The Gaines Gang

Monday, August 17, 2009

Just Beachy!

Sometimes I wished I didn't live inland. As my luck would have it I was born and raised in Oklahoma. And though I do love my great state ,I long to spend my Saturdays here.

Salt water in the air, sun warming my skin, and watching the kiddos take on the surf.

We enjoyed a few days at the beach on our recent trip to Florida. And though it might not have been the bluest water it was just fine for our family and ole shark tooth!

Our flip flops are looking forward to returning too. As they liked taking a break and just hanging out.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

As we drove to our hotel we joked with the kids (trying to keep them entertained) about looking out the window for alligators and crocodiles! Explaining to them about how we were now in Gator Country!

So when we arrived at the hotel and checked in we saw this.

The kids and I thought it was cute and I explained that how it was a "play on words" as to where we were at. And that the hotel did not have alligator's or crocodiles.

So the next morning ,while getting ready, the kiddos were eating breakfast on the balcony and came in screaming ,at the top of their sweet little lungs , ALLIGATOR!!!!!!!!! Mommy we see an ALLIGATOR!!! So with a laugh and smile I followed them out to take a look.

And guess what I saw?

Yep, Tick - Tock!!

You can see it's eyes and nose swimming in the pond (on a golf course of all places).

Here he is just about to go behind that tree. And as Dori would say "just keep swimming"!

We were SOOOO close that the kiddos huddle together for safety {smile}.

We never did seem him again that week. However, Ryan and I used it to keep the kids close by us. Always reminding them that there could be an alligator around every corner!

Animal Kingdom ain't got nothin' on us!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggied Jig...

We had a wonderful trip and I have so much to talk about it's scary.

Let's see if you can guess where we went.

85 bottles of water (frozen)

48 cans of Diet Dr. Pepper

1 rented all teriann stroller (for a 5 year old)

18,894 Brazilians (It's winter over there)

24 pins to trade

Mole Skin

Way to many Fast Passes

Yep, that's right The Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World!

Let me just say it's A LOT bigger than DisneyLand. All the parks total up the same distance as the entire island of Manhattan! The last time I had visited was way before my child bearing years. So a totally different experience this time around.

Gabe and Hannah loved it and we enjoyed watching them take it all in.

We were shocked as this was hands down thier FAVORITE park of them all. We had only planned on one day at Epcot but they begged to go back the next. This is why Gabe loved it! The fastest ride in all of Disney. And he was just tall enough! This is him holding all his fast pass tickets to ride it FOUR times.

He also enjoyed riding the train around the Magic Kingdom taking him to his next adventure (I enjoyed the breeze it brought ). I stopped counting how many times he asked "Mama is this real?". It was hard for his 4 year old mind to take it all in.

You gotta stop by later this week. More on our trip, the REAL alligator at our hotel, my SLR camera under the weather and me dropping the point-in-shoot into the Atlantic!

I can't wait to be back in full swing next week and sharing what creative creations I have up my sleeve with you!

Friday, July 31, 2009

We have vacated the premises...

That's right we are finally taking our family vacation {in August} I know. We'll be back on August 11th with all the glorified details of our travels.

Can you tell who is ready to go?

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Good Times

Thought you might want to see how my kiddos pass the time when they are out hunting {estate sale} shopping with me.

Hey, it's better than trying to see just who can annoy each other more.

I just hope that the bystanders can understand!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Christmas in July

I am amazed all the things that can be created out of this one little can.

So while at my favorite store last week {Goodwill} I spotted these little lovelys. And flashed backed 30 years to my early childhood.

The shape was great and the frame was even better. I wiped them down and popped the picture out coating it with a few coats of chalkboard spray paint. First I had planned on creating some Halloween hangings but they are in such great shape I thought Christmas!! So the frames received a few coats of crimson spray paint and then I wiped a nice stain over the top for a bit of distressed look.

I think these will be perfect gifts for teachers and family friends. Packaged up nicely with some chalk and an eraser! It's never to early to start thinking about Christmas, Yikes!