ChIcAgO!

Relaxing, Beautiful, Shopping, Good Food, Laughing, Livin' the High Life, Girl Time/Talk, Good Weather...these words pretty much sum up our trip. We had a B*L*A*S*T!!!! Unfortunately, we did not get to go to the Oprah Show...it was cancelled. I really don't want to talk about it...I was so upset! But, I already have tickets to go back in October for another show...October 9th! Call me crazy, I know.

I never knew how beautiful and clean Chicago was. One of the days we spent hanging out at East Bank Club. Let me just say when we pulled into the parking garage the cheapest car in there was a Lexus...no joke!! Can you say $$$$!!! They offer a full exercise gym (Oprah works out here everyday) spa, salon, restaurant, 3 pools, car wash, golf shop, and much more. I had the best swedish massage I have ever had in my life there...I was a zombie for about 2 hours after. Thank goodness we laid by the pool for the rest of the day.

Even though I was not able to go to the Show, I had a great time. Definetly a much needed vacation! And now it is back to reality...UGH!

My new REAL Michael Kors purse...love it!!

Showin' Harpo Studios some love!

We had so much fun!!! Lots of laughs. (I guess I need a tan...)

Table 52-- Oprah's personal chef's restaurant

Chicago--So pretty.

Spent some time @ Lake Michigan. It was beautiful

but the water was reallly cold.

Sarah, Jody, Jill, Jana, and baby Lexi

(once again...I need a tan!)

To the OPRAH Show I go!

Yep, that's right!!! My friend Sarah and I are flying up to Chicago in a little over a week. We will be attending a LIVE taping of the OPRAH Show on Wednesday, September 16th! Don't forget to set you TiVo and watch for us!!! We are not sure who will be on, but it is her premiere week!!!! Should be a good one. I am sooooooo excited...this will be my second time going to a show. The last show I went to Matthew McConaughey was the guest....HOTNESS!!!! Stay tuned for more updates.

I was so touched...

This is little baby Jayce. I was reading a friends blog and saw a post about him. I do not know this family or anything about them. I do know the Mom and Dad are graduates of BYU, and a young couple trying to cope with their sons complications . He was born on July 8th and is having major complications and will have to go through some major surgeries very soon. Having a neice born at 30 weeks and in the NICU for 8 weeks, this story really hit home. I was soo touched by this story and I felt inspired to post the link to baby Jayce's blog for you all to see. I e-mailed the family friend (her e-mail is on the blog) about sending a donation to this young couple. She was so sweet to respond and send their address. If there is anything you can do, PLEASE help.

http://www.jaycef.blogspot.com/

Summer Grillin'

For Dave's graduation he got a new charcoal grill with a side smoker. I couldn't figure out why he would get charcoal when a gas grill is so much easier and less mess. He says "it's all the about the taste, honey!" I have to say the charcoal grill does taste pretty good. My brother-in-law, Lee also has a charcoal grill. Dave says they are going to have a grill off soon and he will be smoking our turkey this year...whoa!

Dave's Graduation

Also in June we were able to go to Savannah for a few days and attend Dave's graduation ceremony. Dave's parents flew in and my parents came as well. I have to say it was kind of fun having both sets of parents all to ourselves! We did some sightseeing, shopping, took a nice ferry ride down the river, and ate at the famous Paula Deen 'Lady and Sons' restaurant. I am so proud of Dave and his hard work! It was so nice to have everyone there to support him.

My parents and Dave

This is an awful picture of me...we took about 5 and all of them were bad! UGH!

Dave and his parents

Enjoying dinner Paula Deen style

Oh my gosh there she is....

River Street Treats taffy making...yummy!

Our river boat ride...it was so HOT!

Gram's 90th Birthday Bash

My gram turned 90 on June 10th. The following weekend we had a huge birthday party for her. All the family met in north Georgia and stayed in cabins together. We always have a great time with the this side of the family...definetly party animals! My Gram is an amazing woman. I remember in elementary school writing a poem about her called "Hero." Still to this day she is my hero. She is the most selfless, welcoming, loving, intelligent, caring, polite, and best Wheel of Fortune partner I know!!! I have always told her when she makes it to 100 I am going to send her picture in to the Today Show to be put on a Smuckers jar and have her birthday announced by Willard Scott. I am so glad we were all able to get together and celebrate such a wonderful lady!

Come Travel With Me!

I have just recently finished my training to become a travel agent! I am so excited about this opportunity. How fun will be it to help people with what we all love to do-VACATION! I work for Enchanted Journeys. You can check out the website at http://www.enchantedjourneys.info/ Please keep me in mind for your next family vacation! Remember I can help any of you wherever you may live!

Top 4 Reasons You Should Use a Travel Agent:

1. Save Money & Time
2. Expert Guidance & Professional Advice
3. Traveler Advocates
4. Peace of Mind

Without a travel agent you are on your own!!!

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AND MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!

Disney Cruise 2009

Disney Magic

I can't believe our long awaited cruise has come and gone. It was so much fun! We went on a 7 night Western Caribbean Disney Cruise...what more could you ask for?!?! We sailed on the Disney MAGIC. Our ship took us to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Castaway Cay (Disney's Island). Dave and I had so much fun just being together and not having to answer cell phones, e-mail, school work, etc! The whole time we did not have one drop of rain...all sunshine! Dave of course lathered his Spf 50 on each day and I soaked up the rays with tanning oil spf 8!!! For those of you who don't know...Dave is so anti sun-tans! Funny he would go on a Caribbean cruise, I know! We went snorkeling in Grand Cayman, AWESOME! We also rode a thrill boat in Key West. Dave twisted my arm and we both took advantage of the on board vista spa! HEAVEN! We met so many people from all over the world. Friends from England, Germany, Australia, California, and Canada. For those of you who have never sailed with Disney Cruise Line you truly are treated like royalty! It is quite the reality check when you get home. On board you have 2500 passengers and 1000 crew members (disney language=cast members). The Disney crew comes from over 56 countries!! Very neat to meet all of them. They truly are the reason Dave and I chose Disney Cruise Line again, besides the magic of Disney! As you can see I have posted quite a few pics...at least you didn't get all 260 of them. Here we go...

"The Grand Dessert"-they had so much food and the detail was unreal!

Dave enjoying his desserts way too much!

This is basically how everything was presented to you.

This is a watermelon, cool huh?

MICKEY Waffles!!!!!

Our fantastic servers...

Hermant from India and Erwin from St. Thomas

The head Chef for Disney Cruise Line

One night they had a Pirates of the Caribbean Party.

Everyone dressed in their pirate wear and danced, ate, fireworks, etc.

The actual ship from Pirates of the Caribbean, which now sits

on Castaway Cay (Disney's Private Island)

The Golden Mickey's -- SOO fun!!

As I said before...the detail was amazing. This was

the dessert after "The Golden Mickey's"

Every night we saw a Broadway show...this was Cinderella!!

Minnie and us in our formal wear on formal night.

The one and only Belle---she was gorgeous!

Dave was in heaven here...

he thought Alice was pretty cute!

DOPEY!

Goofy being himself.

(this was at 8AM at the character breakfast, please excuse me!)

The Captain of the ship!!

CHIP! (the only reason you can tell is because his nose

is like a chocolate chip.)

We waited in this line forever!

The final show--Disney Dreams!

My Sexy Man!

Key West from deck 10 of the ship.

Yes the water was really this blue--amazing!

The guide told us you could see about 50 feet down!

One of the Cayman parrots

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, Grand Cayman

This was at the Mexican tequila factory in Cozumel.

Behind us to the left are all tequila plants.

Mayan Ruins---It was REALLY hot!

Freshly made Guacamole right in Mexico!-Yumo!