4th of July Part 1

Hi everyone!! I promised myself that I was going to post these earlier. I ended up spending last week trying to get things together to start the fall semester. I can’t even believe it’s almost here… We start in about five weeks. There was just a few things that I had to make sure I got done so I took the time to get those organized. This is it guys… My last semester! At least my last semester fingers crossed… Ha ha!

So wanted to share with you a little bit of my Fourth of July. I hope you all had an amazing holiday… I know I did! I pray that you all spent quality time with family and friends that you love.

We wanted to re-create a picture of these two little crazies. This is what I love about these kids so much… Every year they really embrace the red, white and blue and show so much spirit dressing up! And as you see they’re still wearing the same socks from five years ago! How cute are they??? My older niece, their sister, does not participate to the extent that they do… Lol.

as most of you know if you follow my blog, every year we do a pontoon parade at my parents lake. Everyone decorate their pontoons and different themes. We’ve done some really fun and awesome themes in the past. You can use the search bar on the right of my blog and search for pontoon parade. You’ll see we’ve done this for many years and we’ve come up with some pretty creative decoration ideas for the boat.

This year we decided to just go with good old red white and blue for the Fourth of July.  Here we are all on the boat ready to drive out to the bay where we were meeting until it got dark and we began the parade.

A closer shot of everyone huddled together…

This is my older sister she came for the pontoon fun! She also brought along her daughter my adorable niece Jessica and my very first great-niece Leighton who is 2 years old! They were in bed as this parade was not going to begin until at least 9:30 PM

we purchased this blowup and light up eagle as part of our Decour this year. I got these fantastic Christmas lights that are LED and you use your phone to make them any color you want! They came in super handy for the red white and blue color! I love that I can use my Christmas lights at multiple times of the year.

That’s my Dad driving and my adorable nieces and nephew behind him!

The morning after the pontoon parade there was a pancake breakfast benefit the ski club at the lake. We went down and had delicious pancakes and sausage and we didn’t even have to cook them ourselves.

Here is my sister and the two peeps that missed the boat parade last night. They were definitely game to come down for pancakes with us! What a bunch of cuties they are!

More of the crew after enjoying their pancakes!

As we ate our breakfast we got to watch the ski club practice their moves. They actually practice on land before they try to do it on their skis.

These are my two nieces Aly and Jessica with my great niece Leighton for her very first tube ride. She did not enjoyed in the beginning but once we got the boat moving, she really did have fun.

here is my other niece Kyleigh and my nephew Ryan having a little tubing fun!!!

These two and the dog appeared to be contemplating life…

A little paddleboard ride…

And a little tumbling fun on the mat…

This is everyone loaded on the boat getting ready for a slow pontoon ride. The dog was so excited to snuggle up next to Aly.

dog selfie anyone? You gotta love Gracie!! Such a cutie!!

The pontoon ride put this one to sleep too…

Gracie had so much fun playing on the mat with the kids…

These two took a little JetSki ride together… This is the first year the kids have really been able to drive it alone. They need to have an adult with them but they are allowed to drive it. Maybe next year they can take it alone? That’s all up to Poppy…

I know this was a really heavy photo post and I didn’t wanna forget any of the good pics so I’m gonna make a part one and part two.

I truly hope you all had a fantastic holiday and got to relax and enjoy yourselves as well.

Sending so many hugs to everyone!

Checking in from Nursing School

Hi all you very cherished old friends in blog land!!!! I have been popping onto Blogger to keep up with you all as I crash in bed every night! You guys continue to relax me and I love hearing how everyone is. My appologies for not commenting because I am always so exhausted it is all I can do to scroll through and keep up!!! 

 I am writing a check in post again after another 5 months reprieve filled with Nursing School....studying, zoom and in person labs, in person clinicals at Pittsburgh Hospitals and a whole lot of tests!!!!!!! Right now I have an A in 130 Clinical, B in 130 Lecture, A in 130 Lab, A in 140 Pharmacology, and an A in Developmental Psychchology. This is all four weeks before finals so that could all change soon - HA HA HA!! School, for me, was such a great decision! It is awesome and I love every second!!! 

Cudos to all you nurses out there - I had NO idea how much work it is and how much perseverance it requires!! I can not wait to be an RN!! 

 Since I have not posted for few months I am going to give you a summary photo dump of how things are going when I am not in school, clinical or studying. I wish I could post more school pictures and things but it is against policy to take any pictures at clinical or school which makes total sense!! I will fill you in on my non-existant social life instead!! HA HA! 

 So, first off my parents (78 years years young) decided to get a puppy!!! I still think my little sister was the one that convinced them to get her but they swear that it was their idea! She is adorable!! Her name is Gracie and as you will see from the pictures she grew up fast and is the love of everyone that meets her - especially my nieces and nephew!!! The ifrst picture is the day she came with my Mom and Dad and the rest are the kid with her. LOVE LOVE

In May of 2021 my niece (and Godchild) made her confirmation and I was a super proud Aunt to be able to be her confirmation sponsor!!!

We did a family vacation to the beach with my sisters this year again. Stone Harbor wee missed you and we were soo happy to be back in July as a family! I went parasailing with my niece, we had family pics on the beach and watched the fireworks on the beach!!! I LOVE Stone Harbor, NJ!

Here are a few random niece and nephew pics...my nephew hated soccer and sister kept signing him up so he was soo excited when she finally DID NOT sign up ...we got him a retirement balloon and card!! HA HA! The last picture is my niece with my one and only great niece!!!!! She is adorable!!!

I attended the Harry Styles concert with my sister, niece and her friend here in Pitsburgh. It was a great concert and I was super excited to have company stay over at my house!!! I appreciated the invite so much and loved the music!!

I am happy to report that even after the company overnight, that cat that lived under the bed for over a year is still doing amazing! She is out and about all day and running and playing and even dropping a few pounds!!! She looks more comfortable each day...as you can see in the picture below!!! HA HA! All the cats are actually doing great!! They just lay around all day in the trees while mommy studies!! HA

Speaking of company, now that Steeler FOOTBALL season is here....I have company every home game and I love it!!! The family has attended every home game this year and we are having a great time!!!! I think it is my Mom's favorite thing to be in that stadium enjoying the electric atmosphere! We love Heinz Field and the Steelers!!

This is the sweetest picture I have seen lately...my best friend (the one that lived I Kauai that I went to visit) has recently moved back to Seattle. She had her baby girl yesterday!!!! Her name is Daniela Raquel!! So her daughter Nena is big sis!!!! She and baby are doing great and I am so happy for their family! Maybe after nursing school and NCLEX I can get a visit in!!!

I will leave you with a picture of me and my very best nursing school friend Shawne. We were in all our classes together last semester and this is a lovely photo in the parking garage before clinical!!! She is so supportive and such a great person!!!! I wish I could introduce you to everyone in school because it is a great group of people (young and old) helping and motivating each other to get through and succeed!!! Everyone just wants to see everyone succeed! It is truly awesome!!!

I hope you all have a fantastic day and I promise to do my best to geive more frequent updates!!! And picture dumps!!! HA HA!!! Love you all lots...thanks for the undying support and motivation!!!! You guys are all soooo awesome!!!!