sightseeing in Sanibel {part II}

2nd stop: J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge



This is a 4-6 mile nature park off the coast of Sanibel.

You can hike, ride your bike, or drive you car.

We chose to drive since it was cloudy and raining here and there.

We must've hit it on a not-so-good day.

There was only a handfull of animals we encountered along our journey.

{small fishies}

The landscape was pretty regardless.

I spy.....fiddler crabs!

Now, this is just freaky.

If there's one insect I'm freaked out over, it's a spider.

Next up, birds.

And lastly, a few lizards.

That's a wrap!!

p.s. we FOUND sunshine!!

Two days in a row.

We're off to enjoy our last day here!

sightseeing in Sanibel {part I}

tuesday we decided to travel the Island of Sanibel since the rain was going to be pretty much off and on all day..

Sanibel is home to the CROW rehabilitation hospital & 'Ding' Darling Nature Park.

First stop: CROW rehabilitaton center.

Dad really only wanted to stop here due to the name (it's our family name).

The "patients" are wounded animals off the island. Whether it be from a boating accident or simply falling out of the tree, all animals are brought in to this center.

Unfortunately, the animals were not in the visitor center for us to see up close.

Studies have shown that when the animals were introduced to human interaction, it only increased their stress level. Therefore causing them to potentially not recover at an acceptable rate, if at all.

The facility was full of pictures from real patients the clinic has encountered.

There were even screens with live feed from the hospital.

This was a display in the museum that contained objects that had all been removed from the bodies of patients within the clinic.

pretty amazing.

A radiograph board showed real x-rays from some of the wounded patients.

sightseeing part II coming tomorrow.

over & out, boy scouts!

4th of july party decor & dessert ideas

the 4th of july is one of my favorite holiday's!

growing up, we always booked a week vacation in daytona beach, florida.

the last few years have been so hectic during the summertimes with school, cody playing ball, work, and now graduation & the wedding, we just haven't made the time to go back down there.

this year, we have no plans.

it's pretty much still up in the air at this point.

take out the boat and jetski to the island?

hit up the beach at tybee?

hang out at home by the pool?

more than likely, we will be doing the latter of the three.

therefore, i want to come up with some cute decor ideas to make it feel like we are at least celebrating something!

i stole most of these from the martha stewart website. i just love her!

and these desserts look tasty and SUPER cute!

[american flag berry cake]

[berry parfait]



[sprinkle sparklers]

[sugar coated marshmellows]

check out these fun table set-ups!



Happy 4th to you all!



2011 new year resolution's

My New Year's Resolutions:

{in no particular order}

1. Work out at least 4 times/week.
2. Eat out no more than 3 meals/week.
3. Graduate college with honor's.
4. Pass the NCLEX exam after graduation.
5. Be the best wife I can possibly be {when June finally comes around}.
6. Spend more time with family & friends.
7. Put God first.
8. Cook supper more often with a greater variety of choices.
9. Be a better blogger.
10. Finish ALL inside renovations on our home.

Top Ten Worldwide New Year's Resolutions:

1. Spend more time with family & friends.
2. Fit in Fitness
3. Tame the Bulge.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Enjoy life more.
6. Quit drinking.
7. Get out of debt.
8. Learn something new.
9. Help others.
10. Get organized.

Happy New Year to all!