where to start??

We're back from NYC and our heads are still spinning from the incredible whirlwind of a week!! We had such an amazing time and I can't wait to share all the crazy fun details. I did manage to keep my tears from the Audrie heartache to just a few times a day. We were always on the go this whole week so I really didn't have a lot of down time to dwell on how bad I missed her. But when we got home she wrapped her little arms around my neck so tight I thought she might never let go. It was totally adorable! Even though I know she was so spoiled with love by Jamie's mom this past week, it was still nice to know she missed her mommy and daddy.

(I'll share pics and info from our trip as soon as we crawl out from under all the luggage and get caught up on some sleep!)

and we're off!

Jamie and I are off to The Big Apple! Just the Two of Us. Audrie is with Jamie's mother... being uncontrollably spoiled all week. We took her to Green Forest last night and cried all the way back home. It's going to be tough without our little girl, but spending the week in New York City might lift our spirits just a little! We're insanely excited to spend a week with our fabulous friends, Jason and Samanthe. I'll try to take one or two pictures while we're there...

Bring-Your-Baby-to-Work Day

My day started today with a field trip. 75 middle schoolers on a bus. Hyper and excited about singing at the Arend Art Center. I tried to focus on the fact that Spring Break was starting in 6 hours...

But the kiddos did great for their performance. I was proud of them!

It was just a quick 3 song slot as part of a larger concert event, so there wasn't too much pressure. They just had a good time and I got back in time to sneak away on my lunch break to hold Mel's baby for a few precious moments!

On my way back from my lunch break I decided to pick up Audrie early from day care and bring her to my school for the rest of the day! It was SO fun!

She put on quite a show for my students! Audrie is definitely no stranger to musical instruments.

You would have thought these kids had never seen a baby before the way they were so enthralled with her. She was quite the super star!

Audrie even sang "If You're Happy and You Know it" with them. They loved it!

I knew I would miss her like crazy the next 8 days that we are in NYC, so it was wonderful to have her spend the afternoon at work with me! She sure loved being the center of attention! Here is a quick clip of her playing a few notes and demanding applause after each measure... what a diva!

erin's adorable blog

Ok, you seriously have to check out Erin's fashion blog that she recently started...! (Erin is married to Jamie's cousin, Brandon.) I've always been in awe of her flare for unique clothing and accesories. Now she has created a blog about where and how to find trendy fashion in Northwest Arkansas. So fun!

http://www.notlostintranslationar.blogspot.com/

it's a beautiful day

At 13 months old, we decided it was time Audrie started seriously thinking about her college choices. So we took her to our Alma Mater today to check out the campus...
Ok, really I was just doing a quick photo shoot for a family in front of Old Main so Jamie and Audrie came along for the fresh air and sunshine.

I love this next photo, mostly because of where Audrie's adorable hair bow is...

I even convinced my two favorite people to pose for a few quick pics...

Then we met our good friends, Jim, Emily & Ben, for some yummy pizza out on the patio at US Pizza on Dickson. Such a gorgeous day!

Ben was so nice to share his toys with Audrie!

Great weather. Great friends. Great food. Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!

maybe 30 ain't so bad

A few photos the guys took this past weekend on their whirlwind ski trip...

The view from the back porch of their ski in/ ski out rental house (right next to the ski lifts)!

The night of Jamie's birthday they went to Bubba Gump's for dinner and good times. The waitresses led everyone in the restaurant in singing Happy Birthday while Jamie danced on the table...!?!

And we all know the quality of Jamie's sweet dance moves... I'm sure it was amazing!

The next night they stayed out til way too late having way too much fun (as apparent from the sombrero...). But, hey, you only turn 30 once, right??

Thanks, guys, for helping Jamie survive the big three-o!

tricks of the trade

This is just a random posting to let you in on a few secrets (that you may already know)...

I use bloglines (http://www.bloglines.com/) And I love it. This is a website where you can create a login and make a list of any and all blogs that you like to read. (I hate to admit this, but I have 26 blogs that I read... but most of them don't update very often even though I really wish they would, ahem...!). But with Bloglines all I have to do is type in my login and it shows me who has updated their blog and so I don't need to look at all 26 blogs... just see who has posted and check out those specific blogs.

Also, in case you're looking for a new addiction... I am now officially hooked on Blurb. http://www.blurb.com/ This is an awesome website were you can click a few buttons and upload your blog into a book! So cool! A few weeks ago I made a book of our pre-Audrie blog "Just the TWO of Us" and it turned out super cute. Now I'm working on a second book "Just the THREE of Us" from when Audrie was born until Dec. 2008. (Then from there on I'm just going to do a yearly book of our blog.) Except when this blog becomes "Just the NINETEEN of Us"... then I may have to stop... or get a show on TLC!

Another fun procrastinator is... if you go to The Cutest Blog on the Block (http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/) and click on their Blog Secrets link- you can learn a whole bunch of cool little tricks- like automatically adding your signature to the bottom of each post (which I just did a few days ago).

Lastly... check out this site for amazing coupons http://www.neverpayretailagain.blogspot.com/ . Jamie is kind of a coupon freak and he's starting to suck me into his clip-n-save world. But my mom told us about this great blog that can actually save you some serious money.

Oh, ok, one more... I recently discovered the BEST stain remover (for clothes, carpet, skin, anything...). Greased Lighting oven degreaser. For real. Try it yourself and you will become a believer, too! Audrie ate some fresh blueberries the other day and got them all over her pretty Sunday dress... but looks brand new now. A very nice girl in the check out line a few weeks ago told me about it, so now I'm telling you!

Ok, I'm done for now. Tune in next week for tips on how to clean your carburetor with a toothbrush. (I'm kidding... I don't even know what a carburetor is!)

adorable neighbors

My friend, Becca, who lives across the street asked me to take some quick photos the other night of her way too cute family...

You wouldn't know by looking... but we did these photos in her garage because it was cold, windy and rainy outside. And it only took about 10 minutes! Not too bad, huh? Look out Annie Leibovitz...! :)

my favorite supermodel

I haven't done a mini photo shoot with Audrie in awhile so this afternoon I sat her down for a couple minutes and snapped these photos...

I don't know who was laughing harder... me or her!

But, alas, all good things must come to an end...

I had to put the camera down and kiss away the tears. Such a rough job. :)