Nothing Compares to Nieces!!

This weekend was spent in Rogers and it was so nice to do absolutely NOTHING but spend time with my brother's family.  Matt and I picked up a pizza from Guido's Friday night and headed to Landon's house.  I got to give Brynlee a bath, read to her before bedtime, rock her and lay her down.  I just love that little girl so much!!  Landon and Brandi are so good to let Matt and I step in and do things, we love it!!  I was laying her down to go to bed and she looks up, smiles at me, and says "Key-Key".  I truly fall more in love with her everytime I see her!!

(kind of blurry, taken with the phone)

Saturday morning we got up early and made french toast, bacon, eggs..it was the works and very delicious.  I got to spend most of the morning (while Brynlee was napping) holding Emma Grace.  I just watched t.v. while she slept on my stomach.  She's such a great baby!! 

Sound asleep on me...

The most beautiful little thing

Saturday was spent running a couple of errands and that night Landon and Brandi had the Smith's and the Ware's over for dinner.  We all had such a great time visiting.  I sware, WHEN we move back to Rogers, I will enjoy being able to spend much more time with great friends that I have missed for so long. 

Sunday we went to church and then Landon grilled steaks while Brandi (I like to call her SUPERMOM :) made loaded baked potatoes, grilled veggies, corn on the cob and salad.  Needless to say, Matt and I were ready for a nap, but had to get on the road. 

What a great weekend!!  Matt and I are so blessed to love our families so much!!  It's when we have the most fun, just everyone being together.

Big Bummer

I am just a little bummed right now...I have had to cancel our Christmas vacation to NYC due to work.  I can't go into a lot of details for privacy reasons, but because of the expected launch of a new drug, we are not allowed to take any additional vacation in November or December.  Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I have been really looking forward to the shopping, ice skating, Rockefellar Center, etc.  I'm trying to have a good attitude about it, but it's a little difficult! 

On a brighter note, it IS Wednesday, and we're half way through the week.  Matt has a test tmrw, Friday and Monday.  I have so much administrative work to complete it is crazy!!  We are really looking forward to the weekend in Rogers.  I can't wait to love on my nieces, see my grand-parents, and go out with good friends. 

Monday we went out for Julianna's birthday.  Here are a couple of pictures taken at the Capital Bar where we all had drinks after work. 

Good times!!  I am now ready to finish up the week and head home!!

Fun at Ferneau

We spent this weekend in Little Rock and it was absolutely WONDERFUL!  We have been out of town for the past three weekends so I was ready to be at home. Even though we were in town, there was still a whole lot going on.  Friday night, we went to Conway and had dinner with Jake and Lindsay Swift.  I work with Linz, but we never get to see each other.  Matt and I went to see their new home (and puppy), both are great!  After enjoying margaritas on the patio, we headed to Marketplace for dinner.  It was a good night of visiting and catching up...much needed!!

Saturday, was filled with running 2.5 miles, the Farmer's Market, the grocery store, car maintenance, anything that NEEDED to be done was.  Matt spent the entire day studying, he's got a big test on Monday.  (I have to brag for a bit, he's been in school 2 weeks this semester and already had two tests.  On both those tests he made 100%!!!)  I love my little smarty-pants!!!

Saturday night we headed to Ferneau for the BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY!!  We have so many friends that have birthdays in July (Jules, Sabrina, Tim, Brandy, Shea, David, Shelby, Devon and the list goes on...) so we rented out the private room at Ferneau and invited the whole gang.  A lot of people were there and everyone had a great time. Matt and I only stayed until around 12:30 because of church this morning, but it's always so much fun to get dressed up and have such a great time with friends. 

Kojies!! (Heather, Lauren and I went to Harding together and had

to get a picture :)

Picture of all the girls

Marissa, Sarah, Lucas and Michael

Kyndall, Shelby and Me - love both these girls!

Always have to get a picture with my beautiful sis

(Ignore the green plant growing out of my head :)

Two of the guests of honor - David and Sabrina

Best looking guy there!

Another attempt for a girls picture...

Julianna and Me

I would have taken more pictures, but like I said, we didn't stay as late as everyone else did. 

This morning we went to YaYa's for brunch after church...I forgot how much I miss that place, since we've been gone so much. Matt is studying and I'm going to spend the afternoon being lazy. This next weekend we will be going to Rogers, a last minute trip.  We have something going on for the next 4 weekends and I am starting to have withdrawals because I am missing Brynlee Claire and Emma Grace so much!!  I have the best brother and sister-in-law who are going to let us crash next weekend.  (Mom and Dad are on a 10 day cruise to St. Thomas). We are already looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend with two of my favorite little people in this world!!!

Curt and Sara's Engagement Party

Matt and I were on the road again this weekend, heading back to Monroe.  We got to his parent's house Friday night and grilled burgers with Larry and Andree' and  Emily, Jack and the kids.  It was a nice, relaxing evening of laying around.  I enjoy Friday nights in Monroe because we never get there until early evening.  It gives Matt and me time to eat dinner with his family, play with the kids, and then we're usually in bed by 9:30 reading a book or watching a movie.  I love it!!

Saturday morning Emily and Olivia Kate picked me up and we went to Sara's bridal shower at 10:00.  There was a great turnout and she received some beautiful gifts.  Afterwards, while Matt played golf with the guys, I went over to Emily's to play with the kids. She and I ended up getting out to shop for a while and found some great stuff at Herringstones.  It was a wonderful afternoon and I am so blessed to have such a great sister-in-law that I can have so much fun with. 

That night we went to Curt and Sara's big engagment party/couples shower at Coda (a bar/restaurant in downtown Monroe).  Everyone had such a great time and it was a lot of fun getting to meet Sara's family.  We are so happy for she and Curt and Matt and I are really looking forward to their wedding in October.  Here are some pictures from the party...

Brent and Gina with me and Matt, they're two of our favorites!!

Jack and Emily (Matt's sister)

Jack, Em, Me and Matt (their coming to visit in 3 weeks...we can't wait!!)

The guests of honor...Sara and Curt. We are so happy for them!!

Matt's family

Brent, his dad Wayne and Matt

Johnna, Sarah, Me and Gina

The whole gang

Me and Emily

Johnna, Shelley and Kelly (Monroe is made up of a ton of boys and these three are the wives of Ryan, Stewart and Lance - great girls!)

Emily, Andree' and Me

We love Sara!!  She and Curt are great together.  Loren flew all the way in from Denver to be there (she's the future sis-in-law of Sara's :)

Sara's family, the Gassaways.

It was a great Saturday night!!!  Sunday was spent with Matt's family and we didn't get back until almost 7:00 that night, but it was well worth the drive a second weekend in a row.  

This week will be busy.  Work is going good and this will be the busiest semester for Matt. We are going to have to get use to not seeing each other as much :(  But, I just tell myself that it's only temporary.  He's doing so well and I couldn't be more proud of him.  We will be in LR this weekend, but still have a lot going on...dinner with friends, Farmer's Market, and a private party at Ferneau on Saturday night.  So, the fun will continue!!!

David's Birthday and the 4th of July!!!!

When we got back from Chicago on Thursday, we literally ran home, dropped our bags, and changed for David's b-day celebration at the Fountain. Afterwards, we were off to the Eagles concert. The Eagles are hands down one of my favorite bands.  Yes, they are before my time, but they amaze me with their musical talent.  It's amazing to me that they are 60+ and still playing and singing just like they did almost 40 years ago.  No other band ever opens for them, and they played for 3 and a half hours Thursday night! Below are some pictures at the Fountain (we weren't allowed to bring in cameras for the concert, but it was AMAZING!!)

Shelly, Me, Sarah and Corie

The birthday boy, DAVID!!  Love the flashing tiara!

David and Me (with Rock in the background :)

Kyndall and David

Matt, Kyndall and Shelly

Not a good picture of me, but I love this pic of Matt!

Friday we packed up and left for Monroe.  Matt's parents had a BIG Fourth of July party on Saturday.  There were around 25 family members there and we all had a great time.  I took a lot of pictures of the kids and tried to get pictures of some of Matt's family that we don't get to see on a regular basis. 

L.E., Olivia Kate, Sam Wyatt, Jack Henry, Isla, and Carter

Sweet Olivia Kate hugging on Sam Wyatt

This is what the kids played in all afternoon.  The grandparents BOUGHT

it for them.  And don't think for a second that Matt and I weren't in there later that night with the kids after everyone left.  It was a blast!!!

Sam Wyatt loves that water!

Jack Henry was my buddy that night...he loved the big slide.

What's the 4th of July without watermelon?!

Even the little guys were devouring it.

Olivia Kate

Jack Henry

Aunt Ceil and Uncle Jim (87 and 91 years old)

Uncle Clint and Aunt Saundra

This is one of my favorites.  I love this little guy so much!!

The dock at Matt's parents house where we went fishing

after all the festivities

Waiting on Poppi to come down with the fishing poles

This is my other favorite picture...Sam Wyatt is not even 2

years old yet and he was casting that pole on his tippy toes.

It doesn't get any cuter than this!!

Jack Henry and I were sitting on the dock, drinking grape sodas

and talking about the alligators in the bayou. He had the

best purple mustache.

Overall, we had such a great weekend filled with family, fun and lots of food. It's back to work this week but at least it's just a four day week.  Matt and I go back to Monroe this next weekend for Curt and Sara's engagament party that we are hosting. It should be a great time!