Snowy Vacation

Hello to all, it has been a while since I have posted to our family blog. Life sometimes gets way to busy. I started working in May of 2009 and just shuffled a lot of things to the side. Needless to say blogging was one of the shuffles.

Our latest and greatest family story is our recent vacation to North Carolina. What an awesome time we had. The trip was much needed and a big blessing to us all. We were suppose to go the week of Christmas, but we pushed it back to the week of Super Bowl due to budgeting. Praise the Lord, we did move it. It was well worth the wait.

Our main dilemma (like so many others) is money for the trip. With finances becoming our number one priority, preparing for FPU (Financial Peace University) that is coming to our church when we get home from vacation and we had just finished reading the Dave Ramsey book "Total Money Make Over". We realized that going away during Christmas week was not in our budget and we were not even close to having any money saved for this trip. So we set a goal for saving money for our trip in February. God blessed us with way more than enough to go. It pays to follow a budget and to stop spending foolishly. We were able to go on our trip without any fear of running out of money and not sacrificing any of our regular budgeted money for paying our monthly bills. That is our first blessing from God.

Our second blessing was that we have been going to Mike's parents house for many years in the winter trying to catch a snow day. With me being a Floridian and our three children too, we have never experienced snow. Now I have seen snow on the ground back in October when we drove to a high peak in Robbinsville, N.C. (Which was absolutely beautiful, amazing, and such a serene feeling), but our kids were not with us and we did not see it falling. It is too funny, every trip we make it always snows the day after we leave to come back to Florida. Go figure! Well we decided that our best chances would be in February this year and that was what we set our goal for. It was very discouraging when we received a call from Mike's parents the weekend prior to our vacation and said it was snowing and it was between 8 to 10 inches of the most beautiful snow ever.

My husband was beside himself. He wanted to get in the car that day and start driving. The chances of more snow in their area was very low, since they don't get a whole bunch in their area and this weekend of snow put them over their limit. Obviously we couldn't just get in the car and head up, we both have jobs and the kids have school. So my husband had to cool his jets and wait a week and we continued to pray for more snow to come when we are there.

Our trip got started with us actually heading out a day early due to an rain/ice storm heading that way on the day we were suppose to be driving there. So for safety reasons we left on Thursday instead of on Friday. By Friday morning (we drove through the night) we reached the NC line and there was nothing but freezing rain. It rained all day Friday, but there was still snow on the ground from the prior weekend. When we arrived to Granny's house the kids couldn't get in those piles of snow fast enough. The rain had caused the snow to be more like packing snow cones instead of snowballs. Do you think the kids cared? No...they were slinging these hard uneven ice balls at each other like crazy. I got hit by one and it hurt. Yet, the kids had a blast. They only played outside for about 10 to 15 minutes because of the freezing rain and they were soaked from kneeling and rolling in wet snow.


That first day was joy enough and made our trip so special already. Once the kids got settled in warm clothing and some hot cocoa, Grandpa informed them that they were expecting snow the very next day. How cool is that? We are going to actually see snow falling from the sky. It came, it fell, it was beautiful. The most fluffiest white cotton ball looking snow you could ever see. It made everything so peaceful. Mike thought I was nuts because I couldn't stop laughing. It tickled as it landed on my face. It stuck in my hair and all over my clothing. It was wonderful and believe it or not I wasn't even freezing. What a glorious sight. I know too many people live constantly in it and it is a burden to them, but what a treasure for us to experience it as a family.


Our visit was terrific but of course had to come to an end. We left with an agenda of sightseeing a few historical War ships in South Carolina. Stopping for the night in Charleston, S.C. and spending the next day at Patriots Point was an experience we will not forget. Devin took over 400 photos of just the U.S.S. Yorktown Air Craft Carrier that was permanently docked there. It was a great day, but very windy and freezing cold.


After our tour, we were back on the road for the remaining 8 hour drive to reach home. Within 5 minutes of driving the rain started and it rained all the way home. All I can say is that it was great to be home again. We couldn't have asked for a more memorable trip to NC and SC. Our photos tell the tale of a terrific trip. Thank you God for blessing us, yet again.

The Lock-In

Yes, I got locked in at the church for a whole night. Did I mention that I was locked in the church with a load of teenagers? It was the middle school lock-in for our church youth group. I figured since Devin and Ashley are both in middle school, I as a parent should be helping out with this function. So, I volunteered to be locked-in with the girls for the night. What was I thinking???? No, seriously, I had a blast with the youth.

The night was all planned out by Pastor Billy. He made it a team game night for the youth. There were six teams with about 6 to 8 kids on each team. Each team had to earn points based on their ranking completing some very difficult task. It was a hoot watching all these kids in blind folds, or blowing a ping pong ball with lots of holes in it with a coffee straw around on the floor, and even compete in a team dance off. The games were fun, the food was great, and the sleep was lacking.

Once the girls got separated and we filed into the mullet for our place of slumber, the party really got started. The girls rushed the bathrooms to get on their PJ's,(I don't know why, none of them planned on sleeping anyways)and then it was time for some singing and dancing. Even though I did not know a lot of the songs they were jamming to, I enjoyed the show. The best part of the night was when I was sitting in the dark while the girls played a game called sardines. I loved it when they screamed from fright while hiding in a pitch black building. Too funny.

All had fun for the lock-in, although the anticipation of the boys doing something dreadful all night came unfulfilled. The morning came creeping in and the girls started slowly winding down. I soon felt my age from pulling an all nighter, it was as if I was walking in slow motion. Once I was home it was pure bliss laying in my nice comfy bed.

April Birthday Celebrations

Our family gathering to celebrate the March and April birthdays was on the first weekend of April. We celebrated four birthdays; my step-brother Jon's, Aunt Elaine's, Mine, and my step-sister's Kim's. We had a great time together and had a wonderful dinner made by my mom.

After lunch Mike & Jon are just relaxing.

Tami helping mom serve cake and ice cream.

Kim opening up her birthday cards.

Ashley playing when she got out of the pool.

Aunt Elanie opening her cards.

Spring Break Camping

Devin caught a toad fish; my friend Julie with her son Chris; Ashley,Dalton, & Chris found a load of starfish, the kids playing at the swimming hole, Smores time


Kicking off our Spring Break week with some camping is just what we all needed. A good break away from schooling. We booked a camp site at the Sebastian Inlet State Park for the last weekend of March. It was a time of camping with my closest friend Julie and her two boys, Alex and Christopher. Needless to say the kids were so excited to be camping with their friends. This was also Julie and her boys first time camping.

Mike, was so sweet, he hooked up the camper and towed it up to Sebastian and set up every thing for us and then returned four days later to pack it all up and tow it home. I am sure he was excited about his break at home too.

The weather was a little rough, very windy. We did not even attempt to go to the beach because of all the rip currents. But,that did not damper our vacation at all. There were plenty of things to do in the state park. The kids swam, there was a playground, and we did plenty of fishing. We also got our fill of wildlife. There was a pod of dolphins that lingered all weekend by the parks fishing dock. They were so beautiful and fun to watch. The sea turtles were plentiful, seeing their little heads popping up for air every so often. On our last day, the kids and I had a manatee come right up to the rocks where we were fishing.

This was an excellent spring break trip that was very inexpensive for both Julie and I. Sharing the expense and getting away from home to have fun with the kids. We could not have asked for a better time.


One of the dolphins passing by, the kids taking a break during our walk, Dalton found a crab claw, Me and the kids right before Mike came back to pick us up, Ashley fishing

The kids

The kids have been having a blast lately. Between home school field-trips, sports, and just some family fun; it has been a fun full schedule lately. When I look at my calendar I often wonder how I am going to get through the week, but it is all so worth it.

Last Tuesday Devin, Ashley, and Dalton just finished up their tennis class and absolutely loved it. They did not want this class to end. I will definitely be signing them up for it again. This up coming Tuesday is their first day of basketball which they also took in the fall. They are excited about doing this class again too.


Devin and Ashley have been playing football with the church. It has been awesome hanging out watching the church group come together and have some fun. There have been so many showing up to play. I think this is Devin's favorite day, all he talks about all week is football. Too Cool!!!


We have had some fun activities other than sports too. We had recently went on a field-trip with the home school group for a boat tour down the St Lucie river. That was a neat adventure. I wrote an article on-line about the day and it got published in our Wednesday newspaper. Here is the link to the story, if you wish to read it. http://tc.yourhub.com/PortStLucie/Stories/Outdoor-Sports-Activities/Boating/Story~581877.aspx

Also, just last week, we had a fun family day hanging out at the county fair. We were thankful that the weather was warming up because we were going to go on a different night but it was just too cold. Well, it ended up being so hot. But, we kept cool for a while watching the rodeo under cover. Nothing like enjoying a day at the fair with some fattening food, fast rides, and loads of animals to look at. Great time for all.



So that only sums up a portion of the activities that have been going on lately. This is one reason I don't post too much. But, I like to share the fun things that are happening. Talk to you soon.

Peace River Camping Trip February 2009

We finally were able to go camping as a family again. Our last trip was back in August of 2007 when we camped at Lion's Country Safari. (Awesome time there)
The long lapse was a result from our oldest son getting very, very sick and then the gas prices were way to high to drag a 34' travel trailer around. So this trip was long due.

Our camp site

Eating breakfast on our first morning

We had a blast. I highly recommend the Peace River Camp Grounds located in Arcadia on highway 70 just west of the main part of town. It was a little more pricey than your typical camp ground but was well worth it and they had a lot to do, especially if you have any 4 wheelers, ATVs, or golf carts.

ATVs were every where.

Our camping weekends usually consist of only two nights but because of a double holiday weekend we had a three night minimum stay. I was a little upset about having to squeeze in an extra night but in the end I did not want to come home yet. It was so relaxing and beautiful.

The kids in the pool.

The coolest thing to do was dig for fossils. The river is full of them. We spent most of Saturday just sitting in the river and sifted through dirt and rock to find our treasures. We found some Indian beads, bones, sting ray barbs, and a load of sharks teeth. Ashley won the prize for the most found, she dug up about a 145 teeth. We did not count the boys collections. But, Dalton, got the prize for the biggest tooth found. It is a beauty.

Mike sifting

Me and Ashley searching

Of course being a double holiday weekend the campground was very packed and I have never seen so many ATVs in my life. I sat and pondered the fact that the economy is so tight for everyone but it is funny how everyone has so many toys. I know it was tight on our budget just to camp there and it was even more for the weekend bracelet for having an ATV. But, you can tell everyone was having a great time.

We were curious what the ATV trails had to offer; so we rented a golf cart for an hour. Even though the there was a set speed limit, we were able to tour all the back trails, see the campgrounds river beach, and watch a little of the mudding through the mud hole. I was really bummed to have to turn back in the cart because the time flew and we were not ready to stop playing on the trails. I now knew why all the kids were constantly on their ATVs and going back and forth from their campsite to the back trails.

The Mud Pit...

Devin and Ashley driving the cart

It is safe to say that this was every one's favorite camping trip so far. We loved the different activities and the beauty of the river. Next time we go we will have to try to canoe the river. We will definitely go back, we did find a cheaper campground not far from where we stayed. It did not have as much to offer but when you don't have the ATVs to do the trails you are better off staying at the cheaper place. Who knows maybe next time we will own our own ATV and go back for some mudding fun.

The Newest Member of the Batts Family

Meet Crystal, our brand new baby bunny.
We got Crystal last week from the Marasco Ranch and today has been one full week in our home. We named her Crystal because she has these bright blue eyes. She is so sweet and the kids love playing with her. We decided to keep her in the house, especially because it has been so cold lately.
She is 6 weeks old today.