The Crane's visit Savannah!!

Making Memories...

We had our first friends visit over this past week...and they drove from Cali!!! So, no excuses to everyone else who is WAY CLOSER! :) Okay, maybe they had a wedding on the East Coast and maybe they only had to drive a tad out of the way to see us...whatever. But, it was so awesome to have Jess and Todd come for a quick 2 day visit!

We basically tried to do as much as possible in their two day trip. We hit Tybee Island for some lunch, sun and tourist "crap" shopping followed by an  evening dinner at The Olde Pink House in Savannah. After our amazing dinner we did a walking tour guided by none other than, Joe Jankord. We ended up walking into an actual tour of one of the most haunted houses in Savannah. The tour led us to a nearby cemetery where we learned about hangings, death and destruction of the headstones in the cemetery...I didn't see any ghosts, so I was bummed. We then went into the Historic Sorrel-Weed House which is known as the most haunted in Savannah. The home began construction in 1836 and was known as the grandest home in Savannah. General W.T. Sherman and General Robert E. Lee were even entertained here around the 1860's-1870. Obviously, tragic deaths happened in this home and in the nearby carriage house...which is why we were there...looking for ghosts. This home was even shown on the TV show Ghost Hunters in case you watch that stuff. Anyway, at the end of the tour, Todd was the only one who captured several "orbs" in his pictures. One even sat on Jessica's face, which was interesting. I think we all were believers, except Joe of course. He said we just kept getting dust on the lens, we like to think differently.

The following day we ventured out to Hilton Head Island were we started with an early morning Kayaking unguided tour. It was the most relaxing and enjoyable experience going through the marsh...until we needed to go back, against the current. Let's just say that Todd and Jess beat us by a mile and I thought my left shoulder was going to fall off. Joe was behind me and kept hitting my ore with his...we were a mess. We will do better next time, if I can talk Joe into doing it again. I really did enjoy it though, but was a little bummed that all we saw was one large pelican. I took about 30 pictures of it and was made fun of for doing so the rest of the day. Afterward, we had lunch and went to the beach. It was the most beautiful day, the weather was amazing, the water was like a warm bath, we played boccie ball and Jess was the champion, which Todd pouted about because he's never lost before. We ended the night with dinner at Vics on the River and drinks and entertainment at Mata Hari...it was awesome.

We were so sad to see them go, we tried to talk them into moving to Savannah...maybe someday!!

 Jess and Todd

 Us, me sweating already...it was quite toasty as usual!

 The pelican

 Pirates

 Enjoying the beach, Hilton Head

 BUDDIES...so happy to be together again :)

 Smooth

 This is a typical picture of a couple girls at the beach...

 This...not so much. My boy sure can jump!!

 At Vic's on the River, Savannah

 Mata Hari, Speakeasy lounge in Savannah...LOVE THIS PLACE!!

 They got just a tad too much sun...

This is not the haunted house...but thought it was a pretty cool picture!

Visit to Ohio...

We had a multi-purpose visit back to Ohio, which I believe we have become professionals at cramming as much in as possible in such a short time!
First, my mom turned 60 years old on June 9th! Yep, she is officially a golden buckeye card holder! :) I can say that because she doesn't look at all like she is 60...thank you Schimmel family for your amazing genes! I just hope I can look half as good as she does. Anyway, I was so excited because Joe and I were able to celebrate mom's birthday with her this year. She wanted to go to Stella's in Perrysburg for a nice dinner, it was great. She had 2 glasses of wine and was feelin' fine!

Our trip actually started out in Detroit for a couple days. Joe had to work there, so we spend our first night gambling at the MGM casino, which was AWESOME! Joe won some money, I lost some money, typical gambling experience for us. The second night we met our good friend, Sam for dinner in Royal Oak. I miss Royal Oak. It is such a great little place, my Ohio friends should seriously consider a visit if you've never been. Also, if you really like it and would like to move there, we have a house for sale there too! SERIOUSLY!

Tania and Mike (Tania is one of my best friends from high school) were married in Mexico in April. Sadly, Joe and I couldn't attend due to our move to GA. However, we made sure we made the trip back home for her Ohio reception. It was a great time with my closest girlfriends and we wish Mike and Tania a lifetime of happiness together!

Lastly, we spent our final day with the fam! My little bro and his family came over and we all drove to Jolly Rogers in Port Clinton for fresh fish and chips! It was well worth the hour drive and the crazy long line to order your food. I actually can't wait to go back! We then spend the rest of the day outside at home, the weather was amazing!

Overall, it was a great weekend in Ohio...as always!

 Kaitlyn Marie, taking a break from running up and down the hill.

 Kyle Matthew

 Kyle sporting his Detroit Tigers gear

 Mom's Birthday dinner 2 Stella's

 So cute!

 Tania and Mike cutting the cake!

 Me, Jill, Tania and Cori...Just missing Heather :(

 This guy was there too...isn't he cute?

 Once a cheerleader...always a cheerleader!

Mike...you are so lucky to have inherited all of us...good luck with that :)

Still settling...

I know it's been too long for a blog post, but I swear I'm still around!!

We have been adjusting to life here on the East coast, taking baby steps...well, I'm taking baby steps and Joe is still hiding in the whomb! Change is a funny thing ya know? As much as my hubby and I are alike, we difinately deal with change on the oposite side of the spectrum. I am surprised at how I deal with making these large moves in my life, coming from country living where I thought I would build a house next to my parents and raise a family of 12...and hopfully have a goat! Ha, you think I'm kidding?! Anyway, moving to CA was a definite change, but I seemed to mold into my new life. So, moving to GA has been a little more challenging, but fun and exciting none the less. Of course I miss our amazing family and friends, but this is where we are now and I tend to grab hold of it and don't let go. Joe is the opposite, complete opposite. He misses CA like a dog misses his master. He is getting better though, he just has a really hard time with change. Maybe this is where the whole "opposites attract" thing comes into play. I mean, could you imagine if I cried in my cheerios everyday to go back, we would be a disaster. One big positive is that our home is coming along great. I've painted everything but the bathrooms and bedrooms...which means I still have a lot to paint. I planted some flowers in the 104 degree heat last week...I'm pretty sure I blacked out at one point, but a country girl never quits. We have installed ceiling fans, light fixtures and purchased many new things for the house. It's feeling more and more like home everyday.

Our first visitors were the Jankord clan! Gordy, Frances, Rob, Rachel, Jaiden and Chase come to visit over Memorial Weekend. We had so much fun spending time with everyone, especially our neice and nephew!

 Jaiden sitting in her "pool" she made, Hilton Head Island

 Night out for dancing in downtown Savannah, @ BAR BAR

 A day at our neighborhood pool, Joe and Chase

 He wasn't sure he wanted in the water at first, but he ended up loving it!

 Rachel and Frances with the kiddos!

 @ The Crab Shack in Tybee Island, they loved seeing the alligators and being able to feed them!

 Low Counrty Boil

 Joe did NOT enjoy his first Craw Daddy experience...it was rather gross!

 We went with Gordy, Frances and Jaiden on a tour of Savannah. It was so hot and poor Jaiden fell asleep on me for over an hour...I'm pretty sure I lost a gallon of sweat on this trip!

 Fishing! Jaiden had a bite right when we were leaving...little sucker got away!

Last night in Savannah with Gordy and Frances, dinner @ Vics on the River

It's always so wonderful when family comes to visit! We hope ya'll can all come again soon!