Summer's Baby Shower

Last Sunday Summer had a baby shower in Birmingham. It was a joyous experience to be with family and close friends. I am amazed at how generous everyone was and all the essentials we received!


We had some delicious food and the best strawberry cake from Ashley Macs.
Jay came by before the shower started and we took some cute pictures.

Thanks to all who came to support the arrival of baby Summer.

And all the super cute gifts you gave!

Believe it or not but I did make it home with EVERYTHING!
Here are some keepsakes that I will treasure for Summer...smocked dress that my mom handmade, pink and white blanket handmade by Mama Burr, silver monogrammed pacifier holder and the sweet shower invitation.

Thanks to the hostesses who put this shower together for us. We appreciate all your efforts!

Mardi Gras Celebration

Last Saturday Night we had a Mardi Gras Wedding Shower Celebration for Leslie and Jeff in Birmingham. It was great being able to see all my friends at one time and of course I am so happy for Leslie. The wedding will be here before we know it in April.

The couple in love!

Me and Leslie

Me and Nicole

The hostesses (minus prego Erin) with Leslie. These ladies can throw a party! From the invitations, decorations, beads, and LOTS of delicious New Orleans food (Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Muffalettas sp?, King Cake and Moon Pies).

And Leslie and Jeff received some great gifts too to help them prepare for life in marriage.

Oh the Yummy Restaurants

While in Birmingham I had a short list of restaurants that I wanted to eat at. These are places that I don't have out here in Reno and my taste buds miss them so much!
First stop - Jim 'n Nick's Barbeque

As far as I am concerned this is the best barbeque EVER!
Sandie and I enjoyed and open face BBQ pork sandwich with coleslaw.

Next, Dad and I had breakfast at Panera Bread.

Without a doubt I order the Asiago Cheese bagel; sliced and toasted with Sundried Tomato Cream Cheese. Yummy!

Now I hope this next eatery doesn't get its feelings hurt because I went to it third. I am a tried and true Chick fil A fan.

I apologize that I don't have a picture of Mom and I eating or of the delicious Chick fil A sandwich (with Polynesian sauce on side), waffle fries and diet lemonade. However, this is always a busy location and it just wasn't appropriate to ask for someone to stop enjoying their meal to photograph us.

Finally, I hit up the local cafe/deli in Cahaba Heights, O'Carrs, with my sweet family. You can't get a better chicken salad (not salad with chicken, real chicken salad) and it comes with a piece of every fruit known to man.

Pictured: Grandmamma, Me, Mom, Tiffany, Aunt Pam, Aunt Dianne, Lacey

And just for good measure her is a picture of us in the dressing room at Anthropologie.

Sweatshirt Night

This weekend I cleaned out our closets and some plastic bins that were in the garage holding clothes we hadn't looked at in 3 years. I managed to donate 8 bags to Goodwill but there were some sweatshirts that both Chad and I were not able to part with...even though they get no wear!

So tonight we decided to put on our sweatshirts that we couldn't live without and make them worth the space they take up.

Chad in his Western College of Colorado (I always fumble that name) with the gorgeous applique of a mountain on it!

Jana in her Alabama SEC sweatshirt she has had since middle school when you dressed up for Alabama/Auburn day.

I'm off to ALABAMA!

Tomorrow I leave for Bama and I will be celebrating with my friends Leslie and Jeff at a Wedding Shower on Saturday night. Then on Sunday, Summer will be having a baby shower in her honor! She told me she is so excited!

Just Stuff

I have learned so much from this tough economic time.

Ex: Spaghetti sauce in a can is much less expensive than a jar (salsa too for that matter)...plus I am going to dress it up with my own ingredients anyways so who cares.

I have simple tastebuds...I could eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich 7 days a week OR a frozen jumbo pretzel microwaved and served with ketchup.

And here is the kicker...If you check your grocery website, chances are they have coupons online. I am not talking about 50cent ones...$20 off. Yes my friends, Raley's and Whole Foods are both offering $20 off when you spend $100. Check your local grocery store website...the feeling of saving $20 is pretty rewarding I have to say!

Baby Bump

This picture was taken at 4:45am before I took Chad to the airport...so cut me some slack from the neck up...but I thought I looked pregnant in this getup.

Great Snow

I am so pleased that Nicole and Thomas got to experience some great powder conditions while they were here visiting. Here are some pictures of our drive into Tahoe City along the Truckee River.

I get a "little nervous" riding on the interstate in these type of conditions so I had to lay the car seat back and relax. Once we got off the interstate I sat up and enjoyed the pretty conditions. I blame this anxiety on Colorado and some of my awful driving experiences on I-70.

Once we got to Homewood the ski cleared up (off and on). Heaven for Chad.

Thomas helping Nicole tighten her ski boots...but poor thing was having to balance on his tippy toes like a ballerina!

Nicole and I posing for a goodbye picture.

Thanks for coming out to visit us! We loved it!

Welcome Nicole & Thomas

Nicole and Thomas arrived in town on Friday. We first went downtown to Silver Peak Brewery, a local spot, to take in the Reno scene.

They were amazed at the size of Sampson and wanted to try and show in a picture how big he actually is in real life.

Chad grilled out some exceptional steaks and we played Taboo. The girls won!

Saturday morning we went to my favorite breakfast restaurant, The Stone House, and enjoyed life on "vacation!"

We went to Scheels for the first time (pretty cool store) and got their ski rentals. Nicole and I went to inspect my baby registry and Thomas and Chad went downtown to explore the casino. Thomas won $200+...still not enough to get me to gamble my money away.

Chef Nicole cooked us dinner: pecan crusted fish, aged gouda grits, garlic roasted asparagus served with a tossed salad. It was delicious.

We played the card game Phase 10 and it brought out the competitor in us all.

Funny... Nicole thought she won a round and started humming the tune to Samford and Son only to be wrong and then Thomas started mocking her humming the same tune! Everyone but Nicole laughed. The winner is still to be determined.

Nicole, Thomas and Chad are off to Tahoe for some skiing. It has snowed the past 2 days and this morning is a Blue Bird Day! Couldn't ask for better conditions! Hopefully they will take some good pictures. I will just sit at home and grow a baby.

Kicking

Yeah, finally at 21 weeks I felt Summer kick. In fact, it felt more like a complete flip.
I was sitting at my computer and it felt like a really strong hunger pain then some jiffy pop exploding. I think it lasted about 5 seconds.

Happy Belated Birthday to my friend Rachel!
For those who don't know Rachel...I would describe her as creative, witty and outgoing. She is up for trying new things and does a great job documenting her trials.

Tomorrow Nicole and Thomas come into town to visit us. Look forward to some fun pictures!