Take a Little Piece of My Heart

Today, LC and Miss Priss headed to Birmingham to see LC's family. My doctor didn't want me to travel after 32 weeks, so I'm home alone.... This is only the 3rd time P and I have been away from each other... and the two other times I left her. I know I'm so blessed to stay at home with her and not have to travel for work, but it still tugs at my heart. My house is so clean! And quiet! And I don't like it one bit!!!

Yes, I'm that mom... the one that's organized to the hilt... the one that packs every everything in it's own ziplock: each outfit is in it's own bag, the swim diapers with the swim suit and cover up, the overnight diapers, etc....

As I was packing, P was modeling LC's backpack.

And had to look at herself in the mirror (we have to look several times a day... once she gets dressed, once her hair is done, if she puts a necklace on....) and fix her own hair.

She's adorable and she knows it! Such confidence at such a young age. I hope it stays that way!

Big B

Last week, P, Aya and I headed south for Josh's graduation... Well, Aya for graduation, P and I just to visit since graduation didn't start until 8 (bedtime).

Wednesday night we went to dinner with Nonnie, Deeda, Tod, Josh, and Josh's girlfriend Jinah. Deeda was poured the fullest glass of wine I've ever seen poured at a restaurant!

I'm sure I'll be getting this look a lot when she's a teenager!

Running around with her favorite coasters

Putting "bebe" night night

and then laying down with her.

Helping Nonnie and Aya go through the cabinets... Nonnie and Deeda are moving soon.

Watering the ferns

and the grass

and trying to water Momma!

Great Wolf Lodge

I finally took the time to get the Great Wolf Lodge pictures off E's Shutterfly (since I was a bad mom and forgot to pack our camera)... almost a month later!

We headed to Grapevine on a Friday afternoon to celebrate Miss Reese's 3rd birthday with a mini-vacation at Great Wolf Lodge.

Once we got settled in our suite with the R family, we ate dinner and then got the kiddos ready for the water! Aren't they so stinking cute??!!

They were troopers and played until 9 pm!

Then we got the kiddos jammies on and headed to story time at the clock tower.
After story time, we had cupcakes at 10 pm! E made dirt cupcakes with crushed oreos and worms to go along with the camping theme!

I couldn't resist snuggling with this sweet boy while his big sister opened her gifts! G-man was 5 months old in these pics! I just want to eat him up!!!

We woke up on Saturday, went to the breakfast buffet and then headed to the water park. P LOVED it even though we didn't leave until almost 3 (3 hours later than her nap time). She fell asleep as soon as we loaded her in the car!

Roll Tide!

Jay, Ashley, Lane and I went to Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs Auburn). The forecast called for cold and rain... It rained Friday night and into Saturday, but luckily stopped before kickoff. We were in the upper deck and a fog rolled in, so it was a bit damp, but we had a blast! This was the first time in 6 years that Alabama beat Auburn... 36-0...not to mention Alabama is #1 in the country. Let's hope we're headed to Miami in January for the National Championship.

Tailgating before the game

Bryant-Denny Stadium

The fog rolling in

Yum... nothing like a hot chocolate martini to keep warm

The excitement of the win and a few adult beverages

Thankful!

We're leaving for Alabama tomorrow and won't be back until Monday morning.

Payton had a Thanksgiving Feast at school last Thursday. They made these shirts for them to wear... the body of the turkey is her foot print.


I have so much to be thankful for this year! I have been blessed beyond measure.
~ my amazing husband who continues to surprise me
~ the light of my life, Payton Elizabeth... my heart swells more and more with each passing day
~ my parents who are there for me all.the.time
~ my sister who is such an incredible friend
~ my friends who keep me grounded, laughing and loving my life

Rocky Top Tennessee

I'm currently in Tennessee with my mom, helping my sister move back to Ft Campbell AND getting to experience Michael's homecoming from his second tour in Iraq. We left on Sunday morning, stopped overnight in Jackson, TN and made it to Clarksville yesterday afternoon. We've unloaded the 3 cars we drove down, and helped Allie unpack as much as we can without knowing where she wants everything.

Payton is home with Daddy and my mother in law. I'm missing her like crazy and trying not to cry every time I think about her.

These are from Michael's R&R in May. Michael is smitten with his niece and P LOVES her uncle Michael. He's super bummed Payton isn't here for homecoming.

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

Ahhhhhh! It's so good to be home! I wasn't feeling up to it, but decided to go with Lane and Payton to Birmingham on Thursday morning. I figured that if P got the stomach bug, then her Momma needed to be there with her, regardless of how I felt. She ended up with the poopy part of it, but other than her blistered bum, you wouldn't look at that sweet baby and think she was sick.

We ate dinner with Jay and Ashley on Thursday night sans Payton and last night we went over to Micah and Sam's for the Auburn game. Not that it was much of a game... seriously 3 points scored the ENTIRE game and you are a highly ranked team... something isn't right with that picture.

I'm busy today sterilizing the house and getting things set out and in order for Payton's party on Saturday!!!

Camping in Pictures

Miss Priss relaxing in a chair before breakfast

Making friends with Lucy the dog

She loved sitting on the ground picking up rocks and dirt (she did not get this trait from me!)
Taking one of many rides in the red wagon

After a long day, she fell asleep as I was rubbing her back.
We took the Graham's boat out on Sunday afternoon


and stopped at a little beach so the kids could cool off in the water and play

Off We Go

We're heading to the lake this weekend with the Grahams! We've rented a camper to spend 4 days at Lake Texoma. I'm interested to see how this all pans out. I'm not really a "camper". Luckily, the one we're using sleeps 8 (more room to spread out), has AC (I despise being hot), a large shower, and a full kitchen. I'm even making sopapilla cheesecake in the little oven!!

Y'all have a wonderful long weekend! Pics to come from our adventure.