Boots and Bonfires

We went to Hattiesburg to visit Jeremy's family for Thanksgiving. We had a great trip! We ate lots of delicious food, got some Black Friday shopping done, and just enjoyed time with Jeremy's family. Part of what made the trip so fun was that Jackson got to experience his first bonfire! He was so excited about it, and talked about it for 2 days before we even got to do it! When we got there, he was loving it. Jeremy's brother Ben had built a pretty impressive fire, and Jackson loved it! We roasted hot dogs on the fire and then toasted marshmallows and made smores. Oddly enough, Jackson was not a fan at all of the toasted marshmallows, but he sure loved eating them "raw." We had a blast, and the weather was just perfect for a night out! And as if Jackson didn't have enough fun Friday night, Saturday morning Papa and Gigi took him to get his first pair of "real" cowboy boots. He looks like such a cutie running around in his boots! Enjoy the pictures!

Jackson's first peek at the bonfire

Ben's girlfriend, Lacey

It was a pretty impressive bonfire!

Amy and Adam

Me and Jer

Ben and Lacey

Papa and Gigi

The fire got a little bit out of control here. Ben put it back in line!

Jackson had a blast running around, although not running near the fire!

Me and my little man. I look like a whale in this picture!

Jackson posing in his new cowboy boots. Isn't he a cutie!

Stick 'em up!!

Jackson decided to "ride" Macy like a cowboy last night, all while dressed in a lion costume with his cowboy boots. Go figure!! I'm sure Macy's thrilled with this new game!

War Eagle!!!

Today is the day. Iron Bowl 2009. Auburn verses Alabama. The biggest football rivalry practically in the whole wide world. And all I'm gonna say is WARRRRRRR Eagle!!!

Go get 'em Tigers!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!!!

I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

New Recipes Ready to Go!

I posted two new recipes yesterday over at Miranda and my cooking blog, Cheese Grits and Jesus. The recipes are for broccoli cornbread and crock pot mashed potatoes. They would be an easy addition to your Thanksgiving meal, and I promise that if you give them a shot you won't be disappointed! Have a great day!

Bootylicious

It must be something ingrained in boys to be fascinated with potty humor and whatnot. Jackson has latched on to a new favorite word, and he's all too eager to share it with us whenever we ask him anything. Want to know the new favorite word? It's the word "booty." Isn't that lovely...

Ask him anything and he will prove his prowess and skill at inserting the word "booty" into the conversation. It's quite remarkable, really.

Jeremy: "Jackson, can you count these cars for me?"
Jackson: "Okay, Daddy. One. Two. Three. Booty (insert maniacal laughter). Four. Booty."

Me: "Jackson, what did you have for lunch today at school."
Jackson: (Without missing a beat) "Booty."

Jeremy: "Lets go say your nighttime prayers. What do you want to thank God for tonight?"
Jackson: "My booty."

Me: "Can you say the Pledge of Allegiance for me?"
Jackson: "I Pledge Allegiance to the booty...."

Jeremy: "What do you want to eat?"
Jackson: "A booty sandwich!"

Me: "What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?"
Jackson: "A pirate ship. And a booty (insert hysterical laughter).

I could go on and on with more examples, because seriously, this happens all.the.time. The kid is hilarious with his antics, and with all this "booty" humor, he's more of a stinker than ever, but oh how I love my little man!

Thanksgiving Fun

I found this on the Mommy Diaries and decided to give it a shot. I'm tagging anyone that wants to do it also! I'd love to hear your answers!

1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?
I wouldn't even know where to begin if I hosted my own Thanksgiving. Before Jeremy and I got married I had always just gone to one of my grandmother's houses. Now we usually head to Mississippi for Thanksgiving. Jeremy has a huge family, so it's always nice to see everyone!

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?
I've never bought a turkey, unless of course you count turkey breast sandwich meat. That's as close as I will probably ever get! I much prefer a spiral cut sugared ham. I could eat my weight in ham!

3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind?
We call it dressing around our house, and my Mom has made up a recipe for some very good dressing. Is this a bad time to say that I'm not really a fan of Thanksgiving food? It's not that I don't like the food, because it's fine, but it just makes me slightly sick to my stomach. Want to know why? Literally 3 hours after I found out that I was finally pregnant I had to go to a Thanksgiving dinner as part of a work function. I was already nauseated and then I had to eat a big plate of turkey and dressing and pretend like nothing in the world was wrong. It's been 4 years since then, and I still don't feel that same about turkey and dressing.

4. Sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie?
I've never eaten pumpkin pie, and I would much rather eat sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.

5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?
A bit of both. Re-read number 3 if you are confused. I do love leftovers of everything but turkey and dressing.

6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family?
Mashed potatoes, broccoli and rice casserole, broccoli cornbread, green bean casserole, turnips or collards, squash, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, that kind of stuff.

7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier?
A way to time travel so that Jeremy and I could be with both of our families at the same time!

8. If/when you go to someone else’s house for the holiday, do you usually bring a dish? If so, what is it?
I do try to do something. It's not always easy, but I do like to help out someway.

9. What do you wish one of your guests would bring to your house?
Seeing as how it will probably be awhile before I host a Thanksgiving dinner, I'm going to pass on this question.

10. What do you wish one of your guests would NOT bring to your house?
Cranberry sauce. Yuck.

11. Do you stick with a particular menu from year to year, or do you mix it up?
I'm pretty traditional when it comes to meals. We always have ham, and you better believer that we will have mashed potatoes.

12. Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday in your home?
I guess it's a little bit of both. I enjoy spending time with family and enjoying the yummy food, but at the same time I am completely aware that God has given us so much to be thankful for. Without Him, we would have nothing.

13. Share one Thanksgiving tradition.
From the time that I was a little girl I remember sitting in the floor at my Granny Betsy's house and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I loved it, especially the Rockettes and waiting for Santa Claus' float to ride by. I still love watching the parade, although I don't get to see much of it.

14. Share one Thanksgiving memory.
Besides watching Macy's parade? I always think back to how my cousin Brandi and I ALWAYS got stuck at the kids table, no matter how old we were. Eventually the kids table evolved into the two of us sitting in the kitchen by ourselves because there were too many other grand kids! In fact, I think we were married and were still at that kitchen table. We joked that we would have kids of our own before we ever made it away from the kids table!

15. Name five things you’re thankful for.
1. My Family
2. My Savior
3. My Church
4. My Freedom
5. My Friends
6. Black Friday Sales! (I just had to add that one!)

Now it's your turn! Leave me a comment with your link, so I can enjoy your answers too! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

It's All About Specificity Folks!

I learned something this weekend: when you are straightening up the house and you pop into the "front bathroom" and notice a lack of toilet paper, do not ask a three year old to run to the "back" bathroom and get a roll of toilet paper. Because the three year old will undoubtedly unroll the entire roll of toilet paper from your bathroom and then bring you a big pile of toilet paper.


I guess I should have been more specific! After all, he did bring me a roll of toilet paper just like I asked! And if you are a guest in my house anytime during the next few weeks, please excuse the pile of toilet paper in the front bathroom. Just pull off a few squares. It still works the same!

Oh, and say a prayer for my Mom. She is sitting in an airport in Atlanta right now, and is getting ready to fly to Italy for the next 10 days to go visit my best friend Allison. Allison's Mom (Mrs. Sharon, my Denver Momma!) and my Mom will meet up in New York in a few hours and then fly to Venice together. I'm so jealous!! These two ladies will set Europe on fire with their crazy antics! Allison has big plans for them and they will be running all over Italy and will also spend time in Germany and Austria during this trip. Please pray that they have a safe trip and a wonderful time!! Have a great Monday!

Amy Picasso

Last night I went to my friend Kasey's art studio for the third time. Miranda and Kellyn and I had such a good time painting Christmas pictures. They both chose to paint artsy Christmas trees, but I chose to paint a wreath.

I was really pleased with how things turned out, and the picture looks great in my living room. I tend to be really OCD about things, so for me to just let go and have fun and not worry about achieving perfect symmetry is very therapeutic for me. Now that my picture is up, I guess now I'm ready to put our Christmas tree up.

We've got such a busy weekend ahead. In just a little while, Jeremy, Mom and I are heading to Jackson's school for their Thanksgiving lunch, and then tomorrow for lunch we're heading to meet family, and then tomorrow night we have a Sunday School social. Whew. I should be worn out by Monday! Anyways, I hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend. Later y'all!!