Beach Getaway

Josh and I had a few days off together, so we thought we would take advantage of it and go on a little beach getaway!  I got "sucked in" to this timeshare deal almost a year ago, and we still hadn't used it, so we were able to cash it in for this trip, which worked out great.

 We decided to go to Myrtle Beach.  It was the closest beach option since this was kind of last minute planning.  And we do love Myrtle Beach.  I have been going here since I can remember, so even with all of its downfalls, it will always be near and dear to me!  I planned this little getaway on Tuesday evening and we left on Monday morning.  Gotta love spontaneity! 

 Here we are, before the two hour three and half hour timeshare "meeting."  It was a bit painful for us.  We knew going in that we were NOT going to be buying one, under any circumstance, no matter how good the deal looked.  (and they make them look pretty good) But...I have a hard time just saying NO sometimes.  I think they thought that I might we might be interested, so they were laying it on heavy.  But, to make a long story short, we escaped without owning a timeshare. :)

 And even though the meeting was longer than we wanted, we did have a nice salesman.  Here we are on top of the "timeshare" building in MB.  It was very nice!

 And what would a trip to the beach be without a little round of Putt Putt!  It was a close game, but Josh beat me by one stroke.

We really had a great time!  It was just what both of us needed!  And we would do the timeshare thing over again, because not only did we pretty much get a free hotel stay at a decent hotel, we also got a $75 American Express card that we used for dinner at Outback and for our game of putt putt!  So it was totally worth it!

~"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 NIV~

Happy 29th Birthday Josh!

Saturday, April 21st was Josh's 29th birthday.  We went out to eat with family and friends to celebrate.  We went to eat at one our favs, Fuddruckers.  It was very good, as usual.  After we ate, we went back to our house for cake, ice cream and presents!

 Papa and Josh looking handsome!

 Judy, my Dad and Gma

 Josh with his sweet niece Gracie and his Mama, Patti

 Me and my sweet girl, Gracie in our "matching" purple!

  Josh and his sweet Nanny Tuck!

 One of my favorite families, The Holston's:  James, Kaci, Jameson and Aly!

 And our new "neighbors" and sweet friends came by to join in on the fun, Amanda and her sweet little guy Jake!

 My Mom with our sweet pups, Nick and Chloe!  Chloe was a little stressed by all the festivities, but Nick was "loving" it.  The kids were too funny playing with the dogs.  It was too funny!

 Josh getting ready to open all of his presents.

 Gracie with her Nana!

 Sweet Aly reading some books. 

 Josh and Gracie, after he opened up her special gift to him....all of his favorite candies!

 Brotherly love...Jameson giving Aly some sweet kisses.

 Josh with his new bible cover I gave him.

 Ever since we started dating, Josh and I have exchanged children's books instead of cards, to one day give to our future children.  We now have a pretty big collection.  This is the book I gave him for his birthday...and it so true..."I Couldn't Love You More"

 And he even read it to us...so sweet!

 And for the big surprise...Close your eyes...

 Your Brand New Bat!!

 Haha..I love this picture.  Not sure what I was doing, but I thought it was a cute!  He was so surprised.  He had been wanting this bat for a while but wouldn't get it because he thought it was too expensive.  So I thought it would make a good bday surprise!

 And I was right, he loved it!  It's a 2013 Easton Stealth 100H! (thanks Steven, for helping me get the right bat)

 Happy Birthday Babe!

 I just love this guy!

 Yummy cake by Sarah!  Thanks Sarah, it was great!

 Josh blowing out his candles!

 Our sweet little family!

 And me and my Birthday Boy!

Happy 29th Birthday Babe!  Love you so much and so blessed to call you my husband!

~"...I found the one my heart loves.."  Song of Solomon 3:4~

Easter 2012

Shane arrived home on Saturday, and we were so happy to see him!  We went to eat at the Flounder and it was yummy!

Shane and Gma 

 Shane, Gma and Me

 "My Mom", Me and Shane!  We really enjoyed our time spent with my brother (whom I don't get to see nearly enough :) and the rest of the family celebrating this special time!

 Sunday morning we had a great worship service at our church!  We left there and headed to Nanny Tuck's house for Easter lunch.  It was so good.  I made corn casserole and a peanut butter pie. This picture is of me and my sweet girl, Gracie!

 Haha...this picture makes me smile :) Josh, along with Gracie and Izzy!  Too cute!

 And I just had to get another picture of this pretty little girl in her pink dress and flower headband!

Nanny Tuck, Me, Missy, Patti and Gracie 

 This girl takes after her aunt and gets excited over some dessert!  Especially when it's pink!  This cookie was given in honor of the latest addition to our growing family:  Sweet baby "Leighton" Fisher!  Who was just a few weeks old at Easter and wasn't able to come.  We can't wait to meet you and play with you Leighton!  Congratulations Meredith and Matt, she is precious!

 I LOVE this picture!  Poppy with his girl, Gracie!  Too sweet.

And this precious thing wants to wish everyone a "Happy Easter!"

"Living He loved me, Dying He saved me, And buried He carried my sins far away, Rising He justified freely forever, One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day!"  Lyrics from "Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns

Easter Celebration at Gma and Papa's

Friday night before Easter, we had a family get-together at Papa and Gma's house.  I always enjoy going to their house for the holidays.  We normally have it before or after the actual day, so everyone is not so busy and rushed.  It's normally pretty relaxed and laid back.  And this one was no exception.  We decided that no one really wanted to do a lot of cooking, so we got pizza.  It was easy, quick and good.  We had a great time just being together!  Unfortunately, Shane wasn't able to make it home till Saturday, so he wasn't able to be there.  We missed you Shane!

 Papa and Gma

 The Ladies:  Julie, Gma with Caroline, Katie, Me, and Judy

 Danny, Papa, Gma and my Dad

 Me and my Hubby

 Derek, Julie and Caroline

 Dustin and Katie

And towards the end of the night, we got a great Easter surprise:  Derek and Julie are expecting Baby #2!  Yay!  We were all so surprised and excited for them!  This pic was of Danny and Gma opening their Easter egg with the surprise message!  Congratulations Derek, Julie and Big Sister Caroline!  We can't wait to meet this sweet addition to our family!  Love you guys!  And thanks for the pictures Julie! (my camera batteries were dead :)
~"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" John 11:25-26~