An overdue update!

Where has the time gone?  It has been almost 3 months since I last updated my blog, and so much has happened in that time!

The month of September was filled with exciting events, including some waterfall hiking, Bachelorette Parties, Bachelor Parties, a magnificent wedding, a 7 month birthday, starting solid foods and a visit from Mommom and Poppop!  We loved having some quality time with Mommom and Poppop and they sure loved getting to love on us!  We also had some family pictures taken with Amanda Lessner Photography!  She is so great!

The bottom on Taughannock Falls

Mommom and Poppop <3

Bachelorette Party 

A little over three years ago when Brayton and I got married, we never imagined that our wedding night would be the beginning of another beautiful relationship, but with a few too many drinks and a whole lot of fun we were not the only new beginning!  Travis and Lyndi, also known as Brayton's brother and my sister, found themselves falling for one another that day too!  A series of events that will not be shared here led to beginning of a wonderful relationship.  Two people who were polar opposites, who no one imagined would last in a relationship ended up being the best thing to ever happen to either of them.  They bettered each other, in every way, fell in love, bought a house, and had the most perfect wedding!  It was a day we will cherish forever, filling with laughter, happiness, tears, singing, dancing, and more love than I knew could exist in one place at one time!  We are so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful families and to have a brother and sister (Aunt and Uncle) who will forever be extra close to us!

Dad is so incredibly creative!  The girls ride in the wedding! 

Dollar Dance with the bride and groom!

October seemed to come and go with the blink of an eye with busy weeks, many colds and weekends filled with visitors and weekend road trips!  We were finally able to make a trip to Albany to visit Bit and Tim's new home, and it was beautiful!  This weekend also marked Elliana's first cold... Runny eyes and nose, cough and congestion.. No fun!  As is expected, her cold quickly became Juliette's first cold, which quickly became Brayton's cold, which in turn became my cold.. Luckily the cycle ended with me and we all recovered from about 4 weeks of germs fluttering around our house!  The girls also got their first TWO bottom teeth during the course of the colds and were remarkably content through it all!  I am not sure if I can account it to the Amber Necklaces or just overall happy babies!  Hopefully the rest of the teeth have the same outcome!  October also gave us two wonderful weekends of visitors.  Joedy and Andrea came and spent some time with us, we were able to go catch some of the beautiful views of Fall in Ithaca and hit up the Thrift Stores!

Overlooking Taughannock Falls

October was a big month for my parents as they celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary.  This day and age, finding people who demonstrate the TRUE meaning of love, faithfulness, partnership, family and forever seems to be a rarity.  I feel so blessed to have witnessed and grown up with that in my parents.  They are such a blessing and I can't imagine life without them supporting us all, always!  They are two people who would and DO do anything for everyone.  We were fortunate enough to spend the weekend celebrating with them by taking our own Wine Tour.  We spent the day enjoying the spectacular views of Cayuga Lake and wine country and what fun it was!

30 years, 3 kick ass daughters, 3 great son-in-laws, 2 perfect granddaughters.. Life is good <3

October also marked the girls first Halloween!  We didn't really do anything but I sure had fun dressing them up and taking their pictures!  That's what counts, someday when they look back, they will have pictures of their first Halloween (and every single other day of their life) to cherish!  They played the roles of Nautical Ballerinas and Turtles, and they did it oh so well!

And in the mix of all that crazy October business.. My babies turned 8 MONTHS OLD!!!

WE ARE HOW OLD?!?

Now we are here a third of the way through November, almost to the 9 month mark... My babies are not babies anymore, they are big girls with big attitudes and amazing personalities.. More about them to come in the 9 month blog post!    

Diving into 4th semester and a new school year!

Brayton and I have officially survived our first week.  4^th semester is off to a good start for Brayton as he enjoys his classes and has had an amazing turtle opportunity!  The new school year is off to a great start for me as I have a great little class of 13 and feel much more prepared for my upcoming year!  If you’re interested in my teaching life, check out my blog @ teachingcaribbeanstyle.blogspot.com! 

Back to the exciting turtle opportunity!  Last week, Trevor (our roommate) who works with Dr. Stewart on the turtle project was called out to rescue a Green SeaTurtle  that was found floating.  The turtle was alive but was in need of some immediate attention and care.  Trevor and Brayton have been working close with Dr. Stewart giving the turtle the proper care.  Today, they were able to help in giving the turtles x-rays to see if there were any internal problems.  They think there is some sort of blockage, but are seeking the opinion of a veteran turtle doctor at the Georgia SeaTurtle Center.  If there is something internally, they may get to participate in a turtle surgery to help remove or repair the problem.  Brayton is really excited to get to be a big part of this mission, this mission which is now living in our bathroom!!  (I'll post pictures later on!) 

Aside from school, life on the island is going pretty good, at least as good as it can be for St Kitts!  My family made it safely back to the states, Brayton and I spent a few days relaxing and getting ready to dive back in, Kate and Trevor are all moved into the villa and the 6 of us (and 4 pets) are doing great!  I feel really lucky to have such great friends /family who are always there for you!  Although it is hard at times to live in a house with 6 adults (groceries, bills, etc), 4 animals, and lots of stress, it is TOTALLY worth it to come home and sit down and feel like you’re eating dinner and hanging out with your family!  Moments like this make it even better. . Brayton while looking at FB..."OMG there is Candy Corn M&M's now!"  Emily responds with.."YES and Candy Corn Oreos..I NEED THOSE!"  I <3 my roommates!!

Although it is hurricane season, it was been A W F U L L Y hot, muggy, still, stagnant, uncomfortable here!  There has been NO wind and the air is hot and heavy all day and night!  I am actually looking forward to a few month of Caribbean Winter! 

Nevi and Koala are also doing great.  Koala is a princess, she thinks she is a dog, she does whatever she wants and is the ruler of everything!  She comes and goes as she pleases and makes it very clear when she wants to be in, or out, wants food or wants to be left alone!  She loves to roam around outside (though we are not really sure what she does/where she goes) and she loves to lounge around the pool deck or cuddle up in bed!  My roommate’s, Emily, mom was here during break and she emailed Emily upon leaving and said that Koala should have her own children’s book – she is a hoot! 

Taking care of 'sick' Daddy!  Not leaving much room for me!

Koala at about 1-2 weeks old!

Nevi is growing like a weed and isn’t a puppy anymore!  She is so smart and such a great dog!  I feel really lucky to have found her, rescued her and brought her back to health!  She loves everyone, and is so good with people!  She will certainly let us know if there is someone coming, but just needs an ‘its okay!’ and is back to herself!  Her favorite thing to do is swim..jump into the pool..chase her toys..or just relax on the stairs in the pool.  She is certainly a Mama’s girl and generally gets lucky enough (as long as Brayton doesn’t get too mad =)) to sleep in bed with us!  We are getting nervous though for cold weather and Nevi…At night when the a/c is on, she likes to sleep under the covers because she gets cold…I cannot imagine what she will do in the snow!  We better find some cozy dog sweaters! 

Well, I cannot think of too much new in our lives at this point.  We have been in St. Kitts over a year, and are about a month away from being ½ done!  Time sure does fly by!  

Nevi days after rescuing about 6 weeks (she is 7 months now!)

Pre-leaping into the pool! 

SPLASH!

Super Dog!

My roommate dog Duke!

She sure loves to jump!

This become NEVI's RAFT!