Phone Dump: A week's worth

*The Phone Dump photos were taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into the Pic Stitch app (free). 
 
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Mason
 
A few months ago Mason was offered the opportunity to attend the Environmental Studies Summer Camp in Stuart along with his cousins Tanner and Bryce. It is a day camp where the boys would take boat trips, seine in the Indian River, fish, cast net and maintain an aquarium. The boys would attend the camp during the day and spend the nights with their aunt and uncle who live on the inlet.

As you can see below, the week was a total success! The three boys had a great time and are already planning to do it all over again next summer. That is of course, if their aunt and uncle will have them again.  Thanks Jim and Sharon!  It was an awesome experience the boys will never forget.



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Mackenzie

A quick last minute decision was made to fly Mackenzie to Atlanta to visit family.  She spent the week in Atlanta and Kingsport, Tennessee with her cousin Taylor (Tanner's sister). I think the girls enjoyed being alone for the week without the boys there to bother them. Of course they had my brother, Derek, to cater to their every wish.  Thanks, Derek!  Mackenzie had a fantastic time and would do it all over again including the delayed flight home :)



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Darin and I

Say, what? Both kids gone for the week.  This never happens.  Unfortunately, Darin had to work but we were able to sneak away to Key Largo for a night.  We stayed at an awesome resort, enjoyed a 2 1/2 hour snorkeling excursion off John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and ate at decilious seafood restuarants.

Father's Day 2012

We woke up early, 4 am to be exact, to get Mackenzie to the Fort Lauderdale airport in time for her morning flight to Atlanta. She is spending the week in Georgia and Tennessee with family.

After Fort Lauderdale, we headed to Stuart to drop Mason off at his godparents' house for a week long environmental camp.  Along the way we noticed this sign.



It was just too good of an offer to not partake.







Once we got to Stuart we spent the day boating with Mason's cousins Tanner and Bryce who had also come for the environmental camp.



Bryce decided to spend a few minutes fishing off the boat dock.  It didn't take long and he caught a ray.



For the first time in over 14 years Darin and I are home alone without kids.  Thanks to technology both kids have kept in touch with us daily by texting, calling and sending pictures of their exciting adventures. 

VBS 2012

I have been on summer vacation for one week but that entire week was spent at vacation bible school. If you ask our kids they will tell you that it is one of their favorites weeks.  It is full of music, dancing and high energy. Tonight it ended with a catholic mass and a family dinner.

This was my last year as a Crew Leader.



This year Mackenzie was old enough to be a Crew Leader ...



... and next summer Mason will be old enough to be Mackenzie's Jr. Crew Leader. 



One of the highlights of the family dinner is watching the slideshow of our week.



Of course it wouldn't be as much fun without an audience, thanks Darin!

Goodbye Middle School

It was a short four day work week but two of those nights were spent at North Naples Middle. On Tuesday, Mackenzie performed in her last chorus concert.



Each 8th grade girl who had been in the chorus for all three years was honored and presented with a flower.



Tonight, we attended the 8th Grade Awards Night. We are so proud of Mackenzie for earning the 3.5 and higher GPA award for the past three years.







Next Wednesday we say goodbye to middle school and hello to high school. There's good times ahead I tell you, good times!

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day at our favorite beach, Clam Pass. To gain access to Clam Pass you must either walk 3/4 a mile along a shady boardwalk or hop aboard a free tram ride through the mangrove forest. Our kids would much rather float in the tranquil Pass rather than fight the current in the Gulf.  If you want to see pelicans, manatees, crabs, and dolphins then Clam Pass is the place to visit.

Hi and Smile

Here's a little message for you. A little message to say "hi". Just to make you smile for a little while!

Our kind of Entertainment

As a family we rarely go to the movies, bowling or miniature golfing. We are lucky if we even participate in those activities once a year. However, when given the opportunity to attend a Broadway-type production we rarely pass it up.  A few years ago when we went to Ireland, Grandpa and Nana took the kids to see a local production of Cats.  The kids couldn't stop talking about it, it was their favorite activity of the entire week.

Over the years, we have attended productions in both Naples and Fort Myers.  Of course, our favorite, includes a meal like today's dinner theater production of School House Rock.









Even though today's show didn't end up being one of our favorites, the kids are already asking for tickets to the next production. Which of course, I will happily oblige because it's "our kind of entertainment."