Decisions? Decisions?

One of the hardest decisions I love to make regarding Christmas is the style/type of Christmas card will be arriving in the mailboxes of relatives and loved ones. I always send a photo card and always find it difficult to make the decision not only with the chosen photo, but the card that fits the photo. This year the decision may be as difficult as every with the wide selection I have found via Tiny Prints. Oh. My. Goodness. The crazy amount of photo cards available - the colors, the style, the number of photos ... the ideas are too good to be true. Here are some that caught my eye...

I have a good idea of the photo I want to do (if I get around to taking it & my daughter cooperates). So, I think that these 1st two options would be perfect choices.

I love this one because it can easily hang on the Christmas tree (maybe year after year), or from a cabinet knob. So cute! And unique! This card caught by eye because of the simple, retro feel. If only it would snow like this where I live for a "White Christmas".

One word ... Chevron (pattern). Love the wild, colorful, and playful card. It reminds me of our summer and one of those photos would coordinate well, if my original idea doesn't happen.

And, this card recaps the favorite memories from 2011. How great to give a glimpse of a wonderful year to loved ones. And, you can see how the little ones have changed/grown up throughout the year.

With hundreds of options to choose from, this decision could take a while.

Happy Halloween!

This year Halloween was just as fun as ever. Ellie was all about her costume this year, which you will see below. However, before we could go trick or treating we had Trunk & Treat at church on Sunday evening. As usual, we had a wonderful time. This year's contest was carved/painted pumpkins with all funds raised going to the TN Baptist Children's Home. This was the winning pumpkin of the night.
And, this is the costume Ellie could not get enough of. She had is laid out in her bedroom floor as if she slid out from it or could draw a chalk line around it. There were times I thought she would actually sleep in it or wear it to school. And along the way to gathering up way too much candy, we ran into Darth Vader & Ewok. Watch out evil villains because BatGirl will get ya!

Hope your Halloween was wonderful and frightfully scary!

A Handful + 1

This past weekend, Ellie turned "6". Yep a whole handful plus 1 digit on another hand. Wow! It seems like yesterday Jamie & I were at our very 1st Dr. appointment hearing that we would become parents just a few days prior to our 1 year anniversary. We are no longer in a state of shock like that particular day, but she does keep us on our toes. She has blessed us beyond our imagination and we can honestly say we don't know what life was like before we were "Ellie's mom & dad".

Her birthday actually fell on a Friday this year, so that evening Jamie & I "grinned & bared" it for her birthday dinner choice - McDonald's :) with her special date, Macy Ruth. But before we could go to our dinner date, she got to open her present from us - her very own set of golf clubs. More specifically pink & purple golf clubs with matching pink golf balls. Watch out LPGA! Ellie will be arriving in a few years! She was so excited that she wanted to hit a few balls out in the yard before we left. And, that evening Macy ended up spending the night because Ellie so thoughtfully reminded us that "you should give the birthday girl what she wants!" (She sounds just like her JuJu).

Saturday evening was her party, which I must admit I did not put forth the time and effort as I normally do. But, it turned out better than I was expecting. It all began with some ice cream sundae invitations and treat bags I happened upon at Hobby Lobby in the clearance section. Then I found some wild colored plastic wine goblets in the WalMart clearance section. The shape & colors reminded me of the old fashioned ice cream sundae glasses. The treat bags were filled with candy and ice cream shaped sidewalk chalk found at Dollar Tree. The combo made for extra cute gifts for Ellie's guests.

The centerpieces were created the morning of her party in a last minute attempt to pull it all together. For a last minute rush, they turned out cute. It was crazy simple - Mason jars wrapped in tissue paper; spray paint craft sticks hot glued to sugar/waffle ice cream cones. The "scoop" of ice cream is simple a Styrofoam ball wrapped in tissue paper or a layer of paper napkin and hot glued to the top of the cone.

Tables were covered in lime green & hot pink table cloths with polka dot wrapping paper making the table runner. All found at the Dollar Tree - a fabulous place to get cheap decorations!

And the birthday cake was made by our babysitter, LeeLee, who make the most greatest birthday cakes ever!

We also repeated last year's party and had a hay ride, which is always fun! Ellie had a great party and most of all got to spend it with the ones that love her!

Happy Birthday Ellie! Love you to the Moon & Back!

How to Be a "Fan"

While Jamie & I took in all the event of "Game Day", I quickly noticed that I, even though dressed in team colors, was apparently under dressed in jeans & t-shirt. Here are the "Game Day" Fashion Statements:

I think I will make Jamie one of these hats. You know, because we all need one...

And should you not have a free hand for your cheer pom. I mean, even the guy behind her didn't notice...

Checkered overalls go with everything.

Black shirts... no shirts...

and orange shirts...

even with crazy hair.

I think the feather hat lady stole his hat...

Now do you know why I felt so under dressed?

It's Football Time In Tennessee!

This past weekend, Jamie & I had the opportunity to enjoy a visiting Knoxville, not only for the UT vs. UGA game, but to hang with family & friends. This was my 1st Vols game & to say I was excited would have been an understatement. Luckily, we had the best tour guides Knoxville has to offer in Adam & Patrick. We arrived Friday afternoon just in time to find our hotel, get a little rest, and for Jamie's cousin Adam to get off work. We had a great evening with Adam, Cheryl, and their sweet little boy, Chase, who I must say is quite a flirt.

Game Day morning, Adam and Jamie had fun hanging out at the local guitar/music shops in search for Ellie a "girly" guitar, something she has added to her "wish list". Hey, Santa has to shop a little early. Then, it was off to meet up with Jamie's long time friend, Patrick, his wife, Leona, and their little cutie, Penny, along w/ Mr. Richard, Patrick's dad. Of course, by this time is was lunch time and what better place to have game day lunch than FIVE GUYS. Oh. my. goodness. Insane. Can West TN get one of these?

Then off to the campus for all the pre-game festivities. Patrick game us the full tour. I swear we walked no less than 12.7 miles, up hill both ways, in mid-80 degree temps. But, it was worth it, even if I am still feeling the effects as I type this. We heard "Rocky Top" no less than 200 times, saw Vol "fan-atics" (another post), and enjoyed every bit of it.

We visited the famous "Rock" where students paint & repaint images/art on it. The game day image was pretty creative...

In the distance, you can see the Vol Navy...

Pep Rally for the Vol Walk...

The "Pep Band" for the Vol Walk...

Head Coach Derek Dooley in the Vol Walk...

(Side note: We actually walked behind the players as they entered the field)

The Pride of the Southland Marching Band... Awesome!

Entering the Neyland Stadium and saluting "The Hill"...

Jamie & I at the game. If you were watching the game on TV, we were in orange, so I'm sure you saw us. Our seats were great - the end zone across from the band/student section right on the field. Pretty sweet!

The football team entering the field for warm-up...

The Band forming the Power "T" for the players to run out ...

Smokey rooting on his beloved Vols!

Quarterback, Tyler Bray...

A portion of the student section. The sign says "Fear the Pants"...

Other blog worthy news...

Lady Vols' Head Coach, Pat Summitt, made a special appearance at the game as well as helped "Dorothy" find "Rocky Top" in the band's half-time show "The Wizard of Oz", which was very creative with the "Cowardly Cat from KY", the "Scarecrow named Steve from So. Carolina", and the "Tin Man from Bama", along with the "Wicked Witch from UGA".

I have never seen so much orange in my life. And, a "Just So Ya Know"...Fridays before game day is Orange Day.

After an hour delay in a complete standstill on I-40, we finally made it home and are already trying to decide which game, or games, to attend next year!

Conquering Kindergarten!

Ellie began school (over 1 month ago!) and she is conquering Kindergarten! It is so hard to believe how incredibly fast she has grown - she should not be this old! She was super excited about beginning big school. She has attended a "Mom's Day Out" preschool program since she was 3, so I knew she was ready (if not beyond ready) to go to big school. She is one smart cookie. And, the school she is attending is full of greatness - teachers, students, and mile from my office!

On the 1st day of school, we were both very brave. No tears. I asked Jamie not go with us on the 1st day, not because I am selfish or anything, but because the bravery would have turned into the worst day of school ever. She is such a daddy's girl that there would have been an Emmy Award given out for the "Best Performance in a Drama." I just didn't want her to get started on the wrong foot. So we arrived the first day at the same time our good friends the Eakes' crew did. She was able to walk in with Davis & Avery which helped.

So far the school year has gone great! Well, except for getting up in the mornings. Those are hard because neither of us are "morning people", but we have done well. There have been a few notes that have come home from school and her "clip" moved, but some of this is a learning process for her to understand that she has to do what the teacher directs, which sometimes is not the same idea she has (wonder where she gets that from?). Hopefully, her love of school will continue.

The stuff she says...

First of all let me apologize for being such a slacker. I will try to do better.

Here is Ellie's latest story ...

Memama & Granddaddy (Jamie's grandparents) have a dog, Daisy, that is expected to pass away any day. She has been suffering with huge tumors in your stomach ... it is really heart wrenching. On Wednesday this week, they picked up Ellie and Macy Ruth from school. When they arrived at their house, the girls were playing outside until they spotted Daisy, laid beside one of the sheds. Asking about the dog, Granddaddy replies that Daisey had been there all day, waiting to go to "Doggie Heaven" where she won't be in pain. Well of course this gets the girls upset, they begin crying, and basically hold a vigil for Daisy. The girls come into the house in tears and all upset about the poor dog. Shortly thereafter, Granddaddy comes into the house with the announcement that Daisy moved from her spot. Ellie, with tears still in her eyes, looks up and says, "So, we have done all this crying for NOTHING?!" Needless to say, the grandparents got good laughs from her comment.