visitors galore!

We are so excited to finally share our VISITORS post!!  We have had 4 sets of friends and family come and stay in our guest rooms (yep...we have 2 guest rooms so come on down!) 

VISITORS #1: The Moon and You

We were so excited to find out that our friends Ryan and Melissa, and talented musicians, were going to be doing a southern tour and they were stopping by Lake City to play/see us! Ryan was a member of the former band Uncle Mountain who played at our wedding (and a childhood friend of Clay) and Melissa is his sweet, sweet girlfriend.  They booked a show at a place in town called The Cafe' (we basically got a private show!) and they were amazing!

 



cuties



 

Clay and I wanted to check out the Ichetucknee Springs, two beautiful springs that are 72 degrees year-round, so we all suited up, packed the car and went to check it out. It was in the low 70's that day but 72 degree water is CHILLY! Once we were there, we decided to go for it and get in! YOLO right? It was worth it...definitely something to check off my 30 before 30 list. :)

 



Ichetucknee Springs - gator free and gorgeous

 

72 degrees wasn't too bad...during the FL winter :)

We really enjoyed Ryan and Melissa's visit!  They were the first familiar faces we had seen since we moved and they were great faces to see!  Thanks for coming! :)

 

Visitors #2: SURPRISE! Kristen and Kimberlee :)

 

For those of you that know me well, you know two of my best friends Kimberlee and Kristen.  We taught first grade together, lived together, and have been close ever since. Kristen has already blogged the trip on her blog, Michael + Kristen + Kellan. You can see her post here that includes WAY more details and fun photos.

They drove down from VA/NC to surprise me and spent my whole birthday weekend with me! {ah-may-zing} Clay kept it a secret for weeks, which is incredible.  They woke me up in the middle of the night when they got here by flashing on the lights and screaming.  I literally thought we were being robbed so I pulled the covers over my head (like that would do anything.)  They brought me lunch and visited my school & class, we went shopping - of course, and we took them to eat at some of our favorite restaurants we discovered. We had so much fun as always! I am so blessed to have them in my life! I was beyond surprised and will never forget that weekend!


 

A cakery in LAKE CITY! (Limited hours...but
we made it & they were good!)

 

 

local produce shopping

 

Mmm...Satchel's Pizza!

 

Here's the bus that doubles as a booth for larger parties!
We WILL sit here someday.

LOVE you both. xoxo.
 

Visitors #3: MIS PADRES!

My parents helped us move and stayed for a few days to help us get organized and all set up! What a HUGE help that was...but this time they were bringing us a van full of our wedding registry items that we couldn't fit in the big move. Yep, we have a lot of stuff.  Well, as Clay says...I have a lot of stuff! :) 

On our packing day, it was pouring rain and in Roanoke (where my parents were driving from) it was sleeting and beginning to snow. Obviously, they left a lot later because of the weather.  The original plan was to go by my brother's house in Cary and pack the van with our wedding gifts that they so graciously let us keep in their attic (since our place was too small for everything) and drive them down to FL. Well, that didn't work out...but they packed up the van and brought it all down in Feb!!  It was a blessing in disguise because we had SO many gifts that it completely filled the van...and if that was the case in Dec, Cheeto and Chester wouldn't have to been able fit!!!

It was like Christmas all over again when we unloaded everything and got it all organized! They were also able to fit another bed frame in the van so we bought a new mattress and set up our guest room #2! It was extremely productive! We also headed to Jacksonville to look at a truck (which we now own,) walk on the beach, and enjoy our time together!  It's always a great weekend when they are around! 
 

Neptune Beach: Dad was SO excited to be on the beach in February!

 

<3 

  We love you both and are so thankful for all your help!

 

 

Visitors #4: Two Weekends with JASON, STEPHANIE, AND SOPHIE

Clay's cousin Jason, wife Stephanie and their daughter Sophie came to FL for a family vacation in late February.  They traveled from Washington, NC and stayed with us on a Thursday night.  Clay and I worked Friday and they made their way down to Tampa.  We met up with them in Clearwater, FL on Saturday to go to a Phillie's Spring Training game.
 

Phillie's training field

 



 

Stephanie and Sophie

 

 

After the game, we headed down to Ybor City and walked around.  They were having a huge festival that weekend so there were lots of food vendors and arts & crafts for sale. 

Tampa Bay Buccanneer's ship

 

Then we headed down to Clearwater Beach that night after dinner at a delicious Thai restaurant.

 

rooftop view

The next morning, we headed to Indian Rocks Beach for a walk and have breakfast. We found this yummy place called Crabby Bills.  It was delish!  

 



crab omelet = ah-may-zing

 

Then we headed to the Florida Aquarium to meet up with Jason, Stephanie, and Sophie before we headed back home.

 

 

 They stayed in Tampa for the week and then came back to our house to stay on their way back to NC the next weekend. I cooked dinner Friday night - my first homeade pie from scratch and truffles!  On Saturday, we went to Gainesville to the Florida Museum of Natural History,  Sweet Frog for some yogurt, and then to Satchel's Pizza for dinner! We had a great 2 weekends with them and were so glad they could come down and stay! Thanks for coming and we can't wait until next time!

Dinner: my first homeade pie - corn, tomato & cheddar (mmmm!)

 

dessert: chubby hubby truffles!

When will YOU become our next house guest?!?