The Next Goal....

So several weeks back, I competed in the Wet Dog Triathlon out at Point Mallard. By far, it was one of the biggest fitness challenges I have ever completed. So the next day, on Sunday, I was still feeling pretty good about myself...king of the world kinda thing...when my friend Cristi from church came up to ask me about the race. I told her all the details, and she asked me if I would run with her in a half marathon in October. Why the heck not...I mean, I was still on the runner's high from the day before and felt like superman. However, this morning (SATURDAY) when the alarm went off at 5:45 a.m., I was not feeling like superman. In fact I felt like death. But Cristi was meeting me to run at 6:00 a.m., and there was no turning back. What was actually nice, was that the time goes by so much faster when you have someone to run with. We chatted the whole time which was amazing to me, because normally I am having to use all my energy to focus on breathing and not passing out. :) So keep your fingers crossed we can get through all this training!!

Babies Everywhere!!

This past weekend, I attended one of my great friends in high school's baby shower. Julia is pregnant with a little boy that is due in the next couple of weeks. It was nice for us all to be together, because we rarely see each other. She is one of those pregnant girls that makes you sick...the really cute ones that don't look pregnant at all...anywhere but their stomach, and even that just looks like they ate at a buffet. Anyways, enough of that....I am really excited for her!!

My little nub is growing up...

This past weekend, we attended my nephew Steven's first jamboree football game at Austin High School. I can't believe he is old enough to play football! Anyways, I decided to take some shots of him....long story....I told David that I would like for him to give me some photography lessons the other day. I mean, he always has to be the one to shoot the pictures, and I would just like to learn how to do it. So, he told me he would love to teach me...the conversation then went like this:

David: "You know the only way this will work..."
Anna: "How?"
David: "You have to admit that on at least this ONE subject, that I know more than you..."
Anna: "Nevermind...I will teach myself..."

At least my pictures are in focus!! :)
*And to give credit...David took a few of these...*













I am so proud of you!!

Ahhh...Date Night!

My hubby has been gone for the past few days at the Space Shuttle launch, so when he got back into town yesterday, we decided to have an impromptu date night at Bridge Street. We had one of those Eats and Seats tickets where you got to eat in the restaurant inside the theater and then watch a movie. I have never eaten in their restaurant, and it was really good. The waitress tried to seat us at this coffee table looking thing, and when I told her that we were there to eat dinner, she kind of looked at me like I was an idiot. She said we could eat there...I said, no thanks, I would like a full size table...if I wanted to eat dinner on a coffee table hunched over, I would have stayed at home! :) Anyways, we had dinner, walked around Bridge Street and went to the bookstore for a little while before going in to see our movie. I have heard such good things about "Inglorious Bastards," so we decided to give it a try...it was very strange to me. I mean, it wasn't awful, but not one I would see again. I'm sure for most people it would be like an awesome movie, but it was a little too weird for us, not to mention it like almost 3 hours long! Anyways, we are a little sleepy this morning, but the night was well worth it!

Weekend Fun!

On Friday night, David and Lori played downtown for their 3rd Friday of the month event on Bank Street. The event has really grown since the first time they played there and the weather was perfect for a night outside. I was super excited though when Lindsey called and said they were coming. First of all, I didn't know she was in town, and secondly, she and John Robert drove up from Birmingham for the event which was super nice. Nothing is better than having one of your best friends pop in for a surprise visit!! After David played, we all headed to Maria Bonita for a little dinner and catch up! They had this band playing inside, and I'm sure they were good, but it was waaayyy too loud to be inside, so we opted for a table outside which was nice. We re-hashed old memories....here are a few of the favorites from the evening...(**please remember that these are just brief descriptions of the event...they each deserve their own blog posting, and shouldn't be taken out of context**)

1. The night Caroline kissed Jennifer
2. Las Vegas
3. Pat O'briens
4. Memories from Lakeview

Ahhh...the memories!

Here are some shots from the night!

Steven enjoying the show....










Me and John Robert in our matching Polo shirts...and no we did not plan this! :)

Happy Birthday Junior League!!!

On Thursday night, Junior League celebrated its 60th birthday at the Sexton Building on the river. That place is absolutely gorgeous, and is a perfect venue for parties! I went and picked up my date, Meg, and off we went. It was pouring down rain, but a little rain won't keep these two girls from a party!! JW's catered the event and the food was great as well. I think my favorite was the spinach dip...it was different than most spinach dips I have had before. Anywho, Meg had never been in the top of the building, so I took her up to the top, in the dark mind you, so she could admire the most beautiful view in Decatur. That is one thing about my Meg...she and I can have fun in a cardboard box...or in the dark, trying to find the top of the building. Whenever we get together we laugh the entire time and have so much fun. I am so glad that she is my co-chair for horse show this year and I can't wait to help her with American Girl. Enough of my ramblings...here are some shots from the night!!

Me and Meg...

More Vacation Shots...

Ahh..the turkey leg




Eating at Crabby Bills....it was really yummy!


This was the first time I had ever eaten at the Rainforest Cafe...it was really good and cool on the inside...




This was one of the highlights of my trip...the Candy Cauldron. Last time we went, I couldn't bring myself to spend $9.00 on a candy apple, but after we left, I thought about it for like 2 years. So, I broke down and got one. Best decision EVER!!



We cut in line in front of some kids to get our picture made with the super hero. :)




David starting to wear down after a long day at Universal...is that a fake smile I see??




We always like to eat somewhere classy when we are on vacation...you know, a real unique place, that is unique to the area. We found this little Italian bistro that was to die for...you may recognize it....it's the OLIVE GARDEN!! :) Sometimes you just go with what you know will be good!


After a long day, we were tuckered out!! We had a great trip!

The Vacation

We really had a great time on our vacation, minus our short run in with the law!! David and I have taken cruises for the last couple of years for several reason:
1. You don't have to plan anything...get on the boat and everything is done for you..
2. I feel like I can truly relax...I feel guilty laying around in a hotel room, like I should be out doing something...
3. No one gets in touch with you...which I LOVE!!

Well, we wanted a change of pace, so we went to Orlando with a place to stay and that was about it. We didn't have a plan, we made it as we went. We stayed in this beautiful Holiday Inn Resort, which is actually a timeshare place that has like 2400 acres. It was really nice, probably a little more than what we needed, but I'm not complaining. Day one...we checked in to our villa..



And David took an aggressive stance showing off the jacuzzi tub...


We played in the lazy river, which was fabulous!!




We then headed out for a nice dinner...




(I have somehow along the way adopted David's theory of "don't take the same boring picture with the same boring smile..."


Then we headed off to this place called Jelly Rolls which is a dueling piano bar. It was so much fun!!

***I would like to make the disclaimer that in no way will Jelly Rolls ever be as fabulous as the night all the Phi Mu's spent in New Orleans at Pat O'briens, but it was fun!***

David Higginbotham: The Next American Idol

So down at Disney, they have this thing called The American Idol Experience. Let me tell you, it is just about as close to the real thing as it gets. The winner of it gets a golden ticket to go to any American Idol Audition in the country and go to the front of the line. So, David competed in it...did a fabulous job, winning his first show, and then coming in 1st runner up in the finale. I was so proud. I always knew he was talented, but it was nice to see all the other people see how great he is! Here are some shots and a bootleg video I made...hope I don't go to prison!!

After the first audition...




Signing autographs and kissing babies!! :)

3 Years Ago Today....

I married my best friend at the Princess Theater. We had a really nice wedding and everyone enjoyed it...I woke up to this lovely breakfast this morning prepared by my sweet husband!





I don't know if I ever put this video on my blog from our wedding...check it out. It is really neat! David of course put it together! Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!!

"Where are your weapons?"

If any of you have been to Orlando, you would have seen the many hot air balloons out in front of gas stations and businesses that say "We Buy Used Tickets...Discount Disney Tickets Available." So, David and I decided to buy our tickets from one of these places. We go in, there are several other people in the store buying tickets, and we are waiting our turn. David takes a phone call, otherwise I would have been in mid purchase when I hear a booming voice behind me....I turn around and dressed out in full swat team gear are a handful of policeman. They immediately ask the guys selling the tickets behind the counter, "WHERE ARE YOUR WEAPONS????" I meanwhile, am still in shock wondering if I am going to prison...David is frozen as well. Why in the world would the ticket salesman have weapons?? Hmmm....what to do?? David said his first instinct was to grab my hand and run. To which I told him, "Well I am glad you didn't do that because the cops first instinct would have been to tackle us." So, we are standing there and they go behind the counter and start handcuffing the people. What in the crap is going on???? Is it illegal to buy used tickets? If so, why are there balloons up EVERYWHERE advertising it? It's not like the balloons say "FREE CRACK INSIDE" its Disney tickets for goodness sake!! So, after a few tense moments, David leans over to the police officer and says...."UUMMMM....so like, can we go??" He releases and we go off to the park and happily pay full price for our Disney tickets. The lesson to be learned...just pay full price, otherwise, you and some sketchy ticket salesmen could be spending a lot more time together!! :)