Happy Birthday, Jay!!

Today Jason turned 30! He finally caught up to me and now he can no longer give me a hard time for being so old, hahaha!! The kids and I spent all day preparing for Jay's birthday dinner surprise! We decorated the kitchen, made a cake and I cooked up one of Jay's favorite dishes that I had not made for him in quite some time....Manicotti!! I also made him his favorite cookies and his favorite Spinach Artichoke dip!! He came home from work and the kids and I hurried downstairs because we had our surprise gift waiting for him in the garage. We got him a new tool box. He's been needing a bigger one with drawers so we got it for him! He was happy!!! Then the kids rushed him upstairs to show him what we did. Caiti yelled out "surprise" as Jay walked into the kitchen!! It was fun!!

We were really happy to see Jay enjoy his birthday! He's never been one to want to celebrate so I made sure he had no choice but to celebrate! He's a wonderful man and we want to make sure he always knows how much we love him!!! Happy Birthday, Jay!! We love you!!!

Fun on Our Boat!

As most of you know, Jay got a boat for his birthday and this past weekend we took it out for the first time! We met up with our friends, Joe and Amy and headed out to the lake (after a big rain storm, haha). We started off a little rocky but soon got the hang of things. The kids really enjoyed being out on their own boat but did actually wish they could be on the boat with their friends! We tried anchoring the boats together but it was a bit choppy so it was impossible to do. We ended up having a really fun day out on the water!!

I even took a shot at driving the boat. I kept it pretty slow but I had a lot of fun driving it. I even got it up onto the trailer when we were done!! Scary but I did it!!!

Our fun in the water was cut a little short. Caiti and I went out on the water and ended up getting pulled out with the current. I tried swimming back in towards the boat but holding on to Caiti with both our lifevests on made it absolutely difficult. We just kept getting pulled further and further away from the boat. I started to panic and yelled to Jay to jump out and help us!!! He did and in the process, broke his phone and lost his watch (the watch that survived two deployments with him). So after that if the kids wanted to go in the water we stayed very close to the boat and held onto the ladder the whole time. They had to take turns getting in so I could be in there with them, hahah!! No more boats on windy days!!!
The bow of our boat sits up a little higher than our friends boat so Cory preferred to sit back here behind the window next to Dad, hahaha! Caiti and I sat up in the bow...she's our little thrill-seeker!

Jays Dream Come True...

Jay has had one wish the entire 11 years we've been together (and I'm sure much longer than that) to own a boat. Well, that wish finally came true for him today!!! We took a long drive out to Maryland to view a boat. It turned out to be a very exhausting day but everything was well worth it! We walked away getting an amazing deal on a very nice boat!! It is a 1999 Bayliner. So it is aged a bit but the boat is in great condition!! It can seat up to 9 people. The large bar going across the top is for wakeboarding/kneeboarding/waterskiing. A 3 person tube was also included with the boat!! The fork looking thing off the side is for the kneeboards, etc. I will have more pictures after this weekend. We are storing the boat at our friends house and will be going over there this weekend to clean it up a bit and I'll take some pictures then! I know this is going to bring our family a lot of fun and we can not wait to have our friends and family have the chance to be a part of it!!

A New Experience!

Our family has taken many adventures and experienced many different things. We've tried to find things that our whole family could enjoy. Well, we have finally found it!! Yesterday we were invited to join some friends out on their boat. I was a little hesitant because the last time I was on a boat it wasn't good! I was also nervous for the kids but to my surprise...WE ALL LOVED IT!!!! Jason has been on boats before growing up but I have never had the opportunity to get out on a boat for personal enjoyment nor have our kids. I have to say that yesterday was one of the best days we've ever had. I sat in the back of the boat watching my kids up in the front. Laughing, singing, screaming with excitement as the boat crashed up and down on the waves. The smiles on their faces were priceless. I'd look to my left and see Jason just taking it all in and looking so peaceful. He was in his element and that made me feel good! We were about to spend a good 7 hours out on the water! We swam in the lake, took dives off the boat, rode on the tube being pulled by the boat and even pulled up to a restaraunt and had dinner. Then we got back in the boat and headed back to the docks. I sat and watched each time we pulled in so I could learn because Jay and I have come to an agreement...we are buying a boat!!! I'm thrilled!! Not sure when but hopefully soon so over the Summer we can spend many more wonderful days on the water as a family!!

This was Cory jumping in the water from the boat!

This is Joe...our captain, LOL!!

The kids enjoying the ride back to shore.

Thank you, Joe and Amy for taking us out on your boat!! We had an absolute blast and hopefully when we get our boat we will be the ones driving you around the lake!!