Destin Mini-Vacay

I think Brian and Ashley have invited us to Destin for at least the past three years but we were never able to go because I couldn't take the time off work.  

So another good thing about my retirement is we were able to go spend a few days with them this year!  

Brian's parents had a condo on the beach and it was so nice of them to let us stay with them. It was chilly and cloudy most of the time but we had so much fun!  We ate well, shopped a little, and surprised Brad with a strawberry birthday cake from The Donut Hole one night.  The Baltzes even gave him a t-shirt from The Crazy Lobster (we ate there a couple times).

We sat around this table playing cards for at least a couple hours each day.  On this particular night, we had a little Pitch tournament.  Another couple from Pocahontas who are friends of Brian's parents were able to join us.

Brian's mom is the funniest person and we just laugh and laugh at with her when we're playing cards.  You never know what's going to come out of her mouth!

We walked to the jetty one afternoon.  Even though it wasn't super warm it was nice to get our feet in the sand. 

I'm surprised we didn't end up in the ER after this.  At least we had a real doctor back at the condo just in case.  :)

I love this!

I really wanted to try to get some pics of Addison while we were there too.  It warmed up a little the morning we were leaving so we took her to the beach to give it a try.  That girl LOVES the water!  But she did really good even though she only got to get her feet wet.  The water was cold!  

Isn't she adorable?!?!

And yes, she is the best dressed girl on the block!  Ashley owns Patty Cakes Children's Boutique in Jonesboro and Addison always looks adorable.  

She looked so cute in her bathing suit.  

She's so happy!  You can see the little bruise above her eye in this one....she ran into the table a day or so earlier.  At least it was just a small bruise and not an entire black eye. 

It was so nice to get away for a few days and spend some time with good friends.  Hopefully this will not be the last time we can enjoy a little vacation with them.  With the guys getting their real jobs in just a few months, it should make scheduling things a little easier from now on.

Duke and Sidney

We spent a few days with the Baltzes in Destin this week but couldn't go to Florida without stopping in Pensacola to see Tara.   I'm ashamed to admit it, but this was my first time to visit her since she moved.  Brad spent one night with her when he interviewed in Gainsville three years ago but we're still pretty pathetic...I blame it on work! :)

Tara's dog, Duke. 

He's a beautiful dog.  He looks just like a Golden Retriever but he's dark chocolate brown.  

And Lacy would be heartbroken if I didn't include a picture of her pretty dog, Sidney.

This dog is, and has always been, just something else.  She's not the nicest dog in the world nor is she the best looking but to Tara and Lacy, she's the greatest dog ever!  I've always called her Chernobyl because she looks like she somehow survived the disaster there.  She looks kind of soft in this picture but she's not....her fur feels like hard plastic its so wiry.  But I have to admit, it made me sad to see her now.  She's getting old and starting to show it.  :(

It was good to see Tara even if it was too short of a visit.  We went to Peg Leg Pete's for dinner and had a really good time.  I hope we can go back this summer when we all have more time.

A 40th Birthday Celebration

Brad and Billy turned 40 (yes, FORTY!!) this month so Nikki and I planned a little party for them last Saturday since they have a lot of mutual friends.  

Nikki kept it a secret from Billy until the morning of the party but I'm not so great at secrets so Brad knew about it all along.

We did the same thing when they turned 30 but I kept it a secret that time.  

We had LOTS of food!  This wasn't even half of it.

The picture wall.  

It was fun look looking back at photos while I was trying to find some for this wall.  But it made me realize that I need more photos of Brad.  

This gang worked together for years at Lifecare and/or the Fire Department.  I was disappointed that Greg and Wendy had to leave before I took this photo.  

Can you tell that Nikki and I were worn completely out??  We had been in party preparation mode most of the day.  And I was not looking forward to the drive back to Little Rock at this point!  

Can't wait until the guys turn 50!  That seems like so far away but their 30th birthday party seems like yesterday so I know it will go by fast!

Photog Field Trip for One and a History Lesson

We were in Mountain Home for a few days last week and one day was so pretty that I decided to go search for something to take pictures of.  I didn't make it far. 

I'm not in love with Cotter, mainly because I'm holding a grudge against the police officer or constable or postmaster or whatever he was that gave me a speeding ticket a few months ago.  BUT I decided to put my feelings aside for one day and take advantage of some of the good things it has to offer.

I love railroad tracks, bridges, and rivers.  So in theory, I should like this place!

I do think Cotter may have some potential for a night photography session.  Maybe once the weather warms up...and I brush up on my night photography skills.

The next day I thought I'd see what Flippin had to offer but didn't find anything worth stopping for.  It reminds me of Cave City so I'm sure the beauty is in the people who live there.  Maybe I need to do a little research on the place and try again.  I did find the cemetery where Brad's grandparents are buried so it wasn't a wasted trip.  I'd been to the cemetery once before but I'm terrible with directions.  I guess its hard to get lost in Flippin, Arkansas though. 

From there, I went on to Yellville.  The Marion County courthouse is really cool but they still had Christmas wreaths on most of the windows that didn't have a window unit air-conditioner hanging out of it.  And it must have been court day.  Court day in north Arkansas is different than court day in Little Rock but if a person wanted to take photos, court day in Little Rock would be way better.  At least you'd get to see a prison van.  

There are several things to photograph in Yellville, but the weather wasn't that great so I just looked around and didn't get many photos.  

I stopped at the visitor's center and talked to the lady working there for a couple hours about the history of the area.  She was basically a walking Marion County history book and happy to share her knowledge.  I love Arkansas history so I was happy to listen!  I think she knew everyone in the county because she remembered when Brad's uncle passed away in Flippin a few years ago.  And I don't know why she'd know that unless she knew everyone.  I wish I could have talked to her all day but I was sure she had things to do other than talk to me.  I'm definitely going back to Yellville one of these days (I wonder when they take the Christmas wreaths down??).  I know a small amount of its older history from volunteering as a docent at the Old Independence Regional Museum after college but the nice lady gave me some websites I can go to and learn more.  

Hadley

Heather and Hadley were in town this weekend for a birthday party.  Friday night I went to Sherwood and had dinner with them and all the ladies at Martha's.  They are such a hoot!  

Heather's mom and Hadley stayed at Martha's and Heather spent the night with me.

We stayed up later than either of us wanted to but we were discussing Hadley's birthday party details and I guess thats worth staying up late for!

We went to breakfast at Mimi's before I went to work on Saturday and then Heather brought Hadley to my house that afternoon so I could see her in her dressed up in her party attire.  She looked so cute!! 

Its always a treat to spend time with friends but Brad was working nights so it was extra nice to have them here.

What I'm Reading

This was a Christmas gift from Tara...she HIGHLY recommended it.

I'm just starting it and I see why.

Just Emilee