• Travel

    Carnival Horizon 2022 – Little Havana and more

    June 27, 2022 - By 

    Today is the last Carnival Horizon post! This post is covering the day we got off the ship and what we did afterwards. Disembarkation day is never fun, but it really seemed to go better this time. The day before we picked up luggage tags. If memory serves there is an early group and later group. We picked the later group. However, I think everyone has to be off the ship by like 11am. I know its been forever since we’ve cruised, but again I thought it went easier and much less chaotic. We were off the ship, collected our…

  • Travel

    Spring Break 2021

    April 20, 2021 - By 

    For Spring Break we usually drive down to Florida to visit with Rob’s Grandparents and take in some Spring Training games. Our old son, Drew and Rob are the real baseball fans of the family. This year with Drew not being able to take off work and knowing that Alex could pretty much care less to go to baseball game and the fact that Sunday of Spring Break was Alex’s birthday, we decided to let him invite a friend and to go to amusements parks. We decided that we would try to attend games within about an hour of Tampa,…

  • Travel

    A Day at SeaWorld – Orlando, Florida

    April 14, 2021 - By 

    Today, I’m continuing to discuss our Spring Break Trip. This is the 3rd full day of our trip. To have an idea on what to do during your Spring Break, see this here. On Tuesday, we got up earlier so we could drive over to Orlando for our day at SeaWorld! When planning the trip, we had originally thought we would have a day at the water park associated with Busch Gardens, Adventure Island. However we looked at the weather for that week and it was going to be lows in the 50s at night and highs in low 70s…

  • Travel

    Busch Gardens – Tampa, FL

    April 2, 2021 - By 

    While in Florida for Spring Break, we did something a little different this year. We let Alex bring a friend and we went to some amusement parks! Alex loves roller coasters, and what better way to spend his 17th birthday than to be at Busch Gardens for almost more than 11 hours! That Sunday they were open 10am-9pm. We got there just a bit after 10am. Let me just say Busch Gardens is NOT Disney. There weren’t many people to help us. If so, then why not check over here to find the best gardening and landscaping services to assist…

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    After Christmas Getaway 2020

    January 7, 2021 - By 

    The Monday after Christmas we got up and headed out to Inlet Beach near Panama City Beach, FL. We make a little detour on the way down to our favorite sausage store, Conecuh. If you’ve never had Conecuh, you are totally missing out. It is made in Evergreen, AL and I think most of the Southeastern states have stores that carry it. They have a special Christmas Hot sausage that has red and green peppers in it and it is spicy! We got several of those and a few other things. We also got some Conecuh bacon to try since…

  • Travel

    St. Simons Island Trip – Part 2

    July 28, 2020 - By 

    Last week I shared the 1st part of our St. Trip with you. Click to read that>>>>St. Simons Island Trip-Part 1 Today’s post covers the 2nd half of the trip from Wednesday through Saturday when we head home. Wednesday So after a pretty tiring day in Savannah, on Wednesday we decided to stick around St. Simons. Rob and I ventured out while the boys stayed back at the condo. We stopped by Gascoigne Bluff Park. As you can see this is another gorgeous spot with Live Oaks and Spanish Moss. What you don’t see in the pic is the 9…

  • Spring Training 2019
    Travel

    Spring Training 2019

    March 24, 2019 - By 

    For the last several years we have used our Spring Break to travel down to Florida to watch baseball during the Spring Training Season. Each year we try to see different ballparks as well as visit Rob’s Grandparents. The first Saturday of Spring Break, we got up at 3:30am and hit the road on our way to Lakeland, FL. We had a 1:00 game to get to at Joker Marchant Stadium, home of the Detroit Tigers. Detroit Tigers Joker Marchant Stadium Braves vs. Tigers (Lakeland) Home of the Tigers since 1966 Game Time: 1:05pm Opened: 1966 Renovated: 2017 Capacity: 9,000…

  • Spring Training Trip :: Twins ~ Red Sox ~ Braves
    Travel

    Spring Training 2018

    April 2, 2018 - By 

    Earlier this month we ventured back down to Florida for another Spring Training trip. This year we went to 3 parks; two of which we have not been to. Here’s a quick rundown of each place and tons of pics! We left Auburn after work on Friday and got to Rob’s Gramma’s house in Spring Hill, FL. We popped out of bed to visit and make an early exit to head to our first game in Fort Myers. Once we got to For Myers, we went by the hotel and could not check in yet. We went over to the…

  • Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding
    Photography

    Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding

    March 9, 2017 - By 

    Rob’s cousin, Tara, recently got married. We drove down to Spring Hill Florida, which is about an hour north of Tampa. She had a Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden. It was lots of fun. Tara worked her fingers to the bone, but did a great job of delegating help that weekend. If you also want to have this kind of wedding, then you may start inquiring for affordable all-inclusive wedding packages with options for wedding ballrooms. And for grooms who still don’t have any ideas what to wear on their wedding day, you may consider…

  • Travel

    Pensacola, FL Trip

    April 29, 2016 - By 

    Back in April the boys I headed down to Pensacola for Alex’s soccer tourney. I didn’t take any pics of the games, because I was just a nervous wreck, honestly. Here’s pics of everything else. Pensacola Blue Wahoos Somebody had a ferret with them on the beach… Racing to the water Saturday night dinner at Hemingway’s Island Grill

  • Spring Break 2016
    Travel

    Spring Break 2016

    April 16, 2016 - By 

    Over Spring Break, we headed down to Rob’s grandmother’s house in Spring Hill, Florida for a few days. It was a 2 fold trip; partly to visit family and partly to see some spring training games sing Rob’s grandparents live in close proximity to many of the spring training venues. After the game in Clearwater, we stopped at the beach for a little while. The boys brought along the soccer ball and played because the water was pretty cold. It was a beautiful sunset though. Rob’s uncle Mike, recently joined the country band Soul Circus Cowboys as their bass player.…

  • Spring Training - Read about our experience going on a Spring Training baseball trip in Florida.
    Travel

    Spring Training 2016

    April 3, 2016 - By 

    Over Spring Break, we headed down Florida for a few Spring Training baseball games. Since we have family that lives in close proximity to many of the parks, it’s nice to have a free place to stay and take day trips to see different teams.   Philadelphia Phillies Bright House Field Opened in 2004 Capacity: 8,500 Clearwater, FL The Phillies spring training facility is Bright House Field located right off Hwy 19. There a re a few small parking lots around the stadium, but most of those spots are restricted. You will find that most people park in the grassy…

  • Travel

    Visit to Linda’s Farm

    March 25, 2016 - By 

    During our Spring Break trip to Florida, we took a break from baseball and took Rob’s grandparents out to their niece’s house. She lives a ways out. It was a nice day and it’s always good to get Gramma and Grampa out for a little bit. If you or kids develop love or interest in ponies, its is advised to look for a source of knowledge about horses before you plan to buy and raise a horse of your own. Linda has lots of fun farm animals Willow is the coolest little dog around. The neighbor’s horse wanted to attention…

  • Travel

    Thanksgiving Weekend 2015

    December 5, 2015 - By 

    This year for Thanksgiving we drove down to Spring Hill, Florida for a family visit. Rob’s Mom, brother, Nick, and adopted sister, Rachael as well as Rob’s sister Maria and her entire family came as well. We rented a home on VRBO.com. We split our time between the rental home and Gramma’s house. It was nice to catch up with my sis-in-law and her family since we don’t get to see them much. They live in Texas now and the last time we saw them was a little over a year ago. Seeing the cousins hang out made my heart…

  • Travel

    Clearwater Beach

    December 2, 2015 - By 

    Over Labor Day weekend, we went down to Spring Hill to visits Rob’s grandparents. One of the days we all piled in the car and drove down to Clearwater Beach. Rob and Drew hung out there at Spring Break when they went down for Baseball’s Spring training, so Rob knew the perfect spot to park Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is a great location to park and costs $3.00/hour. We enjoyed a few hours on the beach before packing up and finding a place to eat. I spot a mermaid! Lots of building going on. A good amount of folks…

  • Travel

    Florida Tour 2014 Overview

    November 26, 2015 - By 

    For those that want a complete overview of our Florida Tour that we took at the end of last year, here is a complete summary of the trip with links to more detailed posts about each place. Itinerary/Budget for trip: Click pic for larger version Quick Stop at University of Florida Weeki Wachee Springs Myakka River State Park Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza Fort Myers River District Sanibel Island Naples, Florida Everglades City Everglades City Everglades National Park Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge Morning in Key West Morning at Sea off Marathon Key Spreading My Dad’s Ashes Burdines Waterfront Restaurant Bahia…

  • Travel

    Visit to Kennedy Space Center

    November 25, 2015 - By 

    We got up early, had a nice big breakfast at the hotel in Cocoa Beach, and drove over to Kennedy Space Center. Driving there we saw several gators and even a wild boar, which you see below. Such an impressive view. We got their before the gates opened, but were able to ask a few questions, take some picture, and just hung out until opening. Rocket Garden is one of the first things you see when you enter. This is the spot where old rockets seem to scrape the sky at 80-100 feet in the air. You will see Juno…

  • Travel

    Afternoon in Cocoa Beach

    November 20, 2015 - By 

    After leaving Fort Lauderdale, we continued north towards Cocoa Beach. We checked into the hotel and ventured across the street to the beach. I was feeling quite nostalgic knowing Dad used to live right near there on a condo in the beach. It was quite breezy and a bit cold, but that didn’t stop the kids from getting in the water. Rob and I walked along the beach enjoyed watching cruise ships pass by in the distance. There was also several flocks of birds to keep us occupied. Carnival ship in the distance Disney ship in the distance Lots and…

  • Travel

    Fort Lauderdale Riverfront Cruise

    November 10, 2015 - By 

    After spending the night in Fort Lauderdale at the Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port, we grabbed a quick breakfast snack from the hotel and then headed down to the river to inquire about a Fort Lauderdale Riverfront Cruise. Here’s a few pics from the drive. Since we were there in January during peak season, we were lucky to get a spot on the next cruise. After Rob purchased the tickets [23/adult, $13 children (4-16)], we had a few minutes to kill before getting on so we walked around before boarding. The cruise lasted about an hour and took us…

  • Travel

    Afternoon in South Beach

    August 21, 2015 - By 

    After leaving Marathon, Florida, we drove through Miami over to South Beach. We stopped in at University of Miami in Coral Gables. Such a pretty entrance into campus. We made a quick stop at Marlin’s Park too. I was so excited to drive near the cruise ships at Port Miami. This is one point of many during the trip when Rob and I were talking about the surrounding areas, “Kids, see the cruise ships out there?” Silence….all three of them staring at their phones or game devices. We drove around for a good 30 minutes looking for parking. There was…