Andi's Wedding

I was so excited to head to New Orleans last month for a girls weekend! My friend, Andi was getting married so I took advantage and headed in town---alone--- that's right, no kids, no hubby! Andi went to Mt. Carmel and Ole Miss with me. She was my little sister in Theta too. I did not want to miss her big day!

The weeknd was awesome! I got to spend a lot of time with a lot of really good friends. When I got in town on Friday two of my high school friends had invited me to Corks 'n Canvas. It's a place where you BYOB and an instuctor teaches you how to paint a picture. I don't know whos genius idea it is to mix alcohol consumption and painting, but it was a lot of fun!

Me, Brittany & Lesley

More than one smart ass has asked if it was paint by numbers!

Here's the proof that we did it all ourselves. Here are our original sketches.
Progress
(If you'd call it that!)

Oh sure she looks relaxed! This is a shot in between the panic, frustration & hysterical laughter!

Our Masterpieces!

Overall it was a lot of fun and I would do it again. They had so many other paintings hanging up I would like to try. I need to find one around here.

After our painting we went to listen to some music.

(Thanks, Britt- Jen Howard was awesome!)

It was sort of strange to be out after my normal bedtime with no one waiting up for me. I would stop every so often and feel a little panicked and then realized that it was OK. I wasn't out after curfew, there were no kids or husband waiting on me, it was just me-- I had no one else to worry about--I must admit, it was kind of nice!

Andi & Joe's wedding was Saturday, December 13th. In New Orleans you never know what kind of weather you'll get in December. It was quite chilly, but they got a beautiful day!

I snapped these pics because it was so nice to see the city so alive. Jackson Square was crowded and there were tons of artists and tourists.
In 7th grade we took Louisiana History. For some reason the Pontalba buildings and Lady Pontalba's story always stuck with me. The Pontalba Buildings are on the right and left of Jackson Square. There is P in the beautiful iron work on the balcony. Here is a link to the story. When I worked for Joel I catered a party here once. It was really cool. The doors to the private residences are mixed in with the doors of the stores on the first level. Once inside you walk down a wide hall to a set of stairs that winds up to the next floor. The apartment I was in was small and like a shotgun. What is so cool is that the bedroom window and den windows were floor to ceiling so they just opened them up and the party spilled over to the balcony. Just one of the many neat places I got to work in with Joels.

Anyway, back to the wedding...

Natalie's son, Spencer was the Ring Bearer. He took his responsibility of carrying the pillow very serious.

Andi & Mr. Scott
Andi & Joe
Andi & her Mom getting ready to second line

It was really chilly by this time and we were waiting for the wedding party to start the Second Line. Katherine (my date) and I were just saying that since it was so chilly they could at least pass out a nice adult beverage to warm us up. As soon as we turned a corner we got just what we needed...
Cosmo, Mojito or Blue Hawaiian anyone?

Precious Spencer

I was taking a moment to enjoy the Quarter as a tourist. Katherine who works for the Convention & Visitors Bureau probably thought I was crazy.

The Second Line Band

She was having a blast!

The Groom's cake was Baked Alaska and they paraded that around the room too.

So I couldn't go to the wedding without a date. This my fabulous date Katherine! It was too much for Michael and the kids to come in for a quick weekend right before Christmas so Andi was generous enough to let me bring whoever I wanted. Kat's hubby was out of town hunting (again) so she was free to accompany me.

Me & Nat

(Spencer's Mom & My Ole Miss Roomie)

Me & the Beautiful bride

She is so tiny and I marveled at how brave she was to wear that neckline!

Kat & hanging out by the bar perfecting the self portrait.

Me & Katherine Diodene

(My other Katherine....I don't know what it is but there's something about the name. When it's time to cut loose and have fun these two immediately come to mind!)

After cutting up at the reception we headed to the after party, yes you read right, the after party on Bourbon. The wedding was at 3pm and the reception was over by 8:30pm. When does anything in New Orleans end that early?

Things only got crazier. What you can't see is that Carrie and Nat, two of the bridesmaids have on their tennis shoes with their bridesmaid dresses. There was another bridesmaid who is pregnant and she put on her tennis shoes and zip up hoodie. At that point it was all about comfort!

Katherine Diodene, Me & Cara Lutz Stevens

My LSU Roomies

By the time 11pm rolled around Kat & I were exhausted. After 8 hours in a dress and heels we were done!

The Elf on the Shelf

The first Christmas we were in Georgia I started to hear about the Elf on the Shelf. Three years later it seems to have spread nationwide. A mother and daughter wrote the book based on a childhood tradition. A little elf spends the holiday season in your home and reports to Santa every night. I don't know why I held off getting an elf but my Granny surprised us with one this year. Walter (William named him) has been a wonderful addition to our home this holiday season!

Walter arrived while William napped one day.

Walter's first spot in the house.

Maren got in on the excitement. Every morning the kids would search for Walter to see where he would sitting for the day. Here are a few of his spots:

This was Walter's last spot in the house. William & Maren got a kick of seeing him one last time. We were all sad to see him go!

http://www.elfontheshelf.com/

Christmas Parties

I know I have been behind on my posting. The next few posts will be mostly of our holiday events. Here are some pics of our company Christmas parties:

Me & my wonderful business partner, Karen!

Me, Karen & Sue all moved over to Keller Williams at the same time.

We took Will to the Diageo party and had Maren stay home with our awesome babsitter, Z.

Santa brought William a cool Iron Man toy!

The Hillmans

Look at my handsome guy!

Michael with 2 of his girls-- Catrina & Cynthia

Catrina, bustin' a move!

New Blog

DOS BABIES

I know I have been MIA for a while and I honestly don't know where the time goes! Make sure to notice the new blog on my list of favorites, the Kane Family. My dear friends Megan & Kane are pregnant with twins! The all natural way!


Megan and I worked together in New Orleans and we both relocated after Katrina. Megan & Kane (his real first name is Michael) moved to Orlando. Thank goodness Kane's dad & stepmom live there so they will have some family near by to help with their two precious babies!


Megan just started their blog and she promises to keep it up to date. She's not known for being so timely so we'll see how it goes! Be sure to check it out and follow their progress. Next week they'll be able to find out the sex of the babies and I can't wait!!!

Another Sunday at Home

We had a great day at home today. Ron & Rona brought Gracie over so they could see a movie together. Genevieve came over to visit and of course we baked. The kids had a great time!

Mae was pooped!

This was after her nap. I was trying to buy some time because I knew she'd want to go outside with the big kids.

It was cool outside today, but not unbearable. Michael set up the space walk for William and Gracie. They had a blast! Except for the tattling on each other they did every few minutes. They are like brother and sister!

Maren was so excited to get in with Will & Gracie!


The air was so dry outside that all three kids had so much static electricity in their hair. It was standing up on end!

Gracie was so sweet with Maren.

Another rare moment when they liked each other.

The stairs have become one of our biggest fights with Maren. Someitmes she just likes to sit at the bottom and hang out. This was the stance I got today! She didn't want to go up, but she definitely didn't want to get off the stairs.

The goofballs cleaning up!

Michael made King Cakes today. His boss has been asking for one so he whipped up a Fall King Cake. We just changed the color scheme. We made another for us at home and it is Yummy!