Life Lately: August

August has been keeping us busy! It always does.... DJ is back to football and long hours during the day; I feel like I'm playing catch up at work; and all things back to school, which looks a lot different for us this year! We basically slingshot ourselves in to our typical August business. Here's a little look at what we've been up to. 

The girls have been back to gymnastics. Megan goes 3 nights a week, and Adalyn was going twice a week for some make up classes. The gym is basically our second home. 

I rearranged my furniture and then decided I didn't like it, so I've moved it yet again. 

Megan created a maskless Target and we were there for it. 

We did some shopping and she checked us out. After I shopped and took this picture, she changed in to a full on red outfit, and the girls shopped for a while! 

We made a girls trip to Arkansas! When the girls were younger, we use to try to get away to Arkansas during Fall football camp, but it's gotten harder as they've gone to school This year, we actually took off on the day they were suppose to start public school! 

I was so happy to see my momma on her birthday! 

And these cousins were so happy to see each other! We were having a surprise party for my brother (he turned 40) and they made him a big birthday banner. 

We went to the splash pad too. 

And then got hair cuts! Y'all, I love Addy's long hair, but girl does not let me do anything to it. No brushing, no bows, no clippies, no headbands. It breaks my heart. She just wanted it cut off, so that's what we did. 

She's so happy!

And that freckle face, blue eye, gaping hole smile just melts me. 

We celebrated my brother with a family get together and it was so good to see everyone and be together.

On Monday, we drove home from Arkansas and our poor little pup had had it. She was sick while we were at my mom's, and I'm not lying when I thought we were going to have to put her to sleep last week. DJ took her to the vet, they gave her some meds, and she is back to her old self. She's 14 (this month) and the vet said she's still very healthy! I know she's a pain (oh, the dog hair) but, we were all pretty sad when she was so miserable on Monday. 

So, that's a little look at our life lately! What's something fun your family did in August? 

Florida Vacation: Kennedy Space Center

We had an extra day in our Florida vacation, than the rest of DJ's family. So we said our goodbyes in the morning and headed East to the Kennedy Space Center. 

We arrived after lunch, and while several exhibits were closed, we were looking forward to exploring. 

The girls in front of the countdown clock. 

Okay, I realize, I'm not about to do this whole space thing justice, but I'll at least try.

Outside was a "rocket garden" and we were able to walk around and peek inside. I guess astronauts have to stay in this little black thing  for landing, and the entire time, it made me think of the movie Gravity. 

Megan was so fascinated. She loves outer space, so this was right up her alley. She and DJ probably knew the most and helped to educate us. 

They were able to take a picture with an astronaut and space car. 

Then we walked over to see the Mars Rover, and it looked like something right out of the movies. 

We eventually made our way over to Atlantis. 

The white and orange things were attached to Atlantis to help it blast off in to space. 

When you walk in, Atlantis is hanging there on display. It was huge! The entire front area is where the astronauts do everything. Eat, sleep, etc. until they connect to the International Space Center. 

Then there's this huge back half. 

I 100% decided that space life would not be for me. This is an astronaut "flying" around in a little space chair. Again, taking me back to the movie Gravity. 

Here's the underside of Atlantis. 

There were lots of exhibits, again, some of them were closed so it wasn't very hands on, which was a bummer. 

There was a humbling memorial to the astronauts who had died in launch, with mementos from each astronaut and then TV scenes. 

Outside was a little photo op area that the girls thought was fun. 

Addy in mission control. 

Megan found a tribute to her favorite male astronaut. 

and her favorite female astronaut. 

Adalyn didn't have a favorite, but since Megan had one, she decided she had to have one too, so she picked this guy. 

We finished our visit with a trip to the gift shop. Megan had the best time picking out a few souvenirs to bring home. 

I have to say, that even though I don't know a ton about outer space, astronauts, and the International Space Center, I did learn a lot. I also decided that I would never go to outer space if I had the chance, and seriously the movie, Gravity, flashed back in to my head the entire visit. If you ever have a chance to visit the space center, I'd 100% tell you to go! The girls really enjoyed the visit and I think we all learned a lot! 

Florida Trip: Universal Studios

While we were in Florida we took a day and went to Universal Studios. Our original plan for the trip was for us to stay an extra day after going to Disney, and surprise Gretchen with a day at Universal. Once Disney closed and our plans were forced to change we weren't sure that Universal would happen, but thanks to DJ's mom for making it possible. 

We parked the car and headed into the park. Along the way, the girls found all these places to pose. They wanted their picture taken on everything. 

I mean, everything. 

Yup, this too. 

We were ready to conquer the day! DJ rode the Hulk roller coaster because the line looked like it was really short. Thanks to social distancing, they were only filling half of the ride and the line took a lot longer than he thought it would. 

While DJ, his mom, and our niece were on the roller coaster, I took the girls over to ride this spinning ride. There was no line, so they rode it several times! 

We made our way over to the cartoon area. 

And finally, over to Hogwarts!

This was the entire reason we decided to brave the heat and the masks. 

Gretchen was pumped for all things Harry Potter. 

We rode one Harry Potter ride then had to say goodbye to half of our crew (my mother in law, niece, and Adalyn decided to head back to the condo), but DJ, Megan, Gretchen and myself faced the rest of the day.

The Harry Potter themed cupcakes helped.

It's her dream to go to Hogwarts all day.

Also, I must add that I know zero anything about Harry Potter, but this girl is a huge fan and enjoyed all of it! She and DJ rode one of the roller coasters several times! 

We eventually made our way to Seuss Land for Megan. 

This part of the park was practically empty. We rode a little train ride, and then went in to another Seuss themed ride. 

The girls headed to the merry-go-round, and DJ and I took a break to watch. 

Megan thought it was all super fun and Gretchen was a champ that tolerated it well. 

We headed back to the Harry Potter area for lunch and butter beer.

Gretchen loved it! 

After lunch, we split up. DJ and Gretchen stayed in Harry Potter to ride rides again, and Megan and I walked around a bit. She found Captain America and Spiderman. 

She and I finished out the day in the Dr. Seuss area again, and finally met up with DJ and Gretchen before calling it a day!