March Madness

I posted on Facebook a few days ago that I was pretty sure that my bracket was perfect and I was going to win the $5,000,000.  Well - I shouldn't quit my job because my bracket got busted more ways than one tonight.  Thank goodness I only have $5 in this office pool.

All I can say is it appears that Duke did not show up tonight.

Alexa Turns One!

This little beauty (i.e Hungry Caterpillar) celebrated her first birthday party today.  I can't believe I have now been photographing her for a year now.  Time flies.  

Her mama really knows how to throw a party.  From the front door welcome sign....

...to the wreath on the front door and everything else.  

When I walked in the door I saw this.  Every single picture (except one) I have taken over the past year.  It made my heart so happy to see my photography gracing the walls of their home.  

On the buffet server she placed a ton of candy in sweet little glass dishes for people to make goody bags from.  The kids (and adults) loved this display.  There were jars of gum drops, mints, skittles, m&ms, Trix cereal, twizzlers and gold fish.  

There were pom poms from tissue paper and had them hanging throughout the house...

...and cute signs made up for everything on the candy display, the food table and even the water bottles.

This food display follows the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Adorable, huh?

There was even had a gigantic caterpillar made from balloons hanging from the ceiling.

And finally, check out this perfect cake.  Made by Louise's Cakes in Hoover.  They did a fantastic job and it tasted as good as it looked.  

There were so many people there to celebrate the first birthday of a sweet, blessed little girl.  I am so thankful to have become friends with this awesome family and look forward to watching Alexa grow over the years.

{For the record, most of these awesome decoration ideas were found on Pinterest.  Who doesn't LOVE Pinterest?}

Ready for Spring

Last spring my garden started out really well.  

I grew many of my plants from seedlings and then transplanted them.  David helped plant them (please notice his tongue - when he concentrates he sticks his tongue out - no matter if it's on the basketball court, while doing homework, while playing a video game, or while helping me plant my seedlings...he's just like his daddy).  

Back to the plants.....I watered them.....I fertilized them (once).  

Then I got busy.

And my garden sucked.  There were too many weeds.  Not enough watering.  And therefore - not enough produce.

I got a few tomatoes, peppers and green beans.  That's about it.

The one shining beacon in my yard is my blueberry bushes...they produced a bunch.  Awesomesauce.

This year WILL BE DIFFERENT.  I'm going to plant just a few things and really focus on them.

Here's what I'm thinking:

- tomatoes
- peppers
- squash
- zucchini
- cilantro
- parsley
- basil

Totally doable, right?

Season Champs

This morning was the championship game for the 5 and 6 year olds.  

David's team ended the regular season 2nd place.  They played Tuesday night (while daddy/coach was out of town - and who insisted on play by play texts throughout the game...I may or may not have failed at the play by play texts.    I got this video that I posted a few days ago of his last second three to seal up the win.

They won that game and played in the semi-finals on Thursday and won.

And today was the championship game.  Against one of his best buddies team.  Such a hard position to be in.  I wanted to cheer for Walker and for him to have a great game (but I wanted David to win).  I can't WAIT until middle school when all of his friends are on the SAME team. 

In the first quarter we were trailing by 7, then came back to tie it up in the second quarter.  The rest of the game was a real nail biter.  There was lots of cheering, nerves, great shots and great blocks from both sides.  The other team was undefeated the whole season and truly played a great game today.   We came out on top this time.  David scored 18 of our 19 points today.  

I'm loving the double 5's that Eli is giving Brad.  

The team with their trophies.

David and Coach after the game.

David and Walker.  Good friends.  Before and after the game.  

Now it's time to move on to BASEBALL!!!!  First game is this weekend.

Leap Day 2004

Brad posted this on Facebook last night and I had to share here too:

Spent my 5 hour drive tonight reflecting on Leap Day 2004. It is truly a miracle that I lived through that day. It's so easy to remember the pain and lasting physical limitations of that wreck, but so many great things came out of that. Bethany and I met people who touched our lives (like Bill and Debbie Serena, Tami Jo and the whole PT staff) and learned tough lessons on patience and how God's plan and timing is far superior than our own. So thankful to all those who pitched in to get us through (Ray and Mike - who kept me awake on that mountain and kept Jim Bob the volunteer paramedic away from me), Lyn and Mickey for countless hospital visits and keeping Bethany sane, my dad for dropping everything and getting here to sit with me 24/7 at the hospital and buying me my chair that would be my home for several months, and especially to the most amazing wife who sacrificed so much to get me through, all while being pregnant with David. So thankful for the past 8 years.

Great shot!

For some reason I can't get this video to embed into my blog....but if you click on the link it'll take you to YouTube so you can see it.....

http://youtu.be/Kgk43ETalyo

First Anniversary Photoshoot

Yesterday, Brad and I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with David and Allison for their first anniversary.  

David wore the exact brown suit and purple tie he wore at their wedding.  

We were able to use a loft rooftop in downtown Birmingham.  It was a really neat setting.  

 Allison coordinated her look by painting her fingernails purples.  She looked stunning in her mustard yellow sweater and tights.

We took this one in the grungy stairwell as we left for the evening.

...more to come!