Spring Break Blogfest 2011 - Part 1

I finally made it to my Spring Break...thank goodness! The only thing that kept me from going off the deep end last week was the fact that if I made it through, I would be rewarded with a week long vacay. I persevered, and I am now enjoying SB2K11. I didn't get to relax much last spring break because I was up to my eyeballs in wedding, wedding, wedding!

Speaking of wedding...my longtime BFF, Courtney, got engaged this weekend to a guy that gets a big ol' two thumbs up approval from me. I just love these two together and know that they will make one heck of a team! I can't wait for all of the fun that is sure to come with this wedding. Many, many congrats to Courtney and Thomas...I love you both so very much! :)

Yay!!! Two of my most favorite people! Aren't they just adorable????

This year I am determined to relax and mark things off my forever growing to-do list. I am also going to do a blog post each day. Wow! A big challenge for me, the unmotivated blogger. Wish me luck!

So for today...

In less than 24 hours I have fallen head over heels for couponing! Who would have thought that sentence would ever come out of my mouth? Mrs. Susie, Ryan's mom, has been telling me about all the money you can save if you just spend a little time each week cutting coupons. So, I decided to take her advice and give it a shot. I bought a paper yesterday and did just a little coupon research at www.couponing101.com this morning. It was nothing too time consuming like I thought it would be.

Ryan and I were out of some toiletries so I took my coupons and headed to Walgreen's. When I walked out of there I was shocked! I only spent $24.74 and I saved a whopping $24.97. Here is my proof...

Crazy huh? I didn't get the cheapo stuff either...it was the high dollar goods! I ended up getting a toothbrush, a bottle of men's body wash, and men's deodorant completely FREE. Who doesn't like free?? All of my other items were heavily discounted, either because of my coupon or a store deal that Walgreen's had going on. To top it off, I earned a $4.oo coupon to spend on my next Walgreen's purchase. I don't know if I will be carrying around my coupon binder in the store or anything, but I am definitely going to give this thing a shot. We will see how it goes! I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful spring day! :)

XOXO,

Kat

Charley is 2!

Miss Charley turned the big 2 on March 28th! Last weekend she had a little birthday party at Chick-Fil-A to celebrate. Ryan and I went home to party it up with the birthday girl. She is a hoot to hang out with! She is just starting to really talk...we thought she was going to be mute for awhile! It is so sweet to hear what she has to say. Charley is FULL of energy. I'm not sure if she ever slows down. I never stop laughing when I am with her. She is pure comedy! Ashley and Robby - Good luck with those terrible twos! :) Here are some pictures from the celebration:

What a sweet smile!

Momma's little girl!

These two look like trouble!

Enjoying the big slide at Chick-Fil- A. This one is not afraid of anything!

Yum Yum!

Make a wish...

Trying to give me her money!

Present time!

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Today is Ryan's 25th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN! I know I have said it before but, he is just the best thing ever!

He's cute....


He's sweet...


He's a wild man...

He's good with kids...

He's smart...

AND

He's mine!!! :)

There is definitely never a dull moment at the White house with him. I can't wait to grow old with this guy!

**I hope he doesn't kill me for posting all these pictures!!

I'm lovin it.

Here are some things that I am currently loving...

1. Confession - I love to shake my bootay! Zumba gives me the excuse to do that and get in shape. I have been going to classes at the Y for about two months now. It is ridiculously fun and surprisingly a great work out! It is definitely worth giving a shot. I have even had a few dudes in my classes!

2. One word - heavenly. You HAVE to try this stuff. Talenti is the best ice cream I have ever had! It is technically not ice cream...they have gelato flavors or sorbet flavors. The best part about it is that the ingredients are all natural. When you read the back of the container you actually know what the stuff in the jar is! If you are a big ice cream lover you should give Talenti a taste. I think it is way better tasting, and it is without a doubt better for you.

3. Happy 1st Day of Spring! I'm so glad springtime has finally arrived. I love watching the flowers bloom, and I'm so glad I don't have to lug around that heavy winter coat anymore. Ryan and I went to the Forest Drive nursery yesterday to buy some flowers for my front stoop pots. We went with the Supertunia. I can't wait to watch them grow.

My Spring Break is right around the corner! I can hardly wait. I love my kiddos to death, but they are really making me work this year. Spring Break Countdown = 10 days!

4. This is by far what I am loving the most. Ryan has taken over all cooking responsibilities. We are talking breakfast, lunch, and dinner. How lucky am I? Don't let my picture of the apron fool you, he is very good at his new job. When I cooked I always played it safe...spaghetti, baked chicken, etc. Ryan is the polar opposite...he goes all out with his dishes. For example, last night we had blackened tilapia with tomato gravy and roasted broccoli. This kind of yumminess is a daily occurrence. His meals are delicious and super healthy. Can my life get any better?

5. My birthday is next Saturday! We are heading home for Charley's 2nd birthday party and Austin and Caren's engagement party. The perfect way to spend a birthday is with family and friends! I also plan to do a little shopping with my mom inbetween events. I'm excited about getting older. My life seems to be like wine...it gets better with age. Bring it on year 26!

Our First Valentine's Day

Ryan and I started dating in 2002 so obviously he has been my Valentine for quite some time. This was just our first time being married during the national day of love. Therefore, it was the most special one yet! I don't know if I have ever mentioned it before but, my hubby is pretty much just great...so of course he didn't disappoint for our "first" Valentine's Day!

He took me to Charleston to stay at the Charleston Place Hotel. He went all out and got the Grill Gourmet Package which included dinner at Charleston Place Grill and a yummy breakfast the next morning. The whole entire time was AMAZING! We were certainly living large that night! The hotel is gorgeous. Charleston is clearly beautiful. The hotel staff treats you like royalty, and the food was some of the best I have ever had.

When we first got into town we strolled through the streets of Charleston taking in all of the sights. Then we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our dinner. We got all dolled up and went to the restaurant for some cocktails while we waited on our table. Once we got to our table we ordered a bottle of wine and a crab cake appetizer. (always tasty!) For our meal, Ryan ordered Duck Confit & Blackberries and I chose Seared Flounder and Crab Succotash. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it all. I had to get dessert (duh!) so we got Devil's Food Cake. Delish!

I thoroughly enjoyed being wined and dined by my man! :)

The Hotel

Our room...they gave us a complimentary upgrade to a suite when we got there!

The yummy treats they had for us.

Before dinner

I wish we could relive our trip every weekend!

I'm leaving you with a picture I took of "The Gonz" this morning...

This is how he sleeps...what a mess!

Under the Big Top

Ryan and I took Addison to the circus when it came to Columbia. Charley is in the process of potty training so she should be able to come visit in the near future. Ryan's rule is that only people who are potty trained can spend the weekend with Aunt Kat and Uncle Ry Ry.

I can't even remember the last time I went to the circus so I was just about as excited as little miss priss was. I was a little disappointed that the whole thing wasn't going to be in a tent. It just doesn't seem right to have a circus with no tent.

We went to the little pre-show they had so Addie could meet some of the circus stars and see the clowns. Then we spent a small fortune on popcorn, drinks, and outrageously overpriced spinney things that light up. Thank goodness for grandparents that stuff Addie's pockets with some extra cash before she heads our way!

Once we were happily munching on the yummy snacks we headed to find our seats. The show was really one of the greatest shows on earth. At least, it was one of the greatest shows that I have ever seen. There were lots of really cool stunts and tons of animals that did some quite impressive tricks. Addie seemed to really enjoy herself. The elephants were her favorite!

The trip/weekend was a success. Ryan and I may possibly be the best babysitters ever!

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

On January 29th my sister, Ashley, turned the big 3-0! I cannot believe she is already 30. It seems like just yesterday we were playing Barbies or acting out the latest episode of Kids Incorporated on my grandma's patio. (and yes we really did that...ha!) I miss those days of just hanging out with no cares whatsoever. Now we have jobs, bills, kids, (not me, just her!) and all the other not so fun things that come with being a grown up. No thank you to that!

But I digress :) The real point of this post is not to complain about all that junk!

For Ashley's birthday her husband, Robby, threw a little oyster roast partay. What a sweet hubby! Ashley is so busy with her job and her two munchkins that she never has time to cut loose. I was glad to see her enjoying herself that night!

The party was a good time. The oysters were delicious and my wine glass was never empty...my kind of night!

Happy Birthday to the best sister in the world! I love you! :)

Me with the birthday girl!

Oyster Shooter - yikes! but oh so yummy :)

Ashley's granny cake

Make a wish....

Yum, yum, yum, yum!