Ocean Bound

Well, here I am after midnite...still getting ready for vacation....James and I are good for waiting until the last minute...We tend to work well under pressure....Ha ha...Sounds good? Right? He is looking for some socks for the kids, and I snuck in here to blog really quick...I am planning on taking a little "blogging vacation" too...I blogged a play by play of our Orlando trip with AMTC...because so many of our friends and family wanted to know how Macey was doing...This trip is purely for rest and relaxation....=) and soaking up some sun!!! and enjoying time with precious friends.....So, my vacation plans do not involve blogging...There it was..I said it..It was a difficult desicion to make, but it is made...=) But, I know that there are people out there that read my blog...and simply don't comment...Make my week!! Leave a comment!! I would love to come home, and check my blog, and get to read comments from everyone that checked it!! I challenge you...dare you...double dog dare you...Leave a comment..It is fun...Everyone is doing it...Enough peer pressure, right?

Hope everyone has a wonderful week...Enjoy it, because the summer is coming to an abrubt end...and I don't like it...Be back next week....

Basketball Camp

Ian and Macey attended Basketball at church this week...and they had a great time...It kept us running the roads all week though...back and forth, back and forth 4 times each day.....I am glad we live close to the church....Anyway...here are a few pics from the awards today...Ian got the Mr. Hustle award...for those of you who know Ian....it is very fitting...and Miss Macey got the Best Sportsmanship award....She is such a good little girl...always has a positive attitude...I had a great time this week too...catching up with some old friends...and watching the kids have a great time playing some basketball....Ian's team...His trophies....Macey's team....and her trophies.....Macey posing with her good friend, Miss Allie....Have a good night....Let's go to work....=(

A New Addition to the Family......

Our cat, Milly is now a mother...No, I am not kidding...We found out she was expecting a few weeks ago...I haven't blogged about it, because we weren't 100%....I thought she would have them in the next couple of weeks...but she had this cute little kitten today.....She only had one...so, we don't have to worry about having to get rid of any kittens...because Macey and Cade have already talked James into keeping this one....=) She is so sweet with it...The kids are infatuated with watching her take care of the little guy or girl....So, thought I had to share a few pics of the new little family with everyone.... The proud mommy...or "grandmommy" as the case may be...(Milly is HER cat)
Milly seemed so proud of herself...She went straight to the kitten and showed it to us...
Looking up at James....We are definitely planning on getting Miss Milly "fixed" as soon as the kitten is 6 weeks old.....we don't want this to happen again.....=) But we are thrilled with this little guy...The kids are working on a name...Will post more pics as he/she grows.....Hope everyone is having a good week....

I Have Been Published....

Sort of...

Yesterday, Macey's director from AMTC emailed me back and forth concerning our "plans"....I had sent her a link to my blog so she could see some of the pics from AMTC that I had taken.....and she loved my blog...the next thing I know she had sent the link to the entire AMTC staff....and had emailed me back asking if they could publish a link to my blog on the AMTC website....I agreed...and it is on there...Be sure to check it out...So Cool...=)

http://www.amtcworld.com/blog

I shoot my first wedding today...Say a prayer for me...I am nervous, but excited at the same time....Hope everyone has a good weekend.....

Birthday Fun

I had a great day today spending it with some of my good friends....Heather and Lisa....There is nothing like a birthday spent with people you love....I went to lunch with a few of my friends from work...We took the kids to Woodland Park, and let them play and had a picnic lunch...We had a great time, just watching them play and catching up....Most of the time when we are together, we are at work...and there just isn't much "time" to talk...So today, we enjoyed each other's company...Thanks girls for a great day.....The kids on the tire swing....The gang eating lunch....Playing-Landon, Rebecca, Ian and MaceyI told you I would post this one...Love you Lis!!!!;)Tonight we went to eat at Salsarita's (my favorite restaurant) and Christy and Hunter met us there, and then the boys went back to their house to swim....We had a great time...It was dark when we attempted this photo with a cell phone...so this is the best pic we got...We will take our pictures together when we do our "photo session" at the beach!!! Promise!!While the boys were at Christy's, Macey, James and I went by my mom's house to visit...and they gave me my gift...Money...=) Now, I can go get something for me...Yippee...Thanks!!!! Love you guys!!!!

When we finally got home, James and the kids gave me their gift...which I LOVE!!!! The Nikon D200!!!!! I have lusted over this camera for quite sometime now...so this is the perfect gift for me...I can't wait to shoot with it...gonna be having some camera fun over the next day or so.... Just call me Vanna.....Me and my precious crew....We had a great evening together...just spending time together...There is nothing that I would want more for my bday or any day...Love you guys...Thanks for making my day a great one....Reading my cards...I love my hair!!! Just had it cut and colored Tuesday...and I love how it looks in this photo...=)James has spent every birthday with me since I was 16 years old...WOW!! You sure have put up with me a long time honey...But I am so glad you have...You are the best...Thanks for my camera...and my wonderful day...Love you....(Ian took this picture and he was laughing....)

Well, I have a few more pics that I would like to post...but everyone has went to bed..and I am going too...maybe I will add a few more tomorrow...or maybe not...I think I will go to bed dreaming of my camera...I am so excited...Good night....

I would like to present....

This blog award was on one of the blog's that I read, Today's Creative Blog....She did something great, that I wanted to do also....so, just call me a copycat....Hee hee =) So many blog awards are out there...and people receive them for many different reasons....I read quite a few blogs on a daily basis....and for one reason or another , they always make me smile....I have some precious, blogging friends, some that I know personally, and some that I only know if "Blogworld"....So, today, on my birthday, I would like to present this "You Rock" award to everyone and anyone who reads my blog!!! Congratulations guys!!! Because if you blog at all, YOU ROCK!!!! (Copy this award to your computer, and put in on your blog!!) Feel free to be proud of your award, because you deserve it.....Have a great day!!! I am meeting some friends of mine from work for lunch...Will try to take some pics of my "birthday festivities" and post them later on today....Have a great one!!!

Randomness

There hasn't been much "blogworthiness" in my life for the last couple of days....The reason for my "lack of posts"....Life back from vacation is sort of boring....you know what I am talking about..... laundry, cleaning, laundry....Did I mention laundry? Honestly...as OCD as I am...I still am unpacking suitcases....It makes me crazy...but I am also working too....I think I should just stop that...but James doesn't see that the same way....It is definitely on my list of things to do though...Ha ha ha....

We have attended a few things this week in the afternoons....Birthday party, Cookout...and tonight a "Dinner" for the All-Star team....plus working....yuck...Ian and Macey both had physicals today...which included the dreaded S-H-O-T...Yes...but they both did very well...Not so much as a peep out of either one of them....Ian was very nervous, but realized quickly that it wasn't a big deal...Everyone checked out good...and we are ready for school!!! I can't believe that I just said that...but it is true...I asked them today, and they are excited about it...So, I am glad...It is always much easier to see them go back to school if they are not dreading it....

We are waiting for letters from the school...about teachers....Letters were mailed yesterday, so we should find out in the next day or so...what teacher our kids have...They are excited to find out who they get...and what friends will be in their class....The phone usually rings off the wall, the day we get our letter....

I am shooting my first wedding this weekend...I am so excited!!! It is a big step for me, but I am so looking forward to it...James is going to go as my lovely assistant...which has been working really well....He helps me so much, when we are doing a big event like this....So We are EXCITED!!

Fun Fest is a local thing where we live...It is a week long event that has lots of community activities....for the kids...ect...It is hot, and crowded, and we don't participate...I usually go to the beach this week...and this week, I remembered why.....

I usually go to the beach this week...because of my birthday....Yes, I didn't think I would blog it..but I did...It is my 35th birthday tomorrow...Can you believe that? I can't....Where does the time go? I am spoiled...and think I deserve to be at the beach on my birthday...Hee...heee....Just didn't work out this year...but I will be ocean side in about 9 days!!! and counting.....Can't wait....=)

Macey has had an offer from an agency out of Nashville...They want to sign her...EXCITING!!! We are talking back and forth with our director, Stephanie....but the ball is rolling!!Woo Hoo!! We are still considering the NY/LA options as well....We received this picture yesterday that we had taken at convention...I like it...it's a pretty good pic of us all...

A few of my good friends have birthdays in July too....So, this is my little Happy Birthday to YOU!!! We share the BEST month in the year to have a bday...Summer time!!! Happy Birthday to Sarah, Tina, Amie, Sherry and Jennifer....Love you guys and hope you have the BEST birthday ever....

Well, I have rambled on about nothing...but I posted something...so I can smile..My readers won't be disappointed when they click on my blog...and don't see the same title...I have succeeded in that aspect...=) Hope everyone has a great week....(what's left of it..)

I'm Letting Go

Love.Love.Love this song!!!! She is a new Christian artist...Fransesca Battistelli, and it is just exactly what I need right now....God is in control...and "I am Letting Go, of the plan I have for me!!"

Much Needed Down Time...

This weekend has been a much needed break....James and Ian are in Nashville, TN for the State Baseball tournament(they are on their way home now)....so it is just me and the kids....We got home from Florida on Tuesday night, and I had to work Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night...had a photography appointment today, and now I am just sitting here.....doing nothing...which has been good...I am getting ready for bed, but thought I would post a little something....=) because I just feel the "need" ;)

After my photo session today, I took Macey and Cade to the movies...to see Wall-e....and it was such a cute movie...Cade and Macey both really enjoyed it....We got popcorn (the first time I have had it, since I started my diet...btw...I have lost 22 lbs. now Yippee!) and just had a good time "being together". We got into the theater 30 minutes before the movie started and believe me, we engaged in some serious conversation during this time frame.....After the movie, I went to see my friend, Natalie (the girl who does my nails) and got myself a pedicure...Macey and Cade sat there and waited for me, and they were very good...I was a proud mom...We came home after that...changed into our pj's...and did nothing...Christy, my good friend, was at home by herself, and I invited her over, and we just sat and watched Disney channel with Macey and Cade, drank coffee (with Coconut Creamer) and talked....Good times...I don't know if Christy and I have EVER gotten together like that by ourselves...but it was nice...Love you girl!!! My weekend may sound boring...but it definitely was what I needed....Going non stop has just about caught up with me....plus the lack of sleep from working nights...So, now, I am going to wrap this post up...and I am hitting the sack...Hope everyone has a great weekend....After getting some much needed rest, I am sure mine is going to be much better.....Good night....

As Promised....Disney Pictures

Here is the front of the Gaylord...I took a photo as we were checking out....This was one of my favorite places that we have ever stayed...and we are already planning our return to this fantastic resort..... As were were driving into the Disney area...we went under this sign....It even makes an adult excited...about going to Disney.....Yippee!
Here is our first view of Cinderella's castle....It takes my breath every time I see it...The kids were so excited....I know I said we "didn't do" characters...but we happened to run into Chip and Dale as soon as we entered the park...so here is our one and only "Character Photo"...
Cade's face was priceless...He was so excited to be in the Magic Kingdom....and there was just so much for him to take in.....This was taken on Main St. as soon as we entered the park....Too cute.
Here is a picture of me and the kids...We watched the show at Cinderella's castle....Cade loved it....Here is another picture from the show....Riding the Buzz Lightyear ride....James and Macey getting ready for the "ride" Riding the tea cups...I passed on this one...because James spins the thing entirely too fast....my stomach won't take it......so I just watched....Alice and the Mad Hatter were in line in front of James and the kids to ride the tea cups...Too cool....Sitting in Minnie's Living room...chilling out....Cade acting "innocent" wearing a Tigger hat.....Is that Minnie Mouse? and of course Stitch.....too cute...Riding the Goofy Roller Coaster....Cade loved this ride!!!My beautiful little lady, riding the Carousel....My handsome guy....The little guy...having a great time at Disney Ian attempting to remove the Sword from the Stone.....Getting ready to watch Mickey's Philhar Magic....I love this movie....My fav part of the Magic Kingdom....Riding on Dumbo....Macey and DaddyWho needs Jack Sparrow? When you have James.....Ha...ha...ha... Riding Aladdin's flying carpet....Love this pic...Getting ready to watch the SpectrMagic parade....everyone was exhausted....Macey with her baby Simba...that she bought....Love to see the balloons, lights, at night.....Mickey at the beginning of the parade.... Fairies.....Cinderella and her Prince Charming....Ian spent his own money on these suckers for the kids...He gave them to Cade and Macey the next day on the drive home...He is such a sweetie....The kids were excited to get them opened....There are lots of stories that I could share about our day at Disney....but I decided to just post a bunch of pics, and not focus so much on all the details....because that could take forever...and I think I have taken up enough posts on this trip....We had a great vacation....Glad to be home...We have a couple of weeks at home, and then we are off to Tybee Island....right before school begins....Hope everyone has a great weekend....