Ella Taylor, T E N

 

We started celebrating Ella's birthday a few weeks ago. Ella got her ears pierced for her 10th birthday. We did it back on May 14 while Grandma was here. It was extra special for sure!

Opening presents while breakfast was in the oven.

Cinnamon Rolls for her birthday breakfast. Then off to school.

After school we had a Bridge Kids end of school year ice cream party at Boombalatti's. Then we enjoyed dinner at Jason's Deli, followed by more ice cream.

Ella wanted to make her own birthday cake and since we had ALL the ice cream on her actual birthday, we decided to wait and do her cake the following day. We invited our neighbor, Mr. George to join us.

Happy 10th Birthday, Ella Taylor Flaming

Our First Night at the Beach House

This past weekend we slept out at the beach house. It was so fun making this dream a reality. All SIX of us were so excited and could not wait to get out there on Friday. It was our first time being there at night and seeing the house all lit up. It was absolutely beautiful.

Saturday morning we all hopped on our bikes and pedaled to Daybreak Donuts for breakfast. So fun!

We spent a lot of hours at the beach over the long Memorial Day weekend. The kids had so much fun finding all the sea life. Here's to many more weekends and all the summer days out here.

Spring School Pictures

 

My Employees Champion's Trip to Jekyll Island, GA

Jake & I just escaped for a week away to Jekyll Island, GA. This trip was the 2022 My Employees Champions Trip! Jake won Lean Champion of the Year for 2021 and was invited on this year's trip. In fact, the whole My Employees company was invited on the trip since they had a record year of over $10.5 million in sales! It was so life giving having a week away together. And while we relaxed, my Mom and my Aunt Ronda loved and cared for our kids. Everyone had so much fun!

We enjoyed so many delicious meals in Jekyll Island and Saint Simons Island.

We biked to Driftwood Beach one day. 

The lighthouse at Saint Simons Island. We drove to SSI, but then brought our bikes with us.  It was such a fun day exploring and seeing lots of sweet old neighborhoods on our bike ride. They have so many mature live oak trees all over the island and they are gorgeous.

The dream team at the NHC arboretum. This time was a lot different that the last time the dream team came and cared for our crew for a champion's trip. Last time we had 1 in school and 3 at home. It was rather demanding with 4 kids under the age of 6. This time, Mom & Aunt Ronda were able to drop the kids at school and then have time together to catch up and explore. We are so thankful for their generosity in coming and keeping our kids this past week.

Mother's Day 2022

What a really special Mother's Day this is. My Mom is here (for 2 weeks), My Aunt Ronda is here (for 1 week) and my sister Emily is here with her family for the weekend. We are soaking up all our time together.

Photo Booth at Church

Lunch at First Watch

The girls all snuggled up with Aunt Ronda. They are watching Aunt Ronda's granddaughter do gymnastics. It is going to be a great week!

Grandma Tuttle is HERE!

 

My Mom flew to NC Tuesday evening and we are already having a wonderful time! Wednesday, Mom and I drove to Cary, NC to spend the day with a dear friend, Jane Zempel. Our time was so sweet.

Jon, Em and their kids came up on Friday for the weekend. We spent Saturday out at Surf City and the beach house. Aunt Ronda flew in Saturday evening to join us for the week. Then Sunday was such a special Mother's Day all together.

Beach House Update

We are moving right a long with the beach house and it is so exciting as it is looking more like a home and less like a construction zone. Recently Jake tiled the bathroom floor. Lily learned how to use the wet saw and helped with some of the cutting.  I found a stacking washer and dryer at Restore for a fraction of the new price.

We worked really hard another weekend with sanding and sealing all the wood floors. Jake rented a sander and the kids and I worked on using the hand sander and clean up. By Sunday evening ALL the wood floors were sealed and beautiful. That Tuesday I took some furnishings out to the beach house. I have found a few pieces at local resale type of shops. We also purchased a used stove and refrigerator.

One Saturday morning, on our way up to the beach house, the kids and I stopped at a community yard sale. We got a steal on a kayak!