Any Rolls Royce Golf Cart should be a novelty

Spotted during the annual Peachtree City parade

The 4th is such a fun holiday - and this year was no let down!

The weather was pleasant and we had shade during the parade with our extended fam.  We were situated by a nice family with two young kids who shared their candy and red beaded necklaces.  We were able to go home and nap before heading to the afternoon bbq at my bro's house (and got to play in the mini jump house there). Played with the cousins and on the wii at the bbq.  Went to the fireworks in PTC with the cousins, grandma, uncle & aunts.  Had another picnic and played with glowsticks while we waited for it to get dark
....and to top it off the rain held out until after the fireworks were over and we were on the way home.

With the Wilson cousins at dinner after  Leah's baby blessing on July 3rd. Grandma coordinated all the little girl's red white & blue matching dresses.

I couldn't decide on an outfit for Savannah, so she wore them all.  One for the parade, one for the afternoon bbq, and one for the fireworks.  (And one for the day after on July5th... but I didn't get a picture of that one).

What a fun holiday and great country we live in!

The Farmhouse

The Farmhouse Restaurant at Serenbe is a great way to kick off the last year of your 20's - especially if your an avid gardener like Brant.

A little hoity toity if you were paying full price (they specialize in a farm-to-table concept using only locally grown farm-fresh ingredients), but the $25 giftcard I scored for $2 from Restaurants.com made for a fine dining experience at a Chick-fil-A price.

Happy Birthday Brant!

It's true

You can pick your own blueberries at Hammond Farms for $2/lb.  

It's also true that we'll be relocating to Houston, Texas in the near future with Brant's base transfer.  That means for the next little while we'll be busy polishing our home and keeping the lawn in impeccable shape for potential home buyers.  And keeping the colorful red and pink flowers in the front yard alive.

Brant likes to think of it as putting lipstick on the house.

ATL - DFW - SLC - DFW - ATL

Taken on my pleasant evening drive around downtown Salt Lake last Thursday

A husband attending an annual three day simulator training in Salt Lake City + Savannah away at her first Grammy camp in Texas = perfect timing for a trip to Utah for me.  Our six day trip from last week notes:

- A flight to Texas and spending a day swimming with Ma & Pa Harrison before leaving Savannah in their good care
- Flying 1st class (yay for breakfast!) from DFW to SLC where I would spend the next two nights
- Killing two hours in the SLC airport waiting for Lacy to arrive from Atlanta - great time to catch up on the latest from William & Kate and then Consumer Reports best picks.
- Cafe Rio lunch with Lacy & Linsey in Salt Lake City
- Touring a few of the sites on Temple Square with Lacy
- Hitting up REI in Salt Lake before heading over to enjoy a beautiful evening of chicken enchiladas at Linsey & Kevin's place
- A sweet king sized bed and warm cookies courtesy the Comfort Suites Airport hotel (provided by Skywest).
- A nice morning drive with Brant down to Eagle Mountain to visit Kyle, Amanda, McKayla and have lunch at their new house.  Good to see them!
- A shorter (but still enjoyable) visit with the Wilson side relatives before heading back to Salt Lake
- Dinner with Lacy & Linsey at the Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square (and the rest of the team who were loading up on carbs in preparation to run the Wasatch Back).
- Enjoying an evening drive around downtown Salt Lake City - taking pictures and not wanting an end to the beautiful evening.
- A too easy car return to Thrifty Car rental at the airport (after how long it took to pick it up I was anticipating something much more complicated)
- A flight back to DFW and getting into the car to a sleeping Savannah in the carseat - Grammy camp was a blast and tuckered her out.
- A traditional stop at the eyebrow threading kiosk at Grapevine Mills mall and then Old Navy and Carter's.
- Visiting, swimming, Outback Steakhouse, and having Brant back with us in Texas.
- A Father's Day spent Texas style with a grilled salmon dinner and watching the last of our 3 game series with the Rangers vs. Braves.
- Watching about 5 episodes of Extreme Couponing
- A healthy dose of stress experienced on trying to nonrev back to Atlanta (we made it though!) and a toddler who would have nothing to do with falling asleep on the plane past her bedtime.  Still, it could have been worse for sure.
- Realizing that there is no easier/ fun way to navigate a toddler through an airport than with our new Go Go Babyz booster (thanks for the extra motivation, Val!).  It wasn't really too hard before, but getting through the airport now with Savannah is as easy as pulling a roller suitcase.  A lot of other passengers in the airport commented on how neat it was too.
- It was great seeing family & friends - and being able to visit for more than just a day or two with Ma & Pa Harrison!

Happy Fruit and Flowers!

                                     

.... or linen & silk.... or (electrical) appliances.  It all means a four year anniversary because - turns out, you can choose between a list of traditional U.S., traditional UK, or modern U.S.  for yearly anniversary gifts.  

Either way, so glad this guy is mine.  For these past four years and for many more to come.

Wantessity

 Since the idea of rain gutter bookshelves didn't fly high with Brant, this ABC bookcase is going to be my next pitch to him for our storage solution of all Savannah's reading books (thanks for all the book recommendations!). 

I can already see his response now .... "You don't have to buy it - I can build it!"

Love that guy. 

Thanks for the babble post

Think Back: 2008 Summer Olympics

Remember USA star sand volleyball player Kerri Walsh?  And how she lost her wedding ring during a match against Japan?  Even though she still went on to win that match I bet she had an awful nagging feeling in the back of her mind wondering if she would ever find her ring again.

I know because last week I couldn't find my wedding ring for five consecutive days.  

But don't be alarmed - this story has a happy ending because Kerri Walsh was eventually reunited with her ring - and so was I (so be it was because I simply needed to look under the soap dish on the bathroom counter!)  But I still learned a few valuable lessons.

(1) I have a lot more appreciation for our local trash collectors.  I bet you've never stopped to think how fast maggots can get into your outside trash can.  

(2) With the right attitude, you can have fun with your spouse doing anything - even searching through maggot covered trash. And posting "missing wedding ring" signs around your own house.

(3)  Although it sure is nice to sit here typing with my ring safely back on my finger, and although a wedding ring is a symbol of our marriage, it by no means defines our marriage.  Something that Brant kept reminding me of -which brings me to the next point.

(4) *Gush Alert* That I love my husband. A lot.  Well okay, I already knew that, but at no point in time was he even a little agitated that I couldn't remember where I had put down such a sentimental piece of jewelry that he picked out especially for me. In fact, it was quite the contrary - he was the most patient and helpful in trying to find it.

(5)  Even though we went through the painstaking process of pulling out to look under the washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher- and unscrewed the kitchen sink pipes- and hunted down a metal detector - and went piece by piece digging through all trash that went out of our house.... all I needed to do was simply lift up the soap tray off the bathroom counter.  Sometimes it really is just the simple things!

(7) I can tolerate a little discomfort of having the moisture caught from washing my hands with my wedding ring on (which is why I take off my ring in the first place).  A feeling I'm happy to take over the feeling that you may never find your ring again.

(8) No matter what material thing I misplace or break in life (car keys, sunglasses, or my wallet that I subsequently lost - and then found- during that same week) that as long as I have my wedding ring I'm perfectly happy.

(9) *Gush Alert* Did I mention I love my husband? A lot?  And for many more reasons (and reasons to come) than from just this one experience.  Thanks hon!

1 in 14 aren't bad odds

Especially if your commenter #12...

Congratulations Kellie Toothman! Random.org has selected you to win a copy of Emily & Jenn's course.

Kellie- leave me your email to collect your prize!

P.S.  Really- you have 3.5 year old triplets??

Win It!

The 4th of July is creeping up on us and I'm already perusing the seasonal aisles at the stores scoping out the patriotic sweets  (seriously, did anyone notice that we're nearing the end of May soon?) Anyways, remember the red, white, & blue ribbons from this post last year that I made?  I found the idea from a manual full of fun other ideas from a course Emily & Jenn put together.  And good news - they want to give away a copy of their course 'Secrets to Bow Making Success' to a reader of this blog!

So if you have a little girl (or a little girl on the way), know of someone else who has a little girl, or just plain want to learn how to do it yourself (they even show you how to make wrapping paper bows and bows for holiday events), first visit here and grab your free hair bow lesson (yep, Emily & Jenn want everyone to get at least one free lesson) and then come back here and leave a comment saying that you want to enter to win the full course. It's that simple!

And don't forget to show some love to these woman entrepreneurs Emily & Jenn by visiting all three of their websites:

http://www.learnhowtomakebows.com 

 http://www.learnhowtomakebows.com/boutiquebows.html 

 http://www.misstutu.com 

Contest ends this Friday 5/27 at noon (EDT).  
Winner will be emailed the downloadable course and also receive the DVD in the mail
Come back then and see if you've won

A Little Backyard Paradise

Doesn't this look nice?  Or more like absolutely amazing?

We thought so.

But since we're a good ways away from any place that would even remotely resemble this picture, we decided to improvise.  Cashing in some credit card rewards points and one Amazon click later, we had this sweet handmade thing on its way to our front doorstep straight from Merida, Mexico (true story - we watched it travel via the DHL tracking).

The delivery guy barely got the package into my hands before Brant took over attaching it to a couple trees in our backyard (maybe we were anxiously listening for the truck to pull up to our house?)  A couple ropes and bungee cords later and we were in business!

We love it!  I picked  the "Matrimonial Size" Hammocks Rada over some more traditional American hammocks so all three of us could climb on and off and fit together to enjoy it without getting flipped over. And even though it may not look like it in this picture, we all can fit comfortably and relax on it.  

A little hammock reading on a nice afternoon!


Thank you Delta Community Credit Union Reward Points!


P.S. Stay tuned next week for an upcoming giveaway 

Swim Season Commences

An orange carrot to go with the orange floaties in celebration of the first backyard swim of the season today - 92 degrees!.  

Showing some love for the celery too...(and then of course finding the same celery at the bottom of the pool later on).

Some of the cutest bathing beauties around!


Thank you friends for celebrating with us...and thank you Rite Aid for last year's 75% off pool and inflatables clearance.

Booster Shots Aren't So Bad

When you get to come home and play in the red painted sandbox that was built especially for you over the weekend.  

...and when you've found the blue suction ball.

P.S.  Hey local mamas - tomorrow is the 2nd Tuesday of the month and (if your looking for something to do) that means free admission to the Children's Museum of Atlanta.  Pics are on Savannah's blog from when we went last month.

Bringing out the Pretties

This pic is for you Linsey!  Your getting a lot of them lately :)

We're not going to hide it.  We're excited for the big Royal Event tomorrow morning.  Not wake up at 4am excited.  But maybe wake up at 6am excited.  And maybe even cupcake making excited with these free printables.

Really - I can feel the excitement/ nerves all the way from London here to my kitchen.  But then again maybe that has something to do with the endless watching of "Inside the Royal Wedding" shows and documentaries about the royal family we've (I've) been doing (.....show us the dress already, Kate!)

Looks like we're not the only excited ones... we spotted this Royal Barbie Babe Wedding on our drive down to Savannah last week.

Weird.  And funny.

Have a Good Friday

Easter egg hunts, baskets & bunny ears are a lot more fun when you have a kid! We've already started the Easter festivities this week and are looking forward to more this weekend with the Atlanta Temple Open House. 

But among all the marshmellow peeps (if they don't make you gag first) try not to forget the real meaning of Easter here

Savannah's very first coloring piece.  Handed to me when I picked her up from the gym child care the other week. I had no idea my child could stay in the lines so well ;)

Savannah H goes to Savannah GA

A few photos from our drive down and quick overnight trip to the city of Savannah earlier this week... (and its a beautiful place but nope, our child wasn't named with any association to this city)

Strolling down River Street and watching the boats pass by.  And having a street musician break into a rendition of The Itsy Bitsy Spider on his trumpet when we passed by and he saw our baby.  Cute!

Don't let this face fool you - 90 minute trolley tours of Historic Savannah and young toddlers do not mesh well!

Getting a pep talk for her first experience with the ocean out at Tybee Island Beach... 

"Don't be afraid, I'll hold your hand..."

Atta girl!  Thought you'd like it!  Next time we'll rent a condo on the coast and bring our swimming suits!

Dang sippy cup ruined any potential of a cute family photo

Trying to get the "Don't you wish you were here" beach shot with my toes and the (far off) ocean.  Not sure if that can really be achieved with grass stalks in the way though...

Tybee Island Light House

Stopping for lunch at The Crab Shack where the "Elite Eat in Their Bare Feet" (but not to be confused with Joe's Crab Shack)

Wonder what she's looking at?  Me too.

This crab shack was crawling with these alligators

My favorite find for a little souvenir shopping - for our toddler, of course!

Rats, no toddler sizes... and the smallest size would take her about 10 years to grow into.

My souvenir?  A shirt with Mr. Pig from the local Piggly Wiggly .  True story.

The original Savannah's Candy Kitchen on River Street - they give out delicious free samples.  Remember this post?

Getting one last walk in before the four hour drive back home... the Spanish moss created great shade around town.

Fun, fun visit!  And next time we go we'll make sure to spend more than 24 hours there!

One last P.S.  picture - thought of you when we passed here, Linsey!

Clever

A local church shares this message today... please, does someone have a spare "Y" they can lend??

And in case you hadn't heard ... after a lengthy renovation, the Atlanta Temple is currently hosting an open house for the public to attend.  Didn't get reservations in time?  I have extra reservations for anyone looking to go on Saturday April 23rd...

Know what else is clever?  Some advice I picked up today from a parenting class that a friend invited me to.  But since I'm not a giver of unsolicited parenting advice (or any unsolicited advice for that matter), you'll have to go here if you want to see my notes.

A Happy Girl

...might be the result of a combination of 75 degree weather, purple Iris flowers... and an authentic dress from Grandma's recent trip to Israel. (I'm assuming that the "Women Lingerie" written on the collar is a translation error.)

Nah, she's happy like that a lot- especially when she's outside.  Or after waking up in the morning.  Or  waking from an afternoon nap.  Or riding in the car with the windows down.  Or in the bath tub.

P.S.  If you like the hair clips from this post, you'll love what Zulily is oferring right now.  Hurry- they are going fast!

Heard of Woombie?

I don't know about other little ones, but Savannah was definitely a swaddling baby when she was born.  And when I first discovered the Woombie  (on a deal a day website), I was immediately sold.   We may have gotten a few chuckles from others when they would see our baby girl zipped up in it , but we (Brant, Savannah, and I) all loved it.  It was easy to use and we liked the stretchy comfortable material that kept her swaddled, but also allowed her room to move inside of it (and no - the company didn't even pay me to say any of that!).

Anyways, what made me think about this?  I recently came across a giveaway for a lucky winner - check it out if you want!  And if you don't need if for yourself, chances are you know someone else who has a little one on the way.

I think this would fit into the category of the "Wow, I wish we had those around when my kids were babies!" comments I often hear from older parents.  You know-  like the bumbo.

P.S.  Hey all you local mama's- did you know that Jump 2 It in Peachtree City offers free admission to parents and little ones under the age of two?  We took Savannah there yesterday - a great place to go if your looking for entertainment!

Some Friday Thoughts

I'm pleasantly surprised to find that Frank's House of Prime Rib is actually a nice place to dine.  Instead of the vinyl checkered tablecloths that I have pictured in my mind for the past year and a half, they actually have nice white linens at each table and serve upscale Italian food with fancy deserts.  How very odd it is that this fine dining establishment is hooked onto a filthy gas station.   

Speaking of odd, I've never understood how this Disney Monorail and dragon found its way to the parking lot of a local consignment shop in the small town of Tyrone, GA.  But who really cares when you can find gems like a brand name beige wool sweater for $1 at the Red Door Consignment shop on their Friday dollar day?

But no matter what piece of clothing I find at a consignment shop, it will never look as cool as anything this chick could pull off.  And I think it would be really really cool to be friends with her.   Shes down to earth and an all around good person (from what I read, anyways)....  and I wonder if we were friends if she would me borrow her sense of fashion.  Count me in the 2.5 billion viewers that will be watching on April 29...I'm a little (or a lot) awe struck.

On the other hand, I wouldn't have anywhere to wear those kind of clothes when I spend the majority of my time entertaining a toddler.  I wonder what the appropriate age is for a kid to have a sandbox.  I love the idea of this DIY sandbox, but the kids in the picture are way older than my kid, but I think she'll still like it... or will she just eat it?  Either way, it'd be fun to have Brant build this and then paint it fun colors.


....And I wonder if there is any ice cream left in the freezer?