Swing Set Fun

Ava has really been enjoying the new Swing set we bought for her last week.  Mark finally had time to put it together this Saturday and after several frustrating hours it was ready for play.  Mark was ready to throw the whole set away a couple of times when he was getting frustrated but seeing Ava have so much fun with it made it all worth it.  Now she can swing and slide when ever she wants.

Going Away Party for Brooke

One of my favorite parts about being a military spouse is all of the wonderful friendships you make.  On the other hand with all of the frequent moving I feel like we are always saying goodbye.  I hate good byes so I prefer to say see you later!  My friend Brooke is moving to D.C. this week so we all gathered here at my house to have a little going away party.  I first met Brooke in 2003 when we moved to Ft. Campbell.  All of our husbands were deployed and we were there for each other during the deployment.  Brooke moved here in 2006 and we followed last year.  It has been nice being reunited with her as well as Maria and Karen who I also knew from Ft. Campbell.  Being reunited with old friends gives me hope that we will meet up again one day soon.  We will miss you Brooke!!!

Brooke's going away party

Me, Brooke, Maria, and Karen

Taken in 2004.  This group of ladies got me through the first deployment

Brooke, Me and Karen back in 2004

Me Brooke and Karen 2005

Spring and all things new

What is it about spring that just makes you want to just change things up a bit and make everything new and fresh.  I am sure it is in part to the beautiful weather along with the flowers and trees blooming.  This past weekend Mark worked hard on the rest of our landscaping project out front which looks amazing.  Also all of the bushes that were already in place have bloomed which was a nice surprise since we didn't know they were flowering bushes.

Our house was built in 2006 and for whatever reason the right side was never landscaped by the builder or the previous owner.  Since I am all about balance we had to change that.  Mark did a great job and even installed new landscape lights.

Such a nice surprise to see the bushes flowering.

Look closely and you can see our little grasshopper friend on the flag.  Another part of the spring is bugs and pollen which I am not a huge fan of.

Another new thing is my new do.  After 9 months of researching where to go to get my hair cut I finally decided on Toni at Rituals.  Many people had suggested other salons and hair stylist but Toni was the only name that came up more than once and that was in the town I live.  I have to say I was very pleased.  She was nice but not the gossipy too talkative type and really took the time to ask alot of questions about what I wanted.  Earlier today I had posted on facebook to get feedback on what I should do and my friend Tabatha suggested lots of long layers with sweeping side bangs.  I described to the stylist Toni exactly that and she went to work.  She even styled me with curls and a whole new look.  I felt like a new woman as I walked out of the salon on this gorgeous spring day with my curls bouncing in the wind.  Hopefully I can style it myself!!!!

Also while I had a sitter I checked out this cool little shop next door to the salon called "Just Imagine".  It was full of beautiful things for the home as well as jewelry.  The first that caught my eye was this little silver bird.

What a perfect "spring like" addition to our master bedroom!

Then I stumbled on the jewelry.  Some of the Jewelry was around $30 and some was below $10.  I saw these and fell in love!!!  And only $6.95 too!!!!  They are off white and perfect to go with all of the summer sundresses!!!

And now for my favorite new look...  My new do

This is after I was in and out of the car a few times in the wind but it held up pretty good. I just love this time of year!!!!

Easter with Friends

This Easter my friend Ashlee and her husband Mike and their little boy Brayden came from Kentucky down to visit us for the weekend.  They are on Spring Break and are on their way to Destin beach.  Since we couldn't go home to be with family for Easter it was nice to have our great friends from home to come visit.  They arrived on Saturday afternoon so we spent the evening out to dinner at our favorite Restaurant La Parilla and then took them to an ice cream shop where they serve home made ice cream.  The kids had a lot of fun eating their ice cream and playing.  On Easter Sunday the kids woke up to easter baskets and had fun checking each others out.  Next we got all dressed up and went to Easter Brunch on Post.  It was not what we expected and had the worst server in history but we had fun anyway.  The kids wanted nothing to do with the Easter bunny so we headed back home for naps.  While napping the Easter bunny brought eggs and hid them in the yard.  They had a blast finding all of the eggs.  Brayden was such a gentleman and even gave Ava a couple of his eggs.  Brayden is a year older so he was teaching her and helping her all weekend.  It was so cute and fun to watch them play together.  Ashlee and I have been friends since collage so it is nice that we have stayed in touch over the years and now are kids will be great friends.

yummy ice cream.  Ava loves her shakes!!!!

Trying out Bryden's bed to watch a movie

Spoiled by the Easter Bunny.

We tried to get them to stand together to take a pic.  

Waiting for Brayden to get up to start the hunt.

Checking out all of the candy.  Ava opened every egg and dumped them out to see what she got.  Her favorite were the suckers!

Ashlee and Mike

Maria's baby shower

My friends and I had a small baby shower for our friend Maria on Thursday night. We went to a local restaurant called Frogz which was super yummy! They specialize in seafood and even had Alligator.  None of us were brave enough to try the Alligator but the dishes we did choose were so delicious.  Brooke brought the cupcakes and we all gave her gender neutral gifts.  We also all went in together and got her a gift certificate for a delux spa pedicure at Rituals day spa.  Every pregnant woman needs cute feet for labor!  Maria is due in June so we will just have to wait and see what she is having.  It was a great night with friends!

Me, Brooke, Karen and Maria

No we are not on the beach LOL!  That is wall paper.  

The gift I made for Maria.  Wipe holder and changing pad

Karen got all of the necessities

Brooke hooked Maria up with Diapers and butt paste and made her the cutest onesie.  I was so busy looking at the onesie I forgot to take a pic.

The yummy salad with lots of fresh fruit.