American Girl

Yesterday was our traditional trip to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro. All the girls go so AG & KB can pick out the doll they want for Christmas. Yes, they get their gifts in October, but at least they get the ones they want. We waited until December the first year and AG was not able to get what she had wanted for weeks. She was very graceful in her disappointment, but we didn't want that to happen again, so we moved it up to October.

On the first trip, the bistro was closed, but the girls were promised a visit to the bistro on the next trip. Well, we found out on that trip that you have to have RESERVATIONS to eat in the bistro in the doll store. So, that was a bust last year.

This year, we got it right, October AND reservations. We had to check in at 9:15 am for our 9:30 reservation.

We made sure we arrived early. We all converged on AG and her parent's house and headed north. We arrived at 8:45 am. Try explaining to little girls that the store doesn't open until 9:00 am. That was an agonizing 15 minute wait!

The girls had already decided which doll they wanted prior to our arrival, so they were able to get in, make the purchase and make our reservation time. Kirsten was the chosen doll this year.

At the bistro, they inquire as to how many dolls are in your party. Each doll is given their own chair which attaches to the table. KB asked our server if their dolls were going to get pretend food, and she was told, that no, they weren't getting pretend food, they would be getting real food. And as you can tell from the photo above, they did indeed get real food.

After our trip to the bistro, we were back in the boutique picking out the all important accessories.

Between the iPhones and the GPS in my car, we were able to locate a Hobby Lobby and navigate there without any difficulty at all.

Spent some time shopping at Tanger Outlets.

It was a great estrogen laden day!

Happy 51st

51 years ago today, my parents went black berry pickin'. They know what I'm talking about, and so do my siblings.

Biscuits

My brother loves biscuits.

He said so on twitter.

Traveling T-Man

Just thinking about the great summer my nephew Tyler has had. He has been traveling - South Carolina, Vermont, Texas - has also gone to several amusement parks. I'm so glad he's been having such a good time.

Grandma

Thinking about Grandma today...

Happy Father's Day Pops

Wishing my father a Happy Father's Day.

I got the best father!

I love you Daddy.

Milestones, cleaning and Life School Musical

I can't believe I forgot to mention that I reached another milestone - one month without Coca-Cola on the 26th. I'm still sticking with it.

I've also been diagnosed with pernicious anemia and am getting B12 shots - I feel so much better. Didn't actually know that I felt so bad! Guess that is where I'm getting all of the cleaning out energy that I've had lately.

Yesterday, I got up early and started on the kitchen. I started pulling everything out of the cabinets, called Chris in "for a minute" and about 5 hours later we finished. We were ruthless - we only kept the things that we really use. After we went through the cabinets - we started on the pantry. I'm almost ashamed at the state the pantry got in - we didn't even know what we had. We tossed so much, and now we know exactly what we have. I organized all of the storage containers. Willy has his own shelf of food and treats, etc. Was able to find a home for all of the kitchen gadgets that were awaiting attention.

I have a few more boxes that I want to go through, and finally - our two households will be merged! Chris and I each moved our lives in the house and we didn't quite have enough room for all of it and it was so easy to just stick it in a room and shut the door -- and of course the garage got it's share. It's almost all done - I'd say 75%.

I am really happy with the progress and the results are the best part!

Scrapbook stuff is sorted and what I kept is organized. A few people have gone through the give-away goodies and loaded up. I have a few more people lined up to come get what they want. There is still a LOT left.

Last night, we went to see Anna Grace in the Life School Musical at her church. She did a great job. The whole production was great. We really enjoyed it. Enjoyed the dinner at Longhorn's afterwards with family.

Baby shower

Yesterday, I went to a baby shower for Chris's cousin's wife. This was they cake they served, it was done by Chris's aunt, and it was wonderful! All of the food was great. It was easily the nicest baby shower I've ever been too. Company was great. She received many nice gifts. She's due June 10th, so soon, there'll be a new member in Chris's family.

May May

Today, lots of people are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, and I was treated to a Mexican meal at lunch. But today, my thoughts keep circling back to my grandmother, who we called May May. Today would have been her 85th birthday.

I miss May May.

I finally understand...

As Mother's Day approaches, you naturally think about your mother. My Mother isn't a fan of Mother's Day, her philosophy is that you should love your mother every day, not just one day of the year because someone decided they could make money on a holiday.

Well, I do love my mother every day of the year. I was blessed with the best mother ever.

So, you're probably wondering about the photo of the shoes. Growing up, my mother would wear what I thought were ugly shoes. She'd say, "but they're comfortable". Well, as you can tell by the photo, I finally understand. You can convince yourself that ugly shoes are cute shoes because "they are so comfortable." How do you like my new cute shoes?

Easter

Me and my siblings

Welcome Aiden!

My nephew Aiden joined the family today about 5:15 am. He was scheduled for a Dec 1st c-section arrival, but decided to put in an early appearance.

November 30th, 2008
7 lbs 15 oz
21 inches long

Son to Lee and Jessica
Brother to Katie Beth

I hope to see him soon. I was so sick I thought I was going to go to the ER and of course I didn't want to expose any of them if I were contagious. That and the fact that I couldn't walk more than 2 or 3 steps before I needed to sit down.

My brother

I'm so proud of my little brother! He was called and hired by the Saxby Chambliss campaign to photograph an event today. John McCain was there to endorse Saxby. My brother got to meet John McCain and have his picture made with him.

He has done work for Saxby before, he has also photographed President Bush and V.P. Cheney, among others.

Happy Birthday Lee

Happy Birthday to my brother Lee.

Happy Birthday Ty!

Happy Birthday Ty! 14 years old. He's growing up so fast.

Happy Birthday Bebe

Happy Belated Online Birthday wishes Bebe!

Are you ever?

My Dear Aunt Sally, are you ever going to update your blog? You haven't updated since 6-7-8...

The Party

My parents, George and B.J., cutting the cake. You'll notice the "Gone blackberry pickin" sign. Whey they eloped 50 years ago, my mother told her mother that she was going blackberry pickin' with a friend. So, I had this cake custom designed. It was delicious!!

It was also a big hit. Everyone loved it. Most importantly, Mama and Daddy loved it.

The party itself was wonderful. We were busy setting up, stopped to get dressed, started back working on the final details, and I looked up and the room was full! People were coming in both doors. I think we had at least 100 people there. My parents are wonderful people and it made me happy to know so many people love and care about them.

I think they enjoyed the entire party.

Once I got home, I realized that I had actually enjoyed the party and not worried about taking pictures. Nicole took most of the ones I have from the night, Chris also took some. My brother and his wife took a lot -- I just hope I actually get to SEE them. (hint, hint... I know you're reading this)

By the time I got home, I could barely put one foot in front of the other I was so tired, I didn't make it to the office until 1:00 pm the next day -- but it was all worth it. I love you Mama and Daddy - congratulations on 50 years of marriage.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with the party - Nicole, Joel, Virginia, Chris, my brothers, sister, and sisters-in-laws. Even Mama -- she couldn't help herself, she baked some of the goodies. Thanks for the butterscotch bars made by Cheryl. I hope I'm not missing anyone - it's a full work week later and my first chance to really take a little time to rest.

We did a memory box for them as our gift (that and the party) -- each of us contributed memories of our lives. I typed up each one of them next to a piece of clip art of a basket of blackberries. I printed them on cardstock and used my trimmer to cut them all out the same size. Bene' found a great box for them. So, each day, my parents can pull out a memory to enjoy. (Thanks Aunt Sally for the last minute adjustments!) I know I had fun reading the memories given to me by others, and sitting down to put my own memories on paper. I hope they enjoy this gift, and I think they will.

Edible decorations

Both of these arrangements were made by my good friend Nicole. She worked for 3 days to create them.

50 Years

Yesterday, my parents had their 50th wedding anniversary. Tomorrow, my siblings, their spouses, me and Chris are giving them a party. We are having a Coffee and Dessert reception. So far, we have a total of 90 people coming. I have been baking for days! I had never worked with melted chocolate before, but ended up making quite a few recipes with it.

I was trying a lot of new recipes, and only ended up trashing 2 of them.

I still have things I *want* to make, but I just don't think I can physically fit it all in. I have done alot and with all of the food that friends and family are contributing, I'm sure we will have enough. I just want for it to be the best!

I'm hanging up my baker's cap. I am physically exhausted. My back has been giving me fits, my entire body gets stiff when I stand up for long periods of time. But, even with that, I've been enjoying myself with this whole process.

I have cleaned up the kitchen at least 10 times between yesterday and today.