Thursday, October 30, 2014

Hall of Fame

I spent about 16 hours flying to and from Las Vegas Tuesday.  My dad was inducted into the Hall of Fame at The World Waterpark Association.  So proud of my Dad and all of his accomplishments. 
 
This was the view from the plane as we were approaching Vegas. Pretty awesome.

 


The WWA Convention was held at Paris Hotel and Casino.  By the time we landed and got there, we has about an hour free time before the ceremony started.  We walked across the street to the Bellagio to see their Conservatory.  It was all done up for Fall/Thanksgiving and was fabulous.



A lot of the displays were made with fresh flowers and natural elements. Just beautiful and smelled so good.






Halloween Parties

If you know us, you know we love us some Halloween. We are invited to an annual Halloween Party each year and everyone dresses up.  As much as I love Halloween, I am frugal where costumes are concerned.  I love the thrill and creativity of putting together and making parts or all of a costume myself and refuse to pay in upwards of $100 for any costume!
So this year Emerson wanted to be a bat.  She just had her mind made up and their was no convincing her to be part of a family costume.  And she also had a very clear idea of what she wanted it to look like.  Wonder where that comes from...  So, here is our bat!  Cost less than $30 and the shirt and skirt can be worn again!


 And here we are. Do you know who we are? All Denny's idea.  I just had to execute.  Both of our suits came from Goodwill and each was less than $10.  Yes, that's correct...  The black crows came from the Dollar Tree on Siegen Lane as did my blond wig.  Birds were .99 each and the wig was $8. Fake blood came from the party store for $3.00.  I may still have blisters on my fingers from sewing all those damn birds on, because hot glue just would not hold them on. 


I guess I could always reuse the suit to dress up as Mama from Mama's Family next year...  Bonus!

Dean's List

Everyone knows we are proud of Emerson.  I say it here all the time.  3rd grade at Dunham is the first year that you receive real grades.  Last year, we got number grade equivalents, so to actually see a grade is very exciting to Emerson and to us. First Quarter report cards came out and she got all A's. Of course we are beyond thrilled.  Yesterday, Emerson received a letter in the mail from Dunham.  It was congratulating and notifying her for being on the Dean's List.  She was beside herself and I wont lie and say there may have been a few proud tears shed. 

LSU vs. Ole Miss

LSU vs. Ole Miss...  To say we needed the win is an understatement.  This game is on my list of Top 5 best games to have been at in Tiger Stadium.
 



Friday, October 17, 2014

Hummingbirds

We love hummingbirds around here.  The first sight of them in our yard sends us scrambling to get the sugar water out so they will stay around a little longer.  I actually got some shots of one that was hanging out and stayed perched on top of the metal hook for what seemed like hours.  I played with the effects of the pictures so it would be easier to see this little guy.
 



Thursday, October 16, 2014

Fall Break 2014- Rosemary Beach

We had Fall Break this past weekend, so we took off and went to our happy place- Rosemary Beach.  The kids had Monday and Tuesday off and considering Emerson is doing so well in school, we let her miss the Friday before.  We left from the carpool line Thursday afternoon and headed straight there.  The Avery's came with us and we all shared a pretty awesome home in Rosemary.  The kids had a ball and we could not have asked for better beach weather.  After spending 5 days on the beach in October, I am not sure why we would ever go back to the beach in the summer months.  It was just that wonderful.  Not hot, but sunny and the water was the perfect temperature.  Water was crystal clear which Emerson was very happy about.  This kid snorkeled from the time we hit the beach until we made her get out. Lola jumped right on in with her after a day.
 






Eli just wants to be big like the girls so bad and would head right on out in the water with them at times. 
 Emerson and Lola having a little fun.
 And Eli getting in on the fun with Emerson.



 Seriously, look at Emerson's legs...

 There were lots of people being buried, a few holes dug and only 1 sandcastle built.  We all spent a lot of time out in the water and playing in the surf.  And of course the girls spent 99% of their time hunting for seashells and sand dollars.


 
Lauren took this picture and I think it will go down as one of my all time favorites.  There were several days that we spent all day until almost sunset on the beach.  The sun was setting and Em was still hunting for treasures.




 Our last day and the weather just wasn't on our side.

 Crazy skies and the wind was brutal.  I think this was about the time we stared heading in.





There were OH SO MANY treasures and we couldn't bring them all home.  These are the ones she is the most proud of.  All of her snorkeling paid off!

Until we meet again Rosemary Beach.  You are always in my dreams...