June 23rd and 24th - Golf and Family

The NFJG Program had a tournament at San Jose Golf Course and AA had some high scores on four water hazard holes. Overall, she loves playing from the ladies/red tees!

 Met up with sister-in-law, Mia and her Dad, Lester (my FIL).

Then on the way back for the Children's Home Board meeting, I went to a late lunch with cousin Carolyn. We caught up on news from home and her plans for selling her home and job hunting!
Ford and AA visited with Mia and Lester on Thursday. Our grown kids just came home from attending their Uncle Bill's funeral, so will be able to see their Aunt and Grandpa too!

Week Ending Sunday June 22nd

Our weekend began with a Friday swim-date with the F. family. We then showered and headed to the River House to meet up with Kenny and Pam D. and their neighborhood friends, Ralph and Sandy B. (Ralph is a UMO graduate, was the one who took these incredible photos of AA). Ralph and Sandy told us of a Palace first floor condo they were considering to buy and we brought a box of die-cast Ricky Craven NASCAR stuff for their son, who is a Jeff Gordon fan (believe me there is a connection). Pam brought pizza and we enjoyed hanging out until the hour when all good kid(s) must leave the RH!
Saturday (21st): We decided to take AA to breakfast at Metro Diner; we have gone a few times during the week but never taken AA as she was always in school. On the way, as Ford was describing why we like the restaurant, they only are open for breakfast and lunch and the "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, came to the Metro Diner. AA knows the Food channel show, so Ford added as a quip, "....and they came and didn't invite me!" AA quickly responded "That's odd". We busted a gut!
I ordered one of the daily specials of raspberry cheesecake crepes - just unbelievable! Not too sweet like a dessert, but velvety lusciousness! AA and her Daddy were sharing the salt and pepper and she looked over at my crepes breakfast and said to her Daddy "Guess Mom doesn't need the salt and pepper!" AA says many funny things but we forget to write them down!

We did some shopping at Target, then headed home. AA has become addicted to the game Monopoly, so we played a long game together. I beat her for the first time; she wasn't very happy!
Sunday (22nd): Golf tournament at South Hampton, tee time was 1:49 p.m. About 1:30 p.m. the first horn blew; a few rain (lightning storm) delays later, it was postponed with a date to be announced.
We received some sad news Sunday morning, that Leaa and Justin's Uncle Bill B. passed during the night (Ford's "ex" brother-in-law). Ford was hoping to go when the time came, but as it turns out, he has decided not to make the trip. I have to be out of town at the Children's Home Board meeting on Monday and Tuesday, AA has a NFJG Tournament tomorrow (Monday) and if Ford left, I would have to take three days off from work. Or if we all went, I would be excused from the Board meetings and work, and AA would miss a tournament. Thankfully, the grown kids are going along with their Mom and step-Dad, plus another Florida Aunt. Still, I know Hubby is feeling bad about not going. Bill was a wonderful man, and knowing his wife, both are/were so friendly to us and AA, and his son who is stationed here in Jacksonville; we know he will be so missed.
This coming week will be busy with the above mentioned activities, plus Ford's sister Mia and her Dad are in Orlando for the week and the Florida State U.S. Kids Golf Championship Tournament begins this Friday.

Pool Time with the Forte's!

06/20/2014: Friday Greetings! We are enjoying summertime especially when the Forte's come swim with us. AA knows them well as Hannah and Joe golf with her in the U.S. Kids local tour. It has been a year since they came to our Club pool for a swim play-date (how does time fly by so quickly?)..

Mattie with her water wings on, but quickly shed them and was being as brave as the older kids.

Lunch was from the Cabana, glad they were open!

After lunch the four kids were lining up and jumping, even Mattie (with her wings back on). Ford went in with them right after lunch, so the Mom's caught a break!

Golfing buddies in the "seven and under girls" group:

I tried to get a nice group photo but one of them kept falling in. Here's Hannah - oops, where did she go!

It is a scorching hot Florida summer as usual!

One Pan Dinner - Good Recipe from Facebook

Hubby made a new "one pan chicken dish" for dinner. Since bacon was involved, it was of course very yummy! We look forward to having it again!
Before going in the oven:

Baked:

Complete Chicken Dinner:
3 raw chicken breasts halved
new potatoes quartered
green beans fresh or frozen
Fresh garlic (2)
Raw bacon strips
Packet Ranch Italian Dressing mix
Salt and Pepper
Stick butter
Use a 9x13 dish.

• Wrap chicken in bacon strip.
• Arrange chicken middle of pan.
• Arrange potatoes beside chicken.
• Arrange green beans beside chicken.
• Season with salt and pepper. Go light with salt.
• Sprinkle all with a packet of Ranch Italian dressing mix.
• Top with a stick of butter. Cut into pats.
• Top potatoes and green beans with bacon strip.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Disney Oak Trail - Fun Round with Daddy (And Postponed Magnolia Tournament)

06/13/2014: We drove a day early for the next Orlando U.S. Kids Golf Tournament just to get in a practice round; spend one night and then play the Tournament at Disney Magnolia course. AA and her Daddy had fun walking the Disney Oak Trail course with me tagging along. The heavy afternoon rain had stopped, but the course was a bit soaked! All and all, a fun round with her Daddy actually playing with his new set of Big Bertha Gold Callaway's and the putter AA won at the NFJG Tournament!

Dueling golf bag carts!

Temporary lakes all around us!

After the round, a goofy (or is that Mickey Mouse) pose:

06/14/2014: Then the next day, there were two rain delays (thunder and lightning) and finally the tournament was cancelled/postponed. Hopefully, it will be scheduled for next Saturday. The kids have fun with all their electronics and crowd around the "older kid" - this time Miss Abigail; she's very sharing and patient with the kids!

It is definitely summer in Florida with the heavy afternoon showers!

High School Graduation - Congrats to Lane and Ben!! (Gift "Craft")

We have two very fine nephews graduating from High School (2014) and was deciding what an appropriate gift was these days. Once we decided on the amount of money, we found this easy "craft" to use for the money holder. Congratulations to both Ben and Lane! They have well deserved college scholarships and we know will be great in their chosen careers!

The Schroeder Family with Ben:

Niece Kaci Below with son, Lane:

Happy Father's Day - Recap

We have been on the road due to being in two U.S. Kids Golf summer local tours and the NFJG Tournaments. So having Sunday, Father's Day off from traveling, we decided to stay at home and didn't plan any family activities. A little R&R so to speak. Hope everyone had a great Father's Day!
AA made a card for her Daddy back when school was in session:

We met up with Fleming Island church friends as they had a gift for Alyzabeth; a golf photo frame that actually had a girl on it! So sweet to think of AA. And they printed a photo with AA and Ford in it; made it a great Father's Day gift too! Thank you to Margie and Danny Foye!

I bought Ford a little gift; something handy to carry those soda bottles (or beer!) and it comes with a bottle opener on the end. Just kind of simple, looks like a carry tool box (I am sure someone handy with a few power tools could make these; alas condo living doesn't seem to be conducive to this type of hobby!).

Walking to our Club swimming pool, the astors are in full bloom; very pretty!

Fun in the pool!

A great day! And we watched some of the NASCAR race and lots of golfing at Pinehurst!

NFJGF - Dr. Gordon Ira Tournament - Hyde Park (Happy Father's Day!)

We entered AA in the NFJG tournaments after talking with the Director Jack at The Players (remember the story from May 6th). We had been contemplating it for awhile since several of the kids on the U.S. Kids Golf tour compete. The Foundation Girls (under age 12) play from the ladies red tees; a HUGE change for AA and more than doubles the distance she is used to playing. The two day event (the 11th and 12th) went well. Ford said it was the best, well run tournament mainly due to the Hyde Park Men's Association who came out in force to monitor each hole, hand out water and cart the kids between holes and several NFJG officials. Also, there was a "rules"  official by each hole.
They had a slight rain delay on the first day (just as I arrived from work to watch her for a hole or two). The second day I missed entirely due to work meetings, but AA said she had a great time and would love to play with this group again! Ford said he couldn't be prouder of her first tournament from the red tees and she played some amazing shots.
AA eating lunch on the first day during the rain delay:

AA placed in second and received a nice medal.

Happy Father's Day gift to Ford! AA won the full size putter and will hand it over as a gift to her Daddy (it is too nice to have cut down to her size; she doesn't need a new putter right now).

Happy Father's Day to all our family and friends! Enjoy your day!