Happy Birthday Grandma Herod

Yum!

The Herod Family

Rob's Family

Steven's Family

What is better than spinning around in a chair together?

We Love You Grandma!

Love, The Grandkids

Good-Bye Fay!

Tropical Storm Fay has been hanging around over Florida and dropping a ton of rain. We have of course missed three days of school, which we will have to make up at Thanksgiving. Many roads and areas are flooded and many branches and tress were pulled down. We of course are all safe and ready to get back to school. Let hope Fay will be our only visitor this Hurricane Season.

First Day of 4th Grade

Today was Nick's first day of 4th grade. He was really excited. He has waited a long time. Unfortunately, Hurricane Fay decided to visit FL and school will be closed on the second and maybe even third day of school.

Tennis

Today Nick and Steven went up to the tennis courts to hit some balls around. Nick is still getting use to hitting the ball, but he is doing a great job for something so new.

Human Guinea Pig

Tonight Nick used us as human guinea pigs. First he collect blood samples from both Steven and I to see if he could determine his blood type. After finding out our blood type he realized that he still had many choices. He ended up determining that he had AB positive blood. He had so much fun doing the experiment and enjoyed seeing his results.

Back to School

Today Ashe went back to school. He was so happy that when I woke him this morning he said Jack (that's the little boy from his class that he bites). I hoped he was missing him and not looking for breakfast. I reminded Ashe that he was going to be nice to his friends and not bite. When he got to school he was a little shy but quickly got back into the daily activities. He had a great day and did not taste any of his friends. Let's hope he out grew that stage.

Happy Birthday Nana

Happy 82nd Birthday Nana!

A New Do

I really love my new back to school hairdo. I am so glad that I get to give up the braid that I have been wearing all summer. I went in with an image in my mind of what I wanted but of course couldn't describe it. Ashley made it look even nicer than I imagined it. I tried to grow it long but couldn't take it any longer. I really don't enjoy all that hair.

Ashley did a great job, thank you girls for passing her name on to me.

No one was home when I took these pictures so I had to try and take them on my own so I'm sorry for the bad photo work.

Saving Special Things

This shirt was given to Nick when he was Ashe's age by his Nana. He wore it all the time. Since it was special to him, I saved it. Who knew that all these years later Ashe would be wearing it?

Thanks Nana.. Now I love the shirt!

Surgery

Nick has a real love for science. Ever since he was little he told us he wanted to be a cardiologist. This summer we wanted to send him to a kids, science, medical camp. He was nervous and wasn't sure he wanted to go because he wouldn't know anyone. The camp ended up getting canceled and he wasn't able to go in the end. So we had our own science camp. He research the animals, made Powerpoints, wrote reports, made graphs to show his findings. At the end of his research he dissected the animal. He loved discovering all the different parts and organs. On the frog, He was able to look at the chambers of the heart. I was very surprised how careful, and precise he was with the scalpel. I only posted one picture to save you all from the stomach churning details, like the bladder that still had urine in it.

Vacation: St. Augustine

Welcome to the Oldest City:

St. Augustine

The Lightner Museum

On the first day we stopped at the Lightner Museum. This museum is

the former Hotel Alcazar. This museum houses many cut glass and stained glass pieces of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Historic Homes

then

now

This is the historic home that Steven and I were married in many years ago. It has changed so much over the years. It is now vacant. The large wrap around porch is where we came out and rang the bell announcing our marriage. The bell has since been removed. I also took a picture of the boys standing on one of the small side porch.

The Beach

Each night while on vacation we would stop after dinner to try and catch the sunset. Of course it was rainy each night so we were unable to stay long but the boys had fun taking off their shoes and running around in the sand.

Castillo de San Marcos

This is a Spanish built fort. This fort overlooks the water as a way for the Spanish to protect the city from invaders such as the British. This is also the place that Steven and I were engaged. It is really beautiful there it has a castle like feeling.

Oldest Schoolhouse

This is the oldest recorded schoolhouse in the U.S. It was on record in 1716. It has living quarters for the teacher above the school. How sad, I can't wait to go home from school at the end of the day. I surly wouldn't want to live there. They were however allowed to use a small room like dungeon under the stairs and the dunce cap. These things are frown upon in school now.

Oldest Jail

Here we toured the oldest jail. We were shown the gallows where prisoners were hung. We also were able to see the female and male cells, the ball and chain that the chain gang wore, and even the attached home of Sheriff Joe Perry. There were a lot of interesting and sad details on how prisoners were treated.