Vacation...

A couple weeks ago, we (Matt, Mandi, Anna Lauren, and Nanna) went to Perdido for a few days of vacation. I was so excited and just knew Anna Lauren was going to have the time of her life...we were going to swim, play in the sand, take a nap, and go back for some more. Well, that was not the case as Anna Lauren hated the sand. The only thing that interested her about the beach was the water hose you used to wash the sand off of you. She played with the water hose as long as we would allow and would get in and out of the pool a few times and would go to the door asking to leave. So...once again, I reminded myself that you just never know with children. We will try again next summer and see what happens...Matt and I just love the beach so I think we were disappointed she didn't love it as much as we expected...again, I must remind myself she is only a baby. I'm sure she will be begging to go one day, and I'll be wishing she was still that baby who hated the sand. However, we did capture a few pictures while we were there.

This is what happens when you go on vacation with Nanna...she takes you to the grocery store and buys you chocolate covered donuts and lets you sit on an ice chest and eat them. Anything you want when with Nanna, right?

We thought this was hilarious...we put Anna Lauren down for a nap and later went back to check on her. To our surprise this is what we found...fortunately we were able to get the diaper back on without waking her up and before she had an accident.

The last night we were there, she decided she would consider liking the sand. This picture is blurred, but I love it because it is so our Anna Lauren. Running around like "crazy"...just so full of life!

Surprise...Surprise...

Matt's dad is turning "60" this week and asked us to spend a weekend with him to celebrate his birthday. It was our understanding that he wanted us to either spend a weekend with him in Atlanta with the girls (Matt's sisters) or the following weekend in Gulfport. Well, there was no way we could go to Gulfport the following weekend so we decided to tough it out and make the trip to Atlanta. We knew it was going to be a hard trip for us so we thought we needed some excitement for ourselves if we were going to travel that far in such a short period of time. So...we only told one sister that we were coming, and we only told her because we needed to stay at her house on Friday night and would not be arriving until 1 AMish so we could not just show up at that time of the day without some type of warning.

Thanks to Kate and Jim who had to tell a few fibs to make it all work, we managed to keep the secret, and I think our appearance was a surprise to say the least. They had planned a photo shoot on Saturday so we were there when they all showed up.

We had the photo shoot and then had a steak dinner along with cake and presents at Michael and Kelly's house. And one of Poppie's presents informed all of us that there is another baby on the way. Kelly and Michael are expecting their 2nd child, and we are thrilled for them and were glad we could be there for such a special announcement!

And finally...a sneak peak of our photo shoot...

Front: Matt's Parents
Back: Matt, Mandi, Anna Lauren, Spencer, Kelly, Michael, Kate, James, and Jim


And as you can see...Anna Lauren put on a show (as usual) throughout the entire photo shoot. The boys (James and Spencer) were so calm and just sat there where ever you put them and smiled...Anna Lauren on the other hand, not so much. She runs circles around those boys...she is wild, but you know, I love that she is so full of life and would not trade her for anything in the world. Just sometimes I wish she had "one" calm bone in her body!

Remember the Duncans...

This week has been quite an emotional one to say the least. On July 4, 2008, Vicki Duncan, the mother of my dear friend Jennifer, was diagnosed with cancer. And after only a few short months, she passed away Sunday night. You know...I really just don't even know what to say...my heart is so broken for these two girls and their dad and I want to ask all of you to just stop and say a prayer for this family. If you have ever lost a parent, I'm sure you can relate and know there are going to be good days and bad days...they are strong girls who believe in the Lord and know He will get them through this difficult time...but...that does not mean it is going to be easy for them. They loved their "momma" just as much as we all love our "momma" and are so young to have to say goodbye...

Jennifer, Ms. Vicki, and Lisa

How Anna Lauren Spent Her Weekend...

Anna Lauren began her weekend by doing her chores...yes, at the age of 17 months, she is responsible for taking out the garbage. Just kidding...the child loves to take out the garbage. She will grab the bag as you take it out of the garbage can before you have a a chance to do it yourself...she knows that it goes to the big garbage can in the garage, and she carries it all the way...unfortunatly she is not quite tall enough to get it into the big can so we do have to assist some at that point.

For some reason, Anna Lauren decided she didn't really want to eat this weekend. After worrying about her not eating, I figured something was better than nothing so I let her eat the Oreos in the lunchable I was trying to get her to eat. She seemed pretty happy so maybe I shouldn't worry...as if the chunky monkey is going to starve...she'll be just fine and let me know when she is hungry, right?

Anna Lauren "loves" to wear her daddy's socks...she begs him to put them on her feet. So while getting ready for church, Matt put a pair on her and decided to pull them all the way up...she was a sight, for sure!

And we cannot forget...she loves our tennis shoes as well...not that she can walk in them, but she sure gives it her best effort.

Is this not the sweetest face...God has definitely blessed us with an "angel".

And after a hard weekend of chores and playing, she needed to sit back and relax. We looked up, and she had moved her car in front of her chair so she could prop up her feet. Notice her teething ring bracelet and cell phone...the necessities of life!

Five Years of Happiness...

This past Saturday, August 30th, Matt and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. And you know, I just do not even know where to start because there is no way I could put into words how amazing the past five years have been and how much I love my husband! I did spend some time looking through some pictures and found a couple pictures that put a big smile on my face...wow...it has been a great five years, and I look forward to so many more with Matthew!

This was us at our rehearsal dinner...I do not have any digital wedding pictures...

We went on a cruise for our honeymoon, and if you have ever cruised, you know this is one of the first things you do when you get on the ship.

And we became a family...our precious, precious Anna Lauren...

And we started running together and completed a 1/2 marathon together in December 2007. We will be doing another 1/2 marathon in December.

And what we consider one of our greatest accomplishments...our triathlons...this year was my first year, and what a joy it was to do them with Matthew!

Now the funny part...how did we celebrate our anniversary?

6 AM ~ Ran six miles

10 AM ~ Went to a 2 year olds birthday party at the park...it was super hot!

1 PM ~ Took a nap while Anna Lauren napped (highlight of the day)

5 PM ~ Had dinner at the park with friends...the Voss' were in town so that was a special treat!

7 PM ~ Grocery shopped at Wal-Mart

Matt looked at me and said, if you had told me this is how we would be celebrating our 5th anniversary 5 years ago, I would have said no way.

And then our sweet sweet friends (Big and Little Buddy) babysat Anna Lauren Sunday night, and we got to go on a date (dinner and Target)...woo hoo!