Friends Forever....

This past weekend, we traveled to Lubbock to watch my oldest friend get married. Amber and I have been friends since we were babies. We also have some friends, Alice and Laura who have been friends with us almost as long. All of us went to the same small church when we were growing up. There was basically only one other person our age there - Corey - and he ended up marrying Alice. Anyways, we've been friends since our crawling days. We've seen each other at our best and worst and it seems we always pick up where we left off when we see each other.

Amber got married this past weekend and we all got to get together again to celebrate with her. It's so crazy now because we all have kiddos. It's so crazy to think we've been friends for 28 years. Laura is a year older than us all, but all of our birthdays fall within weeks of each other. And, by the way, Laura and Alice are sisters!

Laura, Amber, Alice, and me

Reese had such a blast at the wedding. Amber has 2 kids, Carson and Oliva and so the wedding was very much kid friendly. They had activity packs for during the ceremony and then a "sucker and candy bar" during the reception. They also had this little pinwheels for the kiddos. My Reeser loved his. Unfortunately, a bigger, meaner bully stole his.

Here are my boys enjoying the reception....after the bully incident

This wedding was SUPER casual. The guys didn't wear tux's, the girls wore these super cute skirts and shirts - it was just totally casual and totally summer. I can't tell you how nice it was to go to a wedding like that. I love a big wedding with all its elegance and pretty, but this just felt like a bunch of old friends hanging out....even the people we didn't know. It was just like a get together...and really, isn't that what weddings are supposed to be about???
We survived our first "weekend away". Reese stayed with my mom Thursday night until we got there for the wedding. He was WORN out and slept until 9:45 for her! (Why does he insist on getting up at 6 am for us???) Anyways, he had a blast and I'm so glad my mom got to hang out with him.

We are home now. Last night I decided to shoot some pictures during bathtime. Reese LOVES his bath. This little guy could stay in there FOREVER! And yes, I know the water is pink - we have Elmo tablets that color the water.....they dissolve as they hit the water. Reese really loves to throw them in and watch them dissolve. Anyways, here we are...bathtime!






And finally, I've learned to sew! I know I know...about 5 years ago for Christmas, my master seamstress grandmother got me a sewing machine because I wanted to learn. Well, it has sat in closets as we've moved over the years and I finally had Garrett get it out for me and set it up on her sewing table in our spare bedroom. Well, now, we have our own little Etsy shop in here! I have absolutely LOVED every minute of teaching myself to sew and seeing what I could come up with. I've started a new blog with my stuff - I think I am going to try to see some of it. The blog isn't up and running, but will be soon. Of course I've used the name "Sassafras"....it's what I've always called my crafty stuff.

I'll leave you with a little preview of what I've done (I've done way more that this, but my memory card on the camera is full and will be until I print some pictures off).

PSA

Here is my PSA (Personal Service Announcement) of the day!

This little tidbit is brought to you in part by Leslie. Her blog about her husband's quiche reminded me of this......

Ok, so as a mother, and even before that when I was just a wife and even before that as a college student, I love the idea of the pre-shredded cheese in a bag. It made like so much easier. It was already grated, no dishes to get dirty, just pull it out of the fridge and top you dish.

So, much to my disappointment, I found out something that many of you will find just as gross as I did.....

I went to a Pampered Chef party and the hostess was cooking us up a nice chicken dish. She stopped and grated her own cheese and asked us how many of us did. Almost no one raised their hand. Why would they? It's too easy to buy the pre-shredded stuff! She then proceeded to tell us that that pre-shredded stuff has plastic in it! She said if you read the ingredients it will say it right there! (It doesn't say "plastic", but used the technical term for plastic!) Then she told us that is why it lasts so much longer!!! It made total sense!

Even since then, I've been a do-it-yourself-shredder! Wait - let me rephrase - my husband has been a do-it-yourself-shredder! Come on guys, you know it tastes better if you do it!

Ol' San Antone......

My boys took me to San Antonio for my birthday. We had a TON of fun...Sea World was great - and our little trooper did great all day with no nap! I've also included some pictures from my sister, nephew, and brother in laws visit the day after my birthday. We had fun and it was crazy to see how much Kenny has grown! Reese adored him this time and I hope he will just love him more and more with time.....

I got the flowers from my very own angel ;)

Enjoy!

Goin' to the Chapel...

I know, so you must be thinking "two posts in one day? What is this girl up to?" Well, it just so happens that my adorable cousin Katie and Keal are now engaged! Congratulations cuties!

Katie is my life saver. She is there for me in so many ways. She hoped and prayed that Garrett might get the Abilene job almost 2.5 years ago so that she would have someone here. Her dream came true and I am so blessed to have her here with us. I can count on her anytime I need someone. My Reese adores her and loves her so much. She is so great with him and I feel completely safe and secure when he is with her. I have been able to watch her grow into this beautiful young woman. Katie and I have always been close, we have a very deep rooted bond. She is precious and I am happy to share this time with her. I know she will make a beautiful bride. Funny to think of all our wedding talk today and turns out tonight she is engaged tonight! I am excited beyond words for her, she deserves this.

Keal is awesome. I mean, anyone who can put up with Katie has to be, right Keal? One thing I have always liked about Keal is that he isn't afraid to tell Katie how he really feels. She is an only child and is used to getting her way, but Keal really keeps her grounded. I love how he lets her shine, how he never tries to steal her spunk with his own. He is comfortable around her and they both glow together. However, if I had to pick one thing I love about Keal it is the way he loves my son. I have never been around a 21 year old who loves a 17 month old. He adores Reese and Reese is totally at ease when Keal is around. I love how he lets Reese roll all over him and poke at him. He just sits and is happy to be Reese's jungle gym. I know that Keal would do anything for him and I don't worry one bit when Keal is left alone with him. I am excited for the husband he will be to Katie, but more importantly, for the dad he will be for their children (and yes I said children - no more only children please!)

I could go on and on about these two. I adore them both and am beyond excited for the journey they are about to embark on. Katie, thank you for allowing me to share in your joy. You are a sweet, sweet spirit and I have enjoyed everyday I have with you. You are a blessing in all of our lives. Keal, thank you for loving Katie with your whole heart. Your love for her is evident, even in your disagreements. I know you will stand by her and do all you can to ensure her happiness.

We love you both and think you are precious! Thank you for sharing your joy tonight!

Sushi and Cupcakes...

is what we've been up to around here.

4th of July was pretty uneventful for us. It was just time to relax and not have to do anything. We got up and rode our bikes down to a parade in our neighborhood which lasted all of 2 minutes. We had a blowout on the way, so it pretty much made the trip excrutiating. We made it though. When we got home, we took a nap and then had some 4th of July cupcakes.

Reese laughing at himself while having a mouth full of cupcake icing

Another bite...

I love these cupcakes!

Getting ready for our bike ride that morning...Reese is getting ready to put his helmet on

Headed to the door ready for a trip

And so not thrilled to be wearing that helmet in his bike rider...

I have always wanted to try sushi. I am not ready to go so far as the raw fish, but I was ready to give it a try. We have a new sushi place here in Abilene and we went there last night. We shared some California rolls. They were pretty good. My friend Rachel was dying to see how it all went over, so I took some pictures. I'm pretty sure the people around us thought I was nuts, but oh well......





And finally, pictures of my boys watching the fireworks. We are hoping to take Reese to a really good parade and festival next year. We'll just have to wait and see what we find. I know by next summer he'll be old enough to enjoy it a little more. By the middle of the 45 minute firework show, he was bored with them...he'd seen enough and was getting restless. I think next year, he'll love them!

We are headed out early Thursday morning for San Antonio. We're going to make a stop at Sea World and of course the Riverwalk. So, until then.......

Hurt your belly kind of laugh.....

that's exactly what this did just now when I read this.....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,374369,00.html

I am soooooooooooooooooooo bad.