Halloween time

Like everyone else in the world last week was wild. Everyday was fun and crazy. Halloween is  one of my favorite holidays and we were ready and looking forward to it. This is year Abigail was Ariel from "The little Mermaid". Harris was a train Conductor. Both were really just way to cute for their own good.

Wednesday was 'Trunk-or-Treat' at church. After 2 minuets of being there Abi was the proud owner of 4 goldfish. We had a great time. The only thing missing was daddy. We were sad he had to work.  We were off to get some yummy candy. Harris learned fast that if he smiled he got more and boy did he get A LOT of candy.

Then Sunday we had our primary program and party it was great. Abigail marched right up and said her little line. Which was " I believe in Jesus Christ because he helps me to not have bad dreams".  It was to cute! Then after naps we were off to Auntie A and Mathews little apartment for some family time. We ate some yummy food, got dressed and were off to our house to get the good stuff. Candy! Candy! Candy! It was a great night! Abigail decided about 20 mins. into it that she would rather pass out candy so we went home and the rest of the night gave candy out. It was the best Halloween ever!

MY FAVORITE PARTS:

*Getting Abi dressed.

* Watching Harris walk around the house like a big boy.

*Abi announcing she is a parent to 4 new goldfish.

*Eating and getting ready at Auntie A and Mathew's house.

*Watching Abi pass out candy.

* Holding hands with Aaron as we walked the kids door to door.

* cuddling up with 2 tired kids and rocking them before bed time.

* Cuddling up with Aaron on the couch eating some yummy candy we stole from the kids bags.

Butterfly rainforest

We have been loving this weather we have been having.  We needed to go enjoy it and we found this place in Gainesville called the butterfly Rainforest I found it a couple weeks ago and told Abigail about it and she has been dying to go. We did not tell the kids where we were going just that it was a surprise. Which made it even more fun. It was amazing! First they have a museum of natural history that was FREE. You can not get anything for free these days. Then you can go it you want and visit the butterfly rain forest and it was $9.00 a adult and $6.00 a child 2 and under was free. Totally worth it!

The skeleton of a mammoth guessed to be over 15,000 years old ALL original bones except for the teeth and tusks. There also was a female mammoth that was found in Florida that was found a mile away from the male. I thought that was sweet.

My 2 favorite and handsome men.

These were jaws of sharks that were found in the St. Johns river. They were huge! A little crazy that sharks are really that big.

There were mock caves and a little cave that the " little explorers" used.

Abi so badly wanted a butterfly to land on her. This was as close as they got to her but it made her happy so we were happy.

This is Abi standing perfectly still like in the sunshine like the worker suggested to get a buttterfly. No luck but she looked super cute trying.

I looked back on the car ride home to see my little pris pot sitting so lady like it was cute.

The best parts of the day were:

* Abi being so excited on the car ride to her suprise that she asked every 5 mins "are we there yet"

* Abi's face when we told her we were there

*watching Harris explore the caves and squeak  with delight when he found snakes and birds.

* The boys sneaking away for a second and Abi leaning over and hugging me and saying "Thanks this is the best day ever"

* Holding hands with Aaron while the kids played.

* looking at all the pretty butterfly's and flowers.

*Listening to Harris snore on the car ride home.

My little Busy bear

1. 

 I was doing some  serious cleaning the other day which  meant I had to clean out the refrigerator. I  turned around to find my  little man sitting on the counter with wet feet from were he climbed threw from the living room and stepped into the dish water, climbed over the dishes and plopped himself down on the counter to "help me" . I love that boy and all the " help" that he loves to give me.

So I finally did it. With a lot of help from my friend over at Jarvis Photography I made a website for my new business. I am excitied for years my family have been telling me to do it and now I am on my way. I can not wait to get my first bride and get busy making beautiful things. Spread the word for me and keep your fingers crossed. Go visit my website at Mandi's Blossom

I had a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Mt Dora, Florida

The Donnely house.

Thrash Metal Mania

The winning smile! 4 years in a row!

The 4th annual Putt- Putt putt off.

  Aaron and I decided that last weekend was a perfect weekend to celebrate our upcoming 6 year anniversary. Our actual anniversary is October 30th but it looks like I will be having another surgery around then. We never miss a chance for fun so we were off. We woke up early and dropped off our cuties..... thanks again Momma! Saturday we were off to a little town called Mount Dora about 45 minuets from Orlando. It was so nice. The air was wonderful and cool, the leaves rustled in the breeze, and the shops were full of wonderful deals. We walked threw antique stores and scooped up some yummy cupcakes all of which we got to do holding hands.  

Then Saturday night  Aaron and his friend Mark had bought tickets to the concert of the YEAR. Nicknamed "Thrash Metal Mania" I was lucky enough to have my great friend Casey come up and we totally had a girls night. We went to Ikea ......... I loved it! Then we went to the Cheesecake Factory ( my first time) Yummy! Last we went back to the hotel climbed unto the couch and had a wonderful and much needed " Girls chat Mania" 

Sunday we went to more antique shops. Ate some Yummy Mexican food. Went to Verizon and got some new phones. Then my favorite..... 4 years in a row every anniversary Aaron and I play Putt- Putt golf. I look forward to it all year. It is really the only thing that is competitive that I can beat Aaron at. This year was no different. I won by 1 Putt. 4 years in a row I win! It was perfect. 

My favorite parts:

*Holding hands and strolling down the street

* Cuddling under the covers in our cold hotel room

* Driving around with the windows down and my feet up

* Watching Aaron prepare for the "thrash metal mania"

* Finally finding a place to play Putt-Putt

* Late night chats with Aaron and Casey

* Picking up my little cuties and hugging them.

I Love you Jammes! Thanks for a blissful weekend and a wonderful (almost) 6 years!

Just another day with my littleman....

First we wake up and of course put his cowboy boots on over his pajamas. He wakes up like I never ever have feed him before and runs to the fridge and grabs something to eat. He like to wear his PJ's while he eats. Then when we are off to drop Abi off at preschool. When we come home I put him to work. His favorite job the vacum sweeper. Next we are off to pick Abi up. Then we eat some yummy lunch which ends in a mess of a cute boy. Up next we nap and Lastly we play all day his new favorite game is peek-A-Boo. He climbs up onto the bar and yells Boo at me well I am washing dishes. He laughs hysterically and so do I. I love my life and I love my little man and my big girl.

My Uncle Eddie

My Uncle Eddie holding Harris. His son Charles is next to him.

Mom and Aunt Debbie worked hard on our T-shirts so we were sure to show them off.

My Uncle Joe, Aunt Debbie,  My cousin Allison, My Aunt Karen,  my cousin Charles, mom and dad at Allison's graduation.

 I just wanted to take a moment to talk about my Uncle Eddie. Most of you know that I have a uncle that recently passed. I am so thankful for all those kind words you gave to me, my family and to my daddy. I love you all. I wanted to share some important things about him. My uncle Eddie was such a great man. I remember being little and watching him and his wife (my Aunt Karen) flirt and hold hands. Even as a young child I remember realizing how much he loved her. My dad has 16 brothers and sisters some have been such wonderful examples of love. My uncle Eddie was one that was always loving and kind. He came and helped put together Christmas toys including Barbie houses and Star wars ships with my dad. He and Aunt Karen assisted in making sure that 3 young children heard the sound of reindeer's and bells ringing outside our windows when Santa came to visit. He gave me a hug and held my tiny daughter and gave me the best advice ever. He told me to relax and enjoy every moment of being a mother. I watched as he was a amazing dad teaching his daughters to be strong and amazing young women. He was a inspiration for what a father son relationship should be. He cherished being a father. I guess in no other words ....... He was a great man! He always had some funny moment to add to the party and loving words to guide who ever needed a piece of advice. He and his family moved to Indiana a number of years ago. He built a life and a family based on Christ like love. He watched children at the nursery in their church and fixed cars for those in need. I am thankful that he is my Uncle Eddie. He taught me a lot about love. I am sad that he is gone but think a lot about the healing and happiness that is going on with his family in heaven.  I can only imagine how happy his brothers and sisters were to once again have his hilariousness.  As for his family My Aunt Karen in no other words encompasses strength. When she and my cousins came for the funeral service here. I had a moment in the bathroom with her that is so special to me. I will always cherish her advice. I love her and the family she has made. My cousin Charles, Allison, and Julia as well are unbelievable. I have watched as they picked up and saw love and beauty in their loss. So when my family and I heard about the American Heart Association walk. I knew my family had to do it. We all did. It was a great day! Mom and Aunt Debbie made shirts with a handsome young uncle Eddie and then we walked.  I watched my dad who loved his brother get emotional as we walked. He walked behind everyone and enjoyed the moment. When I think of my uncle that is what I think he would want. For all of us to enjoy our life. I love my family and admire them all. What a smart and kind thing my heavenly father did giving me such amazing people to love.