Tuesday, March 5, 2019

mommy's big 4-0 weekend with daddy

For Mommy's 40th birthday, she didn't want a party.  She told Daddy she just wanted to go away with just him and enjoy a long weekend away together.  So, Daddy planned the long weekend (with our family's travel agent, of course 😉), and slowly unfolded most of the details to Mommy.  She was very surprised, and after planning away the details for our care, they packed their bags, and away they went to celebrate Mommy turning 40.

Daddy picked an all inclusive (adults only) resort in Playa de Carmen, Dominican Republic.  This resort had everything they needed...6+ pools, 11 different restaurants, gorgeous beach, the ocean, evening shows, and even a few shops.  Because of their relatively "last minute" (meaning, they planned all this towards the end of August...) and it being hurricane season, Daddy & Mommy got an incredible deal.  Daddy was able to upgrade their flight (a surprise for Mommy) and their room.  They left on Saturday morning and returned home on Wednesday afternoon...& what a wonderful time they had together.  Gorgeous weather, lots of laughs, yummy food, uninterrupted conversation, sleeping in, a few great shows, and so much more...sure made for a memorable and amazing birthday celebration.

On flight...ready to head to the Dominican Republic.
The view from the balcony of their room.
Panoramic View...Gorgeous! 
The first night, they chose to eat at Spice, which is their version of a Japanese Steak House.  The food was excellent, and they enjoyed the fun dining experience.

The next day, Sunday, they enjoyed some spa treatments.  Prior to their massages, they got to enjoy the resort's mineral pools, all equipped with hot showers, saunas, cold mist, jets, hot tub, etc. to prepare them for their spa treatments.  So relaxing...so nice.
Time for the ocean...
...& the beach.
That evening, they enjoyed eating at the Mexican restaurant.  Another yummy meal.
One of the staff members there was extra friendly to Daddy & Mommy.  He would greet them all day.  That night, he took their picture, and then told them his name was "Black Chocolate...no cream, no sugar."  They laughed with him for quite some time about it.  Then, he asked to take the selfie with them.  (Can you see him below next to Mommy?)  He was such a fun guy...they enjoyed running into him every day.
Monday morning...another beautiful day.  This was our view from breakfast.
After breakfast, we enjoyed relaxing at the pool.
While walking around for lunch that day, Mommy totally thought these flamingos were fake until one started moving...scared her so badly.  Daddy just laughed and laughed.  Yep, several of them throughout the resort...just walking around.
Gorgeous early evening view
Daddy doesn't enjoy taking a lot of pictures.  Mommy, on the other hand, loves having the memories...so, she wants to take all the pictures.  So, Daddy surprised Mommy again with the gift of a "professional" photographer to take pictures of Mommy & him on the beach before dinner.  So, they spent about an hour taking pictures around the resort and on the beach.  Mommy was so surprised...and loved every minute of it.  (Some of those pictures will be on the next post.)  This picture was the selfie taken on their balcony when they came back in from that photo session.  So sweet!

The last full day...Tuesday.  Enjoying the beach, the beautiful weather, and the views.
Just Daddy & Mommy
Gorgeous Views

Can you see the pink lanterns towards the left of the picture below?  That was Daddy's last gift to Mommy on the trip.  He surprised her with a romantic candlelight dinner for 2 on the beach for their last dinner...that Tuesday...her 40th birthday.
Taken indoors before heading out to dinner on the beach.
On the beach...ready to enjoy a nice, romantic dinner for 2.
Daddy
Daddy & Mommy 💘
What a wonderful dinner it was for them...& a wonderful celebration for Mommy.  The next day, Wednesday, they flew back home.  We were very happy to see them, but we were very well taken care of.  Mommy sure loved spending that time just Daddy, and they really had a great time together. Sure was a great way to celebrate turning 40!

Sunday, February 24, 2019

the last first day of preschool

The day has come...the last first day of preschool for the last Karaffa child.  I am starting my last year of preschool, and I am excited.  I love going to school & seeing my friends.  This year, I will be in the 4 year old class, so I will go Monday-Thursday from 9-1.  I always get to pick out my backpack and lunchbox, and this year, Mommy let me have whatever I wanted, even if they were mismatched things. 😉  I was all ready to go on my first day of school.  

Preschool, here I come!

Such a cutie!
I love Paw Patrol, so of course, I picked a Paw Patrol backpack.
And, I picked a cactus lunchbox, mostly because I liked the way I could carry it.  And, I loved my dress & sparkle shoes.
All smiles
Hard to believe (for Mommy, at least) that I am already starting my last year of preschool.  Time just goes so fast!

just emmersyn...part 2

Just having a little fun with Daddy's hat...& enjoying time with just Mommy again while the older 3 started back to school and I still haven't started back to preschool quite yet.

Silly face!
Laughing at Mommy

Sweet Emmersyn Faith

Saturday, February 23, 2019

the first day of school again

Hard to believe summer break is officially over...and, it's back to school...again (at least for 3 of us).  Summer sure seems to fly by, but not without lots of memories, laughs, and good times.  And, what a great summer we had.  Always bittersweet to start school again, but we are always ready to see our school friends again...just not always ready for the homework and early morning wake up calls. We are thankful that school is a 5 minute drive away, and we are most thankful for a Christian school where we can openly talk about Jesus with our teachers & friends...and where our teachers sit & pray with us and for us.  Daddy & Mommy are praying for us, for our school year, and for our teachers.  

All ready for another great school year!
Averie Grace
7th Grade
3 main teachers: Miss Beckett, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Iding

Brady Joseph
5th Grade
(yes, last year of elementary school)
Teacher: Mr. Swaim

Brecken Thomas
2nd Grade
Teacher: Mrs. Rogers

Lake Norman Christian School 
2018-2019 School year
And, a quick picture with Daddy before he heads off to work...and we head off to school!

summer bowling & roller skating

Two of the other summer activities we enjoyed were bowling and roller skating  For summer bowling, Oma got to join us for the fun almost every time we went which made it even more fun...always trying to see who could win.  And, then, we also loved roller skating...going back to the place where Mommy went when she was little.  (They have renovated it since then...).  Lots of fun times together.

Oma & us bowling
All ready to skate... 💙
We kids are ready...
Brady went out there and just embraced it...falls and all.  But, he got the hang of it really quickly again.
With the help of Daddy (& Mommy), Emmersyn was loving it...
...& the skate mate is a great help, too!
She sure thought she was a pro!
Brecken needed some help at first, but he was so determined to get the hang of it...
...& he sure did...using the wall if needed for extra help.
Daddy & Emmersyn
Mommy & Brecken
Brady & Me
(I absolutely love roller skating.  I got the hang of it and was just skating all around, and I really didn't want Mom to take my picture. Haha!)
Mommy & Emmersyn
Emmersyn was loving every bit of it...so long as she had this skate mate!
Mommy & me
Such a fun family night...enjoying the last few nights of summer before school starts again!  We sure love spending family time together, especially doing fun activities like this.  Thankful for another wonderful, fun summer together.