Dinner with the Family...

My children are wild....even when dining in public.

Some More...

These are a few more pictures from my cell phone. I rarely post pictures from my cell phone because the quality isn't that good, but I decided that I should start putting some of the pictures on the blog. Hadley made glasses out of her wikki stix at Zaxby's. I thought she did a good job. Ella loves costumes...even if it is just pink vampire teeth. Layton. Ah Layton. He loves to pose for a picture.

Rock Out!

Recently, my friend Cody brought his rock game for the Wii over. Please excuse me for not knowing what it is called. Hadley loved it!! She played the guitar, and the other children took turns singing and using the other guitar. It was a really good time. Pardon the appearance of the photos attached, but they are from my cell phone. I wish the quality was a little better. :) I also thought I should let everyone see what happens to Layton's head every time he has fun. It's like his head cannot help but bump into everything in sight! At least we haven't had a ct scan in a while....

Full Service...

Do you remember when gas stations were full service? I miss the days of having someone else put the gas in my car...especially on cold days. :)

The Next Paula Deen...

Ella loves to cook. She made supper for our entire family earlier this week. She made spaghetti with meatballs and cheese tortellini. It was SO good! Obviously, she needs help with setting the temperatures, taking hot things out of the oven, and reading the labels.

Some of you probably know about Ella's special situation. She is allergic to eggs, peanuts, and shellfish. It is extremely difficult to prepare a meal for our family that she can eat. Imagine going to the grocery store and reading the ingredients label on the back of everything you purchase. Imagine going out to eat and asking the chef to prepare something that does not contain or come in contact with any eggs, shellfish, or peanuts. She cannot have a flu shot. She cannot have birthday cake. Certain ice cream is made with egg. When she had her adenoids removed, the surgeon had to order special gloves because most surgical gloves contain a portion of peanut oil. They also had to put a warning on her chart that no beta dine could be used on her or anything touching her. Individuals with shellfish allergies are often times very sensitive to beta dine as well. Dealing with her allergies has literally taken over a portion of my life.


















So, I am thrilled that she has taken such an interest in cooking. She is learning all about how to prepare meals that are safe for her to eat. She also made these adorable monkey shaped rice treats for dessert. Her favorite channel is the food network, and her favorite shoe is Paula Deen's show. She keeps begging us to take her to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant.
I'm guessing all my readers know where we will be vacationing this summer....

My younger sister is having surgery next week. Please keep Kathryn in your prayers.

Full Disclosure...

Five things I am addicted to:

1. My "nuggets." Jay and I affectionately refer to our children as "children nuggets." This is a result of the question, "What do you want for dinner?" Their response is always chicken nuggets. I am completely hooked on all three of them....Hadley, Ella, and Layton.

2. Mary Kay. I love all of the products offered by Mary Kay. Especially the lip gloss...it is great!

3. Funny stories. For example: When Layton was a wee baby, I started calling him Later Tater. It evolved over the months, and as he started talking, he started calling himself Tater Tots. Well, my sister bought some tater tots to prepare for her oldest child. Charsy promptly said, "We are having Laytons for dinner!"

4. Shoes. Without a doubt, I LOVE shoes! It seems that I rarely find clothes that fit comfortably. If I try on a dress, it's too big up top or too small on bottom. I have short hobbit legs that make a pants purchase a nightmare. Shoes. They always fit.

5. My phone. Without my cell phone, I do not know what I would do. I think back to the days before I had a cell phone and wonder how I managed to live through the day without a crisis! It is more than just a phone to me. It is my calendar, my method of organizing files I use on the go for work, my source of contact with friends and family, and the way my children can always reach me.

I would like to thank Lacy for prompting me to disclose my addictions. I am supposed to ask for five more bloggers to dish out their five addictions. So, I will have to figure out who to call on...check back later...

More Farm Fun...

Santa Hit Hard...

A few shots of Christmas...

We are officially all on Christmas break! The adventures continue....

Christmas Tree Farm...

Each year during the early part of December, our family goes to a Christmas tree farm. We scout the land for the one we like best. Jay cuts it down. The children get hot chocolate and talk to Santa Claus. It's a great way to spend a Saturday.

Thanksgiving...

The best part about my family being from Tuscaloosa is getting to roam campus when it isn't crowded with students and ESPN.

I can understand....

It's easy to see why Jay loves the farm so much. If you look closely, you can see his deer stand in one of the pictures.

Fun at the Farm...

School...

Yeah, I know I'm late getting this posted. I'm trying to get caught up. :) This was Ella's first day of kindergarten and Hadley's first day of fourth grade.

Most Recent Beach Trip

Tonight is the Christmas parade in our hometown. We are excited about it! The children are geared up for Christmas.

What should we eat for supper? I am out of ideas.

I just added the mobile blogging feature to my phone. Maybe I will be able to update more often!

Work. Work. Work. Sleep.

I am ready for the weekend. It's only Tuesday, and I am already drained this week! I am actually just in need of some time off. Many of my readers (okay maybe 2 people...cuz I only have around 3 readers) may not be aware of how seriously I take my job. For some reason, I lack the ability to erase it from my mind when I leave. My coworkers say it is what makes me so valuable to the firm. All of our clients have my home phone number, cell phone number, email at home and work, and any other information they need in order to contact me. Every tax return I work on is prepared with the same love and attention that I show my own tax return. I have lost sleep on many occasions because of a situation a client is in. I take my job personally. The relationships I have built with our clients go beyond a work relationship. Every few months, I need to take a few days off to recharge my battery. Here's hoping that I get a few days off and can spend some time updating my blog....

There are games afoot...

Be on the lookout for some pictures soon.

Notice of Intent to Levy

If blogging were analogous to taxes, I would have received a letter from the government with an intent to levy my personal property to pay my tax. Yes, that's right. I have been so consumed with work, that I have failed to update my blog in nearly a year. Here is a quick update of the last year in no particular order (and a promise to blog more often):

1. I have officially signed my life over to my career.
2. Ella had another ear surgery; it went very well.
3. We had excellent holidays.
4. I am another year older.
5. I attempted to master Myspace.com. It didn't go so well.
6. I can cross-accrue income tax for corporations in my sleep.
7. My secretary who moved to Auburn is expecting twin boys...Oz and Conner.
8. My sister had a baby. Chesley.
9. Layton loves the color orange.
10. Ella is obsessed with preparing "payroll." My career has warped my children.
11. Hadley is addicted to the internet. I should have her blog for me.


I promise to provide updates and lots of pictures soon!!!


AMR

Check It...

and more...