddy” approximately 8,347 times a day from the minute he wakes up - until Nik walks in the door. I am so blessed to have Nik as a husband and a daddy to Jaxen. 


Highlight # 6 - BBQ!

We were invited to a Father’s Day BBQ and we had the best time. Can I just stop to say that I am so thankful for people (everywhere we have lived) that are so thoughtful to include us into their lives…even on family holidays. It means so much to us - and it makes a big difference when we are so far away from our own families!

Jaxen and his buddy, Clay, had a great time playing with trucks, tractors and dirt!




And then…they brought out the dirt bikes! Mr. Jim was so nice to take Jaxen for a spin (the bike is small, because it is a kids). Neither of them cared…and Jaxen had so much fun going for a ride on the bike!


There were a few guys who took the littles for rides!

This is not a great picture…but it’s more the memories…
We hung out, let the kids play, rode dirt bikes, had a bonfire...

And then ended the night with car races!
Again…not the best picture…but look for the remote control cars on the driveway...
I can’t even tell you how long we were all out there, taking turns,
racing these cars! It was so fun.
And Jaxen’s favorite part…saying “Ready. Set. Go”! 

Jaxen would not sit still for a picture - so this is the best I got…
but it is him and his buddy, Clay.
These two.
Funny, funny, funny…and trouble!

So those were the highlights from our weekend!

We have a lot going on this week - Plus,
IT’S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK!
And you can bet on it that I have some fun things planned!
(hoping it all works out…like I said…there is a lot going on this week)