Happy Birthday Mimi

I know I know - Mim's birthday was almost a month ago ... but when I took the pictures they somehow saved to the internal memory of my camera - so I had to figure out how to get them.

We went to La Parilla - for some yummy Mexican food - and some great service (by the best waitress ever - we even took a picture with her .... ha ha ha)

Happy Birthday Mimi!

And by the looks of it you would have thought we were there for Payton's birthday - good thing Mimi doesn't mind sharing the spotlight!

1st Trip of the Season

Last weekend - we packed up the truck and headed down to the lake. It was nice weather, a little chilly - but great to get away for a few days.

Payton was not convinced that should couldn't go in the "wawa" (water) so we had to find other things to make her entertained.

We hung the swing on the back porch and swung (is that a word?) for what seemed like forever.

The we went on a long walk.
And played on the neighbor's playground.

And swung (again) on the big girl swings.

And just in case you run into him - please tell Mr. Spring we are ever so ready for his arrival.

Is It Spring Yet?

Our incredibly sweet neighbor's passed down to us their Little Tikes play equipment. Their kids have gotten too big for these and gladly gave them to Payton. They are in great shape - and after all Free is Free!

After some bleach and a little pressure washing by daddy - they were good as new!

And Payton had a blast walking in and out of all the holes and doors!

And you know the girl loves her some "ides" (Slides)
So hopefully the weather will warm up and stay warm so we can get our backyard cleaned up and ready to play in!

Bring on Spring!

The Motherload

I am a little behind on my blogging - but we've been pretty busy these past couple of weeks. Anyhow...

Two weeks ago Mom and I hit up two consignment sales that they were having in Fayetteville. When I say I hit the Motherload - I really mean we racked up some great deals.

We were a little unsure if there were going to be a whole lot of "good stuff" let since we went on Saturday and the sale started on Friday. But not only did we find a whole bunch of "good stuff" most of it was included in the 1/2 price sale.

So..... for $150.00 look at what we got!

Seriously - an entire summer wardrobe. I didn't even bother counting what all we had clothes wise - it's a lot. We got a few smocked summer dresses that retail way over $30 in boutiques for like $5 and $10 - one even still had tags on it! And more sun dresses, shorts and shirts then you can imagine. I paid $ .25 and $ .50 for some of the t-shirts that are great for play clothes. And we really were quite impressed - everything was in great shape. We even picked up an Old Navy swim suit that doesn't look like it's ever been worn for $1.00. Oh - and a set of monitors for the lake for $2.50 - yes you read that correct!

And how about 8 pairs of shoes and a pair of dress up slippers with Snow White. For all you savvy mom's out there - yes the pink pair in the back and the green pair in the front are "Puddle Jumpers" I paid $2.00 a pair for them! Ha - beat that $40 pairs of shoes! And two pairs of Stride Rite tennis shoes - one for $3.00 one for $2.50. None of them even had dirt on the bottoms!


And how about a Leap Frog Jr. Reading System with 6 book for $15.00


And the find of the day...... The Cozy Coupe - $10.00.

Mom picked up a baby doll bed and matching stroller for $3.00 and some puzzles for like $ .50. Oh, and a kindergarten mat for $2.50 - I know P's a while away from needing one but she likes to lay on the floor at Grammy's house and it works perfect.

Oh, and I almost forgot - Kathy went to the sale on Friday and got a convertible crib that is beautiful for $100.00 - and it included the mattress!

I may never shop retail again!

With Love on Valentine's Day

It was a pretty low key Valentine's Day. We are fighting colds at our house so the extent of the celebrating was.....

Daddy cooked Breakfast....

We ate it....

Gave each other our Valentines......

And watched movies in our jammies all day.

Daddy said it was the best Valentine's ever - no where to go, no one to see, and not getting dressed, snuggling with his girls! Guess he's right!

Snow Day

Yes, it really did snow that much in Georgia! So stick that in your Global Warming Juice Box and suck on it!

Just kidding - it snowed, we attempted to play in it - but Payton did not like having that many clothes on nor did she like the snow getting on her!

I think Mimi and Drew had the most fun - they threw snowballs and attempted to slide down the front yard!

Payton just wasn't having it! She kept telling me "Mama, Boots Boots Boots" apparently she did not like the snow getting on her favorite boots! Oh, for the love of shoes - she really is my child!

We tried and we tried to get her to play.....then she decided she would just run away from the snow!

Papa of course rescued her and told her she could go inside and didn't have to play if she didn't want to. That Papa - always letting her do whatever she wants. She told him "Cold" and so we all went inside!

Maybe next year - if we ever get this much snow again - she'll want to play in it!

A Trip to the Great Smokey Mountains

For years now, Drew and I have enjoyed going to Gatlinburg, TN for a great winter getaway. The town has special meaning to us, we honeymooned there, we spent our 1st anniversary there, and the 3rd one too, and now the 7th one. I know 7 years - hard to believe we are getting that old! So we thought - lets head up there for a long weekend and take Payton to the aquarium.

We had a great time - it's always nice to get away from all the stress at home and reconnect. Plus little Miss Payton had our undivided attention and that always makes her happy.

Here's a rundown of our trip.

Note to self: there are not enough movies, books, toys, and snacks to keep a 1 year old entertained for a 4.5 hour car ride in her daddy's bumpy truck!

Here we are setting out for the Mountains!

And here we are 20 minutes from being there! Notice the difference.

And I am pretty sure Drew was ready to be out of the car too - if not just to quit hearing me ask how much longer! Note to Drew: You wife stinks at being the passenger!

After we FINALLY arrived at the cabin - it was time to stretch our legs out and check everything out.

Our View was breathtaking.....


And our Cabin was quaint.


Payton thought the porch swing was the coolest thing.

Then we got BACK IN THE TRUCK - to go find some dinner! We ate at a place that claimed the "Best Ribs in America!" And let me tell you they were! Payton was good for the most part - just fidgety from sitting all day!

When we got back to the cabin - she took a bath - I believe she thought the bath was even cooler then the porch swing! She was so funny trying to "swim" in the tub!

Saturday Morning we got up and got ready, and headed out to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Great Smokey Mountains! It has always been my favorite aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium hasn't got a thing on this one. Plus since we went in the off season - nothing was crowded. We let Payton just run from tank to tank and enjoy all the fish.

Here she is making her best fish face to the GIANT catfish! Daddy told her those would be "Good Eatin" - Good Grief how redneck!

The tropical fish tank was her favorite - we must have stayed at this tank for a good 10 minuets. She tried her hardest to get the fish's attention.

Then after a quick lunch and a nap at the cabin - we headed further up the mountain to Ober Gatlinburg - the area's ski resort. And while there was plenty of snow, Payton was too little to even ride the sleds - really you need to be 3 years old to sit on your Daddy's lap and go down a dinky little hill! Sheesh!

But we did manage to play in the snow for a little bit - and that was FREE!

It was warm enough not to need a jacket - which was a plus for playing!

Then that afternoon we headed to Cade's Cove for a drive. It's a nature preserve with lots of big deer and turkey's that you can't shoot at! So really Drew was the only one that thought this was cool - Payton watched a movie!

It was a great weekend! Great Family Time - and Great Memories!


I am so blessed to have been married to this man for the past 7 years of my life! Hard to believe it's been 11 since I first met him!


Thanks Daddy for a great weekend! We love you!

By Invitation Only

You had to be on the guest list to attend this tea party - and Bitty and the "Bweaw" were the VIPs.

And the host was so friendly - with kissing her guest and all - she must be from Europe!

And something tells me there was more then just Tea in those cups buy the way she was turnin' em' up!

Rock My World...Little Country Girl

I had forgotten all about these pictures from Drew's birthday (way back on Dec. 2)!

Grandma Kathy had them on her phone.

Yes, Drew picked the redneck steakhouse in Senoia for his birthday dinner. And yes we took our baby to a karaoke bar! But she had a blast dancing - and that's all that matter's right. It really doesn't matter that you ran into like 50 people you know, and they all had that look on their face - "Wow, can't believe Drew & Krystal have Payton at a bar"! Oh, well - we really are rednecks I guess! But hey all of you reading this - it takes one to know one!