Christmas Time in Destin

The stockings are hung, cookies and milk next to the tree, and Liam all snug in his bed.

Mike, Liam and I are spending Christmas at the Sandestin Resort with my parents and sister. The house we rented is FANTASTIC and gorgeous. Everyone has there own bedroom and there are 3.5 bathrooms.

Liam was up at 6am so he could see PaPa and was ready for a "Boy Only Day". I have a feeling that Christmas morning is going to be an early on as well.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. Check back soon for pictures.

2009 CNN Hero's

In 2008 my mother-in-law Carolyn LeCroy was chosen as one of the CNN Hero's. It was a great opportunity for her and the wonderful work that she has done over the years. Carolyn started a wonderful organizations called The Messages Project which helps children and their incarcerated parents connect and bond.

The voting has begun for the 2009 Cnn Hero's. Please go to the CNN website and read about these wonderful people and vote. It's amazing to see the wonderful things people do for others.

A Lovely Day

Fall is in the air and the weather has been beautiful! Liam and I have been taking advantage of all the sunshine. The most popular activity this week has been pedalling practice. Although Liam has had a trike or bike since he was 10 months old, he has never wanted to pedal. Why pedal when Daddy will push you around? Thankfully, Liam is finally enjoying the joy of pedalling and will soon realize he can get away from mommy quicker on his bike!

Corn Chowder Yumminess!

I have only eaten corn chowder a few times in my life but enjoyed the flavors. Today I decided to try my hand at making my own. The challenge was finding a recipe that had bacon and used a rough to thicken. I ended up using three recipes to get the proportions right and ended up with a tasty chowder. This is by no means an original recipe.




1/4 package of bacon chopped and browned
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 c. diced onion
1/2 c. diced red pepper
2. frozen corn (for fresh use 3 ears)
1 potato, skinned and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 or 2 sprigs thyme chopped
3 c chicken stock
1 c. cream, half and half or milk

Brown bacon, remove and drain. Remove all but 1 tbsp bacon grease from pot, add butter, onion and red pepper. Season with salt and pepper and cook till soft but not brown (8 min). Add thyme, garlic and flour. Cook long enough to cook out the flour taste from rough. Add chicken stock, corn and potato. Stir and raise heat to medium high to high heat, cover and boil for 10 min stirring occasionally. Lower heat to medium low, add some of the reserved bacon and cook till potato and corn are soft and soup is thick. Slowly stir in cream and lower heat to low and let the chowder thicken to your personal preference. Season to taste and enjoy.

I personally add sharp cheddar to my bowl. YUMMY!

Fun Times

Liam and I have been sick for over a week and confined to the house. The cabin fever got to us around day two but we didn't kill each other! We were feeling well enough today to drive out to Baker, Fl. Not much there except for a dog competition and my cousin Kim! Liam has never met Kim and there's no way I could pass up the opportunity. We had a great time. There's nothing better than spending a day with family!

Feeling the Halloween Spirit!

October is here! Liam and I have been feeling the Fall Spirit and decided to decorate the house. We were able to get some great stuff for super cheap at the craft store. I think it's hilarious that everything is half off and it's the first week in October.




With the Fall Spirit in full swing, Liam and I went to a Corn Maze. Liam's favorite activity was the corn launcher. I have to admit it was pretty cool and he came super close to hitting the bull's eye. We will have to ask Papa to make a launcher. The farm had a maze for kids and then a large one for grown ups. Due to my fear of being lost in a corn field, we stuck with the small maze and had a great time.

Yummy Find

This morning we headed to the Palafox Farmer's Market like most Saturday mornings. There's nothing better than grabbing some fresh produce and baked goods from great local farmers and bakers. There are only a few Saturday's left till they close up for the year and there weren't many farmer's there this morning. We still managed to grab a couple of eggplants and try some yummy samples. Liam has a keen eye for samples and spotted a stand we hadn't been to in the past. To our delight it was the Nuts Over Toffee stand. One delicious taste and we were in LOVE! Liam and I quickly agreed we needed a bag of the dark chocolate covered toffee. HEAVEN! Check out the website. The packaging if fabulous and it would make a fantastic gift. I would have taken a picture but we tore into the bag before I had the chance!

What Would Brian Boitano Make?

I am in LOVE with the new Food Network show "What Would Brian Boitano Make." Brian Boitano is GREAT! Not only is he funny but he's real. If you haven't seen his new show you are missing out. He made a great white wine sangria today and I have to make it for my upcoming Mom's Night In courtsey of Sargento Salad and Potato Finishers and Houseparty.com.

First Day of Preschool

Today was Liam's first day of preschool at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. He wasn't too excited and kept saying he didn't want to go to school but I knew he would love it! Liam truly is my child. We went into his class and he told me good bye, gave me a hug and went off to play. No tears and no fear! I'm glad he enjoyed his first day and I can't wait to have a couple of days a week to get some stuff done. I see days spent cleaning out our storage unit and packing in my future!

Blog Name Suggestions

Now that the LeCroy's are embarking on this great new adventure, I feel I need to start a new family blog. When I started this blog I intended for it to be for me and my craziness, but the family has taken over. Either I change the name of this blog and it's direction or just start a new one for our family adventures. The second option seems to be my most preferred because I know I am going to need this blog for venting, recipes, and my new Domestic life in England.

Last night while I laid awake I tried thinking of clever names for the new blog. Most of the ones that popped into my head didn't have much zing or pizazz! I would love your help. That is if there's anyone actually reading this blog. Post some suggestions for my new blog. I would love the help and will give full credit to the person that comes up with the winning title.

Get the Passports Ready!

It's offical friends. The LeCroy's will be moving to the United Kingdom! Mike will be working at Lakenheath RAF Base till October 2012. We are all very excited and quickly trying to prepare for such a HUGE move! Mike has already sold his beloved Jeep and the motorcycle has a possible buyer. Now we are a one car family and it stinks! Thankfully we shouldn't have to share long. Mike will be leaving at the end of September and Liam and I are planning for a December 31st departure. Keep your fingers crossed that Mike will find a great rental house with room for plenty of visitors!

Mike and I quickly realized we are running out of time for those places we haven't been yet. The USS Alabama was one of those places we have been wanting to take Liam. The visit was short but at least we can say we have been. Seems they were having power issues and the power went out to the whole facility. Thankfully we were just inside the door and not in the belly of the ship like some. Not much in the way of emergancy lighting.

After leaving the USS Alabama we were pretty hungry and very hot so we headed into Mobile. Just another LeCroy Adventure with an unknown destination. We lucked out and grabbed a yummo lunch and after I decided to check out Magnolia Cemetery. Mike was a little curious. Apparently, even after all these years, he didn't know I love old cemeteries. Magnolia Cemetery is the second oldest in Mobile and had some great head stones, statues and mausoleums. Liam enjoyed his first cemetery visit.

First Camp Out

On Thursday night, Mike and Liam decided to try their first backyard camp out. We really wanted to go to a park but Liam had a bad cold. The boys set up the tent and got all set for bed but only lasted 2 hours! Apparently it was just too loud outside for Liam. They still had a great time and I guess that's all that matters!

My How Time Flies...

Sorry I have not been posting much but I had to post these pictures. The first picture was taken September 6, 2007 and the last was taken August 6, 2009. It's amazing how much they change!

So sweet...

I love my son with all my being and couldn't imagine life without that little devil with the sweet heart. Today, after driving me crazy this afternoon, Liam went fishing with Daddy while mommy rested (or read her book in silence. However you want to look at it!) When Mike told Liam it was time to head home for dinner he said they couldn't leave till he found something pretty for Mommy. He searched the whole park until he found something worthy, and told Daddy it was pretty and would make Mommy feel better. When the boys got home, Liam ran straight to me and gave me the beautiful magnolia weird looking, fuzzy thing. It's great! Although he loves to push my buttons and is often mean to me, I know deep down he loves me!

Love a Good Deal

A few weeks ago I got a $1 off coupon for a newer product I hadn't yet tried. When money is tight I don't often take risks with new products. Nothing worse than spending money on something that tastes horrible!

Last week while I was at Walmart grocery shopping I walked past the freezer end cap and stopped to peek. The sign above the case said $2! Of course I am going to stop. It happened to be Pillsbury Savoring Pastry Bites on sale for $2. I had been wanting to try them and with my $1 off coupon I had no reason not to give them a whirl. The spinach and cheese looked pretty tasty and man was I right! They may have tasted even better because the whole box (12 pastries) only cost me $1 but I still think you should give them a try!

When Fish Talk to 3 yr Olds...

Strange things seem to happen during nap time. Liam seems to think he is too big for naps but really he is just too busy! More often than not, I will hear lots of thumping, crashing, and jumping come from his room during this time. Today was no exception! Liam came shuffling out of his room.

The conversation went a lot like this: " Mommy. Mommy I gave Blue some food." What Liam? " I gave Blue too much food." (Mommy runs to Liam's room) Liam!!!! What did you do!!!???

***Picture a gold fish bowl with two inches of tiny pellet fish food covering the top, big plastic storage container flipped over next to bookshelves used to climb up, and an empty fish food container.***

(Mike rushes in and immediately whisks Blue to the kitchen for emergency extraction)

Liam that is how you kill a fish!!! (Liam immediately goes to the naughty corner without being told and precedes to scream and cry. 3 Min pass) Liam why did you do feed Blue? "Well Blue told me he was REALLY Hungry!" Liam fish don't talk " He told me with his bubbles that he was REALLY hungry mommy. So I gave him his food."

Needless to say that Blue will be staying in the living room for a while and we will be headed to the pet store for more food tomorrow.

Update

I feel like it's been forever! How are you? The last time I made a post it was about our possible chance at moving to Italy. Typically, we don't tell people about these opportunities, because when we do something happens. For once we felt it was going to happen. We were one step away and the guy who started the whole process changed his mind! So as of right now, the LeCroy's will be staying put in the crumbling USA! (just my opinion and I have the right to it!) Mike does have the first right of refusal for any overseas positions that come up within the Air Force. So keep your fingers crossed for some place FAB!

Italy?!

Recently my hubby came home and asked me if I would like to move to Italy. It's not unusual for him to ask me about possible jobs he has seen or sent a resume off in regards to. I can never get really into what he says because most of the time it doesn't some through. This time it is looking more and more like a real possibility. Aviano Air Force Base is located in the northeastern part of Italy at the base of the Italian Alps. The area looks beautiful and is located in a great spot to travel all over Europe. Right now we are just waiting to see what happens and if it will all work out. Liam is at a great age and if we don't do it now we might never get the chance. I will keep you posted!

The Fearless Child

Mike and I knew earlier on that our child had inherited his fathers fearlessness and need for adventure. Watching Liam get excited about trying something new makes my heart smile. As you know from the previous post, Liam had his first surf lesson a few weeks ago. That same week, Liam and Mike went to the only climbing wall in Pensacola to let Liam climb. The only reason they were going was because Liam came out of our bedroom carrying Mike's climbing harness and said, " Let's go climb Daddy!" He is now the proud owner of his own climbing harness and he loved every second of climbing to the top. Next time I plan on going with them so I can get some pictures.

Yesterday Liam and I got to go swim at my friend Allison's house. We all know Liam loves to swim, but yesterday he was going to the bottom of the pool! Allison's daughter Bella was swimming to the bottom of the pool to get weighted pool toys and Liam insisted he wanted to do the same. He doesn't have to skills to get to the bottom yet, but with a little push from mommy, he was grabbing them and swimming to the top. He had a blast with Harrison and Bella and it was nice to see the Barger's!

The end of another wonderful Florida day!

Liam's First Surf Lessons

When I found out I was pregnant with a boy, I got excited thinking about all the fun things Mike and our little one would do together. Swimming, surfing, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, fishing, lacrosse and baseball. Today was the first surf lesson and it was great! Liam really loved being on the board and had a great time. Can't wait till next time!



While at the beach today we saw three rays swim by us. We couldn't get a really close look but they looked like baby manta rays.  There was also a huge pod of dolphins that swam by.  It was another beautiful day at the beach!