Memorial Day 2013

After we wrapped up at the beach, we headed home for some Memorial Day festivities. Waiting on us at home were three MORE of my favorite people. My brother, Emily, and Baby Caroline! It was like I got to hit the family favorites jackpot! We hung out Saturday and ate some YUMMY Mexican food, which makes sense on an American holiday weekend. 

I wish I could see this sweet face every day. Love my C.

Sunday, we hung out in the morning and went to Strawberry Patch Park to play a little before our cook out that afternoon. C loved the walking trail and the bell. We saw a cute, yet mean, family of geese. But, in their defense, it was a Mama and Daddy protecting their babies. Which were adorable.

I mean. NO. WORDS. So precious.

Our parents were on the way home from ATL so they got to swing by too on Sunday. We grilled out and watched LSU beat Vandy to be SEC Baseball Champs.  GEAUX TIGERS!!! After we all ate, and I finished off almost a whole watermelon... Em and the Parents and C headed to Monroe.  John stayed the night Sunday night and we watched a patriotic movie... Star Trek Into Darkness. HA. It was good and scared me. But, we had a blast.

If only these two would move closer!!! It really was so great to see them and spend some quality time. Unfortunately, something that happens not often enough. We love our family, and we are so blessed to also be genuinely friends with them.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Santa Rosa Beach 2013: My favorite place on Earth

Last week, we had the best week ever. You may have thought you were having the best week ever, but sorry, I win. We went to Santa Rosa Beach with Bubba's parents, sister and her whole family, and his brother. It was such a perfect week! The weather was gorgeous, the food delicious (minus a small fight with food poisoning that I will declare Mr. Andy the victor of), and the company the very best. 

We played in the sand, went on walks, floated in the water which was a tiny two year old's favorite activity (MORE WATER!!!), shopped, ate way to much, talked, and laughed. I am telling you it was the best. We had some activity days where the boys played on paddle boards and kayaks. And Rebecca and I worked on our pregnant lopsided tans. Best. Week. Ever.

Last year (May 2012)

This year (May 2013)

I cannot wait until next year when the beach will be filled with two more little babies! Crazy life. Fun life.

Now, on to all the pictures! Just pure beauty. I, of course, am referring to myself :)

Perfect Creation.

These girls LOVE their daddy!

The guys (and girls) caught about 2 pounds of these HUGE crabs.

She doesn't get much cuter than this.

Wait. She just did.

My favorite at dinner.

Best nieces in the whole world. We giggled and giggled about this chair.

Speaking of nieces, they saw this night gown and thought of me. Glitter Disney 2012. I LOVE IT!!!

And I turned 22 weeks there. Hello Belly. Ignore the crazy face. Or don't. Whatever.

The week couldn't have been better! Thank you Mr. Andy and Mrs. Sue for the best week or relaxation and fun. Our family is the best :)

Life Lately or Birthdays Galore

The New Year has come, and life has turned crazy. Seriously, January has been insanely busy, but only with super fun family things so I am not complaining. January is birthday central for our family. Like 5 immediate family members and 2 close friends. Wowzers. Our weekends have been filled with family time, and I wouldn't change a minute of it! 

Two weekends ago, (yes I am far behind on documenting this journey called life, but life got busy), we celebrated Bubba's sister's birthday. We had a great time eating which is my favorite hobby and just hanging out. We laugh an insane amount when all together, and this weekend was no different. Bubba's dad may or may not have busted into a rap at dinner. I can't confirm this for sure as I have been sworn to secrecy. Also,   our waitress refused to sing the annoying restaurant birthday song for fear of the birthday girl. Totally, a fun time. I am so, so blessed to have such great in-laws, and we had such a great time celebrating Rebecca. Because she is pretty darn great. (I only wish I had taken pictures!)

Last week, we hunkered down in the freezing cold weather. See evidence of snow. And we were getting ready for rounds 3 and 4 of birthday celebrations. We headed up to Nashville over the long weekend to celebrate Caroline's 1st Birthday, which happened to be on John's birthday weekend. Don't be fooled everyone was there for Caroline. :).  We spent the night Friday with Bubba's parents, and were totally given the royal treatment. I cannot complain, it was quite lovely. Then Saturday, we drove the rest of the way to see Baby C!

Saturday night, we took a brief break to celebrate John's Birthday. It was incredibly fun. My brother is one of the funniest people ever, the other funniest being his wife so we had a good time. Exhibit A: The Birthday Boy:

You know just in Emily's night gown.

Sunday was ALL about this precious girl. Caroline is such a fun addition to our family. We love her so much. I truly CANNOT believe that she is about to be one. That is so old. She is so smart and happy. We just love her. She had an Alice in ONEderland Tea Party.  It was absolutely adorable. Emily is so creative and did a fabulous job with all the details!

Dressed as Alice

SMASH!

The birthdays are continuing this week and weekend, but this is a great place to say... To be Continued. Oh and Happy Birthday: Rebecca, John, and Caroline!

Happy (Now Late) Birthday to My Mama!

On Friday, my mama celebrated her "29th" birthday. She and my daddy came over to celebrate! Somehow out of my mom's birthday I snagged a free meal and a new jacket... Happy Birthday to her! I kid. We had a really great time celebrating my Mom. So much fun in fact that Bubba invited them to stay two nights, and I had to tell him not to get crazy. I love my mom and my dad, and it is really great to live close enough to have birthday dinners. 

Happy Birthday Mama! 

Weekend Wrap Up--Columbus Day Edition

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. In honor of the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, we went on a girls trip to view that ocean blue! Or, the ocean green as it was the Gulf and the Emerald Coast. Rebecca, Mrs. Sue, the girls, and I all loaded up and headed out for eating, shopping, and playing! 

I love that this is how excited she gets watching a movie.

The drive down was perfect, and we even made record time. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful sunset to greet us!

 

Excited for some seafood!

Friday night we ate at the Crab Trap, and it was divine. We rolled ourselves to the condo for a little playing and dancing. Then headed to bed to get our beauty rest before hitting the beach the next morning. Sadly, my beauty rest did not bring me a six pack. Darn... maybe next time. We did write a sweet note to our favorite Bubba. He was in our hearts.

Saturday, we headed down to the beach to take in the beautiful 88 degrees and sun! The water was perfect. And the warm sand was calling our names.

I mean. No. Words.

This sweet girl was such a happy trooper all weekend!

Sand Angel. The Snow Angel of the South.

Sweet freckles.

After some beach time, we headed to the outlet mall to do some damage. And damage was done. Columbus day sales were our friends. I got several cute fall shirts that I desperately needed for work and well life. Aside from a terrible LSU defeat... It was a great day! We finished off the night with a yummy GF burger from Cheeseburger in Paradise.

A quick sidenote. While I was living it up on the beach, Bubba and his buddy were building a little play house for his son.  These pictures they sent cracked me up. So, I must add for posterity.

On Sunday, we went on a sweet walk to collect shells. The girls and I found butterfly shells and a mermaid tail. I am positive that these were the scientific names. We shopped a little more. Ate at Harbor Docks, and then came back to go crab hunting.  Rebecca and I got way in to it and may have caught nine crabs. We could have captured a tenth, but we showed mercy to the little guy. 

Monday, we loaded up and headed home. This weekend was such a blessing and a much needed fun break. I am truly blessed with the best in-laws ever. And if you think you have better, I would be happy to tell you that you are wrong :). 

This week is already off with a bang, and I have hit the ground running. I say we end on a peaceful image. 

P.S. Our good friend Will lost his grandpa this weekend. Please take a minute remember his family in your prayers. We love Will and Whit, and they are definitely in our thoughts this week.

On the Road Again

Oh me. We drove to Chicago this past weekend to celebrate Labor Day and meet sweet baby Abby!

You better redneckagonize! Mama, Bubba, and I had a blast. It was a little rocky figuring out the toll roads but PTL we made it!

Thursday night we just chilled with the family and ate a ton of good food. Eating was a theme of the weekend. Everything was so good, and I reverted back to childhood and failed to eat a vegetable for 5 days. I think today starts detox. This was Bubba's first time to head up to Chicago. He agreed that the hot dogs and Italian Beef sandwiches live up to their reputation.

Friday was so much fun! We got some good quality family and baby time. I got to see Ella's Kindergarten. Then, we headed to watch my little cousin (who isn't so little, but more man size) play Varsity Football.  I haven't been to a high school game in quite some time, but I definitely loved the Friday night lights. The weather was gorgeous, and Jay played really well.

Go Team Go

Saturday was a blast (I know I keep repeating fun adjectives, but this trip was great).  The kids, who are all basically grown now, headed into the city and watched the Cubs play! The game was fun and the weather was so pleasant. We had fun stuffing our faces with nasty but delicious stadium food. I renewed my love of cotton candy. The Cubs lost, but we had a great time and got to visit a ton.

Sunday, we celebrated Abby's baptism, and then had a fun Labor Day cookout. Abby looked so sweet in her Christening outfit, and the service was so special. I am so glad that we could be there to witness such a special moment. After the Baptism, we chilled for a bit and then ate with friends and family for Labor Day. So much fun, and so worth the trip.

Baptism. Look at that hair.

Labor Day smiles!

So glad I got to meet this little girl!

After the cookout, we headed home. It was a super long drive, but it was worth every second. I love my family and only wish we lived closer. Happy Baptism Abby!!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Labor Day!

Weekend Wrap-Up

We had a great weekend! Somehow this weekend managed to stretch and feel actually somewhat long, rather than fly by. I loved every second of it. Here are the highlights:

Friday we drove over to my parents to see my brother John.  This was a special treat (only don't tell him because his already massive head will only expand). I realized that I haven't seen just my brother (sans wife and now baby) in about 8 years. Made me definitely miss Emily and Miss Caroline. But, it was good to see my brother. Who we coincidentally matched while going out to eat.

Yes. 3 for 3 in Polo t-shirts. 2 of 3 same color.

Saturday morning we spent some more time with the family and had some fun. We all got new LSU shirts in preparation for the season. You know the usual. Oh and I stepped in an ant pile and got eaten alive.

Sick. I know.

Saturday night we came back and ate dinner with some friends which was a blast. On the way home, the weather started POURING. Like scary-can't-see-terrible weather. When we were almost home, we saw a tiny mustang hydroplane into a ditch! It was so scary. Bubba hopped out of the truck to make sure they were okay and offer an umbrella.  Then they decided to push the car out of the ditch. Bubba did some man-handling (with the help of a lady in a dress who got my respect), and the car made it out okay.  This was the end result:

He was so happy. Boys and Mud.

Sunday, we went to church and then our sweet niece went over to Whit's to get her hair done! She had a BLAST and was a perfect angel while getting fixed. She ended up looking absolutely gorgeous. This of course only highlights her very pretty insides. She started Kindergarten today, so this was a fun pre-school year treat.

This week is a short week due to Labor Day. I am praying that a certain pesky storm named Isaac turns out to be lame. Praying for everyone on the coast.

Water Shelves at the Kroger

Yikes.

Hurricane, Hurricane go AWAY! We've got things to do!