new looks for the new year

Here is the new look for Isabella....

We've been wanting to do something different with Isabella's hair for a while, but just couldn't decide what. Her daddy & her have been wanting to cut it for some time now...but mama couldn't quite get on board.

And then I decided today was the day....for her new look....I loved it as soon as I did it. She looks a little more grown up, I think.

I put it in a ponytail and then cut it so it could be donated to Locks of Love, an organization that makes hairpieces for kids with long term medical hair loss. So after I cut the ponytail I had to straighten out the back...Isabella was getting a little nervous as it got a little shorter. Concerned that it would not be able to be in a ponytail.

But all is well and we all love her new look.

And now on with the rest of the week.....

taking a break from swimming....

and the whole group....left to right back cousin-Jon, me, Donovan, Uncle Paul holding Suzy, Aunt Fran. In front...William, Cousin-Steve holding Jack, Jane-(his wife), Sierra, and Isabella.

out for dinner....this girl was gold.

On Wednesday we went to Old Town in St. Augustine. This is the nation's oldest city and is similar to Mackinaw Island with cobblestone streets, unique shops, and cool coffee shops. In the picture above we stopped at Cafe' St. George Coffeehouse and Bakery. Mmmmmm warm and wonderful all in one drink. I got a Vanilla Flavored Chai tea, Donovan got a Mounds Candy bar flavored hot chocolate, and the kids got straight hot chocolate with cool whip. Talk about delish. And I should've used a capital "D". And since it was a high of 42 for the day...we needed all the help we could get with staying warm.

Sweet kids.



And then Thursday came and with that day brought more chilly weather, and sickness. Jack started throwing up...and had a sore throat....so he caught the strep that Suzy had been diagnosed with before we left. Thankfully the Dr. called in an antibiotic for Jack and he was better within 1 1/2 days. I'm beginning to think we should all start wearing masks and sterile gloves.

By evening we were ready for a change of scenery....my aunt and uncle kept the kids for us and we headed back to downtown, old town and visited a quaint little cafe named....

La Pentola. There was courtyard dining outside the little restaurant but since it was so cold we opted for the indoor seating arrangement. It was a quaint little place with local owners, Mediterranean style continental cuisine, and by the way fab food. It was perfect for an anniversary celebration!

And here we are I am watching Donovan eat. After all it was our anniversary...so I let him have the salad. Ha ha..choke. choke. Our main dish was an awesome Egg Fettuccini with Alfredo and Grilled Chicken. Again. Delish! For our anniversary Donovan gave me a nights' stay at a B & B in Saugatuck....to be used this Friday. Complete with babysitting arrangements already made! How cool is that? I know...we just got back from vacation-but may I remind you all 6 of us slept in one bedroom our whole vacation? So now I do need a vacation from our vacation.

And the next day...cool again.....but still having fun.

for the birds....

come and get it....

Playing by the pool since it was too cold for swimming.

And this was taken in Tennessee. We opted this time for a stay over rather than pulling an all nighter (like on the way down to FL.) Because really we are getting too old to stay up all night. Don't the kids look nice and well rested and ready to sit in the car for 8 more hours? I know I was excited about it.

Good times, good memories. Now back to laundry, cleaning, and homework.