The Bahamas, the ocean, and home

Our third day we docked in the Bahamas and were off shopping. I love a good deal, however this was the craziest place ever. It was fun and crazy! We walked around, shopped, and enjoyed the sites before getting back on the ship to eat some lunch and take the water taxi to the Atlantis hotel for our excursion. My favorite part was all the colors. Everything was a bright cheerful color. It looked like my house.

The Atlantis hotel was so nice. We did the tour threw the hotel and aquariums. It was worth every penny.

Our favorite part was walking threw the tunnel as sharks and sting rays swam over us.

Then we found Nemo and Both did and little squeal of happiness. Abigail loves Nemo..... and at that point we both we missing the kids.

Then we were told we were not alound to take pictures with the props so we waited for the tour group to go on and quickly ran around snapping pictures with all the props we could. It was hilarious.

We decided we were going to skip the wait for the water taxi and took a normal taxi back. We had met a couple that were pro cruisers and had spent the whole time at the Atlantis with them. They were close to our parents age and knew all the great places to see and do. We had so much fun with them. Maurie and Doug..... we love you! We thought we were getting a taxi for the 4 of us.... we ended up fitting 13 people in a van I thought fit 7. They kept pulling out these seats and benchs it was amazing. Then the best thing happened. Aaron told me I was not the worst driver in the world, our taxi driver was. It was the funniest yet scariest experience I have ever had.

Then the nexy day we were at sea all day. We did bingo, trivia, and Aaron slept.

Then Friday we were back at our car and on our way to see the kids. It was so fun. I loved being with Aaron. Every second was romantic and fun. Once we were home and on our way to see the kids I was thrilled beyond words though. I missed them terribly. When Abigail came in the door she ran to me, Harris ran to Aaron and we loved them, then we switched kids and started all over. It was perfect. Thanks babe for the best get away ever. I am already dreaming about next time.

Coco Cay

The second day of our cruise we went to their (Royal Caribbean) private Island. It was my favorite part of the cruise. It was beautiful and clean. It was fabulous!

The water was totally clear and blue. Clean I did not see a single piece of trash.

After laying out all day and enjoying the water we took a tour around all the other little islands. It was so relaxing and beautiful. We saw the most amazing fish of all colors, sting rays, sharks, and starfish.

The tour guide scooped up some star fish and passed it around. Then he dared Aaron to kiss it. He told him kissing it would bring him some luck on the slot machine. He did it, then was told he kissed a starfishes bum. It was funny.

This little crap was just crawling on the beach.

When we went back to the ship later that day Aaron went back to the slot machines. He made some profit and then stopped while he was ahead. I was proud.

Then we went on a walk around the ship. We thought we would do some hand holding. Instead

we got crazy winds that you could barely walk in. Instead of wanting to hold hands it was a necessity to stay on the ship. It was wild and hilarious, not romantic but we had fun laughing.

Later that night was our formal night. We were so tired and sun burnt. It was really nice to get all dressed up and not have to worry about a kid getting you dirty.It was a great day. I loved just hanging out in a beautiful, peaceful place and enjoy Aaron.

We are cruisers!

Aaron and I decided that we were going to go on a cruise. I have been crazy busy making some cash with all these weddings I have been doing so we decided we were gonna have some fun. We planned, saved, kissed the kids, and then we were off. IT WAS AMAZING! The first day we checked everything out and and then decided we were going to try our luck at the slot machines. We had $10.00 That was gone in about 5 mins. Even after winning some money back we left $10.00 poorer.

Here is our room it had a window so we could see outside, which we loved. Our stateroom attendant was amazing. Every time we came back into our room it was all clean and we had a adorable towel animal in it. The monkey was my favorite because my nick name growing up was monkey girl because of my crazy legs. (On a side note I was introduced to the queen of Jordan as " monkey girl". How many people can say that?)

Aaron's favorite part was the bed.... of course.

The shower was unbelievably small. Shaving became a magic show for me. I am still baffled at how Aaron even washed his hair.

Aaron's favorite towel animal was the elephant. We had to take some picks for the kids. Abi loved it and said " mommy why do you not fold my towels like that?"

If you could settle something for Aaron and I, we would love it. What do you say this is? I say a dog. Aaron says a cow. Lets see what you think?

Mothers Day the Jammes way!

I was spoiled completely on Mothers Day this year. Saturday we went to my moms house and did all the mothers day celebrating with her and all my family. Since the weather in Florida has been perfect we went swimming and had a great time. To my surprise my mom and dad and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Joe are treating us to a SPA day just the 4 of us. Then Sunday I woke up to go to church and woke up to orange roses. At Church the YW and YM in our ward took over primary so we went to Relief Society were we had a short lesson and then enjoyed a Sunday brunch. Our great new YW president also had her hand in it. It was decorated beautifully and was a fantastic idea for all the mommies. I left church with cards and crafts from Abi and Harris. Then we came home and Aaron made some pizza and my new love Katheryn Jarvis's chocolate cupcakes...(which should tell you all how yummy they are because i am not a huge chocolate fan) All my cards and a sweet love letter from my FANTASTIC hubby

MY favorite flowers... Orange Roses I love love love them!

I had a fantastic Mothers Day! My top 5 favorite moments:

*NOT changing 1 single diaper the whole day!

* Abi running up to me with a arm full of cards and treats she made me in the hallway at church. I love her!

*Playing Hide-N- Go Seek with the family. I loved seeing Harris' face when I jumped out up of the bathtub... he has a cutest giggle.

* having complete control over the TV Aaron for A change watched all of MY shows.

* Ending the day cuddling with my babies and my man.

IT WAS PERFECT!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

To ALL the women in my life HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

To my fantastic friends Thanks for keeping smiling and all the good times we share!

To my sister: I couldn't love or ask for a better sister!

To Aunts Heaven knows how deep I love you all you all have truly helped me to be the women I am today. Thank you for years of loving and laughing!

To my amazing mom in law- Thank you for raising a loving and thoughtful son! Thank you for all the encouragement and advice. I love you!

To my mom, I love you so very much! Thank you for being my cheerleader. Thank you for teaching me the importance of fighting and the necessity of smiling. You are the best mother I have every met. Thank you for everything!

Happy Mothers day! I love you all!

35 years of love

Hello, Hello everyone. I have missed blogging. Our computer has been messed up and my sister is letting me borrow one of their laptops while ours gets fixed. Thanks Jen! I know some of you already know but in April Jen and I threw mom and dad a surprise anniversary party and next post will be all about it. I just thought it would be fun to share their love story with you all.

I think it is pretty fantastic!

My dad was a roadie with a band called " The Charlie Pride band" He ended up in Virginia and at a party met my mom. She was 15 and he was 21 years old. Only dad thought she was 18... I think. My mom fell madly in love at first sight and my dad thought she was HOT. I love to hear them talk about it because mom like most women remember every single detail, dad remembers she was HOT. For months they spent time together with mutual friends and before dad knew it he like mom was in love. After months of late night parties and sneaking out the day came where my mom was caught..... literally caught by my Mam-Maw hanging from the rain gutter of the second story of her child hood home. Then began what is and was always described as a long battle of wills between my mom, dad, Papa, and Mam-Maw. There were gun shots fired, run aways and in the end a shot gun wedding. On April 22. 1975 my dad and mom drove to charlottesville North Carolina to be married. My mom was 17 and my dad was 24 years old. From what I understand a tearful following by my Mam-Maw and Aunt Sissie to the wedding was behind them. In the end my mom was married in a lime green mini skirt and hopped on the back of dad's motorcycle to go back to Virginia and start a life together. The only memory she

has is the dress which my sister and I grew up playing dress up in. The pictures that had been taken by the justice of the peace that married them dad put in his pocket and somewhere between North Carolina and Virginia they were lost. Years of struggles and heartache followed. However, my dad quickly won over my grandparents and on my papa's death bed my dad was given all of his most treasured items because he knew day would cherish them. Mom says dad was the most thick headed person she had ever met and dad says she was a Brat. Pictures prove that with out a doubt before mom and dad were members of the church they lived like the were NOT members of the church. To hear the people the were is crazy, but to know the people they have become is amazing. I am so blessed. I always watched as my parents, loved and laughed and kissed and hugged, they fought and cried, and they smiled and snuggled. No matter what they did- they did it together. Neither of them had that same example in their own life in fact there were not many examples of true love in either one of their life's growing up so to think about my constant example of love and happiness is even more of a wonder.

I love you mom and dad. I love that when the time came for me me choose my kind of happiness. The love you shared made is easy for me not to settle for anything less than breath taking. I love my husband and my family. Thank you for teaching all about enjoying life. I love you! Happy belated 35th wedding anniversary.

Mom and Dad in their first year of marriage

We got her!

April 17th Jen and I planned and successfully accomplished a surprise 35th wedding anniversary party for my mom and dad. Way back in October of 2009 Jen and I had the idea but were hesitant. At their 30 year anniversary Jen and I had started planning a party and dad found out and said "please, wait" so we did. This time Jen and I were not going to let his party pooper ways stop us. We called dad and asked to have lunch with him. We brought the grand kids for reinforcements and told dad our plan. To our surprise dad said he thought it was a great idea and the only catch was the he pay for it..... which was not really a catch. We chatted, dad gave us a budget, and then we were off planning. For months Jen and I kept the secret..... which is AMAZING! We contacted all of the family. Moms family from Virginia came down. One sister Kathy and Niece Leigh came early to keep her busy while we planned and set up everything. The other sister Ginnie and my uncle Roger (which was married to my Aunt Sissie who is now passed away) were hidden and saved as a extra surprise. On the day of the party dad and I set up for up for mom to go have a day of pampering at a spa. Then against mine and Jen's judgement. Dad told mom he was taking her later that night to a dinner theater so she would get all dressed up. (Dad and a dinner theater had mom wondering what was going on) on the way dad said he needed to stop and pick something up at the church. My smart hubby had the idea of parking all the cars on the far side so when they pulled up she did not see a single car.... which threw her off. When she came in we all yelled surprise and her reaction was perfect.

We all cried that we actually made it happen. We got her and since dad's only part in the party was getting her their and writing the checks he was surprised as well and everyone we got there and all that we had done.

The last surprise we had my Aunt Ginnie wait outside and had taken a picture of her and my uncle in the room all decorated and gave it to mom. I said " you have family that wished they could make it so they sent this instead" Mom stared at it then said " who's wedding was blue and brown , oh my gosh she is here" Then Aunt Ginnie came out of hiding and mom ran to her and crying. IT WAS PERFECT! Even if she was not completely surprised about the party we totally got her with Aunt Ginnie.

My Brother is a wonderful cook. He could have his own restaurant and people would love it. So for food we asked on the invites instead of gifts to bring a finger food and then Robbie did a fajita bar. He made chicken, pork, steak and marinated them all by scratch. Then did the same with salsas and dips. It was yummy!

All the family was so excited to see each other we all crammed into one long table and ate and laughed all together.

Sister Wheeler one of my mom's best friends made the cake for mom and dad and it was adorable. She was extremely busy that weekend so her making it was a true labor of love. Thank you, so much.

We made mom and dad do the traditional stuff like cut the cake. I have to say my parents are great examples of love. After 35 years look at those smiles and the laughter they share. I am so lucky that my kids get to enjoy in all the love they have to share.

Dad totally smeared cake all over her "spa makeup" She was not a happy camper.

Here are some of the decorations. I was tired when we were all done, however I was really proud of myself. It was beautiful.

There were 2 different centerpieces and 12 table so 6 of each. This centerpieces had 3- 2 sided picture tents. That were decorated simply. With a flower arrangement in the center. My sister was the champ. She copied and shopped and I worked. It was the perfect arrangement.

The second centerpieces were done on a painters canvas painted and scrapbooked up with 2-2 sided picture tents on each side. Jen came up with each table having a theme. We had a table for Debbie, Bob, them together, family pictures threw the years, our big family Disney trip, Robbie, Mandi, and Jen, grand kids, family and friends, and more. Then Jen put all the pictures together for a slide show so that everyone had the chance to see what was on the other tables. Thanks you to Erin and Jason Howle- she came over and helped work on the centerpieces and Jason found a projector last minuet when ours fell threw. Thanks!

Our great friend over at http://jarvisphotography.blogspot.com/ took all these amazing pictures that you see and to NO surprise THEY WERE BREATH TAKING. When my mom saw them she called me crying she was so happy and thrilledto have it all so beautifully captured. If you read the blog I did the other day about their love story, you know why that meant so much to her. She does not have a single wedding picture. Thanks for giving these moments to my mom Katheryn. I can never tell you how much it means to me and what it means to my parents.

I love this Family photo she snagged of my little family.

All 6 grand kids at the end of the night. 2 words - Dirty and Tired!

All the family that was here -all together.

It was a perfect day. Thank you to everyone that brought something or did anything big or small to help it come to life. It was a day our family will never forget and Thank you all for helping it come true.

To my mom and dad.... Thank you for showing how fantastic life, love, and marriage could be. You had plenty of reasons to be a victim of hard times but instead you loved and best of all you did it together and for us. I love you and words can never tell you how amazing I think you both are. We will do it again at 50 years!