.

The Good  

(the great)

This Evening 5 Years Ago

Friday April 13, 2007 

Flying in a two seat plane from Provo to Salt Lake single ... but then flying back that evening engaged.

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The Bad 

(but hopeful)

10am This Morning 

Friday April 13, 2012 

Holding Savannah on my lap while at St.Luke's Hospital to have her blood drawn for allergy testing 

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The Ironic

Did you notice the date today?  Completely coincidental on both occasions!

More like "Icky!"

It's the simple things- like when you are at the doctor's office with your two year old when she spots the Biohazard sign and exclaims "Mickey!" 

...that make you really laugh.

Is this girl going to be an ace at spotting hidden Mickey's around Disney World or what?

Someday

I hope to visit Chicago on St. Patty's Day to see it when their river is dyed green.  In the same way I'd like to someday be in Times Square to watch the ball drop for New Years, or be in Washington DC to watch the fireworks extravaganza that happens every year on the 4th of July.

But until then, Savannah and I will be sporting our green ensembles and spend the afternoon baking these mint brownies, eating frozen green grapes, and making leprechaun traps around the house.

And then I'm pretty sure that after Brant comes home this evening and we've had dinner - complete with our mint chocolate chip shakes for dessert- that I will be spending the rest of the night coming down from an extreme sugar high.  Love these holidays!

It was a pretty day in Texas

The multi acre Mercer Botanic Gardens could possibly top our list of favorite places around town at the moment (so could the gym which explains our choice of clothing this morning).  

Brant's favorite?  Pretty much any of the plants and colors (being the avid gardener he is).  My favorite?  Enjoying time together as a little family in the beautiful weather.  Savannah's favorite?  The turtles lined up sun bathing on the wood log in the pond along with the brightly colored fishies. ("How many fishies do you see?" "One...two...free...eight...ten!")  

And yes, I  know we're going to pay for this beautiful 73 degree sunny weather come summer time...but let's not think about that right now!

Babymoom - Galveston Style

So....Galveston Beach!

It's a pretty neat place and makes for a great overnight trip when it's just the two of you.  And when you go during the week in late February, you can plan on having the city to yourselves!  Some of our favorites:

-Driving into town and seeing the huge Carnival Cruise ship a block away loading up passengers

-A hit and miss with booking the night stay at the Coastal Dreams Bed & Breakfast.  Apparently they need more than a moments notice so they can be ready to book your room.  

- But then not feeling so bad about the B&B when we got a room here on ther 10th floor with a full ocean view

- Walking down the beach with our lunch packed away in a picnic basket.  Good thing my husband is an Eagle Scout- it takes some skillz to build a small fire on the beach and get the kettle water hot enough to whistle.  Beach fire boiling water makes for some great marshmallow caramel hot chocolate in the unforgiving coastal wind.

- Catching an afternoon showing of The Great Storm at Pier 21.

- Taking the hotel staff's recommendation of eating dinner at Shrimp 'N Stuff.
You know it's good when it's where the locals hang.

- Stopping at Ben & Jerry's after dinner for a Banana Split.  I think they call it a split for more than just the banana part.  You really need to split it with someone else because it's got that much sugar!

-  Stopping to watch a surfer kite surfing in the waves.

- Sleeping in over luxurious king bed with perfect down comforter while sleeping in the next morning 

- Eating a super delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel.  Not that anything on the buffet was out of the ordinary... it was just really good food.

- Stopping at a souvenir shop and saying to Brant "I think it'd be really cool to have one of those old fashion boat steering wheels in a miniature size as a souvenir Christmas ornament.  And then finding that exact thing there.

- Seagul and dolphin watching while riding the ferry (drive onto the ferry and ride with your car with you?  ok!) 

- Taking one last stroll around the old town Galveston before heading back home.

- Pulling over at a DSW to pick us up each a pair of new shoes.

-Coming home to a happy toddler who was really sad to see her Grandma leave after being showered with lots and lots of attention while mom & dad were away.

Now, where did I leave off ...?

I received my fortune from Zoltar this morning in Galveston Beach, TX  - where we were getting ready to hit the road home after our fun babymoom getaway.  He said that there were a lot of blog updates in my future.

Well, good thing I got rid of the personal assistant that I hired awhile back to do my blog updates.  I mean three months and no updates?!   Un.  Excusable.

Stay tuned.

Say ... Hot and Humid!

Back in August before we moved from Georgia, the Wilson side of the family was able to accomplish a never before done feat - which was coordinating every member of the extended family's work, school, out of town, and church schedules to take a family portrait.  Nine adults and four kids under the age of four at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon with high humidity, less than ideal lighting, and 30 minutes to work with (remember - this was the only window of time that worked with everyone's schedule).  I give the photographer full props that day.

But we liked how the pictures turned out and with Canvas People offering a free 11x14 canvas right now (you pay the $20 shipping) I'm having a hard time deciding which picture I'll be ordering.  Maybe one of each...?

One of our little family pictures were able to take after the big family photos were shot.  

And I'll give you props  if you can name the Reese Witherspoon movie that has a scene that took place in that Starr's Mill red barn. No guessing from any Georgia folk- I know this is old news :)

Candy Corn is Not For Snacking

With cousin McKayla

We spent Halloween weekend in Utah with the extended Harrison family this year - where these cuties got in lots of quality play time.


Other Utah highlights included early morning drives, taking family pictures, trunk-or-treating, running into old friends, a baby blessing (welcome baby Avery!), an early Thanksgiving meal, and having every member of the extended Harrison family present where good times were had by all.


P.S.  And for all those who think I haven't been updating enough...have you been checking Savannah's blog lately...?

I can't stop thinking about it

There's a rest stop located 1.5 hours outside of Houston on the 4 hour drive up to Dallas (where we visited Ma & Pa Harrison earlier this week).  The kind of place where you see billboards advertising for well over 200 miles before you actually get there.  We had heard about this place prior to stopping there, so we had really high expectations.

And let me tell you - it did not disappoint.

With its sparkling clean, roomy stalls- and dare I say- beautiful bathrooms, the only thing that makes it better is its well run deli counter (self service touch screens?  sweet!) and it's selection of classy Texas souvenirs.  No, not those tacky "Someone Went to (insert destination) and all I got was this lousy magnet" gas station souvenirs, but tasteful, non-annoying souvenirs.  

I've kind of always liked how Texans were so proud of where they are from and enjoyed looking around this rest stop.  And since I'm well on my way to becoming a Texan woman, I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to stop thinking about this apron that I have to have... until I drive the 1.5 hours back just to get it.  

Now how many state flags can make an apron look that fun??

I can explain...

*Disclaimer: picture has nothing to do with this post!

Remember that one time I posted about going to the Braves Stadium and then didn't post for over a month?  Remember also in that post when I mentioned that my camera had pooped out?

I know, blah, blah, blah, right?

Well, it turns out that the lens was broke and needed to be replaced (the the camera body was just fine).  It shouldn't have taken so long to replace, but I had already wanted to look into getting a different camera anyways, and since that was back when we were still living in Georgia and had too many other things (a move to Houston, Texas) going on that took priority over taking the time to research and find a good camera ... well, no blog posts.  Until now.

At any rate, my Nikon D40 (soon to be replaced by a Cannon) has been packed up and shipped off to KEH to be replaced, so it still may be a couple of weeks before I get pictures back up on this blog.

In the meantime, you can see on my Facebook profile a picture from the Sprint Triathlon (my first one!) that I completed back on August 20 when we were still in Georgia.  This was a birthday present to myself and I'm so glad I was able to participate in it.  .3 mile swim, 14 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run - in that order.  I had trained for two months prior to it and had a great support team waiting for me at the end (Brant, Savannah, and good friend Lacy - who also picked me and my bike up at 5:30am that morning.  Is she a great friend or what?)  I wish I had  more pictures of it, but remember how I mentioned that I've been camera-less the last little while?  I'm just happy for the picture that Lacy took on her phone and posted to Facebook before the start of it!

What else have we been up to the last little while?  While still in Georgia - dental work (cavity and then on top a crown - boo), lots of get togethers with Georgia friends and my family, my birthday, consignment sales, packing, moving, settling into our rental house in Texas (our home in Georgia sold quickly, but we were holding our breath towards the closing when there was a two week delay due to paperwork issues on the buyers part), flying back and forth between Georgia and Texas tying up lose ends, and lots of other boring things that go along with moving.

And while we sure do miss our house and everyone in Georgia - and wish that Skywest hadn't ever closed its Atlanta base - we love it here in Texas.  We got here on Sept 1st and have been setting up shop and learning the area since. And even though it definitely is hot here (still in the 90s in mid September), we love that Brant is home every night with us and has weekends off.  And having him home is worth any sacrifice.

This is Braves Country

One of the things on our Houston bucket list was tour Turner Field (it's where the Braves play for you non baseball fans).  We've been to many of games there before, but had yet to do a formal tour of the stadium until this past Tuesday (and let me tell you - it's awesome!)

Hanging out in the visitor dug out.  It's a whole other ballgame when you have seats that close!

Check out all of Savannah's hair - she's got lots of it!

My favorite parts were being in the broadcast booth, luxury suites, dug out, and clubhouse locker room (hello- I was thisclose and literally inches away from Brian McCann and Chipper Jones personal lockers).

A quick tip I learned?  I shoulda gone for the Cannon instead of the Nikon.  I've been having fits with my camera lately and missed a lot of good pictures (like of the clubhouse locker room... or a cool family photo on  the field at home plate). Ah, C'est la vie.

P.S.  Did you see the new post over on Savannah's blog?  Poor blog has been so neglected lately.

Annual Garden Post

Since this is the first year that we've been in a home for two consecutive summers, Brant's garden pretty much stayed the same as last year - with an added bonus of getting bigger and better harvests this time around.

But the biggest bonus this year?  Finally having someone to help Brant in the garden (since I'm nowhere near an avid gardener as he is).  And she loves it.

Time to go to work

It's like an Easter Egg hunt finding these potatoes.  We used those same potatoes for tin foil dinners the next night.

They make a great team - Brant digs them up and Savannah puts them in her apron for safe keeping.

We've been busy soaking in these last few weeks enjoying our home and where we live before we pack up and head out to Houston - stay tuned!

Movie Theaters

We usually pass on going to them (since our cinema entertainment strategy is to utilize Netflix) but today was an exception - I took a gamble on having Savannah sit through an hour long movie (she actually did really well - but then again she probably had just as much fun bouncing on her seat as she did watching the movie) and caught the matinee showing of the new Winnie the Poo movie with our little cousins.  A perfect outing for a rainy morning - and the theater only had a few other people in it!

Heading out after the movie with cousin Matthew

Another fun rainy day activity we're doing today?  Looking at our recent family pictures that are now up online.  Click over to Savannah's blog for the password to the online gallery if you want to look too!

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!