Can't Forget Our Jacksonville Weekend!

Amanda, Ella and I left home at 6:30 am Friday morning to head to Jax. We had planned on leaving Thursday evening after getting home from work and school, but rain and wind was in the forecast and I was tired and didn't want to drive in the rain at night. Of course, it didn't rain at all Thursday night but rained all day Friday. At least it was just a steady drizzle so I didn't mind driving in that. We only ran into one downpour that lasted 30 minutes or so. After a couple of short stops for Ella to get out and walk around we arrived at Emily and Richard's around 11am. The top pic is of the animals all getting reacquainted! They all love each other!

Emily had a 1:30 appt for her ultrasound, so shortly after arriving we all headed out for lunch at Chili's and then on to the ultrasound. Emily did a good job of driving us there!

Amanda is anxious to get there. She could hardly wait to find out if she is having a niece or a nephew!

In the ultrasound room, Richard is anxious to get started!

Amanda anxiously waiting to get started. She chose a comfortable seat on the leather couch facing the big screen on the wall!

Leaving Discovery Ultrasound. Everyone is so excited! It's a girl!! Just what everyone wanted!

OK, so just who is pregnant here? Amanda trying on the magic belly in Motherhood Maternity. Friday evening Richard had to work so the girls and I headed down to St. Augustine to the outlet malls where we shopped for a while until we got tired and then headed back to Jacksonville stopping for dinner at a Mexican restaurant that we all decided was not worth going to again!

Gene arriving on his Harley on Saturday morning.

Gene was starving when he arrived so we all went out to Olive Garden for lunch. I think Richard was tired of me trying to get a picture of him! And, he will probably kill me for this!

Gene tired and sleeping after the long drive up and a good lunch.

Finally caught Richard in a good pose in his favorite place. Playing games on the computer!

Saturday after lunch the girls and I went shopping in Jacksonville. There are so many places to shop there. This picture was taken at Babies R Us. It just opened and is huge! They have so much stuff! Of course I had to buy an outfit or two for our little grandaughter!

The guys met up with us on Saturday night for a while. Richard is relaxing in the recliner

After a delicious Roast Beef dinner on Sunday, Emily made this scrumptious Paula Deen Pound Cake. We sat around and talked for quite a while Sunday afternoon and then we all left around 4:30 pm. Gene left about half an hour ahead of us but we caught up with him eventually! Of course he says it's cause he sat and waited on us!

We had a great time and are looking forward to Emily and Richard coming down here for Thanksgiving.

A FEW BARGAINS!

I was in the mood to go out shopping today and was glad I did. I actually found a few bargains and a few Christmas presents to boot!
Thought I would show you a few of the bargains I found.

I thought this little black and white jacket was adorable, and it was on the clearance rack at Target! Guess who it's for?!












Fall flags were on clearance at Michael's. I couldn't pass this one up as it is by Mary Englebreit. I love her pictures! Not a good picture as the sun was shining directly at me.




Macy's had their clearance purses with 50% off the clearance price. I also had several coupons that I had gotten in the mail, so when I checked out the clerk used 3 coupons including one $20.00 off, so I got these purses for next to nothing! The girls can fight over these when they come home for Thanksgiving...if they don't want them I guess I will keep all three:)

I finally remembered to go to Joanne's and pick up 2 zippers so I can mend you know who's skirts! Now if I can just remember to mend them! hehe

I found the salt and pepper shakers that match my dishes I bought a year or so ago. They were marked way down. Not sure yet if I like them, though. I think they look like milk jugs!

Some Wilton sprinkles for our Christmas baking.

And now the other 2 purses from Macy's. I can never get the pictures in the order I want. These are Fossil purses.

OK, Amanda, I traded in Ella's antlers for a pair that actually light up. They were the last pair, too.

And a new bowl for Ella from Dollar Tree.

Woops, another flag picture. Couldn't get if off of here.

Girl's Weekend

We're leaving for a "girls" weekend away in Jacksonville. Well, mostly girls:) Gene is coming up on his Harley Friday night or Saturday morning weather depending. And Richard will be there! But we girls plan to get some shopping in. And we get to see baby's ultrasound Friday afternoon! Yea! Hopefully will have pictures to post when we get back.

BORED?

I've been busy, errr, bad this morning!
I unstuffed one of my toys!



I've been chasing John and Tigger, trying to get them to play with me!

I'm still hungry! I've had my breakfast already! Amanda told Grandma I had to go on a diet cause I've gained 17 lbs since I came to live with them! I keep going in and looking at my empty bowl! I think Grandma is gonna give me something else to eat!

It's Beginning To Look Like Fall!

The weather outside certainly doesn't feel like fall, so since I am a Harley Widow on Thursday nights, I decided to put some fall accessories out and take pictures! This is the family room coffee table. I love the leaf vase I found in Tennessee a couple of years ago.

The breakfast nook table with my Starbucks pumpkin coffee mugs hanging in the background. Amanda gave them to me last year.

A closer shot of the pumpkin mugs.

The leaf bowl Emily gave me last year. I think I need to learn how to take better pics!

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Have to bring my own fall smell into the house with a Yankee Harvest Candle with the turkey topper sitting beside. I love this candle!

A close up of the pumpkin topiaries I found this year at Homegoods.

The fall wreath hanging from the mirror in the living room.

Ella wanted to be included too! She followed me around the house as I was taking the pics! Of course she always turned her head just as I would snap the picture!

Flowers in a pumpkin and the wheat candle holders on the table in the foyer.

My illuminated scarecrow. I also have one of these in my office at work.

This pic was supposed to be #1. Gene heading off to join his boss and a few other guys for a ride to Ft. Pierce to bike night. This has become a Thursday night tradition. I'm glad he is able to go out and ride his bike with other responsible guys.

Heading off!

Wreath on the front door.

Arrangement on the buffet in the dining room.

The dining room table. I had 2 of these turkeys and I broke one carrying it down the stairs. I was so upset! This is my attempt at bringing fall to South Florida. Now, if the weather would cool down just a bit, I would be very happy.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Happy 4th Anniversary to Richard and Emily!

Have a wonderful day!

We love you and miss you!

Photos of Gene I thought I would share!

I found these pictures of Gene today and I thought they were just too good not to share them! The first one is from 1984.


This picture is from 1990! I don't know where I was at, but I totally missed these stages of his life!
Sorry, Honey!

Exciting News!

We are anxiously awaiting the exciting news that will be forthcoming tomorrow morning around 9:30 AM! And, we may be changing our tickers!

A TASTE OF FALL

I am so anxious for fall to arrive that when I opened my latest Taste of Home magazine this week and saw this recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake, I just had to make it! It is really good and nice and moist, but I don't like the way it calls for the nuts to be put into the pan before the batter and then the rest on top of the batter. I think if I make it again, I will incorporate the nuts into the batter! But, it satisfied my cravings for a taste of fall!

A Few Pics

Well, I wanted to put these pictures in a certain order but since I am home alone I cannot figure out how to get them there so they will be as they are! We traveled to Jacksonville Labor Day weekend and spent the weekend with Emily and Richard. This is Phoenix and Ella enjoying their Busy Bones! with Gene lounging in the background! Phoenix and Ella love each other and each has to do whatever the other is doing!

We took a ferry boat ride on the St. Johns River. A view of Jacksonville Landing from the ferry boat with Emily's ever present Icee on the side!

The Birthday Boy!

Justin celebrated his 14th birthday this past Sunday with a party at his house.

Kim and Vicki...sister-in-law and Mother of Justin! They put on the spread that kept us all happy!

Taylor and Aryiah and another little girl who was at the party. Lounging on the bed! I think they were watching a movie.

Richard and Emily on the ferry boat on the St. Johns River in Jax.

Amanda on the ferry with Richard in the background.

Another pic of The Three Musketeers

Emily and Richard comparing pregnant bellies in Dunkin Donuts with Amanda being greatly amused!

For some strange reason there were 7 or 8 chickens/roosters running around the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Richard was greatly amused by them and went outside to feed them his Flatbread sandwich. Apparently he was not impressed with the Sandwich. The chickens seemed to love it however. I thought I had a picture of Richard with the chicks but did not. There was also a pig outside, at least thats what the Dunkin Donuts iced coffee maker told me! We didn't see it, but neither did we look for it!

My handsome hubby sitting on the seawall on the St. Johns River with downtown Jacksonville in the background.

Emily and Richard with Jax in the background.

Amanda shooting pics hoping to become a part of the paparazzi in the future! Friendship Fountain in the background.

Downtown Jacksonville.

And yet another view of downtown Jax. We saw dolphins jumping in the water. An enjoyable time was had by all. We girls also did quite a bit of shopping, but no pictures!