30th birthday party (80's style) and Camden's 1st haircut!

Our 80's inspired cake!

So, alot has transpired since our last post. Of course I hit the big 3-0 last year and so myself along with 3 of my very close friends from high school decided to throw ourselves a totally tubular 80's shindig. We all turn 30 w/in a month of each other so we decided to celebrate with a bang! We had the party at a bar in Southaven where they had booked the 80's cover band Aquanet in our honor! It was a costume party so everyone dressed in their 80's finest. It was hysterical! As my sister saids, "Pure D. Hilarium!" We had an awesome time and it was cool to celebrate in a big way. We had a photographer come and she had a photobooth set up where we could pose and be silly plus there were shots from inside the party as well. If you want to look at them in their entirity go to ramblinrosephotography.com and under proofing type in: thirty. Just please know we were having a really good time in many of the pictures ;) But here are a few of my faves:

The birthday kids.

With the lead singer of the band!!

Me as a Madonna wannabe, Tracy as an aerobics instructer

Mj.

The weekend before last Camden hit another milestone and had his first big boy haircut. It has taken his hair so long to get long enough to warrant a haircut that I wasn't sure this day would ever come! He has the headfull of wavy curls that I didn't want to totally get rid of and his bangs are still really short with just some uneven places around his ears and a stage one mullet in the back so we decided it was time! He did ok, we went to Sportclips and he watched Daddy go first and they bribed him with suckers and he was a little squirmy wouldn't wear the drape, but never cried and it went really quick and now he is so handsome!

Front view of his long hair b/f church

Mullet....

What's dada doing?

Finished product!

Learning how to spell our names

trying on Walker's big boy underwear (and sucking in for the camera!! haha)

Lately he has been babbling alot and even showing some interest in potty training (I think b/c most of the kids in his class at school are as well as Walker so it peaked his curosity) he will say pooh pooh and they I will put him on the potty and he will grunt like he's trying but nothings happened yet (sorry Camden for sharing your business!!) He loves the word "no" says it in response to everything, he says "I won moore" when he wants "more" or something, he can tell us where all his body parts are and he can make the sounds of a cow, dog, cat and horse when cued. He is super silly and cracks us up all the time. He likes leading you around and making you sit where he wants you to. He will pull me and trey both in the den and make us sit on his little couch and play cars, read books, etc. It's pretty funny. He loves baths, cars, sweets,most any food (even veggies), shoes (which he calls "soos") especially my high heels (red are his fav), playing outside ("ah-ha") and playing with animals in particular Wrigs! He is getting so big and independent and doesn't like us to help with holding a big person cup he wants to do it all by himself. He's gotten kind of bossy:) Other than that Trey and I are going through the "Love Dare" w/ our SS class. If you aren't familiar it's the book that the movie 'Fireproof'' is based on. It really great and we have enjoyed going through the first week and it's a 8 wk series meant to bring you and your spouse closer and kind date them again. If you haven't read it you should check it out! Below are some pics from our friends Jack and Abby's diaper/wipe shower we threw for them last weekend.

Pampers...A much needed neccessity!

They are due in Feb with their 1st but he has 2 brothers with a total of 14 children b/t them so hopefully the 15th grandchild doesn't get lost in the shuffle! ha ha!! pray for a safe and healthy delivery for them! And finally are some pics from Walker's 3rd bday at Bounz in S'haven we all had a great time, especially Cam!

He went down the titanic slide at least 10 times!

Daddy's chasing

Wrestling with Uncle Jimmy

Christmas and our Puerto Rican adventure!

With his new spiderman trike Uncle Uncle Gene got him!

Helping hand out presents at G'ma Schulle's house

This was a game we played where we raced to put the balloons in a pair of hose and then you put them on your head and it looks like a reindeer! I love the face Trey's G'dad is making!!

At Great G'ma Maylene's house

On the road back from TX, fell asleep with his hand in his snack trapper!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post we have been either on the road/plane traveling, working or sleeping occasionally! The weekend before Christmas we made our annual trek to Brownwood, Texas to see Trey's grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. It is always a wonderful fun time. We went on a Thursday and came back on Sunday so it was a whirlwind and a long 12 hour drive but well worth it! We stayed at both Trey's mom's mother's house and his dad's mother's house. Camden got completly spoiled and did very well sleeping and playing (minus one night he had missed his nap and had a complete meltdown during our gift opening) but did fine otherwise. We got back and then it was straight back to work for a week, then Christmas with our immediate families. We had a wonderful time and it was so exciting for Trey and I to play "Santa" Camden didn't really understand but just knew Christmas morning that he had a slew of brand new toys and came into the den and just pointed with wide eyes and said "oooooooohh" and "wow!!" we loved it!!

Christmas morning at our house Santa was good to us!

Cam's car town that Cece gave him

loving his new tent

Helping Grandad open his presents

 I have a few videos of him oohing and ahhing over his toys and then dancing his new little dance to the muscial car we got him that played "funky town"!
      Then the week of New Year's Trey and I flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico for my sorority sister from college's wedding. Several of my Mississippi girls were there with their husbands and we had a blast.

All the Tri Deltas in PR

Happy New Years!!

Gorgeous!

the view from our balcony

Trey and I at our hotel

Me and Debbie before the bachellorette party

Mardi Gras themed bachellorette party

the guys before the bachelor party

Old San Juan sights

the groom and his best man (the guy from Chuck!)

At the gorgeous wedding in a courtyard

bride and groom leading the "second line" a new orleans tradition

Courtney's from New Orleans so her family were so much fun and we felt like part of the family by the time we left. David, Courtney's fiance works on the TV show Chuck as a prop master, so several of his friends are actors or songwriters, singers, etc. The actor who plays Chuck (Zachary Levi) even was his best man! And the guy from Avatar and Dodgeball was a friend as well. We had fun meeting them and they both have since made TV show appearances promoting their projects and mentioned the trip on Letterman and Chelsea! We had a blast in our hotel there was a huge Puerto Rican party NYE and that was fun, there was a casino on site and we had many functions like dinners, showers bachellorette parties and of course the wedding to occupy our time. We also loved just laying out by the pool everyday and relaxing with now alarm clocks or schedules. Not to mention the weather was fabulous! It was around 80 everyday and sunny. It was a shock to come home to 20 degree weather and snow...It was a much needed vaca! I had my group 30th bday party last night with 3 of my high school friends and will have to post pics in another post due to the large volume I'm posting in this one! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holidays!

Thanksgiving and Texas Tech game

 We had a great joint Thanksgiving this year. My mom, dad, brother, and nephew (my sister was visiting NYC with friends) joined the Trey's mom and dad at their home for Thanksgiving lunch. I was supposed to work the night before but the Lord blessed me with a cancelled shift! I was so happy to go to bed normally and be able to get up and watch the parades then make some Paula Deen mini pumpkin cheesecakes and Grits and greens (which both turned out yummy!). It was so nice and relaxing to not have to rush around to several Thanksgivings and there was less oppurtunity to overeat :) Then I got up early hit a few Black Friday sales and we left for Dallas area of Gun Barrel City where Trey's uncle has a beautiful lakehouse. We then met up with his sister and traveled to Dallas to meet Trey's best friend from high school/college Chad and his wife and 3 beautiful kids for a quick lunch before heading to the Texas Tech/Baylor game at the new Dallas Cowboy stadium. Trey's uncle and his friends got us tickets and box seats which was AMAZING!! The stadium was state of the art!

At church in our sunday school class we have been helping with the Operation Christmas child. We fill shoeboxes for various age group boys and girls and then the church has them mailed to underprivelaged kids all over the globe. We had a big breakfast potluck and stuffed 42 boxes! The goal for the class was 20 so we were so excited that all of these children would be blessed this year!

We went Sunday to my mom's neighborhood cookies w/ Santa to have Camden's pictures made. He did not enjoy it like we had hoped... He pretty much had a meltdown. Most of my pics were blurry because he was trying to wiggle out of his lap but there were a few and you can see how much he didn't enjoy it :(

Wedding Day December 3, 2005

Trey and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary this week. I am so happy to call Trey my husband and happier today than 4 yrs ago on our wedding day. Also I celebrated my 30th bday last week. I have to admit I had some issues with the big leap out of my twenties, even jokingly wearing all black in mourning of my 20s! But it is a blessing and I am happy with where I am in my life and excited to see what the next 10 years has to bring.

Our Christmas Bulletin Pic (had to tickle Cam to get him to laugh!)

Cam's post bath curly fro!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and remember to say that and not "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Xmas" it only takes the most important part of the celebration- Christ- out of the equation. So just remember HE is the reason for the season and give thanks for the blessings he has given you throughout the year. Pray for our friends Bethany and Casey who are dealing with a very serious illness in their family. Bethany's dad was diagnosed with stage 3-4 esophageal cancer with mets to the liver last summer and not responding to the chemo/radiation. We know Mr. Bill and love him and are praying for them fervently and hoping for a full recovery.

Fall Fun

So it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week, but it is!! We've been having a great time lately. We went to Audobon Park a few weekends ago and took some family photos with my photographer friend Kim. I am planning on using them for our Christmas cards. My sister, brother and nephew all came to so we could get a family shot for my mom for Christmas (I won't be showing that one so it'll be a surprise :) After that we went around the corner to the Cancer Survivors Park and took some more shots in front of this cool tiled mosaic, a hidden gem in Memphis for sure! Last weekend Trey's uncle Gene and some friends came in from Dallas we went to the Ole Miss game. We had a great time tailgating even though we had to wake up at 5:45 to get down to Oxford in time to have time to go see some friends. Camden and Walker have been having a ball playing. I took them to the Snowden park around the corner from our house and they played so hard. We are currently attempting to sell our home. We went through realtor Larry Webb and we now have it officially listed on MLS. I am excited and nervous at the prospect of moving into a newer bigger home. We are busting at the seams as it is!This weekend we are excited to go to Dallas to see the Red Raiders play!! Trey went toTX Tech and his best friend Chad is coming over as well with his sons and wife. We are so excited to see them! Gene is going to allow us to stay in his lake house and we get to go to the game at the new state of the art stadium and hang out in a box!! We are so blessed to have such great family connections. Pray for safe travels and Camden will cooperate with the long drive its always a challenge.

Happy Halloween - Never Roam Alone!

Travelocity Gnome. Never roam Alone!

Camden loves books, he had our friend Abby read Peter's busy day to him!

Handing out candy

Ready to go trick or treating!

Here are a few pics from the past few weeks. Trey and I went our to Cedar hill Farms in Hernando, MS a few weekends ago and had a blast! They have a real pumpkin patch, hayride, petting zoo and lots of other things for little ones to get into. Camden had a great time. He even made a new friend (a girl) on the hayride and went over to her grandad and just climbed up in his lap! The man was very sweet and let him ride there for a minute, we all got a kick out of it. Last week mom and I went with Cam and Walker's daycare class to the zoo for a field trip. The weather couldn't have been better it was a sunny break from the downpours we had the rest of the week. We had so much fun admiring the fall trees and the new exhibits at the zoo. The Tetkon Trail was amazing! It is a huge log cabin that has an "old faithful" out front and features a huge bear's exhibit as well as elk, wolves, and other northern animals. The boys, mom and I had too much fun I was so glad I didn't work that night and got to enjoy the whole day with them. Last weekend was Halloween of course and Camden went as the Travelocity Gnome. We had come up the idea months ago and I was just going to make the costume, but then we actually found it in a store and he really wore it all night so we were excited!  We went to Jo Jo & Grandad's house and had hotdogs, then went Trick or Treating down our street and they handed out candy to all the neighbors (camden's favorite part) and then had a cookout with some friends. We are looking forward to some traveling soon, Oxford next weekend for the Ole Miss TN game, Dallas after Thanksgiving for the Texas Tech game and then of course our annual Texas trip to see all the great grandparents. Camden is getting more and more advanced. He now knows all of his body parts and is recognizing more things and calling them by name like "cat", "plane" (points up to the sky every time one flys over), and even said "TT" tonight when my sister came over (she is known as aunt "TT). We are having a blast watching him learn and grow!!

Cousins on their field trip

Loving the fall trees at the zoo!!

Made a new friend on the hayride! Ha!

Cam's first hayride!

Before Church

What we've been doing lately...

It's been a while since I've posted mostly because school is alot more time consuming than I thought it would be!! Camden is grown into a full fledged toddler. He is now 16 months old and every bit a boy. He loves his new daycare and now Walker goes there too which is nice and the boys have a blast playing together. They have lots of activities - Fire Safety Day (with real firemen & firetrucks!), a St. Jude Trike a thon (cam rode his push car and raised $75 for St. Jude!), and we have a field trip in 2 weeks to the zoo (I'll be going too). Trey's work had the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales in town 2 weeks ago and it was a blast! Trey took Camden and Walker to the rodeo and saw the Clydesdales show then on Sunday we went to meet them up close and personal. Camden loved it! We also went to pick out pumpkins. Last weekend was the Ole Miss Alabama game and we braved the rainy cold weather to take Camden to his first tailgate. James & Joan had rented 2 RV's and had a big tailgate setup and we went and saw other friends in the Grove. I had alot of family in town from Alabama and we had a great time visiting with them too. Then this weekend Mom, Walker, Cam & I went to the Litcherman Nature Center to see the scarecrow exhibit it was so cool! There were some hilarious scarecrows. Both boys had fun. Lately we have been getting involved in church more. We joined a young married sunday school class which has some great couples our age and we really love hanging out with them. We had a couple's dinner tonight at the Ruff's house which was nice. Camden's new words are : Hot (he thinks anything that is warm, cold or hot is "Hot", he says "Bye" and somehow has learned "My" (he means it as "Mine" I think this comes from daycare :( and is constantly babbling. He knows where his bellybutton is, ear, and nose and will point to it when asked. He likes to climb -alot, on everything. He is in 18-24 mths clothes. He likes to pretend to talk on the phone. He's been going through a sleeping transition, some nights he will go to bed at 8:45 some we can't get him to sleep at all or he will wake up screaming at 2 am. I think he is teething and he no longer has the passie which I will still give him at night since he has started waking up crying. It's been a rough couple weeks especially on Trey since it always happens the nights I'm at work and they are there alone. Please pray this is a phase!! We are staying busy and have alot of traveling coming up!Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

Decisions, decisions....

Going to class with "Mrs. Kittie scarecrow"!!

                  

Tin Man scarecrow

You can't have a contest without an Elvis scarecrow!

This one was made of recycled trash

Cece and Camden

Meeting the clydesdales, they were HUGE!

The professional tailgaters

Uncle Trey/Daddy at the rodeo

Visiting the Dukes in Florida

Last Thursday we made a long awaited trip to visit our great friends the Dukes. Brooke and I were sorority sisters at MSU and have been best friends ever since. She and her husband Anthony have been good friends of ours for years and we have all been through college, weddings, showers, lake trips, children, etc together over the past 10 years! So we have been dying to make it down to Florida ever since they were transferred there and once they welcomed their newest addition CeCe Duke in July we knew we must go. We did a ton during the few days we were there. We made it to the beach (Cam's first time), great restaurants, a naval museum, shopping at the outlet mall in Foley, AL and just chilling with the family at their house. Camden loved the beach and got pretty brave running into the waves, we had to keep a close eye on him. He also had a blast playing with Anthony and Brooke's 3 year old Bryce. Camden learned alot from him and had a ball trying to immulate him. They had great toys and he had too much fun playing with them all. They took us to some cool restaurants one of which, Lulu's (owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister) that had a life size sand box and fun waterfountains. Cam and Bryce got filthy and had alot of fun playing while we enjoyed a yummy lunch. CeCe was the sweetest, most mellow baby I've ever seen. We loved looking at her and holding her. All in all we had so much fun that we totally forgot to take any pics of Brooke, Anthony, Trey & I! But I did manage to snap quite a few of the kids! We had a great time and the hospitality was perfect. Thanks again Dukes!!

Absolutely loving the waves

Exploring the beach with dad
Can't believe he let us do this...
Playing in the ocean with mom

Lulu's Restaurant, playing in the fountains
Pretty girl.
Hi CeCe!!With Daddy in a real fighter jet
At the naval museum, these real sailors were sweet enough to let Camden take a shot with them! It was so cool!

Eating breakfast together
Playing with Reagan. She was so tolerant of Camden, he loved climbing all over her;)
The boys playing w/ Bryce's water table we added baby shampoo to the water. Cam loved it!