Picnicking on the Deck

Since we're back in our first home and have this amazing view, you'd think we'd be out there all the time. Except, we're not. One word: bugs. Well, two, bugs and SUN. We're east/west facing so we get some crazy sun. Sean's more of the bug-a-phobe (entomophobia for those needing the exact terminology). Maybe he's not so much of a bug-a-phobe, but more of a bug-hater....like he really, really, really does not like bugs.

Anyhoo, I digress...weather was good, deck is freshly painted, and both kids are home...so with grilled cheeses, a fresh juice concoction (spinach, blueberries, red grapes w/seeds, strawberries, ground flax, & water...all whipped up in the Vita-mix), and our picnic blanket (we still need new deck furniture)...we headed outdoors...along with Jax.

It was really nice. The kids loved it and watched the butterflies flying around our bushes. Sean missed out...on all the flies, that is! HAHAHAHA. The kids are so used to disciplining the dogs they were yelling "NO!" to the flies instead of swatting them away!!

The only sad thing is, I realize how fast the kids are growing and that both of them will be in school this September (well Jaron possibly only part-time...we'll see). I feel like I've just missed out on so much even though I've been with them almost everyday of their lives (save a total of 5 days for Kaia and 2 days for Jaron).

Really...where did time go and when did my babies grow up?

Even though we miss FL...

...it's nice to be back in VA Beach. How can you complain when you have an awesome backyard full of wildlife and calming water? Now, I can't say much about the seagull poop all over my roof...argh. When we left for SOAC in 2006, we did not have so many seagulls...now they're plentiful and we're not diggin' 'em. Plus, the kids want to feed the ducks & geese, but not the gulls since they steal everything!!! Did I mention the poop???? UGHHHH!!!


So, do you see the tree across the lake in the center of the photo...well, this is what I was taking photos of:

and a little closer (I'm limited in my zoom with my little point-and-shoot)...

Recognize it, my friends? Yup...a certified national bird...the Bald Eagle! Unless there are some orinthologists that recognize this as some other bird, we'll just call it a Bald Eagle and call it a day. We really do love this little lake and all the wildlife views it affords us. Plus, we see these guys fly in all the time:

Really, I'll take birds and all their poop any day over scorpions (in the house) and snakes (around my house)!! I do miss these lil' buggers though (sorry for the poor image quality):

This lil' guy was hanging out on a sprinkler head while I was grilling on the lanai:

Yes, I do miss FL, but change is nice.

VA Beezy

We are back in the land where military personnel & their families outnumber locals!! Yes, yes, yes...Hampton Roads...home to 7+ military installations, including the world's largest Naval base! We are back in our old house, which is also the first home we bought back at the end of Sean's JO tour. We've had renters in here since we moved up to CT and then to FL. Needless to say, there are lots of repairs we're working on now in addition to unpacking. We were really lucky to have The Fam come down and help unpack our kitchen (a nice not-so-little birthday gift for me!!). It was crazy trying to fit three huge pantries into a pantry that is less than half the size of our coat closet. Speaking of which...we did not have a coat closet in FL...because, there isn't much need for coats! HAHAHAHA. Anyhooo....going from a huge kitchen to a big kitchen has been a challenge and we still have misc. stuff hanging out everywhere. I'm hoping that we'll be unpacked by the time we have to pack up and move again. HAHAHAHAHA.

Above is the view from our backyard. We have seriously missed these gorgeous sunsets that our backyard affords us! The lake is great too...seeing the cormorants dive and catch fish and the mean seagulls try to steal 'em away, the ducks and the geese squawking loudly, and the rumble of jet noise. Wait a minute...what does that have to do with the lake?? Anyhoo...yes, the jets from nearby NAS Oceana rumble loudly overhead (at times) and I LOVE IT. Seriously, how often do people have military jets flying overhead??

Kaia also had her first official week of kindergarten last week! I can't believe my/our baby girl is so grown up already! She adjusted PERFECTLY and had a blast! Jaron is missing his sister, but has his mommy all to himself! ;o)

Alrighty...off to open some boxes...or not. Tee hee hee.