Up in the Air

A couple of weeks ago, we took advantage of a beautiful January afternoon to do a little kite flying at the park.  The only pictures are from my iPhone and the lens was dirty at that, but you can still see how something so simple was fun for both the 4 year old and the 15 year old!  What a rare treat!

My beautiful family!

Our awesome kites - ordered from Into the Wind

Noah showing off his mad kite flying skills.

Daddy and AnnaLauren

AnnaLauren was convinced she could catch it!

One day I will actually be in the pictures, lol!  Hope you are having some beautiful days - wherever you may be - and that you are making the most of them!

XOXO,

Summer Vacation - iPhone Style

Since I am the worst blogger ever and haven't done the second half of our vacation, I thought I'd take a minute and share the pictures from my phone.  Hey, it's something!  Enjoy!

What we did on our Summer Vacation:

Watched tv (Chloe & AnnaLauren in pool floats)

Rode Mechanical Sharks

Drove the dolphin cruise boat

Hung out with a couple of really pretty girls

Posed for some cute pictures

We had a great time!  Can't you tell?

Daddy's Little Princess

Each year, a local women's group in our town hosts a Father/Daughter Ball to raise money for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN.  It is a major event!  :)

This year we decided that AnnaLauren was old enough to completely drive her dad insane go.  So, we began looking for just the right dress and accessories.  AnnaLauren specifically requested "glass slippers".  So after much looking and even more unhappiness with what we were finding, we went with a tried and true approach - our Mamaw Betty.  My grandmother, A's great-grandmother, made her a dress based completely off a picture from the internet that was my inspiration and my sad little instructions.  It is GORGEOUS! 

Tommy and AnnaLauren had a fantastic time and made some really special memories!  I am a lucky girl to have these two plus the teenager!

Tommy and AnnaLauren ready to go!

Love this little face!

Modeling on the stage with her feather boa and "parasol".

Yabba Dabba Do

Ok, so it's not October yet, but I am already in a Halloween state of mind.  I have seen some pretty darn cute stuff out there in blogland that I plan on showcasing tomorrow. 

But, in the mean time, here are Tommy and I as Fred and Wilma Flintstone last Halloween. I am a fool for costumes and my sweet grandmother and I made these together.

Have a great Tuesday!

A Birfday Weekend

So, call me a slacker wifey.  Cause I am.  My sweet hubby turned the big 3-0 on Friday and I haven't even posted anything about it.  I did write on his Facebook wall - does that count?  Anyhoo...

As a pre-birthday event, we went to see Rebirth Brass Band and Moon Taxi at Fairpark in downtown Tupelo.  This was the last of the Down on Main concerts of the summer.  My hats off to the committee for a fabulous time - the music was phenomenal!  Sadly, Tommy had to leave early with an extra sleepy and grumpy AnnaLauren.

Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans

Moon Taxi from Nashville

Friday morning I snuck over to the bank before Tommy made it to work and decorated his office. 


The awesome ladies he works with provided an extra large party hat and a homemade caramel cake (yum!).


Friday afternoon, the kiddos and I presented him with some tokens of our affection.  In honor of his love of Ole Miss football, he got...

This fetching hat...

This mini football that plays "Go Rebels Go" and "Dixie"...

And a new set of flags for his truck...

On Friday night, we went to Harvey's (one of our faves) and had fantastic dinner.  I absolutely suggest the Bloody Mary because it comes with an olive, a pearl onion, a celery stalk, another onion, a lime wedge, a bell pepper ring, a boiled shrimp and a pepperoni slice.  They bring you a plate to go with it.  Yep, a drink with snacks - beat that!

On Saturday, Tommy watched his beloved Rebels pull out a close win against Tulane.  Whew!  A loss could have brought the weekend to a screeching halt!

On Sunday, after a fantastic morning at The Orchard, Tommy's sweet stepmom cooked a fabulous birthday lunch of grilled chicken, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, wild rice dressing, green beans and new potatoes and finished up with Baskin Robbins ice cream cake in chocolate/chocolate.  I almost needed to be rolled out to the car!

And lastly, in a fitting end to the weekend.  We put the kiddies to bed and watched the season finale of True Blood.  Alcide & Eric - enough said!

Hope your weekend was fantastic!

Today is Day 3 of the SITS Girls Back to Blogging event. Thank you to the event sponsors Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath and Florida Builder Appliances. Today’s assignment is to republish a post with a title you are particularly proud of.  I didn't repost since this was my latest post.



My name is Nikki and I might be a cougar.

The one about our 6th anniversary

Six years ago, I was here

Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas

 

Getting hitched to the man of my dreams

And six years later, I love him even more!

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

The one about WSP

Ok, so assuming you read the title first, some of you immediately knew who WSP is and some of you were like WSP-a-what?

First things first - our anniversary is May 1.  Tommy and I have been married almost 6 years and they have truly been the best 6 years of my life.  Loveyousomuch, T!  Now onto the real post...

My sweet husband has a favorite band - a jam band in fact, called Widespread Panic (WSP - get it).  He collects live recordings of them from way back when they were basically a bar band.  After high school, he spent a summer on the road following them.  I think his count of shows seen is well over 100.  He listens to them non-stop, checks their setlists online, and talks about what should and what should not be in rotation.  Yes, it's that bad!

Widespread Panic

Since 2003 when we began dating, got married, had kids, etc, he has only gone to a handful of shows.  And although he has thankfully grown up from his hippie ways, he still LOVES the music. 

So, since I am such an awesome wife, for our anniversary this year, we are going to the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival to see them.  They are playing on April 30th - pretty darn convenient.  Not only that, I have begged for arranged from FREE accommodations and tickets!!! 

Yes, I know I rock!

A Fun Thing to Do in Spring

Every year, in the Spring, we pick a lovely day and head to the Memphis Zoo.  I love the zoo and my family will tell you that the trip is mostly for me.  However, it does give me the opportunity for some gratuitous family snapshots.  Forgive the photography, but it has been a while since I put some new pics of us up. 

I won't bore you with the ones of animals!

Noah and AnnaLauren outside Cat Country

(note how excited an almost 14 yr old is to be at the zoo with his family!)

See he gets more excited in every shot!

AnnaLauren and Mommy on the tram

She LOVES to ride the "choo-choo train"

The Hubby and I in front of the Yukon Trek fireplace

AnnaLauren's Everyday Look

Yes, the paci is tied on - it would be B.A.D. if it got lost!

And lastly, proof that the zoo really is fun for the whole family!

Hope you are making time to have fun with your family this Spring!

On Being Unsure

Some of my readers (shout out to all 5 of you!), probably know that both my husband and I are in the insurance business.  Specifically, we both work in Employee Benefits (health insurance).  And, unless you have been living under a rock somewhere, you know that a major health insurance reform bill was signed into law this week. 

This post is not to analyze the detriments or merits of the law, although (for non-employment issues) I was definitely against it.  This post is to ask you, my sweet readers, to pray for my family through what is sure to be a huge transition for us.  I am turning the decisions that my family will need to make in the next 12-24 months over to God.  I know He will take care of us - He always has.  But, my "Type A" personality makes this very difficult.  I like to control, micro-manage even. 

So, when you think of it, remember us and pray that I can let go. 

Or, to make me feel better, comment and tell me how changing careers was the best thing that ever happened to you! :)

Kisses, Kisses,

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to the man who still makes me weak in the knees. 

I love you so much!

Or, to put it another way...

You Can

Into Me Any Time

'Cause You and Me Baby, we Go Hand in Hand

XOXO,