New toys!

So last year we saw people at the beach with paddle boards. Boards that you can stand on to paddle around. We were interested!! Rob is a GREAT researcher, so he went to work finding out all the details. His research found that these Liquid Logic paddle boards would be the best for us. So we then went to work of where to purchase.....

What a great deal we ran into. 2 used paddle boards for cheaper than 1 new one! Rob located a place in Maryland, about an hour drive for us, where we could get this deal. As we drove we gave each other very stick instructions, "do not act totally sold on them until we know all the details." (Maybe those were my instructions for Rob....my memory it is not totally clear, how convenient that I am writing this!) At this point we didn't even know the definition of the word "used."

So we schooled ourselves into a stick mind set as we pulled into the kayak place.......

We bought them, we TOTALLY enjoy them, they are waiting for you to come try them out!!

And that my friend is the rest of the story!

And Mom goes to FLORIDA!!!

It was now January and Mom decided to spend a few weeks with Aunt Janice in Florida! After some talk Rob and I drove her down there (really it was Rob drove me and Mom to Florida!) We had a lovely trip.

Because of the fact that I just had started fill time teaching I could not stay more than the weekend. The three of us left after school on Friday, arrived at Aunt Janice's Saturday afternoon and then Rob and I headed to Jacksonville so I could catch a flight home on Monday. It was a quick trip but it was FUN to see Aunt Janice and I also had the opportunity to meet Uncle Johne!

Look at that....2 feet below sea level!

Aunt Janice, Rob, and Mom

Me and the twins!

Have fun Mom see ya soon!!

Christmas Cabin

Just a little look at what the cabin looked like this Christmas!

We were not here much for the actually holidays but it was nice to have a cozy cabin during the dark nights of winter.

Notice that there are no snow pictures?? That's because we didn't have any this year =0)

Of all the years to be full-time teaching!!

Heartwarming

When Rob went off to work in December I was off to start a long term sub job. We were both off to working again and well it was exciting to be working yet having just said goodbye it's always an adjustment.

My little surprise came one morning when I opened the cupboard in our bathroom. There was a card for me from Rob. I had a feeling he had bought a card when we were at the store together but every place I looked around the house I couldn't find it.....(yes I was looking!!) I had not looked in the cupboard.

Nothing like sweet words written in ink by your Sweetheart to warm your heart and start your day. I brought the card with me to school and read it right before students came in to me. He had written exactly what I need.

"the voice of my beloved" Song of Solomon 5:2

Roossinck Christmas Take 1

We headed to Michigan for an early Christmas because Rob was to work over Christmas. The weather was no problem for travel this time, which was a blessing for me and Rob. :)

Saturday was our "Christmas Day." Dad and Mom's tree has ornaments with all of their children's names.

Maria's Christmas present being installed!!

Oh yes! That is me, and I know how to use it!

Everyone got involved!

Looks WONDERFUL!

Back to Mom & Dad's for dinner, mmmmm Christmas Ham!

I absolutely LOVE sweet potato casserole, mmmm I can almost taste it right now.

We had A LOT of FUN playing games!!! Especially many different versions of UNO. We also were able to visit some dear friends as well. (I'm not sure why my camera didn't have picture.) I miss my goofy friends!

We made a little pit stop to the Roossinck's Orchard as well as Eric & Liz's house.
REAL APPLE!

MICHIGAN STYLE- from Roossinck's Orchard. It was SOOOOO GOOD!
What a WONDERFUL trip it was.....

I must also say it was a lot of fun to drive together. Being stick in a car together for 10:30 hours, nothing to do but drive and chat, priceless.

Thank you Dad, Mom, and Maria for having early Christmas with us. It was a special time.

A Chesnutt Thanksgiving

Turkey??? Can you see it?

For sure, TURKEYS!!!

"What if your eyes get stuck like that?"

We headed to the Chesnutt's for a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING DAY!!

The kids and I tried to put together a veggie Turkey, if you use your imagination you can see it....right?

Caroline, Grandma, and Jesse

The beautiful table!

OH YUMMY!

A lovely table FULL! (Mrs. Chesnutt is hiding behind Jan!) We missed Uncle Rob...and Aunt Carol, and Uncle Jeff, and Drew, and Carly, and Aunt Janice & Uncle Johne, and Aunt Barbara....but we had them in our hearts!

And then the entertainment!

It was discovered that the children can do this but us adult's, with our oily noses, cannot place a spoon on our nose! Trust me, even though there are not pictures, everyone tried... =0)

We ended our meal with delicious pie & ice cream and of course Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving!

Thank you Chesnutt's for a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving day.

Can she bake a PECAN PIE Robbie boy?

Well, today was the day of my first pastry crust pie!

Days before I had done my research:

I contacted my Grandma, who makes a wonderful Pecan Pie.

I talked to my Mom, maker of excellent pie crust.

Then I called Maria, I won't tell you all what she said.

The last was my friend Erika, who added a secret touch!

I had my cheerleaders set: Rob, George, Mom #2, Jan, & Carol!

I felt ready to go!!!

Thanks everyone, this was a work for you all!

Gathering the supplies!

Making the crust.

After putting everything in the refrigerator

The first roll out!

Setting it into the pan

Tucking in the edges

"Roped" edge according to Better Homes & Garden.

The filling is poured in

Into the oven

The finished product!!!

Ready for Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!