March 1, 2012

A sweet sweet baby boy was born...my nephew!!

Benjamin "Ben" William
7lbs 8oz
19.5inches

I'm in LOVE!

So happy for my brother and very proud of my sis-in-law...all natural!

Five Months

Has it really been five months since I last blogged?? Where in the world has the time gone!! Since Ak and I have moved home we have been busy busy, but in such a good way!

Here is a recap of the past five months:

1. First and foremost...i'm obsessed with pinterest and etsy
(can't get enough!!)

2. Ak's lil sis got married!

3. Of course we made a couple trips to k-town...that didn't really go so well, but we still had a great time!

4. We celebrated mom's 60th in Chicago!

5. One word...Bubba!

Halloween 2011


6. Fell in love with San Francisco!


7. and best of all...found out i'm going to be an AUNT!!!!

I don't set new years resolutions because let's be honest...i always fail! But I'm really going to try to do blog more! I know, I know I said that back in August but I really will!!

Two Years Ago....

I was having my first dance with my handsome husband.

Like a Man

On Saturday we had Doug's first doc appointment and he did so good. AK kept on saying "he took his shot like a man." Haha! He did not cry at all and the doc said he is very healthy. He has gained two pounds since we got him so he is now up to 4 pounds. He is a growing boy! We are such proud parents.

How can you say "no" to this face?!

Home. Sweet. Home

I was the first one to arrive at our condo and this is what I saw.
Ak's sweet cousin made us this sign. It brought tears to my eyes! We are officially home!

We have been here almost two weeks and it's flying by. It's great being home with friends and family. We are loving it.

It's Your Birthday...

and tonight we're gonna celebrate like it's your birthday!

It's days like today that I'm looking forward to living in Nashville with the fam.

Fat Boozeday!

In honor of Fat Tuesday, I had to share this picture...

Ak's little cousin's (3 years old) first experience on bourbon street.
His face says it all!

Oysters and More...

Ak and I had the best time in NOLA with the fam!

We enjoyed a beautiful day in Jackson Square

The Fam

It was the first time AK has been with both his bro and sis since our wedding.
It was nice seeing them catching up!

Saturday night while the runners were getting rest before the big day, AK and I celebrated
V-day at ACME and had drinks afterwards at the carousel bar. So fun!!

Race Day!!
Ak's 2nd cousin thought he was the coolest ever!

The Runners!

The Cheerleaders
(please excuse my arm, I have a double jointed arm so it looks CRAZY!)


and of course it wouldn't be a trip to NOLA without a hurricane!

The 1/2

Well, well, well…

Remember when I posted about the ½ marathon in New Orleans?? Let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. I got up to a mile, (yes a mile, I know) and thought I’m going to die right here on this street. There is no way I can do 13!! So AK and I are going to New Orleans as cheerleaders! There are about 20 of us going and I think there are 6 of us that aren’t running. So we will have our own little cheerleading squad.

I’m so excited to go back to one of my favorite cities. We have dinner planned at Dickie Brennan’s. Ak and I are also going to ACME for some chargrilled oysters and we have to go to Port of Call for their yummy cheeseburger and fabulous drinks!

I’m looking forward to 60 degree temps, it's going to feel like swimsuit weather!!

Casey & Doug

Meet Casey.
Isn't she sooo sweet! I'm officially a aunt and my mom is so excited that she has a granddoggy! Clearly, we need a baby in the family since both me and mom are so excited about our new names! ha! She is a Belgian malinois, which is pretty much a miniature German Shepard.

So, now that my bro has a new pup it has AK and I back into the conversation of getting one. The last time I posted, we were having a discussion between a maltipoo and a basset hound. We talked some more and AK agreed that we could get a maltipoo only if he could pick out the name. I thought that was fair, then he told me the name...Doug. We were both hysterically laughing and I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. ha! I told some friends at dinner last week and they thought it was hilarous and that it was perfect, seriously??!

I guess before I worry about this we actually need to have the dog!
I will keep you posted about Doug!

Tender TN Christmas

AK and I had a wonderful white Christmas in Nashville!!

I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but did get a few.

Celebrating Grandma's 85th Birthday on Christmas Eve!

AK's UT fabric brick
(my brother and nikki gave ak a fabric brick, that says "the referee makes a call too quick, it's time to bring out the "bad call brick" Throw it at the set with an aim so steady, Now don't you feel better all ready!) This was a very thoughtful and awesome gift! (now I don't have to hide cell phones! ha!)


Saving the best for last - our Santa D gift. Last year I said that AK and I would keep up the tradition of carrying on the gag/funny gift from my dad. So this year everyone got Elliott Sadler HBP racin' shirts! We all had a good laugh for sure. Wonder what Santa D will bring next year?? maybe a shakeweight?!

Going to the chapel!

I am so excited!!! AK's little sister got engaged on Saturday!!!!

We just love Tray and are so excited he is going to be part of the Kelly Klan!

Congratulations!

A few days late

I hope everyone had a wondeful Thanksgiving!! Ak and I had such a great weekend together and it was so nice to spend some time with him! The past three weeks have been harder than I expected, but only 2 more to go!!

I know this is a few days late, but before our dinner Ak's grandpa pulled out a old piece of newspaper and read us a Dear Abby. I think it's not only good for Thanksgiving but is something we should think about all of the time.

DEAR READERS: By popular demand, here is my traditional Thanksgiving column:
Today is Thanksgiving Day, so take a few minutes to reflect upon all the things for which you are thankful.
How's your health? Not so good? Well, thank God you've lived this long. A lot of people haven't.

You're hurting? Thousands -- maybe millions -- are hurting even more. (Have you ever visited a veterans hospital? Or a rehabilitation clinic for crippled children?)

If you awakened this morning and were able to hear the birds sing, use your vocal cords to utter human sounds, walk to the breakfast table on two good legs, and read the newspaper with two good eyes, praise the Lord! A lot of people couldn't.

How's your pocketbook? Thin? Well, most of the world is a lot poorer. No pensions. No welfare. No food stamps. No Social Security. In fact, one-third of the people in the world will go to bed hungry tonight.

Are you lonely? The way to have a friend is to be one. If nobody calls you, pick up the phone and call someone.

Are you concerned about your country's future? Hooray! Our system has been saved by such concern. Your country may not be a rose garden, but neither is it a patch of weeds.

Freedom rings! Look and listen. You can still worship at the church of your choice, cast a secret ballot, and even criticize your government without fearing a knock on the head or a knock on the door at midnight. And if you want to live under a different system, you are free to go. There are no walls or fences -- nothing to keep you here.

As a final thought, I'll repeat my Thanksgiving prayer; perhaps you will want to use it at your table today:

O heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service
That thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and yours. -- LOVE, ABBY