Fun at Chuck-E-Cheese!

Jared and Brooker came to pick me up from the airport on Sunday. We had a little bit of time to waste so we decided to take Brooker to Chuck-E-Cheese. I must say, "Not a good idea on a Sunday afternoon!" It was packed! We bought a few tokens so that Brooker could ride a few of the little baby rides. He had a blast! I definitely want to go back when it's not so busy. Not sure when that is but we'll try again for sure!

The Product Showcase! AMAZING!!!

A perk for attending the Southern Living at Home National Convention is that you get to view the most amazing displays of products. There is just room after room after room decorated in very unique ways...all using our beautiful pieces. I had to walk through the entire showcase tons of times to try to take everything in and I know there are definitely things that went unnoticed because there was just so much! I have included some pictures. I decided to spare everyone with the other 100 pictures!

Southern Living at Home National Convention - NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE!

I got the privelage of attending the Southern Living at Home National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. I was completely BLOWN away at this amazing event! I had no idea it would be so BIG! The convention was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel...very nice. The first night we were there we went downtown to Broadway and ate dinner at the famous Jack's barbeque. That was our only chance to see Nashville as we were sooooo busy the rest of the weekend. I learned a lot and met some really, really great women. If I can help it, I will NEVER miss another convention! Next year we go to Dallas..Yee Haw!

Looking up at Jack's barbeque. My director, Holly dressed up as Elvis! You can see her in the window.


This is my sponsor Allison.



This is Mr. Jack himself. He said our party was the best he's ever had at his restaurant! He stayed with us the entire time we were there. I suppose it could've been that he was surrounded by 50+ women.


Some of the girls with Jack and his buddy (can't remember his name..oops)


Me-N-Elvis


Emilie, Betty, Allison, & I at the famous Tootsie's!



Outside Tootsie's


Getting ready for the convention to begin on Friday morning.



Southern Living at Home's version of Deal or No Deal! Hey, they were giving away up to $5000!


Gail Pittman...One of the most adorable Southern women you will ever meet. She is the designer of all the pottery we sell. I loved her presentation. She is an artist with her words and can help paint beautiful pictures in our minds.


Kinda hard to see but I was getting an award from Chris Whitacre. She is one of the 6 founding women of this company. I am in her lineage.


I got to walk across the "Big Stage" 2 different times. Once on Friday for becoming a director this year. The other time was at the big Gala on Saturday night (I don't have any pictures yet). I got an award and a pretty silver jewelry box for high sales and sponsoring. I want to be back on that stage again next year.

Citrus Convention - Bonita Springs

Every June we attend the Florida Citrus Conference in Bonita Springs. It is held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hotel. We are always very impressed with this hotel! It's so nice and very kid-friendly. Our favorite thing about the hotel is the lazy river. We could stay on that all day just floating and trying to dodge waterfalls. Brooker had a great time this year. We took him last year too but he was only a copule of months old which made it pretty difficult for both baby and mommy! This year was different because Brooker loved the pool, all the action with the other kids, and floating in his raft down the lazy river. We took my cousin Bailey as our babysitter so that Jared and I could attend the different "adult" functions that were planned each evening. I am so thankful we are able to take part in this convention each year and I already have my calendar marked for next year!

Brooker & Abby


Brooker's cousins...Jacob and Andrew


Grabbing a bite to eat with Bailey, Rebekah, Brooker, Andrew, & Jacob


Brooker & Andrew


My little guy had a long day at the pool. He decided to rest up in a lounge chair for a snooze!

Baxlee Josephine Brooker

She's here!!!

Bo, Leslie, & Rylie welcomed into the world a beautiful baby girl around 3:15 this afternoon. She weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. Bo and Leslie say she is doing great...sleeping a lot of course! Rylie was very excited to meet her baby sister for the first time today. She gave her a big kiss! I can't wait to meet Baxlee.

Bible Study Gals

Tonight my bible study girls (except Jen...we missed you) met to watch our video then we went to dinner at Olive Garden to celebrate the end of the study we just finished...Beth Moore's, "Stepping Up." I am sad to end for the summer but everyone has so much going on. I look forward to picking back up in the fall. I cherish my Tuesday evenings that I get to spend with this special group of girls. I love each and every one of them!

Sarah & Heidi had to split the extra mint!


After my comment about me not being up with with times in the texting world, we decided to try texting each other. Sorta silly I know!


My girls!

Brush 'em, Brush 'em, Brush 'em!

Because Brooker has 11 teeth (8 up front and 3 molars) we decided a few weeks ago that a good dental routine is a must! Brooker gets soooooo excited when I say, "you wanna brush your toofees (teeth)"? We put his stool in front of his sink and he goes to town. I let him brush a little first, then I take over to get them really clean. I'm so glad he likes to brush his teeth!

Happy Birthday Jared...a.k.a Daddy!

Today was Jared's birthday. He decided he wanted to try out Abuelo's, a mexican restaurant in Lakeland. Mammy & Pappy babysat for Brooker so we could celebrate. We went to Lakeland and did a little shopping first. When we got to Abuelo's, I knew Jared would NOT want me to mention anything about it being his birthday....I couldn't resist. We went to the bathroom when we first got there and he walked into the men's and I acted like I was going into the women's, but instead I quickly grabbed any old waiter I could find and told him. He said it would be taken care of. As soon as our actual waiter came to our table he said, Happy Birthday sir! I was thinking, "wasn't that supposed to be a surprise at dessert or something?!" Oh well, he gave us a free order of queso for an appetizer. DELICIOUS! Then we ordered our meals....SCRUMPTIOUS! They brought Jared flan for his birthday dessert. He thought he was going to get to avoid the big "to do" in the restaurant but our waiter yelled very loudly, "Someone has a birthday in the house!" Everyone looked and cheered. The waiter didn't have anyone to sing with him so I did. It was funny! We really liked Abuelos and can't wait to go back to try the quesadillas and chimichangas...MMMMM!

Brooker made a birthday card for his daddy!


Jared and his flan! Notice the spots all over Jared's shirt...He got in a fight with his enchiladas! Haha!


US!

Pool Buddies!

The pool out where we live is getting warmer and warmer. Friday we invited our good buddies over, Emily, Lucy, and Edy to go for a swim! We love the fact that there's a kiddie pool that is just the right size for our youngin's! They really enjoyed themselves and Emily and I got to catch up too.

The Crew


Lucy gettin' her feet wet!


Our little sweethearts!

Good Times...Sunday!

Today was just a good ol' day! We went to church this morning. My friend Meredith was home from Texas and she brought her daughter Reese to church. Reese and Brooker are only about a month apart in age. Brooker and Reese both graduated from the infant nursery and are now in the toddler nursery. It's really cute because Brooker always makes us a little craft in Sunday School. Of course both crafts he's made are right in the middle of my refrigerator because I am so proud of his artistic abilities! Haha! We enjoyed getting to see Reese...she's such a cutie. Brooker thought so too! After church we went to Wauchula to see Nana, Papa, Aunt Jamie and the rest of the family. We had a great visit. Janie seemed to be doing good today. We were able to get her up and out of her bed and into a wheelchair. She really brightened up when she was able to ride around the house and visit. The day was long but full of good times! All the pictures prove it!

Brooker & Reese in the nursery.


Meredith and I trying to get pictures with the babies. They were both exhausted from playing and were NOT interested in getting their pictures taken.


Brooker loves playing hide-and-seek. Papa was playing with him...Brooker thought it was GREAT!



Aunt Jamie & Brooker are having too much fun!



Brooker is helping Papa feed the cows.


The new baby calf. Almost one month old!


Playing & Exploring


Hot & Tired


Finally gave up!