Grandma Turns 97!

Can you believe it?  My grandma turned 97 years old on Thanksgiving day.  She looks amazing!  I will never live to see 97 years old.  Let's face it, the way my sister and I see it and given our immediate family history, we wonder if we will see 50!  Hey, live life to it's fullest right?

We spent Thanksgiving showering my grandma with love and followed it up with good food, wine, friends and Trivial Pursuit at my house later that evening.  A perfect way to spend the holiday.  Then my sister and I got up at the crack of dawn to indulge in some Black Friday shopping. 

I didn't capture very many pictures unfortunately.  But at least I managed to get a couple with me and my grandma.  I love her to pieces.  She is my hero!  Her stories and the love she has for her family melts my heart! 

On another note, my brother in law in the last photo decided to give my grandma a stroke!  He decided the perfect gift for a 97 year old was a lap dance!  This guy............I swear, sometimes I wonder about him!  :)  Look for him on You Tube.  I'm almost certain there is a video floating around out there!

A Night Out

This past weekend marked my 31st birthday!  Being as I've not had a night out in a very, very long time, we got a small group together to go out downtown to celebrate both mine and Jeanette's birthday.

Now I remember why I don't do these nights out anymore!  It has literally taken me three days to recover!  On Sunday, I got head butted several times, jumped on, wrestled with and made to read what seemed like 100 books.  Pure punishment I tell you!  Needless to say, I think my nights out on the town are OVER!  I hurt too bad the next day (old age and having kids will do it to ya everytime I tell ya!)

Thanks to those who came out and celebrated with Jeanette and I - we had a blast (I think!)  :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!

Just a little post wishing my baby sister a Happy Birthday!!!  She is 26 years old today!  While to me she will always be a baby, I can't help but think what a lovely little lady she has become!  Wait............ let me back up a minute, did I just say lady???????  What I meant to say was..........  J/K Amy!!

You are the funniest and biggest country girl I know!  The things that come out of your mouth make me think we are sometimes NOT related - BUT I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Here's to wishing you a very happy 26th birthday!!!  Can't wait to celebrate with you next weekend!! 

Steve's 40th Birthday

Steve turned the BIG 40 on 2/26/12 - one week after Lottie's big birthday.  I knew that if I didn't start planning his birthday well in advance, that he would be left out in the cold after trying to prepare for Lottie's big day.

Steve is a HUGE sports fanatic - He LOVES English football (soccer) and LOVES hockey!  Those are his two faves!  We've taken several trips in the past to Raleigh to watch the Carolina Hurricanes play (NHL team).  Thankfully it worked out they were playing in Raleigh on Saturday, the 25th. 

I sent a mass e-mail out to Steve's buddies to see if they would be interested in taking a little trip to Raleigh to watch the game and I got a great response.  I wanted to keep everything a surprise and thankfully the group was onboard and didn't blow it.

I got my BFF's mom to keep Lottie for the night and Steve and I headed up to Raleigh.  We ended up meeting the group in a little restaurant beside the RBC Center.  Everyone was there and Steve was blown away.  He claims he had no idea.  He kept saying how surprised he was and how happy he was!  YAY - pulled it off! 

All in all, it was great to get away with friends!!!  Hope you had a great birthday Steve!!!  :)

My bro-in-law decided this would be a perfect time for a quick nap.......

He's back in it!

Weekend Wrap Up

This past weekend was a BUSY one!  Last Friday, I had off work for Veteran's Day.  I was so excited to spend the whole day with Lottie.  First things first, we headed to JC Penney for her 9 month photos.  What a disaster!  As soon as I sat her down in front of the camera she froze!  She didn't smile, nothing!  I was doing all the things that normally gets her cracking up, like singing the ABCs, making silly noises, tickling, etc. - but NOTHING!  Finally after numerous attempts to crack a smile, I resorted to picking her up, spinning her around, throwing her back and forth in my arms until she was in hysterics.  I then quickly put her back into position on the floor in hopes the photographer got the shot off.  Let's just say the 9 month photos didn't exactly turn out the way I had hoped.  Oh well!!! 

The rest of the day was spent at Michaels, Walmart, Target, cleaning house and playing with the little one.  I'm pretty sure Lottie's highlight of the day was the shopping experience at Walmart.  She loved sitting like a big girl in the cart.  She was laughing, clapping, making a clicking noise with her mouth (funny) and acting like she was having the time of her life.  We strolled through the Christmas section and her eyes looked like saucers with all the lights, inflatables, trees, etc.  Speaking of trees, we spotted a cute little pink tree that I'm thinking of getting for her.  It was $20, but I'm thinking on Black Friday it might be $15.  Frugal here......

Before her 9 Month Pictures

Walmart shopping trip!

Pink Tree

Saturday - I went and had Lottie's Christmas photos taken.  I know, I know - I am a NUT JOB when it comes to taking pictures of my baby!  I honestly just can't help myself - she will be grown before you know it and I'm sure that after this first year, the photos will not be taken as regularly.  Don't judge!!  :)

Saturday night was my friend Danielle's 30th surprise birthday dinner / celebration at Jade in Ballantyne.  What a cute little restaurant!  Steve and I ordered a large plate of sushi that was delish!  I think we'll definitely be going back! 

Here are a few fun photos to share!

The Birthday girl and I

The Group

Sweet Amanda and her b/f (tarhole  :-))

Sheesley and his g/f

Matt and Danielle

Steve and I

Double Fisting

Yummy cupcakes Matt ordered

Hope you had a great birthday D!!!  Steve and I had a great date night out!  :)

On Sunday, the girls and I finally managed to tailgate and get to a game together.  We are all BIG Panther fans.  We tailgated with good food, mimosas and good conversation. 



Jeanette's brother Chris (police officer) w/ our troops

A great way to wrap up the weekend and show appreciation for Veteran's Day.  We wouldn't be able to do the things we love to do and enjoy freedom without our troops.  A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!