Fireworks in Cali!

Over the July 4th week we were able to head out to California to spend some time with some of our favorite people! It was so weird to be there as a visitor, not gonna lie, kinda sad. However, we had SO much fun seeing everyone! Joe was already there on business the week before I came out, which worried me because I knew he was going to regress in our moving away progress he was making. While looking at these pictures I realize how lucky we were to have spent almost 5 years there, it really is the most beautiful place...if I ever win the lottery I will for sure buy a place on the beach, if the market stays down!

Upon arrival, I went first thing to meet the newest member of our crew, Miss. Ava Kathryn (notice I said Miss.? the South must be rubbing off on me) She is so adorable and tiny and looks just like her big sister, Ella. I was so excited to see Ella!! She was excited to see me too...however somehow Joe has always over shined me with her. She literally melts my heart! And then we have Jude, my little Jude Bear...still sweet as ever. He drug me all around the house for me to play with him, when I would attempt to have a conversation with the girls, he would stalk me out and yank me away...I loved it!  Ashleigh brought Mason over, whom has changed SO much. He is growing like a weed and is one of the happiest babies I've ever seen. If I could steal every single one of these kiddos I would...and Joe wouldn't stop me. Watch out girls, hide your babies! I felt like I was home from the beginning.

We were able to spend a quick morning in Laguna at the beach with them as well. We decided to eat at the Madison Square Cafe' there, it's so darn good! As you can see from the pictures, we had a wonderful time!

 Me, Ella and Joe

 One of the many other girls in Joe's life

 A couple of my amazing friends! They are some of the best and most supportive people in my life. They have helped me in more ways then they will ever know.

 Striking a pose for the basketball players at the beach. They thought I was Maria Sharapova, the tennis player. I'm sure they were saddened when I gave them my fake backhand and realized I clearly wasn't.

 Such a beautiful day, much warmer than usual. In the sky you can see some people on what looks like a bike, with a fan on the back and a parachute. Never seen them before.

 Mason Knox...isn't he just yummy!

 Ava enjoying the stroll on the beach.

We spent the last few days in California at Joe's parent's house. It was a beautiful weekend and I couldn't think of a better place or better people to celebrate the 4th with.

 Brandy in the flowers

 Happy 4th of July!

 Our last night in Cali, we went to dinner at a great Italian restaurant! Miss you both so much XOXO

A few of our friends were able to do dinner and dancing one night too. We ate sushi at "Ten" in Newport, which was followed by "club dancing" and bar hopping...

A few recommendations about "Ten"

1: If you are like Joe and hate sushi, eat a burger before you go. The sushi is amazing!

2: The club "Ten" is possibly not in your age bracket if you are close to my age, definitely if you are close to Joe's age.

3: Clubs that hand out glow rings and glow bracelets are maybe on a different level, at least for me.

4: Also, we may have been the tallest people in the club as well...and blondest.

5: Saying that we went to a "club" at my age in annoying...but my husband thinks they are the next best thing since sliced bread.

We really do have the greatest friends and it was a blast! So many laughs and memories shared!! Love you guys!

 YUMMY YUMMY SUSHI!

 The girls, notice Jessica trying to flaunt her glow ring...she was the only one who was offered a "ring" maybe because she is the youngest?...whatever!

Too much fun!! 

Much needed "Girl Time"

While Joe was on business in California, my sister-in-law, Shannon was here in South Carolina preparing to deliver their second baby girl! Shannon and Joe's brother, Jon currently live in Germany and had decided to come to the states to have the baby. Lucky for us, Shannon's mom lives only 2 1/2 hours away, so we were able to spend some quality time together before baby!

Let me start by saying, I do believe Shannon and I are long lost sisters! We say all the time that the reason Joe and I found each other is because WE were meant to be in each other's lives. It doesn't hurt that we look so much alike either, obviously they have the same taste in women huh?! Anyway, I adore Shannon in so many ways, so being able to spend this time with her and Taylor was perfect!

Taylor was just a few day shy of her 3rd birthday while she was here. She is a ton of fun, full of everlasting energy, spunky, hilarious and has the highest pitched voice you have ever heard. It takes me back to the days when I was little and I would get excited and my voice would get so high it would crack...oh wait, that still happens. Maybe she heard me talking to her in the womb once or something? Anyway, we had so much fun! We went swimming at our community pool, shopped, went downtown for lunch and relaxation in one of the squares, mostly we hung out at home because I was afraid to have Shannon moving around and the baby falling out!



 Taylor in Savannah

 Pretty sure her "bibbie" said something funny! (She loves bibs, they are her number one replacement for any sort of doll)

 The fabulous Shannon, taking advantage of the table space she has now.

 I would say this is being a little lazy, but I preferred her to make very little movement.

 Taylor, eating Jimmy John's chips and saying, "Arrivederci!"

 Swimming with Aunt Jeni!

 Striking a pose!

 Mommy bought the most amazing bubble maker of all time! WALMART people! Look at that face...on all 3 of them!

 Tay was the first and only so far to take a bath in our new tub...if I was that small I would probably live in here. It look so fun right?!

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 :)