We were going to Kenny..and it was the next day! I have to say Leisha and I both, arn't to sporadic! Both of us, planners and not to into a bump in the road. We chose to go for it, and we had an AMAZINGLY FUN NIGHT! Oh, I had no idea what I was in for. It's been a while since I had been to a concert and this was like nothing I had ever expereienced. We had seat's on the floor, which was incredible.
We met up with Ashley, Jackie, Shannon and Kristina...and even managaed to sneak them onto the floor with us :) We danced the night away! 
Also met up with Jenn and Brittany and Julia and Melissa.
then later we even went up and found my BCF (best cousin forever), Marisa and my aunt dee! We all were silly, and dancin it up! 
It was so fun to be carefree and boogie to Kenny with all my best girlfriends (minus Julie-who we missed greatly). We even rocked our cowboy boots! Which was a little out of my comfort zone, but I was so happy I wore them..I fit right in!
So now, I think Im going on a concert kick..or just a girls night kick...it was to fun not to relive it again soon. 
So this past week it was my birthday. It just seems kinda crazy to me that I am 27! Three years to 30..really? I guess so. Im also nearing my 10 year highschool reunion. It seems like just yesterday, I was hanging out with my friends, going to highschool, working at the tux shop, and cheering on the boys basketball team! Time flies. Im so happy to be where I am, and the older I get, I guess 30 doesn't seem all that bad. Im still young at heart and really what am I talking about Im still young in numbers! I had a really fun birthday. Everyone was so sweet! 
It started off with a happy birthday from my hubby when he woke me up in the mornin! When I walked into work, I heard singing, I had a lovely gift from Ashley and Tessa on my desk, (LOL-POAS....How special!) and a yummy lunch with the peeps at work (we missed Leisha,Laura & Claudia)! That evening we went to my parents house for dinner-we had a great time. I got a great printer and a label making program-for my photgraphy CD's! :) Hung out with the Fam.
Baby Maverick was a doll!
Saturday was also a nice day, Aaron and I just lounged around all day, then headed to Aaron's parents house that evening to hang out with the family and celebrate my mother in law, Cindy's birthday and mine, that happen to be on the same day. (*fun fact: My mother in law and I both got engaged to our hubby's on our 18th birthday's which is both July 24th-different years of course, but fun fact anyways!!) We had fun with the Norton fam..just hanging out. The celebration had to continue on Sunday, when my mom and I hit the Nordstrom anniversery sale but one last time!!! It was sucessfull, and I got some VERY cute items :) My birthday was fun, and Im so thankful for all the sweet people in my life who made me feel so special on my day. I am truly blessed!
We get there, get all ready head out on the dock…it feels a little too cold to jump in, so we proceed to sit on the floaty in the water tied to the dock. Leisha goes for it first, as you can see by the photo barley makes it onto the floaty without falling into the water..FFEEEEWWWHH!!! She made it, so I manage to get on just fine and we have a great time, chatting it up, and relaxing.
It felt so refreshing being on the water in the heat! Holland didn’t quite like the idea of taking a nap, so we then pull back to the dock, and bring the babe with us onto the raft. She was SO CUTE! Crawling around, and talking and laughing and smiling. Well…once again something else brought us to have to get off the floaty again and head back onto the dock. I hold Holland, and as Leisha puts one leg up onto the dock her other leg slipped out from underneath her, causing the hardest part of her shin to ram into my shin. Oh man, pain!! I got a immediate bruise, and shortly after came a bump. We couldn’t stop laughing, and to be completely honest I’m surprised we didn’t pee our pants! When we get laughing it’s very hard to stop (Cheer camp prayer time-OH my!) We get back on once again, and all is great, then little Holland poops. Ok, so since time is running short we decide to head back and call it a night at the lake. We have towels, a phone, a baby and us and a rope to hang on to as we step out of the floaty onto the dock above. There is one more large step up to the other dock that leads to the house, Leisha gets up fine, I have Holland and feel like I really shouldn’t try to make this step holding her, as I have short legs, and can barely make up myself. I looked at Leisha, and she said Come on, I’ll give you a boost. Well, her boost pretty much almost knocks me into the water with her BABY, In a small opening between two docks. Thank the Lord, we made it up, Barley..to safety! Again, once safe….ROTFL! Pure Craziness. We pack up, and head to the car..trying not to be late to pick up Leisha’s daughter Preslee at VBS.
(see picture above-this was a couple years ago)
Aaron then on Sunday entered our cobra into the car show..and sat once again all day in the hot sun with a sun burn! He was pretty wiped out for a day after that. I love when Aaron gets to drive the mustang. Him and his dad both, get so giddy like little kids with a toy! It’s cute, and I know he gets a total thrill out of it..and that makes me Smile! Thankful for a Radar-Detector! No more speeding tickets for us. 
Last weekend, I headed to Olympia to do photos of my Aunts kids. It was totally worth the drive. I had such a FUN time! I ventured out early saturday morning. My cousin Marisa met me there, so we could do photo's together (she has also taken up this love for photography-and we have twin camera's) It was so nice to chat in the morning! We took some photos of the girls at the house
After she left, I headed to Little Rock to photograph my cousin, Amanda with her Horse-Missy. I was so scared at first, because I once got chased by a heard of horses (ya, don't ask!) When I got there Missy's made me feel at ease. What a sweet horse-she must get that from her sweet mom, amanda! I think we got some beautiful photos-such a nice day!
(Amanda and Missy)
(definitly my favorite photo from the day!) 
Ashley was due on Christmas day-and one week later she was admitted for induction on New Years Eve! They didn't get things rolling until the next day. I got to be there with her the entire time and it was an amazing experience. Im so thankful I was able to take photos for her so she can remeber that day forever. She was a trooper-and Im so proud of her. Her and baby had no complications! Everyone is healthy and at home resting. She is going to be such a good little mama. Enjoy the Photos!! He is sure a Cutie Pie!
Many of you know-I have a passion for photography! If you are around me often, you know I always have a camera handy. I started by taking lot's of photos of my nieces and nephews and everytime I would babysit Preslee-we'd have a little photo shoot. Leisha even had me take her Christmas pictures this year! I just have a little sony cybershot-which is great but for a while now-I have wanted something more. My neighbor is into photography also so I asked her about what camera she has and researched things a bit. Just before christmas my mom and dad bought me a early christmas present so I could use it for our family christmas! I got a Canon Rebel XTi. I LOVE it! I thought my old camera took great photos until I got this. I don't even have a good lense yet either! It's crazy learning all the settings and stuff-but it's fun to experiement and practice. I really want to get into this on the side! I want to take family photos and photos of children for a low cost and with fun settings and atmosphere. I would love to be a "second" photographer at wedding's-just taking candid shots the ones the photographer doens't always get to. This will never be a job to me because it's to fun! It's something I can do because I love it and I can help people make memories at the same time. Here are a few cool photos I have taken with it so far! Let me know if anyone needs photos! I need lot's of practice. 
We started off the month-finishing up all our Christmas shopping. I had done most of the decorating in the house before thanksgiving but I added a little more once december came. There is just something I love about a lit Christmas tree in our home-it almost makes it feel clean, not sure why, if thats the case why can't we have a lighted tree all year round?! Ha! 
Shortly into the month I threw two baby showers just 3 days apart from one another. First I had one for Ashley , My neice, it's was so fun and She was so appriciative of all everyone did for her. She made out great and alot of great necessities. The next shower was a joint one for Ashley and Leisha for work people. We had it at my mom's along with the other so most of the decor was able to be left up-just had to throw in some pink for Leisha-she's expecting a little girl. They both went off great and everyone enjoyed themselves. 
Which brings me to my next exciting news! We purchased a new car!!!!! We got a Chevy Trail Blazer-It is perfect. We love it. We didn't settle this time and were able to get an AMAZING deal on the exact car we wanted. I got leather and the best of all-Heated Seats again!!!!! Love it. Not to mention perfect timing for the crazy winter storm. I would have been stuck for weeks in the house if it wasn't for the 4 wheel drive.
We had a few crazy work days but we made it through with a full schedule for the most part. We ended with a Christmas party luncheon on Friday the 19th. We got some wonderful gifts from my parents-including my FaV-UGGS!!! And we had a really nice lunch together-minus Claudia who was snowed in all week at home.
Well then it was Christmas! Christmas eve we always spend at my mom and dad's. We had a yummy dinner! We did a smoked turkey and prime rib. Everyone loved the food! We opened gifts and hung out! It is so much fun watching the kids open their presents. I love to see the look on their face when they get that amazing thing they just never imagined they'd accually get! To Fun!!
We got home pretty late so after midnight Aaron and I had our little Christmas at home together. We had a really great time. My hubby spoiled me and Im so thankful!!! We stayed up way to late as usual so we of course slept in a bit on Christmas morning. 
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When we woke up we headed back to my parents for breakfast. We just lounged around and watched a movie. Later that night we headed to the airport to pick up Violet, Daniel & Riley-Aaron's sister and her family. We were so thrilled they were able to join us for Christmas!!! Since they arrived Christmas night-we went back to my inlaws house and all stayed the night. The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast and had Christmas! We opened gifts all day. We took a break to eat christmas dinner-and a little nap break. It was really fun to space it out and make it last. It was truly the perfect day as the whole time we were opening presents it was snowing so hard!!! We finally had a white christmas. I took some great photos with my new camera on auto of the family in the snow!
I pretty much had two weeks off work-so we spend most of our days hanging out with Violet and Daniel- and soaking up every moment we could get with our beautiful neice Riley-since they are here from Arizona. We stayed up well into the morning hours almost everynight-trying to make 9 days into 18!! We all totally enjoyed ourselves!
Then it was almost 2009! We had a fun new years. We relaxed in the morning which was wonderful-then we headed over to my inlaws and all went to dinner at Kyoto! It's a Japanese grill where they cook at your table-like Bennihana. It was yummy food and really a fun experience. After that we went back to the homestead with the fam and played games. We watched a TON of firworks from the area and they were beautiful. It was like the 4th of July-everywhere and lasted a really long time. We stayed up till morning-then slept in a ton on New Years Day! :)Did that make you tired to read all about our month?! It was pretty busy but enjoyed every minute of the festivities!
