Anna Maria Island, Tommy Bahama, and Ben and Jerry's

Saturday morning while drinking my coffee on the patio, I looked to the corner of the yard and noticed that my yellow hibicus had begun to bloom. Last year, these plants were as tall as me! The freeze set them back considerably, but I'm sure by the end of the summer they will be huge.

After a day at the beach on Anna Maria Island, we went to the Tommy Bahama restuarant for dinner with friends and then had some Ben and Jerry's ice cream for dessert in St. Armand's Circle. This picture of Taylor and Isaac cracks me up.

Here is the view from my beach chair. It was a really fun day with friends and the weather was so beautiful. Anna Maria is such a relaxing place to visit.

I told Isaac that when we are old that I want to live on this beach...wishful thinking, right?

Farmer Isaac

Those of you from KY may remember the summer Isaac planted a garden in our backyard. He kind of went over-board with the 14 tomato plants that summer! Last summer we tried to plant a garden on the side of our house, but everything almost immediately died. This year, Isaac is trying a bucket garden. This way the plants can live in more fertile, less sandy soil and we don't have to weed! I told Isaac to start with 6 plants...he came home with 6 buckets and 18 plants... Sorry for the sideways picture...you get the idea!

Isaac enjoying this apparently therapeutic hobby.

Memorial Day Project #2-Backyard Renovation

This past winter, we experienced a freeze in Tampa Bay that lasted for 3 nights. During the freeze, we lost 3 triple Christmas tree palms and some crotons. We thought we had lost more plants, but we were pleasantly surprised when our "dead" plants came back to life this spring. As previously mentioned, Isaac went on a shopping spree this weekend at a local nursery to replace lost plants and fill in blank spots in our backyard. Here are a few pictures of our renovated backyard...

Vistors are welcome!!

Memorial Weekend Project #1-Guest Bath

Thanks to Isaac for repainting the downstairs guest bath for what probably seemed like the millionth time and for hanging the new mirror, artwork, and towel hanger! It looks great!

Pre-Memorial Day Party

Last night, we had a Pre-Memorial Day party with friends at our house. After locking my keys in my car the day before while running errands and Isaac's shopping spree at a local plant nursery, we were racing to the finish-line otherwise known as the start-time of the party. I managed to mostly finish my errands the few hours before while Isaac planted six new palms and a few replacement bushes from the freeze we had this past winter. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and our guests brought sides and desserts. We had a great time! We are ready to party!

Kids' Korner, formerly known at the kitchen floor-but hey, messes on tile are easily wiped up!

The boys enjoying the spa, until the girls took over.

Eating dinner outside-we were so blessed that it did not rain!

Jason and Carly hanging out on the hammock.

American Idol!!!

Yeah for Kris Allen!!! Isaac and I were Danny Gokey fans the entire season...I enjoyed Anoop Desai too. Anyway, we still love Danny. He is truly such a great guy...for those of you who DVR'ed the show...rewind and notice that Danny is leading the blind guy up onto the platform while everyone else is posing for pictures..so selfless! We will buy his record one day for sure!

Bible Fellowship BBQ and New Blooms

Isaac and I have been so blessed to attend an awesome church-Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, FL. Our first Bible Fellowship class "birthed" a new class last fall that Isaac and I help lead with another couple, Katie and Josiah. Our new class is primarily for nearly and newlyweds and we try to focus on building strong foundations for healthy and happy, Christian marriages. Last night we had a BBQ at Rebecca and Brandon's house. Here are a few pictures of us hanging out after dinner. I (Kyle) was taking the pictures and Isaac was on his way back from a softball tournament (they won!), so that's why there are no pictures of us. The men and Rebecca on the floor, probably with her puppy Elvis somewhere nearby. Brandon made the coffee table in this picture-he is quite the carpenter.

There is always a baby table-whether we are just talking about babies or holding all of them.

These socials are such a great time to get to know new couples.

This is Paula Deen's "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding" and it is delicious! I took this dessert to the social last night and it was a hit. I found the recipe on the Food Network website. Now, if you are taking this banana pudding to a big event, you will need to double the recipe. However, don't be a hero and try to fit all the ingredients times two into your stand mixer-it will overflow! I used Vanilla Wafers instead of the Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies last night-but I must say that the Chessmen cookies are much better and worth the extra cost.

My gardenias are blooming and the smell so good!

Peach hibicus.

Red hibicus.

Red pentas-these froze during the winter, but came right back!

The long-awaited bloom of my Bird of Paradise.

A Day At the Beach

Since moving to Florida, Isaac and I have not gone to the beach nearly enough! We love Siesta Key Beach because the sand is fine and white and the water is blue-green and clear. However, Isaac does not like going to the beach with just me because I am not enough fun for him. My idea of fun is laying under an umbrella with SPF 100 on and reading a book. Isaac wants to run around in the sun with a football and no SPF and burn to a crisp. So, going to the beach with a group offers both of us the best opportunity to have the best day at the beach. On Saturday, we went to Siesta Key with four other couples and three kids. We started off with breakfast at the restaurant our friend Tanya ate at with her bridesmaids the morning of her wedding to Cory, and on our way to our spot on the beach we passed the tree they got married under on the beach. We hauled several coolers, chairs, an umbrella, pack 'n play, tent, beach bags, beach games, and kids onto the beach. It was a beautiful day and worth the work!

My loyal buddy Cooper finally found a comfy place to nap.

Carter trying to get ready for the ocean...he liked playing in the sand better.

Isaac and Josh playing Hillbilly-Golf...he also had to drag his new UK cornhole set out onto the beach! Team Treesh beat Josh and Cory in a match!

The beautiful sand and water-we are so blessed to live so close to paradise and have great friends to enjoy it with!