An Apology

Wow. I can't believe how bad I have gotten at this whole blogging thing lately. Honestly, most of the time I view it as a chore and it takes all my will to force myself to sit down and actually write something. I love love love to read other people's blogs though and have no problem staying on top of that, so please carry on and continue doing what you do. My being absent for so long has been for good reason and to put it simply both Chris and I have been busy busy busy. Half the time I feel like a zombie, wake up, get ready, then off to face the day and all that it feels like throwing at us, try to come up with something edible for dinner, lose myself in one of my weekly shows to relax, then off to sleep, just to start all over again the next day. It's been a rough couple of months, but hopefully with all the hard work and long hours Chris and I have been putting in we will soon start to see the fruits of our labors. But, the point is I am sitting here now and I want you to know that we are alive and well. We miss you all terribly and think about each of you often. Just a couple of shout outs...... Kelsie, again thank you for that DVD that you had sent us (I'm sure you know which one I am referring to). It seriously brought a much needed laugh to us when things were getting just a little too serious around here.... it meant so much. Melissa, thank you for staying so on top of things and keeping your blog updated. I love to see sweet Maddux and how big he is getting. Mom, thanks for the long chats on the phone and the little texts I receive from you letting me know what's up in your part of the country. I have to apologize, I know I am absolutely horrible at keeping in contact with people. I don't like Facebook, I am horrible at sending out emails, weeks can go by before I think to actually call somebody, and I rarely leave comments on blogs. But I do like to write letters, you know the old fashion way, so don't be surprised if you see one of those in your mail box. I am really going to put an effort into trying to stay in contact with everybody. Again we love and miss you all. Now I must go and actually blog about something. Loves!

Chris' Big Day

On February 24, my sweet husband turned 30! He couldn't believe it! It made him a little nervous but he handled it like a champ. I tried my best to make his birthday week the best ever and I think that he enjoyed it. From impromptu back scratches and massages, to being awakened in the morning by the sweet aroma of doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches, life couldn't have been better for the guy. He never takes advantage of the birthday week, so I do my best to read his mind and do the things that I know he wants but doesn't ask for.

His birthday always starts out the same, a delicious birthday breakfast of crepes. His mother started that tradition for him when he was a kid and happily past the torch on to me when we were married. It's such a fun tradition and one that I have no intention of ever stopping.

The night before Chris' birthday I had all his presents wrapped up and placed on the couch. He walked in and said that he was filled with so much anticipation and excitement to open his presents that he honestly felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. I couldn't believe it. I had brought the kid out in him. I couldn't have asked for a better reaction.

Chris opening up the memory book I made him with the help of all our family and friends. He loved it and was shocked. It turned out so good.

Mya helping Uncle Chris open his presents.

On his birthday I usually let him pick his birthday dessert. Sometimes it's a cake, other times it's been cream puffs. Whatever the birthday boy wants he gets. So this year his birthday dessert was an apple pie. So I set out to make the most festive 30th birthday apple pie I could. 3 hours later this is what I had created.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

And no 30th birthday pie would be complete without a 3 and a 0 sparkler candle. It was like the 4th of July in our kitchen and I will probably never use normal candles again. They were so much fun! (The picture doesn't do them justice).

Chris making his birthday wishes. Love that face.

We had our traditional birthday dinner for Chris the following night so that everybody was able to attend. All he wanted was some crawfish. At this time of year they are a little hard to find because the aren't in season, but with some help we managed to locate a little restaurant on Mobile Bay that had them shipped in fresh everyday. He was in pure heaven.

I don't know if you know this about me, but birthdays are a pretty big deal to me. I know that I take them a little too seriously, but after all, a birthday is to celebrate the day that one is born, and I don't know about you but to me that is a huge deal.

Plus..... I just love to see my man happy.

Happy Birthday My Love.

U R SWEET

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sorry you couldn't be here to share these delicious Valentine's cupcakes with us.

But don't worry. Ms. Mya will eat yours for you ;).

Sweet 6

Oh Happy Day!

The Mr. and I are celebrating 6 happy years today.

Best 6 years of my life.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABE!!!!

Here's to forever.

xoxox

Christmas Moments 2010

Chris and I drove 30 hours in less than two days to ensure that we would be home for Christmas. We just couldn't imagine a Christmas without family, friends, or snow. So we gave ourselves two weeks. Two weeks to make our Christmas a winter vacation others only dream about.

To get into the holiday spirit we sang Christmas songs on the drive up and I must say we mastered "Baby It's Cold Outside", we reminisced about Christmas' from our pasts, enjoyed tons of Christmas goodies, snuggled up close while we watched all of our favorite Christmas movies, fought the crowds to do some last minute Christmas shopping, I wrapped a lot of presents and topped each one with pretty little bows, and last we kept with our Christmas tradition of looking at the little amount of Christmas lights that Pocatello and Chubbuck had to offer on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day was perfect like always. Chris and I let the trip itself be our gift to each other, but Christmas morning we were both shocked to see that Santa remembered us and that he somehow knew where to find us. So we just had a quite little family stocking opening of our own in the guest room we were staying in. Once again we got spoiled.

Chris and I showing off some of the presents that Santa brought.

One of the things I love most about Santa is that he is always up for a good laugh. Take fruit cake for example. I see it in the store every year and every year I turn to Chris and ask "who would actually buy that and eat it?" Well Santa must have heard me because guess who got a nice little brick of fruit cake in her stocking on Christmas morning...............

This girl did.

And it did not go to waste. It was taken to my Mom's where everyone including my Grandma and Aunts tried it. It was absolutely disgusting. Seriously, it tasted worse than it looked and it looked horrible. But the reactions of everyone and the expressions on their faces was priceless. Thanks Santa!!

Even Twinkee and Marlo had some fun opening their gifts too. No Santa didn't bring Marlo a bag, sadly she just preferred it.

We all worked up quite an appetite from all the present opening but luckily we didn't have to wait long because next thing we knew it was time for our Christmas dinner at my Grandma's followed by our traditional Christmas BINGO. Family, food, and BINGO.......... Life is good.

Showing off our Christmas spirit with our Christmas sweaters.

Next up........... More eating and family visiting at Chris' Grandma's house. We had one more stop after that and that was at my Mom's for our gift exchange there and a few rounds of games. By the time the day is over we are exhausted but we wouldn't trade it for anything.

The rest of our vacation went as follows: Hung out with friends, poker nights, went to movies, sledding with the nieces and nephews (SO MUCH FUN!!), Chris went on his yearly snowboard trip with friends, said Goodbye! to 2010 and Hello! to 2011 with some of our best friends, and visited with our families as much as we could.

Our trip went by much too fast and before we knew it it was time to pack up and head back to Alabama. But our Holiday Season was exactly what we expected it to be.......... 2 weeks full of fun, family, and friends.

Family Cruise

From November 28, 2010 to December 5, 2010 Chris and I were aboard the Carnival Valor

with 28 of my loved ones.

This ship took us to 4 beautiful destinations.

First up...........

The Grand Cayman.

We did nothing but snorkel all day. Pure happiness.

We then spent a fun shopping day in Cozumel, Mexico.

My sexy Senor Burrup

and his sassy Senorita.

Next up on the itinerary was a day in Belize. Unfortunately there was a huge storm so it rained out our excursion. Boo :(

But no worries. The next day presented us with bright blue skies and sun.

Just perfect for a day on a catamaran

and snorkeling in Roatan, Honduras.

And when we weren't off the ship exploring, we could be found

soaking up the sun on deck,

playing BINGO and card games,

enjoying all the delicious food,

hanging out on our balcony and enjoying sunsets,

and trying to squeeze in as much time as possible with our family.

We had the best time ever and we owe it all to these two.

My mom and stepdad.

Thank you both so much. It was the best family vacation ever! Love you guys!

Who Dat?!

Holy Cow! I had so much fun with the Mister this past weekend! He took me to the Saints vs. Rams game in New Orleans, and it was hands down the best sporting event that I have ever been to. Yeahhh, I know, I've only been to maybe 5 games in my life, but that's just because sports and me have never really seen eye to eye. But seriously, the pure love, devotion, and pride of the Saints fans for their team was truly inspiring.

Before the game begins there is this moment where one of the Saints walks onto the field and stands in the middle of the fleur-de-lis. At this point the whole stadium is absolutely silent. I mean you could honestly hear a pin drop... Absolute silence. Then as he bends down and touches the fleur-de-lis the crowd erupts into the Saint's chant which goes as follows:

"Who dat?! Who dat?! Who dat say they gonna beat them Saints?! Who dat?!"

They then repeat that a couple times. I really wish I had gotten it on tape because it was intense. I have never seen anything like it. It honestly took my breathe away. By far my most favorite moment of the game. Oh yeah... And it didn't hurt that the Saints beat the Rams. :)

Chris and I in front of the Super Dome.

Go Saints!!!