Memorial Day Weekend '14!!

Memorial Day weekend was spent with family and friends this year just hanging around "the hood." :) Since it was the last week of school, we thought it would just be a good time to relax and enjoy our long weekend together. No better place to relax than on the boat!!

The girls have really taken an interest in fishing this year. Makes my heart happy. :)

Clairy was especially fascinated by the worms.....

....until we tried to make her touch one. :)

Of course, I had to the be the one to show them how to fish. Check out this MONSTER!!! :)

If you can't catch a fish, be a fish!!

Or, ya know, just lay down in the middle of the boat....

Love my sweet girls....

.....and their earplugs :)

Fun times in the water (with our 1983 life jackets)!!

Clairy had her PB&J and her Daddy. She was in Heaven. :)

All that sun, fun, and water wears us OUT!!

But after a cat-nap, it doesn't take long to show their true colors again (no, Nora is not yelling in the background.....she's just singing "Let it Go." All day....everyday....) :)

We also ventured over to "Uncle Bug's" house. Always a fun time with the Jordan family :)

My, how times have changed.... :) Never thought we'd be hanging out a Gub's watching Mickey Mouse. But, I wouldn't change it for the world. Seasons change quickly. :)

Sweet little buddies :)

We also ventured over to Grandmama's for a good ole' "'Merican" cookout!!

Grandmama had just had a new liner installed in the pool. It was the perfect day to break it in!!

Josh was very proud that Zach was sporting Tech-wear (and Lea's sunglasses, by the way) :)

Always a groovy time in the water!!

So grateful for the men and women that risk and give their lives to enable us the sweet freedom to make precious memories with our families. Liberty is something that I often take for granted.

May we "remember" on Memorial Day, and each day. God Bless our true heroes.

'Merica.

10-Year Vegas Vow-Renewal.....with Elvis!!

I have a bajillion blog posts to do, but I had to jump-ahead a bit to post our recent 10-Year-Wedding-Vow Renewal......with ELVIS!! Josh and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary last Thursday by heading to Vegas (which deserves a blog post of it's own), but I wanted to go ahead and share this experience......we had such an amazing time!! Here we were a decade ago (06-05-04) sharing a toast on our actual wedding day......

 And here we are a decade later getting ready to walk down the aisle again with ELVIS!!! (Just FYI, I'm wearing my original veil as my "something old", and blue garter that my mama gave me as my "something blue," my sis's earrings and shoes as my "something borrowed," and my tacky Vegas dress was my "something new.")

 Let the vows begin!!!!

 We cracked up the entire time!! Elvis was phenomenal!!!

 Of course, the ceremony consisted of many dances and poses.....Elvis style!! (Also, isn't Josh's shirt fantastic?? Another gift from my mama).

 The photographer asked us to give an "Elvis lip." I'm the only one who listened, apparently. Don't care. I flippin' NAILED IT!!! 

 Little smooch for Elvis....

 And finally, Elvis moved out of the way, so the groom could kiss his bride!!

 Hot dog!! We made it 10 years!!!! 

 "Thank you, thank you very much!!!" 

 One thing's for sure, we're still CrAzY after all these years.....for each other.....and just, ya know, in general. :) 

 And of course, this whole thing was totally legit....

 So thankful for this amazing man of mine, and all of the fun memories that can never be forgotten!!

As I think back on this past decade, I can recall so much...the beautiful, the bad, and the ugly. While there have been tears and heartache, there has been much more laughter and sheer JOY.

I love you, Josh. Through it all, you have never sent me to "Heartbreak Hotel." And you definitely have me "All Shook Up".....always have, always will!!! (I am so hilarious.)

Cheers!! Here's to 10x10 more years of marital bliss!!!

Beulah Braves Night '14!!!

 For the second year in a row, we attended "Beulah Braves Night" on the last day of school. While the end of the school year is chaotic, and we were EXHAUSTED, we couldn't pass up a free Braves game with some of our favorite people. :)

Mama's new haircut felt MUCH BETTER in those 90-degree temperatures!! :)

 As usual, Ella's by Claira's side, and as usual, Nora is a goofball. Love my girls and their personalities! 

 It's kinda hard to take Clairy out in public these days.....the terrible TWOS are upon us!! Oh well.....we will enjoy it while it lasts (but enjoy it more when it's over). :)

 Regardless of the screaming toddler, it's always nice to spend the evening with sweet people who laugh and try to help when my child loses her mind and removes her clothes. :)

 Nora was particularly excited to see one familiar face.....

 I mean, who else could she cheer with?? Apparently, ALL sports need cheerleaders, even professional baseball teams. :)

 After man-handling the rebel for more than an hour......

 ....we decided to throw in the towel early. No fireworks this year!!!

Still, always a good time with the Bravos and BEES!!

Until next time, Braves!!

Chop, chop!!!

Nora's Piano Recital!!

Nora recently had her Spring piano recital!! It took place at the Douglas County Cultural Arts Center. She had been practicing her recital song, "Aloutte," everyday, and we are so proud of her. Such a pretty little pianist:

Our precious totem pole (Ella still needs to work on her "smile for the camera" face....) :)

This child....into EVERYTHING!!!

But, she's still so very precious!!

Getting ready to perform!!

Have a little listen to our little "Mozart:"

After the recital, we enjoyed the reception. Claira especially enjoyed the cupcakes:

Nora and her precious piano teacher, Mrs. Sarah. Nora couldn't attend her Christmas recital in December because she was sick.....in fact, she totally vommed in Mrs. Sarah's floor (thank God it wasn't in her piano!!) So grateful for a sweet and patient teacher who still loves her students after they barf all over her shiny hardwood floors. :)

Afterwards, we went outside to take some pictures with her biggest fans. :)

While we are always proud of Nora, we were especially proud of her during this performance.....the night before, she had her first trip to the emergency room in the middle of the night. We thought she had ruptured her eardrum, but she turned out to have a severe ear infection. Here she is at 4:00 am after returning from the ER, finally getting some rest:

Needless to say, her ear was still very painful during her recital, but she was determined to get through it. So proud of her diligence. She's such a trooper!!

One of our favorite musicians, Bob Marley, once quoted, "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain!" That's especially true for our NoraBean.

Music is just in her blood. :)