Be the Chef!

It was such an honor to have been chosen by House Party to host a "Be the Chef with Chef Boyardee" event! This House Party site is totally free and helps get the word out about different products. They send freebies and things to use at your party, and all you have to do is share with friends and family:)
I LOVE everything they sent me, especially my new Chef hat!!! I also received a thermal tote... (Had to laugh at this one since I sell things like this with Thirty-One!)Our kittens were very anxious to check out all of the great items! Abby was acting like a little model for me lol
Boots was more concerned about all the pieces of paper she could scatter all over our coffee table:)
I'm so thankful for such nice friends to share the fun day!!! We had a total of 11 kids running around while us ladies cooked up a storm in the kitchen:)
We made Ravioli Lasagna (Top), Taco-roni (Left), and Pepperoni Spaghetti Bake (Bottom). And with any Italian themed food, who couldn't enjoy a nice salad and bread?!?!
These were the freebies my guests got to take home... Chef Boyardee notepads, coupons for FREE products, coupons for discounted products, and recipe cards.My love of cooking and hosting came together wonderfully:) Hope to get picked again for another party!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Makenzie

Another year has FLOWN by... Our little Makenzie sure isn't little anymore:) The big six came full force, and she's all smiles!!! Big birthday hugs and kisses to our sweetheart. Happy birthday, Makenzie!!!

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Boyz II Men Concert

I felt like I was back in high school... Boyz II Men music was blaring and people were singing at the top of their lungs. But this was extra special... with only a few rows between us, my husband and I were AT THEIR CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH:D
Such a dream come true! Boyz II Men is an amazing group of very talented singers. Their music is what music is all about... soul, stories, honesty, love... pure greatness coming from their voices.
William and I got tickets to see them at the Tennessee Valley Fair, held in Knoxville, just minutes away from where we live. (Just another reason why I LOVE IT HERE!!!) Our good friends watched all three kiddos for the evening so we could enjoy a night out together:)
When Boyz II Men came running on stage, I swear I thought my heart was going to burst through my chest! My face instantly froze with the biggest smile ever:)
They spoke about how it's been 20 years, THIS YEAR, that they've been in the music industry... such an accomplishment!This is probably one of my favorite pictures of them... they sang with their hearts, and totally made mine and a bunch of others melt<3When the music stopped, and they sang a capella, a cheer roared through the event... AMAZING!!!
This was when they sang, "On Bended Knee"... every lady in the place screamed at the top of their lungs, while many of the guys had funny smirks and realized not one of them had their "girls" attention at that moment LOL
Not only can they sing, but they can dance!!!
Everyone burst out clapping and singing when the running man, roger rabbit, tootsie roll, and a few other moves were shared... oh those were the days... :)I will NEVER EVER forget this concert... my heart was filled with such happiness from their singing... Very thankful to my husband for putting up with my teenage-like antics while singing and jump up and down throughout the concert... the giggles and arm swaying... oh it was great... he made my night by sharing this special time together:)
*Check out my photography Facebook page to view all the photos*

Mary Kay Fashion Show

I'm definitely loving Tennessee... since moving here, I've learned to love playing with makeup! My friend helped me sign up as an Independent Beauty Consultant almost 6 months ago.
Recently, Mary Kay held a Fashion Show, highlighting their new Fall colors and goodies, as well as Premier Designs Jewelry, and Dress Barn's Fall clothing line-up. What better night to hang out with my girls??? We enjoyed talking with friends, eating great food, testing new products, and seeing really pretty outfits. Kaylie's ticket won me the Grand Prize Mary Kay Spa set... LOVE it!
This is Karen, my Mary Kay Senior Director and very close friend:) We enjoy spending time together with both of our families... 4 adults and 7 kids total... fun fun times!!!
Love having girl time with my girls:)

Extra Special Tooth

After a long debate about what was going on with Makenzie's tooth, we finally found out that the extra special "something" we always say she has going for her, is really "extra" special!!! She had a SUPERNUMERARY TOOTH! The pointed, eye tooth-looking tooth that's been coming in since losing her very first tooth, is not supposed to be in her mouth. The dentist said it happens here and there and that it needed to be pulled... duh lol The adult front right tooth is lodged way up in her gums, waiting to descend.
To say she was excited about this "extra special" tooth is an understatement... she thought getting more visits to the dentist than her big sister was "AWESOME!"... okay, just remember that when you get older, little one:)
On the big day, she was all smiles!

After the very fast procedure, which by the way she rocked with no tears or flinching, she wore a mask to hide the drooling from the numbing... good idea... especially with her continuous smiling:)This little tooth, or I should say HUGE tooth, is now safely in a cute little tooth container, waiting to be tucked away for many years. She didn't want to give it away to the tooth fairy, so we wrote a note asking, "I really love my extra special tooth, and I want to keep it. Can I have the money, too?"... Oh yeah, that's my girl:)
Can't wait to see how quickly the real tooth moves in!

Kaylie's 1st Soccer Game

Who'd have thought we'd be a soccer family?!?! Seriously, I haven't the slightest idea what goes on out there... that is to say until now:)

Kaylie is a party of the MVP Soccer Program through the local church right next to our neighborhood. She loves it! I think it's even more enjoyable since Daddy is her Assistant Coach! Not sure who smiled more when he was asked, but I'm pretty sure my husband's heart skipped a beat with excitement!
Not only was this a chance to cheer for Kaylie, but also for me to purchase an awesome bag for William to use for all of his equipment! (Did I mention I sell Thirty-One? :))
Everyone getting ready to begin a great season together:) Kaylie's the second smallest player on her team!
William coaching Kaylie to KICK KICK KICK!!!
Kaylie
I ABSOLUTELY love this picture... Kaylie and her best friend Gabriel are highlighted, going after the soccer ball:)
It's been great watching her grow as an athlete and team player!

Gramma Tammy!

It has been eight years since William has seen his birth Mom, Tammy. We took a family trip up to Ohio when Kaylie was only 3 1/2 months old to see my family. Thankfully, she lived close enough to drive and visit since seeing at our wedding two years prior. After a lot of phone conversations and pictures, we finally got together:)
Let me just say, our kids LOVE LOVE LOVE their cousin Jordan! What a delight to have time to spend together:)
Kaylie's very first soccer game (separate post) was when they were in town, so Jordan tagged along, cheering for his little cousin and playing with the other two.These two were like two peas in a pod
HAHAHA Auntie Kristy wins! I got Jordan to not only go on the merry go round, but share a great smile:)
Dannen and Jordan had a little too much fun with the hunting games lolAll four cousins racing
This was Dannen's very first time playing putt-putt... Daddy was a great coach:)Tammy and her fiance Bob were so much fun to be around!!! We're very thankful they stayed with us, and made great memories:)A mom, her son, and granddaughter... love this picture:)
Can't wait to see them all again... oh and SOONER THAN 8 YEARS!!! lol LUV YA:)

Zamma & Auntie's Visit

We were excited to spend some time with my mom and sister in the beginning of September. They made the smooth trip up from Florida, staying for a week. Nice way to spend a holiday weekend!
Since we LOVE visiting our local Home depot for their Free Kid's Workshops, Zamma & Auntie came along. It was great watching everyone work together. My sister helped Kaylie, while my mom helped Makenzie. Dannen enjoyed hammering away with Mommy:)

This is Nora... our absolute favorite Home Depot employee!!! We're framing this and sharing with her next month! Oh and sending a letter to corporate describing why she's such an amazing lady:)

All seven of us were really excited to visit Dollywood for the very first time. With us having been her just over a year now, this was the first time stepping foot in the neat Theme Park.

Of course, it ended up turning into a HUGE water fest with a nice thunderstorm passing through...

The next day, we got to enter the park for free since we entered after 3pm the day prior (great deal!). William headed for the roller coasters with Kaylie, while the rest of us found the playgrounds and people watched.

"Buddies"

Relaxing while waiting for Mommy to take the train pictures lol

And here's my favorite picture:) All I did was crop and add a little black border!

We ate a a great chicken restaurant in Dollywood (the name escapes me right now). This lady was such a trip! She asked the entire place who would make a noise like a rooster... let me tell you, I NEVER KNEW MY HUSBAND HAD IT IN HIM LMAO!!! Definitely a moment NO ONE will ever forget:)

William's crowning moment... "Elvis Chicken" HAHAHA

Since my mom and sister have had a few chances to hang out together while visiting in the past, this trip was extra special for Dannen. Our girls were in school and William stayed home relaxing while the four of us went to the Aquarium.
Dannen is a total Zamma's boy:)

I honestly think they were communicating with each other!

I'm not a fan at all of having my picture taken, but I did however like this one:)

GREAT time together!

Dannen didn't even hesitate sticking his hand in the crab tank... EEWWWW:P

Woohoo... two pics in one day I liked! We climbed under this tank and up a tube to have it look like we were swimming with these cute fish. I now know why it's for kids... LOL

Oh the view of a child...

BIG thanks to my mom and sister for visiting us... can't wait to see you again!