Wordful Wednesday – Sanibel Island, Florida

Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

Sanibel Island is one of our favorite vacation destinations.  I only wish it  were closer to home and not across the country.  Sanibel is known for it’s amazing shell beaches and wildlife refuge (J. N. “Ding” Darling), plus it’s home to one of my favorite restaurants, The Island Cow. We first came here two years ago, and loved it so much we had to come back again this year.  The laid-back atmosphere, fabulous shelling and Ding Darling refuge were a few things that we wanted to experience again.

Sanibel Island

I cannot even begin to tell you how fabulous the shells are.  The beaches are literally LITTERED with shells at places so thick you can’t even find the sand!  I could seashell here all day, everyday.

sanibel island

sanibel island

sanibel island

sanibel island

sanibel island

sanibel island

sanibel island

sanibel island

Ding Darling Refuge

The J. N. “Ding” Darling refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States!  We love spying birds and alligators!!!  {{check out the picture below}}

ding darling refuge

ding darling refuge

ding darling preserve

ding darling refuge

ding darling refuge

ding darling refuge

The Island Cow

If you ever find your self on Sanibel or Captiva Islands, be sure to stop in at The Island Cow.  The food is delicious!

the island cow

Have a Wordful post to share with us?   Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Dude Momfollow (formerly Parenting by Dummies)  and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  Last week’s awesome linkers brought us the cutest baby swim suit ever, an urban garden to remember, another garden DIY that taught us how to make a milk jug watering can, and JAWS!

wordful wednesday linky



Wordful Wednesday – Family Vacation = Happiness

Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

We went on a family vacation for Spring Break.  It was LOVELY.  9 Days of just Jeff and the kids and me, UNPLUGGED.  It helped that most of the time we were on a ship in the Caribbean with good food and entertainment and someone to clean up after us 24/7.  The best part though, was definitely the time spent together without Internet noise.  I had so much fun that I’m STILL having a hard time getting back to reality and sitting down to actually blog about our trip seems downright overwhelming.  So, for my first post (because more are definitely coming), I’m just sharing some of my favorite pictures of us together, enjoying each others company, without the distraction of  dings, pings, rings, kicks, texts, phone calls and all of the other fun things that iPhones, iPods and iPads bring to our lives.  :)

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Have a Wordful post to share with us?   Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Dude Mom (formerly Parenting by Dummies)  and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  This week’s featured linkers feature a photo of Babfor.  You’ll have to take my word for it when I tell you that you have to visit To the Sea to see these pictures from Tanzania.  They are amazing and each has so much depth!  Nothing is sweeter than a child “cooking” marshmallows.  Don’t blink!  As you know, before you know it, our babies have grown so much!  I hope you all had as nice a “hiatus” or Spring Break as Life Darling did!

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Wordful Wednesday – Emma Turns 11!

Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

Emma turns 11

Bet it feels like all we do around here {in January} is celebrate birthdays.  It seems like that to me too.  :)

cupcake

#2 celebrated her 11th birthday last week,  ending the month long dinners, lunches, parties and various celebrations that accompany the day of their birth.

emma

I love this girl to pieces.  I’m in denial that she’s 11, though.

If you have a minute, I’d LOVE it if you’d leave me a comment with age appropriate websites for kids on this post!  I’m making a “white list” of safe sites for my kids to visit online using a new plugin by CocoonKids for KlaasKids.  Here’s where to leave the comment!

Have a Wordful post to share with us?  Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Amanda’s Parenting By Dummies and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  We pick our 4 faves every week to feature and it’s just our way of saying thanks for sharing your moments with us!  Drum roll please…

  • First, we’d like to send a shout out to the fresh-from-the-womb little dude over at Daily Dribbles!  New baby pictures are always our faves!
  • A thoughtful post about how each of our children has a different experience even growing up in the same house!  Do your younger kids have a better life than your older ones?!  Weigh in at Mom of 6!
  • Give it up for Run DMT for finishing another marathon.  I want to be her when I slim down grow up!
  • Love to see devoted photogs keeping with their 365 projects.  I don’t have it in me!  Way to go Lipgloss and Binky!


  • Wordful Wednesday – A Quick Trip to Cambria

    Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

    cambria coast

    We took a quick weekend trip up the coast a few weeks ago.  It was really nice to get away after the holidays and just spend time together as a family without all the hustle and bustle of toys and shopping and events.

    solvang

    We stopped in Solvang on the way up and ate our fill of Danish food and then stayed in Cambria for the night.

    elephant seals

    We sampled Olallieberry (hybrid of a raspberry and blackberry) jam and pie and then drove along the coast, stopping along the way to see the Elephant Seals near Hearst Castle.

    kids

    After we got home, I posted this picture of my kids on Facebook.  My aunt commented that they were my best work yet.  I think she’s right.  :)

    Have a Wordful post to share with us?  Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Amanda’s Parenting By Dummies and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  We pick our 4 faves every week to feature and it’s just our way of saying thanks for sharing your moments with us!  Drum roll please….



    Merry Christmas 2012

    Wishing you and yours a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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    Wordful Wednesday – Christmas Card Pictures 2012

    Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

    My Christmas Card Pictures for 2012 almost didn’t happen.  I made two appointments with my favorite photographer and both had to be cancelled.  I was on the fence about sending out cards at all.  It’s been a crazy-busy time, and frankly, I’ve been pretty darn stressed lately.  I didn’t know if I wanted to bother.

    But, I couldn’t not.  I LOVE receiving Christmas cards, and I’m convinced that if I stop sending out cards, I’ll stop receiving them.  Plus, some of my kids are no longer willing and compliant when it comes to taking pictures.  I have to hold firm at least once a year and demand a group photo.  {smiling}

    So, this year, I snapped the shots.  Which means this years pictures are only of the kids.  Of course, this is just fine by me, now,  but I just know that next year I’m going to be kicking myself for not having a full family shot.

    So, now I have some photos…..I just need to work on the cards.  I guess I’d better get on that.  :)

    Have a Wordful post to share with us?  Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Amanda’s Parenting By Dummies and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  We pick our 4 faves every week to feature and it’s just our way of saying thanks for sharing your moments with us!  Drum roll please…

    • Holiday season is the perfect time to snap those family photos.  Maybe you don’t want creepy family photos, but these from Geek in Glasses are cool!
    • Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukah.  So many holidays so little time.  And, what are they even about?!  Head over to Cuddles and Chaos to learn about Hanukkah from her little kiddo.
    • Summer isn’t the only time you can head to the beach.  Check out these cool winter beach photos from Jack’s Paper Moon.
    • Last but not least, this is the perfect capture of anticipating Santa’s arrival courtesy of Heart Captured.



    Wordful Wednesday – The Bearded Dragon

    Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

    Well, it’s official.  I have a reptile in my home.  I’m still not quite sure how it happened.  I’m not a reptile person.  At all.

    I think it had something to do with these two.  And their birthday.  And beguiling smiles.

     Has this ever happened to you?

    Have a Wordful post to share with us?  Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Amanda’s Parenting By Dummies and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  We pick our 4 faves every week to feature and it’s just our way of saying thanks for sharing your moments with us!  Drum roll please….



    Wordful Wednesday – A Glimpse of a Rural Town

    Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

    A few weeks ago we drove to Utah for my nieces blessing.  It was a super quick trip and the weather was really nice.  It was right before the state got dumped on with like 20 inches of snow and the trees still had autumn colored leaves on them {well, for the most part}.

    We left in the nick of time.  :)

    My sister lives in a rural town.  I always love visiting farming communities because everything is just so different from the hustle and bustle of suburban life that we are used to.  It’s nice for a change.

    Here’s a glimpse:

    Rural Utah

    Rural Utah

    Rural Utah

    Rural Utah

    Rural Utah

    Rural Utah

    Rural Utah

    Isn’t it gorgeous?

    Have a Wordful post to share with us?  Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Amanda’s Parenting By Dummies and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  We pick our 4 faves every week to feature and it’s just our way of saying thanks for sharing your moments with us!  Drum roll please…

    Wordful Wednesday-Halloween 2012

    Wordful Wednesday 411: Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, except WITH words.  It’s for those of us that just cannot be wordless, no matter how much we try.  Add my Wordful Wednesday badge to your post (right side bar under “WW”) if you really want to make me happy, and then add your post link to the linky below. Easy peasy.

    I know it’s not officially Halloween yet, but lucky for us, we attended a church Halloween Party on Saturday so I was able to get pictures of the kids in their costumes before the Trick-or-Treating frenzy on Wednesday.

    For the past few years Grace has done a group costume with their friends.  This year they were rainbow witches and they were ADORABLE.  They all made their own tutu’s, too!

    Emma is a cowgirl for Halloween this year.  Good thing those boots I ordered on ebay are getting used!  Ha!

    Garrett had his heart set on being a mummy.  No matter what we did, we could not dissuade him.  So, Jeff designed his costume.  He “dirtied” and tied 2″ gauze all over his body.  It was quite the undertaking, but it was worth it.  :)

    mummy costume

    Jacob wanted to be a zombie doctor but Jeff ran out of time for the face paint.  Luckily, Jakey is easy going and was happy enough to just be a regular old doctor.

    John was a punk rocker.  This costume has been used by Grace and Garrett is years past, so obviously it’s a favorite in these parts.  My favorite was his “mom” tattoo since we all know if you are going to mark up your body you’d better pay homage to your mom.  {laughing}

    What did your kids dress up as for Halloween?  What about you? Did you dress up?

    Have a Wordful post to share with us?  Join us in our linky AFTER you check out Amanda’s Parenting By Dummies and these 4 awesome posts from last week’s linky!  We pick our 4 faves every week to feature and it’s just our way of saying thanks for sharing your moments with us!  Drum roll please….

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