Ruzas Summer Visit and Mimi's Birthday!

This past week the Ruzas came for a visit and we could hardly control our excitement knowing our days would be filled with Horn Island, tubing, fishing, swimming, shell collecting and the like.  Well buzz kill number one: little Sam broke his arm the day before they were set to drive here.  Poor little man.  Well, there is no way we can miss out on a Bosko/Ruzas vacation so we called our Orthopedic surgeon friend  and  he came to our house to cast Sam in our kitchen!  What a VIP he was.  Buzz kill number two: RAIN!!!  It rained the first 36 hours they were here, continously.  The kids didn't let that slow down on their fun, they just put on their swimsuits (and Amelia added rain boots, so stinkin' cute) and collected toads, turtles (above) and crabs off our beach.  

Sam and Dr. Tom.  We love Dr. Tom-he saved our vacation!

Thank goodness the next day brought in loads of sunshine!  It had to be sunny, it was sweet Amelia's 8th birthday!!!  She was so excited to share it with her best friend Abby, just like her first four birthdays.  

Amelia's new bike, pretty cool stuff Mimi.  

After doughnuts and opening presents for Amelia, it was off to Horn Island to enjoy the beautiful day.  And what would a birthday be without your own personal dolphin show?  I was so excited the Ruzas got to see the dolphins play with our boat, the dolphins swam along side and under our boat for a good 15 minutes and we even got a spinning jump out of the water from one show off dolphin...AMAZING.

The kids enjoying the dolphin show.  

We always find something new on our island adventures and this time it was starfish.  Marcie and the kids collected a whole bucket of them but don't worry, we released them all like good beach goers.  

Addison carrying a giant hermit crab Marcie and Chris found.

This trip the kids also helped a fellow boater catch blue crab for his family's dinner that night.  Amelia followed this guy all over the island helping get the crabs out of the net and asking as many questions as he would answer about crabs and fishing.  This same gentleman, Mr. America, as Stephen called him; caught a GIANT stingray while fishing for sharks.  So the kids got to see a sting ray up close, Marcie even held the pole while Mr. America released him.  

Pint size best friends.

Grown up best friends.  I decked Marcie out in my MS finest beach apparel.  You look so cute Marcie, I just can't stand it.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL AMELIA!

About to leave for Amelia's birthday dinner at  The Dock, a restaurant on the water.  We took an evening boat ride there as a special treat and even brought her cake on the boat.  

Mommy and Daddy love you so much, you are an amazing 8 year old girl.  We don't know what we would do without your smiling face, golden heart and helpful attitude.  We are so proud of you Amelia Grace.  

The whole crew, well, except Luke who was hiding. 

Singing Happy Birthday to Amelia.  Classic picture, look at Luke pouting because Amelia told him Abby gets the second piece of cake, not him.  Love it.  

Tubing!  Sam was the man on this trip.  He wore a ziploc bag on his arm like a champ and had fun at the island, fishing, tubing, everything.  Way to go Sam!  The kids also went fishing off the dock behind our house and they all caught fish!  Luke even caught a speckled trout with his little teeny spiderman pole.  Abby and Sam caught a catfish and they thought it was neat that in the Gulf we fish with shrimp for our bait instead of worms.  We hired our wonderful babysitter Ashley one evening so we had an awesome night out just the adults:)  We had a delicious dinner and the Ruzas were surprised and impressed at how far Stephen and my taste buds have come in recent years.  We then headed out for drinks and plenty of laughter.  Love you guys.  

My girl.  What would I do without my Marcie?  Love you and I miss you so much already.  I can't wait to visit our feathered friend again soon;)

Midwest Trip 2011

It's summer and that means our annual migration up north to visit with my family.  This year we decided it made a lot of sense to drive since we have to visit three different cities.  It made a lot of sense until we actually started to drive the 20 hours to Minnesota; then we had a lot of time to talk about how this decision did not make sense.  But we continued on our journey and traveled nearly 3000 miles round trip in our trusty Kia minivan.   We started out in Minnesota visiting my sister Traci's family.  Amelia and Luke had fun playing at the park, splash pads and the beach with Max and Addison enjoyed being able to boss around another older kid.  

My sister Traci and Addison.  Addison cozied right up to Traci saying, "More ice cream Aunt Twaci."  What's not to like when your Aunt lives right across the road from an awesome Malt Shop? 

Max, Amelia and Luke went to the Twins game with the dads.  Lucky kids, they watched the Twins win and got to eat their weight in junk food at the park.  

My big sis and I.  

Luke waiting for the trolley in Minneapolis.  

Cousins.

And the best photo of the trip contest goes to Daddy!  Great shot of Addison on the trolley.  

We then moved on to Madison, WI to visit my sister Amy's family.  Here are the kids rocking out to Taylor Swift with Annie on vocals and Uncle Dan on the drums.  Amelia and Luke love playing with Evan and Annie and they especially enjoyed the family hamsters :)  

Then it was time to move on to Milwaukee, WI to visit Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Jon.  Happy 4th of July!

Downtown Milwaukee for the fireworks.  

 The kids had a great time visiting their grandparents and were kept busy with games, walks in the woods, children's museum, Summerfest and lots more.  Amelia and Luke even both got a special day with their grandparents.  Luke and Grandpa Jon headed out to Miller Park to cheer on the Brewers (lucky 5 year old got to see two big league games in a week).  Amelia and Grandma Nancy went out for a special lunch, visited the book store and went to a movie together.  We were thoroughly exhausted with fun by the time the trip was done.  Thanks everyone for letting us stay with you :)