Five-Lined Skink

So about this time last year I posted on the blog about a lizard...so I didn't think another lizard story was blog worthy until I saw one again today. Luckily this time it was in captivity. So here's the story:

A few days back Nora says "Mom there is a bug under my chair!" I look for the bug and see nothing. A few minutes later Morgan comes out of the playroom "Mom there is a bug." still I see nothing. A few minutes after that they both come running out of the playroom "Mom the bug has stripes and a tail and big eyes!" I figure if they describe it this clearly there must be something, but it sounds like a scary bug. So I go into the playroom and there is a very large lizard (that gives me the creeps still just thinking about it!) and I run for my rubber gloves and long duster to try and shoo it outside.

I imagine it was quite a picture to see the girls sitting on the couch laughing hysterically while I'm screeching like a little girl every time the lizard goes back and from under the tv to under the couch. I even tried to grab it once with my gloved hand, but it was fast and big and creepy so I went back to the duster route. After about 15 minutes and working up a good sweat I got it out of the house...sort of. It crawled into the bottom of my screen door, but I'm sure it found it's way back home.

When I was putting Nora back in bed tonight I told her I was looking for a picture of the lizard and she said the lizard that was in the costumes that ran back and forth? I said yes...the costumes? So does anyone want to come and shake out my costumes to make sure they don't have any lizard eggs in them?

Since I didn't have time to stop and take live photos of the creepy lizard here is a link to the famous Five-Lined Skink!

Kingsland, GA

So we drove straight from the wedding in NC to Georgia to look for a new house and as luck would have it we fell in love with one. It was built in 2005 and is beautiful! It is a townhouse and is a little smaller than what we have now, but I think that will be easier to keep up with while Ben is at sea. Especially since they mow the yard!!! Yippee!!!! And there is a pool close by and tennis courts. So now I just have to close on the house, throw a birthday party, move and find a job. I think that should keep me busy until Ben comes home in November. But I'm still up for visitors if you are in the area!

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The girls have been absolute troopers through all of the road trips this summer! I think all the play places have helped make this possible! Thanks Ronald and the Cows!

Morgan, Ronald & Nora

Announcing Matt & Kristen Trogdon

I first met Matt and Kristen this summer when they came for a visit over the 4th of July. Ben and Matt went to college together in NC and apparently spent one crazy summer living together in CO. So Ben was best man at the wedding and it was absolutely wonderful! They were very generous to ask us to join them at the bed and breakfast for the weekend and the girls loved it!

They were married at the Shady Wagon Farm in NC on Saturday, September 6th. Luckily for Hanna she made her way through on Friday night and the wedding was perfectly sunny and probably a little warm for those wearing nice dark tuxedos. The ceremony was very nice and the vows brought tears to many eyes. It is easy to see how in love they are!

Best wishes!

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Michigan

Okay so here I am making excuses again for why I haven't blogged in forever. Well we went on a 20 hour road trip to Michigan at the end of August to see Ben's family, my Dad and Stepmom and some friends. We really had a great time hanging out with everyone!

Due to the time lapse since the trip and the blog post my brain is struggling with all the details so here are a few highlights.

• It was great fun watching all the cousins run and play in the yard and watch all the brothers try to figure out how to get the arobie (fancy frisbee) off the roof.
• We got to let the girls fish a little off Grandpa's boat before it rained on us.
• We went to Holt to see Stuart and Kathleen Goodrich and were joined for breakfast by their son David. Then we hit up a farmer's market, got ice cream, and happened across a parade! Turns out Stuart and Kathleen are celebrities! Small towns are so fun!
• Ben got to spend some father-daughter time with Nora and the rest of the gang on the river.
• Went to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes and broke Ben's truck. Then had to stay in MI five days longer than expected. Oops!
• Decided to make lemonade and headed for Mackinac Island (one of my all time favorite places).

Thank you Justin and Laurie for opening your home to such a crazy and fun filled weekend!

Here are some pictures of our travels.

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Reasons to Root For Andy Roddick in the US Open

Now I have to admit I wasn't always his biggest fan, but I do find myself pulling for him now and here's why:

1. He needs to take advantage when poor Roger is slumping and it isn't a good surface for Nadal.
2. He's getting up there (you know as far as pro tennis players go) and deserves a few more slams under his belt before his career is over.
3. He's funny. Very, very funny. See the latest issue of Tennis magazine for a funny remark about a sweater Roger wore at Wimbledon.
4. He's American. This alone should be enough.

Memory Post

I am a little behind on the blog due to an unexpected extended stay in MI (expect details in a few days). So since my friend Layne posted this on his blog I thought I would give it a try.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.

My Husband Rocks!

Ben has been working his tail off for several years now going from one school to the next and yesterday he completed his officer nuclear power training! This make me very proud! Now he is off to submarine school and then school should be behind him for some time.