The Willoughby Chronicles

Visit from the Torres Family

2012-01-30T18:28:00.002-06:00

January 13th - January 15th

Friday, January 13th, the Torres family came for a visit. They encountered some Friday the 13th luck with their minivan - it stalled 2 stop signs from our house. Thankfully, they crept along and made it to the house. Charles and Matt took it to Auto Zone , and LeAnna, Patrick, William and I stayed at the house. Patrick was hungry for Pop-Tarts, and when he said that he was hungry - he was hungry! He ate the first package and then asked for another. When he had eaten it, he wanted more, so a quick trip to Kroger later, and we were in business! Charles and Matt got back home just in time for a little play time and for Charles to read Patrick a bedtime book (or 2).

The next morning, Charles and Matt took the minivan in for tests, and Patrick and I had the best time playing!

We invented a new game...Monkey Moves!

where we each threw a monkey to each other at the same time...

while making the monkeys perform tricks in the air!

I pulled out our Smurf figures, and we also imagined a whole Smurf village! It was lots of fun!!

Charles and Matt got back and brought donuts for breakfast! After breakfast and a little photo-op, we played hide and seek with Patrick.

We then headed to the Memphis Children's Museum. We had a great time watching Patrick shop

at Kroger...

Charles helped with the check out part...

He put all the lessons he learned from helping me through our Kroger's self-checkout line to good use!

While Patrick was busy shopping, William had found a place to perform!

We found him dancing on the Orpheum stage and having the best time!

We all were his audience for a while...

We then moved to the rock climbing wall...

Patrick scaled all the way to the top in NO time!

Charles helped William get in some wall climbing...

The boys had a blast with the rock climbing wall!

While Matt, Charles and Patrick took in more fun things in the Children's Museum, LeAnna, William and I went to the toddler area so that William could play...

We watched future b-ball stars...

while William had the best time with the bus! He loved driving it and sliding down the slide on its side.

It was time to leave the museum, but before we left, Patrick played with the bean bag toss...

He did great! Charles decided to take a turn too!

That evening, after watching the Saints game, Matt, Charles and Patrick headed to the park to play a little tennis.

The next morning, Patrick and I played some more Smurf village...

When I started singing La la la la la la la la la la laaa, Patrick told me I sung the song wrong. He then sung the movie version of La la la la la la Sing a happy song and made me sing it that way too.

We had a great time playing and using our imaginations!

We had such a fun visit - despite the minivan ordeal! Thankfully, the Torres family made it home without any problems.

Snow flurries 01-12-12

2012-01-12T12:50:00.001-06:00

As I walked to my car for lunch today, I noticed a little white blip fly past me. The weathermen said that we might get a few flurries today, so I perked up and was on the lookout. On the drive home, I realized that I had seen a snow flurry! They were coming down just a bit - fine and sporadic enough that they really didn't show up on this picture... As I was fixing my lunch, I kept looking out the back door to check on the snow and noticed that it was coming down just a bit more...

All the time I was eating my panini, I was keeping a watch and had to get up a few times to take pictures!

Then, I looked up and it had really picked up...

the flurries were coming down a little faster and were a little bigger! I squealed to Toula, but she wasn't nearly as excited as I was!!

The wind started whipping the flurries just a bit and they looked so pretty swirling around!

It was so exciting to see the first snow flurries of this year!

After I got back to the office, I looked out the window and even bigger flakes were swirling. It looked just like being in a snow globe - so pretty! I hate that I didn't get a picture of that!

Green Monster Smoothie

2012-01-10T17:53:00.004-06:00

So, this evening I put aside my skepticism and made my first Green Monster Smoothie. And it's true - you really can't taste the spinach! It was actually pretty tasty!!
I was really glad that mine turned out a pretty green color...

I used the basic recipe but am already thinking of trying some of the variations I've read about!

Mississippi State v. Wake Forrest - Music City Bowl 12-30-11

2011-12-31T15:43:00.002-06:00

Charles and I were excited to travel to Nashville on December 30th for the Music City Bowl!
We hit Jackson, TN right around lunch, so we decided to stoat Red Robin for an early and quick lunch.

After checking into our hotel and resting just a bit, we headed to LP Field... The watch the Mississippi State Bulldogs...

take on the Wake Forrest Demon Deacons.

We easily found our seats...

and checked everything out...

It was great weather for the game - a little chilly but clear skies.

It was fun to see Bully walk onto the sideline - what a cutie!!
Our seats were really close to the field - the second row...

and we were right by the Mississippi State tunnel.

We got our cowbells situated and in easy reach for ringing!

and rang them...

as the Bulldogs took the field for warm-ups.

After the players ran out...

Coach Mullen came out... and took it all in.

The players continued their warm-ups...

and by now the stadium lights had come on... and the stadium was filling - mostly with Maroon and White. The full team came out for warm-ups...

to the ringing of cowbells...

They warmed up for a bit...

and had a full team huddle...

while Bully made sure all was ok on the State sideline...

The players left the field...

to cheers from the crowd.

Now we were ready for the team to take the field to play football!

We were directed to look up...

to watch the game ball and the American flag...

parachute to the field (it was a bit breezy and for a bit it looked like the jumper would be landing in our seats instead of on the field!!)...

Both landed with no problems...

What a way to start the game!

After the Star Spangled Banner...

and the introduction of the teams...

the captains met... on the field...

and then it was time to play ball!

Our first play started off promising...

but we ended up playing pretty sloppy... through the first...

Although our defense played hard all game long!

We finally started playing ball...

and scored!

Fletcher Cox played a great game!!

During half-time, we enjoyed sounds from the Famous Maroon Band...

We continued to ring our cowbells throughout the second half...

and rang even harder at the end of the game!!

Mississippi State 23 - Wake Forrest 17

Way to go Dawgs!!

The after game celebration was exciting!

We had such a fun time at the game!

Jackie Wayne even showed up on the sidelines...

Coach Mullen made his way to the stage...

and the trophy was hoisted...

amidst confetti and pyrotechnic displays...

After addressing...

the crowd...

the trophy was shown off...

to the Maroon and White faithful...

It was a great day to be an MSU Dawg!!

Christmas in Hattiesburg

2011-12-31T14:09:00.002-06:00

Charles and I headed to Hattiesburg December 27th. A lot of his friends from high school were in town and we all met at Villie's for dinner...

We had a great time catching up with everyone!!

We then went to his mom's and had a fun evening - complete with a game of Scrabble and games of Rook. We had lots of fun!!

The next morning, we shopped in some of Hattiesburg's cute shops and his mom treated us to lunch at The Depot Coffee House and Bistro right next to Blooms. Lunch was absolutely delicious!

After leaving Hattiesburg, we met Mac in Jackson and then enjoyed looking in the shops at Highland Village and then headed back home.

It was a quick but fun trip!!

Christmas

2011-12-31T13:58:00.001-06:00

Charles and I headed to Batesville for Christmas lunch with Mama and Jerry. After a delicious lunch of chicken and dressing, ham , turkey, sweet potatoes, potatoes, English peas, deviled eggs, pink salad and rolls (and corn casserole that was forgotten about until we were just about finished with lunch!!), I handed out everyone's presents...
Once Charles had his presents, I had mine in a pile...
and Mama and Jerry were handed theirs...

I got to open my presents. I had a little help from Peanut.

I was excited to open my vintage mink iphone cover...

I just love that puff!

I had lots of presents...

to open!

Mama got to open... her presents next...

After Mama checked out her gifts...

it was time for Jerry...

to open his presents...

Charles finally opened his. He said that he bet he could guess what was in the box!

He was right... Christmas money.

We had a great time opening presents!

After visiting for a while, we headed home.

Charles and both loved all our presents...

Christmas Morning

2011-12-31T13:38:00.002-06:00

I awoke early on Christmas morning but stayed quiet until 6:30 when I couldn't wait any longer and woke Charles. We went to the living room and let Toula come too...

We decided that Toula should get to open her present first...

She checked it our thoroughly from all angles...

and then decided to pick her favorite chew thing...

After letting Toula check out her present...

I handed out Charles' presents...

and my presents...

I got to open my presents next, and Toula enjoyed chewing on the paper and helping out...

Charles overdid it, so I had to think about which present to open next several times...

I also had to get the Swiss army knife since Charles loves using tape!

Toula loved being right in the middle of things!!

Charles always gives the best presents and surprised me with a Peter's mum planter...

He had the Square Cupboard wrap it for him, so I was really thrown off the track in guessing what was in that box!

Charles took picture after picture...

of me opening this present...

(I liked having a present within a present to rip the paper off of!!)
When I saw my Mississippi snowball bracelet, I knew why he took all those pictures!

I have been wanting a Mississippi snowball for a while.

Charles finally got to open his presents from his mom...

and me and Toula. He stopped opening for a while to let Toula have some fun with the ribbons.

She decided ribbons just weren't cutting it and wanted to help him open his presents too!!

Charles finally got to finish opening his presents...

Like I said, Charles (and Toula) did a great job with my gifts...

Charles liked all his presents too...

After opening our presents and our presents from Charles' mom...

Charles decided he had gotten up entirely too early that morning and needed a rest...

while watching A Christmas Story.

Toula continued to enjoy her good fortune of having so much to chew on!!

She is just the cutest little thing!

This is our favorite picture of her on Christmas morning!

It is so Toula chewing on something with her ears perked up and continuously moving.

We then set up a box and Christmas paper tent for Toula to play in...

and she had the best time playing in it! She ended up knocking it down, but we re-built it and she continued to play in it until Charles decided to clean up the Christmas paper in the living room Christmas morning.

We had such a good Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-31T11:58:00.003-06:00

Charles and I followed tradition and on Christmas Eve, enjoyed a dinner of Christmas snacks and punch...

followed by a drive through Hernando looking at Christmas lights! We had a great evening and saw some real doozies of light displays!!

Christmas Snacks 12-21-11

2011-12-31T11:32:00.004-06:00

The weekend before Christmas I began making Christmas candies and snacks, and on the Wednesday evening before Christmas, Mama and Jerry came up to enjoy the snacks with us.
I arranged the snacks...on the island...We enjoyed Oreo truffles, peanut butter fudge (Charles' mom sent me the recipe), Hello Dolly bars, fudge with pecans, Christmas crunch, lemon whippersnapps, peanut butter kisses cookies, Sweet Nothings...

gingerbread truffles, Jolly Cheese Rings and Ham-Cheese ball...

along with baked ham on Hawaiian bread rolls...

I set out our big 'Tis the Season plates...

and made Mama go first so that I could make sure I got a picture!

Even if I do say so myself, the snacks were delicious - especially with the Christmas punch to drink...

It turned out really good this year!

Mama and Jerry said that they enjoyed the snacks too.

Since I had forgotten my camera at Thanksgiving, after the meal, I made them pose for a picture...

and then set the camera up for a shot of all of us...

As Mama says, we had an evening of good food and good company!

Christmas Decorations 2011

2011-12-31T11:08:00.006-06:00

After Thanksgiving, Charles pulled down our boxes of Christmas decorations and brought down the Christmas trees...so that I could decorate the house for Christmas.

I decided the decorate the Christmas tree first, and hung the Christopher Radko ornament Mama gave me at Thanksgiving first...

I love that yearly tradition and just love this year's ornament - Twas the Night Before Christmas!

After hanging our Christopher Radko ornaments...

I added our other ornaments to fill out the tree...

While I always listen to Christmas music while hanging the ornaments, this year, Elvis, Perry Como and Harry Connick, Jr. were interspersed throughout football games!

Bully got his bow and his place of honor under the tree along with the first present under the tree which was Toula's!

After finishing the main tree, I worked on the Christmas tree in our bedroom...

I absolutely love this tree! Charles and I have used this Charlie Brown tree since we've been married, and I enjoy hanging all the ornaments we've painted together on it!

Here are this year's finished ornaments (Charles painted the Dawg bone, and I painted the snowmen)...

I think Charles wins the best ornament prize this year!!

This year, I decided to decorate a separate Christmas tree with the ornaments from our travels...
I was excited when the urn stand came in to hold it and liked the way it turned out. I think we might just have to keep our travel tree next year. I've told Charles that we need to travel more so that we can fill it up with ornaments!!

I added our Nativity to the chest along with ornaments and one of several The Smell of Christmas candles which just makes the house smell like Christmas!

I next decorated the mantel with garland, Christmas ornament garland and ribbon along with my Santa all dressed in toile and our nutcrackers.

The decorating continued during the Egg Bowl...

Way to go State for keeping the trophy in Starkville for yet another year!!

Outside, I decided to add to the usual tree and wreath on our front door this year...

and was really happy with how the entry turned out!

I thought the lights looked really pretty from the street at night.

I had planted an amaryllis and paperwhites in pottery pieces and it was fun to watch them grow...

and bloom... It was also fun to watch the presents under the tree multiply!!

By Christmas morning there were lots...

of presents under the tree!

In the entry inside, I placed my collection of Santas...

Mama loves Santas and I enjoyed seeing the collection she started for me and we have added to each day as we came and went...I decided to group our snowmen together...

and I had to place the bunny bell Daddy gave me so many Christmases ago back on the coffee table so that I could see it everyday. I set our breakfast table...with our 'Tis the Season...

and added garland, peppermints and gingerbread men to our island...

along with touches of Christmas to Ma's teacart...

In the dinning room, I added the feather trees...
Christmas ornaments...

and feather wreaths to the french doors...

We had Christmas touches throughout the house putting us in a festive Christmas spirit!

Memphis Grizzlies Pre-Season Game 12-16-11

2011-12-31T10:52:00.005-06:00

Charles and I were excited to hear that the NBA lock-out was over and were even more excited to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take the court... for their pre-season home opener against the Hornets.

Prior to the game, Mike Conley, Jr. addressed the crowd...

Then it was time for Memphis fans to get on our feet...

and cheer while the starting line-up was announced...

It was then time...

for the teams to take the court...

for tip-off.

Z-bo made the first shot of the game!

It was fun seeing Rudy Gay back in action...

with the Grizzlies!

Marc Gasol was cheering on his teammates from the sidelines...

We're glad that deal got inked.

The Grizzlies played well together

especially considering the limited practice time they had had due to the lock-out.

The Grizzlies had the lead coming out the the half...

We loved the entertainment...

and were thoroughly entertained by the flying feats of Grizz and the Elvi...

There were some amazing dunks!!

While the Grizzlies had a pretty good lead at one time...

they ended up losing the game to the Hornets.

But we still had a great time watching the Grizzlies grind!

Hernando Christmas Parade

2011-12-13T07:01:00.000-06:00

Due to rainy weather on the original parade date, the Hernando Christmas Parade was postponed until Monday, December 12th. The weather last night was just perfect for a Christmas parade! It was cool enough to bundle up but not too cold and no rain in sight!
Charles and I enjoyed some warm and hearty taco soup and then made our way downtown for the parade. After waiting for a little bit, the parade made its way to us... We saw all sorts of neat floats this year with snowmen...

Disney characters...

and characters of all kinds aboard!

We even saw...

Yogi Bear...

Chick-fil-A entered a float that was really cute with Mr. and Mrs. Cow Clause!

Along with the bands, several organizations marched in the parade. I thought these little girls were just the cutest! I loved their snow girl costumes!

This float had foamy snow shooting out behind it!

The parade lasted a long time this year. There were all sorts of floats, organizations marching, bands, antique cars, tractors, Jeeps, policemen, firetrucks - pretty much you name it, it was in the parade! One of Charles' and my favorite entries was the van from Wesley Meadows. The older people in the van looked so excited to be a part of the parade and just kept waving and smiling to us all!

Last but not least was the float we were all waiting for...

The one that Santa Clause was riding on! The kids around us just loved that float!!

We had a great time at the Hernando Christmas Parade!

More Snow 12-07-11

2011-12-07T07:47:00.001-06:00

This morning Charles woke me up at 5:30 and said I needed to take a look outside, and this is what I saw... SNOW!!!

It was coming down steadily, and I saw some pretty big flakes.

By 7:30, it was still snowing...

although the snow seemed to be getting a little finer and more powdery.

It was blanketing everything...

and looked so pretty.

Just like a winter wonderland!

It didn't stick to the roads, so no snow day! Even though we have now had two snows this season, Charles and I still haven't been able to get out and play in it.

Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-04T08:52:00.000-06:00

Friday evening (December 2nd) Charles and I had a fun date night! We stopped for a quick dinner at Abner's and headed to Mud Monkey Pottery to paint this year's Christmas ornaments.

After picking out his ornament, deciding on what to paint...

and hamming it up for the camera...

Charles got busy painting his ornament...
Charles picked a great ornament...
and I love what he decided to paint on it!!

I think his ornament turned out great!!

I picked out my ornament and after picking numerous paint colors for it got to work...

It took a while for me to decide what to paint and then took even longer for me to paint the snowmen scene on the front of my ornament...I had thought about painting argyle as the background, but due to our time constraints, I had to simplify my painting...

Charles said that he liked the simplified background, and I have to agree with him, I think my ornament turned out ok...

We both had lots of fun painting our ornaments!

While listening to Christmas music and a children's party upstairs!!

I can't wait to pick up the ornaments after they've been fired...

I think that they are both going to turn out great!!

Snow 11-28-11

2011-11-29T20:42:00.004-06:00

On the evening of November 28th, I looked out our back door around 9:30 and saw...

SNOW!!

The flurries were really coming down...

and some of the flakes were huge!

I had to stick out my tongue and catch a few!!

It had been raining for quite some time before it changed to snow. The snow kept falling and started hanging on tree branches and accumulating on outdoor furniture...

Because of all of the prior rain, the snow didn't stick on the roads and it was pretty much all melted by mid-day, but it certainly was pretty coming down and covering the ground the next day!

Even though the weathermen predicted the possibility of some snow, the snow was an exciting surprise for me!

Wrap it in Maroon and White!!

2011-11-26T21:03:00.005-06:00

Mississippi State - 31

tsun - 3

Way to go Dawgs!!!

The Golden Egg stays in Starkville!!

What an exciting Egg Bowl! The Dawgs are going bowling!

Hail State!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T17:53:00.002-06:00

Charles and I had a great Thanksgiving! Charles' mom came to visit on Wednesday evening. After dinner, we saw J. Edgar - pretty good movie. Thursday, we woke up and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoyed Jennifer's cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We went to Mama and Jerry's for lunch. It was delicious! Chicken and dressing, ham, turkey, squash casserole, English peas, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, rolls, and fruit salad and for dessert - apple pie and Jennifer's pound cake with strawberries and ice cream. Yum!! Charles and his mom enjoyed a game of Scrabble that evening. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

We were glad Charles' mom came to share it with us.

Halloween

2011-10-31T21:04:00.002-05:00

A few days before Halloween, Charles and I stopped by our local nursery to pick out the pumpkins we wanted to carve... After deciding on our designs, we got to work...

carving our jack-o-lanterns...

This year Charles carved both his jack-o-lantern and Toula's...

I think that they all turned out really great!
After we finished carving them, we took them to the entry...
I really liked how the grouping turned out...
They looked great all lit up!

We were all ready for the trick-or-treaters to stop by!

Although it seemed like we had fewer trick-or-treaters this year, we did see some really cute costumes.

Before the evening was over, our favorite trick-or-treaters stopped by!

Ava was so cute in her little costume!!

And Brady was super spooky!!

Instead of us hearing the doorbell, we were greeted by these sweet trick-or-treaters by Brady yelling Mae Mae when we got out of their car! (Much better than a doorbell in my opinion!)

They and their friend came in to make sure that Toula was ok...

Toula does not like Halloween -all that commotion from the doorbell ringing scares her, but she was a trooper!

We had a fun Halloween!

South Panola Football

2011-10-24T20:33:00.008-05:00

Friday, October 21st, Charles and I enjoyed a nice pre-game meal at Guadalajara and then headed to Southaven to watch the South Panola Tigers take on the Southaven Chargers.
We arrived a little early and parked and made our way into the stadium. The Southaven ticket booth was nice enough to let us buy our tickets at the near booth and just walk through the stadium to our side rather than having to walk around everything to get to it. We managed to make it to the visitor's side and find some seats at the top of the bleachers. Pretty soon, it was time for the captains to take the field... and for the Tigers...

to take the field to much clapping and cheering...

The Tigers played well on offense...

as well as defense...

and really started working well as a team and putting it all together!

All year long, I have been watching Dashawn Lindsey (#7) and listening for his name on the radio games we've tuned in to listen to. He was one of Charles' baseball boys the first year he coached and was a great athlete and really great guy. I've told Charles each game that I wish that he would intercept the ball and run it back for a touchdown, and this game, that is exactly what he did!!

Once he intercepted the ball, Charles and I started cheering and kept right on cheering throughout the touchdown...and until he left the field... All his coaches and teammates were excited for him!

We saw him after the game and told him what a great job he did, how exciting the play was and that we were proud of him. He had the biggest smile on his face. We were glad that all his hard work paid off in such a big way - it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

At the end of the game, the Tigers were on top!

The final score - South Panola 44 - Southaven 21
It really was a fun game to watch!

The boys really played a good game!

Hockadoo!

2011-10-23T20:19:00.000-05:00

Charles and I enjoyed my birthday tickets to Memphis the musical Friday, October 14th. It was a great show!! The actors were fantastic, and the music and dancing were just great. The story of the 1950's Memphis was really good - and how fitting to watch it in the Orpheum just off of Beale Street where the music of the musical played. We both really enjoyed the show!

Jackson and the ATL - Patrick's Soccer Game

2011-10-20T21:14:00.001-05:00

Charles and I were so glad that Patrick had a soccer game on October 8th... so that we could watch him play while we were in town...

We arrived early and got to watch the team warm-up...

Patrick did great... with his kicks and passes...

Charles just had to take a picture of the photographer taking a picture!

How old are Charles and Matt? :)

Patrick was full of concentration...

and energy...

All of his teammates played really well...

William was the best fan and enjoyed watching his big brother... and the game...

We were so proud of how well Patrick played!

The team played so hard they needed a water break...

Patrick got a chance to sit during the break, so I got to hold William!

Patrick enjoyed his break...(don't you just love the paw print he got at school the day before!) William and I had lots of fun together!!

After his break, Patrick was ready to play again...

Patrick scored a goal and was just as proud of himself as we were of him!!

Patrick's coach did a really good job with the team...

At half time (even though the score wasn't kept) Patrick and I both knew the score was 3-0, with Patrick's team winning!

We had to leave at half-time so that Patrick could test for his tae-kwon-do belt. Patrick and William were both really sad to see Uncle Charles leave...

We had a great time with the Torres family and enjoyed watching Patrick's soccer game so much!!

Jackson and the ATL - Nate's Soccer Game

2011-10-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

Nathan had a soccer game Saturday, October 8th, afternoon. We were glad that the games were scheduled so that we could see both Patrick and Nathan play!

We headed to the soccer fields and got to watch Nate in action...Coach Mary Ann did a great job warming up the team and coaching them!! After warming up, the team huddled up...
and after discussing strategy, got ready to play.

I thought that this was the sweetest picture...

The entire team was ready to play!

Nathan did a great job of guarding the net... The team played well and turned, turned, turned the ball well.

We had fun watching Nathan play...

He is so little compared to a lot of the other kids on the field, but he played so good!

Peyton woke up from her nap and had some fun playing...
in the dirt... while her Mama was coaching the team... After a break, the team took the field again...

and continued to play hard...

Peyton thought about playing with the soccer balls...

but decided against it...

Isn't she just so cute!

After the game ended...

We watched my favorite part - the parent tunnel...

We were so proud of Nathan for playing so well!

After the game, we went back to the Dillons' house to visit, and we got to put a puzzle together...

It took us a little while to get it completed, and I think the "grown-ups" wanted to get the puzzle finished more than Nate and Peyt did!!

We finally succeeded. Mary Ann told Nathan and Peyton to lay down beside Hello Kitty so that I could get a picture and this is what I got...

Nathan decided he had had enough of the pictures, but Peyton gave me one more smile...

before we played with her dolls!

We had the best visit with the Dillons and enjoyed seeing sweet Nathan and Peyton!

Jackson and the ATL - Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

2011-10-18T20:08:00.001-05:00

Charles and I arrived in Atlanta Sunday morning - October 9th - excited to watch the Falcons/Packers game. We timed it just right and made it to the Cheesecake Factory just in time for lunch. It was a beautiful day, so we ate on the patio. Although after we had ordered, the wind really picked up, so we were thankful for the heaters! After a delicious lunch, we checked into the Hilton Gardens which was perfectly located for our visit. Outside our window was the Centennial Olympic Park...and the Georgia Aquarium...

After getting settled in, watching some Sunday football and checking our fantasy football stats, we walked around a little and enjoyed a stroll through the park. We had a great time watching the kids and big kids enjoy the Olympic Ring Fountain...

I dared Charles (well, actually, I double dog dared him) to run in the fountain but since we were already dressed for the game, he just let others do it!

We checked out all the dolphins lining the entrance to the aquarium. Of course, I had to get a picture with Falcon Dolphin!

After walking around some more, we made our way to the Georgia Dome to check out the pre-game festivities...

We walked through the crowds outside the Dome...

and stopped to watch a few of the games.

And got our first glimpse of a Green Bay fan(atic)...

We also took a picture of the GEICO advertisement we had been seeing all day. Apparently, the plane just flew around and around the park and the dome...
We had to walk around the Georgia Dome to get to our gate which turned out good because we got to check out the sign...

see all sorts of fans and smell some really good tail-gating!

We found our gate and after separating to go through the men's and women's security lines (what an experience), we finally made it in the dome!

We easily found our seats...

I must say - I think I really did a good job with picking our seats! We were 14 rows back, so pretty close to the action.

After finding our seats, we walked around the dome some and bought a Georgia Dawg. Yum, that Vidalia onion relish was really good!

It's the only kind of Georgia Dawg Charles and I like!!

We settled into our seats and watched Bob Costas get his make-up touched up... and Al Michaels getting prepared for the Sunday Night Football broadcast...

We watched Clay Matthews...

and his hair...

take the field to warm-up.

More and more people streamed into the Dome to watch warm-ups...

I was excited to see Jermichael Finley, Randall Cobb (some of my fantasy players) and other Packers run out for warm-ups...

The crowd was ready to see the Falcons - Packers match-up...

and started chanting GO PACK GO when the Green Bay Packers ran onto the field lead by Aaron Rodgers...

The Packers huddled up...

and got fired up for the game...

I got an up close look at Jermichael Finley had hoped his hands were as good during the game because I needed some fantasy points!

Then the Falcons came onto the field for warm-ups...

We also got a close-up look at Starks, Charles' fantasy player... The warm-ups were fun to watch...

Finley got the Packers ready...

for some team warm-ups.

Take a look at #78 Derek Sherrod -- Mississippi State!! -- doing a great job on the knee raises!

We got a really good look at Rodgers and the rest of the Packers...

The warm-ups continued...

and I was getting ready for the game!

We had to take a picture of Raji just for Pipkin!

After some play action warm-ups...

which were fun to watch to really see Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan...

The players left the field...

The Atlanta Falcon drum line took the field along with one of the Falcon mascots...

They were great! I felt like I was back at a South Panola half-time show listening to a Mr. McEwen directed percussion solo!

The other Falcon mascot drove onto the field dragging a cheese head hat...

The mascots had great fun kicking the cheese head hat around.

The crowd around us got really loud as the Green Bay Packers took the field...

We had lots of cheese heads sitting around us!

Then the Falcons flag was unfurled on the field...

and the Falcons began being introduced...

Player after player ran onto the field to cheers...

and pyrotechnics...

Then it was time for the National Anthem and... for the coin toss... And the game began...

(I thought this lady's defense headband was too funny, especially since it was paired with green and yellow overalls)

We saw Matt Ryan (another one of my fantasy players along with Roddy White) make some good throws during the Falcons first possession...

The Falcons made their way right down the field...

and our seats were definitely at the right end zone! We got an upclose look at the action...

and at the touchdown. The Falcons scored...

and put the first points on the board...

Cobb got set for kick return...

but didn't manage to run one back this week.

The Packers field possession wasn't all that great for them...

but it enabled Charles and me to see Rodgers better...

The game was really exciting!

A lot of the action took place... down on our end of the field...

The players got ready to leave the field for half-time...

and the half-time entertainment got set up...

and entertained us with some bike tricks...

After half-time, the players came back out.

Most of my favorite Green Bay Players - Rodgers, Driver, Jennings and Finley - all in one shot!

The Packers took charge in the second half...

and played really well...

The action was still down on our end of the field in the second half!

During the second half pink t-shirts (for breast cancer awareness) were dropped from the catwalk and Charles caught one for me! The shirts are Defend the Dome t-shirts.
Charles and I watched Falcon #94 Peria Jerry (South Panola – Whoop! Whoop!) defend the Dome!

Although the Falcons fans started leaving early, we enjoyed the entire game!

And watched the players...

meet on the field after the game...

The final score...

We sure were hearing a lot of GO PACK GO. Packers fans love their team!!

Before we left, we had to get a picture of Peria's Pack!We had a great time at the game!!

We enjoyed the walk back to the hotel and enjoyed hearing all the Packer fans walking with us!

The next day, we slept in a bit, go everything packed up and checked out of the hotel. Our stay in Atlanta was really short, but we had a great time! We stopped in Birmingham on the way back home for lunch. Since it was Charles' birthday weekend celebration, he got to choose where to eat. He made a great choice - the Superior Grill!

It is really close to where he used to live in Birmigham, so we enjoyed some good memories and some great food! A great way to end the trip!!

Jackson and the ATL

2011-10-18T19:28:00.000-05:00

Charles and I had the best long weekend (but somewhat rushed) trip to Jackson and Atlanta October 7th - 10th. I had given Charles tickets to the Atlanta Falcons/Green Bay Packers game for his birthday, and it just so happened that a friend of ours was getting married in Jackson that same weekend. So, we were able to do a lot of visiting before making our way to Atlanta for the game.

We left for Jackson Friday and first visited with the Torres family. Patrick was already asleep for the night when we arrived, but we got to play with a very happy William for a while before his bedtime and got to visit with Matt and LeAnna. We spent the night with the Torres family, and when we woke up the next morning, William was just as happy as he was the evening before. He just smiles and laughs all the time! Of course, it is easy to laugh when Uncle Charles is acting silly!

Patrick was awake and watching cartoons and didn't see Charles sneaking up on him. He was confused with us visitors for just a split second and then told us all about his recent fun trip to Disney World. After Charles played with William some, he and Patrick played spies. They both had the best time at it - even though Charles didn't follow the house rules as well as Patrick did about running in the house and finishing all of your milk!

We enjoyed a yummy breakfast of donuts. Patrick was so funny. Every time we have donuts, he always eats donut holes. Well, just he, Charles and I were at the table and he had eaten a few donut holes while Charles and I had donuts. Patrick looked at what everyone was eating and said that he wanted a donut. Charles gave him another donut hole, but he just shook his head and said that he wanted a big one! Needless to say all that sugar spurred both of them on in their spy games!

While they were busy playing, William was busy crawling everywhere! He is also a climber. While we were eating breakfast, (William had finished his muffins earlier) William crawled over to the table and climbed right up my leg! We had the best time visiting with the Torres family and playing with the Torres boys.

We didn't get to play too long though because Patrick had a soccer game early Saturday morning. So we all got to watch the game which was so much fun, and Patrick scored a goal!! We had to leave at the half because Patrick was testing for his next belt in tae-kwan-do. We hate that we didn't get to watch the testing.

Patrick and William are both so sweet, and Patrick is so funny. Patrick asked Charles to spend the night and Charles told him that we couldn't and that we had spent the last night at their house. Patrick replied, "But I was asleep." He is so cute!

We left the Torres family and met Charles' mom, Leslie, Tyler, Tatum and a friend for lunch at McAllister's. We had a great lunch and visit! And we got to see Jennifer's nice new vehicle!

We weren't able to stay too long though.

We left after lunch and headed to the Dillons so that we could watch Nathan play soccer that afternoon. We arrived at the Dillons and got to say hello to Matt, Mary Ann, Nathan and Peyton and then we all loaded up and headed to the soccer game. Nate did a great job playing, and Mary Ann did a great job coaching!

Nate is so sweet. We were putting our chairs down at the edge of the field and all of a sudden Nate started screaming NO! He then pointed and said ants. Sure enough, there was a huge bed of ants right near where I was putting my chair. Nate even helped me move my chair up to make sure I was no where near the ants!

After the soccer game, we went back to the Dillons and had a chance to visit and to play with Nate and Peyt. We had lots of fun putting together a Hello Kitty puzzle, and Peyton gave me one of her dolls to play with.

After a little more play time, we all got ready for the wedding.

We arrived at the Fairview Inn for Michael Harden's wedding. We ceremony was outside, and the weather was just perfect for it. Everything was very pretty and the service was sweet. The reception was great - photo booth, candy table, cupcake wedding cake, sliders and Michael's cake was just perfect for him 3 tiers of Chicago Bears, New York Yankees and Ole Miss whatevers. We left the reception early and started driving toward Atlanta.

We were making really good time until we hit Tuscaloosa and the 'Bama traffic. We decided to stop outside Birmingham for the night.

We woke up the next day and drove to Atlanta. We made it just in time for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. After settling into the hotel, we walked around for a bit and then walked to the Georgia Dome for the Falcons/Packers game. We had a great time!!
I got to enjoy Charles' birthday present too!

We left Atlanta the next day and ended up back in Birmingham for lunch at the Superior Grill - Charles made excellent dining decisions for his birthday weekend!

We had a great trip and enjoyed visiting with everyone!

Sweet Blue and White

2011-09-28T20:38:00.002-05:00

On the first day of fall, Friday, September 23rd, Charles and I enjoyed the wonderful fall weather and watched the South Panola Tigers play the Horn Lake Eagles.
It was a perfect evening for football! The weather was cool and crisp!

We watched the Tigers warm up on Horn Lake's field... Tiger fans traveled well and were just waiting for the kick-off...

Although the Tigers faced some trouble in the first half...

they played through it...

They came up with some good defensive stops...

and capitalized on some opportunities in the second half...

and ended up holding Horn Lake to a single field goal...

Final score: South Panola 27, Horn Lake 3

Who you rooting for? S...P...H!

Charles and I had a fun time rooting for the Tigers!

And were so glad that they won the game!

Happy Birthday Charles

2011-09-28T19:10:00.000-05:00

Charles celebrated his 36th birthday September 18th.

Since his birthday was on Sunday, he enjoyed a whole birthday weekend! Friday night I treated him to a pre-birthday dinner at Kyoto. Saturday evening Mama and Jerry took us to Country Catfish and gave Charles his birthday present. I let Charles sleep in Sunday and when he woke up, he opened his birthday present and cards from Toula and me...I'm excited that I get to share Charles' present this year... a quick trip to Atlanta to watch the Falcons play the Packers!

Fantasy Football 2011

2011-09-28T17:59:00.004-05:00

Our fantasy football season kicked off Saturday, September 3rd, with the annual draft party.

The draft board arrived early and was easily set up... along with a special message from the Commish...

We cooked hamburgers and hot dogs...
with all the fixins...lemonade and tea and drinks, Mexican layer dip and chips and Doritos...

and iced sugar cookies, Danish wedding cookies, M & M's, strawberries, pineapple, grapes and fruit dip...

Charles got all the draft supplies set up...

and then pondered over what picks he would make...

Most of the team managers were able to make it to the draft, and I was really glad that Whit was able to come too!!

I think Shane thought that the fantasy gods would be kind to him for wearing a #13 jersey to Charles' league draft!

Charles and Eddie did some research to figure out who to draft next...
Everybody was anxiously watching what stickers would be removed and hoping it would not be the player who was up next on their to be drafted list...Then towards the end of the draft, everyone was just ready to quickly pick a sticker and slap it on the board...

Once all the picks were made, everyone had to take a moment to review their picks and try to measure up the teams...

We had such a fun draft, and it looks like it is going to be another great year in the Chaz Phantasy Phootball League!!

Hail State!

2011-09-27T18:18:00.000-05:00

On September 1st, Charles and I headed to the Liberty Bowl to watch State's season opener against Memphis. It was good to see so much Maroon and White in the stands and to hear those cowbells ringing!!

It was hot, but everyone was excited to see some Bulldog football... and the excitement and cheers only grew as the Dawgs took the field...

GO STATE...

was the cheer of the evening!

The bulldogs got ready...

for kickoff...

took control of the game...

and never let up...

The Dawgs scored first...

and continued to score throughout the game!

The final score was Mississippi State Bulldogs 59, Memphis Tigers 14.

What a great way to spend the opening Thursday of college football!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2011-07-19T20:30:00.002-05:00

My 34th birthday turned out to be a very good one!

Charles woke up early and gave me my birthday presents to open before work. He gave me the best gifts!We had been in Books-a-Million lately, and I had commented on a book, so he went back later and bought it for me. I am very excited to test out the Kindle! He is also taking me to see the Smurfs movie - which I just can't wait for! I have been talking about it all summer long!! And best of all, tickets to Memphis at the Orpheum! Tickets go on sale later this week...I just can't wait to see it when it comes this fall!!

Charles' mom sent me a cute card covered with shoes and purses which was just perfect for me and a gift card to Macy's which I will use very soon!Charles took me out for lunch, and when he dropped me off at the office, I had these beautiful flowers on my desk from Charles... That was a fun and cheery birthday surprise!

We met Mama and Jerry at Como Steakhouse for a birthday dinner. Of course, the meal was delicious!!
Mama brought my presents for me to open, and she also brought a little something for Toula...
Toula loved marking and playing with the empty ribbon spool!

Mama had mailed a cute Winnie the Pooh card to me and also gave me the sweetest card at my birthday dinner. I was excited to open the money to "buy something fun with"! I can't wait to use my mani/pedi gift certificate, and I just love the happy snails Vera Bradley lunch box!

To top the day off, I had so many sweet birthday wishes from friends!

Everyone made my birthday very special!!

I Got a Pair of Roller Skates...

2011-07-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

although they weren't new and I didn't need a brand new key for them. I just loved that song when I was little!

Anyway, since another birthday is quickly approaching, Charles took me roller skating this weekend! I had been telling him for some time that I wanted to go skating. So, he put my white skates with hot pink rollers in the car and off we went to Skate Odyssey!

It took quite a few turns around the rink for me to get back in the hang of staking!! I also kept looking all around me for potential collisions with kids...
But after getting used to the kids flying from all directions, and the lights which used to not bother me at all, I got in the groove!

After a few trips around the rink, Charles sat on one of the benches to take my picture, but the picture kept being taken right as I passed by him. I kept asking what he was doing...

As I logged more and more trips around the rink, I determined that I could slow down around the side that was open - kids were coming on and leaving the rink without even looking out for this old lady coming toward them - and then speed up around the other two-thirds of the rink...

That system seemed to work out for most of the night!

It didn't take Charles too long to get back into the grove of skating either!

He picked up the speed earlier than I did...

and even broke out a few old school tricks!

Of course, he also whipped me around the corner and ended up taking the only fall of the evening for it! Thankfully, I avoided being taken down too, but I did manage to get a pretty good scratch on my arm from it!

There weren't too many falls happening around us. However, we successfully avoided joining in the piles of falling skaters that did happen once or twice!

We were the oldest people - by probably 20 years - on skates there, but we both had such a fun time!!

The DJ never did call for a couples skate or for us to change directions, but there was a spot in the middle of the floor for kids to learn skate dancing.

Things had changed a little from the skating days of my childhood, but I had just as much fun Saturday night as I used to have skating!

Skating was quite the work-out though, so Charles and I stopped by Sonic for a slush to cool down afterwards.

We had such a fun evening!!

Game Night

2011-07-17T14:02:00.000-05:00

Friday, July 8th, Charles and I enjoyed a fun game night!

Toula hopped over and stretched into the dinning room like she wanted to join in, so we took a break from our '80's and '90's trivia to get Toula a parsley treat. We gave her a handful, and by the time we were back with the camera, she had eaten almost all of it!

Toula just loves her treats!!

4th of July Festivities

2011-07-17T13:47:00.001-05:00

Charles and I celebrated the 4th of July simply this year.

We enjoyed a dinner of bar-b-qued chicken, Ma's baked beans, sweat potatoes, squash casserole and crescents... followed by a dessert of strawberry triffle...

It was all delicious!!

After waiting for it to get dark, we went outside and shot a few fireworks. Thankfully, it rained earlier in the afternoon, so we were able to shoot our fireworks without having to worry too much.

Of course, we had sparklers...

Charles even joined in the sparkler fun!
In between the boxes of sparklers Charles bought for me...
We shot Roman Candles...

which are always fun!
Charles had also picked up some roses...

And our grand finale...

It had, I don't know how many shots in it. It was really pretty, but we didn't manage to capture any of the shots with the camera!

We had a fun 4th!!

Grizzlies v Thunder 05-07-11 ... Playoffs Round 2 Game 3

2011-05-08T15:27:00.028-05:00

Charles and I decided to get tickets for the Memphis Grizzlies Round Two Game Three - the first home game of the series - against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It was a 4:00 game, so we decided to head up early and have lunch. Since it was a white out game, Charles and I put on our white, and before we left, we got Toula in the Grizzlies spirit too...After lunch, we stopped by the Oak Court Mall, and since we were close to Gigi's cupcakes...

Charles stopped and bought one for me...

The Mother's Day one was so pretty and, of course, delicious!

We then were on our way to the FedEx Forum. We got there about an hour and a half prior to game time, and the crowds were already electric outside the Forum...

Charles and I found our seats, complete with white t-shirts and Grizz towels...
and put our t-shirts on...

and made sure that our Grizz towels waved properly!

Our seats were great! In our usual section but on the top row of the lower level...

Charles, unknown to me, had brought his headband to the game!

We were so excited to see the Grizzlies in the playoffs...

We first, though, had to watch the Thunder warm-up...

and although I was hoping that they would lose, I was excited to see Kevin Durant...

It didn't take too long for the Grizzlies to take the floor for warm-ups...

We all got to our feet when they came out!!

Even the warm-ups were exciting...

During the warm-ups...

we took a pre-game picture...and settled in...

to watch how the Grizzlies were shooting...

There were a lot of signs at the game...

The warm-ups were finally over...

and we joined the Mid-South Navy Band in singing the National Anthem...

The Grizzlies were announced...

and we all got on our feet and got loud for the Grizzlies!

The mascot got us all to wave our Grizzlies towel...and then it was time... for tip off...

Once the game started, the crowd got really excited. However, it took a while for the first basket.

Even though the Grizzlies were playing good defense, the Thunder were hitting and went up.

Marc Gasol made some good shots...

other players did too, but the Grizzlies started off a little slow...

Some bench players came in and gave the Grizzlies a spark!

Haddadi got some good minutes giving us rebounds and free throws...

and the first quarter ended with a spectacular shot right at the buzzer which gave the Grizzlies the advantage and earned a "great play" re-play!

We had some fun people sitting around us, so we were all high-fiving and jumping and yelling!

Before the second quarter, we were entertained by some amazing tumbling...

The second quarter was underway with Battier and Randolph in the line-up... Z-Bo...and Darrell Arthur...

and the rest of the team continued to play hard.

During a time out, there was a contest to make a free throw and win free tots from Sonic. The announcer had 2 contestants but pulled a third contestant from the audience. That third contestant turned out to be Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway!

The teenage boy sitting beside me was just amazed! Of course, he made the shot...

The Grizzlies came back onto the floor...

and continued having to try to beat not only the Thunder... but also the refs. They made numerous really horrible calls throughout the game.

Despite the bad calls, Shane Battier...

Mike Conley...

and the rest of the Grizzlies continued to play determined! The Grizzlies went into half-time with some points to make up.

The Mid-South Navy Band provided the half-time entertainment...

It was quickly time for warm-ups again...

and we got a really good view of the Grizzlies warm-up...

The warm-ups didn't last too long...

and then it was time for the second half!

The Grizzlies came out playing strong...

and despite the refs continuing to make bad calls, we actually were able to get to the line...

a couple of times...

Z-Bo and Gasol continued to make free-throws, but they along with the rest of the team missed several more free-throws than they had in previous games.

The crowd was in the game the entire time, but the longer the second quarter went, the louder and more into the game the crowd got!

The Grizz made some good shots down the stretch and played good defense and at the end of regulation, the game was tied...

The Grizzlies took the tip-off...

and continued to make shots and play good defense! I think everyone in the Forum could have made the Tony Allen Cheer Cam...

because we were all really into the game - yelling, cheering and waving our towels!

As the seconds ticked off the clock, the louder we got...

The Grizzlies were sent to the line...

and Z-Bo continued to come through...

Even though the Thunder tried to mount a come back, the Grizzlies held them...

and the Grizzlies WON!!!

The final score: 101 - 93!

The Forum... just erupted!!

We were so excited!!

Everyone was so glad that the Grizzlies came back to win! No one wanted to leave...

so we all stayed through the post game interviews...

to continue to celebrate!

That celebration carried through the concourse and out the doors of the Forum!

We had the best time! I am so glad that Charles and I were able to witness such an exciting Grizzlies win!!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T20:29:00.009-05:00

Mama and Jerry took Charles and me to Como Steakhouse on Good Friday to celebrate Easter.

So, we invited them to join us for an Easter lunch... of chicken salad, Wheat Thins, and fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes and kiwi...
followed by strawberry trifle for dessert...We all enjoyed our lunch!

Mama brought me these beautiful peonies from her yard...
I just love peonies, and our living room smells so good now!

On Easter eve, we made sure that Toula would have an Easter basket filled with goodies...
Toula was excited to see her basket and couldn't wait to find out what all was in it...

After giving everything a good sniff...

and checking out her basket from all angles...

Toula decided just which treat she wanted, and she turned the basket over to better get at that treat!

She was so cute nibbling on each treat...She was so happy with her treats...

that she sat still and let me take her picture...

She was cute chewing on her hay. She looked like the Cadbury bunny!

Charles and I enjoyed watching her with her hay. Instead of just eating some, she was very selective and sniffed and nudged the hay around until she found just the perfect piece to eat!
We hope you all enjoyed your Easters as much as we enjoyed ours!

Something Old...Something New...Something Borrowed...

2011-04-24T20:09:00.005-05:00

I had had a bad week last week, so Charles decided to surprise me with some cheery sunflowers...

which were beautiful!

However, on his way back from Blossoms, he stopped to get gas, and now his old Altima looks like this...

Thank goodness for sports talk radio, because if Charles had not been listening to something of interest on it, he would have been out pumping gas...

when the 2 cars collided, sending one airborne and colliding into his car. That car pushed Charles' car up and plowed into the gas pump which Charles had stopped at, turning it on its side.

The crash was so violent that it took all but 2 petals off of my third sunflower...

Charles said that the flowers were in the back of his car but that after the crash, the petals from this sunflower were all strewn around the front seats.

Thankfully, Charles walked away with just a black eye and sore leg, neck and back.

This little sunflower did more than cheer me up, it showed me how much I have to be thankful for!

So, for about a week, Charles has been driving a borrowed vehicle...

Since the rental vehicle has to go back, we spent Good Friday looking at cars, and at the end of the day, drove home in something new...

Grizzlies v Timberwolves

2011-04-12T19:00:00.005-05:00

On April 2nd, Charles and I headed back to the FedEx Forum to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. I was hoping to see Kevin Love in action and see if he could get a double double against the Grizzlies, but he was out of the game due to injury and did not even travel with the team. We arrived in time to watch the Grizzlies warm up...Our seats were really good! We ended up on the first row of seats, so we were really able to see all of the action...

Z-Bo...

and the rest of the Grizzlies were announced...

and the crowd was ready for some Grizzlies basketball!

From tip-off...

the Grizzlies played well...

They did pretty good at the line, too...

Our time out entertainment was a group of little dancers who all did a great job, altough the lone boy really hammed it up and stole the show!

The Grizzlies were leading after the half, and we enjoyed being up close to see their second half warm-ups...

Michael Beasley wasn't able to do too much against the Grizz...

Battier... Z-Bo...Conley and the rest of the Grizz really frustrated the T-Wolves!

The T-Wolves did keep the game competitive...

but in the end, the Grizzlies walked away with another win!

Grizzlies v. Clippers

2011-04-10T15:41:00.006-05:00

March 14, 2011, Charles and I headed to the FedEx Forum to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take on the L A Clippers. We found our seats which were just fantastic... We ended up being really close to the action on the court! This meant that we got an up close view of Blake Griffen warming up...

I was just waiting to see him dunk! First though, we had to watch practice free-throws...

perimeter shots, jump shots and lay-ups. Then he left the court, and I was disappointed.

The Grizzlies took the court for warm-ups...

and we got to see Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, O J Mayo, Darrell Arthur, Sam Young, Tony Allen and the rest of the Grizzlies warm up...

The Clippers came back onto the court...

and I finally saw Blake Griffen at least leave his feet (although still no dunks)...

I would love to know just what all the opposing players say to each other before the game! Through out the warm-ups, everyone had their cameras out and were waiting on a dunk...

and we finally saw one!!

After the dunk, Griffen hung on and swung from the hoop - that's the best!

After the players were announced, it was time for some basketball!

From tip-off...

to the end of the game, the Grizzlies played well!

They played really good defense too...

We really liked our seats which were just a little to the side of behind the basket. We were really able to see the free-throws...

and the expressions on the players faces...

and were really close to all the scuffles for the ball!

I love watching Z-Bo (and his headband)...

and we got to see Shane Battier back in action with the Grizzlies!It was a fun game to watch...

with lots of scoring and lots of defensive plays...

and just a little time standing around... During pre-game and during half-time, kid teams played. They had some really good little ballers! Especially 2 for the blue team - he was making great shots and making some good defensive plays...

After the half, the Grizzlies continued to play well... Since we were only 5 or 6 rows back...

we got to see all of the Grizzlies up close...The bench played really good too, so we got to see some good plays by Ish, Haddadi, Vasquez, Powe and the others.

The whole game, I kept waiting to see a Blake Griffen dunk - I've seen enough SportsCenter highlight reels to know what to expect. Well, the Grizzlies played really well defensively and all first half, Griffen had no dunks. During the second half as I was looking down at my program, I heard Charles and the rest of the area explode. Blake Griffen had finally dunked! Not only did I not capture the dunk with my camera , I had missed it entirely! (I was really upset that I missed it, so after we got home, Charles watched SportsCenter, Highlight Express, NBA network until they finally showed the dunk so that I could see what I missed!)

Even though I missed Blake Griffen's dunk, I did catch the funniest dunks of the evening!

Super Grizzlie came out during a time out and dunked for us...

After that dunk, a vehicle was brought out and driven under the goal...

and Super Grizzlie dunked right over it!

Of course, the crowd erupted! We think that Super Grizzlie did way better than Blake Griffen does in his commercial! It was really funny to watch Griffen after that dunk - he just shook his head and kept a blank look on his face!

The Grizzlies played well both offensively and defensively and were rewarded with a Grizzlies win!!

Busy bees...

2011-03-12T16:20:00.003-06:00

Mama and Jerry came up this morning, and we were all busy little bees getting the area in our back yard behind the retaining wall looking good! They had brought a truck full of pine needle bales (since our black landscaping cloth and bark mulch didn't stop the weeds), so we put out newspaper and lots of pine needles all the way down the wall...
We used all 20 bales they brought, and Charles and Jerry then went to the local nursery and bought 11 more! Since we were all working hard, it didn't take any time to finish the job - and it just looked so good back there when we finished!

After finishing the back, Jerry used his truck and a rope to pull up the over grown evergreen by the garage and filled in the hole...

I was SO excited to see this tree go. It was really pretty but just entirely too big to be planted there. I have been saying that I wanted to dig it up since we moved in...

Charles cleared off all the dirt and debris...

Then we added to the tree pile by pruning a lot of our shrubs.

Later this afternoon, Mama called and said that she and Jerry were almost back to Hernando and had brought some plants to plant in the back. This is another project that I have really been wanting to tackle. I wanted pretty blooming plants and trees back there, so Jerry had rooted some of my favorite plants, and he and Mama brought them to us...

and helped us decide where to plant them... Jerry planted them...

and Charles watered each of the plants in...

They did a great job!

I was so excited about just how pretty it turned out...

I can't wait for all the plants to grow and bloom - they are going to be gorgeous!

We now have a flowering almond from Mama's Grandma Jones's plant...

I've always loved how the flowering almond looks in Mama's yard!

We also have a yellow rose of Texas which came from Jerry's mama's plant...

and five yellow bells - which I am really excited about...

Our back looks so good now!

Mama and Jerry also brought a shoot from Ma's hydrangea...

I've been wanting to plant one since we moved in because I think that every Southern yard needs one, and I can't wait to be able to fill vases with beautiful, huge hydrangea blooms! That this one came from Ma's plant is even more special!

Thanks Mama and Jerry for all your hard work and for making our yard look beautiful!!

Happies...

2011-03-06T14:04:00.004-06:00

I'm a very lucky girl.

I was sick and didn't get to go to Jackson with Charles to see our friends and their sweet children. Instead I had gone to the doctor and had testing done to ensure that I did not have the flu. (I didn't, thank goodness!) But my arm hurt where they took blood.

Charles and I had seen the cutest little thing called a boo bunny for little kids to put on their hurts, and Charles left one as a happy for me before he left for Jackson! It really is the cutest thing...and it made my arm feel better!

Later, the next week, Mama came up for lunch and brought these daffodils from her yard... They were so pretty and smelled so good...

and really helped cheer me up!

When I got home from work that afternoon, I had more happies from Mama to surprise me!

Mama had bought one of these rabbits for her front door from The Square Cupboard during one of her earlier visits and had offered to buy one for me too, but I passed on the offer. Well, we were talking about decorating our houses for Spring and Easter during lunch, and I told her that I thought that I was going to buy one and copy her. I was so excited to see it when I got home!! And it looks great on our front door!

In addition to the cute bunny, I also found another happy...

which I just love!
The cutest Etta B pottery rabbit! It is so cute!

It was so nice getting cheery happies, and they really did make me feel much better!!

Charles went to Jackson

2011-02-27T10:09:00.007-06:00

The Torres family was having William's christening on February 19th. So our plan was to head to Jackson on the 18th, spend the evening and the next morning with the Dillons and then attend William's christening and spend some time with the Torres family. Unfortunately, I was still a little sick and did not want to pass anything on to all the children. But Charles decided to stick with the original plan and got to visit with all our dear friends!
I was so disappointed that I wasn't going to get to see everyone, so Charles promised to take lots of pictures!
Charles had a nice visit with the Dillons Friday night and got to see their nice, new home. Saturday, Mary Ann made a delicious breakfast which Charles got to enjoy with Nathan... and Peyton...

They are both so cute, so sweet and so well-behaved!

After breakfast everyone got ready for Nathan's soccer game...

The kids settled into their car seats...Peyton is too cute with her sunglasses!!

They got to the field, and Nathan warmed up...

while Matt, Peyton and Charles watched...

It was then time to play the game!

Nathan's team had a great coach - Coach Mary Ann!!

Nathan did great and earned a five from Matt...

Mary Ann did a really good job coaching the team...

After the game, Charles got to congratulate Nathan for playing such a good game!

Charles enjoyed helping them enjoy their juice boxes... Peyton was full of laughs for Charles acting silly!

After the game...

Nathan took Charles to his room to show off his room and play...

and Peyton joined in the fun...

She then took them to her room for more fun playing!

Charles had a great visit with the Dillons!

I can't wait for the next trip down so that I get to see them too!

Charles left the Dillon house and headed to the Torres house. He got there and visited with everyone for a while, and then they all headed to the church for the christening. Charles said that William did a very good job and didn't cry any and that Patrick did a great job with his big brother duties!

After the christening, everyone headed back to the Torres house and enjoyed cake and punch...

Isn't William just a little cutie?

Charles had a great time with Patrick...

He had a great time seeing all of the Torreses...

After such an eventful day, William was worn out!

I so hate that I wasn't able to see everyone and share in William's special day.

Valentine's Day...

2011-02-26T09:32:00.000-06:00

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Monday this year, Charles took me out to dinner Friday for an early Valentine. We decided to try out Hernando's new restaurant, Facello's Tuscon Grill. We enjoyed a dinner of salad, pasta and dessert. It was really good. Unfortunately, I had begun getting sick, so we will have to go back when our taste buds are working 100%!

On Valentine's Day, I got a delivery of a dozen beautiful Circus roses delivered to my office...

They are one of my favorite roses and smelled so good...I had planned on cooking us dinner on Valentine's Day, but between my sickness and Charles's baseball practice, that just didn't happen. But later in the week, I managed to cook us a late Valentine's dinner of chicken baked on a bed of orange and lemon slices, roasted potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes and butter beans... with strawberry shortcake for dessert...

Fun in the snow 02-10-11

2011-02-10T11:09:00.007-06:00

We woke up to a winter wonderland... The snow that had fallen yesterday was so pretty in the morning sun...

With so much of it accumulated, I was looking forward to a fun morning playing in the snow! Although the sun was out, it definitely wasn't the day to be catching rays!

(Although according to the five day forecast, it will be warm enough for us to this weekend since it will be in the 60's- how crazy!)

The temperature certainly is much lower today with all the snow and lots of icicles...long icicles...
We ended up with about 3 1/2 inches of snow...

I was waiting for Charles to bundle up and come outside, and I greeted him with a snowball!

I ended up missing him but managed did start a snowball fight!

We entered a cease fire so that we could get our picture in the snow...
The snow wasn't really sticking, so we couldn't make good snowballs, but that didn't stop our snowball - or, I guess, snow - fight!

We had so much fun!

I actually maneuvered and managed to hit Charles in the face - which he usually does to me - and I had avoided the snowball direct hit to my face, so I was feeling really good and just had to get our picture...

The snowball fight should have been over right then, but Charles just had to run up behind me and shove lots of snow right in my face!!

OMG - it took my breath away by the snow making its way into my lungs, and it was so cold - I told Charles I was a bit worried about frostbite - of course, he was just laughing...and Charles calls me competitive! :)

We had a great time racing through the snow...and snowball fighting!

We then went to the front to see how pretty our house looks in the snow...There are HUGE icicles...

in the entryway too...

The road was icy, so I just had to ice skate on it!

I asked Charles to come skate with me...

and he brought me an icicle to enjoy during our skate!

He did such a good job skating...

Scott Hamilton's got nothing on Charles!! :)

I had fun skating...

and watching some neighborhood children slide down the hilly road up the street! It looked and sounded like they were having so much fun!

Charles and I had such a fun morning in the snow!!

Snow 02-09-11

2011-02-10T10:48:00.004-06:00

During our snow afternoon, the snow kept falling... and falling...

and falling all afternoon. I had watched it through the windows long enough and just had to go outside...
As the afternoon turned to evening, the snow kept falling...

and was really starting to accumulate...

The snow was so pretty and powdery...

Apparently, traffic had been diverted down our street, because we looked out at one time and there was car after car after car coming by in a line. They were having a little difficulty driving and especially stopping and starting. And through it all, the snow kept falling.

It really built up on our table and chairs...

and bird house and feeder...

and the snow just kept falling...

So Charles went out with me to take our picture together with the snow falling...

I was glad that we had a lot of accumulation because that meant we got to enjoy snow cream last night! I had put out a bowl to catch some snow but used it all, so Charles went out in the snow to get me another bowl full of snow... to make our yummy snow cream!

I enjoyed getting to watch the snow fall. It was so pretty and peaceful. And since there was a lot of it, I was hoping for a snow day the next day!

Snow Afternoon...

2011-02-09T13:54:00.004-06:00

The snow started falling a little before noon... and has steadily and continuously fallen. Unlike the snow Monday, this snow doesn't look like it is letting up any time soon. The ground is already covered... and the roads are already slushy and causing problems. Charles was stuck on the interstate for a while due to a big truck which had turned sideways across the road. Thankfully, he has made it home, and just in time too, because he had a little bit of trouble making up our inclined drive.

More Snow - 02-07-11

2011-02-07T18:40:00.000-06:00

The morning started off cold and rainy. However, by 7:45 or so, the rain had turned to snow. Big, powdery snowflakes to be precise, and they were swriling down. It looked as if we were in a snow globe and someone had gotten excited about shaking it to see it snow!
By 8:10, the snow was still coming down...
It had blanketed the ground...and turned the side streets and little slushy...
However, it ended just about a quickly as it had begun and by lunch, most of the snow was gone.

Super Bowl 2011

2011-02-07T17:32:00.000-06:00

Charles and I decided to stay in to watch this year's Super Bowl. While I like both teams and coaches, we were both rooting for a Packers - and Aaron Rodgers - victory! I made jambalaya which Charles...

and I enjoyed during the game and commercials...Some of the commercials were pretty disappointing, but we really enjoyed the Doritos commercials, the Darth Vader commercial and a few others - you just can never go wrong in my book with cute little chimps!

I also made brownies for us to snack on...The game turned out to be a good and close game. I got pretty nervous after half-time when Woodson and Driver couldn't play anymore, but what a way for the Packers to win!!

GO PACK GO!!

Picnic in January

2011-02-06T11:30:00.001-06:00

After all the snow and cold weather we have been experiencing, Charles and I were excited to have a warm, sunny day to enjoy. We decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy a picnic outside.
We stopped by Boulangerie Olivier and picked up some delicious bread and then stopped by the grocery store for black forest ham and Gruyere along with chips, slaw (for Charles) and pears...Our paninis were delicious!For dessert, we enjoyed pears and white chocolate bread which was also delicious! We had such a wonderful time outside enjoying the Spring-like day!

Snow Flurries

2011-02-06T11:20:00.000-06:00

This has been the year for snow! On the evening of January 25th, we saw more snow flurries...
with no accumulation this time.

Shrek!

2011-01-23T17:19:00.002-06:00

So, Charles and I were supposed to have an evening at the Orpheum Thursday night, but due to the snow, we had to change our tickets. We decided to go to the Saturday matinee instead. I must say, Shrek was worth the wait!
We had a fun time. The show was really good! All of the actors - and the dragon - were great, and there was a lot of dialogue right out of the movie. We laughed and laughed and laughed throughout the show!
There were a lot of children there that afternoon as well, and it was so fun to listen to what all they had to say. One called out as soon as Donkey came on stage, "Hello, Donkey!" Too funny!
We had such a fun afternoon!

More Snow - 01-20-11

2011-01-23T16:45:00.004-06:00

The forecast for Thursday called for rain turning into snow, and that is exactly what we got.
All morning it was dreary and drizzly. Then around lunch time, the rain started. It didn't take long for there to be snow flakes mixed in with the rain, and then just snow flakes were falling... By 3:30 p.m., the snow was coming down pretty fast and steady, and before long, snow was starting to build up in patches on the ground...

Then by 4:00, we started getting huge, powdery flakes...

Each time we looked out the door, we just kept seeing the snow come down...

By 4:30, the ground was covered...

but the snow was not finished falling...

It would let up from time to time, but for the most part, we saw big, powdery flakes...

By 5:15, the snow slowed falling down, but everything was so pretty dusted in snow...

I love the way the snow looks on the evergreens in the back...All in all, we got an inch or two of snow...

Our house the next morning...

I was glad that the snow fell during the day so that I could watch it come down. It is just so pretty falling. However, I was a little upset with its timing. The roads were supposed to be icy Thursday evening due to the rain, snow and below freezing temperatures, so we had to postpone our evening at the Orpheum.

BBQ and bowling...

2011-01-15T11:01:00.004-06:00

Since the guys poker night was cancelled last night, I got to join a couple of the guys for an evening of bbq and bowling.
Charles and T J decided on dinner at the Rendezvous, which was just fine with me!! A sausage and cheese plate followed by ribs...What a picture, T J - thanks for hamming it up for the camera!!

YUM!! A delicious dinner!

After getting filled up on bbq, we headed to a classic bowling alley...

Charles just happened to have his bowling ball in his trunk, but T J and I had to choose our balls...

I was up first...

Although it took me a while to get into the swing of things, I ended up with a couple of spares.

T J was up next...

Followed by Charles...

It turned out that none of us got a strike although Charles was one pin shy numerous times.

We had a fun time bowling and watching the lane next to us bowl. I think that some of them were practicing to go pro, so we saw all kinds of spins on the balls. Also, that lane included a little old lady who did a really good job bowling!

The final score - so glad I didn't come in last place!!

Snow Bunny, Toula...

2011-01-12T07:00:00.003-06:00

So yesterday, 01-11-11, the snow started to melt, but there was still quite a bit of it on the ground and our snow bunny was icy but still intact. I wanted to take one more family picture with our snow bunny, so we brought Toula out again... After the picture, we took Toula to the back yard so that she could play in the snow too...

Since it had melted a little, we thought it would be easier for her to hop in than the day before. I put her down, at first she wasn't too sure about what was happening, but she quickly hopped straight for the fence...

and found the highest spot. She hopped back and forth for a while and perked her ears up for the wind and outside sounds...

After a little time hopping, she had to clean her face, which I just love watching her do...

She was then ready to take off...

and hop some more...

All that hopping on snow made her paws wet, so she had to clean them too...

I think that Charles and I may have liked Toula in the snow better than Toula liked being in the snow! Toula isn't really a snow bunny. After a while, she looked at us like she was saying have y'all had enough fun yet because I am ready to go back inside where it is warm!

Snow Bunny!

2011-01-10T18:36:00.004-06:00

I had seen pictures of other snowmen and decided around three in the afternoon that we should give our snowman building another go. Charles told me to go check out the snow and let him know, so I bundled up again and headed outside. Sure enough, the snow stuck and rolled really good! So, I threw a few snowballs at the window to get Charles's attention and let him know to come on out. While he was getting layers on, I rolled the base for our snowman from the back to the front. The snow ball got pretty big and pretty heavy, but the last time we built our snowman in the side front yard, it got caught in the melting snow, water path and tumped over before its time. So I was determined to put the snowman in front of the house and out of the melting snow, water path.
Well, the big heavy snowball was really hard to roll across the driveway. I finally got it across, but part of it fell apart. Just then, Charles showed up to help. He said that it could be salvaged, so we started packing and shaping the snow base... and Charles rolled a middle for our snowman to the front, heaved it up on top of the base and added snow to the gaps...

While Charles was working, I rolled the head for the snowman and carried it to the front...

and had the honors of placing it on top...

Well, with all the packing and shaping that we had done to the snowman, it turned into another shape. Charles was standing behind it and said that it looked like it had a bunny tail...So we added 2 snowballs to the top, and Charles carved them into bunny ears!

He did a great job with the ears...

It was then time to add eyes, nose and, of course, whiskers...

Our snow bunny turned out so cute!

We then had to bring out our real snow bunny, Toula...

She wasn't too sure of what was going on, but she was so good and was just so cute with our snow bunny!

I just had to get a family picture...

The Willoughbys with their snow bunnies!

After Toula was taken back to her home and settled in, we decided that the snow bunny was missing paws...
So, we cut some branches for the 4 paws...
I had to have another picture of Charles and me with our snow masterpiece...

I think that Charles was tired of picture taking!!

We had so much fun building our snow bunny!

Snow cream...

2011-01-10T18:17:00.003-06:00

Early this afternoon, I called Mama to get her snow cream recipe. Then I quickly pulled out some bowls, mixed the milk, sugar and vanilla and went outside to get a bowl of snow...

I added the snow... to the milk mixture... and mixed it well...

YUMMY!! Snow cream!

It was so good!

Toula didn't get to enjoy the snow cream, but we put a little snow in her treat bowl for her...

She checked it out...

but decided she did not like it as much as I enjoyed the snow cream!