A Disney Experience

This past weekend the girls and I were off for a LONG four-day-weekend… so Eric and I decided to take the girls to Disney World with Matt, Stephanie and Gracie! We didn’t tell them where we were going… or even that we were going anywhere! I picked up Payton and Emma and we set off to get Dad and leave. They were so surprised! We reached the condo at about 2:30 in the morning and when we woke up in the morning they still had no clue what we were going to do. We had decided to go to Sea World on Friday because they weren’t doing the big parade on Friday night at Disney World and we definitely didn’t want to miss that. Friday morning Stephanie and I sat them down and videoed them when we told them. Gracie has been to Disney World and Sea World before so she had more of a clue than Emma and Payton. When we told them that we were going to see Michey where he lived Emma’s face just lit up in shock!

Friday: We headed out to Sea World and saw all the fun shows. Despite the fact that it was about 200 degrees outside we had great fun! We went to see the Shamu show first and learned all sorts of things about killer whales. It was a great show and Emma loved it! However, Payton kept asking when we were leaving. I guess that watching the trainers ride around on huge man-eating mammals who at any moment could swallow them whole just isn’t that interesting!

After that we saw the penguins, lots of fish, rode some fun rides with an under-the-sea theme and saw some more great shows. The last show we saw was the Dolphin Extavaganza! This show was AMAZING! The dophins were great, the acrobats were great and the huge parrots that gave Matt and fly by were really great!

To wrap up the night we went to Chili’s ate a ton of food and went back to the condo for much needed sleep!

Saturday: We woke up early and dressed for DISNEY! After a car ride, a train ride, a monorail ride and a stroller ride we arrived on Main Street USA! The girls were so overwhelmed with all they saw!

We went straight to the Flying Dumbo ride, followed up by the Teacups! Then we headed to the Haunted Mansion and the list goes on and on! The highlight of the trip for the girls was meeting the Disney Princesses! We were able to meet Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Cinderella, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. We got their autographs and pictures…. It was all just too much!

We were also able to meet Mickey and Minnie which was like all Disney promises… a dream come true!

Besides the kiddie rides Emma and Payton also rode the Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Barnstormer… both pretty tough roller coasters! They are so brave!

That evening we stayed to see the Spectromajic Parade… which was indeed Spectromajical. The fireworks afterward were amazing as well! When Disney does something they do it right!

Sunday: After a long night the evening before we too our time heading out. We strolled through Downtown Disney, took more pictures, and bought some Christmas Presents for our nephews. Emma also tried her hand at photography and took this picture of Eric and me!

Then we headed over to Aquarius (the Sea World waterpark) and spent the rest of the day riding ALL the rides the girls were tall enough to ride, which was all but one. The first ride we went on was one where you had to go down on a mat on your stomach. It was a through a pitch black tunnel and you came out to go straight down to the end. Payton, Emma and Eric went first because I had to push Payton off and as I came down and found it quite scary I thought for sure that Payton would have flipped out. As I got out all I heard was Payton asking to do it again. Those girls never cease to amaze me.

All in all we had a great weekend! We hope you did too!

The Times... They Are A Changin'

You know how I know? I didn't post a whole blog about Emma's first day of school this year until um... almost 2 months in. Wow. Poor Payton. You probably won't even know she goes to school! Trials of a working mom. Well I have almost... 10 minutes to write and I think I shall take them. We have been busy with... life. School started back. I went back to work. Payton went back to Dana's. Eric lost his job. Eric found a new/old job. Life goes on.
We are incredibly blessed. Emma is doing WONDERFULLY at Providence. She says that Annie is her new best friend. She loves her teacher Mrs. Carter. And when I ask her what she did during the day she says, "I played on the playground!" Well, at least she is having fun learning and she doesn't even know it. Our first parent conference is next week and I'm sure I'll post after that.

Payton. Wow. She is about 1 inch shorter than Emma now. 2 inches taller than Emma was when she turned 4. Did I mention Payton is only 3? I keep telling Emma she is going to outgrow her... and soon. We have to get her a new bike soon... why? Because she rode the toddler bike, that wasn't supposed to be ridden like Payton lies to ride, into the ground. It is TORN up. Her new favorite passion is drawing. She takes a pad of paper wherever she goes. Like a little Picasso. Maybe... this new passion will explain why she is moody, has a dark mysterious side and says her favorite color is black. Oh the thought of the teenage years.


Ok. My 10 minutes are up. Here are some recent pics!

Summer Projects

Well, it's been a while and I thought I should update you on all the things we have been doing this summer. Family first. Since I have already posted on the weddings, and vacation and 4th of July, we won't go there again. The month of July has been pretty laid back. We have been to the pool, hung out with friends, gone to the Mall of Georgia free summer movies, celebrated MANY birthdays and I even ventured out and took the



girls to Lake Lanier Islands with the Heller clan! They were so brave and rode every single water ride! Payton was ONE inch above the cut-off for riding and kept having to get measured, but she did great!
The girls also had their first Build-a-Bear experience when they were invited to Anna and Sarah's 6th birthday. They had a blast making their own bears and stuffing them with love ;)

Emma finished her swim season and is now embarking on the sport of golf! (Super Cute pictures to follow!) At the end of year swim banquet she was one of 6 kids who won the spirit award! She was very surprised and excited. We are proud of our little swimmer!



We only have about 2 weeks until we return to the grind of work and school(... or school and school)
so of course I wanted to complete all my summer projects. My biggest project this summer was to completely make-over Emma's room. I am done! (almost) I refinished some furniture that had been given to us by Kelly, got her a new comforter, painted the walls and added now curtains. The curtains I got at Bed Bath and Beyond on clearance for $4. They weren't long enough and they were boring white so I added some flair! All in all though with the free furniture the whole project cost about $150. That includes all the supplies, paint and comforter. I thought it was pretty good! Here are the pics.
I still need to put up some decor and fix her border, but those won't take too much time. I'm excited it has come to the end!

I was also inspired by Thrifty Decor Chic (in so many ways) to do a few things extra. As seen in her post here I made a table to sit behind our couch. She did it for under $20, but I'm pretty sure I did it for under $15. I am so proud of this little table and it really was quite easy!


In the same weekend I hit up this garage sale in the neighborhood next to mine and found that it was put on by some real estate agents who were closing down on their model homes and selling all the decor inside for CHEAP! SCORE! I got this


(obviously I need to do some tough up work on the wall)
















and these

and this

and these


FOR ONLY $15! I was proud. So now my little couch table looks cute with some cheap decor on it!

I was also inspired by Thrifty Decor Chic to add some flair to my back deck. YOu can go see hers here, but I obviously didn't have as big a budget for new furniture. (plus I LOVE my old furniture which was a DEAL from kroger at the end of last summer). I added some lights around the railing and made some custom shutters for the back windows as well as painted the back door. I love my deck now. It has more personality. Eric also worked hard that weekend putting in some stairs. He isn't really done yet becasue we need to put some sod down, but have to wait for the right season. A helpful hint also given by TDC is to buy the clearance flowers. they are almost dead, but if you add water they come right back. With my luck at plants I figured they would be dead soon anyway so why spend a bunch. I got flowers for the back deack in 4 different pots for $8. YAY!

At a different garage sale at the beginning of the season I also scored on this old UGLY hutch for $10. The guy was glad to see it go, and it was ugly so I can see why. Eric wasn't happy to see it come! I painted it black chopped off the top hutch part and now it proudly sits in my foyer. I love it! (hoewever I will eventually add some stencilling or new knobs. We shall see!

Lastly, I was also inspired by Southern Hospitality and Thrifty Decor Chic to add some beadboard to my kitchen island. Go here to see Thrifty Decor Chic... but that looked a bit difficult for me. Then I saw this at Southern Hospitality! This is more up my aisle! I mean, it's textured wallpaper and look at hers! So I did it. I'm not too happy with the results yet so I didn't post pictures. We will see. I might go back to thrifty Decor Chic (obviously my decorating goddess) and do it the difficult way!

Summer Updates

Well, so far it has been an extremely fun and an extremely BUSY summer. Three weddings and a vacation later we have made it past the 4th of July! I have already posted on the Chicago wedding so I will only show a few pics of Hayley and Lauren's Weddings (SEPARATE weddings BTW!) Both were gorgeous and so much fun.Hayley and Matt got married on June 16th at a gorgeous outdoor ceremony that was so them. Light and fun, but very classy and elegant. It was a wonderful night!

Lauren got married a week later at the Roswell country club. It also was so beautiful and elegant. I was so excited that Eric and I were able to be included in such a special day for both of them! In between weddings we took a family/friend vacation down to Panama City with the Giddens family! On Sunday we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate Jayse's birthday with him in Panama city! It was good to see Jay and Carlotta and Jayse. For the reat of the week we had a great time hanging out on the beach and at the pool. Michael and Elizabeth also introduced us to the world of Killer Bunnies and the Low Country Boil. Both wonderful times! Emma and I also beat EVERYONE on the racetrack at the go-cart place. (that was the best time).
On Friday we headed over to Destin to hang out with Jeff and Sully and the kids! It was fun to see them... and then it was good to head home!


For the 4th Eric and I got up and ran the Peachtree. It has been a long standing tradition that he has only missed once since we were dating (he was away on business.. bleh. But Kelly stood in as my 'partner'!) I really wasn't looking forward to running this time... but I didn't want to give up on pretty much the only tradition that Eric and I do together.

We have most definitely NOT been training for this with the busy summer so... we didn't do that well. One hour and 10 minutes. Double Bleh. Oh well. The one thing about the Peachtree.... there is always next year.

After the race we drove up to Cleveland and spent time at the cabin with the extended Family. We had a great time grilling and swimming in the creek. Emma has been especially brave this summer after learning to boogie board... she now is jumping in the creek and swimming in the frigid temperatures and crazy rapids! (well... maybe not too crazy... but rapids none-the-less) Crazy girl.After the cabin we decided to suck it up and head down to Decatur for some fireworks! It was fun hanging out with Kelly, Jo and Keisha. We had a great (busy) 4th.