Summer Coming to an End

Wow, it is hard to imagine that is has been nearly three months since the last time I was in my classroom. Summer has just flown by and we have not done a good job of updating this blog every couple weeks as we had planned. So...an update from the summer (which ends for me on Wednesday:(!)

1. We went to Pennsylvania...Heidi for three weeks and Chris for one. I have the most ADORABLE niece and nephew this side of well...nevermind...anywhere! We had a great time visiting my side of the fam. and getting to spend quality time with the kiddos. They are growing up too fast and it is hard being SO far away. Luckily Miss Hannah is starting to talk on the phone more, this means I can get frequent updates of how her momma is behaving;)!

2. We went to Sarasota, Fl. (really we went to Long Boat Key) and stayed at an INCREDIBLE little condo for a couple of nights. It was splendid! Chris and I really enjoyed a few days with no agenda and the quality beach life.

3. We drove both to and from Pennsylvania, a wonderful 17 hour drive each way! On the way home we had a little time and drove through the mountains of North Carolina on a two lane state road. It was truly an inspiring experience. We arrived in Pawley's Island, SC in time for the wedding of our good friends. The day after the wedding we continued our journey south through down town Charleston, stopping at a true working plantation, and then to Savannah where we drove past Paula Dean's restaraunt to find a line of 200 or more people...CRAZY! We arrived back in Florida two weeks ago and we are now house/pet sitting until the 15th.

We have had a great summer...but we are looking forward to cooler months and more kayaking. We haven't been out much...it is just TOO HOT! We have however been doing some golfing. Yes, golfing. Chris has taken on the task of teaching me all about the sport, and claims that I am a quick study, but he might be a partial party. Jack and Monty are doing well. Jack of course is getting in tons of swimming...he can't seem to get enough! Hopefully the weather will cool done...then maybe he will be able to do some more laps at the dog park on the lake!

Hooraaaaaaaay for kayaking!

Well, we had a SPLENDID weekend!

I had a great time on Thursday at a KNex Education workshop, yes, that means that I got paid to play with Legos!!!:) Woo Hoo!

Friday, well, Chris and I made the purchase of another kayak. It is SUPER! (Really big and cumbersome to carry though!) This was primarily a purchase to fulfill the need that we both had for different kayaks. Chris wanted something different and I needed a bigger kayak with more storage space for those over night trips we plan to take this summer. Jack also needed a little more space in the boat!! So, a new kayak and we were all set!

Saturday we joined our friend Ali for a short day trip to the Indian River area, we learned that this is brackish water. Part salt water and part fresh water...meaning alligators COULD live there...YIKES! This was also Jack's first trip into real water...and all in all he did great. He did NOT enjoy my playing with the dolphins though. Chris said he whined and cried the whole time I was out paddling amongst them. Jack is great for pulling around kayaks though...I think he likes swimming more than he likes to go on the boat! He had a great time tugging us around and playing with his flying squirrel dog toy.

Sunday was another trip to the coast...but this time with my best friend from childhood, Annie, and her fiance, plus her uncle and cousin. We had a ton of fun. It was probably the longest day we have done...we were on the water for quite sometime. We saw dolphins, stingrays, manatees, horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, and LOTS of GREAT BIG BOATS! It was really fun to catch up with old friends and spend time on the water. We can see the space shuttle launch pad from the area that we have been paddling lately, it is too cool...hopefully this summer we will be able to paddle out to watch a shuttle go up!!

Aside from that Chris is finishing up with classes this week...leaving just 8 weeks of summer classes before he is officially a graduate!!! We are looking forward to him finishing school and finding a real job! He is still thinking that he would like to work with adjudicated/at risk youth on a full time basis...if any one has any ideas as to where he can work we are willing to move...I am also interested in getting back into the outdoors..working with either kids or college students. I am a little tired of the classroom (this might just be because I am getting summer fever!)

Anyway, we hope you are all doing well...life sure is full of adventures and excitement!

Love,

Heidi and Chris

Wow!

Well, we have entered the world of blogging. Chris and I decided that since we have family and friends spread out from coast to coast, north to south, we would start a blog to share with people the happenings in our lives.

The big news for us right now is the Chris is almost done with school!! Woohoo! We are both really excited about that part of life being done.

We have been doing a ton of kayaking and really are enjoying the warm waters of Florida (No, I did NOT say anything about the warm WEATHER!) On this past weekends adventure we went to Mosquito Lagoon, which is BEAUTIFUL! We put in in a canal and were quickly joined by about 5 manatees surfacing all around us. Later in our paddle we encountered 10 or so dolphins swimming circles all around us. It has really been a great deal of fun! (And I have not yet seen ANY gators...yeah!!!!) Jack is enjoying the kayaks, but so far he has only ventured into the pool, hopefully soon he will make it into some salt water!

We are both looking forward to getting back to the mountains, it is really where we both feel the most at home and settled. I love being able to look up ahead and see the mountains, or hills, of North Carolina, there is just NOTHING like it!

For now though we are here in Florida. I am enjoying teaching and look forward to summer vacation in just 4 and a half weeks!! It is great to be so close to Chris' family and spend some time getting to know them.

We hope that all of you are doing well...god's peace,

Heidi and Chris