Cumberland

As we drove down the Exit 1, St. Marys, Georgia, ramp, I even began to question my decision to plan a weekend trip to Cumberland Island.  Afterall, it was only a few days prior that Graham went up and down a map of the east coast guessing every possible town a person could visit.  Only to make one final guess that sounded something like this... "and please don't tell me we are going to St. Marys". Afterall Trip Advisor has the Georgia Welcome Center as the number two place to visit while in St. Marys and its currently closed.

Luckily I know both of us pretty well and St. Marys was the perfect place to spend the weekend.  Of course, Cumberland Island was our true destination.

 Cumberland Island is rich in history.  The beauty of this relatively untouched barrier island is glorious.  Both Graham and I left Cumberland wanting to know more and looking forward to future trips.

 

Eight Years...

 Ellison Adele is 8.  In a way it is hard for this Momma to believe.  Afterall, wasn't she just learning to walk yesterday?  To say it has been a pleasure to watch Ellison grow over the last few years is a complete understatement.  I could not be more proud of this girl.  She is bright, funny, compassionate, and a really good person.  She makes her dad and I proud, each and every day.

A few shots of my baby over the years....

Bella

Our sweet dog, Bella, passed away yesterday, April 27, 2016.  Its hard to believe Bella had been in our lives for 14 years.  She was a favorite birthday gift.  I learned I could care for someone and I loved caring for her.  July 5, 2002 - April 27, 206

 Bella was born in Tennessee.  The family raised show Maltese and Bella had been promised to their daughter.  The daughter decided ballet class was more important, so we were blessed to have her.

My dad and I picked Bella up at the airport.  She arrived a tiny little ball of fur.  I drove her home to Gainesville that evening.  She was so tiny that she would hop over blades of grass like a bunny.

 For the first few weeks, Bella kept us up nightly in her crate.  She would bark non stop.  The barking stopped once I gave her control of the house.

 Her reign quickly started from there!  She slept with me, traveled with me (she had a carseat), and dressed like me.

 Have I mentioned her tongue?  It was to big for her mouth.  It always stuck out a bit.

 Bella always waited for us. In Gainesville, she would look out from the second story window to see when we would arrive home.  It would never fail that as soon as my car pulled up, I would see a little white head looking out.

 Bella was in charge of Ali.  Always set her straight and loved her dearly.  Over the last few weeks, I noticed Bella would snuggle up to Ali.  A few days ago, she even laid on top of her.

 In the earlier years, Bella would let Ellison play with her and walk her.  They were buddies.

Pending Ellison's arrival, I made sure everything was in place to ensure Bella was not forgotten.  I bought a "chair and half" for the nursery, so Bella could be by my side.

There is an earlier blog post about how Bella was demoted from Queen to Princess when Ellison arrived.  However, I think we can all agree, that the demotion never happened.  She was as much a Queen as a 4 lb dog could be, which trust me if mighty Queen-like.  

I don't have many photos of Dylan with Bella.  As she got older, she became more cat like.  She would lay in her favorite spots.  She loved Dylan and Dylan loved her.

We love you, Bella.  We miss you.

Dommerich Sea World Adventure

 I am lucky to have a lawyer job that provides me with the ability to spend the day at Sea World with my best gal and her classmates!  

Future Fireman

 Dylan is one of the luckiest kids around.  His sweet friend, Bobby, invited him as his plus-one for a tour of the Winter Park Fire Department and trip on the fire truck to school.  Dylan had a large smile as he strolled up to class that morning!