Snow/Ice Day 2011

While Rick was out of town for the National Championship, Bham got a snow day. It was actually more ice than snow. So I played outside for a few minutes with my ADORABLE neighbors. I just adore them.

This is Chloe.
And this sweet baby is Lola.

They were all bundled up, and so stinking cute. This wasn't very fun for them as all the snow was iced over, and very slippery! I do have to give them credit, they gave it a shot.

P.S. Before Rick left for sunny Arizona, he did ask if I needed any canned goods from the grocery store and said he would go get them for me. He also told me where all his ski gear was in case I had to walk 3 miles to his brother's house. I'm so sure I'm going to open up a can of food eat that, then trek 3 miles in the snow. Thanks RB!

Our little SNOWDAY!

Yes, we actually got snow!! Not just a little dusting, but actual snow, probably the most snow I have ever seen (I don't really like cold much). Rick and I got off work early, and played in the snowstorm with our neighbors. We had SO much fun!!! I usually don't want anything to do with going outside, but this was really fun.

Our little family. Lilly has little snowballs stuck to her paws.

Rick in our back yard.

Our ADORABLE neighbors, Chloe & Lola. I just adore them.

Lilly L-O-V-E-D the snow!!!

Rick would throw snowballs, Lilly chased them, tried to carry them around as long as possible, then sneezed from a nose full of snow. She had so much fun. WE ALL LOVED SNOW DAY!!!!

Hair styles by Claire

A few weeks ago we had Scott, Katie and kids over to watch football. Claire likes to "fix" my hair when she comes over, and I love it too! I've been meaning to show you guys the finished style and here it is....

Doesn't she look proud of her work?

What do you think?

This little boy knows his presidents!

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!

Woodland's Annual Halloween Party

Last Friday we went to Rick's brother & sister-in-law's neighborhood Halloween Party. Last year Rick was out of town so I went alone, and he was shocked at what an event this is. The entire street goes all out with the decorations, weeks in advance. There are around 75 kids that live on this one street and they are all buddies, and so are the parents, which makes for a pretty fun party. Check out the pics:

Here is the pumpkin carving contest.

Our little family Halloween pic, as usual Lilly is thrilled.
I found all the girls later that night in Rick's niece, Claire's room, costumes no longer intact, playing ever so quietly. So quietly that the mom's sent me up to check on them.

Michelle & Eric came by , but since E is the king of having his eyes shut in pics, he didn't make the cut.

Claire tried to climb "Uncle Rick" at the end of the night, I think she was trying to get him to stay.

It was a fun party, probably more for us than all the parents since all we had to keep up with was little Lilly bears. OH, and Katie made adult punch that was great, well after I talked her into double spiking it. This didn't help me get up at 7am to head to Auburn. Thanks for having us over Woodland!!

Birthday Tour stops in HBG!

The 30th Birthday tour headed for Hattiesburg, MS Thursday when Rick got off work, to stay with my most fabulous friends Bonnie and Blaine. Hbg, is on our way to the coast, so this is a normal stop for us, to break up the drive. They as well as Taylor and Drew . had a baby last month and can't really leave town yet, so it was great to be able to catch up with them. Friday morning Bonnie and Blaine cooked a fabulous breakfast casserole and cheese grits, and Taylor brought over cinnamon rolls and fruit, for my birthday breakfast. I LOVE BREAKFAST!! It was so nice, and the food was great.

Thanks friends.
I talked Rick into holding baby Stella Tyrone. He never touches babies so I had to capture the moment.

Here are Taylor, Anna Cooper, Bonnie, Stella, and AUNT Candice.

Here are the little best friends born 3 days apart. Left: Anna Cooper (7/7/09) Right: Stella (7/4/09)

Last but NOT least, miss Reese, Stella's big sis. She runs around like a tornado so getting a picture was a challenge, but I got her. Little miss thing is a ball of fire. I adore all these ladies (and Blaine) and was so happy to be able to celebrate my 30th birthday with such wonderful friends. Yet another key to my perfect birthday.

A Little More Myrtle Beach

While in Myrtle Beach, all 22 of us stayed in one house. I know, crazy, but it was really fun. There was always something going on. The house had a pool, hot tub, and most important an air hockey game. Rick declared himself champion of the air hockey, as you can see here he is defeating his dad (who might I say REALLY got into the game.).

Andrew and Allie built sand castles.
Rick escorted his niece Claire out into the ocean, all the while, not to spill his beer.

The last night a few of us walked to a local pub around the corner for a few cocktails. Here are Rick, his brother Scott, and cousins Sam and Will (Katie and I also were there).

We had a great time catching up with everyone. Can't wait for the next family trip.

The Ladners come to stay

Aaron, April, and sweet baby Avery came to stay with us Thursday night, and it was SO nice!!! I really wanted to keep Avery forever. She is such a little cutie and she was so good. Didn't cry or get upset the entire time they were here.

Avery just LOVED Lilly.
Tom also came over to catch up with Aaron. I just had to take the ole Pascagoula High School pic (the 3 of us graduated together for those that don't know these guys).

This visit was PERFECT timing. I really needed to spend some time with old friends. I smiled all night. This was also the first time Aaron really got sit down and chat with Rick. Aaron has always been like a brother and been looking out for me, so seeing them chatting it up was fabulous. I loved going to bed knowing I had such dear friends in the house.

McKibbin kido time

The past month we have spend a good bit of time with Rick's niece and nephew. I missed Claire's dance recital (which I was really sad about), so I went to her last dance class where and they wore their costumes. Each class was a country and Claire's class was Germany.

Another night we went to their house to eat pizza, and play. Here are Lilly and Lucy trying to be friends.
And Aunt Kat taught Claire to make a necklace out of flowers in the yard.

We also went to Andrew's last soccer game.

Fun times with the McKibbin kids.

More games...

Sunday we went over to Scott & Katie's to introduce Lilly to Lucy. Lilly was less than interested, but Lucy was ready to play. She was charging Lilly, it was so cute!!!

While we were there Claire wanted us to play SORRY! with them. (I got SORRY! for Andrew and Claire for Easter.) I was SO EXCITED! SORRY! is my favorite game ever. I was pumped. I plan on going over to play very often.

Andrew's 9th Birthday

Last Thursday we went to a family dinner for Andrew's 9th birthday @ KOBE. This was Andrew's request, and he LOVED it! He got lots of fun gifts, a Sponge Bob's greatest hits CD that he LOVED, tickets to the dinosaur thing at the BJCC, water balloon hot potato, $, a book, a hermit crab, some other toys, and last but not least, a rocket. Rick and I got him the rocket and I am pretty sure Rick was more excited than Andrew. When I asked Rick for ideas he got so excited and started researching rockets, reminiscing about his days of building and playing with rockets, he even told me he would have to show me some of his old rockets, they were "awesome" he says. So, we had a great family dinner, and as you can see Andrew racked up.

Andrew & Claire's Talent Show

Friday Rick, Katherine, Mac, & I went to The Edgewood Elementary Talent Show. Claire did a exercise/dance routine with her Daisy troop. Katie had the difficult task of organizing these 25 kindergarten girls, and they were really entertaining. Claire is the one in the pink, front row, pretty close to the middle.

Andrew did some karate with a few friends from his karate class. He also broke a piece of wood with his foot. We were pretty impressed.

Here they both are after the show. Andrew was not letting that wood out of his sight, he was so proud.

Claire's "Fancy Nancy" Birthday

Sunday we went to Rick's niece Claire's birthday at Woodland park. She was VERY specific when telling us what we could get her....A Razor scooter. So that's what we got, and she was pretty excited. All the little girls dresses in "fancy" clothes, there were some high heels, feathers, tiaras, etc. They all looked precious.

Look what I found!!! One mom brought her Shihtzu puppy and I tried to explain to Rick how cute and sweet it was, and tell how Lilly needed a sister. He didn't budge. This little baby was so cute, she loved giving kisses, it was the sweetest thing. Needless to say Rick could have cared less and no puppies coming home with us anytime soon.

Meet Mr. Alex

Friday we had a few friends over to meet little Mr. Alex Duffy. For those that don't know, Alex is our friends Brad & DeeDee's son they just adopted from Russia. He was just precious. You know he loved his Aunt Candice! We were so happy to finally meet the little man. He is a lucky boy to have such wonderful parents that went through a lot to get him. I look forward to many memories with Alex.

The Duffy's are PARENTS!!!

Brad and Dee Dee went to court today in Russia and have officially been named the parents of Peter Alexander Duffy! Next Friday he will be brought to their hotel and they will officially gain custody. We can't wait to meet little Alex! Congrats Duffy's.
*If you want to read more about their story, check out their blog by clicking HERE.

Chuck E. Cheese

I took Andrew & Claire to Chuck E. Cheese last night. I have been looking for an excuse to go, and I finally had one. Katie was having Bunko, Scott needed to do some Christmas shopping, and Rick was feeling a little under the weather, so off we went.

The kids got a few prizes, and Claire got an eye patch for Uncle Rick. She loved that he actually wore it.

We had a great time and I was WORN OUT!

November beach weekend.....happiness.

I went shopping Saturday with my mom, and her dear friend from college, Mrs. Charlotte. It was so much fun, and Charlotte is a TRIP! I love seeing my mom at the beach with her friends, nothing makes her happier.
Saturday afternoon I headed over to Pensacola to spend the night with my dear friends Jacquie & Wes, and their family. Jacq and I have been friends since 2nd grade, and I adore her. I also got to see her parents Mike & Lee. This family is SO WONDERFUL. You can't help but be happy when you are around them.

Sunday morning I got to wake up and play with their beautiful boys Elliot & Will. They really are the most precious little boys ever! Elliot is so funny, and baby Will is so sweet. What a GREAT way to end my beach trip.

My Mom, Mrs. Charlotte, Jacq, Wes, Elliot, Will, Mike, Lee, they all make my heart smile! Reminds me how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life.