spring!!!

yea, yea, yea... so Nana's tired of my snow pic...

Can you guess what she's doing in this picture?




(here's a clickable-to-full-size image to click on because... you might be able to see what she's doing by the reflection in her eyes!)


EDIT: hmmm, that's not full size. I'll do a crop of her eye.



EDIT: okay, so that's probably still really hard to figure out. Here's a hint. BUT that's it! You're on your own! I'm going to bed.

fire and ice (well, snow...)

nesting

(and no, I'm not pregnant!)

An Evening of Romance with Jim Brickman

I had a date with Jim Brickman Honey Sunday night. I couldn't wait to hear my favorite love songs with my favorite sweetheart, happily knowing the kids were on someone else's watch for the night. (thank you, thank you Nana and Papaw!) Of course, not to be completely left out, Isaac texted me 2 minutes before the concert started to tell me what fun HE was having in the woods. :)

Honey and I cuddled close (as close as you can with a wooden armrest between you!) listening to my favorite love songs in gorgeous Music Hall.





Sometimes Jim played and sang by himself.



Sometimes the Cincinnati Pops played with him and vocalists Anne Cochran and Mark Masri added their beautiful voices.



Sometimes he told funny stories. When he was 15 he went to Anne's locker in high school (she was 2 years older) and said, "I'm going to be America's #1 Romantic Pianist and I think you should come along for the ride and sing for me." She agreed! They're 48 and 50 now... that's a long ride! She's been married for 25 years (and bragged about it on stage) but I can't find out a thing about him.



His finishes were always dramatic but he really milked the last one before he got up!



Tracy Silverman was also there and played the electric violin which was amazing. You can see (and hear!) him in the videos below.



After a standing ovation he played an encore, but it killed me when it was over and he walked off the stage for good. How do 2 hours go by in 20 minutes?



Here are three video clips. I was trying to cover up the flashing orange light (so an usher didn't tap me on the shoulder and say no-no!) so they're a little jumpy/crackly in the beginning as I tried to wrap the strap around my camera.

You might need to let them buffer first.

This first one is the finale... a medley of his hit love songs.




Here's "The Love I Found in You."



Here's "The Gift."

a few necessary things

Papaw stopped by today to work on the bathroom in the basement. He's finishing the walls and tile around the tub he put in 5 years ago.

He walked in with a bag from Ace and said he picked up a few necessary things, like some drywall screws.



A quick peek in the bag...


quickly reveals Papaw's priorities.

thankful for God's gifts

so not fair on a boy.

Craig's Christmas

My little side job allowed me to give Honey a big surprise for Christmas, thanks to cousin Eileen! She sold me her awesome treadmill to replace our decrepit one. The kids chipped in too, and planned a fun treasure hunt of clues that finally led to the treasure. Also special thanks to Papaw who moved it for us!

(click play then pause it to let it buffer before watching)


Here are some still shots from the video, just because I could.

a bountiful Christmas at Nana and Papaw's

Papaw took on an extra special project for Sophia and made it extra fun. He sent her on a treasure hunt of clues, sending her back and forth, up and down his house, until finally the last clue sent her to...

Christmas morning moments

Isaac is sitting on my Christmas present!


This big one was torture for both of them this past month under the tree. It was the table and chairs and tea set below.


















The new one (Natalie) is the monkey in the middle.


Daddy is sitting on the other part of my Christmas present as they assembled the basketball goal.


Sophia's Panera gift card for Daddy...


And one last gift for Isaac... Daddy did his chore for him.

Sneak Peek