Third Time's the Charm?!

Well, I have come to the conclusion that Matt and I were not meant to spend ANY time at the beach this year.  We are very fortunate to be able to travel and enjoy vacations and had planned on spending a week in Destin, leaving tomorrow. Of course with the oil spill, we had to reschedule.  Plan B was to spend the week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Well, I got in from meetings in Memphis on Friday and looked at the weather, only to realize that tropical storm Alex was headed straight towards that location. So, now we are on to plan C.  I am really hoping that this trip works out because this girl can't take too much more of these last minute changes. 

So, drum roll please...we have completely decided to forget the beach and Matt and I will fly out to Chicago on Monday morning.  Broadway shows, Cubs game, Navy Pier, the zoo, and of course the SHOPPING!  I was pretty excited about the beach, but this just gives me an excuse to book a LAVISH beach vacation next summer, right?!  I am really looking forward to just spending time away with Matt and making more wonderful memories together.  We have also just booked a trip to NYC for Christmas.  We'll stay 4 days. Christmas is my favorite time of year and I keep telling myself I HAVE to see that tree in Rockefellar Center all lit up! We'll get to hang out with Stefanie and Brian while we're there too!!

But as far as this little get-away is concerned, wish us luck, we are off to Chicago!

We LOVE Visitors!!

Well, I didn't do too great on the picture taking this weekend...again!  I guess when I find myself having so much fun, I forget to pull my camera out.  Brent and Gina came in from Monroe this weekend and we had the best time!! As soon as they arrived on Friday, we hit the ground running.  We started the night at The Fountain. Gina and I enjoyed some wine while the boys played a "serious" game of shuffleboard. (I believe it could be their new favorite game.) Sushi Cafe was next on the agenda.  One of mine and Matt's favorites, and I think it won Brent and Gina over too.  We had a table reserved at Ferneau at 10:00 and met a big group of people down there.  We had a great time visiting and ended the night at a local wine bar right down the street. 

Sarah, Kyndall, Me, Gina and Heather

Matt and Brent

Kyndall and Me

Love of my Life

Saturday started with a LOT of sleeping.  Matt and Brent decided not to play golf so we all went to lunch at Cantina Laredo to enjoy some margaritas.  Afterwards, the boys came back to the house to watch the U.S. Open while Gina and I went to every boutique we could before 5:00.  We found some great stuff.  I was very proud of myself because I only bought a hat and bathing suit for the beach.  That's VERY good for me!  We got back to the house in time to lounge around and then headed to YaYa's for dinner at 7:30. We met Jules and Jason, Kyndall, David and Sarah.  Dinner was so relaxing!!  We had drinks, enjoyed great food, dessert and most of all the wonderful company!! We ended the night there around 10:00 and headed home.  I was so ready to crawl into our bed! 

Brent and Gina left early this morning to get home for Father's Day.  We went to Bible class and church where we are reading about Jonah right now.  Chuck's lesson was awesome.  It really stuck with me!  Today is also a special day and I want to wish my AMAZING DAD a Happy Father's Day!!  I can't begin to sum up all the great things he has taught me, or describe all the MANY christian examples he has set for me, I just know that I couldn't be more blessed to be his daughter.  My entire life I have been so proud to be a Garner.  Thank you Dad for always loving me, teaching me never to give up, and to always put God and family first!!  I love you!!!

2009

2007

We are getting very excited for our vacation to Playa del Carmen!!  I have mentally already left for the beach, which is not good because I have meetings in Memphis all this next week.  Matt is going to Monroe to fish with the boys, so I will be so excited to get back and see him and spend the next 5 days in Mexico.  And the countdown begins...6 days until these pink toes are in the sand!!!   

I Heart Lazy Weekends

What a nice and relaxing weekend!!  Matt's mom and dad came in town to stay with us.  I took an office day on Friday and finished the last bit of cleaning and shopping before they got here at 1:00.  It was a weekend full of eating, so the "watching portions and what I eat" starts again tomorrow.  We took them to Alley Oops for lunch and hung around the house all afternoon.  Matt, being the incredible chef that he is, grilled some steaks, zucchini, squash and onions, and also whipped up his twice baked potatoes for dinner.  :)  Best meal I've had in a LONG time.  I enjoy when they come in town because the weekend is full of relaxation.  We were in bed both nights by 10:00, and that's great with me! 

Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market downtown and I loved it. It was my first time to go so I bought a bunch of flowers for the kitchen and living room.  We ate lunch at The Flying Fish.  (delicious) and came home for a 2 hour nap.  Perfect Saturday!!  That night, the four of us met Kyndall at Cantina Laredo for mexican!  (Ms. Andree' LOVED the margaritas :)

She and Larry had to leave early Sunday morning so they didn't get to go with us to church, but the service and Bible class were great as always.  We are hooked on brunch at YaYa's. Great food and $2 Bloody Mary's and Mimosas.  Once again, we made time for a lazy afternoon nap and then I was off to Dillards to find Matt a bathing suit for Mexico. Of course I came home with his bathing suit, some cute wedges, Antonio Milani flip-flops, two polo shirts for Matt and William Rast jeans for me, as well as two adorable nightgowns from VS.  SERIOUSLY!?!?!  I have a problem...but isn't the first step at least identifying that :)  I can only say that I am my mother's daughter. Love you Mom!!

Matt and I just got back from a long walk. We try to take a couple of those a week together. Just some time for us.  Now for dinner and bed.  It's going to be a busy week with Matt sodding some of our yard and me working.  We are looking forward to Brent and Gina coming in to stay with us next weekend.  I wasn't very good with pictures this weekend, but there will be lots to come after next. 

Family Fun

We had another great weekend that went by way too fast!  Matt and I went to Rogers (of course to see all my family, but mostly the two little angels I love so much.) Matt and I met Mom and Dad at Abuelo's for dinner on Friday night and enjoyed some yummy Mexican and then headed over to Landon and Brandi's to see Emma (Brynlee was already in bed.) Matt got to hold her for the first time. 

I can't get over how tiny she looks with him.

Saturday morning was spent eating biscuits and gravy (my favorite, but only when my mom makes them).  Matt was studying for a test, so he stayed at the farm while Mom, Kyndall and I went to Fayetteville to run some errands. And by errands, I mean MASON'S our favorite boutique.  Well, about $300 later, we left (that place gets me every time) and went to grab a mocha from Panera and headed to Landon's to spend the afternoon with the girls. 

BC was so cute...she was watching Matt who was "gonna get her"

in this picture.

Aunt B with Emma

A little smile...

This is Brynlee's new face...it's so funny!

My sweet Dad with his second grand-daughter

I don't think I ever got a picture of me holding Emma?

Brandi and Brynlee (she had been helping Landon

with her little paintbrush :)

You can never get enough pictures of sweet babies.

Saturday night we grilled out shrimp and had tons to eat at Mom and Dad's. We then watched Avatar on satellite. I had never seen the movie and thought that it was great.  I can see how it won so many awards. We got back to Little Rock last night and have a lot to do this week.  Work is going great (I am hoping to win a contest for growth in my territory - the reward is a $500 Visa gift card.) I am keeping my fingers crossed!!  Matt is finished with this semester of school on Wednesday.  He will have a month off until he starts back for his next to last semester before graduating.  Needless to say, Wednesday will be a date night to celebrate his hard work. We are going to have a week full of yard work and just catching up on everything around here.  Matt's parents will be in town this next weekend to visit and we are looking forward to that. I swear, I was looking at the calendar and we have something going on every weekend through August 6. I guess that means I will be posting some fun and exciting blogs as well.   

Emma Grace

Yes, this is the new little addition to our BIG family. Emma Grace Garner was born at 7:49 on June 1, 2010.  She weighed 6 lbs. 11 ounces and was 20 inches long.  She has the long Garner fingers (best used when playing the piano) and is absolutely beautiful.  Her hair has a little more red in it, not as dark as Brynlee's was. And Big Sister Brynlee is doing great too. 

I drove up to Rogers on Monday afternoon, Matt couldn't come because of clinicals.  I stayed with Landon and Brandi who left for the hospital at 5:00 a.m.  I got to be with Miss Brynlee all day and get her up and around and ready to meet her baby sister.  A couple of things that I made note of during this experience since Matt and I don't have kids yet.

• You better be completely ready when a one-year old is up and going in full force. (I didn't get a chance to shower, hair was in a ponytail and I was lucky to have brushed my teeth and thrown on some make-up before we left the house)
• My attitude completely changes in the car when I have precious cargo with me. I was the one on the road doing 10 under and getting pissed if anyone came to close to my car while Brynlee was in it.
• Pulling a small child's hair into a ponytail is QUITE a chore.  I did it twice - looked awful the first time and fell down the second time.  Aunt Kia just pulled it back in a bow and that worked.
• You really need 3 extra arms when leaving the house with a child. I had Brynlee in one, my purse, her little back-pack full of books, games, etc., bag of snacks and a diaper bag.  WOW! 

These are all little things that I am learning before kids come into the picture for Matt and I.  Spending time with Brynlee yesterday was perfect.  She truly is the sweetest little thing in the world and I cherish every little memory I get to make with her.  Holding Emma just makes me excited to see her grow.  I am blessed to be the aunt of 3 nieces and 2 nephews now!!  Here are some pics from my quick trip to Rogers. Many more to come after this weekend since we'll be back in Rogers for Matt to meet Emma.

This munchkin loves my wallet/purse.

Say "cheese" (Her shirt said BIG SISTER and so did her

bow)

Proud Daddy of another sweet girl

I think this picture is so sweet!

While I was holding her, I just couldn't stop

staring at her.