Ian's Journey Begins

On Monday, Ian left for Army Boot Camp!!! We are Soooo Proud of him and very excited for him to start this journey of becoming a man.

We went to lunch first, but he was to nervous to eat, then we dropped him off and
Rob did not want to leave him. He is missing him like crazy and it's already making Rob crazy that he can't talk to him for 10 Weeks!!

Ian is at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for 10 weeks of Basic Training, then graduation before he starts another 10 weeks for Military Police Training.

 

We are So Proud of You Ian!!

We Love You and We Can't wait to see you at Graduation!!

XOXOXOXO

Hello 2013!!!

I am back again....hopefully this time I will not be an absent blogger anymore!! I've been inspired to catch up the blog again!!!

Here it is February 1st, 2013 already!! Wow the time is flying....

Here's a look back at 2012...

We all turned a year older, the kids are now 19, 14 and 13 and growing like weeds!! I am 47 soon to be 48 yikes!! Rob is going to be 43 and my Dad turned the big 70 this past year!! How did we get here so fast!!! Seems like yesterday I was turning 30 and now I'm chasing 50!!

Spring break is almost here and the last real post on my blog was last years Spring Break!! We visited the Lighthouse in Daytona, and took the kids to Lion Country Safari and then a trip to Orlando before taking the kids back for school... I wonder what adventures we can find this coming Spring Break!!

Then we had a visit from Rob' Sister JEN, we took her to our favorite Naples for the Day!!

 

Then in May we were back to Naples Spluring and stayinhg at the Naples Bay Resort to Celebrate our 5th Year Wedding Anniversary and Rob's 42nd Birthday!! It was the BEST Trip Ever!!

 

Then it was off to the Keys for a weekend with my cousin Len & his wife Bernie and My Cousin Tiffany, her husband Steve and little Blake were also there. We had a Blast, and it was also Ian's first trip to the Keys. Thanks Len & Bernie for an awesome weekend.

Then it was Summer break and we picked up the kiddies and kept them all summer...we celebrated Megan's birthday and she enjoyed a nice summer at camp with her South Florida BFF's and cousins Jessica and Carlee!!

In July most of our family on the Hightower side, all met at my Sister's house for a Big Pig Roast to Celebrate my Dad's 70th birthday, it was GREAT to have everyone together again.  During this time the Lord took our Dear Sweet Aunt Ginger from us and none of us will be the same again. I know that we all cherish all the moments we had with her and they are and always will be my most cherished memories.

Then my Aunt's Juanita & Hilda moved from South Florida to Texas and I didn't get a chance to see them before they left and I feel sad about that everyday. But I know they are loving their house in Texas and enjoying the retirement life!!

We returned the kids home to start the school year and then we started bathroom renovations on our guest bathroom, it was LONG process but in the end it was worth it!!! I will post pictures later on this subject!!!

Then it was Thanksgiving again and my Nephew Beau came to stay and visit for Thanksgiving, we spent a wonderful at my cousin Jen's house just enjoying the family!!! And we celebrated my Sister's 48th Birthday.

Next thing you know it was Christmas again and we spent a few days at Lake Seminole for our annual Cabin Miller Christmas Celebration, it was so much fun!!

Well that was the year in a nut shell...with lots of little things in between that I'm sure will come to me as I'm looking through the photos I took.

Happy New Year Everyone, I hope this year brings much Happiness, Good Health and Success to our Families and Friends!!
XOXO

Angel on Earth

I have neglected my blog for most of the year, but I am hoping to catch up so I can be current, as the last quarter of the year starts to get super busy.....we had a great year and lots of fun with the kids, our families and our friends but then our world stopped as our family experienced a great loss, one that none of us will recover from for a long time, if ever.

My Very Special Aunt Ginger, was called to Heaven in July and I'm sure I can speak for the rest of our family when I say, it is still so unbelievable to comprehend.
She was a true Angel right here on Earth. She was the kind of person everyone wanted to be around because she made you feel so special and loved and she was just such a shining light and a joy to be around. She was battling several illnesses but you never ever heard her complain, she was always happy to talk to you and to hear from you and always put everyone first, she always had a smile on her face, when most people in her situation would have just given up, but she never did!!
We all felt like we had a special bond with her because that's how she made you feel, she was Precious to me and I can never explain what she meant to me, but I hope she knew how loved she was. My Mother loved her very much and they always had a great time together and now I know they are both in Heaven having a big party!!

My heart will forever be broken and I will never stop missing You Aunt Ginger Bread!!!



My Beautiful Aunt Ginger with her two favorite girls

Her Beautiful Daughter Amy and Beautiful Granddaughter Ashlyn!

 

 My Beautiful Aunt Ginger with her two BFF's

Her Cousins Norma and Jenny

I Love You Aunt Ginger and I will never stop missing you!!

XOXOXOO

Birthday Cakes.....

I've been having some fun, playing around with frosting and fondant and polishing up my cake decorating skills....

This coming weekend I am making a cake for my friend's little girl, she's turning 7 and it'll be my first attempt at at triple decker cake!!!

Here is my inspiration cake.........

There will be no wand and and the 4 will be a 7 and the topper will be different, I think that crown looks cheesy, so I'll be using a more realistic crown and have some different dangling things....and will put my own spin on it....wish me luck!!! I do not want to disappoint little Caylie!!!

Miss You Mom

4 Years Ago Today, On September 21st
My Mom was called to be an Angel

 

I think of you every single day Mom

I hope you know how much I Miss You...

 I know your with me Mom, I can feel you

in the Sunshine on my face and see you

in the Rainbows that the rain brings.

My heart is still breaking and I wish I just

had one more day with you! But I know your an

Angel watching over us now.

 

Mom, I know you know this now, that another Special

Angel is with you!! I'm sure you were surprised to see her.

And just like you, we lost her way to soon...I know you and

Aunt Ginger are having some fun up there in Heaven..

 

I wish we had you both still with us....

 

I LOVE YOU MOM

XOXOXO

 

I'm Back......

Hello Family & Friends....it's been awhile, I'm sure I've lost all my readers, but hopefully everyone will come back and catch up with me!!
Lot's has happened since Spring Break and I will attempt to catch up on all the goings on, it's been a busy Summer...
I will start my catch up with a Current Event: Tonight's Dinner!!
In an attempt to eat healthy, I made Classic Minestrone Soup and it was Surprisingly Really Good!!

Recipe:
2 Carrots, diced
2 Stalks Celery, Chopped
1 Large Onion, Chopped (I diced it pretty small)
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
4 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
1tsp. Italian seasoning
1 cup small shell pasta
1 cup shredded escarole or kale (I used kale)
1 15.5 oz can cannellini beans or navy beans (drained)
Grated Parmesan for serving..optional

Combine carrots, celery, onion and garlic in crock pot. Pour in broth an stir in tomatoes with their liquid, Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

About 30 minutes before serving, stir in pasta, kale and beans. Cover and increase heat to High and cook until pasta is tender, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot topped with Parmesan if desired.

219 calories per serving

Spring Break 2012

Spring 2012 with Nathan and Megan was Super Fun!!

We Started out visiting my Sister & My Dad in Edgewater, FL

Then a Trip to the Ponce Lighthouse, which was tons of fun

Then back down south to our place for swimming and hanging out

Then a Trip to Lion Country Safari which was Super Cool

and we ended the week in Orlando at our favorite hotel

Caribe Royale

Where we Celebrated Nathan's 14th Birthday!!!

Here comes the pictures....
Our First Adventures was visiting
The Ponce Lighthouse...it was awesome

Here is everyone getting ready to climb to the top

Billy, Chad, Dad, Rob, Megan & Nate

Gina and the Bell
There are 5 museums there too....it was great

Looking up the staircase inside the Lighthouse

Its hard to see but Rob, Chad, Nate & Megan are at the top

Me, Nate, Megan & Rob

Dad (The Buck) with the kids

Nate, Meg, Dad & Billy

The Husted's

Chad, Gina & Billy

Me, Dad & Gina

That's the Red Baron...LOL

The little Red Plane was flying all around

Adventure #2

Lion Country Safari

Here we go....

Look at this guy!!! He has a huge under bite!!

They Creatures were running all over the place

Lots of Gorgeous animals all over

Excuse me....your in our way

The Lions were behind a fence but

they were Gorgeous!!!

 They were very sleepy

 

This guy is hiding behind a tree....LOL

Megan was a bit scared that the Rhino's came so close

The Zebra's were Amazing

I think he had an itchy back...LOL

They were very playful

Hello There....they are so prehistoric looking

Watch out Zebra Crossing!!!

UT Oh...Giraffe Crossing

Look at this cutie pie....

Looks like a hungry Giraffe Family

So Awesome

After you drive through, there is a little walk through park

Rob with Megan & Nate

The Spider Monkeys were to funny

They live on their own little Island

This Guy kept walking around on his back legs

and sticking his belly out..it was funny

Rob said he has back trouble...LOL

Beautiful Flamingo's

The first time I've seen a REAL Flamingo

very cool how they sleep on one foot

Taking a Ride on the Ferris Wheel

Rob & Megan

Nathan & Me

Then the BEST Part

Feeding the Giraffes - So Amazing

 Nathan feeding one

 Rob's Turn

 Hello There

 My Turn

 They were so cool

This was a little guy

Getting ready to head into the mine...

Here's a porcupine

 Panning for Gold....

well not really more like Stones and Gems

 They found Arrow Heads and a few gem stones

Stay Tuned for more Spring Break 2012 Adventures

XOXOXO