Our Mas is turning 5 years old!

I cannot believe we are celebrating Mason's 5th birthday...

I mean, realistically we've been celebrating his birthDAY for about the past TWO WEEKS [but hey, your only 5 once, right?]! We begin the birthday of all birthday celebrations with our trip to Charleston, South Carolina. Mas is very much as you can tell from my last post into anything armed forces related, whether it's the army, navy, green beret...you name it. So, we thought that he would think it was just the coolest thing ever to be able to walk around and explore a REAL aircraft carrier, battleship and submarine. It was a quick and exhausting trip [mainly because Nash is just starting to hit the terrible two's and can be a little bit of a beast here lately] but it was totally worth it to see how excited Mas was to get to see everything! He not only got to explore the ships, he also got to experience a flight simulator, climb in and all over different fighter jets and got to check out what a green beret base camp looks like. 

In his words "This is the best day of my life"

He was so excited!

Nash right by his Bubba's side like always

My handsome little sailor!

We were only there for two days so we tried to make the most of the time we had, we spent pretty much the first day at Patriots Point and then after catching a quick nap headed over to the Noisy Oyster for dinner [my husband cannot be within five miles of the ocean and not crave oysters]. The next morning, we did a little walking to just sight see and let Mas play in the water fountain in downtown Charleston which he enjoyed before we headed to lunch over at Justine's [if you remember my last post about Charleston, we ate here and it was the SHIT <---in a totally good way. So, we HAD to go back for seconds]. After filling our bellies with sweet tea, fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits...

You get the point. It's a miracle we didn't fall into a food coma.

Next stop, the aquarium!

Lucky for us the aquarium was free that day ((SCORE)) and parking was only a buck [you really can't beat that. Not even with a stick, it is such a good deal] Only thing was everyone else knew it was free that day too, so we had to contend with the long lines and large crowds, but Mas seemed to enjoy it so it was worth it in the end. Nash on the only hand, spent the entire time we were there like this...

First trip to the aquarium...fail.

Sadly, by the time we finished up at the aquarium it was time to head back home. But we will definitely be going back, it is just such a fun city!

Since we've been home it has quieted down just a bit with Mas getting back into the routine of soccer practice twice a week and of course kindergarten [I am still coming to the realization that I now have a child in elementary school]. But it didn't stay calm for very long...

We also took Mas to a Braves game on his actual birthday in hopes to getting him on the jumbo...and you know we did! Check out his awesome sign that he held up for everyone in the park to see!

What a way to end a fun-filled Birthday week but as spending time as a family doing something that we all enjoy so much! Love these boys with all I have!

It's Been a Minute...

So...it has definitely been a minute since I have blogged! It has just been so crazy around our house this last couple of weeks and free time [what the hell is that?!]...so...where to begin...

Well, for starters my sweet little boy is officially a KINDERGARTNER! <-- WhAt?!?! When did this happen?!?! I swear just yesterday we were potty training this kid and now look at him...he's almost an adult [or at least that's how it feels].

Isn't he just the most handsome kid you've ever seen? Yes. Yes he is. 

It was pretty funny, I was working on the chalkboard sign for his first day photos and when I told him it was time for him to fill in the blanks I said "okay, so tell me what you want to be when you grow up?" and he said "I want to be an army man...no no a green beret". He has officially proven without a doubt that he is his father's child. Really. So...not a fireman or policeman or president or any other common answer from most kids?! I am all of a sudden excited to find out what he'll want to be next year!

Look at that big boy!

Anyways, his first day was a complete success and he has been loving school, I love that now we can sit down for dinner and I can listen to him tell me about what he learned, new friends he's made and things that he is looking forward too. 

We also decided to finally get a dog, Mas has been asking for one for about a year now and we've just been kinda putting it off [For good reason. Puppy training sucks]. But my husband finally talked me into it so the search began. We decided that we wanted an older dog, maybe two or three years old that was already house broken...makes perfect sense right? So, this is what we ended up with...

Meet Hendrix

Our 8 week old toy Schnauzer.

Yes...I know. We totally went against the grain on this one...but he was so damn adorable that it caused a momentary lapse in reasoning and all of a sudden I forgot all about puppy potty training and was caught in his crashing waves of cuteness which pulled me towards him, put him in my arms and then the deal was done.  

But it was totally worth it because both boys are completely in love with him and the training has actually not been bad at all, he is a smart breed so he has caught on pretty quick to the way things run around here.

As for his name...Mason vote was for "Jouster Spike" [Okay. I give him points for originality]. But we went with Hendrix...for obvious reasons...he's black and is totally rocking a fro [plus, Mommy got veto on naming the next baby boy Hendrix...so I had to settle for it as the dog's name]. <-- the sacrifices I make.

We have also been filling our weekends with non-stop activities...park playgrounds, drive in movies and Silverback soccer games up in Atlanta. Both boys really enjoy the games but Mas has turned into a full fledged HOOLIGAN.

Pictured below is proof...and yes he is singing and drumming along with the chants.

Speaking of soccer...

Mason's soccer season has started again and we are so excited to see his progress this season over last, first practice was last night and he totally killed it!

Of course...Nash loves this time of the year too. he really gets into watching Mas out on the field and I even caught him clapping and yelling "Bubba" during practice!

But he can't enjoy Bubba's practice without first jacking Mommy's drink.

And finally...

The best news of all over these past few weeks...

I GOT A NEW JOB!

I know this happens to people everyday around the world, but I have been very unhappy for a long time and have truly been praying for a chance to escape and accept a better opportunity. Well, that opportunity came knocking last week and I jumped on it! Not only am I going to be expanding my job duties, but I am also going to have the opportunity now to complete a designation for my license that I have been wanting to work on plus the added bonus of better benefits and a $13,000 RAISE....wHaT WoOt WoOt! 

Life is good.

As always we have tons of stuff planned over the next few months including Mas's birthday trip to the battleships in Charleston, my long weekend trip to Florida to see Depeche Mode in concert with my best girlfriends for September, then in October I have the Nine Inch Nails concert plus our week cruise out of the country and finally a short trip to Alabama for my husband's college graduation ceremony [and that just takes us through the end of October]...damn...do we ever stop?
 No. And that's how I like it!

July 4th...and a bunch of other crazy things we did!

Sorry it's been a minute since I have blogged...our summer is shaping up to be super busy at home and work. But I'm back! ...with an update! 

So, my Mom was in town for the holiday to see us the grand kids and boy did we keep her busy! We started her trip off with a BANG which included a day trip to Savannah since she has never been and it is one of my favorite places! We did some walking around to a few different squares and then ended up at Forsyth square so the kids could play on the playground and run around in the water foundation they have there. We also stopped off in Tybee Island to play on the beach [if you live smack in the middle of the state and then drive 4 hours to the coast...you must stop and at least say hello to the beach]. We ended our night with a really yummy dinner at The Pirate House, it is one of the oldest buildings in Savannah and the decor was pretty awesome. We had planned to stay and watch the fireworks on River Street but by the time the boys had there bellies full of food they could barely keep their eyes open...I'd bet we were in the car ten minutes and they were both passed out. So, we skipped the fireworks and headed home.

Boys enjoying the beach!

The Pirates House

Friday we were soooooo tired from all the driving the day before. So, we just kind of hung around the house, let the boys enjoy there time with my mom and relaxed. The hubs smoked some ribs on the egg and my mom baked a cake with Mas [Nash helped by cleaning off the spoon used to mix the batter]. Good thing about family visiting is...free babysitting! So yeah...we totally took advantage of that and enjoyed a date night to the Village Theater for some laughs! I tell you I wouldn't trade our date nights for anything, I really do still get butterflies every time I know one is coming up!

The hubby had to work his 24 on Saturday so we didn't have anything planned but my mom has been talking about getting a new tattoo for a few months now so we went to see a friend who does A-maZING work and the end result was just beautiful!

Seems like every time she comes to visit she goes home with a new tattoo...

Another must every time my mom visits is pictures, she loves to have updated pictures of her with her boys. We managed to get a few good ones even though Nash's ADD was in full effect...couldn't get that boy to hold still for anything! But here are a few that I thought were cute.

The trip was as always too short but the boys loved seeing her and we had such a good time! 

In the meantime since she has left we have been super busy with Mason's swimming lesson and soccer camp every night this week...once you factor in dinner and baths it makes for very late evenings in our house! But it's all worth it because Mas absolutely loves it! Signing him up for his next season of soccer soon, plus basketball again in the fall [he's been talking about it so why not?] and we are also thinking maybe he's ready to start some baseball so we're looking into that too. So, in other words...goodbye evenings at home...ha! 

BONUS!
Here is a VERY embarrassing picture of me from work...we had a 4th of July contest [whoever dressed up the most patriotic won a day off on the 5th]...it was game on...I wanted to win bad since my mom was going to be in town. 

I didn't win first place...I was actually third but I still got the day off so all was right in the world. Mas was so funny the morning I was getting ready for this...I walked out of the room and he looked at me and laughed. I said "I look pretty goofy huh?" and my sweet boy says to me "yes you do but your still pretty." <-- this is why one day he is going to make an awesome husband to one very lucky lady!

If you didn't know us...we would probably come across as very weird.

This week has been TERRIBLE at work...so on a lighter note I was scrolling through my texts and started laughing at how ridiculous my texts seem with the hubs. Here are some random text conversations I had with my husband [if you didn't know us or the fact that we are Dave Ramsey followers, this would seem very odd].

Me: (.-.)

Ball & Chain: "What is that?"

Me: "Ha. I have no idea, I didn't send it."

Me: "Wilderness at the Smokies."

Ball & Chain: "?"

Me: "Just a reminder for myself to look up after Nash's asleep."

Ball & Chain: "I got Broken City from red box. You're welcome."

Me: "Mmmm...Mark Wahlberg. Be prepared. Did you get milk?"

Ball & Chain: "Yes"

Me: "Music Midtown tickets are $90 each...crazy!"

Ball & Chain: " I told you"

Me: "When do we get blow again?"

Ball & Chain: "I think next check"

Me: "I have a treat for you planned in August"

Ball & Chain: "What's her name?"

Me: "Keep dreaming. I'm gonna need an advance on that blow...my feet are something scary!"

And my personal favorite:

Ball & Chain: "I am tea bagging the hard pillow right now...good night, love u."

This is why I love this man.

Summertime!

Our sweet Mas is finally home! It felt like he was gone forever, but it was worth missing him since he did have a wonderful time "out on the farm". He really does get a kick out of taking care of the horses and being around all the dogs. Next year they want to take Nash along with Mas...two weeks without both my boys at home...what the hell would I do with myself?!?! 

All the "Vincent's" together [otherwise known as trouble]  last Sunday on Father's Day!

Now that he's home we can really start enjoying our summer! We have some short weekend trips planned as well as swimming lessons and soccer camp lined up! My mom will be up visiting next month and we'll be taking a trip to the aquarium (Nash's first time)! We're trying to pack as much fun fulled stuff into this summer since this he will be starting school...I cannot believe he will be starting kindergarten in just a few short months...pretty sure I'm going to cry the first day.  He is growing up so fast! 

Nash has pretty much been Mas's shadow since he got home, we picked him up last Sunday in Kentucky and then decided since we would be passing Chattanooga on the way home that we would stop and take the boys to Ruby Falls. If you've never been it is definitely a cool experience, we traveled 28 stories underground into a series of caves and passageways which eventually leads out to a huge waterfall underground! Nash was all about exploring too, he of course did not want to be held and every second we were down there he was trying to climb up the walls, crawl down into the passageways too small for adults or go ahead of the group...I swear he is fearless [I am in trouble]. Of course, no matter how far ahead he got he had to stop and look back to make sure his bubba was still with us. 

This picture does not even come close to how beautiful this really was.

Nash must have kissed Mas about a hundred times that day and it was so sweet to hear Mas tell him how much he missed him. Here are some pictures from the other night...boy did they miss wrestling with each other.

Giving bubba his wet kisses

We are so lucky that they are so close.

I am also looking forward to the fall, we have some much planned! Hoping to take a short trip the end of August to celebrate Mas's 5th birthday then in September Nash and I will be in Florida for a long weekend and again with Vince for a week in October [setting sail for our annual cruise with no kids] then heading to Alabama the end of October for my husband college graduation!  

Busy life, happy wife!

Myrtle Beach Vacation!

Well...we are back! Our wonderful vacation was over in what seemed like a flash...boo! BUT we did have a blast with the kids and got in some much needed relaxation! Of course pulling into work this morning was just slightly physically painful...but who's complaining...

We stayed at this amazing condo right on the beach, it had three outdoor pools, two indoor pools, two lazy rivers and six hot tubs! Plus it had the baby one foot pools for Nash to enjoy! Mason was so funny...as soon as we pulled in his first comment was "This is the best day of my life" [mission accomplished]. 

We spent the next week just enjoying the condo's amenities including beach front access! Nash warmed up to the sand but was definitely not a fan of the ocean...not sure if it was because the water was a frigid 60 degrees or if the sound of the waves bothered him...at any rate this was his "I hate you for bringing me here and will never forget this" face.

Couldn't help but laugh at that face!

Mas on the other hand was right at home, digging in the sand and jumping the waves! We definitely constructed some awesome sand castles during our week stay!

While most of our time was spent at the condo Mas and I did sneak away to do some NASCAR racing just the two of us! He even got to drive his very own car all by himself [he now thinks he is all knowing in the art of racing]. We also got in a round of mini-golf [Mommy won...but barely] and some rock climbing...Mas picture below...my picture...well let's just say you don't want to see that horrific image!

We also played a round of mini-golf with my husband and his grandfather [Mommy won again...to much surprise and as Mas would call it "teamwork" which is when he knocks my ball into the hole during his shot]. We found this awesome four story course which not only incorporated waterfalls and caves but fire...Mas again also referenced this as "the best day of his life"...too funny!

Vince and I also managed to sneak away for a much needed date night which included a trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not museum [total waste of money] dinner at Jimmy Buffett's restaurant Landshark and drinks afterwards at a dueling piano bar [lots of singing + lots of drinks = very happy Mommy]!

Most days Mas played in the pool with Auntie, Grandma and Grandpa and Nash enjoyed floating around with me in the lazy river and admiring the beach from afar...like ten stories up...this is his "I can enjoy the beach from right here" face.

Mean-Muggin

The boys really did have a blast...between the beach, pools, mini-golf and cookies for breakfast [thank you grandparents] I'd say they were in heaven! Mas left early Saturday morning for Ohio and will be visiting up there for the next three weeks [miss my boy already...and Nash has definitely noticed that he is missing]. So, we decided on our way home to stop in Charleston for a day trip since I have never been there! After parking just a few blocks from "rainbow row" we started walking and found this really cool farmers market right smack in the middle of downtown. Then we hopped a ferry over to Fort Sumter island to check out the old fort ruins [it was Nash's first fort]! Then we had a late lunch at this place called Justine's...it is known for it's southern food and multiple people told us that they had the best fried chicken...it was so delicious! Nash enjoyed himself some mac-n-cheese, fried okra, chicken and mashed potatoes...but his favorite was the chocolate coke cola cake with chocolate frosting [if there was ever a doubt that he was my son, there should be none now] he literally applauded the waitress when she bought it out to us!

Sad that the time went by so fast but looking forward to the next couple of months...we have an awesome date night concert coming up plus my Mom will be up visiting soon and of course we are already counting down the days until Mas is back home from Ohio!

On the Horizon...

Ah...the week right before vacation begins...a cluster of emotions which include [but are certainly not limited too] "million things to get done", "Oh shit it is really Friday already, I haven't packed" and "laundry...hmmm..." <-- my arch nemesis. But it does also bring pure joy with the idea of not really having to "think too hard" for the next TEN DAYS!!! 

We will be venturing off to the beach [Myrtle Beach for all you stalkers] which is kind of silly to me...when I was a kid we never took vacations to the beach...we lived right down the street from it. So to hear my husband tell me how when him and his sister were kids the "Myrtle Beach vacation" was one they looked forward to ever year is pretty funny to me. Of course that was before I moved to Georgia...like right smack in the middle of the state and then realized that I was now going to have to start taking vacations if I really wanted to see the ocean again. Funny how you take things for granted until they are gone...I mean did I really realize at the time how lucky I was to be living in paradise...within ten minutes of the ocean? No. I was too worried about trying to afford the life that paradise cost. So I really don't have any regrets about leaving...other than now all my vacations are to the beach. Eh what can you do...

It's been pretty busy around our house lately {insert sarcasm here} and when I say busy I mean in that my husband and I have been utterly obsessed with watching Breaking Bad. We literally hurry up in the evenings to get dinner done and time spent with the kids so that we can get them to bed and BAM it's show time! We try to watch two maybe three episodes a night [Yes. I know we have a problem. But we are just not ready to kick it yet]. Truth be told, it's kind of nice to have the time with my husband watching something we both agree on...sometimes it's nice to just sit on the couch together [of course, we do throw in the occasional tickle break or pillow fight in there...you know...to keep it interesting]. But since we have not taken a "date night" for May this is the next best thing. 

The boys have some pretty cool things coming up for the summer, both will be taking swimming lessons [Nash will be learning to float], Mas will also be going to soccer camp and my Mom is planning a trip up in July [which I'm sure will include endless spoiling of the grandsons]. 

Before we know it, it will be fall again and we will be getting ready to board our big Carnival boat for our cruise to...well... different beaches. Ha!

Mas with his soccer trophy!