All Hallows Eve

This year, we decided to not travel outside of our community but celebrate one of the great things about Halloween.  It's one of the only times in the modern age when we come out of our homes and actually see our neighbors ... so we decided to stick at home and not head over the mountain to Vestavia.  It was GREAT fun!  The only blight on the night was an incident with Taco Soup that had a few of our guests with issues the next day (the beans didn't get done after 24 hours of soaking AND cooking for 6 hours - what's that about?). 

It really was fun and something we'll definitely do it again!  Holiday Party watching a movie in the front yard anyone? 

Getting ready for the big night.

The Bumble Bee was not buzzingly happy!

Mommy and her little poodle

SInce not otherwise engaged (with the birth of the much anticipated baby - GRRRR) the Hunters dropped by for a visit.

Mommy and her little Angel and Poodle.

Getting treats!

Check out the amount of trick or treaters we had!!!

And at the end of it all, Ding Dong the Witch was Dead!

Fall at the Bay

John and I decided pretty much last minute on Thursday that we were going to head South to the Bay for the weekend.  While it was pretty cold, the girls did actually dip a toe or two or their entire bodies into the water... for a few minutes.  The majority of the weekend was spent on Football.  Friday night - discussing Auburn's loss. Saturday - at the boys' ballgames and Saturday night - watching the Tide stomp the Vols. ROLL TIDE.

It was very nice to get away from the Ham for the weekend.  While John and I were connected with our phones, we were away from being able to do anything other than sit back, enjoy our family and take care of the girls.  John got some good running in and I was able to spend some time with my sister and mom.  We're back - refreshed and wondering when we can go back. 

Aunt Amy took some of the keeper duties during Chancellor's game so that we could watch him play.

Ellabee and her favorite (well one of her favorites) ball player.  Chancellor - the wide receiver.

Anne Bailey enjoyed being outside at the ball park.

Funny how nervous Daddy and Emery were during the game.  Chancellor and Ellabee joined them on the fence line to watch Garrison - the outside strong side linebacker who had a sack during the game.

Spending time with Daddy. 

Garrison's in there some-where.

Paw Paw and his girls on the Miss Ellabee Anne.

Ellabee got in Paw Paw's waiters... or is it weighters?

The whole fam turned our attention to Knoxville Saturday night.

The modern day family - communicating via iPhone and Treo.  Notice even my mom is on the iPhone.

Anne Bailey

Couldn't Resist!

Hairspray ROCKS My World

So, Ellabee got hold of a neon green sharpie marker yesterday while wearing my most favorite courdoroy smocked dress AND then John got black sharpie marker on a brand new Greg Norman (read: NOT CHEAP) golf shirt at an event last night.  After doing a little research on the web, I learned that I should try hairspray on the stain.  I sprayed it about 5 times, letting it sit about 5 minutes each time and scrubbing it with a toothbrush.  IT WORKED!!!!!  There is a tiny little mark where the marker was, but only I know it's there. 

Nothing like My Sister

The girls have been playing so well together lately.  Yes, we have our occasional blowups, but I expect that to happen well into their 30s.  Regardless, they are super cute when they play so sweetly together and I have to honest that it takes everything I have to not start laughing when they argue.  I see a great friendship blossoming. 

They stayed like this for about five minutes.  Anne Bailey had her head in Ellabee's lap and Ellabee was playing with her hair. 

Anne Bailey loves to read and Ellabee loves to "read" to her.  You should listen to the stories.  It all rhymes, but it's pretty nonsensical.

Sitting among the books.

Playing with the bubbles in the tub.

Racing for a Cure... With Hope

Last year in October, some of my girlfriends and I decided that we wanted to walk in the Race for the Cure 5K benefitting cancer research.  It was a great experience. Very uplifting AND extremely emotional but on a non-personal level.  I was amazed at all the "In Memory" of and "In Celebration" of signs everyone had.  I think I put my Aunt Renetta down on my sign, which while she was my aunt and she did have breast cancer, her diagnosis and treatment happened so distant from me and what I knew or even understood as a child.  

As I walked last year, I was thankful for the women who have fought this disease and won... I was sad for the women who had fought this disease and lost but most of all I was thankful that I knew very few people close to me that had been effected by breast cancer.  

1 month later, we found out that my dear friend and cubicle mate at the time - who was also 30 weeks pregnant and 31 years old - had stage 2 breast cancer.  We joked on this Saturday as we walked as part of the "Mac Pack" that "we'd been through so much this past year..." being sarcastic because of the praise they were heaping on the shoulders of the walkers for just being out there.  And yep, I have to admit that this time 1 year ago, there was a bit of pride in my walking... but this year, there was nothing about my pride or even me involved.  We were walking with hope, honoring a cherished friend who fought the battle of her life this past year and for the time being (and hopefully for the next 50 some odd years) has won.  I pray for all the women out there fighting that they will win this fight and I pray for my daughters that by the time they are 30 with daughters of their own, this disease will be cured so that we don't have to lose any moms or daughters, or aunts or sisters anymore.

Love you Lara and I'm so glad that you are my friend and a fighter. 

Lara with Bennett and Will

Ready to Walk for Hope and a Cure... for all our daughters

The Wishy Washy Woman

In the deep dark jungle, where nobody goes... there's a wishy washy washer woman ... vacuuming.