• December Wrap Up 2018
    Life

    Christmas Season Wrap Up 2018

    January 6, 2019 - By 

    Here’s a quick run down of what we did in December. December started off with getting a Christmas tree the first weekend of the month. Drew performed his last concert with AU Cappella as the president. Drew and Rob flew to Baltimore, did some site-seeing, then went to pick up his friend, Joseph, from the Naval Academy. From there they drove to Philly for the Army-Navy Game the next day. Although it was quite cold they had a good time. While they were away, I took Alex to the Auburn Christmas Parade, where he got to march in a parade…

  • Travel

    Long Weekend in Louisiana

    August 14, 2018 - By 

    Rob’s sister, Shawna, from Nevada was in Baton Rouge recently and since we haven’t seen her in 14 years, we knew we had to go for a visit. Our new favorite place to stop on the way to Baton Rouge is The Boiling Pot. Drew and I got the Shrimp & Grits. I had Gumbo and Broccoli Cheese rice as my sides. Rob and Alex got the Shrimp Po’Boys. Anyway, so when we go to Baton Rouge, we usually stay with Rob’s cousin’s house; the Lindsey’s. Their 2nd oldest son, Cameron, is about the same age as Alex so they…

  • Spring Training Trip :: Twins ~ Red Sox ~ Braves
    Travel

    Spring Training 2018

    April 2, 2018 - By 

    Earlier this month we ventured back down to Florida for another Spring Training trip. This year we went to 3 parks; two of which we have not been to. Here’s a quick rundown of each place and tons of pics! We left Auburn after work on Friday and got to Rob’s Gramma’s house in Spring Hill, FL. We popped out of bed to visit and make an early exit to head to our first game in Fort Myers. Once we got to For Myers, we went by the hotel and could not check in yet. We went over to the…

  • Snow Days 2018
    Life

    Snow Days 2018

    January 19, 2018 - By 

    We got word around 10am on Tuesday that there would be no school for Alex the next day. Rob, Drew, and I didn’t hear about our work and school until right after I left work that evening about 4:45pm. We figured it was coming, just a matter of getting the alert. Wednesday morning we woke up and bundled up and ventured outside for some fun in the snow. Well, all of us except Rob. Even the dog and cat came out with us. The snow was beautiful. We got about 3 inches and it was so light and fluffy, which…

  • Christmas Day
    Life

    Christmas Day 2017

    January 5, 2018 - By 

    Now that we’re getting back to normal life, I’ve finally had time to sit and go through these pics. It helps that I didn’t take that many pics. Christmas this year was one of the best we’ve had in a long time. There were lots of surprises. I got the Instax Printer. The boys got a PS4 Pro Star Wars Limited Edition. We enjoyed the morning. This year Caitlyn came over to open presents with us which was nice. Daisy is so funny at Christmas. She wants to open everyone’s presents. As you can see she quickly figured out one…

  • Texas Trip Report
    Travel

    Texas | Trip Report

    December 5, 2017 - By 

    The Friday before the Auburn vs. Texas A&M game we drove to Atlanta to catch a plane to Houston, Texas. The next morning we got up early and headed from Hunstville, Tx where we stayed with Rob’s Dad and Step-Mom, and drove to College Station for the game and pre-game festivities. We were standing around waiting for the team to arrive for Tiger Walk. However, as we stood there we were told they weren’t doing a Tiger Walk. When the team arrived we figured out why. At Kyle Field the visiting team arrives in their buses and drive straight into…

  • Life

    Best of Summer 2017

    August 31, 2017 - By 

    I can’t believe tomorrow is SEPTEMBER!! Can you? Summer always flies by, so I’m not sure why I’m always surprised. In this best of summer post, I’m sharing the highlights of the last 3 months. As I gathered up pictures, I realized this summer has been so busy. We’ve covered a lot of ground among the 4 of us. So here goes… June I started the summer by finding a penpal. You can read about that here. Our friend Julia invited us to the lake for some food and relaxation and the celebration of her birthday. Always such fun with…

  • Visit to the New Braves Stadium SunTrust Park
    Travel

    Visit to the New Braves Stadium SunTrust Park

    July 15, 2017 - By 

    Father’s Day weekend, Rob decided that he wanted to go the new SunTrust Park for Father’s Day, so he ordered tickets online and we headed to Atlanta after church. Never having been there, we weren’t sure what to expect, so that’s why we went ahead and paid for a parking space online on our way up there. After we got off the interstate we were kind of wishing we wouldn’t have paid for parking since we found places where you can just pay cash and all of these places seemed closer than where I had paid to park online for…

  • Driving from Newport, Oregon to Portland? Here's somethings you should stop at see on the way!
    Travel

    West Coast Trip:Newport to Portland

    May 2, 2017 - By 

    Continuing with our family adventures on the West Coast as we leave Newport and head to Portland, Oregon. 1st stop was the Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head Lighthouses. Such a beautiful lighthouse and natural area. It was quite foggy that morning, which made for some cool pictures. 2nd stop was the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. We found this be a beautiful campus with lots of cool buildings, old and new. We also went to OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, which has free to get in. They just ask for donations. I highly recommend this if you’re…

  • Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding
    Photography

    Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding

    March 9, 2017 - By 

    Rob’s cousin, Tara, recently got married. We drove down to Spring Hill Florida, which is about an hour north of Tampa. She had a Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden. It was lots of fun. Tara worked her fingers to the bone, but did a great job of delegating help that weekend. If you also want to have this kind of wedding, then you may start inquiring for affordable all-inclusive wedding packages with options for wedding ballrooms. And for grooms who still don’t have any ideas what to wear on their wedding day, you may consider…

  • Winter Retreat 2017
    Life

    Winter Retreat 2017

    February 26, 2017 - By 

    Every February our church rents out Shocco Springs for 2 retreats that happen simultaneously. For the last 6 or so years, Drew has been in youth so he’s gone to the youth part of the retreat which is called Winter Retreat. The rest of us usually go to the Family Retreat that happens just up the hill. This year since Alex is now part of youth, he attended Winter Retreat. Rob and Drew are both Disciple Group leaders, so they went as leaders. So that left me, to either go to the Family Retreat without my family, stay home, or…

  • Christmas Day 2016
    Life

    Christmas Day 2016 in Pics

    January 19, 2017 - By 

    Christmas was a little odd this year, since we got back from our cruise on Christmas Eve. Santa must have been hungry! Pics of our tree before opening presents We enjoyed the Christmas Day service at church Drew actually smiled for a photo with gift from Santa! Excited about my gifts! Family pic at church since none of us really in the mood beofre getting to church After church we headed up to Moreland to spend the day with Rob’s family. The calm before the cooking storm… This is Sweetie…she makes me laugh. My nephew staring in to space My…

  • Life

    Thanksgiving 2016

    November 29, 2016 - By 

    Yesterday we had a lovely Thanksgiving with family up in Moreland with my sis-in-law and family and brother-in-law. Rob’s Mom and Step Dad were in Texas so they weren’t there. We got there around 10 and got to catch some of the parade. Alex enjoyed cuddling with Maria’s dog, Sweetie. Sundae, Rob’s Mom’s dog, got some lovin’ too. I played with the youngest lil’ one. It was a balmy day, which made it great for cooking our turkey in the infrared oil-less turkey fryer and visiting out on the back deck. After watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade and hanging inside…

  • Celebrating 70 years of Marriage!
    Life

    Celebrating 70 years of Marriage!

    September 15, 2016 - By 

    Rob’s grandparents have been married 70 years! How amazing is that! Much of their family gathered at their house on Labor Day weekend to celebrate. We had a nice party that Sunday. Gramma and Granpa opened presents and cards. Rob and his 2 guy cousins on the McMahon side. Granpa facetiming with one of his other brother We ate a lovely meal that was catered in, which you see behind this cute couple We listened to tributes and toasts. Lots of sweet moments captured. We took lots of pictures with the special couple. So many sweet great grandchildren. They still…

  • Summer Summary 2016
    Life

    Summer Summary 2016

    September 12, 2016 - By 

    The past few months have been jam packed with so much! The times of lazy summer days are few and far between around here. Here’s what kept us busy… End of the season handbell choir performance at church All the high school graduation festivities [Senior Sunday] [Graduation Day] [Grad Party at the Lake] Rob and Drew spent a week out in Southern California Memorial Day weekend tradition at Lake Martin Alex went to Boy Scout Summer Camp. Oh and we drove all the way to Tennessee to take boys up there and then went back at the end of the…

  • Graduation Party at Lake Martin
    Life

    Grad Party at the Lake

    June 22, 2016 - By 

    The Saturday after graduation we gathered at Lake Martin at our good friends’ house to celebrate our 2 seniors. Drew and Joe both invited friends and family to join us in celebrating their high school graduation. It was a beautiful day. Everyone enjoyed the weather by finding different ways to enjoy themselves by… Swimming Jumping Playing Boating Tubing Playing yard ball Visiting and hanging out Skiing Or just relaxing Here’s part of the group gathering for prayer before our meal. We served a hot dog and burger lunch. No summer party is complete with out watermelon! And cake…of course! Drew…

  • Travel

    Texas Visit

    January 15, 2016 - By 

    After our eventful Christmas Eve and our fairly relaxing Christmas Day, it was full steam ahead headed west! First stop was to see Rob’s sister and family in Longview, TX. We got there late on Saturday, spent all day Sunday, and left after grabbing breakfast on Monday. Sunday the kids played outside for a good while and we had lunch at Jucy’s Burgers. Really great burgers and I love that they have all you can eat beans. Monday Maria and I went to Butcher Shop Bakery for some quiche and cinnamon rolls. Really yummy. While we were gone Rob and…

  • Life

    Christmas Day 2015 Rundown

    January 6, 2016 - By 

    Despite our Christmas Eve day, Christmas was a nice, relaxing day for the most part. We woke up and enjoyed our typical sausage balls and apple dumplins. Dumped out our stockings Took our typical pictures before opening gifts Let Daisy open her gift. Here’s a little video of her tearing into her package A little downward dog action Alex is ready to open gifts! Of course, after opening her gift Daisy thought all the gifts were for her. Or least that’s what she was hoping anyway. Daisy is bored with us opening gifts… We even got a family shot After…

  • Travel

    Day Trip to Columbus, Ga

    November 21, 2015 - By 

    We live about 35 miles from Columbus, Ga and we used to travel there quite a bit to shop and for different places to eat. However, now that the Auburn-Opelika area has grown so much we really don’t have a need to go there like we used to. This past Sunday Alex had a friendly soccer game there, and it was so last minute we ended up having to get people to substitute for several church obligations we had, so just ended up heading over to Columbus after we had breakfast. I suggested we park downtown and walk along the…

  • Life

    Drew’s Eagle Scout Ceremony

    November 19, 2015 - By 

    A couple weeks ago we celebrated Drew’s accomplishment of earning Eagle Scout. Rob and I really wanted to make it special, so we spent a great deal of time. I hope to write some posts about Eagle Scout Ceremony planning, etc. in the future. Planning this Eagle Court of Honor was much like planning a wedding, so many little details. Our day kinda went like this; 8am church, 9am went to Golden Corral for a big breakfast since we weren’t going to eat lunch, 10am head back home so guys could pick up uniforms and any last minute things we…