ITS A BABY SHOWER!!!

Amanda is due to have her little man ANY DAY now so of course since its her first boy, we had to throw her a little shower last week. Thanks to Ashley for helping out and also letting us use her house for the night, I think things turned out good!

As favors, we set up this candy bar. Let me tell you, it was NOT easy finding "blue" candy but we did it and now have PLENTY leftover!

Amanda is NOT allowed to change his name now since we've made it OFFICIAL at the shower!

These water bottles were jazzed up a little with a new label.

Instead of your normal finger foods, we went for a "mashed potato bar" instead. It was different and fun (thanks for letting me steal your idea Aunt Aundrea).

We had all kinds of toppings (i.e. brisket, shredded beef, cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, broccoli, etc) and had them put in these little margarita glasses (yes, I now have a major collection of margarita glasses but they'll be fun for future parties).

Then instead of your usual cupcakes or cake, Ashley had the idea of doing these chocolate molten cakes from Costco that she worked her butt off trying to find! We used more than what is displayed here but you get the picture.

And OF COURSE Amanda scored with LOTS good gifts for her little Cooper!

Now, she's set, ready and now just waiting anxiously for him to make his debut!!!!

Look who I got to meet the a few Saturdays ago.....

Yep, that's PAULA DEEN! We even got a signed copy of this:

LOVE HER!!!!!!

TINA'S WEDDING WEEKEND

(WARNING: Picture overload!)

A few weekends ago, I headed back to Baton Rouge for Tina's wedding weekend! It was a fun filled, busy weekend! Ready? Here we go!

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner.

Most of the bridesmaids

Maid-of-honor+bride

After we got done with the rehearsal and dinner, all the bridesmaids got to have a SPA NIGHT!

We had ALL KINDS of funny things put on our faces but my FAVORITE was the microdermabrasion that Nicole is preforming on Tara right here.

Here's a NO make-up pic

I totally look OVERLY pale in this picture, and I know I AM pale but I'm pretty sure this was after we put a lip mask on...

We stayed the night on the grounds where the wedding was (Hemingbough in St. Franscisville--BEAUTIFUL) that night so we could get up and start our day of getting beautified for the big day!

Almost ready to walk down the aisle...

Tina with her daddy, Mr. Brent!

The wedding ceremony was beautiful AND so are all the grounds. They had random peacocks roaming around. Did you know they could somehow get WAAAY high up in big trees?? Apparently they do because that's where we spotted them Friday night!

Here's some of the decor at the reception hall....

Centerpieces

GIANT sparklers....I SO want to buy some to use for some kind of event soon!!

Bride's cake

Then the craziness of the reception began! The whole time Boston was there, all he wanted to do was DANCE and look at the instruments the band members were playing.

Our little fam...not the BEST pic but whatever.

My parents (mom & dad did y'all plan to match? I'm just now noticing!)

Getting ready to take off the garter

Jenn+Bethany+me=BFF's from high school!

And the exit! Don't you LOVE that they left on a 4-wheeler....true Louisiana fashion!

CONGRATS TINA AND BEN!!!!!!

KILLIN BUGS FOR LIFE!

Kent finally broke away and stopped working for "the man" this year to become his OWN boss. He is busy ROUND the clock (especially now that alot of his sales reps are have come down for the summer) but LOVING every minute of it and I couldn't be happier for him!

On a side note, I went to the doctor yesterday and finally had my self diagnosis proven correct. I have THIS on my right shoulder/collarbone:

Yep, shingles. So apparently although my pain isn't to the point where I feel like I need to take my prescribed vicodin, I AM considered contagious & I'm supposed to stay away from people for now...ugh!

LOOK WHO GOES PEE PEE & POO IN THE POTTY!!!

Yes, Boston finally does it! He is officially in big boy underwear...and has been for a few months now. I've been nervous to post this because I thought that after I did, he would start back tracking and it would mess it all up! But since its been awhile now, I can now officially feel good about announcing his BIG accomplishment!!!

We tried 2 times after Christmas which were BOTH interrupted with sicknesses that slowed us down. After being in the house for 2 weeks cooped up, I decided to take a break from potty training. We went out with some friends for lunch one day and he saw both his little buddies go potty in the big potty. So the next morning I put his underwear back on to try. Lucky for me, it just CLICKED! Boston told me all day when he had to go potty with ZERO accidents. The next day he was telling me "Mommy you stay here, I go potty BY MYSELF!" It was a miracle!! He may still have some random accidents here and there but over all, he does great! He still wears a pull-up to bed because we have NOT mastered going all night yet but we're working on it! Since being potty trained, Boston has a new love---PUBLIC BATHROOMS! SO GROSS and I HATE IT but what do you do?? I'll take that over buying/changing diapers ANY DAY!

EASTER!!!

Our Easter weekend started out with our Ward Easter party on Saturday. They had an Easter egg hunt for all the kids and Boston was ready to find some eggs!!

Stephanie, I copied your pale idea for Boston since I thought your kids pales were so cute!

The kids played at the park we were at but it didn't take long before the splash pad started keeping them all occupied!

Of COURSE you always have to dye Easter eggs for the Easter Bunny so before Kent headed off to priesthood, dyed a few. Boston was actually pretty good at it this year!

The next morning the Easter Bunny brought Boston some goods

And hid all of Boston dyed eggs for him to find!

We really enjoyed watching Conference all weekend to hear what the General Authorities had to say! You always feel uplifted and ready to do better! It also put into perspective and helps remind us the reason we celebrate Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!!!