Memorial Day 2013

The table cloth used below has seen many patriotic celebrations!  My Cahill grandparents used it on The Fourth of July for as long as I can remember, they always had the best and biggest celebrations for fireworks!  I will use it until it falls apart and hopefully Lorelai will grow up with the same fond memories of family, fellowship, and fun that I did! 





























The menu for today was boiled AND steamed Royal Red Shrimp- head on, grilled filet, corn on the cob, mac, cheese balls, fresh strawberries, cake and strawberry cream cheese pies!  All the food was amazing!


















We ended the afternoon in the back yard jumping on the trampoline and Lorelai's first run on the slip and slide, I can remember mine and Derek's from when we were kids and I would have sworn that it was a mile long when we were young.. it looks shorter now, maybe I'm just taller?  That didn't stop me from putting on my suit and taking a slip...

We're already plotting the menu and activities for July 4th, come join the fun!!

Memorial Day 2013

The best things in life aren't things...

The Lorelai Ballentine Moving Co.

We got this idea from Modern Family.  When we move our little bean into the dorms for college we'll be wearing shirts with this picture on them and the caption "The Lorelai Ballentine Moving Company". 

Family Photos

All of my birthday pictures from AWP arrived today, and these are my favorites!

Gymnastics Show

Lorelai has been taking gymnastics this spring and loving it. She's been obsessed with the sport since her first viewing of the American Girl movie "Mckenna", and it worked out that we were able to get her in a class with her school friend. Anyway, she had her first show this week and did GREAT winning a medal for bar performance and a certificate for best pullover on bars!

Mother's Day 2013 Party

Church, rose cupcakes and cocktails,  seafood boil and steaks on the grill! Happy Mother's Day to my mom and to the little girl who made me a mother!

Lorelai's Mother's Day Interview 2013

http://youtu.be/K564A8o17Yc

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

This picture was taken in 1988 and is hands down my favorite picture of me and my mom!  My mom told me tonight she (of course) still has the dresses we were wearing in this picture, and since I must have been 6 or 7 in this picture and Lorelai will be 6 next year I know what we're wearing for Mother's Day 2014!!!

Dog tired

CC sleeps with Lorelai when we get up to watch TV, etc in the evenings. She patiently waits for the signal that its ok in the morning to hop back up on the bed and kiss her awake. It is beyond sweet.

One night after Lorelai had fallen asleep we got up and were watching TV in the living room. Despite our best efforts with a pillow wall and placing her in the center of the king size bed she somehow managed to wiggle herself to the edge. CC came to the doorway and whimpered for urgent help. She wasn't at the back door to go to the bathroom, it was an urgent cry from the bedroom door and even when we called her name she stood her ground in the bedroom door frame wimpering, so we got up to check just in time to catch L from falling off the bed. So neat, she knew to get help for her baby!! Their friendship melts me.

More Family Pictures

More Family Photos

Dave Ramsey

I'm going cardless! And how cute is this envelope system?!

CC is that you?!

May the 4th be with you!

Our Books-A-Million store had a Star Wars theme day complete with characters and an origami Yoda craft!

Lyrics of the Day- Vince Gill

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

So, Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels' faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

So, Go rest high on that mountain
Son your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Go rest high on that mountain
Cause, son your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son.
Songwriter(s): Vincent Gill

http://youtu.be/nbk19vEhy6Y

George Jones' Funeral

It was the ultimate concert experience. Lasting nearly 3 hours and with famous singers and speakers including: Tanya Tucker, Gov. Bill Haslam, Randy Travis, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels, Oak Ridge Boys, Kid Rock, First Lady Laura Bush, Alan Jackson, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ronnie Millsap, and many more!

Derek got my mom tickets to George's concert in February in Tunica, so attending his funeral today was extra special for her today! It was hands down the best concert I will ever see, and I was thrilled!

Family Photos

I got family photos for one of my birthday presents and I am SO thrilled with how this one turned out!

The Zoo

We haven't been to the zoo in at least a year or more and a lot has changed! They now offer camel rides!! I was THRILLED that they let me go too!! So fun, I felt almost like Kim Kardashian in the Dubai episode!