Party Pictures...Seriously!

Oh my stars!  If you people only knew what I have been through to get a hold of the pictures from Maggie's 6th birthday party you just might fall over.

It has been 10 weeks and 4 days since Maggie's party, but who's counting?  And I JUST got my hands on these images.  And that was only after repeated emails, stalking phone calls, and finally a nasty little tell off on my part.

I really try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but seriously this was Ridiculous, with a capital R. Lie after lie after, run around after run around.  Ewww...I was spitting nails.

But, that is all over.  Needless to say, I won't be recommending this photographer, but I will share some of the pictures and the details of Maggie's party.  If I can remember...

And I must note the pictures were near awful.  The few I had on my camera were a million times better than the professional ones.  I mean I'm just going to call myself a photographer and open up a business.  Apparently anyone can.

So for organizations sake {because Lord knows we won't be looking in January 2016 archives for Maggie's November 2015 birthday party}, I am going to put this well over due post back in November.

Just click the link to check it out...

Maggie's 6th Birthday Butterfly Garden  

and just in case that doesn't work...

http://thecibulas.blogspot.com/2015/11/maggies-butterfly-garden.html

A few flowers and butterflies might actually do you well this cold drizzly January day.  Always here to spread a little sunshine:)

Nashville

I told you I had hoped to be back with something a bit more noteworthy.  And well, I am.

We've just returned from a long MLK Jr weekend in Nashville.  Now I'm not one to usually hit the road running on this particular weekend.  But, when my cousin invited me and the kids up for her daughter's birthday party, I could hardly resist...for two reasons.

One, I adore my family and two, I am a boot-scootin' country gal at heart and there is no where I'd rather visit than Music City {oh and Texas}.

I solicited Grandma's help, left Daddy at home for a restful weekend, and the five of us hit the road.

Sweet little Morgan was turning 5 years old {she's wedged right between my girls}.  She had her party at the amazing Adventure Science Center.  This was our first stop fresh from the interstate.  She couldn't have picked a more perfect venue for the cold wintry day.

This place was absolutely incredible.  Again, just about like every city, this one blows our Children's Museum out of the water.

Oh did I mention GG met us there too!  It was like a "D" family reunion.  So much fun!

Per usual she was up to stunts that I hardly see any 80 year old attempting.  My kids were loving it!

I was so pumped to see my cousin Joe.  I swear we are kindred spirits.  He is the true essence of a country gentleman {can you tell?} and I LOVE it!

After playing around and mingling with family, we headed into the party room to celebrate the birthday girl.  There was a fascinating science demo {and I'm not just saying that} and yummy cupcakes too.

From there we headed to dinner with the family before checking into our hotel.  I booked a hotel downtown via Expedia.  Little did I know it was the finest hotel in town and somehow we were given the club level.  What?!?!  I swear we are not that important {nor did I pay that much}.  However, I can't deny I was digging the upgrade.

The kids just about went nuts over the view from the top floor!!  That's floor #25 if you are wondering.

And the heated indoor pool.

We spent the rest of our weekend trip checking out a few of the sights and sounds of Nashville.  Now how had I full control over the agenda we would have been hitting every honky tonk and country music museum in town.  Unfortunately, I did not have that power {and I had three tikes with me}.

So, we checked out some other sights in downtown and of course visited Opryland!  The kids would have stayed in the pool ALL DAY had I let them.  But, once they saw all that Nashville had to offer they were up for the sight seeing.

We took a little cruise boat tour.  This is the picture I had a passenger take with my camera.

This is the picture they wanted to sell me for $20.  When I got busted snapping a picture of it I knew I had to buy it.  Ugh!  I'm the proud owner of two of these dockside boat pictures.

Mmmm....love me some "D" family and love me some Nashville, TN!  Now we are gearing back up for a school week.  Thanks MLK for a nice long weekend {among other things:)}

Random Happenings

Here we are nearly two weeks into the near year and I've hardly posted on the blog.  Ugh...not a great way to start.  I vow to do better.

I imagine there hasn't been much posting because there hasn't exactly been anything too noteworthy going on.  But, please don't mistake that for "down time".  It has been the usual "plenty busy" around here.

So here are a bit of those random happenings that are keeping us busy.

The kids are still working their way through their Christmas gifts.  Spoiled?  No way!  Jack has proudly completed his prize gift...this monstrous Lego.

It seriously had 2, 262 pieces and was for age 16 plus.  I can't even begin to tell you how impressed we were when he finished it perfectly in two speedy days.  Uh, pretty amazing, huh?  I'm just saying, there is no way that thing would have been completed at my hands.

As for Maggie, she is shocking and amazing me as well.  My little Kindergartner is writing and reading up a storm.  Go Mags...go...go...Go Mags!  My prayers have been answered...Maggie loves school!

We've been reading this darling little chapter book series of Ivy and Bean.  This was, again, a coveted Christmas gift.  We were on to book 3 and Maggie is adoring every minute.

And of course, there is NEVER a dull moment with this little one around.

I just can't imagine this family without my firecracker.  Lucy literally gets a smile and a belly laugh  out of me on a daily basis.  She is nothing short of a hoot.  I mean I could watch her give a "Taylor concert" all day long.

In other random happenings, I got the new iPhone 6s.  I'm always late to the technology advancements.  But, I LOVE it!  I even took these pictures on it.  Supposedly it's got a better camera...still working on that.  You know me and camera phones.  I have had fun playing around with it though.

I even used the Apple Pay at McDonalds the other day.  Other than the fact that it is disgusting that we ate at McDonalds, it was a pretty cool experience.

I also grabbed this little gem in an effort to soften my kid's hearts and hopefully curb the arguing.

We read it every morning before school.  I like to imagine that it will sink in one day.

And although, there is some controversy regarding this well meaning author, I have no qualms with someone putting the Bible into a language my kids can relate too.  I mean, seriously, what a gift.  It would be a sin not to share that talent.

And other than all that randomness, we are preparing for the 100th day of school, planning a fabulous February vacation, and working on our Valentines.  {yes, I said Valentines...if you think that is bad, you should see my struggle with waiting to put up all the pink and red decor...its killing me}

Hoping to be back with something a bit more noteworthy next time.  Now off to watch the Bachelor {oh, that's another random happening around here...seriously addicted!}

Happy Twenty-Sixteen

Thankfully since my last post, things have improved.  The dawning of a new year may have had something to do with it.  Not to mention, the rain finally ceased and the sun has peeked out.  Hallelujah!

We've welcomed 2016 eagerly and with much celebrating these past couple of days.  New Year's Eve was celebrated at a FSU game for the boys and a trip to the nature center for the girls.  Splitting this threesome up goes a loooong way these days.

Grandma swooped in and saved the day by offering to take her darling grandchildren for New Year's evening.   It was totally unexpected by Clay and I and, of course, very welcomed.    The two of us enjoyed the most PEACEFUL and delish dinner.  And then proceeded to welcome the first day of 2016 with a nice sleep in.  Can't ask for much more than that.

But, when the littles returned on January 1, 2016 it was a par-tah! 

We donned a plethora of New Years accessories {and our pjs}.  We danced all the way up to dinner with the tunes cranking.  If it were up to Lu we would have busted our speakers.  What am I going to do with that little party animal?  She's a bucket of fun and then some.

I assure you my video camera got plenty of use.  Can't wait to watch these kiddos bust a move on the big screen in years to come.

Post dinner and dance party, Daddy got the fire pit going.  The temps have finally dropped around here, so the fire was mighty nice.

We celebrated the New Year with our traditional s'mores roast and sparklers.

Maggie has apparently developed a new found fear of sparklers {and fireworks}, so she opted out.   Never a drama-free moment around here.

Daddy, once again, put on an amazing show.  I'm pretty sure our backyard is grass-less now.

Nothing like celebrating the New Year with my favorite people in the world!   We are welcoming 2016 with open hearts and open minds and praying for another year of watching these littles ones grow and learn.   And I'll take a side of PEACE with that too.  Just saying...

Wishing you all a very Happy Twenty-Sixteen!