There is a crispness in the air!

Wow, what a weekend! We were so busy.

Friday:
We had to fight for gasoline! Then the stations started to run out. It was crazy around here.
Saturday:
We got up and headed to Heardmont Park (stopped at a station that had gas. It was $5.03 a gallon)to cheer Ramsey on in his soccer game. He was not happy that we missed last week so we could not miss this one. After that we headed out to babypalooza @ Brookwood Village for lots of fun and games. Then we came home and spent some time together as a family. Played games and watched movies.
Sunday:
We got up and headed to Salah and Michelle's house. We are having so much fun decorating and NOW the renovations are finished and it is GORGEOUS! So happy for them. Michelle is going to need a cleaning crew for this one! We got home very late, as I posted last night. We got the 7th plasma TV hung..... finally! The children had so much fun playing. Orren fell asleep on Aunt Michelle, it was so sweet.

Today we had some errands to run. We got to go and see Daddy at work. The children were so excited. He is working late tonight. It was great to see everyone there. Joe works for amazing people. We are so blessed.

It was very cool today and Autumn is on it's way. I cannot wait to open the windows and sleep in that crisp night air.

Tomorrow night I will be working the phones at the Republican headquarters. I most likely will not get to post. BUT I might be the voice you hear on the other end of the phone! Promise I won't call during dinner time. LOL, Let's hope the house survives another night of Mommy being gone.

This weekend is very busy as well. We have birthday parties, the stomping of the grapes at the vineyard, and a major ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE football game!

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!!!!!

We love the Grandparents!

We did not get to be with any of them, but we talked to them and thought of them!

We just got home from Salah and Michelle's. Sunday family day, you know.

It is very late so I will post tomorrow.

What have you eaten lately?

I got this from Leigh @ http://lbratina.blogspot.com/ she is a blog I love to follow! I had to play. You can play along too:

1) Copy this list onto your blog or email, including these instructions.

2) Mark the items you’ve eaten with a "+".

3) Let us know when you've posted the list, so we can compare!

4) Have fun!

1. Venison + (my Daddy used to be a Big hunter)
2. Nettle tea + (@ the spa, it is great for your allergies)
3. Steak tartare + (The best way to eat it)
4. Alligator + ( I did grow up in New Orleans. Fried Gator on a stick. Tastes like chicken!)
5. Black pudding No (do you know what that is? YUCK!)
6. Raclette + ( not sure there is a cheese I haven't tried)
7. Natto NO
8. Carp + ( I caught one when I was 5 and made my Mother cook it!)
9. Borscht NO
10. Baba ghanoush + ( eggplants and Tahini, Yummy! We eat more Middle Eastern Food than we used to, Salah's influence. We love you Uncle Salah!)
11. Calamari + ( Joe's sister thought they were very good little onion rings. Love you Christy)
12. Pho No
13. Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich + ( My Daddy still makes the best!)
14. Allo gobi + (Cauliflower and potatoes sticks to your ribs)
15. Dirty water dogs from a street cart + (yes, I love the push cart hot dogs! They are the best NONE better than a Lucky Dog in New Orleans)
16. Epoisses de Bourgogne + ( love stinky French cheeses!)
17. Black truffle NO
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes + ( blueberry, apple, muscadine & pear)
19. Steamed pork buns NO
20. Green tea ice cream NO
21. Ugli fruit +( I will eat any kind of citrus)
22. Fresh, wild berries + (Yes, of course I love to pick fresh strawberries and blueberries)
23. Foie gras + ( my Mother and her pate. We have been eating it since we were little, My children to)
24. Gumbo + ( We did cover that I grew up in New Orleans right?)
25. Head cheese + ( EWWWWW! I did try it it was awful!)
26. Raw habanero + (I am an idiot what can I say. I used to do anything on a dare!)
27. Dulce de leche + ( LOVE IT!!! ONE OF MY FAVES!!! I am so fond of caramel)
28. Raw oysters + (Love the oyster shooters with my Daddy and brother! My Mother's are the best!)
29. Baklava + (I recently turned Olivia on to it,now she asks for it all the time)
30. Bagna cauda + ( not real fond of it. think it is the anchovies eww)
31. Wasabi peas + (love them, love sushi. SOME sushi)
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (+ Yummy, getting about that time to!)
33. Salted lassi NO
34. Kim chee NO
35. Kangaroo NO
36. Cognac + ( Not a fan)
37. Clotted cream + (Yes, best in the morning on a scone. Oh, be still my tummy rumble)
38. Jello shots + ( Shana will remember these well on my 21st Birthday! 69 total)
39. Buttermilk straight + ( again wasn't a fave)
40. Oxtail + ( we had oxtail soup for New Years @ Chateau Elan, it was very good)
41. Curried goat NO
42. Insects NO, NO, & NO
43. Phaal NO
44. Goat's milk + ( Not a fave)
45. Whiskey that cost more than $200 a bottle + ( My Daddy)
46. Fugu NO ( isn't that poisonous?)
47. Chicken tikka masala NO
48. Eel NO ( most likely never going to)
49. Warm Krispy Kreme original glazed donut + (Yes, oooo wonder if the "Hot' sign is on?)
50. Sea urchin roe NO

Ready for the weekend!

Good Morning

We are off to a great start here today. It is Friday! Olivia is doing her school and Orren is napping. That gives Mommy an chance to blog.

We have a BIG weekend before us and we will be super busy. Soccer games, babypalooza, Alabama football and we get to see Michelle and the boys! It is a good thing because Michelle and I both have been inundated with "when are we going to see ________(fill in the blank with some member of either family)?" This picture is several months old, 9 to be exact because Zachary's birthday is in Dec. I need to get a lot of pictures out of my camera and on here. Anyway this will do for now. This is the group minus Orren. He must have been asleep.

This is an example of how hard core football fans are around here. This is a house in Trace Crossings. I could not believe it. How did they do that? Why would they do that? Should have known they were AUburn fans!

It is only a month until Michelle and I have our beach trip! I cannot wait. Just the girls, the beach, and cosmos!

OK well, I will post more later. Have a great day!

Roll Tide!

Can you tell we are cousins?

Two sweet Princes. Both boys had their pictures made after their Birthday parties. I thought it was funny they were dressed just a like!

Orren on his first Birthday June 20, 2008

Grayson on his first Birthday Sept.6, 2008

Ike, not just in Texas Look @ Gulf Shores!

Entrance & parking Lot of Gulf Tower

under water

Storm Picture, this is a street

I know I posted once already, but when we returned home this afternoon, Chief (my Daddy) had sent us these pictures from the condo in Gulf Shores. As ya'll know they own a house and condo on the beach and these are taken from the condo this afternoon. They are incredible! This is way worse than Gustav ever thought of. We pray everyone will be safe. Chief and GrandMaMa come on to Birmingham if you need to.

We love you.

The water surrounds the pool of Gulf Tower. Thank goodness they have a barrier wall! There was a pool next door, they did not have a wall.

Taking a moment to remember, celebrate & breathe!

It is Patriot Day!

Do you remember where you were 7 years ago? I was holding my 2 (almost 3) year old on my lap as we watched the second plane fly into the second building. We sat on the floor in our living room just like that for hours, just watching. I was on the phone with my Mother the entire time. When the towers fell Olivia gasped and I held her tight.

My Father had been on a plane & Joe's office is just down the street from the airport. I was uncertain of the future of this innocent child that I held. I knew not what to do but pray. Our Holy Father was with us then and is with us today as well.

Good Morning!

Things are settling down for us. Thank goodness.

This is a picture Chief sent me just before everything got crazy. In all the chaos I did not get to post it. Mother is so talented. Every moment is an event at their house.

We missed the reception at the Shelby County Republican Headquarters on Tuesday night. It was the Grand Opening. We were disappointed, but with everything going on we just couldn't make it. I wanted to let everyone know it is open and needs volunteers. If anyone is interested send me an email and I will give you the contact info. I am volunteering two nights next week.

The Greek Food festival started today and I am taking the children this afternoon. I love this festival. OK so I love any festival. I think it is all those years in New Orleans. There was a festival every weekend!

The 2008 Birmingham Greek Food Festival will take place September 11th through the 13th. The Festival opens daily at 10:30 A.M. and lasts until 10:00 P.M

Holy Trinity - Holy Cross Cathedral307 19th St. S.; Birmingham, AL 35233Phone: 205-716-3080 / Fax: 205-716-3085

Mother is on the road and heading home. GiGi is settled in her new home and it will just be a long process from here. Daddy's days of bachelorhood are drawing to a close. It was fun talking to him as often as I did while he was "home alone" I hope he won't mind if I still call him an "check in" even though he won't need me anymore.

Olivia had a spelling test today she got a 100! I am so proud of her. She is doing super with her schoolwork this year. She is growing into such a lady. She is my princess. I could not have asked for a more perfect little girl.

Orren, he is just Orren. Little boy through and through. I adore him. His Daddy said I have to stop with the John John suits. I said when he was four, until then we are wearing them.

Michelle, shhhhhh I know you are on Joe's side.

We are having "game night" tonight. I hope the children don't pick the Disney scene it........ again! We have "seen" it all I want. How old do they have to be before game night can include spades? LOL

Ya'll have a good night.

Our prayers are with Texas and we hope that all are safe!