Auburn v. West Virginia

We made it to our first Auburn game of the season to see the Tigers play West Virginia. Matt's Mom's side of the family was having a family reunion of sorts. Her two brothers and their kids all came too, so it was good to catch up with all the family. Everyone lives in different cities now so it's rare that the whole group is in the same place. Just about everyone shares a love for Auburn, so it's the perfect place to get together!

So far, there are only three kids among all cousins....all girls, getting ready to add a fourth girl to the mix. Hannah Cate had the best time playing with Katie (5) and we had just as much fun watching them interact. Katie was so good with her and about ran circles around her but Hannah Cate just loved watching her and tagging along with her. Katie even let her snuggle up next to her in one of the chairs to watch a DVD towards the end of the day.

It really was such a great day and we are looking forward to taking her back for the Ole Miss game.

As for the actual game, Nini and Deeda were so kind to take Hannah Cate to Wetumpka (to stay with some friends) before kick off so Matt and I were actually able to go to the game. It looked like our night alone was going to be a disaster when the bottom absolutely fell out right before kick off, but we somehow managed to be in the right place at the right time and didn't even get a single drop of rain on us. We hung out in the new Foy until they announced on ESPN that they were going to kick off in 20 minutes. We sauntered into the stadium and enjoyed a glorious Auburn victory.....what a great game it turned out to be. I was reminded of how much I love to be in the stadium for the games....there's just nothing quite like it!

These Shoes are Made for Walking

Now that we have a full blown walker on our hands (for about a month now) we rarely go without shoes. In fact, I feel like she looks naked now without them.

I've laughed at how many members of our combined family have commented on the fact that Hannah Cate is FINALLY wearing shoes! Mind you, it's mostly the older generation that I've noticed have had the most to say on the subject. I just never really thought she needed any shoes when she wasn't walking. I have enough to keep up with as it is!

So, this post is for all you dear family members out there that are breathing a huge sigh of relief that our baby girl will not be going shoe-less for the rest of her life!

Such a Great Weekend!

We've had the best weekend! The kind that I just didn't want to end. We spent the vast majority of it in Orange Beach. It's just hard to beat a weekend at the beach with family, friends, great food and football!

We spent Friday night with John, Christy and Isabella at Bahama Bobs. It's always great to spend time with them and let the girls "play". It's been fun to have friends at the exact same stage (Isabella and Hannah Cate are just about three weeks apart in age).

Saturday we spent the day with friends at The Burton's house on the bay....It's always such a fun time.

We spent lots of time on the porch. Do you see the huge slide in the background? How fun for the kids!

Even Hannah Cate took a turn with Daddy!

Don't think she loved it, two times was plenty for her. Maybe next year!
Hmmmm, was this really for the kids?

The "big" kids had just as much fun!

Saturday night we left Hannah Cate with Nini and Deeda for the night and we headed back up to Fairhope to watch the game at the Steed's house.

Sunday morning it was back to Orange Beach for Ma's 90th Birthday party. When I think about Ma's 90 years on this earth, I think of a woman of such strength. She has buried three children, all under the age of one. Something no parent should ever have to do. I would consider Matt's Dad to be a miracle child and the love that he shares with his Mom is like no other. It was a special time and I hear that there are already plans in the works for her 100th party!

Sunday night we had a nice dinner at home with Nini and Deeda and we all curled up to watch the latest Netflix, State of Play. Good suspense thriller with an all star cast!

Monday it was more fun in the sun with a boat ride and trip to the island....but really, I'm not sure how much fun was actually had. The Steed's boat almost sank and Michael came down with some kind of throw up virus/food poisoning/something or other. We had to cut our outing short, but we would all agree it was an adventure!

And now here we are, home sweet home. Trying to catch up on laundry and all the things that fall behind when you are gone all weekend. The truth is, we wouldn't have it any other way and we love our weekends away!

It's Time......

to retire this bathing suit until baby sister can wear it!

Don't you think?

War Eagle Baby!

In honor of our beloved Tigers kickoff, we pulled out the new Auburn bathing suit from our official Auburn gear connection...Aunt Janet!

She was quite proud to be sporting the Orange and Blue and wore it with pride.

We are excited for this time of year to finally be upon us. We can't wait to visit The Plains in two weeks!

Eat Her Up!

Oh how I just love her and could eat her up!

What you really should know...

I came in to check my email tonight before heading off to bed. I thought Blogger had created some kind of crazy error because I was getting emails about comments left on a post that I had not written. With great confusion, I clicked on the link to the post in question, fully expecting to be directed to someone else's blog only to be directed to my blog with sure enough a post that I had not written. As I read it, it became very clear there was no mistake, Matt just decided it was time he take part in the blog writing efforts.....in a mighty strange and unexpected way.

What you should you really know is that I married someone that makes me laugh everyday. I went into our bedroom to find him in bed, reading, and as soon as I said "Well, Matt..." he burst out laughing. We both had a good laugh and really, that was his sole purpose in that blog, to try to make me laugh.

All of the things he said are true. He does have a hug for me every morning and I go to bed every night knowing that I am loved by my husband. There are times that I think that we just could not be more opposite, but then I realize that there's such value in the balance that we provide to each other and our family. He's an amazing father and loves Hannah Cate like I never could have imagined. It's been such a privilege to experience. I can't wait to see him with his "three girls" come January.

I married my best friend and am so thankful for the laughs he provides. As I am sure you would all agree, marriage is not easy. It's a refining fire like I have never experienced. It's not always Rosy and pretty, but I can't imagine walking this road with anyone else. I really am blessed.

There is No Question, I married the best of the best

Most of you know my husband Matt. If you dont know him, close your eyes and you'll see him when Mr. Right appears in your sight. His first order of business as we start the day is hugging my neck and telling me that he loves me for the best reason there is, no reason at all. He tells me all the time that he has already given his kids the best gift imaginable, which is giving them me as their mom. He loves being a dad. He is discovering with every step in parenthood, a love and joy that he didnt know was possible. Every one we spend time with is quick to notice that he is as protective as they come. A lady at the Grand the other day commented that she only wished her Husband was as into being a dad the way Matt is. We balance each other well to say the least and we are the better for it. He is learning that it's a blessing when there are no "Mary Jane's" for him when we leave the mall(from the movie Family Man). Just thought i would let everyone know how blessed I am.