This place has gone to the Dogs!

I got to have some fun at work this week. I shot some photos of this cute puppy Molly. She comes to work (along with my bosses other two dogs and my Ally) . He wanted to get some pictures of her because she is growing so fast!

This was Molly at 9 weeks (12lbs)

This is Molly at 13 weeks (19lbs).

She is a Chocolate Goldendoodle!

Wow! What a Weekend!

My sister-in-law has been out of town since Friday for a funeral. Which means it has taken my brother, mother, father, and I to make sure all four of their kids have been fed, bathed, and got where they needed to be all weekend. She is coming home tomorrow! Thank God! I don't know if we could do it another day!

Which I've been lucky because I've mostly just had the two older ones! Saturday we started at 9:30 at the soccer fields! I stayed for one game because I got a call from my mother (who had the two babies one is 2years and one is 10 months) that she needed my help to get both of them to the Magnolia Festival. Also Ally was going to be competing in the Pooch Parade so we also had her! So my mother, Porter, Harper, Ally and I loaded up the car and headed to the festival. My dad was already there working so we knew we'd have a little help once we got there. I was just worried we'd never get there! It was tough. I have a whole new respect for mothers and I question my ability to ever be a good one! Once we got there it did calm down and was easier.
Ally was voted the "Peoples Choice" and we couldn't be prouder even if my mom and aunt were the only two that voted who knows how many times!

Ava enjoying her post game snack!

Ally Bama at the Magnolia Festival!Harper Claire enjoying her ride at the Magnolia Festival! Porter on the Fire Truck!

We went to church Saturday night so we could sleep late Sunday morning and go to Tuscaloosa because my younger brother and sister were competing in a "green" putt putt hole at Earth Fest. They built a putt putt hole out of recycled materials! It was so neat! They won "Most Innovative" and $250. Of course the have to split it 6 ways because there were so many on the team! We were so excited! Mom and I took Ava and Drew because we thought they'd enjoy playing the holes! On Our way home we were kinda between storms and saw the most incredible rainbow. It was the brightest one I've ever seen!

Team USA Ball Washing Bull Dancers The theme was "Friday Nights in T-Town"

Then I kept Drew and Ava again so that I could take them to school this morning. I got them both bathed and the weather was bad and they didn't want to watch James Spann so they went to bed. They woke themselves up this morning (which is awesome because I used to have to be pulled out of bed by my hair!). We all got where we needed to be on time! I was proud of myself! Now I just have to pick them both up from school one at 11:30 the other at 3:00! I'm looking forward to my night alone! I deserve it!

Happy Easter!?!

Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Porter riding down the sidewalk.

Our family!

Ally in her Easter dress.

I wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Easter! I love any excuse for a family get together! I am very close to my family! Although I know not everyone shares this joy! I also understand that the older we get the harder it is to get everyone together in the same place at the same time! In fact my family was never all together this weekend. Some didn't "feel well" while others had other obligations. It makes me sad that everyone didn't make more of an effort to spend a few hours together. I was also very upset that I didn't get to hunt not one Easter egg. Not one! We usually have a hunt at my Grandmothers for the "kids" but we didn't this year! I wanted to get a photo of my brother's family then of the four of us but never did because we were never all together. I really shouldn't worry because we actually see each other a lot (at least once a week, well not the college kids but the rest of us) I was just really upset. I was more upset because Patrick didn't get up and go to church with me but I understood that he had only had 6 hours of sleep in two days. Anyways enough rambling!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame..

Friday night Patrick and I went to the ball park to watch his nephew play baseball. This is something I am not sure I can handle if I ever have a boy. I could not believe how intense these people are at 5 and 6 years old. Now I'm not going to lie the games were close and even I got a bit nervous. I just wanted to boys to win because all I'd heard was how bad they were and yes from parents. When did baseball quit being about having fun and learning? I really not an unreasonable person. I think we should keep score unlike some programs but why are we putting so much pressure on these kids to always win? It was almost more than I could take. I understand that some kids put the pressure on themselves but sometimes parents are pressurign their kids and don't even realize it. It makes me so nervous about having kids. It is so easy to see when you are on the outside. I'm afraid I won't know if I am pressuring them if I am in the situation. Where is the happy medium?

Happy Anniversary!

Saturday was our 1st anniversary! I can't believe how fast time files! It seems like just last week we were dancing at the wedding! We had a wonderful day together. Patrick surprised me and was off work Saturday. He made out like he wasn't going to be able to get off. I was so excited! It was nice to just hang out and not have to go anywhere! The first anniversary gift is traditionally paper and more modernly clocks. So I made Patrick a little scrapbook of the highlights of the year. It was so fun to look back at everything that has gone on.

Cutest baby in the World!!!

Harper's first trip to the lake!

I wanted to document my niece Harper's first trip to the lake! She is 9 months old and absolutely precious!

Tuesday Patrick and I escaped to the lake for about 24 hours! My brother's family is on spring break and my sister and brother were also on spring break so they were all up there. Also my aunt and uncle were there. It is so nice to just get away to relax! I know I've said it before but the lake is my favorite place to be! Just thought I would share a few pictures from the trip!

John finally caught one!

This is my uncle Donald and this is one of 3 fish he caught! One was bigger, one smaller!

Ice Cream Dream

Porter loves food! He also loves to share food! This a typical Sunday afternoon at Mom & Dad's!

I had to share these hilarious photos of Porter eating his ice cream cone after church yesterday! He was so sweet and wanted to share with everyone!

Friday night Ava and I loaded up the Altima and headed to Tuscaloosa for the gymnastics meet Bama against UNC and Oklahoma! We met Elizabeth at her house and then went to dinner! Ava loves everything Alabama and I really thought she would enjoy the excitment of gymnastics. I was right! She was overwhelmed when we first got there but she had a blast! On Saturday we went to get burgers at Mugshots (which is awesome) and one of the gymnasts came in a sat at the table right next to us! Ava was pretty excited!

I made her get her picture made in front of Bryant Denny Stadium. She was so excited! Can't you tell! She also wanted a pennant for her room because she said Uncle John has one in his room at Nana and Grandaddy's house!

Spring Break

I am so excited about Spring Break! I know that I am an adult and I don't technically get a "Spring Break" but since my brother and sister are still in college I live vicariously through them! Tomorrow I am taking my niece Ava to Tuscaloosa to go to a gymnastics meet! She doesn't even know what gymnastics is so it should be exciting for her. She was more excited about seeing my brother John! She loves Alabama! We took her to a football game last season and now she is hooked! She asked for everything Alabama for Christmas and her birthday! I wanted to go to the quad and spend some time Saturday but I don't know if the weather is going to allow it! I also want to eat at some a my favorite places that I have missed over the last year!

I am going to the lake for the day Wednesday then back for the weekend on Friday! I am so excited! It is one of my favorite places on earth! It is so peaceful and relaxing especially this time of year when there aren't as many boats on the water!

I can't wait! I need to be doing some spring cleaning but that can wait!

Weekend Update

This weekend was Drew's 9th birthday and the perfect opportunity to play with my new camera! I was so excited. I went to Books-A-Million Friday afternoon and bought a couple of books to educate myself about my camera. I've picked up a few things but I've got a ways to go! Here are a few shots from the weekend!

Ava enjoying her ice cream cone on Mom & Dads swing!

The birthday boy showing off one of his new toys!

My big brother Patrick

Drew's gift from us! I was playing with focus and lighting!

Sweet Harper

Porter

Yay for my 40d!

I purchased a surprise for myself yesterday. I have mentioned my love for photography here before so I bought a Canon 40d. So far I love it. I am so excited! Now I need to find something to take pictures of. Ally hid from me last night she'd had enough of it! I'm posting a few of the photos I've taken with it so far! I can't wait to figure out how to work all the creative functions!