4th of July Vacay!

For the 4th, I was fortunate enough to get to head down to Melbourne, FL to spend some time with some great friends! Although, this holiday was not like most years, (no family, no lighting my own fireworks, no picnics in the 100 degree weather at home) it made for a very fun and exciting extended holiday!

I headed down there Tuesday after work and arrived in Orlando where Oliver and Andrea were there waiting to pick me up! It worked out perfectly and we enjoyed the time back to Melbourne catching up on the most important stuff we could think about. We stayed up way too late talking, but enjoyed the time together. Wednesday was a little cloudy, so we decided to just hit up the pool. It was still hot, and a place to lay out and talk. We hit up the local minor league baseball game and enjoyed yelling for the Melbourne SeaCows, really, a seacow mascot? The chants were quite hilarious and we enjoyed yelling on everyone of them! They had an awesome firework show after the game, the entire night was well worth the $7 for great seats! 

The actual 4th was the day we decided to head to Cocoa Beach and see what it was all about. With extra lifeguards, security, and people, it was exactly what you would picture for a holiday weekend. Andrea and I enjoyed laying out, until Oliver decided we were not sitting around, so we then enjoyed Boogie boarding, Frisbee, Sand Tennis, and anything but just laying out. By this time, we were all tired and ready to go, my skin was ready to go about 3 hours prior as I got quite the burn and peel process going on :(

Later that night, we headed back down to Cocoa to watch the firework display. I'll have to say, watching the fireworks over the ocean was one of the coolest things I have seen. We enjoyed watching this take place as well as hearing all of the "redneck" Florida people who had been waiting all day for this and yelling constantly to "Let'em loose" "You Rock" and "America". 

Friday and Saturday we enjoyed some more pool time and beach time. It was definitely a lot slower down at the beach and we went to a more family oriented beach. The waves were coming in strong and it was much harder to boogie board. We ended up grilling and playing games back home for the rest of the night. 

I had such a great time in Florida and getting to see Andrea and Oliver! Even though I don't get to see them as often, somethings never change and there is always a lot to talk and laugh about, and many memories made! 

The calm before the storm

This summer has been different than any other one before. I actually have a job and am not laying around a pool all day. Rough life I know. However, it makes the weekends that much more to exciting. With Keith's job, he is out recruiting during the summer. This is the first year he hasn't gotten to go out during June due to NCAA rules. Therefore, July is a very busy time for him and that means tomorrow ends our nice relaxing summer. 

This weekend we thought we would take advantage of a weekend together and we headed to Vicksburg, MS. We hit up the casino on the river and did what most people do there, lose money! It was a lot I fun though an we stopped before either of us lost much.

After the casino, we headed to Jackson to watch the Braves AA baseball game. It was a beautiful night, and even though they lost, we still enjoyed every bit of it! 

July is bringing lots of traveling, friends, and hot weather to us! I am looking forward to it very much even though the craziness is just about to begin! 

We didn't drive 11 hours to..

Sit around! That is what I would say the theme of this last weekend was. Keith and I were lucky enough to have some visitors from good ol Kansas. Matt and Amber Hundley made the trek to Monroe. I wanted to make sure we could fit in all our favorite spots to hit and didn't want to leave anything out! So, I made an itinerary! Yes, it sounds old, but yes it was a success!

Friday evening they made it in and we enjoyed grilling, catching up, walking around campus, and of course, a town favorite, drive thru daiquiri. They couldn't believe the concept, and you just have to realize, you aren't in Kansas anymore.

 

Saturday we enjoyed a beautiful day on the golf course, as the boys golfed and girls drove the carts! It's a beautiful course so it makes it that much more enjoyable. As we returned home, of course a pit stop was made at Duck Commander! We got a little rest and relaxation before it was go time again. We were so excited to get going, we locked the keys in the house! Luckily, Hundley's were around so no one could get mad at anyone (it SO was not my fault, so I thought it was hilarious). After we broke into the house, supper was back on our minds. We went to a fun place on the bayou called Waterfront and enjoyed some seafood. (Except me, who ate my original. A cheeseburger) After we were finished, we had some good friends here that moved away. Their last night in town was Saturday. We were happy to go to their going away party and have old friends meet the new clan. It began a quite interesting night that led to many laughs and memories.

 

Sunday was our last day with Matt and Amber before they departed back home Monday morning. We started with some Bocce Ball outside. It was so nice out that we decided on taking them to River Grill for outside dining. We had so much fun and stayed much longer than planned. On our way home, Keith was dead set on finding crawfish. The season is basically over, but we found one last place selling them. Matt and Amber had their share and Matt was ready to go back for more. The night ended with talking and sharing stories.

 

It was so much fun to have friends down here, and get to show them our "new" life. I will definitely not forget this weekend for a long time. Thank you Matt and Amber, for joining us down South!

Wedding Travelers

We have definitely did our share of wedding traveling this summer already. Living so far away from home, has limited us on getting to be apart of weddings this year, However, we have been apart of 3 very special ones so far. If you remember, we traveled to Lexington, KY for Keith to be apart of his college roommate's big day. Then I was blessed to be apart of such an amazing event at the Keeley/Birt wedding in May. Now, our final event was in Nashville to celebrate a good friend of Keith's wedding day.

We made this a pretty quick trip and left early Saturday. I must be maturing because my car skills are getting so good. I didn't sleep at all, I drove half the way, and didn't need any travel games or scratch tickets to get me through it.

Janelle looked beautiful and it was such a fun, rustic feeling wedding. You could tell how happy her and Shane were together. Keith had a great time visiting and reconnecting with Cloud County friends. I am so glad we were able to go.

Sunday the plan was to visit downtown Nashville and enjoy some site seeing. Unfortunately, the rain ruined our plans and got us on the road to Monroe sooner than we thought. I really wanted to do something and try to extend the weekend away a little longer. After searching for activities to do, we decided on an Atlanta Braves AA baseball game in Mississippi. We enjoyed the time we got there, and left after the second rain delay began. Even though it wasn't a full game, we found a great place to watch a baseball game and just a short distance from Monroe! 

I am so glad we were able to make a quick weekend so much fun. I am glad we made the trip to Nashville and enjoyed a fun couple days! 

Celebrate

What a great weekend to celebrate Memorial Day. Unfortunately, I was not able to return home and be with family, or get to go out and put flowers on any graves like the years past, but I was able to enjoy a great weekend in the South. For having no plans, the weekend ended up being very busy as well as relaxing (if that's possible). Saturday we decided to head South and check out New Orleans. I had never been so I was so excited!

(Clarify: I am wearing a strapless dress)

Our first stop was Vicksburg MS. We went to the battlefield of Vicksburg and I will have to say, it was very interesting and learned a lot. It was very neat to get to see it on such a memorable weekend.

We got to New Orleans and enjoyed walking around the French Quarters. We enjoyed some Bubba Gump Shrimp and headed to Bourbon! I don't even know where to start. I saw more things than I ever imagined. I have no idea how Mardi Gras can get much crazier. It was so fun to experience and glad I went, probably not something I would want to do every weekend. I do feel that I do need to see it ONE time for Mardi Gras next year. Sunday was so nice. The weather was amazing and we got to walk down on the River Walk and enjoy the fun Cajun shops and boats that were all out. 

I had such a fun time and was worn out when he headed home. 

Monday we enjoyed a BBQ with friends that were around with some bocce ball and cards added in.
I am so thankful for all the men and women who have risked their lives so I can live mine. I enjoyed such a fun weekend and so glad I could enjoy new adventures!