Our first fireplace fire!

So...we just couldn't wait! The temp has dropped down to the 50's at night, so we decided to take advantage of it and have our first fire in the fireplace! It is great! Of course, the windows are open, the front door is open and the fan is going, too...but whatever...we have a fire!

Cruisin'

We had a blast on the cruise! We came home completely exhausted, but it was worth it! There ended up being 5 couples - Donnie & Luv and their friends Holly & James and Kara & Jason. Rick and Shellie decided to come with us at the last minute because the price dropped to a ridiculous price of $139 a person. It was great hanging with our friends and also getting to know the other 2 couples.

Shellie and me, not long after we left Port Canaveral!

Rick, Rich and Donnie - Jason and James are in the background...Donnie & Luv-Ann...Donnie was not being cooperative with the picture taking! We were enjoying a little karaoke...All the girls, taking a break from dancing the night away! Fun, fun, fun!

Donnie was also dancing the night away - ha!

We had a little run in when we first got to the "night club"...we apparently sat in someone else's "area". So, that was fun...when they finally left (and when I say left - I mean they had actually just turned the corner of the couch - so the boys say) Kara jumped over to their "area" and claimed it! Very mature...we know...The next day we went with on a snorkeling excursion. The snorkeling was nice, but my favorite part was taking the catamaran out to the reef. It was about a 45 minute ride, each way, and was wonderful. I keep telling Rich that I think I am destined to own a boat one of these days!

Here is our little towel animal that was waiting for us when we got back from dinner on the 2nd night...

After dinner we went to the Love and Marraige show - the host looks for 3 couples - a newly married couple, a couple that has been married for a few years, and a couple that has been married for many years. I can't remember how long the "longest" married couple had been married, but they were hilarious. After that, we watched a juggler/comedian, who was even funnier. I don't think I have ever heard Rick laugh like he did that night. This picture says it all!On our last day we went to Royal Caribbean's private island. Shellie thought Rich looked "special" and decided that we needed to have photographic evidence of it, for the future! (He's actually trying to stick his stomach out - although you could never tell!)

Chillin' on the beach...at least for an hour or two...

And then the dumb storm rolled in! Way to ruin a beach day! Holly and James are posin' with our boat in the background!We decided to head back to the boat, but realized that we weren't going to make it before the storm rolled in...so we staked out a place on the island - with a million other people. Rick and Shellie entertained us!

Making the best of the situation...

Once we got back from the island, we decided to get cleaned up and then met for pre-dinner drinks - although Rich and Shellie's drinks were more like dessert! We joined a group for trivia - that was fun, even though we only knew about half of the answers...

The other excitement 2 nights before we left for the cruise was my trip to the ER. A long wait for nothing - we actually sat outside on the curb and waited because I didn't want to be among the crazie's in the ER waiting room! Anyway, ends up that I need to have my gall bladder removed. The ER doc gave me some meds to take with me on the cruise, just in case I needed them - which, thankfully, I did not! I see the surgeon tomorrow - I'm going to talk with him about also removing the endometriosis that I have been putting off for a few years now...which could mean up to 6 weeks off of work. Sigh...we'll see what he says!

Labor Day Fun!

We went to Atlanta on Friday/Saturday of Labor Day Weekend to visit with Crystal, Kelly & Charley. Kelly had to work on Saturday (sorry Kelly!), but the rest of us went to White Water --- a water park. It was supposed to be a hot (90 degrees) and sunny day, but that didn't happen! I think the sun came out around 5pm - a little too late! Kalee and I braved the water for most of the day, Rich (who HATES cold water) decided to give it a try, but could only handle 1 ride with Kalee, and then Aunt Crystal and Charley joined in on the fun, too! We had a lot of fun and Kalee had a blast!

Poor Rich...I think he picked the ride with the coldest water, too! It was a bit frigid!Playing at home. Kalee had a fun time entertaining Charley!

Charley zonked out, in the middle of the water park!

Cheerleading has started!

Kalee is a cheerleader again this year! She is very excited and really enjoying it - the "coolest" part is that her coach is a "REAL" cheerleader (she's actually a Senior at UGA and was a cheerleader all through highschool). No matter - Kalee thinks it's the best thing ever!

Here are a couple videos and pics from the first game, which we lost!