a very special fella!

I never thought having a step-dad would be so wonderful. We've definitely had our "moments" but I wouldn't trade him for the world! He's like a second dad & calls me {and Sister} his daughters! He's a very special fella & loves my family as his own...he's also pretty awesome to my Ma! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!!! We hope it is wonderful & busy {since that's the way you like it}!!

i got him to smile with a little tickle!

"white legs"

his fav pasttime...a hammock nap after a big crawfish boil!

lots 'o new posts

...read on & check them all out!

a little yard work

Sunday was filled with church, brunch {at a wonderful new place, Paper Mill Grill - TRY IT!}, Lowe's and some yard work. What a success...we got most of our "ideas" done but Hudson & Kevin were left with some serious allergies!! Hopefully my boys are well soon so they can enjoy how pretty the yard looks again!!! {I hope to get some backyard pics up soon!}

my helpers...note: the neighbors were hanging out in the yard b/c of our specticle that people in our neighborhood actually their own yardwork!

what a sweet fella...not sure about the helmet though!

one hard-worker

our new snapdragons & dahlias

3 new gardenia bushes {to replace our dead one}

another gardenia bush that will hopefully grow in our "black hole"

aunt kristin's baby shower

What a fun-filled weekend...Friday the zoo & Saturday, aunt kristin's baby shower {more to follow on Sunday's fun}! What a great group of ladies that gave her the shower. It reminded me a lot of my mom & her friends...each of them had met through the church/church group, had & raised babies together and are now watching them all get married & have babies of their own! I can only hope that my children will be as blessed! Thanks again to them all for throwing her such a fabulous shower with mucho gifts!! I just don't know where it will all fit in their one bedroom condo!! I'll try to keep the pics to a minimum {see Zoo post}.

"boys & their toys" theme

daddy ryan's baby clothes

look at this load of goodies

ryan's grandmom & aunt

i really liked this paper!

ryan's mom

ryan's sister

the hostess gift

a wonderful gift from ryan's grandmom!!

THE ZOO

Last Friday, Mimi and Mallory came up for a quick visit to the Zoo & lunch at Hard Rock Cafe. After 3 1/2 hours...yes 3 1/2 hours...at the zoo, we headed to Hard Rock at 2:15!!! Hudson was such a trooper {I'm thinking Mallory had a lot to do with it} and a sweet boy all day! His favorites were the zebras and panda bears...along with a new favorite, otters!!! He loved the carousel too and could've stayed on all day! I'll leave the rest to the pics please excuse the amount of them!

I mean...how cute!?!?!






the lioness watching out for her cubs

proud daddy

so sweet

the lemars made me laugh...look at them

baby gorilla!

hudson loved the gorillas...the statue was the closest we could get him to hugging one

i thought this was such a sweet pic...the momma comforting the little one

little orangutan dude

baby panda

momma panda keeping watch over little bit

hudson was infatuated

hudson chose the tiger for our first ride & then the otter!!

yea...a pic with mommy in it!

the elephants were out doing tricks! {and hudson did say "Boo" to them!}

lunch at Hard Rock...not complete without a yummy chocolate milkshake!

i think hudson was D-O-N-E at this point {and yes, he requested a cheeseburger, but immediately took the bun off and ate the cheese only!!}

SACKED OUT!!

Our Great Date

For the next 6 months, Buckhead Church is conducting the Great Date Experiment. It is asking every married couple to find SIX days out of 180 to go on a real date and spend quality time together. I'm sure we all get away for dates {big or small}, but they've put together a "how-to" of sorts. They've laid out ideas, but we get to choose all the "options." And, if y'all are anything like me and the Mr, it eliminates the "what do you want to do?"..."I don't know. What do you want to do?" It even gives you dining options on "dimes" or "dollars!" {And for those with little ones, you actually talk about things other than your little ones.}

Our Great Date #1 was Friday night. We started at PF Chang's for Crab Wontons...oh, how I miss that place! It reminded me of my pregnant days...we would venture there almost every Thursday night, sit at the bar, munch on some yummy food, and watch the Thursday night football game! We did steps 1 and 2 in record time, but definitely had some good reminiscing! Nice pic huh?

We had to stop by Target so we decided to skip down to Step 4 before we went for the entree & Step 3. Basically, each of you split up, purchase an item for your spouse - $2 or under - then swap them! We chose to swap in the car, and what else did we get each other but CANDY! How could we resist so close to Easter...Jellybellys for the Mr and Cabury Eggs for yours truly!

Next we headed to Eclipse di Luna and decided to pull up to the bar for quicker service. We ordered margaritas, spicy potatoes, beef tenders with chimichurri, and calamari!!! Can you hear my stomach?! Step 3 made for some good conversations!!

For dessert, we drove over to Seasons 52...we heard they have individual desserts and thought a little variety would be perfect! I think of all the places, we stayed there the longest and had some REALLY great conversations.

Don't get me wrong, we definitely had to put some thought into some of the questions, but it was so great to be "single" again...esp. after the last couple of weeks and Kevin's crazy travel schedule. To finish out the date {the next day}, we watched Fireproof! It was the PERFECT ending! My challenge to all of the tens of you who frequent our blog is to go on your own Great Date! I know we can't wait for Great Date #2 to come out!!! COME ON...DO IT!!!!