I just found some videos from my days on Fitness Beach (espn2)… I laugh about it now cause I know no one was working out with us that early in the morning! 😆 I remember people telling me they’d be coming in after an all-nighter and watch before they fell asleep. I think at one point the New York Times said we were the highest rated fitness show on television. So backstory…I was not from the fitness world. The other women were world aerobics champions and fitness champions but they needed someone that was not from that world and who would always show the easier versions of the workout as we went along. I mean, I can’t even keep a straight face as I’m writing this because it all seems so comical now. But man, it was a great gig! Being paid to fly down to Jamaica every year to workout on the beach?!! YES PLEASE!!!! And I did have to become certified as a personal trainer before I could go on the air. ESPN rules…but it was cool! I loved going to class and doing all that… Great memories and a fun time in my career!
We took the kids to Pearl Harbor so they could see the history they’re learning about. We visited the USS Arizona (story to come) and took a tour of the USS Missouri. So much history with this ship. It was the place where the Japanese surrendered to end WWII, then it was retired in 1955 only to be un-retired by Reagan in 1986 and made it into Desert Storm in the ‘90’s. (In between that time, the Navy agrees to let Cher film her music video for ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ in 1989. It was very controversial…) Mighty Mo was finally retired for the final time in 1992 and became the museum it is today in 1998. @usnavy
Proud Mama!!! Both Kane and Kaia had assemblies this past week at school. Kane’s 4th Grade performed the California Fiesta…where he was a rapping vaquero. Kaia’s 2nd Grade performed the Wizard of Oz and Kaia was a dancing poppy. Both of them worked hard to memorize their lines and learn new songs. I love that our school really puts an emphasis on performing and public speaking along with a rigorous focus on academics. ♥️
Proud Mama!!! Both Kane and Kaia had assemblies this past week at school. Kane’s 4th Grade performed the California Fiesta…where he was a rapping vaquero. Kaia’s 2nd Grade performed the Wizard of Oz and Kaia was a dancing poppy. Both of them worked hard to memorize their lines and learn new songs. I love that our school really puts an emphasis on performing and public speaking along with a rigorous focus on academics. ♥️
Proud Mama!!! Both Kane and Kaia had assemblies this past week at school. Kane’s 4th Grade performed the California Fiesta…where he was a rapping vaquero. Kaia’s 2nd Grade performed the Wizard of Oz and Kaia was a dancing poppy. Both of them worked hard to memorize their lines and learn new songs. I love that our school really puts an emphasis on performing and public speaking along with a rigorous focus on academics. ♥️
13 years married. 19 years together. Happy Anniversary babe…I love you! ♥️
Please take the time to remember our fallen this Memorial Day. It’s easy to get caught up in our barbecues and picnics, but let’s not forget the real reason for having an extra day off work…it is our time to respect and honor those men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. On Memorial Day in 2010, my husband (who was temporarily stationed in Germany for the Air Force) and I made it a point to drive to the small country of Luxembourg to visit The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. It’s was very cold and raining heavily but it was the only chance we had to visit. So we bundled up and grabbed our umbrellas and paid our respects. We were the only visitors except for 2 groundskeepers. Luxembourg is also the place where General Patton is buried. It was his request that after he died, he wanted ‘to be buried with my men.’ Let’s never forget. #memorialday #rememberthefallen
This just popped up in my memories. 9 years ago, Chris came home from a months-long deployment to the Middle East. He left when Kane was a few months old. Needless to say we were SOOO excited when he stepped off that plane! Well…I was excited! Kane, not so much. 😭🤭 FaceTime was an amazing tool that we used to show Chris a lot of ‘firsts’ while he was gone, but there is nothing like being together at home. And don’t worry, Kane warmed up to Daddy about an hour after this video. He was just tired (nap time!), it was extremely hot and he was just overstimulated with all the people and the loud noises. Funny, the things I remember about this day are being nervous and giddy at the same time. Almost like dating for the first time all over again. I wanted to look beautiful for Chris and was hoping he thought that when he first saw me again. And all I wanted was for us to be home, making up for lost time as a new little family. #militarylife
We took a day trip to the Big Island so the kids could see a volcano. We went to see Kilauea, which until March 7th, had been erupting for 61 days. It is the most active volcano in the world. We learned about the creation of the islands, about the goddess Pele (the goddess of volcanoes and fire) and how the island ecosystem has changed over the years. It was a great day! 🌋🌺
A L A S K A #auroraborealis #dogsledding #reindeer #icefishing #aurorawintertrain #springbreak
Kids first time @waltdisneyworld! The last thing we did was go on the new TRON ride and it might be my new favorite!!! Anyone else ride it yet?
Today is Kane’s 10th birthday! 🥳 Double digits. Feels like the time just went by in a flash. As I was looking through photos and videos of him since he was born, this one always sticks out. We were laughing so hard on the inside! Watch til the end to see what he was really trying to say the whole time! 😆🫣🤪 #RaisingKane
We got home a little late tonight from a birthday party and dinner with friends. I told the kids to shower quickly, brush their teeth and get ready for bed. I was down getting their snacks and water bottles ready for school tomorrow before going to say goodnight. I went to Kane’s room first as he’s downstairs and was closest to me. Then I went upstairs and found Kaia’s door already shut and this note slid under the door for me. 😭😭😭 This girl never ceases to amaze me. She is always full throttle and blazing through life on her own terms. And yeah, she’s 7…but she’s always been like this. I’m so lucky to be her mama…and I love her so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🤭♥️
Happy Birthday America! ♥️🤍💙
Piano Recital 2024 in the books! SO PROUD of Kaia! Because of Covid and switching teachers, this was Kaia’s first recital since she started playing at the age of 4! (She’s 8 now)… After playing, she came back and told me her hands were sweaty…I just told her that she was ready to play and her body was reacting to the moment. Being nervous is a sign you care and if you’re prepared, you’ll do your best and that’s all we can ask for! #piano #pianorecital #mozart #einekleinenachtmusik
Went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom today! It was fun for the kids to compare Tower of Terror to our Guardians of the Galaxy ride at home. It’s typical hot & humid Florida (about 92 with a TON of humidity)…but we made it! The kids were pretty exhausted and just wanted to get back to our place and go to the beach again. 😆🥳☀️🌊🌴 The Adventures of Spring Break continue…
On April 16, 1746, The Battle of Culloden happened in the Scottish highlands. The Jacobites (of Bonny Prince Charlie) were fighting the British government forces to try and reclaim the throne for his Stuart family. The Jacobites were slaughtered. It was the last pitched battle on British soil with 1,300 men being killed…about 1,250 of them Jacobites. If you’re a fan of Outlander, you’ll remember the lead up to this battle and the aftermath. The books are fictionalized, but this battle was very real.
One of the things we definitely wanted to do in Hawaii was take the kids to see the USS Arizona Memorial. It is something the kids could see with their own eyes and pay their respects to the 2,341 service members that were killed on December 7, 1941. About half of those who were killed that day were on the Arizona. The United States was a neutral country at the time. But the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese led to our formal entry into WWII the next day. This memorial is treated with the utmost respect as the final resting place of so many. If you survived that day, you could choose to be interred back with your crew mates after you die. Lauren Bruner, the second to last Sailor to escape the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, was interred among the ship’s wreckage during a sunset ceremony held on the memorial, Dec 7, 2019. The 98-year-old former fire controlman died Sept. 10, 2019, in California. Bruner’s passing left only three surviving crewmembers who were aboard the Arizona that fateful day: Don Stratton, 97 (who died in 2020) Lou Conter, 98, and Ken Potts, 98. As of Feb. 2018, 43 USS Arizona Survivors had been interred within the ship, nestled on the sea floor of Pearl Harbor. Bruner makes the 44th and final. The remaining survivors intend to be buried with their families. On a side note, we were told by one of the volunteer guides that one of the two civilians who contributed money to finish the memorial was Elvis Presley! He didn’t want the Navy or the government to acknowledge it…he just wanted to do his part to pay his respects to the fallen.
So Kaia had her second soccer game today. Ever! She’s with girls who have been playing soccer for years. She’s still learning the game, but she tries hard and is a fast learner! And today she scored her FIRST GOAL! We are so proud of her! She’s still 7 and most of the girls on her team are 8. She’s got a lot of learning to do, but she’s having fun and enjoying being part of this team! Final score: 7-2. The girls are now 2-0 for the season!#FightingFlamingos #soccermom
Our two week Spring Break finally comes to an end! We spent today with family and friends and enjoyed the beautiful 82 degree weather before school comes early tomorrow morning! Happy Easter!
It’s been a while since the kids were on the mat. Kaia sprained her thumb a few weeks ago, but she’s healed now. Time to get the work in! 🥋💪🏼
3rd piano recital for Kane since he started playing at the age of 5. Just like Kaia, he missed a few years performing because of COVID and switching to a new teacher. We are so proud of you Kane! Watching you play music brings joy to our lives!!! #pianorecital #imperialmarch #starwars #johnwilliams @starwars
