THURSDAY THIRTEEN: Happy Birthday Nellie!

She has me addicted to this website, so I had to do it! I think BLUE SHORT hair works for her!

MY FIRST FAMILY!!

Thirteen Reasons I love Nellie!

1. She is so damn funny and witty. The reason I have given her the nickname Capt'n Witty. Half the reason I blog is too laugh at her comments!
2. She is beautiful inside and out and I am so glad we have become such good friends!
3. She is my "1st Family"...such a long story how this came about. Well, just look at the picture above. She claims I look better taking pictures with her husband because of my natural glow. I think she is crazy but it cracks me up.
4. She is a new Mommy to the most PERFECT boy. Even though he arrived early..he is still F'in Brilliant. It runs in her blood.
5. We can just sit around at her house and eat Chinese food, drink some wine and just talk and talk and talk and then laugh laugh and laugh. I miss our Thursday nights, we must get those going again.
6. She is very quick to put out fires...comes in handy when you are ON FIRE! *wink*
7. She is my 'unofficial' life coach..what am I talking about..she is OFFICIAL. She always has the best advice and I know she keeps my best interest in mind when it comes to dating..friends..jobs...my kids...and last minute trips to Padre Island!
8. She use to let me get her coffee and rub her feet and take excellent care of her when I was HER "ASSISTANT" {kidding, LMAO}
9. She is simply stunning pregnant. Even hours after delivery. I am so proud of her for becoming the best Mommy (next to me) and having a totsite of her own...that I can not believe she actually still updates. Good job girl!
10. She adores my children and she listens to all my random stories about our daily doings, sometimes I hear her talking to others about "the boy" and "the girl", she is so proud of them and me. That means a lot to me. Those lil ones are my world.
11. She is probably the funniest friend{co-worker} you could ever have. We have had so many good times. I've had to coach her on some office etiquette but I think she is good now. WOW~I miss working with you lady!
12. She has a kick ass sense of style and a love for shoes that has been passed down to me. Thanks girl, I am going broke now. SO glad your feet didn't expand with pregnancy.
13. OVERALL, she is AWESOME and seriously one of my best friends and I have mad love for her and her family.

I look forward to watching Lil B grow up and making more fun memories together!

Last Weekend Before School: Galveston, TX

The kids and I spent the weekend in Galveston. Basking and playing on the beach. The weather was great for us and we had a good time.

I normally go to East Beach, but we decided to try out Stewart Beach. There were a lot of people but it wasn't too crowded.
The kids got a hold of the camera. :-) I was just enjoying the peace and quiet.

Lauren is enjoying snack time. They just love the water! She would've stayed out here all day and night if I would let her. I look forward to taking them somewhere with crystal clear water and white or pink sandy beaches. Since this is so close to home, it'll do!

Darren aka The Peanut...just enjoying the warm and beautiful day!

They love to make those silly faces. They crack me up!

Playing together in the water.

They discovered the mud. Oh lord. They had so much fun getting dirty..nice thing about it is I just sent them off into the water to rinse...this mess wouldn't have been so pretty at home.

We buried Lauren. She would laugh and laugh every time the sand hit her neck. She is ticklish just like her Mommy!

{ He loves her so much!}

Good bye.....it is Back to School today!

Thursday Thirteen: Random Pictures from Jamaica

Pablo's friend and our driver Dennis aka Bowlo and I @ Rick's Cafe in Negril

Roadside Shrimp! We spent a lot of time in the car so we were happy there were places like this!
Black River before our River Tour! My hair was like this the whole trip! LOL Wind blown and post beach look! ~hot~! I got the boy and the girl some neat gifts from this guy..he personalized it and all.
This is Nikki aka Color, he is in the Lobster business. All I can say is WOW!
Bowlo opted out of the River Tour!
Color & I on Whitehouse Beach~These guys loved Lalo & Gigi. They were great hosts! Notice the item in his hand. You couldn't get away from this stuff. LOL Too funny. It is in the picture above too! These are probably the safest pictures to post.

I introduced Color to Sudoku. He was so excited and eager to figure this out.

Color & I in Black River..so green and pretty here.

This is Dennis our River Tour Guy...we had so much fun. This was the craziest things I've done yet. We literally made our way up this river and did some diving. I think Gigi saw her life flash before her eyes when one of the currents grabbed her and started to take her downstream. A rock stopped her *OUCH* poor Gigi. She had a few scrapes and bruises but came out smiling!

We are happy we did the non-commercialized river tour...about to grab a Red Stripe!

Jerk Chicken & Red Stripe is what is was all about in Jamaica, well that and the 420.

Hooray to no open container laws in Jamaica!

More to come...I am still waiting on some pictures of us snorkeling and from the actual River. I know I am probably over doing it!

Don't forget to check out Jamaica Part One (<---click there)pictures that were taken in Montego Bay! It is the post below the one with thes kids. :-)

Wordless Wednesday: Villa & Views in Whitehouse, Jamaica

PS~The Monkey & Peanut are Back Home!

The kids and I spent the day at the Museum. We were suppose to go to the zoo but we had way too much rain. So we went to the Geopalooza! It Rocked *lol*. No really it was okay...the kids had fun and that is all that matters!

Angel, Lauren, Gabby, Kyle & Darren

Aren't they sweet...they sure missed each other over the summer. Angel (the kids cousin) was in Georgia most of the summer with her Mom while Darren & Lauren were in Washington!
Darren being silly as always!
Lauren & Angel digging up some bones! Poor little thing, her glasses are falling off her face. We are going to be getting her some new ones this week! School starts on Monday the 25th!

I guess Lauren got tired of walking, so big brother gave her a lift!

Off they go. They are still so close and so sweet to one another. So happy they are back home with me!

They said there isn't a Chilli's in Washington so we had to go there! Lauren loves the ribs and Darren (now 12) ordered a Mushroom Swiss Burger off the adult menu. They ate every bit. Gosh, they are getting so big so fast!

Picture time with Momma!

Jamaica in Pictures! (Part one of many)

I AM BACK!!!!

On our way to Jamaica! Saying goodbye to the Texas Coast. Please note this is the first trip I've been on where I may actually have to use the "floatation device" and I was a bit nervous! What a view though. We were so excited to be going to beautiful Jamaica!

Filling out our forms, I couldn't help but laugh that they had an option to state that you were staying in a "DIVE/eco lodge". I've used the term dive before...but I've never had to stay in one.
Cedric the Traveling Gnome was thrilled to be in the air again. He loves to travel with Gina & I.
I am just amazed at how beautiful it is here and I hadn't even gotten off the plane yet!
The Palm Trees...ahh, gotta love it!

We stayed in Montego Bay our first couple nights at the Breezes Resort! I just love all inclusive.

Gina & I happy to be off that plane!

Our top flight security guard "Richardo" was very accommodating. We were welcomed with Champagne and fruit! What a warm welcome!

Of course after we got our wristbands we headed to the bar..Hooray for Red Stripe!

We then enjoyed our first Jamaican dinner. Jerk Chicken, Festival and fruits.

Then there is Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. This place was wild!

We took a bottom glass boat tour and it was very cool!

I love that you have the hills in the background.

More views from the boat! See all those fish below. They attacked that bread like there was no tomorrow! Our tour guide actually got under the boat with some bread in his mouth. I was thinking better him than I. I took a picture but the reflection of the glass makes it hard to see.

The next day we spent some time on the beach! So relaxing.

I really enjoyed my time in Montego Bay. We also did some snorkeling and such..Gina's friend has those pictures. Next time I go someplace like this, I am taking a waterproof camera.

I will have more pictures to come throughout the week...so please stayed tuned!