The end of "Spring Break 2009 Fantastic"

Note to all of you readers just clicking on: There are several posts that go with this one, so be sure to scroll down and start at the beginning!
M had a blast with the jumping waters

This picture just about sums it up. Though we had a blast last week, the girls all zonked out on the ride home. I praise God for this incredible family time we were privileged to spend together! Hope we made lasting memories!

More Zoo pics

O, E, and Mo-Mo at the zoo

Mo and O petting the little goats

Okay, this looks weird, but it was so fun. This was a giant swimming pool with just bubbles all in it. The girls had a fit to get in, so we saved it for last and then changed their clothes in the car.

Last day stop-through in Birmingham

After stopping through Birmingham and spending the night at my brother's house and having much fun with our cousins, we spent the last day at the B'ham zoo. There was a time when we lived in B'ham that we visited this zoo at least once a week. However, the girls were newly impressed this day that we went. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Their favorite exhibit is the bird encounter. I cannot believe this doesn't freak them out, but they love it when the birds land on them!

My little M petted a baby alligator! She freaks out when she sees Chuck E. Cheese, but she'll pet an alligator. Crazy.

Day 3-The Georgia Aquarium

Our last day was spent at the Aquarium. I was blown away at the quality of this facility. It was so worth our time and energy. The girls were fascinated, but I think Drew and I were even more enthralled!

E pretending to be frightened by the jellyfish.

M kept saying "ish, ish ish!!" She was so excited to be there!

Day 2 continued-Children's museum

We finished the day at the children's museum. Drew took M back to the hotel for a much-needed nap, while we joined our friends for some playtime. They thought it was lots of fun.

The favorite activity at the museum was the "moon sand" play area. If it weren't so darn messy, I'd buy up a whole bunch of this stuff and leave my kids for hours to create. This entertained them for a very long time.

At the end of the day, we drove to a downtown shopping area that was super cool. As a side note, although I have no picture, we had the most fabulous guacamole ever in our lives! I got the recipe, and will post it after I make it sometime soon.

Day 2 continued...more American Girl!

Even M got her "Bitty-baby's" hair done-with a nice little bow and a little face washing, she looks as good as new.

Eating lunch at in the A.G. cafe. Yes, my friends, dolls need menus, too. Our historical doll Felicity not only got a hip hairstyle with many ponytails, she also got her ears pierced. I think this was E living vicariously through her doll, since I won't let her get her own ears pierced for many, many years.

Just worn out from all of the ecstasy at the store.

Day 2-American Girl!

The most anticipated visit we had was to the American Girl doll store. Whoever invented this idea is a genius. This is definitely a money pit, if I've ever seen one. Of course, we all just "ate it up," we loved it so much. I'd say it was for sure worth every penny. A special thanks goes out to "Mimi" for purchasing the dolls!

Our friends A.K. and S.A. met us at the store!

A "before" picture of Felicity, sitting in the beauty salon waiting for her hairstyle...I know, I know, ridiculous....I am aware of that....

Julie getting her hair styled as well....still aware of the ridiculousness here....

But for the love of all things girl....is this not a little girl's dream?

Spring Break 2009-Fun in Atlanta

First, let me warn you, because unless you are a relative or someone who is just in love with my kids, these next few blogs won't thrill you. But for the sake of documenting my kid's childhood, I must post these. And if I do say so myself, they're pretty cute! We spent the first half of Spring break in Atlanta. We stayed downtown in a hotel with an indoor pool (thrilling for the kids!) and went out on daily excursions. We finished off the visit with a stop off in Birmingham for the night at my brother's house, and the zoo. A GREAT time was had by all, and though my little M was a little more high maintenance than the other 2, she was a trooper, and it was worth the trip!

Testing the beverages at the Coca-Cola museum....Yuck!

Cuties on the Coca-cola couch. Notice the big wet stain on M's shirt. She LOVED the drinks!

The Coca-cola bear. M wasn't toooo scared...maybe she could handle Disney?

11 years of Marriage!!

11 years ago, March 14, 1998, Drew and I were married. I can't believe it's been that long! We were such babies then...look at all of the hair, and the baby faces! I can truly say that over the last 11 years, marriage to Drew has gotten better and better. God blessed me with a husband who has a passion for God, and a great desire to serve others, and us, his family. What more could a girl ask for? I love you Drew!

Here we are today, 11 years later. We've added lines on our faces, and "you know who" has a little less hair...but we're hopefully wiser, and love each other more deeply than we did in the beginning.

Creamy Potato Soup

I cooked soup tonight for the Teacher appreciation luncheon tomorrow at O's school, and was reminded of how good this recipe is. I'm not usually a big fan of potato soup because many times, the potatoes are too chunky and they burn my mouth when I eat it. Because this uses the shredded kind, it's just super creamy and flavorful. This recipe is from my sister and definitely worth a try.

Creamy Potato Soup

2 cans of chicken broth
1 can water
1 pkg of frozen hash brown potatoes (the shredded kind)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/3 of a 2lb block of Velveeta
1 tsp. each of flour and milk, then enough milk to add to make 1/2 cup

Bring broth and water to boil in a large pot. Add potatoes, bring to a boil, then turn down to a low boil for 8-10 minutes. Add soups and Velveeta, and stir until combined and melted. Mix tsp. each of flour and milk into a paste, then stir in enough milk to equal a 1/2 cup. Pour this roux mixture in. Continue to cook on low until soup is heated through and thickened. (If becomes too thick, add a little more broth or water)
Serve with sour cream, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onion.
Serves 6-8

A visit with Mamaw

I can't express how great it was to visit with my Mamaw today. She and my great-aunt Laura May live 30 minutes away, but I visit with them like I still live 3 hours away. It greatly shames me that I visit with them so little. My Mamaw is my dad's mother, and she has 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. When you throw in all of the spouses, it's a whole-lotta family going on. The coolest thing is, we still all try to get together twice a year. I don't think you'd believe the craziness that goes on at these family gatherings unless you are a part of them, but let's just say, it's never boring, and the volume level of the room we're in is at a dangerous decibel because of all of the loud-talkers and laughing. It's no wonder Laura May can't hear anymore....
Anyway, I love my Mamaw. She is one of the most entertaining people to be around, because of her strong opinion. She's an out-of-control worrier, ("Jennifer, you're not letting your girls run around barefoot in the grass, are you? You know you're not supposed to go barefoot outside until May. Your kids are liable to get sick!") And she's not afraid to speak her mind. She once chastised a teen Chik-fil-et employee in front of me so badly, I was afraid the poor kid was going to go into the fetal position, sucking his thumb and all. I know my mom and my aunts have it the toughest as daughters and daughter's in law, but I just enjoy hanging with Mamaw, and hearing her ideas and stories. It's a blessing to be her grandaughter. Deep down, she just loves her family and feels so blessed to have us all in her life. And she is so dad-gum funny.
Listening to Mamaw and Laura May today reminded me of how we younger people have so much to learn from our elders. Their ideas may seem antiquated ("Jennifer, I'm not saying people have to be dressed up to go to church, I'm saying they just need to be neat and clean, and present their best. Why, I don't mind if somebody comes to our church in overalls, so long as they're clean! But, I tell you what, these young people who wear shorts to church, well, I just don't think that's right at all!") However, my Mamaw and Laura May have walked some long roads, and many of those roads have been bumpy. I can't even fathom what it took for Mamaw to nurse my Papaw in their home with advanced Alzheimers until the day he died. That takes a dedication and courage that I can't imagine having in me right now.
I truly believe that, as the Bible says, we are blessed or cursed by our forefathers. I'm so thankful to say that I've been blessed by those in my family who are from other generations. My Papaw, my Grandaddy, and my Grandmother, are blessing me with the prayers of all the saints in heaven, and my Mamaw and Laura May, are blessing me with their presence and wisdom. Thank you, God, for using your faithful servants to light the way for me.

My Dancing 2 year old

M's favorite thing at the party was dancing to her birthday cd!

Happy Birthday song....can you hear Drew singing? Bless him. I love that man.

M's 2nd birthday part 2

Stick the Dot on the Butterfly (something so simple, but so fun!)

We had lots of boys at the party...so we played with cars in beans and rice(Thanks Nikki!)

Painting with pudding...My nephew Luke actually licked the paper!

Just a crazy picture with Papa and the girls!