Northwest Florida Caverns

Back in October we decided to take a little day trip. The kids weren't originally too excited about this trip, but Hank and I were both looking forward to it. A couple of hours from here are the Northwest Florida Caverns and this was our first visit since moving here. We figured it was something exciting and different for the kids but educational for them at the same time.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day!

 

Down we go!

 

 Once we got inside, the kids were pretty amazed.

I loved that the ceilings had different designs and shells you could see.

 

 

 

 

 

 How cool is this, a sharks tooth in the ceiling?!

 

After our tour of the caverns, the kids wanted to hit some of the nature trails. 

I was blown away when Tucker spotted a deer in the woods!

 

We walked through one of the smaller caves and I made the mistake of looking up, this is seriously what was above me. Yes, I did completely freak out. I made Hank go back and take a picture of them. I was too afraid they would come after me. All I could picture was the beginning of Scooby Doo cartoons with the bats chasing me down.

Cici's Pizza

Cutter was excited when he found out he got to go on his first field trip, he was even more thrilled when he found out they were going to Cici's Pizza. I honestly could not imagine what they could possibly learn educational by going to a pizza place, but the kids got to learn first hand what is involved in making a pizza. And even if they didn't pay attention, they had a great time so I guess that is all that matters. This had to be by far one of the messiest field trips I've been on, kindergarteners and pizza sauce just don't equal cleanliness. 

I think we had a total of four kindergarten classes on this particular day. That poor place couldn't have handled it if they had brought all the classes on the same day!

They got to practice stretching the dough and shaping the pizza.

  Thankfully, they already had some dough all ready for the kids to use. Just add sauce.

  He put a lot of effort into that pizza.

Finally getting to eat their finished product!

20 years of Air Force service

After 20 years, Hank is officially a civilian again. Okay, so not exactly. He is still on terminal leave for about another week, but as of December 1, it's all official. His retirement ceremony was held in October right before he started his leave, and we were very blessed to have both our families attend. I'm sorry I didn't take as many pictures as I had planned on. Between having to participate in the ceremony and the tears, my camera was the last thing on my mind. Hank originally planned his ceremony to take place outside, but Mother Nature decided we needed a monsoon that morning so at the last minute everything had to be changed. Red Horse did a great job of managing to still having everything go as planned even with the last minute changes. It was a very busy day and somehow in the chaos I didn't get a single picture of my parents with Hank. :(

Retired Capt. Tim Leno performed Hanks ceremony.

He looks thrilled huh?!

Hank had a little gift for each of the kids for all their years of service and dedication as well.

Notice Sailor's face, she looked like this through most of the ceremony. She seriously cried almost the entire time.

Presentation of his shadow box.

Of course we had to have picture proof that Sonny actually made the trip to Florida, otherwise no one would believe it!

Hank was so proud that his grandmother was able to make the trip and be here for his special day.

Moving Day

Moving is a fact of life in the military. Somewhere in the midst of all those moves you make friends. And if you are lucky enough, those friends become family. Such is the case with the Marquis family. It seems fitting looking back that our journey began in Florida some 14+ years ago while stationed together at Red Horse, and now having it run full circle back in Florida again at Red Horse. Hank and Michael have been stationed together more than once and have been on multiple deployments. They have been there through the good times and the bad times, the fun times and the lonely times. We have watched their girls grow from tom boys to beautiful young women. And through everything the military has thrown our way, they have remained true friends and the best family you could ask for. We sure hated to see them leave, but I know their next great adventure is waiting for them. We never know what the future holds, maybe the military will bring them back to us one day. Until then, thank you for all the laughs and memories. We love you each of you, even the big turd!

Turning 40

I can honestly say I really had mixed emotions about turning 40. I didn't really feel any different, and didn't feel I looked any different, but just the thought of being that "older" age seemed to have some little effect on my mind. Add that to all of the emotional changes we we were fixing to encounter with retirement and friends moving, and I was a little hesitant about my birthday. Lucky for me, we had tickets to the Miranda Lambert concert on my birthday. We were fortunate enough to be able to go with friends and it turned out to be a great night. Sorry for the poor picture quality, I didn't take a camera and my cell phone is rather old.

Justin Moore

  

 

Miranda Lambert

 

 

Kindergarten Open House

Words can't begin to describe how excited Cutter was for his first open house. For the first time in many years, Hank and I were both able to attend. Cutter happily showed us his classroom, art room, music room, cafeteria, library and where they have PE. After Sailor attending there for three years, we didn't dare tell him we already knew the school layout.

Each student made a box to bring home to hold their keepsakes during the year. I love this idea!

Cutter and his cubby. The clothespin is for the cafeteria and has their lunch number on it. Each child was given their own water bottle and book bag from their teacher.

This seriously had to be the highlight of the night for me. Watching Hank try to sit in the little chairs and cut out a hand.

Uncle Buck's Fishbowl & Grill

I'm back! I realize it's been over a month since I posted anything, but when I say things have been busy around here, that is truly an understatement. Hopefully we are on the path to normalcy again, or at least as much as possible until Hank finds a job and gets back to work. In the meantime, I'm hoping to get more posted in the upcoming days and weeks.

Tucker's birthday was back in August (yes, I'm that far behind) and one of the things he had been begging to do was go to Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill as soon as it opened. It is a new restaurant and bowling alley owned by the Bass Pro Shops. Not really knowing what to expect, we stopped in one day a little before his birthday for a little lunch and bowling. It is definitely worth going to at least once to visually take it all in. I can't say I would bowl there regularly as it can get quite costly, but the kids loved it!

Each ball return was a different animal and the bowling balls all had a scene on them.

We also ordered a few appetizers. This was the alligator nuggets which turned out to be pretty great. That sauce was fantastic, whatever it was.