School Project...

Anna Lauren had a school project to do this weekend...or...should we say a "mommy" project/craft?  She is "star" student next week! Each person in her class gets to be star student one week this school year...you make a star (I'm not being an over achiever...teacher sent template home...has to be this big), get to tell your class about the pictures on your star, it hangs in the hall outside the classroom all week, and on Friday the star student gets to take a special snack for the class.

Whew...the star is done and she LOVES it and says it's the best one so far...she is #3...ha ha!  Not sure who #1 was, but I know #2 was a boy.  Don't think he would even think about a pink feather boa on his star!

All I can say is school is serious business these days...and...we're just in 1st grade!  The thought of 3rd, 4th, etc freaks me out!

Celebrating 10 Years...

Sweet Nanna was kind enough to keep Anna Lauren and Cooper so Matt and I could have a quick little getaway to celebrate our 10th anniversary, which was last Friday (August 30th).  

We LOVE pretty water and cruising...so...it was an easy decision to pick our destination...a 3 night cruise out of Miami to the Bahamas (CoCo Cay and Nassau).

We had a flight out of Jackson early Friday morning and by mid afternoon we had these seats on the deck of the Majesty of the Seas and were anxiously awaiting to sail away to the Bahamas!

Very seldom do I get to just sit and relax...I was taking full advantage!

Sailing away...

And within minutes, I was sound asleep...talk about being relaxed!

South Beach in Miami...

At dinner, we were surprised with a happy anniversary song and dessert...

Anniversary dinner...happy 10 Years to us!

On the tender Saturday morning heading to CoCo Cay (private island)...

Was not real excited when I noticed this creature was on the island with us...

Matt went on the jet ski tour in CoCo Cay while I sat under a palm tree and read a book.  We've done it before and it's just amazing...talk about some pretty, pretty water!

Notice Matt is right behind the guide in the blue life jacket...this means...he volunteered to be the fastest driver of the group.  Not surprised!

And this is where the creature ended up spending the day...just bathing in the sun...

The Straw Market in CoCo Cay...we strolled through but didn't buy anything...

Our boat..."beautiful" Majesty of the Seas.  Makes me laugh because every time you cruise they say welcome to "beautiful" whatever ship you are on for your cruise.  They are all beautiful according to Royal Caribbean.

Our waiter, Clifford, dancing at dinner Saturday night...

Matt quickly became a fan of Clifford when he brought him a bowl of sprinkles for his ice cream...

Too bad we don't get this service at home...

We spent Sunday in Nassau...

We bought a day pass to the Sheraton resort...with our pass, we actually had access to the Sheraton or the Wyndham. The Wyndham had a slide and even though the kids were not with us, we couldn't resist sliding a few times.  In the above picture, Matt is at the top of the slide...

If you ask me, I would say...not a bad view for the day!

Just because everyone else takes pictures of their feet in the sand...ha ha!

Now...this is my kind of vacation...sitting by the pool and this is my view...can see the pool and the beach!

Two very fun and relaxing days in beautiful Bahamas!

Back on the ship, and we managed to find an empty place in the shade to put two chairs and enjoy the afternoon and then watch us sail away.  It was HOT...so...we were all about some shade!

Sailing away...

Our last night...it was a quick trip but just long enough to be away from the kids and get some much needed alone time.  And of course, to celebrate the fun 10 years we have had together...cannot wait to see what the next 10 bring...

Now...make your heart melt...the kids decorated the house for our return! And obviously Nanna played along with this plan as they could not have done it all alone.

Complete with fresh baked cookies...

Now we have our cruise "fix", but it only made us want to go on another one with the kids...maybe...just maybe we can take them sooner rather than later!  And that sweet Nanna...well, her suitcase was sitting at the door when we got home...she was tired and ready for some peace and quite.  Our two are a handful to say the least!  But thankfully she loves them to pieces and would come again today if I asked her!

Miss America Sneak Peak...

This afternoon was just one of those fun "girl" afternoons...Christy and I took the girls to see a sneak peak of what Chelsea, Miss Mississippi, would be wearing at the Miss America pageant.  

As I've said before, Chelsea is just one of those "special" girls and goes above and beyond to give Anna Lauren attention so it was so much fun being a part of this special event today!

All smiles as she anxiously awaited to see Chelsea...

Anna Lauren, Emily (co-worker's daughter), Emmy, and Rileigh...

Hands down...the little girls picked this dress as their favorite.  We were not surprised...it was very sparkly and eye catching to the "little" eye...

Chelsea's "good luck" dress, which is headed to Miss America with her...she was crowned Miss Mississippi in this dress...

They were first in line and she couldn't get to the autograph table quick enough...

FINALLY...she has made her way to the autograph table and was so sweet to take a few minutes to talk just to Anna Lauren.  Of course Anna Lauren acted a little shy, but she was loving every minute of the attention.  She actually told Anna Lauren she sent a picture of the two of them to Miss America...she said she had to send five pictures and Miss America picks three.  Not sure what these pictures are for, but I was excited to hear Anna Lauren's picture was sent and could possibly be chosen.

And now Chelsea sleeps on the wall right beside Anna Lauren's pillow...sweet memories!