Disney 2011

The Sunday after Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl -- it was time to see MICKEY MOUSE!  Lindsay, Casey and Cameron left for Orlando on Saturday.  They were patiently waiting for Nana, mom, dad, me, Linda, Richard and Rochelle to arrive.  We had a 6:50 am flight on Sunday morning!  OUCH!!

We met them at the hotel around noon and headed to Epcot!  We were able to get on the Disney's Dining Plan for free.  It includes the following each day: 1 snack, 1 counter service (meal, drink and dessert) and sit down dinner (meal, drink and dessert).  Not sure how I am going to act not having a dessert 2 times a day now, HA!

Our 1st dinner was the night we arrived at O'hana's (my fav) and it was just as good as I remembered.  Monday, we went to Magic Kingdom and I saw Pluto!!!!  Before we left, we saw Santa!!  He was amazing and talked to Cameron for a while.  After taking a picture with Cameron, he offered to take a picture with all 9 adults and Cameron.  Bonus: he had Nana sit on his lap too =)We had dinner at Saana (Lindsay's fav). 

Tuesday started out at Animal Kingdom, very early b/c Lindsay though it opened at 8 -- nope try 9.  Somehow Rochelle and Lindsay got me on "Mt Everest" roller coaster.  My stomach wasn't the same all day. :(  We returned to Magic Kingdom to have dinner at Cinderella's Castle.  The dinner was amazing and several princesses came out to speak to Cameron. All the ladies were given wands and the guys were given swords. That evening we attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party complete with cocoa and cookies. 

We started Wednesday out at Downtown Disney to order our Christmas ornaments and do a little window shopping.  Dinner was at Askersur's Royal Table in Epcot completed with more visits by Princesses.  I was wearing a BAMA sweatshirt and Belle asked me if that is the school where they said, "Roll Tide"?  LOVED IT!!!  We spent Thursday at Hollywood Studios and Cameron was able to see several characters (including Mickey)!  We missed our dinner that night and had it rescheduled it for Friday. 

We had breakfast Friday morning at Chef Mickey's.  The food was yummy but I think we were all excited to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto!  After breakfast, we went back to Magic Kingdom to let Cameron enjoy the rides that were more on her level.  We finished Friday night at Coral Reef which is a nice restaurant with a beautiful view of an aquarium.  

Before leaving Saturday morning, there was one quick trip to Magic Kingdom.  Linda and I went to shop, because we had a 20% coupon that was good until noon.  Lindsay and Rochelle wanted to ride the "Runaway Mine Car".  Linda, Rochelle and I left the park at 1 and met up with mom, dad, Nana and Richard at the hotel and boarded the bus to the hotel.  After a plane delay, we finally got home around 8:30.

It was a wonderful trip full of memories that I will never get.  Seeing Cameron's eyes light up when she saw the princesses or the characters is something that will stay with me forever.  Spending time with my family is one of my favorite things and I was able to be with them for 7 days in the "Happiest Place on Earth"!!!  We all had a great time.  We are tired.  But, TOTALLY worth it!

Iron Bowl 2011

I hosted Iron Bowl 2011 this year!  This allowed me to stay with Roscoe even longer before leaving him for a week while I went to Disney.

Watching the game was me, mom, dad, nana, Richard, Linda and Rochelle.  A little after halftime, I was glad to see that Angela, Blake, Sawyer and Sam stopped by to finish watching the game with us.  Did I mention, they are Auburn fans???  We had a good time and no feelings were hurt :)  They surprised me with an Alabama snowman wreath and gave mom/dad a football platter along with 2 mugs.

After Bama won the game (42 - 14) it was time to leave my baby boy.  I was sad but knew he was in good hands.  Jamie, my cousin, would be staying at the house with him while I was gone.  So thankful that mom suggested I ask her to stay with Roscoe.

two words:  ROLL TIDE!!!!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

I hosted Thanksgiving this year.  We changed it up a little bit and had Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, instead of the traditional Thursday.  We moved it so family could visit their in-laws on actual Thanksgiving.  It was Nana, Uncle Larry,Mike, mom, dad, me, Linda, Richard, Lindsay, Casey, Cameron and Rochelle.

As a bonus, we put up my Christmas tree and Lindsay did an awesome job with the ribbon and bow.  I LOVE IT!

Chris Tomlin concert

John and I went to see Chris Tomlin in concert.  Before the concert, John treated me to dinner at Jackson's.  I then treated to Dreamcakes.  Chris brought along Christy Nockles and Louie Gaglio. It was an awesome night of praise and worship.  John and I both were ready to conquer the world as we left the concert!  I had such a good time and hope that John and I can hang out again.

a day with my 2 best friends

I spent Saturday with my 2 best friends - mom and dad!  We went shopping for the day!  We started out at Target, then dad and I went to Michael's while mom went to TJ Maxx.  Then dad I went to Hallmark to trade out his ornament that I gave him (it was broken).  While parking, we bumped into Kara Henderson, Paul's wife.  Paul was in sports clip getting the boys hair cut.  It was great to catch up with them.  We met back up with mom at Yogurt Mountain.  Paul, Kara and the boys came to say hello to mom.  We learned that Jared was getting baptized today (Sunday).  After saying our goodbyes and exchanging hugs - we headed to BELK. 

Mom had this magic coupon that we got 20% off cosmetics, makeup and shoes!  We went a little crazy, but got things that we needed at a reduced price.  While we were at Belk - dad went to Sam's and took some items back to Kohl's for me.

We finished shopping just in time to get home to watch the Bama vs Mississippi State game.  We had invited Nana to watch it with us and she was in the driveway when we pulled in.  We had tasty hamburgers and hot dogs and watched a very stressful game.  It wasn't a pretty win -- but a WIN. 

It was a great day spent with my family, who means so much to me.

Decking the Halls at mom & dad's

Due to our Disney depature in 3 weeks -- we decided to put up the Disney tree!  Linda, Lindsay, Cameron and Nana spent the night with mom and dad.  Rochelle drove in from Jacksonville and I came over after church.  Dad broke out the waffle machine and everyone had their choice of waffle.  YUM!

By the time I arrived, Lindsay had already put the new mesh ribbon in the tree.  I hung a few ornaments and then Ro and I went to Sam's to get more garland.

By the night's end - both the Disney tree and den tree were up and decorated.  Lindsay also hung the new garland on the handrails and I put some of the mantle and bookshelf decorations out.

We had a great time just being with each other!

Marching Southerners Reunion

This past weekend I went to The Friendliest Campus in the South with Angela, Blake, Sawyer and Sam.  Rochelle met up with us at the stadium.  After a quick run through of one song - we were released from practice.  So, we headed to THE ROCKET!!!!  YUM! 

We chose to stay at The Hampton Inn this year and it was a great idea!  After breakfast we headed to practice.  A few run throughs some of the traditional Southerners music it was time to eat (again).  But, first there was a stop at the bookstore.  I picked up me a new car tag and a baby hat for Brayden.  JSU is the only team that Josh, Lisa and I agree on =)  We had lunch at Roma's.  Vickie, Tracey and Will Starnes met us there and let the cat out of the bag that one of their Gardendale students was considering JSU and Troy.  He wasn't going to Troy on our watch!  A few comments about how we wouldn't visit him at Troy and not send him suprises at Troy - we thought he was seeing our point.  To bring it home, me and the Strickland's bought him the Southerners t-shirt and The Starnes bought him a "I'll go green but I'll never go to Troy shirt".  He laughed so hard!  We weren't staying for the post show but he promised they would.

We watched the first 2 quarters and then did our halftime show.  Then, we hit the road to Birmingham to meet up with mom, dad, Nana, Linda, Lindsay and Cameron.  The goal = make it home before the Bama/LSU kickoff.   Note: The Strickland's are nice Auburn fans; they cheer for us as long as we aren't playing them. We made it in plenty of time to even eat.  Mom and dad had all the food (hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, snacks, etc) ready when we got there.  So, we all ate and sat down to cheer on the Tide.  The game was very stressful.  To say I wasn't happy with the outcome is an understatement.  But, I spent time with people that love me and the sun came up the next morning!

I am so thankful that I have met The Stickland's and The Starnes'!

Grant update:  when I got to church Sunday morning, I turned around and looked at Grant.  He said, "I am recruited".  LOVE IT!!!!! 

Grant getting his "NO TROY" shirt

Me and Angela

Angela, Vickie and me

Angela, me and Tori (last year's recruit)