s-c-o-r-e, raise that score!

KayKay had her first basketball game yesterday. I must admit, I was a little concerned. She hasn't had many practices and we missed her last practice because we were in NOLA. But, she looked so darn cute!

This is her with some of her team mates warming up before the game.

Pep talk with the coach.

Sporting her new Pumas.

Sissy and Daddy waiting on the game to start.

The big entrance. KayKay was most excited about running out.

Abi and I before the game.

My camera died before KayKay ran out for the game to start. So the rest are from my iphone.

She did a pretty good job. She was more aggressive than I had expected. We still need to work with her on dribbling the ball. The first thing she told me was that she was sweaty. She said she had a good time though. She asked Olivia when we were in the car if she did a good job. Livi said, "No, cause you didn't dibble it." She's a mess too.
We enjoyed the game and have a busy couple of months ahead of us. Abi and KayKay have numerous weekends with games and competitions at the same time.

gotta love those Hogs

Alex and I had a very interesting experience by going to the Sugar Bowl. We encountered some strange people and met people that are from our area. We had such a great time and savored the small things. Like, not making thirty trips to the restroom, not loading and unloading kids from car seats, not worrying about the little ones getting into the street or worrying about what they would see on the streets of NOLA.

We had an amazing time and, even though we didn't win, I am so grateful for the opportunity that Alex and I had to get away. I don't think I realized how much we needed that time until we left. It is so important for couples to take care of themselves and not get completely consumed and lost in the stress of everyday life.
p.s. Olivia was not the most pleasant child to deal with yesterday when I had to run errands and during her gym class, but I have to give credit to the grandparents because she has not cried or screamed once when it is bed/nap time since she has been home. She's even sweet when it's time to lay down. What is your secret?

Woooo pig!!!

Soooo, Alex and I have been in New Orleans (child free) since yesterday afternoon. We have spent the day wandering the streets of New Orleans with the tons of other Razorback and Buckeye fans. We have had a lot of fun today and are getting freshened up to go yell at the game now. I just wanted to take a quick minute to update and let you know just how badly New Orleans stinks. I have been here once before but didn't quit explore as much as we have on this trip. I had Leslie with me the last time that I came and wasn't sure about dragging her around all of these sketchy places. I noticed numerous times how wonderful it was to pass by someone on the street that had put on a little too much perfume or after shave, or maybe put some extra fabric softener in with their clothes. Because the stench of the town and streets was so fowl that I savored the moments when we met those flowery people along the way. Bourbon Street is not a place that I ever wish to visit again,although I did see Melinda Mayo at Pat O's, which was pretty neat.

With that said, I am going to finish getting the stink of NOLA off of myself and head out to the SUGAR BOWL!   (Thanks again to the family who is helping us with the girls so that Alex and I could get away for a minute)

time with the grands

We spent the night with Alex's parents last night before we left for our trip to New Orleans.  We had a good visit with Grammie and Papaw and here are a few snap shots of them playing.

Now the girls are spending their days with Memaw and their evenings with Grammie and Papaw. I have been worried about the little one! I think I have a more difficult time leaving her than she does me. She has been doing well from what I hear though. I spoke with her while she was at Memaw's this afternoon and she said, "Mommy, where did you go?" And I thought she couldn't hear me on the phone, so I proceeded to tell her I was on the phone with her and she said, "But I want you. I want you here." I quickly changed the subject and moved on so that neither one of us would have a melt down.

And as for Abi and KayKay, they couldn't wait to see us off! They enjoy testing their limits with the grands I think. They aren't quiet as strict as mom and dad. ;)  A good friend of mine told me that the girls will have more fun than Alex and I will while we are gone, and I think she may just be right....

a house of their own

The girls are kind of fond of their playhouse. There are a few little additions that remain to be put on the house. But I think it is still too cute.

I think there are going to be a lot of mud pies coming out of that place!

see ya next year!

We had an appetizer supper tonight. The menu was mini chicken sandwiches, mini egg rolls, fried mac & cheese, popcorn chicken, waffle fries, potato boats, and Alex grilled stuffed jalepenos (for himself).

We watched a family movie and played a game. It has been a family night and we pray for many more in 2011.

Be safe!

bravo! + shopping

We met Alex during his lunch break on Thursday at Bravo! It was a drizzly icky kind of day, but we didn't let that slow down our shopping!

We walked over to Justice after eating so that Abi and KayKay could spend the gift cards that their Nan got them for Christmas. Abi put on a little fashion show for us and I told her that Nana would like the sweater that she picked out. It was on sale and has lavender in it.

 These next couple of pictures cracked me up. While I was waiting on Makayla to come out of the dressing room, Olivia and Abi went to explore in the store. They found a section that had whoopie cushions and, when I walked up, Olivia was mashing on Abi while she sat on the cushion in order to make the fart sound.

I had to provide quiet a bit of guidance with Makayla in picking out practical clothing. Oh my, the things she was picking out were awful. And I couldn't help but remember the looks that my mom would give me when she saw some of the things I used to pick out.

For some reason, I never could convince her that the items I chose were fashionable.

And speaking of fashionable, I just discovered a store called Anthropologie in the outlet we were shopping in. Why has no one told me about this place before??

It. was. wonderful. If you come across this shop, go in!

he came!

Our Christmas tree with Santa's gifts left under it. He even wrote each girl a note this year!

Abi got Felicity's best friend, Elizabeth! And she's reading Santa's note in the picture. Makayla was moving around in the picture so it's all fuzzy. There will be several photos like that I imagine! (hint hint for a future birthday gift)

Olivia got an over stuffed pink rocker. And she didn't really care about her note from Santa. :)

And Makayla had this note in the tree....It told her that Santa couldn't fit her gift down the chimney so he needed her to follow the candy canes to find her present.

There were candy canes on the floor that led to the deck doors. We opened the doors and went down the steps to the swing set. And just past the swing set was.....

All of the girls were excited to see the playhouse. But Abi is such a prissy pants! She stood on the deck with a blanket wrapped around herself and I had to tell her to come down and be excited for her sister. She snarled her nose and tip toed the whole way out to see it. Good grief!

And now for random photos of the girls opening their other gifts.

Now on to the event that I know you have been anticipating all Christmas season:
                                What did the girls buy us from Santa Shop this year?????

Please excuse the blurry pictures (ahem):

Here is Alex opening up his gift from Abi.

And now opening Makayla's gift to him. He notices a trend

They both got him coffee mugs that say "Super Dad". It's something fantastic every year!

Makayla loves rudolph this year. She got some rudolph slippers and gloves.

                                       I got Alex an Arkansas Razorback commemorative watch.

And Alex got me a Coach wallet with a gift card. I also got the Bruno Mars cd, which I love.

Time for stockings!!!

I put stockings off for half of the day after opening gifts because it is a symbol. Stockings are done last in our family and then it's over. Christmas is officially over. And now I have to wait a whole year to do it again.

So, in the mean time, I will plan birthday parties!!

 

I got them pens that smell. Makayla's smells like bubble gum.

Alex got a package of 1/2 pound each Reese's cups in his stocking. I couldn't wait for him to open that bad boy! He was in shock (and horror I believe).

We had a great Christmas at home. And the count down begins to next year! (But I would like it if 2011 didn't go by quiet as fast as 2010).