Manda's Place: Weekend Update, FL edition.

So we had a really fun and busy weekend. I was able to go back to Daytona for a belated birthday weekend with a bunch of my girlfriends. It was really fun. So while I was there the boys got to spend some quality time with Daddy as well as with Nama and Pa.

I left on Thursday and met up with our friend Davina and two of her kids. We ate at Mimi's Cafe. It was the first time I'd ever eaten there and I believe I have fallen in love with their spice muffin. Then it was on to Daytona. My good friend Christine was kind enough to let me stay with her. She was such a good host and we had a really fun time. I went into my old work office and got to see a bunch of people that I had worked with so that was nice. I also got to go see my friend Diane and her little boys. Her oldest is just a few months older than Joel. He was a bit disappointed that I didn't bring Joel to play. The rest of the weekend was filled with good food, a horrible movie pick followed by an enjoyable movie pick, a really fun laugh packed girls night, some craft projects and a lot of relaxing. So ladies, thank you for such a fun weekend! (Especially you Christine!!!!)

So while I was gone the boys hung out with Daddy on Thursday and Friday morning. Then they got to go over to Nama's house. They got to go pick up Pa from the airport, eat MccyDonalds and probably stay up way past their bed times. Saturday included a trip to the store, a Madagascar marathon, bubbles, Jiffy Pop and swimming. Then they got to go to church with Nama and Pa. Of course these were just the highlights and you know what they say, "What happens at Nama's stays at Nama's." : )

Otherwise, things are good here. Tj stays busy with his church calling (he now serves as Young Men's president for our ward). He also goes in to work a few times a week to keep current on the airplane. We're hoping the flying picks up so he can have the opportunity to work more. But it will probably be feast or famine and in a few months I'll probably be wishing he were home more. So we're trying to appreciate the time we have now. Joel cracks us up. His imagination has completely taken off. He loves to tell us stories, sing songs, tell us about his day, and pretend. He is such a tender heart. He is always saying thank you and sorry and wants to make sure that he doesn't hurt people's feelings. He loves playing with Vance and they are getting into the whole wrestling thing. Vance is our over achiever. He turns 18 months next week and is already talking in sentences. He LOVES shoes! He also loves animals. Tonight on our walk around the block we saw a small frog. We were all bent down looking at it and Vance just reached down and grabbed it. He was quite surprised when it wiggled and probably the texture too. He quickly dropped it on the ground and ran the other direction. We all laughed at his reaction. And Manda? Well I'm just trying to keep up with everyone. Life is good.