Moving to Clearwater, Florida

A couple of weeks ago opportunity came knocking and opened a door that we didn't expect. Michael was offered the General Manager position at the Clearwater Marriott on Sand Key. Although this was not in our radar at the moment it was a GREAT opportunity for him and for our family. So just like that, 1 year later, we are moving again. Hopefully this will be a more permanent move. 

Michael and I got to go down and check out the area with a quick two day trip. So glad we were able to do that (thanks Grandma and Grandpap for watching the kids!) because this time our house has sold quickly (luckily we don't have to be out until June 26). Michael starts his new position on Monday, along with out house hunting journey. 

The kids are SUPER EXCITED about the move, thank goodness, and are more than ready to go check out the area for themselves. We took lots of pictures to get them pumped.

A view of the Marriott Resort from our 10th floor suite.

Dolphins swimming by while we were dining Bay Side

Muscles

Dinner by the Bay

Lisa the parrot who lives at the hotel

Although we didn't get a chance to get in the ocean we took a walk with toes in the sand

I am ready for this to be our new norm!

The kids were so excited to were their new shirts to school and tell their teachers and friends!

Spring Break 2015

THIS CREW...all in 1 house for a couple of days!!

We went the opposite direction of everyone else for Spring Break and we headed north to see friends and family. The kids had not been back to Ohio since we left in May and they were hankering for some time with their friends. So far Beavercreek has been the only place my kids have thought of as "home." And they were missing their favorite, people, places and things! It was a FUN FILLED and EXHAUSTING week filled with GREAT MEMORIES!


We drove 600 miles on Monday to Columbus, Ohio. On Tuesday, Aunt Shendy, Sammy Reese and Grammie drove down from Canton to see us! The kids were so happy to have some cousin time! We went bowling, swam and played at Recreation Outlet! It was a fun filled twenty four hours!! 


We drove over to Dayton on Wednesday morning and sated until Saturday. We saw so many friends! I am so thankful for everyone we saw. I didn't get pictures of everyone but I was just so happy to catch up with everyone and so were the kids! I am have been blessed with AWESOME friends!!

Logan and Melina got to spend the night at Carl and Allison's house where Julie spoiled them with homemade pancakes for breakfast (Thanks for having them Julie- they LOVED it!). And I am so thankful for Astrid (and Ed!) who let invade their house for 3 days! LOVE YOU!!

Here are some cute pictures I did get from the week.

COUSINS...Look at this happy crew!

Oh how we missed Roosters!!!

Greater's Ice Cream Factory!

Sweet Friends!

Melina got to see some of her classmates from last
year at a playdate no the Trebein playground!

So glad we were able to connect!

"I'm never letting go!" - Allison Fischer
This moment brought tears to my eyes!! 

Ella and Meeka played a lot of Minecreft together!
Trent is just along for the ride! 

Trent and Meeka!

SkyZone Dayton

Fischer and Miraglia Crew after the sleepover!

An early morning movie with the crew!

They had some rousing games of Hungry, Hungry, Hippo!

Swimming!
Carson was big enough to do the water slide!

These two were so excited to sleep together!
They made each other laugh like no one else does.
I was so happy to see these best friends united!!
(although we won't be so happy with a picture like this in a couple of years!)

Can you not see the JOY in their faces!!!!

Exploring Birmingham

We spent several long weekends exploring Birmingham. We came down on MLK weekend, Presidents weekend and some of spring break. We explored the area, had some fun, and looked at houses. Here are some of the things we did.

The McWane Science Center

It was Touch A Truck Day!

We tried several BBQ places

I think JoJo enjoyed the ribs

And she's not picky...just give the girl some ribs...
as long as there are wipes nearby!

We got to play OUTSDE when it was freezing on Ohio.
That was a nice break from the cold!

Ball FUN!

Indoor rock wall

Airwalk trampoline

The Peanut Depot

Feeding the Pigeons peanuts

FLIP Burger milkshakes!!

Checking out the view.
I have to say, Birmingham was much hillier than I imagined.

The Park

Checking out the Mall
The girls tried on clothes at Von Mar

And the boys played in the Lego store

The Zoo

We have really enjoyed the Birmingham Zoo and have been back a lot

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to CAMP we go!

I am packing the bags and we are heading out for the week…. 


The girls and I will be attending Grandmas, Moms and Tots Camp for 3 day with my my mom at Pine Spring Camp, a faith based camp in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania. Logan will be at the same camp, but in his own program, and for the whole week!! Michael and Carson will be hanging out and having boy time while we are away. So you won't hear from me for a week or so, but I am sure I will have plenty of fun stories when we return. 


So have a GREAT week everyone!

Road Trip Busy Bag!

After the success of the first Busy Bag Exchanges and with 4 Road Trips ahead of us this summer I decided (selfishly) to host a ROAD TRIP BUSY BAG EXCHANGE! And my friends did not dissapoint! We all left with bug full of goodies for use in the car and at restaurants; some were homemade and some were bought, but all will be GREAT! 

Check out what we will be doing on our grips this summer!

Here are some examples:

Homemade eye spy bottle!
 I am sure this will be hours of fun!

A Truck Book.
Pictures on the front and what they do on the back.

A Ticket Game where you can count the time or
reward your child for good behavior in the car!

Dry Erase Car Book

I put together a book of games for the car for my kids. I slid the pages in page protectors and put them together with a ring. I made 2 pages of this book with a dry erase crayon (you can write with the dry eraser right on the page protectors and it wipes right off) and eraser for everyone. I still might add to it…maybe some dot to dot and word searches.  Anyone else have any suggestions?

Battleship

Licence Plate Game

Dot Game

Tic Tac Toe

This Bingo came from a friend at the exchange and I slipped it in with the others.

 BINGOS

Scavenger Hunt