Vernon Volumes text

Vernon Volumes text

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Daytona visit with Diane, Lee, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa


This Saturday, we drove down to Daytona Beach to visit Grandma and Grandpa. On the way over, Connor asked us if we would see Uncle Lee, and we told him no. Diane and Lee were flying out in the afternoon, and we figured that by the time we got there, they'd be gone. We ate at Aunt Catfish and then drove over to the condo. We were surprised to hear that Diane and Lee's flight had been canceled due to mechanical difficulties. We were sorry that they missed their flight, but we were very happy that we got to spend the day with them.








We had a very nice visit. It was good to catch up and chat with everyone. Connor and Lee discussed football and Connor showed Lee some of his favorite iPad games. Paige colored for quite a while and then played kitchen with Aunt Diane and made all kinds of interesting imaginary food.

For dinner, we all drove over to Houligan's and had a yummy meal. Grandma took lots of pics with her phone, so unfortunately she's not in any!




Connor's best basketball game of the season



On Friday night, Connor had his best basketball game of the season. He hustled and worked hard the entire game, did a great job on defense, and scored 5 baskets. The players he guarded didn't score a single point, and Connor had some really exciting shots. I put together a highlight video. The buzzer beaters were actually even more exciting in person. It's neat to watch him play, because he is completely aware of the time in both shots and you can actually see him glance at the clock before he shoots the basketball at the end of the game.



We are very proud of our little athlete!



Paige modeling her swimsuits


Andrea got Paige some new swimsuits and they were trying them on this last week. Paige was cracking her up and acting like a sassy model after she put them on. I got my camera and Paige got Mommy's jewelry on and some of her high heels. She was being pretty silly and cute. It's one of those things you just kind of have to see for yourself.



Connor loved being the announcer for Paige's antics, but he had to jump in and do some modeling too.


Kids play together at bedtime


Recently, we realized that the kids do pretty well if we give them some time before bedtime to play together. They talk, use their imaginations, play with stuffed animals, and eventually fall asleep together. Almost every night we'll find them on a pile of stuffed animals sleeping by each other. We put them in their beds before we go to bed, but it's always a surprise to see how we'll find them.


Connor and Paige stay with Grandpa Rick and Grandma Alice over Valentine's Day

While Andrea and I went to the Amelia Island Tennis camp over Valentine's Day, the kids went to stay with Grandma Alice and Grandpa Rick.

Grandpa had ordered Paige some new girl superheros for Christmas, and although they arrived a little late for Christmas they arrived just in time for their visit.




On Saturday morning, they went to Connor's basketball game and then went to the zoo. There's all kinds of things to play on there, as well as lots of neat animals. They had lots of fun things to do with Grandpa and Grandma.







Paige had super chapped hands and she cried when she had lotion on them. Grandpa took a picture of her being very brave, although it hurt she still smiled for the pic.



Since Paige came home, we've been using a lot of her new superheros in our story time together.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Lee and Diane visit with Grandma and Grandpa


Aunt Diane and Uncle Lee came in town to Florida and are staying with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa in Daytona Beach for the week. Uncle Chris is getting ready to have a baby today, so Grandma Alice and Uncle Rick will be leaving for St. Louis and subsequently won't have time this next week for guests to visit their place. So, before Grandma Alice and Grandpa Rick leave town, the California crew came up today to visit for a little bit. 


Andrea and I drove back from our Tennis camp this afternoon and everyone came over to our house to visit for a little while. Our kids had gone to lunch at Barbara Jeans with everyone, so were already warmed up to Diane and Lee. Paige was having fun showing Diane around and convincing her to read all kinds of books together. Connor had already impressed Uncle Lee with all kinds of football facts.


I remembered to get my camera out while they were over and we snapped a few pics together.



Amelia Island Tennis weekend for Valentine's Day


This weekend, Andrea and I went to the Cliff Drysdale Tennis resort at Amelia Island to celebrate Valentine's Day together. The weather was a little chilly at times, but it was sunny and once you got moving it was perfect and cool. We got in on Friday after I was done with work and had clinics on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In total, we played about 10 hours of tennis. It was very fun, we got some different perspectives on our game, and we definitely got worn out!

After our first clinic on Friday, we watched an exhibition match with four of the pros. 


We'd thought about going out and doing something fancy and fun on Saturday for Valentine's Day, but after 3 hours of clinics and 2 hours of Round Robin, we were pretty tired. We got dressed in some warm comfy clothes and went to the little cafe on property. It was a nice quiet dinner and plenty romantic for us.


On Sunday we had clinic in the morning and then we were all done. In the closing remarks, three of the pros gave out small trophies to three of the people in attendance. Sal chose me! He said I'd improved a lot since the last time we were out, that I was always hustling, and did well throughout the weekend. It was very nice to hear the positive encouragement. I won the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Amelia Island Super Star award!


We're glad we went, we had a blast, and learned a lot. Andrea played really well and had a lot of great shots and was super aggressive on the tennis court. I'm so happy that she put our fun weekend together! Love you Andrea!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Relaxing swings at Losco park



It was a beautiful day today outside, so after breakfast with Mommy at Cracker Barrel, I decided to take the kids to Losco Park. Mommy had spent the entire day with them yesterday while I was at a match, so it was a good opportunity for me to spend some fun times with the kids. Paige had brought up her favorite swings, the big red swings at Losco Park. We call them the "Relaxing Swings" since you don't have to pump your legs or anything, you just relax in them while Daddy pushes.


When we got there, there were a bunch of kids playing, and a couple birthday parties in progress. There was also a man with his grandson and granddaughter and he wasn't too concerned about sharing the relaxing swings. He was on them constantly for about 30-45 minutes. We waited somewhat patiently while we played on the rest of the playground, kicked a soccerball around, and threw a football.




Eventually, one of the swings opened up and Paige got to swing for a bit.


After about 5 minutes, we were interrupted by the sweet siren call of the ice cream truck! We got a few ice creams and some water.



Yum!







As we were leaving the park, both swings magically opened up and the kids got to swing together. They relaxed while I pushed, and I tickled them a bunch, which is the best part.




Trevor's 8th birthday party at Rebounderz


This Saturday, we went to Rebounderz for Trevor's 8th birthday party. Connor and Paige were both excited to run around and play with all the kids. I got a few pics of them in the arcade, and a few pics and a video of Paige on the trampoline. After a few minutes, they turned out the lights and turned on blacklights. It was really neat since Connor and Paige both had fluorescent colors on that glowed super bright. Unfortunately, my iPhone camera couldn't pick anything up at all with the lights out, so I didn't end up with much for pics.





Gina, Trevor's mom, posted a cute pic of the group to Facebook, so I snagged it for the blog.