Sunday, January 16, 2011

Seven Random Things

1. Started AND finished this book while we were traveling to and from Phoenix. It's a great read, and I highly recommend it!


2. Especially if you are able to read it on one of these...

I received one for Christmas and after one book I was hooked!

3. Frances isn't really all into this food thing, but she's trying. Tula kept her well fed while we were out of town, but I have to admit we stay on the go so much, it's hard to stick to a feeding schedule with her.

And with all of this Tiger talk, let's not forget Mama's alma mater...Isn't this the cutest little bulldog you ever did see?

4. I didn't know about Baby Mum Mum's with the twins, but Frances is a big fan of them. They are great for keeping her occupied in a pinch and they are relatively mess free which means I love them too!5. I purchased these old cola crates back in the fall, and they may be my favorite purchase of 2010. The kids keep their shoes and coats in them (along with all the other things that should be in their rooms but end up downstairs.). I first read about them on Holly Mathis Interiors' blog. Check out how she used hers. Genius!

I only wished I had bought about 4 more! Can you ever have enough storage with kids???

6. Speaking of storage/organization, I picked this magazine holder up on the dollar aisle at Target. It holds all of my cooking magazines that were slipping and sliding in my cabinets. Wish I had bought more of these too!


7. Finally, Frances is sitting up (no pictures as of yet, but I promise some in the future!). She loves it and is now quite content to sit on the floor and "play." Even better, she can sit in the buggy at the store! No more carrying in the pumpkin seat that takes up half the buggy!

That's it for today. Happy Sunday!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Trip of A Lifetime

Rewind to December 4, 2010...Our good friend Staffon came over to watch the SEC Championship game. We enjoyed watching the Tigers beat up on the Gamecocks over Outback carryout and two four year olds bouncing off the walls. By the time the third and fourth quarters rolled around, and it was evident the Tigers would take the SEC Championship, Matt began talking about the BCS Championship game. Should we go or not???

Well, that's a good question considering none of us had really considered it yet. Needless to say, before the game was over, Matt had purchased 4 tickets through Stub Hub for me, him, Staffon, and Nana (who after a few phone calls was quickly on board!). I think we were all a little hesitant to commit to such an investment, especially around Christmas time, but we took the leap of faith.

Fast forward to January 10, 2010...That leap of faith was worth. every. penny! Our trip to Phoenix was truly a trip of a lifetime! Here's how our day played out...

As I mentioned, we purchased our tickets through Stub Hub, and I'm sure you all heard the scares surrounding them potentially not having enough tickets. So, you can imagine how nervous we were that we were instructed to pick up our tickets at a Moe's near the stadium. Sounded a bit shady to me, so we were more than elated to see Matt and Staffon walking towards us tickets in hand.

Nana and I stayed behind with the car. We were one of the first in line to park in the orange lot. There was a group of retired Marines cooking breakfast, tailgating and adding to the overall excitement of the day right beside us. There were also several groups of Auburn fans which helped pass the time while we waited to park the car (the lot didn't open until 12:30 p.m.). We even had fun talking to some of the Ducks that were waiting too!

Once we parked, we made our way around the stadium to kill a little time and see the sights! Here's a picture of me and Nana trying on tiger hats at the Under Armour store. Too bad they cost $30 each or we would have brought them home!

We also snagged a picture of Cam's big trophy!

After lunch at Margaritaville, walking around the stadium a couple of times, hanging out at the car, and meeting up with friends, it was finally time to enter the stadium.

Here we are in our seats! Hubby did well picking them out!

We had a half time visitor! In typical AT & T fashion, my cellular service was horrible AROUND and INSIDE the stadium. We almost missed seeing each other, but thankfully Nana's phone was working and I was able to send out a text to tell Uncle Brad where we were sitting. Thankfully, he received it! These pictures are for Tula and Pops...

And last but not least, the final score!!! Go Tigers! And a big War Eagle!!!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

I'm Going On A Trip

Care to guess where? Here, I'll give you a clue...

I wish I could say my bags are packed! Let's just say I'm working on it:)

A Cupcake Farewell

We bid farewell to Walker and Kathryn's teacher, Miss Haley, on Friday. She unfortunately could not work the last semester of her master's class schedule out with her teaching schedule, so she is having to say "goodbye." Since she has the added bonus of also getting married this summer, we all completely (although sadly) understood.

We thought a "decorate your own cupcake" party would be just the thing to keep everybodies' spirtis high. I think it worked! I was anticipating tears, but we just got a lot of smiles. Perfect!





We love you, Miss Haley!!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Meet...

...The Claw

All 18 pounds and 14 ounces of her! As of lately, she grabs for and then puts a death grip on EVERYTHING earning her the name "The Claw." And what does she do after she "claws" her prey, she puts it in her mouth of course. Just like she's doing with her cat rattle.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Year In Review

January-We started the year celebrating "Christmas" a few weeks late with Aunt Amy and her family. A yummy breakfast and some play time at Ross Bridge followed by a pizza party at our house rounded out the festivities. Little did we know just a few days after this picture was taken, Aunt Coco and Uncle Daniel would welcome little Beau into the world almost 5 weeks early!

Matt started the year at the National Championship game in Pasadena, CA. Although he wasn't too fond of routing for the Tide, it was still a trip of a lifetime!

February-The kids enjoyed some snow (glad they were able to because I doubt we will be seeing much snow in our new location!), and Matt and I enjoyed seeing Baby #3 on ultrasound.


The highlight of this month was getting to welcome sweet baby Addison into this world. I spent my birthday in Winston-Salem doing this...

holding and loving on this little bundle of joy!

March-Matt had a conference in New Orleans, so we were able to work in a mini vacation while Tula and Pops kept the kiddos. Little did we know a quick Sunday afternoon of looking at houses before heading back to Birmingham would lead to this...

Of course, we deliberated for weeks before making an offer, but the Lord faithfully provided the home we needed in His perfect timing!

The kids and I traveled back to Mobile at the end of the month for a Tew family reunion.

April-We enjoyed Easter in Birmingham celebrating our Savior's resurrection with Nana, Papa and the Dillons.


May- Matt completed his second triatholon relay in Memphis. Lots of training went into this event, so we were very proud of his accomplishment!
Memorial Day was spent at Casa del Rio. The kids enjoyed playing on the river and swimming!

June-WOW! What a month! My Grandfather's home going, an wedding anniversary, three birthdays (including one BIRTH-day), and a house closing!

Kathryn and Walker celebrated Toy Story 3 style at a birthday party with their cousins. Loved the cupcakes made by Aunt Amy.

And of course the biggest thing to happen this year....we welcomed Miss Frances Elizabeth!

July-Exactly, one week after bringing Frances home from the hospital, we moved to Mobile. Well, the kids and I did. Matt still had one more month of work in Birmingham. I confess it was a hairy couple of weeks. A newborn, 2 four year olds, unpacking in addition to an ugly round of mastitis for mommy were not always a great combination, but praise the Lord we survived!

And thankfully, Nana made a trip to Dauphin Island to photograph our little angel. We were able to capture so many sweet shots including the photo we used for her announcement!


August-Welcome home, Daddy! Matt made the move south, and we kicked the unpacking into overdrive.

We also maintained frequent trips to Dauphin Island for a little sun therapy!

We enjoyed a mini vacation before Daddy started work at the Grand Hotel. I think I stayed in the room the entire time feeding a very hungry, growing baby, but Daddy and the kiddos had fun playing in the bay.

Walker and Kathryn started school! What a God-send that they started so early! Matt also FINALLY started his "real" job! There were some days, especially during residency, we thought this day would never come!

September-A relatively low key month, and boy did we deserve one! We enjoyed celebrating Grandmama's and Pop's birthday, and just settling into our new home and new routines.

October-We started a tradition of meeting up with the Dillons in Camden for some much needed cousin time. Saturdays were spent watching football games and gladly watching the Tigers win week after week.

And for the kiddos, the highlight of this month was most definitely trick or treating! Costume day at school, followed by the neighborhood party and actually trick or treating made for a fun Halloween weekend!

November-Matt and Papa made a trip to Pensacola, FL, to visit with some extended family. It was a fun time of piecing together family history and looking over old photos.

Thanksgiving was spent at Tula and Pops celebrating food and fellowship with family.
Kathryn made her stage debut with a line in the Thanksgiving program.

December-This month was Walker's opportunity to make his stage debut!

Having fun with classmates at their Christmas party...

We also enjoyed celebrating Papa and Nana's 40th wedding anniversary with a lovely night out without the children!

Christmas morning Star Wars style!

Happy New Years!