Welcome Home Audrey, Caroline & Emma!!

Wade and Mandy and the girls got to come home on Tuesday and we got a chance to go see them Saturday night. I fell in love with them immediatly and I think Riley did too because he held at least one of them the whole time we were there. When we walked in I was surprised to see that it was actually quiet! We got to feed them and change them...they went through about 8-9 diapers while we were there! They made it look real easy...for now I guess! :) I cant believe how much they can do for themselves that little. Emma, the one I was feeding was practically holding the bottle by herself most of the time. We are so happy for Mandy and Wade and their new family! We are so excited to be "Aunt" Crystal and "Uncle" Riley. Is this not the most precious thing you have ever seen??

"Please no more...Im trying to sleep"

This is a picture they emailed to me...so cute!

Christmas with the Earnest's

Last night we had the Earnest Christmas get together at my cousin Janet's house. We all bring an appetizer/dessert and we played dirty Santa this year. This is always one of my favorite Christmas get togethers because I love appetizers...I could eat them all day! We always have a good time and its great seeing everyone! Wes, Granny and me

Amanda and Allee

Getting ready to play dirty Santa... (Haley in my lap)

My cousin Dewayne's little girl, Haley. She is absoultely precious!

Wesley and me

Aiden just being Aiden...too cute!

Riley's Birthday Weekend

Last weekend for Riley's birthday we went to Birmingham for the night. We stayed at the Highland Hotel in Downtown Birmingham. The hotel was so nice and everyone that worked there seemed to be too! We walked to the restaurant and had what Riley says was the "best meal he has ever had," but he says that a lot. It was very good! It is a place called 26 and it has a sister restaurant called Oceans that we have eaten at several times before and liked it as well. The atmosphere was so much fun...I wished Tuscaloosa would get a few of those restaurants!! The next morning we had made plans to walk to the Original Pancake House to eat breakfast. Oh wow!!! If I wasn't full the night before, I was definitely full then!! Riley had the bright idea that because it was his birthday and it didn't know when we could get back to Birmingham for breakfast that he wanted pancakes and us to split an omelet. I know, I know we shouldn't be so wasteful and this time of year...I felt so bad about it. But we usually don't do that and it WAS his birthday so we did. He ordered pancakes and I ordered hawaiian pancakes and we split the omelet that we didn't know ALSO came with pancakes!!! SO let me tell you people were definitely looking at us and our table full of food! A lady walking by looked down at our table and started whispering to her husband who then also looked down at our table! I was quite embarrassed but it didn't seem to bother Riley he just kept eating. He ate a good portion but I couldn't get much of mine down and because it had pineapple and powdered sugar, it was sweet so I felt like I was eating a big cake. I know how to please my husband....lots of good FOOD! :)

Happy Birthday Riley!

Tuesday was Riley's 31st Birthday. Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

I couldn't ask for a better husband!!! I love you!!

Triplet Update

Riley and I went to visit Wade and Mandy and to hopefully see the girls on Sunday. Well, because they were in ICU there is odd times that you can see them and we had just barely missed it and the next time wasnt for 4 hours. But, we did get to see Wade and Mandy and they released Mandy while we were there. She is doing great and looks awesome! We did get to watch videos of the babies and see pictures. The babies are doing fabulous! Audrey, the one that weighed 4-7 has already taken her first full bottle by herself! They other girls arent far behind either. In the videos you could see them laying on their stomachs and pushing up on their toes...almost like they were doing push ups. The doctors said Audrey may be able to go home soon and the others hopefully before Christmas. Sorry I don't know which is which in the pictures...they sent these to me.

Look how long!

Annual Christmas Party

This past weekend was our Annual Christmas Party. I love this time of year. I have been having a Christmas party since college and it just continued and is now a tradition. We always have TONS of food which is my favorite part (I mean other than the good company! :) This year we didn't have as many people as normal because of the game and so much going on as it always is in December...but we still had a great time! It was so great to see everyone.

Riley's sister, Amanda and our friend Elaine

The Triplets are here!!!

Our friends that I posted about earlier, Wade and Mandy that were expecting triplets just had them today. She did great because she went what is considered full term for triplets (34 weeks). Yesterday they had scheduled the C-section for today at noon. I got a text message around 1:15 that said all the babies were healthy little girls. They weighed 4-7, 4-5, and 4-2. She named them: Audrey Kate, Caroline McColl and Emma Grace. We are so happy for them! Please pray for them that they keep doing well and also for Wade and Mandy as they make this transition with 3!!!
** We plan to go to Birmingham to see them Sunday after church so I will post pictures then.

Iron Bowl 08

I first have to start off by saying ROLL TIDE!!! I am so proud of Alabama this year...they have worked so hard and it has payed off! We had a great time Saturday even though it was a messy day. We had several people to tailgate this weekend. Becca's family was able to come out and it was great seeing all of them! My friend Cyndee and her husband Dan came and so we were able to catch up since I had not seen her since her or talked to her much since her wedding in October. One of my favorite parts of tailgating is not only just watching Alabama football, but seeing and spending time with friends also...but watching the game and being in the midst of other fans is a plus too!

After the game Cyndee, Dan, Becca, Zach, Riley and I went to Chuck's Fish to eat. It was so good! It is one of my favorite places to eat. It was fun to because they had a Motown band playing so we got to listen to the band while we ate.

The tailgate

Rileys brother Brian, Slim, Robbie & Riley

Weekend

Friday morning Riley and I headed back down to Fairhope for the weekend. We went shopping Friday afternoon and Saturday and got some of our Christmas taken care of. Becca and Zach had invited us to their house for dinner and to watch the game on Saturday. It was so good to get to spend time with them. Dinner was also wonderful!! Thanks Zach and Becca...cant wait to see you again Saturday!

Sunday we left early so we could make it home in time for Thanksgiving with Riley's Mom's side of the family. We, of course, had way to much food and I began the holidays off by eating way too much!!! I love this time of year though...seeing family and friends and eating wonderful food! :) I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

The Hollyhands

My nephew Brilyn

Upgrade

We finally got some well needed bedroom furniture this weekend. I was very excited. I think if it was up to Riley, he would have slept on the bed we had (which was his since he was in Junior HIgh) forever. It had held up pretty well until the last month or so. Now we are working on putting tile in the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms and new contertops in the bathrooms. So, the house is turned upside down right now; but hopefully the end result will be worth it.

Kitchen

Kitchen
1. Do you have magnets on your fridge? Not many
2. Do you have a calendar in the kitchen and if so, what is it's theme? Nope
3. What is your favorite kitchen gadget or tool? My Kitchen Aid mixer and
4. Are you lucky enough to have a pantry of some kind? Yes
5. What is your favorite appliance? My flat top stove and dishwasher
6. Do you have an eat in kitchen? We do and we actually eat at the table 99 % of the time.
7. Do you have a bread box? Nope
8. Do you have a picture of your kids on the fridge? No just a couple of pictures other peoples kids!
9. Do you ever cook breakfast in your pjs? Most of the time I cook breakfast Im in my pjs!
10. Do you have a favorite cookbook? Yep, Paula Deen and of course my Mom is always my favorite!
11. Are you lucky enough to have recipes that were passed down from your mom and grandma? Oh yes!!
12. What's your favorite food? Sushi and country food! (I know the two do not go together!)
13. What's your favorite thing to cook? I have too many favorites...I cook a lot
14. Is your coffee pot electric or stove top? Electric
15. Do you make your own bread? Nope but I have made bread before.
16. Name one thing you have hanging on the wall in your kitchen. A painting
17. Is there a clock in your kitchen? Digital ones on appliances.
18. Do you have a bowl of fruit on your table or counter? Umm do you know my husband? Of course, we probably have ever fruit you can think of!!
19. What type of canisters do you have? Princess House Crystal
20. Does your kitchen have a theme? yellow, greens and reds
21. What's for supper tonight? Riley and I were really bad and ate Chinese!
22. Do you have enough cabinet space? I dont know that you ever have enough cabinet space...or is it that you collect too much stuff over time??
23. Does your family use paper plates? Not really
24. Do you have a good set of china packed up? Yea
25. Do you wear an apron to work in the kitchen? Ok yes I have worn an apron on certain occasions! I know I am not the only one!
26. Name one thing you would change about your kitchen if you could. I would like to add an island in the middle.

Join me in sharing about your kitchen!

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone has a Happy and safe halloween!!!!

Our home away from home

Last weekend Riley and I took off for a quick weekend in Fairhope. It was short but very nice and relaxing. We were so glad you were able to see Becca and Zach while we were down there! Friday night we went to one of my favorite places. It is a small local restaurant and piano bar and it is just so relaxing and cozy. Saturday, Riley and I started the day off with a big breakfast at another favorite local cafe and then we spent the rest of the day walking in all of the shops. I love all the random shops there. Most are antique stores or boutiques. Then it was off to watch some football. We met Becca and Zach on Sunday at Jessie's for a delicious brunch. I just really love that place! :)

A Wonderful Visit

Last Wednesday, Peyton and Marty brought Lily Grace by the house for a little while and I was so excited to see her! I miss seeing them all so much but I just love when I get to see her!! She is the cutest thing and is constantly changing and growing. She was so amused my the kitties and the neighbors dog. She couldn't decided which she wanted to focus more on. I can't wait to see her again soon! I love you Lily Grace!!

Marty did you teach her that?

There wasn't any water coming out of it, but she sure knew what to do!

Getting Ready to Work!

She liked the "balls" in the bowl

Meet Ainslee Elizabeth

I have a new neice! She was born October 17 and weighed 8lbs. 10 oz. She was very close to my weight as a baby. My mom said I was 8lbs. 11 oz. She is beautiful and we can't wait to watch her grow.

A Triplet Baby Shower

Sunday, I helped host a baby shower for our friends, Wade and Mandy. Mandy is having triplet girls!! We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet them! Mandy looks wonderful and is doing great. She got so many nice things at her shower and most of them came in 3's! :)

The beatiful Mommy-to-be

The giftsThe cutest banner with their names on it:Audrey Kate, Caroline McColl, Emma Grace

Congratulations Dan & Cyndee!!

I was so happy to be a part of Dan and Cyndee's wedding on Saturday. Cyndee has been a wonderful friend of mine since college. The wedding was so beautiful and we had a great time with the band at the reception! We wish both of you the very best!

The beautiful bride