tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62888475176148990812024-03-05T12:38:30.009-06:00The Millers : Our Happily Ever AfterThe Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-13239123198849875262012-08-16T10:12:00.000-05:002012-08-16T10:12:13.446-05:00Thankful ThursdayNow, don't go getting used to this 2 posts in 2 days business...but I've been feeling inspired to blog lately! (and by lately I mean the last 2 days-ha) I haven't had a Thankful Thursday post in quite some time, and it's certainly not because I haven't had things to be thankful for! I'm really going to try and do better with blogging, so we'll see. Ok, on to Thankful Thursday...<br />
<br />
- A weekend with wonderful, sweet, bestest friends last weekend. It was a much-needed time to just be together and relax and talk and talk and talk.<br />
<br />
- 30 years of wedded bliss for my parents to celebrate this week! Love them and the example they set for us!<br />
<br />
- Date night last night! With all the craziness summer has brought lately we were happy for some just sit, eat, and chat time.<br />
<br />
- Grace - I need it every day (and some days, every minute, second, etc)<br />
<br />
- Friends - wouldn't know what to do without them<br />
<br />
- The beach. Even though we don't make it there often, it's there for us when we need it!<br />
<br />
- The great job I have to go to every day. There are lots of people who don't have that opportunity so I try (I didn't say i DO, i said I TRY) not to complain about it too much.<br />
<br />
- Family time coming up soon<br />
<br />
- An upcoming wedding to celebrate! (Shout out to MC!)<br />
<br />
- Some sweet new blessings for some sweet friends!<br />
<br />
- Lunch with friends (one of my all-time favorite things in my grown-up life) and days off that I can do this!<br />
<br />
- A new Real Simple magazine that came in the mail yesterday! Hooray!<br />
<br />
- My Kindle that allows me to read any book at the tip of my fingertips! Especially living in a town with no real bookstore, I have a great appreciation for this!<br />
<br />
There are so many more things but after my monster post yesterday I'll keep this short and sweet!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Love, LA</span>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-82354704392056096802012-08-15T14:44:00.003-05:002012-08-15T14:44:58.876-05:00Summertime! (The Longest Post Ever)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Summertime has been a fun and busy time for us this year...which I am going to use as my excuse for being a terrible blogger. :) Sorry friends! Honestly part of my lack of blogging has been my Mac computer (that I love) giving me fits when I try to put pictures on the blog! It makes me frustrated and I give up, but i will not give up today! (as I typed that my computer froze trying to load a photo...urgh)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ok, so we started the summer with a couple of AMAZING weddings for WONDERFUL friends! We spent a May weekend with friends at Steelwood to celebrate these sweet folks...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pmrEdgOhI4oNWehh35oif_NMRLP5oimXfbzIG6nsxMgtAFd5hkXTyu2XeTD_ltml6WD966x-8O5ew0PxFYyCCfE_vkznuwb4CpqTVM8fFUw-0mZVWF6pH_-2mVUWNWUDI8_0mb-cb9M/s1600/DSC_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pmrEdgOhI4oNWehh35oif_NMRLP5oimXfbzIG6nsxMgtAFd5hkXTyu2XeTD_ltml6WD966x-8O5ew0PxFYyCCfE_vkznuwb4CpqTVM8fFUw-0mZVWF6pH_-2mVUWNWUDI8_0mb-cb9M/s320/DSC_0754.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was a beautiful weekend and I had the best date! :) We had so much fun!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7AlqJofZPW__1LMjBI2-L5O1wIgP98qyQLXXdcJ228pwDa4Fb4EypSZXrxlKaNA9u8qrIfhj3f1GxZxN4jYO6hgrMmISifdxjwXgnS1zN7ATtLjd6KgBU2VBsWzFNkeV1Z6Hx0MIDvA/s1600/DSC_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7AlqJofZPW__1LMjBI2-L5O1wIgP98qyQLXXdcJ228pwDa4Fb4EypSZXrxlKaNA9u8qrIfhj3f1GxZxN4jYO6hgrMmISifdxjwXgnS1zN7ATtLjd6KgBU2VBsWzFNkeV1Z6Hx0MIDvA/s320/DSC_0633.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In between weddings, we stole away for a little anniversary getaway at Rosemary Beach. It is one of our most favorite places in the whole wide world! We had a blast just relaxing in the sunshine. Two years is looking pretty good on us, don't ya think?? :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnamVNX2o0kA7iZmfRE-LOTkdJjXYOdIjUpDAzOb1aZuta2rVrx4wNhjpT-ebo1eUjLumLzepsMM12rHVmS9uLEAto0hMridRrK8DhSC_nECUKoWSoTEMVQcZJEbQN55eQYGxpgl1IJQk/s1600/DSC_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnamVNX2o0kA7iZmfRE-LOTkdJjXYOdIjUpDAzOb1aZuta2rVrx4wNhjpT-ebo1eUjLumLzepsMM12rHVmS9uLEAto0hMridRrK8DhSC_nECUKoWSoTEMVQcZJEbQN55eQYGxpgl1IJQk/s320/DSC_0835.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The next wedding gave us a chance to spend the weekend in Birmingham and spend some more time with great friends. The reception was at the Alabama Theatre and it was FABULOUS! I had never seen such a unique venue and it was so much fun! We loved getting to celebrate these crazy kids...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nLco5jGGOHKrfT5vRgisfxwVXK8RFjpX7bcMM6FRaEQ-G__WmmyTsvM53BBpm-ltySiVFYpOCrc_CzrVUC0WRi7GMAm0JF2XP4wblvV6RJ40AJ350jXnT5WNBF5yAIL7HaELye9Vu-c/s1600/DSC_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nLco5jGGOHKrfT5vRgisfxwVXK8RFjpX7bcMM6FRaEQ-G__WmmyTsvM53BBpm-ltySiVFYpOCrc_CzrVUC0WRi7GMAm0JF2XP4wblvV6RJ40AJ350jXnT5WNBF5yAIL7HaELye9Vu-c/s320/DSC_0921.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In between travels and celebrations we went on a fun Capitol City date night with Lil Kim (college friend and roommate) and her husband. It's so nice to catch up and our respective hubs have so much in common to talk about that they don't even mind the pharmacy and college memory talk. Love this girl! (and the fact that she is so close by!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD3b9xNqisqmydjbXA36Ub0KKD1p7vydGIhpV7ghLzYBysxGoZ8R1Km27CUEUKkM417nl2i_MqH5kjRiwagpsjrrF4ebC5aJmsduegCiYml0GaC6ow4enI00uGvbrfzyKmHLp7s6E7WM/s1600/DSC_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD3b9xNqisqmydjbXA36Ub0KKD1p7vydGIhpV7ghLzYBysxGoZ8R1Km27CUEUKkM417nl2i_MqH5kjRiwagpsjrrF4ebC5aJmsduegCiYml0GaC6ow4enI00uGvbrfzyKmHLp7s6E7WM/s320/DSC_0938.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We also took a trip to my parent's for the 4th of July to celebrate the independence of our country and the birth of my sweet Mamaw (a few years ago). Don't worry, I'm not going to give away her age - she wouldn't be too fond of that! It was a great and memorable weekend with family - much needed!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOuf5xeLXa_4hSbC1LJJNCSREbkScLvP2W9rVJMcMNVhLk1EJK7GlGFqbN0KUg8RYRd40N2zMWEJ58KQzg8mBdvehqixM0tJBzizTMZLfdK8vY1ucft53NIK6gTxrq5ZG9XxGvfHfgTk/s1600/DSC_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOuf5xeLXa_4hSbC1LJJNCSREbkScLvP2W9rVJMcMNVhLk1EJK7GlGFqbN0KUg8RYRd40N2zMWEJ58KQzg8mBdvehqixM0tJBzizTMZLfdK8vY1ucft53NIK6gTxrq5ZG9XxGvfHfgTk/s320/DSC_1038.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How cute are they?? (over 60 years of marriage!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFpCbGiR6wSROAhi-EgGGlYH2ziUCe9fhcvlW_bIuycUlMEqC_-1x0AP2fOi8OkAibTM744SMmtXi7BBK74qd-NKAEwM0SIGpz-MgZfuf-rgvmasr026AMviNFgqZhckA8EWbmMl040U/s1600/DSC_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFpCbGiR6wSROAhi-EgGGlYH2ziUCe9fhcvlW_bIuycUlMEqC_-1x0AP2fOi8OkAibTM744SMmtXi7BBK74qd-NKAEwM0SIGpz-MgZfuf-rgvmasr026AMviNFgqZhckA8EWbmMl040U/s320/DSC_1027.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The ladies of the family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczkhvxTNCBCkMkkP7tbHVebp1gx4dcfjMJiUaDYyYpQfy_vGWyT4uTMcCWNFx7vZld8Jd5lq8JBe5YWSXgbeWJabGyOJ7qyp_I6uCsweWBQWMeAIVHnG3UjVZGrm78PfqLK8lfB9XWho/s1600/DSC_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczkhvxTNCBCkMkkP7tbHVebp1gx4dcfjMJiUaDYyYpQfy_vGWyT4uTMcCWNFx7vZld8Jd5lq8JBe5YWSXgbeWJabGyOJ7qyp_I6uCsweWBQWMeAIVHnG3UjVZGrm78PfqLK8lfB9XWho/s320/DSC_1025.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In July we also had our Annual Vacation with friends! This year's destination was the Cashiers/Highlands area of North Carolina. It was the most relaxing week and we had tons of fun adventuring and catching up with friends. We look forward to next year already! Here are a few pictures...we went to the Biltmore in Ashville, hiked, ate, relaxed on the porch, drank lots of coffee, went on walks, ate some more, shopped, guys golfed, spent a day on the lake, ate again...and then it was time to come home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This was the view from our porch...ahhh! My favorite place to sip my coffee and read for the week. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhDPBn29mECogxF_N-WEWceHi4YydPTuOaFBC869c_3h0B5qn4bwzvuv9suurjScACkPSRTS1H1WmzeCWcLm-1XDjil6MXOyah4CsWtxhxYMPsnhjy7boNa5mnuMBilvpVSirrIBTW2A/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhDPBn29mECogxF_N-WEWceHi4YydPTuOaFBC869c_3h0B5qn4bwzvuv9suurjScACkPSRTS1H1WmzeCWcLm-1XDjil6MXOyah4CsWtxhxYMPsnhjy7boNa5mnuMBilvpVSirrIBTW2A/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The whole group at the Biltmore</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ9jQyhqoVbAvQ6N_3ydVEbVFyh_VLX97UXY3rta9UIEc6fcrhv5dSrBmrj0VrvZkr8yR_vgXY8ORWSyGFn5VmvQGLt00ud8nVJ-kvV_cfz6JV06czbyTvowLRhEskMlg1QUSG00Y7Zo/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ9jQyhqoVbAvQ6N_3ydVEbVFyh_VLX97UXY3rta9UIEc6fcrhv5dSrBmrj0VrvZkr8yR_vgXY8ORWSyGFn5VmvQGLt00ud8nVJ-kvV_cfz6JV06czbyTvowLRhEskMlg1QUSG00Y7Zo/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The girls</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj4E4lZRv8wbvzIuTL1SbeYD5IlCRPUTLmoCqinOcJ91dUObA0YC3DWkGdD2VW4zt1z0B4tISHOFIOdhoU3PRPNLs-lBMHrlVJ5xNTNLHbGSPTJNSu_dyLFonDryYaUGnpadir9KQOcQ/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj4E4lZRv8wbvzIuTL1SbeYD5IlCRPUTLmoCqinOcJ91dUObA0YC3DWkGdD2VW4zt1z0B4tISHOFIOdhoU3PRPNLs-lBMHrlVJ5xNTNLHbGSPTJNSu_dyLFonDryYaUGnpadir9KQOcQ/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our little walking group...we only saw one bear -yikes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOUyhkczovCPsLr67bu8wtrtU-rxb_YWeCAtri6B5QnK1NYEOj5Z5Gg-j6gkvBOtO8kHUFOqr7km7eJ5pnRRVUEEBRv0rddhnAfHAl8aGYy43rZUOlibVchav07UWNH2D3nyfLnkBMuU/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOUyhkczovCPsLr67bu8wtrtU-rxb_YWeCAtri6B5QnK1NYEOj5Z5Gg-j6gkvBOtO8kHUFOqr7km7eJ5pnRRVUEEBRv0rddhnAfHAl8aGYy43rZUOlibVchav07UWNH2D3nyfLnkBMuU/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After our hike up Whiteside Mountain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuZ62yy6FccsB-Dl9BXg6RBWAosQIV3DaM9lJ7XVL5aW0N-H7Qesqj7fE6GU8jFxkf6ZA2pUC_4EkptQJopDmZd-PrHoVWiBTaPcZqy1O1dC_Q8o3oKRaaOwSuZrI7XSFQVJtd12o71E/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuZ62yy6FccsB-Dl9BXg6RBWAosQIV3DaM9lJ7XVL5aW0N-H7Qesqj7fE6GU8jFxkf6ZA2pUC_4EkptQJopDmZd-PrHoVWiBTaPcZqy1O1dC_Q8o3oKRaaOwSuZrI7XSFQVJtd12o71E/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My handsome guy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitve0oXmHnEmugA0y7-hNPRjcW9_n_M_0rqJXRf1LIQZbSJONSN2DYQ3poUmuoAaMGZsfnwhPfQZH0SSqsCTEsdjNkpmWzYuVxFF4d9Th4GNR2WgppFqHmGTKnVe8H9yQxD1Hbx7qT0wQ/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitve0oXmHnEmugA0y7-hNPRjcW9_n_M_0rqJXRf1LIQZbSJONSN2DYQ3poUmuoAaMGZsfnwhPfQZH0SSqsCTEsdjNkpmWzYuVxFF4d9Th4GNR2WgppFqHmGTKnVe8H9yQxD1Hbx7qT0wQ/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The fellas/golfers/card players/photographers (they wear many hats..literally and figuratively)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfSD690uCAygUWC84obFmgco4uv4hxgLIU5kpuIDTyObnrm7iHO5G0Sbujx3acpyKZza-EdxcW-KwtQBebNn0Y16QVuCy9IQ49VThyZzDzM-KgkHb5JQAPXOI85AVdqRrT6EagAyyiVw/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfSD690uCAygUWC84obFmgco4uv4hxgLIU5kpuIDTyObnrm7iHO5G0Sbujx3acpyKZza-EdxcW-KwtQBebNn0Y16QVuCy9IQ49VThyZzDzM-KgkHb5JQAPXOI85AVdqRrT6EagAyyiVw/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At the Biltmore</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnHDj3_1rm3EC7JmnUxSSCxcUT6Pju_z08-PEJeF76iZtFx83XUCtMqeDQSGk1Y90bW0hcd_wf12EmWa705Nxzj5T2Iua079Nx8QDwv4G1KGOTqoNJX8NWiReCyHiXQoKoJUR_Y-ampI/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnHDj3_1rm3EC7JmnUxSSCxcUT6Pju_z08-PEJeF76iZtFx83XUCtMqeDQSGk1Y90bW0hcd_wf12EmWa705Nxzj5T2Iua079Nx8QDwv4G1KGOTqoNJX8NWiReCyHiXQoKoJUR_Y-ampI/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Once home, it was back to real life and work for a few weeks...then Friendship Fest '12 commenced. This is a weekend spent with our group of girls from college and has taken place mostly p.j.'s at my house for the last 2 years. It is literally a solid weekend of talking, catching up, eating (lots), laughing (even more than we eat!), cooing over whichever baby is the newest addition, sleeping (more than we did in college but less than we do now), some more laughing and loving time together. It never fails to entertain us and make us miss each other in the months in between. (husbands run for the hills during this estrogen-fest and I can't blame them) I was blessed to be surrounding by these amazing ladies in college and I hope we are reuniting yearly long after our hair is grey and there are no more weddings to bring us together (except maybe those of our children, and our children's children - ha). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAqYFkFAywFDIe-eaV8IW2n9HpbqGHu0iOCobubApMs4_99rnRE5YmuUIstwAoguFDg92wZPQAcX6KhJBUydRLU0E8PQ-BgS1yn4BjvQb35Gl60F0oRL5XNDKxtyPuqufLDCRVxKLqJE/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAqYFkFAywFDIe-eaV8IW2n9HpbqGHu0iOCobubApMs4_99rnRE5YmuUIstwAoguFDg92wZPQAcX6KhJBUydRLU0E8PQ-BgS1yn4BjvQb35Gl60F0oRL5XNDKxtyPuqufLDCRVxKLqJE/s320/DSC_0179.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> It has been an amazing summer and I'm certainly not ready for it to be over! Hopefully, I will be better at blogging and won't have to do a marathon blog to catch up.(kudos to you if you are still reading now...) Thanks for reading and to those of you who have made this summer so fun and memorable! Now, on to fall...wait, where's the cooler weather?? Oh well...at least football is right around the corner! See you soon, friends!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Love, LA</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-5533402353291236402012-04-03T15:30:00.000-05:002012-04-03T15:30:08.235-05:00Happy (almost) birthday R!<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, so by now we all know that I'm terrible at keeping up with this blog. At least I get around to it when I think about it and have something to write about! It has been a lovely spring/summerish day complete with spring showers but it has been fun and productive. After a nice walk with the pup and a fun lunch with a sweet friend and her little one I braved Walmart and a local grocery mart to come up with R's birthday dinner. I will be testing out some food network and Pinterest recipes tonight so I'll have to let you know how that goes. (maybe I'll get to it in the next 2 months :)) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the menu: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Filet mignon (my man loves his red meat and this seems that a no-fail option) I will be pan-searing it based on a recipe from Food Network that seems easy and fool-proof </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Sauteed asparagus </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Either garlic mashed red potatoes or roasted red potatoes (I haven't decided yet) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Crunchy bread </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- And the part I'm most excited about... WAFFLE ICE CREAM FUDGE CAKE!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OK, so I made up the name but basically it is cake mix cooked on the waffle iron with ice cream between 2 waffled pieces and topped with my Mamaw's hot fudge (I made it but per her recipe, although hers is probably better by a long shot!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We may have to fast from now until Easter after eating all of this but I like a good dinner celebration. His birthday is actually later in the week but between work and family celebrations, this was the best night for our own little party. I can't wait for him to get home so we can have our special dinner and I can give him his gift! I am like a little kid and it has been so hard not to give it to him for the past week!!!
I hope you are all having a fabulous week and enjoying this warm/summer weather (in April!).
</div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-18962052894881057362012-03-06T15:58:00.000-06:002012-03-06T15:58:02.312-06:00Random...<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know about you, but the weather we've had for the past few days is just plain inspiring to me! It's so beautiful, I just WANT to be outside. (and I'm normally more of an indoor girl) I've neglected this blog for far too long so I'm not even going to try and catch up. I'll just start right where I am right now! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a random list of a few things that are making me happy today... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- the BEAUTIFUL weather and 2 good, long walks with my pup this week </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- a 5K to get me moving this weekend </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Fun breakfast with a friend yesterday </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- and her upcoming wedding! I can't wait! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- A trip to Target and Publix in the same day (to some of you this may not seem fun, but we have neither of these exciting places in Troy so it's a real treat!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- A night ahead to relax and enjoy some time with the hubby. We have both been crazy with work lately so some nice quality time is in order. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- A new Tocca candle that was 75% off - yay for a nice-smelling home! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Fresh peaches and strawberries that make eating healthy delicious and fun! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- An upcoming visit with the grandparents...we certainly don't see them often enough! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- The almost-end of this terrible season of The Bachelor. I can't stop watching but I NEED it to be over.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a few products that I'd like to give a shout-out to as well </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Clarasonic Mia: I resisted this for a long time because of the price, but I have always had problem skin and it is a dream come true. I actually feel like my skin is truly clean after a quick wash. A friend of mine compared it to a spa facial (a quick one) and I agree! I'm a fan! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer: The above-mentioned friend led me to this (and I led her to the Clarasonic) and I love it! It is like a tinted moisturizer but it really treats your skin and makes it look and feel so amazing! I am actually liking my skin more than usual right now and these products are to thank! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Candle favorites: I love my home to smell nice and I've found 3 candles recently that I am in love with! (I may be a little scent-ADD) #1. Tyler Candle Co. STARDOM #2. Tocca FLORENCE #3. Voluspa FRENCH CADE LAVENDER
All of these are really nice and I highly encourage you to always check the "sale" candle shelves. They may be there for a reason (stinky) but they may actually be really awesome! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Books: "The Hunger Games"trilogy and "State of Wonder" were both recently-read, awesome books! I just got a recommendation for a new devotional "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young from a great friend and I'll let you know about that as I will be starting it today!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know this was an incredibly random post, but I hadn't written in so long I decided I just had to start with SOMETHING! I hope you are all having a fabulous week!
</div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-32971681231499616742011-09-29T13:28:00.002-05:002011-09-29T13:28:11.395-05:00Thankful Thursday It seems that I have taken a little blogging hiatus. I didn't do it intentionally - you can blame work, dust bunnies and dog hair, and Pinterest. Fall has started in full swing and we are staying busy but having fun! In August we spent a fun weekend in Auburn (for fun date night) and Alex City (for O'Neal and Cooper's wedding at Five Star Plantation). It was a weekend of fun that gave us some relaxing time together, as well as time with friends. At the beginning of September we traveled to Auburn for the AU v Miss State game and got to see many friends and spend some fun time on the plains. My parents spent last weekend with us here and we had a blast catching up and doing fun "updates" around the house. In between all of the traveling I have been working and R has been working and going to class (for his MBA at Troy). We try to keep the house in a semi-clean and organized state when we have time, but WHEW! we have stayed busy! Fall has gotten here before I even realized it was summer - but I am definitely ready for fall weather and clothes. That was a very, very quick update and I'm sure there is lots more to be shared but the ironing is waiting for me.<br />
<br />
I have so much to be thankful for and here are a few of the highlights this week...<br />
1. My wonderful husband who works hard, studies hard, and still has time for me.<br />
2. A new addition to the Irons family. Sweet baby Alex was born this week and I had the pleasure of meeting him yesterday! It's unbelievable that we all start out so tiny...<br />
3. A few days with my sister this week - and a fun road trip for the day yesterday. I'm glad her job enables her to come entertain me from time to time on my off days.<br />
4. A weekend with my parents. We hadn't seen them since June, so it was past time. We had a blast and they are always so much help on our household projects :)<br />
5. Fall coming to Alabama (sort-of) - I'm definitely ready!<br />
6. Grace, forgiveness, and new mercies every day.<br />
7. An upcoming weekend with friends to celebrate the marriage of Amy and Lee!<br />
8. Pinterest and it's crafty ideas - it may waste a good deal of my time, but it gives me some great craft project to try and spruce up my home!<br />
9. Coffee - I seriously don't know what I'd do if I had to work without it :)<br />
10. All of our family and friends (also, this list is in no certain order...)<br />
...There are many, many more but I'll leave you with a few pictures from our summer/fall adventures!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ran into Amy at AU v Miss St</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wI_Apb_zxcewq0YRnr2gNr-te2hYrgMZGn-0b-_wUzb52WkDXYsz9mTR5dbkHfOFp7_2wotOcKH7hXMjFeIMqCOA2K8S7KxtMXlopSdfA3e-Ov7p9pdUFyfzOlC_m2IqegSiMvvOXAg/s1600/DSC_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wI_Apb_zxcewq0YRnr2gNr-te2hYrgMZGn-0b-_wUzb52WkDXYsz9mTR5dbkHfOFp7_2wotOcKH7hXMjFeIMqCOA2K8S7KxtMXlopSdfA3e-Ov7p9pdUFyfzOlC_m2IqegSiMvvOXAg/s320/DSC_0921.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me, Kira and Byrne tailgating</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWoEELwiJeY6p8DHPhLJJu7UkQugBj3Lkkl8vll6B-EZmey0JK9J464NW3MwdxR1P3xf1m2gwuUVkvXihHYohK8t5ubaekK4pRN2MFn6raK0UCbgwxQvPuqQB5hNug71jI8p4ZCSEluA/s1600/DSC_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWoEELwiJeY6p8DHPhLJJu7UkQugBj3Lkkl8vll6B-EZmey0JK9J464NW3MwdxR1P3xf1m2gwuUVkvXihHYohK8t5ubaekK4pRN2MFn6raK0UCbgwxQvPuqQB5hNug71jI8p4ZCSEluA/s320/DSC_0924.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We won!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqD7u6OTC_nNhcPuFx12-8rVGt_a7-TtUvR8o7vVDQIlkV-kyma3MyeFUhM1rmJbEOEkvLyVYlf9z9UHsd_mvFhAeuw3UUa04dJmi2wEYzRt4CFJ1STc-B2c35hIQLCav9kI5d9IjqqE/s1600/DSC_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqD7u6OTC_nNhcPuFx12-8rVGt_a7-TtUvR8o7vVDQIlkV-kyma3MyeFUhM1rmJbEOEkvLyVYlf9z9UHsd_mvFhAeuw3UUa04dJmi2wEYzRt4CFJ1STc-B2c35hIQLCav9kI5d9IjqqE/s320/DSC_0936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dana, Laura and I at O'Neal's wedding</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGrtDxzmMTiIXmOb26Yo0ICXIXj1_jA4RS7CVoBSJEgODjQB3Qw2H8hwwMfH5AWCIRJGeSRTLIatheGTF3pGwcQjHlPaAhHB-AP45hK7Q53rXr2Kw7xqbm9S5yS51mM8tdNdOiwCry-U/s1600/DSC_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGrtDxzmMTiIXmOb26Yo0ICXIXj1_jA4RS7CVoBSJEgODjQB3Qw2H8hwwMfH5AWCIRJGeSRTLIatheGTF3pGwcQjHlPaAhHB-AP45hK7Q53rXr2Kw7xqbm9S5yS51mM8tdNdOiwCry-U/s320/DSC_0902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
R and I at Five Star Plantation</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm6OA_ukNRGlq419zITX_OCvCD_K-iNN1wwLSLNqwJ0LdB-d4PYAysxEWRRTp0zsvIWvB2tzSWbqNbKVYXOK1I39S9mYJ50k8HxOJmqO_ccfKEzTw9yC8i9TTDXhV_paAP3PZyn_R63o/s1600/DSC_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm6OA_ukNRGlq419zITX_OCvCD_K-iNN1wwLSLNqwJ0LdB-d4PYAysxEWRRTp0zsvIWvB2tzSWbqNbKVYXOK1I39S9mYJ50k8HxOJmqO_ccfKEzTw9yC8i9TTDXhV_paAP3PZyn_R63o/s320/DSC_0906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
AU Date Night...if you want to realized how old you really are...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCV-1-pflenkJvD1Ntx2bQuIOp5AD_FmNk_6LgaNX04mBhWHT6aaGux_FZg83vvX0FRlHpNgyJb-2ceKp1LE0djKZmY-YXsE_furcfgvdF8Sc26Swg7ot2i3KpiEmNY8Bs_P3mqxpdgE/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCV-1-pflenkJvD1Ntx2bQuIOp5AD_FmNk_6LgaNX04mBhWHT6aaGux_FZg83vvX0FRlHpNgyJb-2ceKp1LE0djKZmY-YXsE_furcfgvdF8Sc26Swg7ot2i3KpiEmNY8Bs_P3mqxpdgE/s320/DSC_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
R at AU v Miss St...very focused</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvS4Q0YdJKrptWRmuA5qsELi6Dp3Fcl8zhWjGRnfDumpaUbkKF8QIiVbpb11Qt7mS4yChDYpQKuzrB881AWwNDZrPBJ20x4DAH0rfv-LNK9yQa_vzkY6bMcYrP7KK4ljuHWYqdA79RzE/s1600/DSC_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvS4Q0YdJKrptWRmuA5qsELi6Dp3Fcl8zhWjGRnfDumpaUbkKF8QIiVbpb11Qt7mS4yChDYpQKuzrB881AWwNDZrPBJ20x4DAH0rfv-LNK9yQa_vzkY6bMcYrP7KK4ljuHWYqdA79RzE/s320/DSC_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-82563632152360856852011-08-04T09:27:00.002-05:002011-08-04T09:38:37.621-05:00Thankful Thursday!It's been a while since I've written a "Thankful Thursday" post, so I decided I better catch up. I definitely have plenty to be thankful for here :)<br /><br />These past few weeks have been very busy but good weeks and we've had some great time with great friends!!<br /><br />- All the grace and blessings we have been given<br />- My wonderful family and friends<br />- Some beautiful, sunny weather - even if this humidity is 1,000% (that is lessened by frozen yogurt)<br />- The engagement of my friend Kimberly - and especially the time we got to spend with her getting to know her fiance this past weekend! Love them!<br />- My, sweet, loving husband - I'm a pretty big fan of him and I don't mention him on here enough<br />- A shopping day with my sister this week - I love end-of season sales :)<br />- A good walk yesterday despite the heat<br />- A sweet, healed Gidget that can go on walks again!<br />- Fresh peaches<br />- Publix (even if I have to go to Montgomery to go there)<br />- Lunch with friends<br />- Good summer reads<br />- "The Help" coming out as a movie this month! I can't wait!<br />- DVR - seriously, we'd never have good tv to watch without it!<br /><br />There are many, many more but I'll stop there for now. I need to clean this house (that I am so thankful for) before lunch with a friend!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by :) and be THANKFUL for something today!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-79321080446750474982011-07-25T10:11:00.002-05:002011-07-25T10:40:45.026-05:00Welcome to "The Rock"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjVs_miW1PvYTn7UfVyYGPA1EcboCe2zgujE6vu3sGCkw_nIgiRn51eKCA-UJg_AtEW1akYncAi2Gb6BD2gZBByYO5yrcVBqR0FITB-XiyFNa361hjhw3-VMhn1b6E3j1UJLBIvtrosw/s1600/614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjVs_miW1PvYTn7UfVyYGPA1EcboCe2zgujE6vu3sGCkw_nIgiRn51eKCA-UJg_AtEW1akYncAi2Gb6BD2gZBByYO5yrcVBqR0FITB-XiyFNa361hjhw3-VMhn1b6E3j1UJLBIvtrosw/s320/614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633308182846786562" border="0" /></a><br />I know what you are thinking...2 posts in one day?!?! However, I promised to revisit 2 of our favorite tours in San Fransisco, and I keep my promises. On Saturday afternoon we boarded a ferry bound for Alcatraz - headed for a much different experience than those who made this trek years ago! The ferry ride was only about 15 minutes but it was nice (and a little chilly). This little bird wanted to come with us...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF86Oc2pj3a_VEJh4I7OqbUlH3Ws7t95MMdKRAlXuljim2z1cnwCaIJE91IXM60O01PBZUz3pkroaRYjhf5Louleff69r0fcMvTw-bC-y7VZSy3A-_p1ouTU80X5QJYd5L14gseOHblNw/s1600/622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF86Oc2pj3a_VEJh4I7OqbUlH3Ws7t95MMdKRAlXuljim2z1cnwCaIJE91IXM60O01PBZUz3pkroaRYjhf5Louleff69r0fcMvTw-bC-y7VZSy3A-_p1ouTU80X5QJYd5L14gseOHblNw/s320/622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633308908736307890" border="0" /></a><br />And the view was great...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0qsu_wexg-C0YiV2CUaj1WQTsBHWnfrngQMA9gYjDB32mhRLQxGj75QXd5fwy5J4n8OwZMijYpYEL25bKi36-zfy48PoiCq9j_gkMdM25XyTE2sstwrkyjzXoYwcef4JPk96G1Kvfc8/s1600/616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0qsu_wexg-C0YiV2CUaj1WQTsBHWnfrngQMA9gYjDB32mhRLQxGj75QXd5fwy5J4n8OwZMijYpYEL25bKi36-zfy48PoiCq9j_gkMdM25XyTE2sstwrkyjzXoYwcef4JPk96G1Kvfc8/s320/616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633309262674839762" border="0" /></a><br />Once we unloaded we were welcomed to the island by a park ranger (as it is now a national park).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDgwAykvqxZ-U7_qjSYD4CpEnBxVefsoGog04F3NtFMcAgP2hIzKqpIZs6xJlbW7DaM5yjVVR1e9HLcyoS5o1ihDZ9MiyCYV9TfWZa0IqLwnup-16LzCMzJ579g4jIsvilhjR0I3Q84w/s1600/627.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDgwAykvqxZ-U7_qjSYD4CpEnBxVefsoGog04F3NtFMcAgP2hIzKqpIZs6xJlbW7DaM5yjVVR1e9HLcyoS5o1ihDZ9MiyCYV9TfWZa0IqLwnup-16LzCMzJ579g4jIsvilhjR0I3Q84w/s320/627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633309552749009730" border="0" /></a>After the welcome we watched a quick history video and then began our audio tour of the prison. We were led through the maze of cells and rooms by the voices of past inmates as well as officers at the prison.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZzJHtY7U-M4bfE_Dj-UeQ2tA16WNBSKIaqCRieE9pEiuhEBnXDB5dKn-hI4aPPHm1eMftazh1g8XO02fvFP2FLfxSH4h7nGDqGQ-TabMAtZyp91D9J3wcaStxApw07HH6_dN9oWqYRo/s1600/634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZzJHtY7U-M4bfE_Dj-UeQ2tA16WNBSKIaqCRieE9pEiuhEBnXDB5dKn-hI4aPPHm1eMftazh1g8XO02fvFP2FLfxSH4h7nGDqGQ-TabMAtZyp91D9J3wcaStxApw07HH6_dN9oWqYRo/s320/634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633309904404347474" border="0" /></a><br />It was amazing to learn what went on inside of the prison - the escape attempts as well as the everyday life. It made me want to research and learn more about it! Below you can see the levels of cell blocks...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTbgycj4vlEPemUQ_dfZcZ6T1Yb5DIJ6jEamUEYFJh_Jlxgu5ZsfJPvz3Jy-Eix5TwvPpGjE6DcCBFO0c3nVaVfJ2GQ64YqrUEmV3nnbFZiyc2U6DBUOmTdfQpkjLGPUMOUqBjJ_SylM/s1600/675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTbgycj4vlEPemUQ_dfZcZ6T1Yb5DIJ6jEamUEYFJh_Jlxgu5ZsfJPvz3Jy-Eix5TwvPpGjE6DcCBFO0c3nVaVfJ2GQ64YqrUEmV3nnbFZiyc2U6DBUOmTdfQpkjLGPUMOUqBjJ_SylM/s320/675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633310241794649522" border="0" /></a>And the cells were tiny...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzcGaGmyZhav-Hgz4k18G1e4k1jP9D8vhZSqRk6V_YauqdSkm06AcDIdCrYJbfK2zKOuxo3X_lAg3SBBgI4SPdG1SbE8GiYF-QSaqnDmGHyHEmsA3xd9XGB6R4P9cpBfS2P9Dpd8r9XQ/s1600/637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzcGaGmyZhav-Hgz4k18G1e4k1jP9D8vhZSqRk6V_YauqdSkm06AcDIdCrYJbfK2zKOuxo3X_lAg3SBBgI4SPdG1SbE8GiYF-QSaqnDmGHyHEmsA3xd9XGB6R4P9cpBfS2P9Dpd8r9XQ/s320/637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633310788932053154" border="0" /></a><br />The worst criminals got thrown in "the hole." They were inside 24/7 with maybe 1 hour per week outside for recreation. It was completely dark inside the cell and they were totally alone... (p.s. I would be a terrible criminal!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI_AVdfNNU9C4I1vjHyWtT0Og1MDN38qE6wJrsBpTzDHYdcNDjO6-jPafO8Zz-IWDa2P1DZUxFAqhoqphyphenhyphenv1VwKRNERpv8fCaX3V_GGxPARWzAfgEyk7Yb8-zG3AI1yCmqrchsMHGIIs/s1600/647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI_AVdfNNU9C4I1vjHyWtT0Og1MDN38qE6wJrsBpTzDHYdcNDjO6-jPafO8Zz-IWDa2P1DZUxFAqhoqphyphenhyphenv1VwKRNERpv8fCaX3V_GGxPARWzAfgEyk7Yb8-zG3AI1yCmqrchsMHGIIs/s320/647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633311278748324290" border="0" /></a>It's hard to tell from this pic but outside the bars, there was a metal door that was closed to block out all light.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9S6NZjK3-INUkvx38Yrkc7sVyeFdXkYRZApFxucc9l4-DP_V2Zk_eKLZn6HJG8U9Ov-W_nv8sIo3Y-SASktpxqRK7VNkEthZEiIqNjQ1Dj1GA8_qGauCTDSon0dsIjluxHqVvvVcXcY/s1600/657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9S6NZjK3-INUkvx38Yrkc7sVyeFdXkYRZApFxucc9l4-DP_V2Zk_eKLZn6HJG8U9Ov-W_nv8sIo3Y-SASktpxqRK7VNkEthZEiIqNjQ1Dj1GA8_qGauCTDSon0dsIjluxHqVvvVcXcY/s320/657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633311728061124850" border="0" /></a>Most inmates had few to no visitors, and were allowed visits very rarely.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvl8NuDjsJSswda1FVM71nlThHDXeEJ2mCVpINcpI947_qAiIpB871LD1VppDQlSJkJMQaDLc4LIRMfUHZ9oPixZR2yDzTdKsfdnLtpocm8C5wL3_aouk3xh9bGolr8cmsjPjkxG7yVA/s1600/656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvl8NuDjsJSswda1FVM71nlThHDXeEJ2mCVpINcpI947_qAiIpB871LD1VppDQlSJkJMQaDLc4LIRMfUHZ9oPixZR2yDzTdKsfdnLtpocm8C5wL3_aouk3xh9bGolr8cmsjPjkxG7yVA/s320/656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633312058314324882" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's crazy to think some of the most notorious criminals were housed in this very place. (Can you say Al Capone?!?)<br /><br />We saw where they ate, slept, showered, exercised...as well as how they escaped and/or tried...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZnU4oM0DEpTaVr9Y1tZ3bNya9wC8LSog4i8pDQDswJO7e6OuoscT4JvvWWLMfe-ili2YZg34oobSooYu1dovBDBbl-JXGi0xhPuX2dTroOY4nw7VpDgtCzqq6LfymxnCJ-_A-P15xxo/s1600/653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZnU4oM0DEpTaVr9Y1tZ3bNya9wC8LSog4i8pDQDswJO7e6OuoscT4JvvWWLMfe-ili2YZg34oobSooYu1dovBDBbl-JXGi0xhPuX2dTroOY4nw7VpDgtCzqq6LfymxnCJ-_A-P15xxo/s320/653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633312392639396482" border="0" /></a><br />Once we finished the tour and were outside the views were amazing! It was cold and windy but worth it! It was said that, at night, inmates could here the music and laughter from parties in San Fransisco. Here are some of the view of the island...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOI0PpbWMevTPyGSmh1G9vYkQF7AQH9m1cIyOEKdNvf4ifqpEtNZqyCqiWnk5AQL09KiKFwI7dJ5d3DTJ5xJpFxt55AfzCHSCeWOG4Y8iMMytq5hAnS3XX9kvG5HNDQGkPCoAb6IL5w8/s1600/669.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOI0PpbWMevTPyGSmh1G9vYkQF7AQH9m1cIyOEKdNvf4ifqpEtNZqyCqiWnk5AQL09KiKFwI7dJ5d3DTJ5xJpFxt55AfzCHSCeWOG4Y8iMMytq5hAnS3XX9kvG5HNDQGkPCoAb6IL5w8/s320/669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633312889380594610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR4tx2oKt6LGzSt_pDsehqmTK2eS97lHPk0rBCCtHhAlBnhFqo_gEAYhf46b1q0X-a_SGFhKIOFVwTdPzvlc-YniGKKGgC39ITkoRrLoD7-gzcX-GAwcFw6MrAt_86u034ETmkQqym6Q/s1600/670.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR4tx2oKt6LGzSt_pDsehqmTK2eS97lHPk0rBCCtHhAlBnhFqo_gEAYhf46b1q0X-a_SGFhKIOFVwTdPzvlc-YniGKKGgC39ITkoRrLoD7-gzcX-GAwcFw6MrAt_86u034ETmkQqym6Q/s320/670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633313124527633730" border="0" /></a>R with San Fran in the background<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xoh2bdKd1Rz2hsA6hpq7WQXnMfHKe7brL7oKb5nQJf5ydls6W9wjDNMttKjbMtUe34f-tRZitmFATjKTcZPNgo5QA8n9vdbR6YztDj5bS-ipqvL9h2pddsODjQCyDUq9XV7dVQXnoOQ/s1600/673.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xoh2bdKd1Rz2hsA6hpq7WQXnMfHKe7brL7oKb5nQJf5ydls6W9wjDNMttKjbMtUe34f-tRZitmFATjKTcZPNgo5QA8n9vdbR6YztDj5bS-ipqvL9h2pddsODjQCyDUq9XV7dVQXnoOQ/s320/673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633313531130525026" border="0" /></a>Leigh and Matthew admiring the view<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I cannot forget to mention the thousands of gulls and other "water birds" that call the island home. They were EVERYWHERE!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQGm0nbdYFh6XkmbiciM3e3-JbiWUj7X3wUBkHBThOuSOZmVL9msAa7R4m_IQs7q_Ej1tjwvc7BWjTGSB6tkKRM7giazwh97b14H8F3E1L_1aN2XDwWUGR4wmfFIL9jqfwGqpQX9oZ5I/s1600/696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQGm0nbdYFh6XkmbiciM3e3-JbiWUj7X3wUBkHBThOuSOZmVL9msAa7R4m_IQs7q_Ej1tjwvc7BWjTGSB6tkKRM7giazwh97b14H8F3E1L_1aN2XDwWUGR4wmfFIL9jqfwGqpQX9oZ5I/s320/696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633313835635379538" border="0" /></a></div>It's unbelievable that the families of the officers called this island home, as well. During the years that the prison was operating, the families of the officers lived on the island and the children traveled by ferry to school in San Fransisco every day! It was quite a little community...all centered around the prison!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh2g7X0Qh_rrVd33j7EctHdC-BSTLm-NEjWCOJVaGm0Zop7xYMA9OWpDK_bnyS9CeCWHQQdG5xeFtu9l6DPOG0q2eiOJ7NcIPHnMWvtO2JhcXgCQoaPmtSgW1ZbIOw1tUVpip1P-NEtk/s1600/688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh2g7X0Qh_rrVd33j7EctHdC-BSTLm-NEjWCOJVaGm0Zop7xYMA9OWpDK_bnyS9CeCWHQQdG5xeFtu9l6DPOG0q2eiOJ7NcIPHnMWvtO2JhcXgCQoaPmtSgW1ZbIOw1tUVpip1P-NEtk/s320/688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633314256490991698" border="0" /></a>We decided that we did NOT want to live here so it was time for us to hop back on the ferry and go back to the "mainland."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1r9zu1qwyKzNiEza35yfgi_dLiS0D6LB35EsiXs4d6o7egrC4tdZFe6RVzRYrfwQzq48NXCTX8_bAklE_AMLAYIvnWWdaI5taI_95eIjY8X-nOG_srUlbBaG5qy8XLuYk3jI4vzVkxw/s1600/683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1r9zu1qwyKzNiEza35yfgi_dLiS0D6LB35EsiXs4d6o7egrC4tdZFe6RVzRYrfwQzq48NXCTX8_bAklE_AMLAYIvnWWdaI5taI_95eIjY8X-nOG_srUlbBaG5qy8XLuYk3jI4vzVkxw/s320/683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633314785935859378" border="0" /></a><br />I admit that I mainly went along with this tour because R was really interested in it, but I was enthralled the minute we stepped onto the island. It was a very educational and interesting experience that I would not miss if you go to San Fransisco.<br />Once we were back on the ferry the exhaustion and hunger hit us and we looked like this...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpLs22vZsc7co5ZKfVxf7VM0hi_17qxYikgQaNJfCzAWpI8xV1elJlDsOWApgWZ6BVOXPamtn8dqdQ5DDlpHrs_-Qd0Ql3NnogTQYw_9R4KPLNmfMIRWPBGTHLnqUf1CZEEqCJw27zvY/s1600/700.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpLs22vZsc7co5ZKfVxf7VM0hi_17qxYikgQaNJfCzAWpI8xV1elJlDsOWApgWZ6BVOXPamtn8dqdQ5DDlpHrs_-Qd0Ql3NnogTQYw_9R4KPLNmfMIRWPBGTHLnqUf1CZEEqCJw27zvY/s320/700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633315229493489058" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I could have posted ALL of the pictures, but I hope you enjoyed this little trip...come back again soon!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-40509210729738211482011-07-25T09:43:00.009-05:002011-07-25T10:10:01.541-05:00Grace Cathedral<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJfsgLVcrJDIJ-0uqzPwosgxxu2Ac9yZ5Q6A3fT3RxLhrGzIm4kRW4A1CW9_hnBtrDhMhMQ7SBDnVXvbH7NouT_gW-00yh87-DUfva9WpZIBf98tOwLBqiyadHVUGQG37Ml8AwBWUfeg/s1600/491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJfsgLVcrJDIJ-0uqzPwosgxxu2Ac9yZ5Q6A3fT3RxLhrGzIm4kRW4A1CW9_hnBtrDhMhMQ7SBDnVXvbH7NouT_gW-00yh87-DUfva9WpZIBf98tOwLBqiyadHVUGQG37Ml8AwBWUfeg/s320/491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633304793573863186" border="0" /></a><br />Grace Cathedral only took up about 15 to 20 minutes of our trip to San Fransisco, but it was one of the most beautiful and special places we visited. Walking into the Episcopal cathedral the first thing you notice are the doors which truly tell a story. They are repilicas of the original Ghiberti doors (Doors of Paradise) from Italy. Each panel tells an Old Testament story...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0K2LlavWA-RYla9MyfsepYmiwy8sOmI-tb2A5V5lxRsBUGmepKbFEwf30MdGchoUMhbuMzp5xqtixv638wyGvWy01svp5q3i4av06RpJyuUKXUvXfsbttq7rmyYkbAheoo0xxfPZ-Jo/s1600/506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0K2LlavWA-RYla9MyfsepYmiwy8sOmI-tb2A5V5lxRsBUGmepKbFEwf30MdGchoUMhbuMzp5xqtixv638wyGvWy01svp5q3i4av06RpJyuUKXUvXfsbttq7rmyYkbAheoo0xxfPZ-Jo/s320/506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302278361726082" border="0" /></a><br />Once inside the cathedral, there is a prayer chapel to the right where candles are lit and people are praying. It is an interfaith chapel to welcome everyone and is dedicated to those who have died of AIDS.<br />After the chapel, the first thing you notice is the Labyrinth. It takes up a HUGE area in the back of the cathedral before you reach the pews. There is also a labyrinth outside that I am sorry we missed! It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone who desired to take a "prayer walk" for lack of a better word.<br />Once inside you are immediately drawn in to by all of the beautiful stain glass windows and the sheer size and grandeur of the room. Here are a few of the pictures I took...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS19CjuoAXcFgBAa8HqIWkHw7el5JHyMlzmImH1LvElFsWcvxa30gS2l9hH9A0Q5CuwrtBhvH7TrILRLcrR6qp9o3RE-j593RHngkrYdKlnTWV6bCT-pcZY_aGllEIdKPPm2F-nusdV50/s1600/508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS19CjuoAXcFgBAa8HqIWkHw7el5JHyMlzmImH1LvElFsWcvxa30gS2l9hH9A0Q5CuwrtBhvH7TrILRLcrR6qp9o3RE-j593RHngkrYdKlnTWV6bCT-pcZY_aGllEIdKPPm2F-nusdV50/s320/508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633304265997428018" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-vM-Lt0fSifWb_Lf1_LDG-rYDJ3VSv5nazzqNWxnVn7d8KtS6g6UnqCrpATnnaCkpaROnB3Ci8_OL7MYE74NtpDwj87yG4uY89qRE9Zbsv_IW37Ax6DhjXBNfFXlKcs1Ry9StIrAWg/s1600/511.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-vM-Lt0fSifWb_Lf1_LDG-rYDJ3VSv5nazzqNWxnVn7d8KtS6g6UnqCrpATnnaCkpaROnB3Ci8_OL7MYE74NtpDwj87yG4uY89qRE9Zbsv_IW37Ax6DhjXBNfFXlKcs1Ry9StIrAWg/s320/511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633305226861674530" border="0" /></a>This window depicts "The Canticle of the Sun" and is called the Rose Window<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVxu1xwdFoNnL9bYPrrhiiHmm_jRiLYmIevFMMoVnUGTZHg0lrmMB4x5-JqbKe_glQx12H9gwtzfxorY-c4BhqA_ZQvdJ6cnh0u7y4Chyphenhyphen93mf3rzi4vFcB0McbMCtuyNmeT_aj-F79BU/s1600/510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVxu1xwdFoNnL9bYPrrhiiHmm_jRiLYmIevFMMoVnUGTZHg0lrmMB4x5-JqbKe_glQx12H9gwtzfxorY-c4BhqA_ZQvdJ6cnh0u7y4Chyphenhyphen93mf3rzi4vFcB0McbMCtuyNmeT_aj-F79BU/s320/510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633305517588311730" border="0" /></a>The back window in the Cathedral<br /></div><br />There were too many to windows to take picture of then all...but I seriously could have!<br /><br />Also, there was this Nativity Scene right outside of the chapel that is the oldest part of the church. (Wish I had taken a picture of it -BEAUTIFUL!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZTMUIiL_Ix47R3GSLYlEbhx5UfLT0Ft2UBxWlKYhn9QXTtNk7QOupdyNVCMhJ0-xdaOLQI5isz7nzMqU_ZKdji2lZ1bf1cnYf_tWLWr7fxmFeEt59gqUKnzQHn1d6barwhshmKf4LwE/s1600/509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZTMUIiL_Ix47R3GSLYlEbhx5UfLT0Ft2UBxWlKYhn9QXTtNk7QOupdyNVCMhJ0-xdaOLQI5isz7nzMqU_ZKdji2lZ1bf1cnYf_tWLWr7fxmFeEt59gqUKnzQHn1d6barwhshmKf4LwE/s320/509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633306107034166018" border="0" /></a><br />We learned that among those who had preached at this Cathedral - Dr. Martin Luther King and the Dalai Lama. Crazy!<br /><br />It was a great experience and something that I am so glad we took the time to do. Here was our final leaving view...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiCKs5hJCG21t4JUpDo9E3cUk67JWITzYEWnm6aynouBoJGlvlYl6bJTq6KrAvGW8iWmAM1sMVvgq48L9e6YBVIF6B1CiqcmiHMJveT_uRgdqVXlcjR97PYmyccdehi5JFvJzwN0Tv-s/s1600/507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiCKs5hJCG21t4JUpDo9E3cUk67JWITzYEWnm6aynouBoJGlvlYl6bJTq6KrAvGW8iWmAM1sMVvgq48L9e6YBVIF6B1CiqcmiHMJveT_uRgdqVXlcjR97PYmyccdehi5JFvJzwN0Tv-s/s320/507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633307081084350706" border="0" /></a><br />A funny note about our visit the Grace Cathedral - We walked in thinking we were entering a Catholic cathedral (as most of them are) but then we stared recognizing things and when we saw the prayer book and the same hymnal we use every Sunday, we knew we were in and Episcopal church.<br /><br />Hope you enjoyed this little tour - there is so much more to see, though, so maybe you should just make the trip sometime in the future. :)<br />Have a great week - and visit a place that feels sacred to you sometime soon!<br /></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-55352638838658657982011-07-21T13:00:00.022-05:002011-07-21T14:11:09.180-05:00Tour de California 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJvphcsQhML-64X74ZvdRCaJKPSbYCR0tYZWmvDabQaafKIRp_YsM4U4phLTj_tIz6aNs88GFufeNDv6j0UhqoHHfms3JWf2z0UM1PC0VmUGoEBYNXhXF_hHRWmAdis6u1e2EmHV2QUE/s1600/455.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJvphcsQhML-64X74ZvdRCaJKPSbYCR0tYZWmvDabQaafKIRp_YsM4U4phLTj_tIz6aNs88GFufeNDv6j0UhqoHHfms3JWf2z0UM1PC0VmUGoEBYNXhXF_hHRWmAdis6u1e2EmHV2QUE/s320/455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631884567805646914" border="0" /></a>Warning: this is a very lengthy post :)<br /><br />We spent the last week having a blast in California with 6 great friends - the Cassidys, the Hayes, and the Murphys. We toured on foot and bike in Calistoga and other parts of Napa, and then spent the weekend in San Fransisco fitting in everything we could to our short visit. It was hard to leave the breathtaking scenery and humidity-free, cool air to come back to Alabama!<br />I will give the highlights, and some pictures, of our trip out west...<br /><br />We arrived in Calistoga on Tuesday afternoon after flying into Oakland a renting a minivan to carry us and our massive amounts of luggage. We stayed at this fabulous house/lodge on the Lawer family vineyards...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3yZGT21uOKHSn0bG7Yp8eHOQv9PpWXzmFC8r_Rg1jmkgPgMPL3HsWWgd8vyigSCrRRHAn-Us_0dkgPg3l96zkXJjhenVvgSm0apm2kBxGRUgwcaJeGMz4ohnn0-6n_8Gi4Bapq8s7TQ/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3yZGT21uOKHSn0bG7Yp8eHOQv9PpWXzmFC8r_Rg1jmkgPgMPL3HsWWgd8vyigSCrRRHAn-Us_0dkgPg3l96zkXJjhenVvgSm0apm2kBxGRUgwcaJeGMz4ohnn0-6n_8Gi4Bapq8s7TQ/s320/075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631868158638006482" border="0" /></a><br />Tuesday night we enjoyed a delicious dinner at SolBar in Calistoga where, after filling ourselves with FABULOUS food, the boys found a bocci ball court and us ladies found a fire pit for warmth...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr4lmBkV9BqxhCosm1lVh1TSKeDR-nWEOO2i_UZpGpJpBdHcUM-_dShylxPs7_FCExs9GOIOMTJzVdrPY4UkcMQLIQYTagvk2iSpspFFrLJZdZW0H3_i6Nr3-_4fmb8FLMiM1F7WioQg/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr4lmBkV9BqxhCosm1lVh1TSKeDR-nWEOO2i_UZpGpJpBdHcUM-_dShylxPs7_FCExs9GOIOMTJzVdrPY4UkcMQLIQYTagvk2iSpspFFrLJZdZW0H3_i6Nr3-_4fmb8FLMiM1F7WioQg/s320/056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631868848823421330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJG6fBGDuSHy8xgRoICHCmOFhlfFtcX1pjb7NCZy9QQR7Ob-FcU3frx2w0-HhyphenhyphenuQTrHElhX24lcfFFBkxCYTgwsVtQh-2zDlH16tHv7Eb3LMNNodtDs4wss0wkxZV_MQfilxy2z6pRoE/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJG6fBGDuSHy8xgRoICHCmOFhlfFtcX1pjb7NCZy9QQR7Ob-FcU3frx2w0-HhyphenhyphenuQTrHElhX24lcfFFBkxCYTgwsVtQh-2zDlH16tHv7Eb3LMNNodtDs4wss0wkxZV_MQfilxy2z6pRoE/s320/062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631870002848886050" border="0" /></a><br />Wednesday we were up and at 'em to head to Schramsburg, a champagne winery, for a tour. It was fabulous! We got to go inside the caves where they "age" and make the champagne. It was a real treat! It was a history lesson, too, as Schramsburg champagne is the choice for State dinners and other events at the White House for decades.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bOdzVmKV9RwYbw3nDrYB-oYFoDMz_qL4TPqUxVnW-tlubSBS1uWGwYxVWit124-ZIVnDqvaH65GwsPQBCvsDkuYoohtY_0Fba2qt72l3ayM8rDB4sb7xWG5C8ITMSsI6cjd_vAIgkHE/s1600/129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bOdzVmKV9RwYbw3nDrYB-oYFoDMz_qL4TPqUxVnW-tlubSBS1uWGwYxVWit124-ZIVnDqvaH65GwsPQBCvsDkuYoohtY_0Fba2qt72l3ayM8rDB4sb7xWG5C8ITMSsI6cjd_vAIgkHE/s320/129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631874690864972642" border="0" /></a><br />After Schramsburg, we headed to Chateau Montelena. A beautiful, old building from the 1800's on the vineyard with an amazing view...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTQ1-PzM-EbojQGNgIwa09TxhKxle_xsiy5_ORrv3Y27glaEiMIi01oZsLoRwbbmdEn1StxKnidHMNemyKCJWfWyCd1_beRU9PrHJdUD_TE3NTuVimZG8fDAzw441P1O8R-BdxQVlKjs/s1600/152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTQ1-PzM-EbojQGNgIwa09TxhKxle_xsiy5_ORrv3Y27glaEiMIi01oZsLoRwbbmdEn1StxKnidHMNemyKCJWfWyCd1_beRU9PrHJdUD_TE3NTuVimZG8fDAzw441P1O8R-BdxQVlKjs/s320/152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631875135625978866" border="0" /></a><br />For lunch we headed to V. Sattui for a picnic on the grounds with fresh cheese, bread, sandwiches and salads. The flowers were so plentiful and colorful at V. Sattui that it felt more like a garden than a vineyard.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZGRbfXqZokz-tSlVxNIKI7GYsAU_gn_mR-KFt7l162iGzOM9DWuye9fkKAOWt3TJYOdxpZDT20n6bATQ7G8YA9j6LEV6bhQI8hbARZ_8fSc9HtaX561NyMJhXD03YTiarhS9gMhQXfQ/s1600/176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZGRbfXqZokz-tSlVxNIKI7GYsAU_gn_mR-KFt7l162iGzOM9DWuye9fkKAOWt3TJYOdxpZDT20n6bATQ7G8YA9j6LEV6bhQI8hbARZ_8fSc9HtaX561NyMJhXD03YTiarhS9gMhQXfQ/s320/176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631875511246964818" border="0" /></a><br />After successfully stuffing ourselves once again we went to Caymus and made it just in time. They were getting ready to close for the day, but they squeezed us in.<br /><br />At this point, we were pooped and headed to the grocery store to pick up some 2" steaks and veggies for dinner. The guys swam while we lounged around by the pool until we got hungry again. We cooked, relaxed and spent hours on the patio and at the dinner table before calling it a night. These nights hanging out at the house with our friends were some of my favorite memories of the trip!<br /><br />Thursday was the big day - the bike tour through Calistoga. We were all a little nervous but it turned out to be our favorite part of the trip! We started downtown Calistogo and toured through busy streets and side streets alike. We stopped by 4 vineyards and had a fabulous picnic under the trees at Cuvaison. Here are some of the pics from the biking...<br />We stopped first at Envy where we took this group picture...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33PNQSfWoIx4i5OCzHiVYzXpx8q_dZlfwRIShM0JdMFxoDbRw-Q_RuDXGBWLnZztntOVOflycB0vIbeGygJ9ODvqlB_XZh9kux7f-jqVbJxO56qOpgRP8XnalCsOPkfvH7Pv5XMdkA_c/s1600/270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33PNQSfWoIx4i5OCzHiVYzXpx8q_dZlfwRIShM0JdMFxoDbRw-Q_RuDXGBWLnZztntOVOflycB0vIbeGygJ9ODvqlB_XZh9kux7f-jqVbJxO56qOpgRP8XnalCsOPkfvH7Pv5XMdkA_c/s320/270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631877110201204178" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop was Lava Vine. This was great because we had little snacks and were able to sit down under a cover with water misters to cool us down before we went to our next stop - the picnic lunch!<br />It was an amazing spread of cheese, crackers, bread, meat, fruit and sweets! There was even a birthday cake for Laura and Leigh! After lunch we visited Cuvaison - but were almost too full to entirely enjoy the experience. The ride immediately following lunch was the MOST difficult bike ride of my life. Our last stop was Bennett Lane where we were able to cool down and relax before making the trip back to our starting point. The scenery was beautiful but I was not talented enough to photograph and ride so I left that to other, more coordinated members of our group!<br /><br />Here is the whole crowd...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUg5d0tjKlUUYLghuSuf_O82IWGD_s-DIpHQYpPO8AbgWJuwrI9XzMDpBRquAalct5OPBWqEOYrDTMu0QDKuJxgsA8cv3pWNvhxLHqXuc2bsgK9MhDM7qm62BnIUFnh3s7YG1C5VbgPM/s1600/277.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUg5d0tjKlUUYLghuSuf_O82IWGD_s-DIpHQYpPO8AbgWJuwrI9XzMDpBRquAalct5OPBWqEOYrDTMu0QDKuJxgsA8cv3pWNvhxLHqXuc2bsgK9MhDM7qm62BnIUFnh3s7YG1C5VbgPM/s320/277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631877627020460002" border="0" /></a><br />The biking wore us out and we made another grocery stop before heading home to relax and, of course, eat some more. I would be remiss if I did not mention the massive quantities of cheese and crackers/bread consumed on this trip. It is the sophisticated thing to snack on, after all.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWqP9rYme4Qd9314cPcKGDN5cW2ROSyt4hzgz6OzMAL3Ea9zb5gevUarZ1n6xUpDzOhwrFz9nUTCA2Pllus86VFxy7JG8u7M2c7TqnG_IQIMMCf541HFIc-hNsX43fFuNTKxPxHhREXQ/s1600/213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWqP9rYme4Qd9314cPcKGDN5cW2ROSyt4hzgz6OzMAL3Ea9zb5gevUarZ1n6xUpDzOhwrFz9nUTCA2Pllus86VFxy7JG8u7M2c7TqnG_IQIMMCf541HFIc-hNsX43fFuNTKxPxHhREXQ/s320/213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631878605800247330" border="0" /></a><br />Friday morning, we woke up and packed up - ready to hit the road to San Fransisco. We made one final stop in Calistoga at Cafe Sarafornia for breakfast. then went on our way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-ZN4VQkBHsvAyq9W8qhk8Ts_kZLi302-lKvjxpzQNNZ7ys7mp8nYme8_hAFoKU7dsrEKXutLZdc91p0g92uOKVNiZLB9mDeobVJ5vafS9h7UlqC0XPU7ne1icUDU55D9VYOUIJYbkPg/s1600/368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-ZN4VQkBHsvAyq9W8qhk8Ts_kZLi302-lKvjxpzQNNZ7ys7mp8nYme8_hAFoKU7dsrEKXutLZdc91p0g92uOKVNiZLB9mDeobVJ5vafS9h7UlqC0XPU7ne1icUDU55D9VYOUIJYbkPg/s320/368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631879172007554802" border="0" /></a><br />Once in San Fran, we drove through Sausalito and stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge for a photo op.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qbIXHMISXwp24a6QGlhZiYACTAmC9QSScbAQGZr-BmCQxAC6VQMjzbnawBaFHdik-pZGNANx6EuNJvyckK84do4SOYbDL_5IPsByDnwMe73CwAeQUQkhrYjVzVbcMA6pRjOgi8XgGpM/s1600/435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qbIXHMISXwp24a6QGlhZiYACTAmC9QSScbAQGZr-BmCQxAC6VQMjzbnawBaFHdik-pZGNANx6EuNJvyckK84do4SOYbDL_5IPsByDnwMe73CwAeQUQkhrYjVzVbcMA6pRjOgi8XgGpM/s320/435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631879531946970690" border="0" /></a><br />From the Golden Gate, we went to check out the Pacific Coast. Wow, is it different from our Gulf Coast. Cold and grey and rocky. It was neat to see, though, but I think I'll stick with Orange Beach for laying out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkE_KLi6ANhCMqmbeGtPG_RKEvGzp9VSfRWZgRGPd15OF4yn98AHAZ3yrH1J0a4TErzxgBlMeXmCjWKb68z6jzRZWl3NKx6C67XEN212CU-gNuQL4NdYhMTipn8wGpordUB65z5vXdHM/s1600/474.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkE_KLi6ANhCMqmbeGtPG_RKEvGzp9VSfRWZgRGPd15OF4yn98AHAZ3yrH1J0a4TErzxgBlMeXmCjWKb68z6jzRZWl3NKx6C67XEN212CU-gNuQL4NdYhMTipn8wGpordUB65z5vXdHM/s320/474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631879948014760066" border="0" /></a>We went and left our stuff at the hotel before heading to China Town, and then onto Top of the Mark for some food, rest, and an amazing view! We could see Grace Cathedral from Top of the Mark and knew that it had to be our next stop. It may get it's own post because it was so amazing! Here is just a glimpse...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBA73lg1URh66FKRX_4Ttu_izlFAwGSan9YHUtGd0RjmqWWR_wo81cusedT6hyphenhyphen4UApyLHaZnwusQ8XtlaiSfLN3AjTPuRtt9Fq0MCkmqMfs-wNhMGR7AYLeBOgH13kNIMQJyanOkHrLI/s1600/502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBA73lg1URh66FKRX_4Ttu_izlFAwGSan9YHUtGd0RjmqWWR_wo81cusedT6hyphenhyphen4UApyLHaZnwusQ8XtlaiSfLN3AjTPuRtt9Fq0MCkmqMfs-wNhMGR7AYLeBOgH13kNIMQJyanOkHrLI/s320/502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631880436933274962" border="0" /></a><br />We were spent after all that walking so we went to the hotel to rest and get ready for Leigh's birthday dinner at Twenty-five Lusk. It was a FABULOUS meal and a great time to celebrate.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEY-iKgfobpCqFmTGZ0rnlOOzCw4r1Kny-Yz2fd_Z_OQQ4SJnXcSkfZbu7phMQ9meAmCK3QpShpVP7XZnBzUzecmd-3o_SxkAIOcSShKtaIMMUtE9OmxNzMa08LenfoK2Vp1J5NTY3pA/s1600/542.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEY-iKgfobpCqFmTGZ0rnlOOzCw4r1Kny-Yz2fd_Z_OQQ4SJnXcSkfZbu7phMQ9meAmCK3QpShpVP7XZnBzUzecmd-3o_SxkAIOcSShKtaIMMUtE9OmxNzMa08LenfoK2Vp1J5NTY3pA/s320/542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631880922228097346" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday, we made the most of our one full day in San Fran. We started at the Farmer's Market. Our senses were assaulted (in a good way) with beautiful flowers and the freshest foods. After eating breakfast and some fries as Gott's we headed for a very long (and hilly) walk to Coit Tower. Another breathtaking view awaited us at the top of the long stroll.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGZFLbnCP6VN6MAi2OG-c8aTzQBOQQ-ViekwR8iC88VjtTjDp41exd2d2ALYEj8kEJdSnTovQhv2wWs5QcTd2sDWuZs_lc-I8m90X8vDixiOJxIWyc5Y2MlT1eh3ihlQuYaDHHEit0OQ/s1600/597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGZFLbnCP6VN6MAi2OG-c8aTzQBOQQ-ViekwR8iC88VjtTjDp41exd2d2ALYEj8kEJdSnTovQhv2wWs5QcTd2sDWuZs_lc-I8m90X8vDixiOJxIWyc5Y2MlT1eh3ihlQuYaDHHEit0OQ/s320/597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631881515148006722" border="0" /></a><br />We went back downhill to the Ferry building to see the Sea Lions and get lunch from street vendors. (Corn dogs, cotton candy, happiness!) Then it was on to Alcatraz. Alcatraz was such a neat experience. I learned so much that I did not know, but still want to learn more. It may need its own post as well!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN1YYNg_3Pjo3Vi4wtElOmJ3QNpVUSq17uBCQJZoIUZ_QNjHqKA5-P7yywyUhYj51g_BdHAlmUhTedMbSN_vP3ZONBCbDaCLBb8d9jz9bHSEa6zayflUqcOykIYT9rVJqTDqjs_l7SDM/s1600/651.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN1YYNg_3Pjo3Vi4wtElOmJ3QNpVUSq17uBCQJZoIUZ_QNjHqKA5-P7yywyUhYj51g_BdHAlmUhTedMbSN_vP3ZONBCbDaCLBb8d9jz9bHSEa6zayflUqcOykIYT9rVJqTDqjs_l7SDM/s320/651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882187116019506" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuUPcm_mNMKhEnxpk0ZbcqVKp6SemmovsrKrfd6FLxQC1rPj-WcdmhJff4TPJPf8TK5JVkI9BPQFgZ_U6ym0ewGlD5Tl70I6SRpz-fJ-aghvo0fOgqhqNCiGJFS3aWFT2JtE3VNTERBM/s1600/668.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuUPcm_mNMKhEnxpk0ZbcqVKp6SemmovsrKrfd6FLxQC1rPj-WcdmhJff4TPJPf8TK5JVkI9BPQFgZ_U6ym0ewGlD5Tl70I6SRpz-fJ-aghvo0fOgqhqNCiGJFS3aWFT2JtE3VNTERBM/s320/668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882546710426610" border="0" /></a><br />After Alcatraz, we obviously had to eat again. I think that might be all we did. We found a great little sushi place (we took a cab) and relaxed! Before heading back to the hotel we visited Union Square for a little shopping. We didn't go overboard with it - only because we didn't have much time. Somehow, we had not cared about shopping up to this point, but all of a sudden wanted to buy everything in sight once we saw all of the shiny things. We finished the night at the Ritz with dessert in the lounge before falling into bed. After our 6 day adventure, we were ready for some rest! We were sad to part ways and head home but we brought lots of memories and souvenirs with us!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNaJPRzdzf5Hovd0OSq4h67HO7K4avRbLTsHXosif8fdHoGO20EQE9u7e3vrQXhCF6eB8CayY00CqecYeIaSPPNJwmVhk1yaPjPXl6rbugDSaxwAAeKbQyNHgh6o7j3a_5vxncrOoGDc/s1600/709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNaJPRzdzf5Hovd0OSq4h67HO7K4avRbLTsHXosif8fdHoGO20EQE9u7e3vrQXhCF6eB8CayY00CqecYeIaSPPNJwmVhk1yaPjPXl6rbugDSaxwAAeKbQyNHgh6o7j3a_5vxncrOoGDc/s320/709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631883992245041906" border="0" /></a><br />If you can believe it, this is just a glimpse of all we did! This must become a yearly trip - the destination may change but the company should remain the same. We had a blast - sorry this way so long, but I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!<br /><br />Thanks for reading! Love, The Millers<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7dU9klMaNGQfEcXLQqBj-eJJ4bKn2SK7cVWMgjGEbgNf14lNfTkpIL_F2glZonU4t9HzYTggV70WdV9Jjkpt9l7m5logUL6E7B5wEWOtiBLEg5KSVWMnV_RHu53I-famTNuvS8LJ5pY/s1600/530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7dU9klMaNGQfEcXLQqBj-eJJ4bKn2SK7cVWMgjGEbgNf14lNfTkpIL_F2glZonU4t9HzYTggV70WdV9Jjkpt9l7m5logUL6E7B5wEWOtiBLEg5KSVWMnV_RHu53I-famTNuvS8LJ5pY/s320/530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885122616419938" border="0" /></a>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-43698637923240402622011-07-06T09:27:00.005-05:002011-07-06T09:50:34.125-05:00Catch-up time!Well, I have not been so good at my blogging lately. We've been busy - since my last blog, my sister came to visit while R was out of town on a hunting trip to Texas, I went to visit my fam in Mobile, and R's parents came to spend the Fourth of July weekend with us. It has been a fun and busy last couple of weeks!<br /><br />While my sister was here we did some exercising and cooking (gluten free for her, of course)! We also did some shopping around the little shops here and had a great time. My visit to Mobile was a quick one, but a good one. Gidget and I both enjoyed getting to spend some time hanging out by the pool and visiting with my parents. While we were busy visiting, R was in Texas hunting trophy ram and hogs - he got one of both as well as a very nice bass while fishing. Those pics are a little, um, gross to share on the blog haha.<br /><br />This past weekend we enjoyed the holiday with R's parents. We were off work Friday so it made for a nice long weekend! The guys fixed things around the house and us girls did some shopping and relaxing. We also planted some flowers!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiSD93w95Y5hQesp2Dg2rqaFzLG0URKf5LyTFUY9hcyVB_i8LSogAffCrkcGCs-nuOgEW_73d8rtd5DveEhAG3v_pOd8TF6WtZQr1TqpGrTunse2N9aPtg3nDm3jv6xot0BaXLQabQO8/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiSD93w95Y5hQesp2Dg2rqaFzLG0URKf5LyTFUY9hcyVB_i8LSogAffCrkcGCs-nuOgEW_73d8rtd5DveEhAG3v_pOd8TF6WtZQr1TqpGrTunse2N9aPtg3nDm3jv6xot0BaXLQabQO8/s320/DSC_0683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626249363220743410" border="0" /></a>The beautiful hibiscus they brought for us!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We also did lots of eating - it was a holiday after all! And, of course we went to church on Sunday, so we decided to take a picture while we all looked nice and clean :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Qt2sTHZMzAQinZB3HgSxm8LbKt99fJh42-mZLRnNAVDVVM0PiaxX_iQWdFoVVP9pDWY885-BODUqomviORJwDXJZOlZTw-JxBvcVFWhusVpOsv_DSndIXBtuGc4MugPt_y7au1czdU/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Qt2sTHZMzAQinZB3HgSxm8LbKt99fJh42-mZLRnNAVDVVM0PiaxX_iQWdFoVVP9pDWY885-BODUqomviORJwDXJZOlZTw-JxBvcVFWhusVpOsv_DSndIXBtuGc4MugPt_y7au1czdU/s320/DSC_0682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626250072970823474" border="0" /></a>The Millers before church!<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Monday night we went to see the firework show put on by the city - and it was spectacular! I took lots of pictures with my new camera (and maybe I should have learned a little about the settings first...oops) Here are a few that actually turned out pretty good...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRAmu6WkICTcgkCruqOnx0Mm1Uu7sj9uRHfdqhrCDJLnBDF92mGbI71nLEfDB6VjBwCtQfnA3O1Wx6SefU5PGPUPQJahKsqOfCj9H2SD69QqFC24cDIp9OlHCawcZ1HVk2InyS88FRu0/s1600/DSC_0765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRAmu6WkICTcgkCruqOnx0Mm1Uu7sj9uRHfdqhrCDJLnBDF92mGbI71nLEfDB6VjBwCtQfnA3O1Wx6SefU5PGPUPQJahKsqOfCj9H2SD69QqFC24cDIp9OlHCawcZ1HVk2InyS88FRu0/s320/DSC_0765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626251138041667266" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimXWbjL9WJ5XvWvsjNLiph_3u5Z74dQZxTf7r8XbY9Fe-5Ch1DxDbWC4J0_5UAuZowdbHMdExXXoClP_46chLvHNphWx5RfEEFK7238VkbXqMrsamcWmU47hZqlFXTtVWrI-KFoWf80o/s1600/DSC_0762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimXWbjL9WJ5XvWvsjNLiph_3u5Z74dQZxTf7r8XbY9Fe-5Ch1DxDbWC4J0_5UAuZowdbHMdExXXoClP_46chLvHNphWx5RfEEFK7238VkbXqMrsamcWmU47hZqlFXTtVWrI-KFoWf80o/s320/DSC_0762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626251622123876274" border="0" /></a>I hope you all had a very happy Fourth! Have a great week!<br /></div></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-64207819129383983672011-06-22T11:48:00.008-05:002011-06-22T12:07:24.285-05:00FriendshipFest 2011!This past weekend I had the pleasure of hosting a group of my college friends in Troy - and we had a blast! It was so much fun to see everyone and catch up on What everyone has been up to. It had been over a year since we had all been together under the same roof, so there was lots of catching up to do! We had absolutely no agenda for the weekend and it was so nice and relaxing.<br /><br />We got to meet Julie's little one - who was precious. It was so fun to see friends in their new roles as "mommy."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg5aw2H3CNqhHbSZqB-WMHhD-3s2iLv4JR2n21t5LEcXejKp7h-5GixVDlDIduRvxxXePm6asg3AKaGsPOt_kzxKqpzxynTaALnhp0dG7LfWqVa0o8EP8WM1Ow2zW-ryJoRCFJvj37-M/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg5aw2H3CNqhHbSZqB-WMHhD-3s2iLv4JR2n21t5LEcXejKp7h-5GixVDlDIduRvxxXePm6asg3AKaGsPOt_kzxKqpzxynTaALnhp0dG7LfWqVa0o8EP8WM1Ow2zW-ryJoRCFJvj37-M/s320/DSC_0564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621088254420139122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">E and JM made friends...<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRduRO7bfuHakDG0pAMrZAz5MknQv7bE6CMv2tNGrU8OAoOM9PMXFUpTRn-sqXLQqZyrBt3TosASVc-XjT06jaZ3t94U_8kWMmWmMFIciW8nYoOK7vJWoBCC7oLkjSqddTfK110DMQ4o/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRduRO7bfuHakDG0pAMrZAz5MknQv7bE6CMv2tNGrU8OAoOM9PMXFUpTRn-sqXLQqZyrBt3TosASVc-XjT06jaZ3t94U_8kWMmWmMFIciW8nYoOK7vJWoBCC7oLkjSqddTfK110DMQ4o/s320/DSC_0576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621088689282284194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And Gidget too!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit3b100iJpPYXLt5EExktaCI6AdJMYaL_wzTYNLqPH1LVCm-liK2CzGea3GkLMFJkxJNliRaVUMvdLxKn2r43q9yqT1WkUvGgeKRgXwva6xuditnHmau_q-CG0PqzfBK7eC6XHzMrMxs/s1600/DSC_0558.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit3b100iJpPYXLt5EExktaCI6AdJMYaL_wzTYNLqPH1LVCm-liK2CzGea3GkLMFJkxJNliRaVUMvdLxKn2r43q9yqT1WkUvGgeKRgXwva6xuditnHmau_q-CG0PqzfBK7eC6XHzMrMxs/s320/DSC_0558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621089144428130642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Friday night, we ate delicious homemade pizza, courtesy of Julie J...so fun and yummy...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj1BDXBrXDzTeHQQ2c3_BT4UpE81piIsz-mBT5KHFjnd_Yg5Vho4UWXIUuIP9bSDxTqtC0gddkWK9FEff4iW78qC-4S0Q5Pep-jM-nYATKqDQFofFrqSuxAdbaDRS5ZbF77yksgdwc-s/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj1BDXBrXDzTeHQQ2c3_BT4UpE81piIsz-mBT5KHFjnd_Yg5Vho4UWXIUuIP9bSDxTqtC0gddkWK9FEff4iW78qC-4S0Q5Pep-jM-nYATKqDQFofFrqSuxAdbaDRS5ZbF77yksgdwc-s/s320/DSC_0581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621089795235493890" border="0" /></a><br />We ate WAYYYYYY too much this weekend - dip, pizza, brownies, cupcakes, danish, monster cookies....and so much more!<br />We didn't get out of our pajamas on Saturday until about 5pm - there is documentation of this, but I'll keep that to myself as promised. :) Saturday night we had a little Mexican fiesta for dinner and then came home to some Margarita jello - another J.J. creation. SOOOO delish - but next time we may decrease the serving size, ha ha.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Zfr1xv41MyrCv-_AW-Mb5LJo53dzSHC79ilknJeHPCwL9Kw5w7oK7EeLZg2RnTuWHqqHV_TMUvd8bf7qsFWLVwYK1oSjFoH4Zu0B0K4aQQXJ0u3KNp4CJzQp2pJcJ6JZjDEiRbctNM/s1600/DSC_0587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Zfr1xv41MyrCv-_AW-Mb5LJo53dzSHC79ilknJeHPCwL9Kw5w7oK7EeLZg2RnTuWHqqHV_TMUvd8bf7qsFWLVwYK1oSjFoH4Zu0B0K4aQQXJ0u3KNp4CJzQp2pJcJ6JZjDEiRbctNM/s320/DSC_0587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621090752533253762" border="0" /></a>Dinner at Monarcas with our new friend (far right)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHnzJVUzKnSMVpiINq2d9jTJT1_svqgscZRnNdlbs-uWm8BUGvLvmigu4FjZt0wZTnXiKzVvYoRDNWYUdbF0cJUv0UoOi8MMeOrJ0uanvEKr6nMJTvFaZ-1KhUetpSVc5DS0O819udJ8/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHnzJVUzKnSMVpiINq2d9jTJT1_svqgscZRnNdlbs-uWm8BUGvLvmigu4FjZt0wZTnXiKzVvYoRDNWYUdbF0cJUv0UoOi8MMeOrJ0uanvEKr6nMJTvFaZ-1KhUetpSVc5DS0O819udJ8/s320/DSC_0588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621091160746927602" border="0" /></a>The jello margartia - YUM!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was so sad to see everyone go on Sunday, but I hope that we can be together again sooner rather than later. We missed the ones that won't there - and this MUST become a yearly tradition!<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-22700034702818367652011-06-09T09:06:00.005-05:002011-06-09T09:37:43.873-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_T_7qIvGAJ0X_aC9an5Tt8iBpqQYKC6FReAk0gdkqqf3hjEJUQJC5A4n8vRefy58hvd61y6HWGPdMtJTfn2XgbCdkb8uk3i7z4y1ArEKoCxfnBir9YCV-g7CMf0euVVWm1yGMoYdflo/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_T_7qIvGAJ0X_aC9an5Tt8iBpqQYKC6FReAk0gdkqqf3hjEJUQJC5A4n8vRefy58hvd61y6HWGPdMtJTfn2XgbCdkb8uk3i7z4y1ArEKoCxfnBir9YCV-g7CMf0euVVWm1yGMoYdflo/s320/DSC_0429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616225874147370002" border="0" /></a><br />R and I spent last weekend with both of our families and it was wonderful! My cousin got married in Jackson, which was close enough to R's family that we could stay with them!<br /><br />It was a beautiful weekend and a beautiful wedding! I used my new camera to document every moment (and maybe got on R's nerves a little bit - ha)<br /><br /><br />Here is the happy couple at the rehearsal dinner...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWZblnLU4ANosrDBUl_MDlHoCzQQ9d3GDGcJtAoDFGN83w6CvaMeDggzfN7AFyqZMV0vhPBXKazghh-zY83cjLRfHMy07vic0ZvEZ5vQx52XsuaHnoQgMHV3IklVUTBtHXBvYEE9TOYs/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWZblnLU4ANosrDBUl_MDlHoCzQQ9d3GDGcJtAoDFGN83w6CvaMeDggzfN7AFyqZMV0vhPBXKazghh-zY83cjLRfHMy07vic0ZvEZ5vQx52XsuaHnoQgMHV3IklVUTBtHXBvYEE9TOYs/s320/DSC_0250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616221759479249154" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;">and then at the reception!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrUxHNdBB2WEIqmlrl4KygZdO-viYqfdl_h9wd3qpQ_5Y4cRgNC4ySh82FSBZBsLTXDWUO4bCkU1ngHSQ7fJ0CiqhXAyOmnr6g94wUjPLVWxF9BRkJPyDUCo-Yx86Eshs9Y7qyWqJafM/s1600/CSC_0466.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrUxHNdBB2WEIqmlrl4KygZdO-viYqfdl_h9wd3qpQ_5Y4cRgNC4ySh82FSBZBsLTXDWUO4bCkU1ngHSQ7fJ0CiqhXAyOmnr6g94wUjPLVWxF9BRkJPyDUCo-Yx86Eshs9Y7qyWqJafM/s320/CSC_0466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616223134079809634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was a great weekend of family time and celebrating the "newest" Rowans. I took this picture of Mom and Mamaw at the rehearsal dinner and it is one of my favorites...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwWlE2_sjavW7SkmryHpiF_J33yRei4f7xwuHwQpMugf697X4E6S4slH00kIwcFcIkUysNx5zQuFgZl6J4zU6Ihf3FcKe6YFqIRtvIrVg1EganBlqq8r46DhoaCa07ka4mPIdR0V7VQE/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwWlE2_sjavW7SkmryHpiF_J33yRei4f7xwuHwQpMugf697X4E6S4slH00kIwcFcIkUysNx5zQuFgZl6J4zU6Ihf3FcKe6YFqIRtvIrVg1EganBlqq8r46DhoaCa07ka4mPIdR0V7VQE/s320/DSC_0240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616222222137252226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was also Abby's birthday so we did a little celebrating for that, too! It was no fun going back to the real world on Monday, but now it's already Thursday and another weekend is on the horizon. I am celebrating that fact with a massage today - much needed!<br /><br />On to Thankful Thursday....<br />- Our families and the wonderful time we had with them this weekend<br />- Gidget's quick recovery and her being back to herself again!<br />- The massage R gave me for our anniversary - that I will cash in on today<br />- Sweet friends<br />- An upcoming reunion with my college roomies! I CANNOT wait to have everyone together again<br />- An organized refrigerator, pantry, and laundry room<br />- An almost-clean house - still a work in progress<br />- Many, many blessings we have been given - that we certainly do not deserve<br />- A new season of the Bachelorette - oh, why am I so addicted<br />- Fresh picked veggies from the gardens of friends at work - delicious!<br /><br />There are many, many more but the cleaning must go on so I can relax later :)<br /><br />Have a happy Thursday everyone!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-15513296164818821552011-05-31T09:21:00.006-05:002011-05-31T09:35:05.268-05:00More pictures...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhBF_yQvaNG2uqfF5xrRbePZnqUSPO-LBNOLBYaF8BCHFxC0ega5gR1iocjeakLQOWmAha5BdENoDdveG5nqeKcaB1Y9VNPjSSM5v3GqzFmQvwJFvd7qaGVFzo79e4X1aVme6-ESPKe8/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhBF_yQvaNG2uqfF5xrRbePZnqUSPO-LBNOLBYaF8BCHFxC0ega5gR1iocjeakLQOWmAha5BdENoDdveG5nqeKcaB1Y9VNPjSSM5v3GqzFmQvwJFvd7qaGVFzo79e4X1aVme6-ESPKe8/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612888609174460610" border="0" /></a><br />After a weekend of working I was so excited to have a day at home with R yesterday. We are so thankful for those who have served our country, and those that have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can relax and rest and feel safe in our homes. We took full advantage of this day to rest and relax. I'm pretty sure it was somewhere near 11am when we woke up and around 4pm when I finally got out of my p.j.'s. It was the most glorious day! We enjoyed a day at home just relaxing and enjoying each other and our little pup.<br />Speaking of Gidget - she is doing much better and recovering nicely from the snake bite. The bite area is pretty disgusting but it shows no signs of infection so far and is improving daily. She is definitely back to her old self and we are so glad!<br />I have been playing some with my new camera around the house and yard and here are some of the cool pictures I have gotten so far...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv1q5IxssX3VSkL8RYP1PhEzU-pOm_CYrWbs_Gcg1yxmRg-L-lHi3FRy6dmG0OT1TqpnXEvxDg4g9DUTLS1etWgrQI-iBJO4Abb5yS6mOGYCUa4yPoJS91mKvn3TyzLFfqXPUn7sP6o0/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv1q5IxssX3VSkL8RYP1PhEzU-pOm_CYrWbs_Gcg1yxmRg-L-lHi3FRy6dmG0OT1TqpnXEvxDg4g9DUTLS1etWgrQI-iBJO4Abb5yS6mOGYCUa4yPoJS91mKvn3TyzLFfqXPUn7sP6o0/s320/DSC_0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612887145785598498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We found this little guy burrowing into our yard after a rain storm<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItxIDZHktRO_kyUF3rce3BESpdT55XFA0FTguTfUeddqTGQU4EUYtyz8gWUQPY_hlprdcZjItvPnQUtNtntWkZnet-lAG17hxvbZSUZnJiadM0Ic3R6Kc4YNrNKgfWVSrf3b_Ev8Uy0A/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItxIDZHktRO_kyUF3rce3BESpdT55XFA0FTguTfUeddqTGQU4EUYtyz8gWUQPY_hlprdcZjItvPnQUtNtntWkZnet-lAG17hxvbZSUZnJiadM0Ic3R6Kc4YNrNKgfWVSrf3b_Ev8Uy0A/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612886817949744418" border="0" /></a>And this one was sitting the driveway<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rddc3sjuK7R52qhiiuA7ctHZVCJZn1p2dKgZUAotqMFRFe73Wovt-Yjlwz-I_L-jQQDrFcqyQwLf_HOaU2QYtV8eLlMLeEyE_y7MjDL3ayfDXbpTguunUvkJYOt6b1sEPqJFDKlULYY/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rddc3sjuK7R52qhiiuA7ctHZVCJZn1p2dKgZUAotqMFRFe73Wovt-Yjlwz-I_L-jQQDrFcqyQwLf_HOaU2QYtV8eLlMLeEyE_y7MjDL3ayfDXbpTguunUvkJYOt6b1sEPqJFDKlULYY/s320/DSC_0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612887689031349570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />One of our knockout roses getting ready to bloom! (left)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_Egj8oC9PTXqTDTGFW8SNCKEaZX-jdA9exTvodBTg1massjVDRheZt7KE4sY1brgvArunGUOlpHBJqbF6eDbBNPnBWDnxBl4RLTRn4ApGvU3qalQW-JjzPSM38T6yPq_LO-lgMU9NZk/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_Egj8oC9PTXqTDTGFW8SNCKEaZX-jdA9exTvodBTg1massjVDRheZt7KE4sY1brgvArunGUOlpHBJqbF6eDbBNPnBWDnxBl4RLTRn4ApGvU3qalQW-JjzPSM38T6yPq_LO-lgMU9NZk/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612888050501030946" border="0" /></a>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-80994432584528494612011-05-26T15:32:00.004-05:002011-05-26T15:47:07.776-05:00Sooooooo ThankfulR and I started out the past weekend excited to spend some time with friends at the hunting camp. It was perfect weather and I was able to visit with the girls and get in a little porch-reading time in addition to some "outdoorsy" activities like fishing and riding around. All was going swimmingly until we got the call that sweet Gidget has been bitten by a rattle snake at home where a friend of mine was taking care of her for us. My friend and her son also narrowly escaped a bite themselves! Poor Gidget spent a couple of days at the vet while R and I worried ourselves silly about her. Thankfully she is home and well - if a bit swollen on the leg with the bite and slow-moving. She is recovering wonderfully though, thanks to the quick thinking and action of my friend, April, and the vet. This is where I will begin my Thankful Thursday this week...<br /><br />- Gidget's health and recovery from a scary snake bite<br />- Snake traps and stuff to keep them away - we want to ensure this will never happen in our yard again!<br />- Time with friends this weekend<br />- Wonderful friends that take great care of us and our little pup<br />- A great family<br />- My new camera - I am so excited to be adding better quality photos to this blog :)<br />- The fact that my new camera came with an instructional DVD - I am a bit electronically challenged<br />- Abby finding out what her allergy was caused by - so she can avoid it and stop itching<br />- An upcoming wedding in our family to celebrate!<br />- An upcoming reunion weekend with my college girls - yay!<br />- Summer - even though I don't get a break from work, it's just a happy time of year<br />- Some rain today to squash some of the allergens attacking us lately.<br />- The start of married year 2!<br /><br />I will end with a few pictures from the new camera :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwRAjPYluMpqkmVCEf8DpD1pJjp9OZyPoHnFK4zD3rzegwoqFIspK8mhYR275FqXAii1BHrbcUPm1sckMj-mEITVSOxRMoOZq5iQde5pshpwQpllYnTFqYEPlthLi1yMQ_r2PG2iaIp8/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwRAjPYluMpqkmVCEf8DpD1pJjp9OZyPoHnFK4zD3rzegwoqFIspK8mhYR275FqXAii1BHrbcUPm1sckMj-mEITVSOxRMoOZq5iQde5pshpwQpllYnTFqYEPlthLi1yMQ_r2PG2iaIp8/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611127844354221298" border="0" /></a><br />Gidget is recovering nicely - while we pamper her<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OJ2ehAxy1kFmUgosE2E0Iw6QsXiVEV7sA_oaMc-jj-RmRcUyCFxI5sX-3MBMPneNqL088jz3gnU1Z-jyK5wbIGWyK-y0h4h-3FtNFAyQjCh0I3YjVzz_ceymNQDLLYGV4B9c-gUJN5w/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OJ2ehAxy1kFmUgosE2E0Iw6QsXiVEV7sA_oaMc-jj-RmRcUyCFxI5sX-3MBMPneNqL088jz3gnU1Z-jyK5wbIGWyK-y0h4h-3FtNFAyQjCh0I3YjVzz_ceymNQDLLYGV4B9c-gUJN5w/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611128352058422546" border="0" /></a><br />Now we can enjoy some lovely outdoor dinners :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm still learning how to use my camera so hopefully the pictures will get more creative than this...<br />Until next time - be thankful for something every day!<br /></div></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-88915146984185538842011-05-17T11:23:00.002-05:002011-05-17T11:34:03.318-05:00Anniversary time!Happy first anniversary to us! I have to say, I have been looking forward to this day practically since we got married last year. As your may have guessed, I was quite thrilled to get another taste of our delicious cake, and see what sweet R could come up with. I have to give it to him, he truly outdid himself! Our anniversary weekend went a little like this...<br />- I have to work Saturday until 6, and when I opened the garage door upon my return, there was R sitting the chair of a brand new (and our first) outdoor dining furniture! I was beyond thrilled because we have had our eye on this particular set since last summer.<br />- To top that off, we had a delicious dinner of fillet mignon in our garage on our new table complete with wonderful sides and candles.<br />- He also gave me one of those prints that spells "Miller" out of different photographs and it looks so awesome in our entryway! I also gave him a print - an Auburn "Tiger" eagle sketch. I guess great minds think alike. The first anniversary gift is supposed to be paper so this was very appropriate.<br />- Sunday we went to church and lunch, then R treated me to a movie - we went to see "Bridesmaids" and it was pretty hilarious<br />- Sunday night we gave in and got some take-out Dominos. I was our anniversary after all, so we didn't have to cook!<br />- After scarfing down pizza we cut and ate our strawberry wedding cake! It was a bit drier than last year but pretty awesome considering it was a year old! We enjoyed the Sunday night and stayed up to watch movies since we were both off on Monday. I was also surprised with a spa gift certificate! :) Yay!<br /><br />It was truly a glorious weekend to enjoy with R to celebrate a year of wedded bliss under our belts! Sorry for this detailed play by play of our one year celebration but I just had to give R a little credit for his planning and creativeness. Happy Tuesday everyone!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-92101020184542718032011-05-12T08:56:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:21:30.949-05:00Thankful ThursdayI have been neglecting my blogging duties lately - but I'm back! I apologize if this is a little dis-jointed and random but I must catch up!<br /><br />Last weekend we spent Mother's Day weekend with my family in Mobile. It was the wedding of my friends Ashley and Justin and a beautiful weekend for it! This was one of the first times that we've visited my parents with no real schedule and it was SO nice to relax and visit and catch some rays around the pool. I got to spend some very nice, relaxing time with my MOM on Mother's Day weekend so we were all happy! I came back to Troy with a nasty cold/sinus infection but am on the mend now - thank goodness.<br /><br />Now, on to those things that I am so thankful for<br />- The beautiful weekend in Mobile with family<br />- This upcoming weekend on which we will celebrate OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!! Yay! What a wonderful year it has been.<br />- On that note, my wonderful husband who always takes such good care of me (even/especially when I'm sick) and loves me so well!<br />- Our new commitment to the Couch to 5K program which is getting us both off the couch and into our "summer" bodies - ha (at least we hope so!)<br />- Time to catch up with friends<br />- New pillows on our bed - this may sound minor but a good nights sleep makes a huge difference and we both sleep much better now!<br />- One year since graduating pharmacy school - and being in the real world. Some days I do miss those fun college days, and especially those friends, but I don't miss the tests!<br />- Randolph's family's safety from the floods in Vicksburg. This flood can be so destructive but knowing family is safe is certainly a relief to those of us far away.<br />- Our sweet dog, who is as enthusiastic about Couch to 5k as we are - and maybe more<br />- Sunny weather to enjoy the outdoors!<br /><br />There are so many more but time to don my swimsuit and sunscreen and enjoy being outside!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-2255130112636063582011-04-18T09:35:00.003-05:002011-04-18T10:04:01.674-05:00Marvelous Monday!These marvelous Mondays generally come after working weekends - because I have a couple of days to relax. After the scare of bad weather on Friday, we've had a beautiful and cool last couple of days. I'm hoping it will warm up a little today so I can spend a little time by the pool - I am in desperate need of a little sun (or a spray tan if that's all I can get). ha<br /><br />R and I grilled out some delicious turkey burgers on Saturday night. I have to admit that I've always been a little weirded out by turkey burgers at restaurants, etc, but we decided to give it a shot and I loved the result. I highly recommend them! It was a lovely evening after work, and we got to sit out on the deck and relax and then have movie night. I do love movie night - and I appreciate that I get off work early enough on Saturdays to still enjoy the weekend a little.<br /><br />Yesterday at church was palm Sunday (a perk of my job is that we don't open until noon on Sundays). It is a really cool service - and I always love Easter so I am looking forward to next weekend. That may also have something to do with the fact that it isn't my weekend to work. Here are a few of my Easter things around the house!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICWGFj-AbR3aDaHXh3zPINMNWlc4UMvq5mwUeFgZjGa4f0paP1OxmHrO0C9-JvA9Cl9xW4XVZQy6iWc_WPPssqILIjxPzORh8EH3bra8eHJaj2m_w37MkSrMx4uNLmwdF24_lWibR1t8/s1600/743.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICWGFj-AbR3aDaHXh3zPINMNWlc4UMvq5mwUeFgZjGa4f0paP1OxmHrO0C9-JvA9Cl9xW4XVZQy6iWc_WPPssqILIjxPzORh8EH3bra8eHJaj2m_w37MkSrMx4uNLmwdF24_lWibR1t8/s320/743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596939269470599874" border="0" /></a>I love a good holiday - and a chance to decorate the house! Well, I'm off to do the Monday laundry and have lunch with a friend. I hope you all have a marvelous Monday as well!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-65457973852089607662011-04-14T09:41:00.005-05:002011-04-14T09:54:42.527-05:00Thankful ThursdayI'm back! We've had a pretty busy past week but we enjoyed every moment. We spent the past weekend in Mississippi celebrating R's and his grandmother's birthday. We surprised Grandmama Saturday with a birthday lunch and were able to keep it a secret that we were all in town until we showed up at her house. We had a great time celebrating the birthdays and relaxing outside and playing with the kids. I also got to play "dress-up" in a bunch of dresses that belonged to R's grandmother and great-grandmother. Amazingly, they almost all fit so I now have a closet full of "true vintage" clothing! It was a blast. Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Little Lottie" and the birthday girl<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_IVCWlg-aR2W_TH7h4wLFcit_iBdLuYz9oNpGzrcf63vbqKUU7OBX5j-8DLBsv7JRlT6hhVmmhW44NzpNC0tYh9Mz4XmdTrxAIcT92Ru_gW7p9SGJa5rI_Z5bg0vBlP5VCCjBXfuyJY/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_IVCWlg-aR2W_TH7h4wLFcit_iBdLuYz9oNpGzrcf63vbqKUU7OBX5j-8DLBsv7JRlT6hhVmmhW44NzpNC0tYh9Mz4XmdTrxAIcT92Ru_gW7p9SGJa5rI_Z5bg0vBlP5VCCjBXfuyJY/s320/IMG_1451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595450460975760482" border="0" /></a><br />The Miller-Pound Clan<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEO_qDSptRzKGurbBtJ5qGFaEhqRoRp-ju7ttxCyQ5Ne-CQjnNQeDLH_g-ygM1wFmxVx4cGcoHkBrOi36lct2b1-rrtHVDCqmeCQCIVgrzxXjJo5bgwClGs6BMbqaQshxBHbo_lrROXc/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEO_qDSptRzKGurbBtJ5qGFaEhqRoRp-ju7ttxCyQ5Ne-CQjnNQeDLH_g-ygM1wFmxVx4cGcoHkBrOi36lct2b1-rrtHVDCqmeCQCIVgrzxXjJo5bgwClGs6BMbqaQshxBHbo_lrROXc/s320/IMG_1467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595450959607001170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now for Thankful Thursday<br /><br />- The many blessings we have been given<br />- Our wonderful families and the chance to spend time with them<br />- Our wonderful friends<br />- Finding a new "fun" place to each in Troy, thanks to Leslie -a shout out to Old Enzor Lane and their chocolate crepes<br />- Green - I was getting tired of the drab winter browns in the yard<br />- Once again, my arsenal of Allegra and Flonase<br />- Gidget -and her ability to get along with all other puppies in the family (including R's parents dogs Riley and Sadie)<br />- Almost 1 full year of marriage to the best husband ever! (only 1 month and 1 day short of the year mark)<br />- Time with my sister this week<br />- My kindle - it allows me to read and read and read and never run out of books!<br /><br />There are, of course, many more but I'm off to bake for work birthdays and it's friendship bread time!<br /></div><br /><br /></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-20531109704350331102011-04-05T09:51:00.004-05:002011-04-05T10:07:20.490-05:00Happy Birthday R!I have a precious little friend, E, staying with me today while her Momma works so I decided to take advantage of nap time to do a little blogging!<br /><br />I hope every survived last night's stormy weather! Our yard looks like a tree warzone but no damage, and every one is safe and sound. Seriously, though, that was the most amazing/ridiculous lightning I have ever seen. The storm even kept R up past his regularly scheduled bedtime. :)<br />Speaking of the birthday boy, R has the big 2-7 coming up tomorrow, and thanks to crazy work schuedules we are going to be celebrating a little early! Here is my creation for his birthday celebration!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwhnRvOSXPARt-bpC1fYspVtTWY0qoCgewazOcSMEeA_XHbzYUgLIZug1Z4ZDaNQBmn9vdAv9RwAgEDF1SQ-Cba-FKxAau5yPWr1NsD3rjdX3nQpzLwJfk73Ha8NC8VUvsCO5r7A2_Uc/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwhnRvOSXPARt-bpC1fYspVtTWY0qoCgewazOcSMEeA_XHbzYUgLIZug1Z4ZDaNQBmn9vdAv9RwAgEDF1SQ-Cba-FKxAau5yPWr1NsD3rjdX3nQpzLwJfk73Ha8NC8VUvsCO5r7A2_Uc/s320/IMG_1437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592113652843622802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">R likes his cake :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Iu2ZLo2-UuKyr7rQ4ID8lVHyzTdmd6AHRIHNqw_GUIw7bR_rwu-uksCn3rWY9Atv5KHnv88fS16c9F-pirZpBiIY1eaIY1l4txnTI9_wFSwSaxXAqvhhWnA7wyX7llSImnW18smnKHo/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Iu2ZLo2-UuKyr7rQ4ID8lVHyzTdmd6AHRIHNqw_GUIw7bR_rwu-uksCn3rWY9Atv5KHnv88fS16c9F-pirZpBiIY1eaIY1l4txnTI9_wFSwSaxXAqvhhWnA7wyX7llSImnW18smnKHo/s320/IMG_1440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592114167811480034" border="0" /></a>I kinda love this guy, so I found it necessary to celebrate him:)<br />My cake may not win any competitions but I had fun doing it!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I hope everyone has a happy Tuesday - I'm very thankful for the sunshine today after last night's storm!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-19409190827044021692011-03-31T10:00:00.006-05:002011-03-31T10:35:01.438-05:00Thankful ThursdayIt's been a while since I've written but we've been keeping busy! We spent a wonderful weekend in Mobile/Fairhope to celebrate Ginnie and Thomas's wedding weekend. It was so fabulous to see old friends and be able to go to the Festival of Flowers in Mobile. Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJsToxdmzu-o486bkC8aBEm7wACzxdQ6mFKTzjyAwrv4bIm1-TID1FwdQHu3pA5dvIF2dI7d1Jsw_CBZDs-Gmw1WuPFaUmW0bDzFV6T1lhiuKmR4Ba1cUy5A-eeLtRtbn5IDHvUdFd50/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJsToxdmzu-o486bkC8aBEm7wACzxdQ6mFKTzjyAwrv4bIm1-TID1FwdQHu3pA5dvIF2dI7d1Jsw_CBZDs-Gmw1WuPFaUmW0bDzFV6T1lhiuKmR4Ba1cUy5A-eeLtRtbn5IDHvUdFd50/s320/IMG_1428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590262674052837746" border="0" /></a>Roomies Reunited!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFanAmsRiFl5We1ewvKfzMp7x0K5qspuiUPYxjzIn4mXLIcstF_gtyA4d6c2Hw_KTE9cDKqmuc77nmz4t0kGmE_iaCQVHCoVmzKTiG2tW1tfqvHSbJPXreSsiHj8nGuPgeK1ptVX6sMyc/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFanAmsRiFl5We1ewvKfzMp7x0K5qspuiUPYxjzIn4mXLIcstF_gtyA4d6c2Hw_KTE9cDKqmuc77nmz4t0kGmE_iaCQVHCoVmzKTiG2tW1tfqvHSbJPXreSsiHj8nGuPgeK1ptVX6sMyc/s320/IMG_1430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590263088240484194" border="0" /></a>My handsome date :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKz-EA9kU5aF-xq8-Mci_o1nWw_M028mV5bLIMGwtHkQFLpVmRE0DOH4AwSnpBKbkycrkF6CZeIakQCz6sn617-uLe7AJuaF37g6CiJs3CYLDwTmEmX07SM0FmhhiFrmg9PDKjZgvw4E/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKz-EA9kU5aF-xq8-Mci_o1nWw_M028mV5bLIMGwtHkQFLpVmRE0DOH4AwSnpBKbkycrkF6CZeIakQCz6sn617-uLe7AJuaF37g6CiJs3CYLDwTmEmX07SM0FmhhiFrmg9PDKjZgvw4E/s320/IMG_1433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590263669900228994" border="0" /></a>The BRIDE withe the girls<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was a beautiful wedding and reception - and so much fun to reunite with friends!<br /><br />This week I am thankful for....<br />- Time with great friends this weekend<br />- Date night with R last night :) It had been forever since dinner and a movie night!<br />- Time with my family this weekend<br />- Beautiful weather and a Saturday outside<br />- The rain that washed away some of the pollen this week<br />- Once again, DVR<br />- A good job<br />- Allegra - it helps with all of the pollen<br />- Cinnamon Toast Crunch - I came back around to an old favorite<br />There is so, so much more, but I am off to clean up our lovely home that's gotten a little dusty. It, like the blog, has been neglected for the past week :)<br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-18944820929559510682011-03-22T09:27:00.007-05:002011-03-22T09:55:35.082-05:00Home Sweet HomeWell, I am (hopefully) coming to the end of our "major" home improvement posts. The inside of the house is now complete (except for the things I am going to do myself, of course). It is so nice to have a home that doesn't appear to be in the stages of building/renovation. When we bought the house a little over a year ago, I was totally freaking out about how we were going to get everything done. I was terrified that we'd go broke trying, and possible kill each other in the process. It has, however, been much more fun (for the most part) than I anticipated, and incredibly rewarding. Thanks to a VERY handy husband - who also knows when a project is out of our "specialty" level, I am no longer afraid of these projects! We didn't even really have to stress, and enjoyed having projects to do together. We were also blessed with some great folks that actually do this kind of thing professionally. They were much quicker than us, and their finished product had that professional look.<br />Here are a couple of pictures of the major project, our stairs...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHsZg5f4yjUdacxHB5hyq1KoY3aB9MeKkDY4ANhIw8uCDuz8jiJtr7jwMNmMeghyIqx24uvYEhxXT_FIAlHwXrfB8OmfQbGT-t3vZb8OTgoXJMHpll2XMkG-IYDyFyrzbwT7z-zUUv6Q/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHsZg5f4yjUdacxHB5hyq1KoY3aB9MeKkDY4ANhIw8uCDuz8jiJtr7jwMNmMeghyIqx24uvYEhxXT_FIAlHwXrfB8OmfQbGT-t3vZb8OTgoXJMHpll2XMkG-IYDyFyrzbwT7z-zUUv6Q/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586912875695464098" border="0" /></a>The landing!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpddLEIoBx0ostlbZ1l3aZ9BvZurBIzfTMmh1C9KiTCO3y3NsmzymnMEF_hui8zaIgn2GKzZKdNoUAAGX3xq2XDR-CQ77WhR7ynNwtxmKY6tKBPfNUy6Pp4pFP1_irpkYkLleA8CDRSk/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpddLEIoBx0ostlbZ1l3aZ9BvZurBIzfTMmh1C9KiTCO3y3NsmzymnMEF_hui8zaIgn2GKzZKdNoUAAGX3xq2XDR-CQ77WhR7ynNwtxmKY6tKBPfNUy6Pp4pFP1_irpkYkLleA8CDRSk/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586914012812532722" border="0" /></a>The stairs completed, and much quieter :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopCn_4nNStV3FbTuffcipwgSIvBEJYyaOSu74FK3HHgmIPmtI4wSYnEp8-zB64rpex3IEaC2iyuxYyFXX0oa-ZsYU7Ue1gKqK33l3wq8sVcGBc5w7lsMqKaBoDOr6zhKv_kAvyD0jpoI/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopCn_4nNStV3FbTuffcipwgSIvBEJYyaOSu74FK3HHgmIPmtI4wSYnEp8-zB64rpex3IEaC2iyuxYyFXX0oa-ZsYU7Ue1gKqK33l3wq8sVcGBc5w7lsMqKaBoDOr6zhKv_kAvyD0jpoI/s320/IMG_1425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586914513802934914" border="0" /></a>Gidget likes the new stairs too!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's wonderful to have these things done and not have folks in and out of the house anymore!<br /><br />The bedroom was also part of the project. With the help of my parents, we painted the walls. We then had the crown molding put in and painted, and then I painted all the other trim to finish it out. The curtains were a fabulous deal from Pottery Barn's President's Day sale, and really finished off the room.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSRJZNzUT3SVeHNHqxhledvKeqIs0d4CaEb2QziGP9oxwnOsB_l7gWs58UzgB2cSDuPmMk9O6kyyMZYWHjHXM5OQpWTFdHLcw3BTiN0m4Jyepov3EITNw173c7P02Jxwo9PTghrWAl7o/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSRJZNzUT3SVeHNHqxhledvKeqIs0d4CaEb2QziGP9oxwnOsB_l7gWs58UzgB2cSDuPmMk9O6kyyMZYWHjHXM5OQpWTFdHLcw3BTiN0m4Jyepov3EITNw173c7P02Jxwo9PTghrWAl7o/s320/IMG_1427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586917182902191858" border="0" /></a><br />Well, that's pretty much all the home improvement we have for now - THANK GOODNESS!!! I plan to enjoy this relaxing day off and do a little exercise as well.<br /><br />I hope you all have a Terrific Tuesday! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div>The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-44379919152420053982011-03-17T08:38:00.005-05:002011-03-17T09:14:16.229-05:00O'Thankful O'ThursdayHappy St. Patty's Day everyone! I'm sitting here in my green shirt (maybe the only one I have) trying to think of something festively "St Patty's Day" to cook for dinner tonight. That may not sound as exciting as the college days of celebrating St. Patty's Day with all things green, but I guarantee I will get more sleep tonight and eat less than we did in AU. haha I specifically remember one such holiday when Kimmie and I drove back from a summer job interview in Foley just to be back for the festivities. Good times :)<br />Yesterday I promised some pics of our finished deck, and have been asked for some house pics so here ya go...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWB2Bg0T-tfZ5XAKKLeZuXYb7XzuY0fUz4jx_U1GXXN6_qD_uZxs6GNZWenquDMOZ-y1mBoELx5GkK6fR243VKrRg4J4NasC-_MTDwx0GbjoaCcLLw3KZ99x9JaHyjYKquH3e7k6SVJ0/s1600/740.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWB2Bg0T-tfZ5XAKKLeZuXYb7XzuY0fUz4jx_U1GXXN6_qD_uZxs6GNZWenquDMOZ-y1mBoELx5GkK6fR243VKrRg4J4NasC-_MTDwx0GbjoaCcLLw3KZ99x9JaHyjYKquH3e7k6SVJ0/s320/740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585047240712411810" border="0" /></a> R and Dad did a fabulous job - view from the back door!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxZ6OhCxQB_MRpSd4PVDEKZYwfAy8c_ypqNWSIfFOHHXfglA2ca7Ujq7JHYs5Pis4RGgvCrDwqh6Cdeo_VS36iIpMxzc02CDGXvxWMcztUNbBzyBHYp7Axnxi_oMTYejRUtRqoPUzKSU/s1600/741.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxZ6OhCxQB_MRpSd4PVDEKZYwfAy8c_ypqNWSIfFOHHXfglA2ca7Ujq7JHYs5Pis4RGgvCrDwqh6Cdeo_VS36iIpMxzc02CDGXvxWMcztUNbBzyBHYp7Axnxi_oMTYejRUtRqoPUzKSU/s320/741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585047819430716434" border="0" /></a> View from the other end of the deck! Now we just need a dining set and we can live out here :) (just ignore the paint job for the moment - that's next)<br /><br />Now for Thankful Thursday<br />- My wonderful family and friends - especially the weekend I got to spend with family and time this week with friends!<br />- That beautiful deck being completed, railing and all.<br />- Scheduled completion of our stairs today - pics to follow once they are done<br />- This amazing spring weather...which inspired this table decor<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMxYpLtVtrGclgEwesMkJJ4I_Pi8cU4cpQVXBiFrAvjsodXlqUbaIs2mTdUD968A-tWkyP7_PrM-CUNTcl6qsMwEe_kPGmNpe3A_v2hbOmWWSPe4Kx2SpW9QJQJ6GAcIXyZtPwpUQACw/s1600/742.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMxYpLtVtrGclgEwesMkJJ4I_Pi8cU4cpQVXBiFrAvjsodXlqUbaIs2mTdUD968A-tWkyP7_PrM-CUNTcl6qsMwEe_kPGmNpe3A_v2hbOmWWSPe4Kx2SpW9QJQJ6GAcIXyZtPwpUQACw/s320/742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585048993943271314" border="0" /></a>- Those lovely flowers from the "first" Millers<br />- Confirmation into the Episcopal church and such a sweet and welcoming new church family<br />- A good job that allows all of these "little" house projects to go forward<br />- Swiffers - they were a fabulous invention and I rely on them heavily<br />- The Bachelor ending - now back to my regularly scheduled life - ha<br />- Sunshine - a good dose of Vitamin D and better for the mood than rain<br />- R's back feeling much, much better this week<br />- Coffee...I'm thankful for it every morning<br />- Clean sheets, they always make me sleep better :)<br />There are many, many more but the Swiffers are calling my name :)<br />I hope everyone has a little GREEN in their life today!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-19187476194860474152011-03-16T09:56:00.002-05:002011-03-16T10:14:17.958-05:00Adventures in Domesticity...I have been quite negligent in my blogging over the last couple of weeks, so I plan to catch up! <br />We had a great weekend with my parents this past weekend. They came up for a visit and to be here for my confirmation into the Episcopal church. Friday night we grilled out some AMAZING steaks - thanks to my grillmaster. :) Saturday Dad and R did an awesome job finishing our deck railing - I will post pics soon! While they worked hard, Mom, Abby and I did some shopping. It is what we do best, after all. It was a wonderful time for relaxing and enjoying their visit. <br />Also, I have to give a shout-out to a recipe I found in (of all places) People magazine. It was a blueberry pie recipe that was ridiculously easy, and so delicious that I made 2 in 1 week. I had to make the first as practice to make sure it was good, and the second for our "company" this weekend. :) I may just have to make a 3rd sometime soon - only to make sure I have perfected it of course! I had never made a pie before, and I was pretty proud of it! It also gave me the chance to use the pie-birdie Mom gave me, and it made the pie look so cute I didn't want to cut it!<br />Well, time for a little house-cleaning and puppy-walking. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow for Thankful Thursday (thanks Julie J) because there is so much to be thankful for!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-52497069157541076972011-03-03T09:05:00.002-06:002011-03-03T09:21:22.276-06:00Catch-up and Thankful Thursday!What a beautiful day! I am in love with spring - no matter how long it may last down here with the crazy weather changes! It's so nice to go on walks, work in the yard, and have the windows opens in the house. Last weekend was such a fabulous weekend thanks to the weather and NO PLANS for once! R and I spent the weekend painting our house (inside), working in the yard, grilling out (and s'mores on the firepit), and we even had Sonic drinks to ease the pain of our trip to Lowe's. ha It was glorious! <br />The week was a little more busy than the weekend but my sister got to come visit, so that was fun! And a little shopping in Montgomery with my college roomie was great! Thanks to Dillards for some beautiful shoes and a lovely dress - and thank you EarthFare for some delicious, organic food (even if it was a little expensive). :)So here are my Thankful Thursdays:<br />1. A fabulous weekend of doing nothing with R :)<br />2. Beautiful weather!<br />3. A sweet pup to take on my walks.<br />4. Wonderful friends and family and the time to visit with them.<br />5. Flowers - beautiful, blooming Buttercups/Daffodils in my yard and tulips on my mantle<br />6. Fresh fruit - love my strawberries and pineapples!<br />7. DVR - I love waking up and watching my favorite shows while I clean house<br />8. The nice folks that did such a FABULOUS job on the work on our house - they really added finishing touches that made such a difference!<br />9. Girl Scout cookies - I may be thankful by my "skinny" jeans are not<br />10. Pottery Barn Cameron drapes and the difference they make in our bedroom - and the light the block out in the morning :)<br />There are so many things to be thankful for but those are just a few of them! I hope everyone is enjoying this weather :) It's almost Friday!The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288847517614899081.post-75120033373776307182011-02-22T08:28:00.003-06:002011-02-22T08:38:42.558-06:00Hammers and NailsAfter a year (for R anyway) in our new home, we are finally finishing things up. We are putting up crown molding in the master bed and bath, finishing up crown molding in the kitchen, and the big thing, finishing the stairs! I'm so excited! I know that will not be the end of the home repairs, upgrades, etc but it is a great feeling to have something done. Also, I stumbled across Pottery Barn's President's Day Sale for drapes so I got a great deal on some drapes to add another finishing touch to our bedroom! Oh, how I love productivity! :)<br />On another note....<br />I have worked lots this week but I have also gotten some great time with special friends and with R in the past week! Leslie and I had a fun trip to Montgomery last week, Byrne came to see me at work, and today I get to see my long lost friend Julie and her sweet new baby boy! I love time with old friends...although I don't feel old enough to think back on college memories! Also, R and I used our new fire pit (thanks Pound family!) this weekend while we cooked out and it was glorious! I'm thinking some s'mores are in our near future! Well, that is all for now...but I do have some recipes to share soon! I highly recommend the Birmingham Junior League cookbook - Tables of Content :)The Millers - Happily Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473993422130353122noreply@blogger.com0