2013 Vacation

Back when we were on our Honeymoon, Josh and I decided that every year we should take one major vacation...with the intention it be around our anniversary. Last year it was supposed to be to Orlando and then this year would be a trip back to Jamaica. However, since we bought our house last year, we had to push back our plans. So, this year we saved our pennies and planned to take a trip to Orlando the first week of November. And what a week it was. We arrived early Sunday night to our hotel and didn't leave until Saturday afternoon. In a 6 day period we saw three different sets of family, went to FIVE theme parks, shopped at two outlet malls, and drove from Tennessee to Florida and back again. Talk about an action packed vacation. But it was sooo worth it.  Now for some pictures. We took a lot, how will I ever decide which to show????

In front of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom

The Everest roller coaster at Animal Kingdom

Do I really need to say??

 

Riding Aladdin's magic carpets

It took me 23 years...but I finally met her!

Yes....I made Josh wait 30 minutes for this moment in life.

This is what happens on the tea cups

Our future home

Speechless. Every time.

Rock-n-Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

aka MGM

L.O.V.E.

The Hulk roller coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure

Josh's  hero....or alter ego. Still not sure which.

Hogwarts!

Spiderman 3D movie ride

"AAAAHHH a dinosaur!"

Two year Anniversary dinner

 

And that's just SOME  pictures from my phone. We have tons more from my camera and Josh's camera....you would think it was our first time there. But we had a blast. It was great to share our anniversary in a place that we both adore and just to be able to have a whole week together. Here's to many more anniversary vacations in the future. Even if it's just for a couple days, as long as I have Josh to share them with, I don't care where we go.

 



Hi...remember me????

There is absolutely NO way it's been March since I last wrote anything. No way. I am terrible. Awful. The worst. Please forgive me??? I know what you are thinking...We've heard this story before. But I promise, I will REALLY try to not let you down again. Ok. So now that's been said and we have all forgiven me (right?)...where did I last leave you??? Oh my goodness. It was after our mini vacay to Atlanta. Ok...so let's just breeze through the last 7 months and we should be caught up on the major events.

APRIL
This sweet lil nugget was born.

 

Avery Grace Landis

April 12, 2013

8 lbs. 18 inches

 

 

MAY



 

We celebrated my mom and dad's birthdays.  Josh and  I also took a trip to Nashville to take AG's 1 month photos. Josh really wants to get started back into photography and doing portraits (for any of you who might need some pictures taken....such as holiday pictures...hint hint nudge nudge ) so it worked out well, Chris and Kittie got portraits of the baby and we got some for a portfolio. These are a few of my favorites...such a silly lil girl even at 1 month.

 





 Josh also had the opportunity to take some pictures of Rikki and her mom for mothers day. And it gave me a chance to catch up with both of them and Austin. Again, a few of my favorite pictures from that day.

 

 

 

JUNE



If I remember correctly, not a whole lot happened in June. We worked.... a lot. The Big Chill (where I work) celebrated it's 16th birthday. Oh, and Josh and I got to go to the final night of Riverbend to see our favorite band, O.A.R.

JULY
Work. Lame.
And another photo shoot in Nashville. 3 months!

AUGUST
More work. Even more lame.

SEPTEMBER
Josh's birthday!!!! YAAAY. Even though I had to work all weekend..we got to spend Sunday and Monday together to celebrate.

OCTOBER
AG turned 6 months! Chris and Kittie hosted a little half birthday for her. Unfortunately, Josh couldn't go because of work, so I got to play photographer. I think this might be one of my favorites from her party.

AG's party dress was made by her GiGi (my mom)

We also celebrated Halloween at the Big Chill. It's our last Halloween at the Market Street location...we will be moving to the north shore after the first of the year..so we went all out this year and had TWO parties. One the Saturday before Halloween and another on Halloween. I was a lion at one and a sailor girl the next.

Hmm..let's see what else happened in October......

Chris and Kittie announced they got MARRIED!

finally. hehe

 

And...that brings us up to date. Not a whole lot happened....but the stuff that did is pretty dern excitin'. Thanks for being patient with me! I'll have more coming as to our November activities (spoiler alert! We just got back from vacation!! )

Mini Vacay

Back in the beginning of the month Josh and I had a whole 4 days, that's right, FOUR DAYS,  off together, so we decided to take a mini vacation. Part of the reason we had all of those days off was because of a Dropkick Murphy's concert that I had bought tickets for back at Christmas. So, Monday morning afternoon we loaded up the car, dropped the girls off with my mom, and headed to the ATL. While we were down there, we decided to go visit The Wonderful World of Coca Cola (p.s. Josh HATED Beverly, and was a little upset with me for making him taste it. HAHAH...for those of you who have been there, you know exactly what I am talking about). Then we quick grabbed a bite to eat at the mid-town Vortex, so very, very yummy, and then we were off to the concert. We had a blast. Being that Josh comes from an Irish heritage, we loved the show. We missed the first opener, but the second opener was another Irish punk band from L.A. and then, it was time for some Dropkick, one of Josh's all time favorite bands. They played a great set, and it was fun to see everyone get really into the show (mosh pits, shoving, and jumping included).

The next day we decided to take in the Georgia Aquarium, which was quite impressive. Josh thought that our aquarium was a little bit bigger, but it was still an impressive place and VERY kid friendly with lots of touch and feel exhibits, and even most exhibits being quipped with an ipad, touchscreen type of thing to play little games or learn more information about the fish. We even got to see a dolphin show, granted it was totally directed towards the kiddos, it was really cool to see 5 dolphins swim around and do flips in sync. Right before we tried to find out way out of town, we drove over to see the Alpha Delta Pi headquarters, however, we just quick stopped for a picture out front of it, since Josh was with me, and I didn't make an appointment, I couldn't go in to see everything. One day though. Then, we circled Atlanta for what felt like hours until we finally found our way to the interstate.....just in time for rush hour. REALLY?!?! At this point I was getting quite hungry, and we all know that leads to crankiness, so Josh hopped on his phone and found an alternative route to the Joe's Crabshack that we were going to for dinner.

It was a great trip, even if it was just for one night, it was really good to get out of town and spend some time with each other. Hopefully we will be able to do it again soon. **fingers crossed**

Me in front of ADPi offices. I look funny because it was starting to rain.

 

Pictures from the Georgia Aquarium:

Jellies

 

 

Albino Gators

 

Octopus, from Alaska I think.

 

Lion fish?? Maybe.

 

Whale sharks, rays, and other fish

 

More Jellies

 

 

As soon as I figure out how to get figure out how to get pictures off of my phone, I'll add some from the Coca Cola museum and the concert.

 





March Goals

Alright my friends, I don't have a lot of goals for this month, but I feel like I'll have the luck o'the Irish on my side and that I can get everything (and maybe some extra) stuff done. Hopefully there won't be any mischievous leprechauns hanging around my house to create extra messes for me, but we will see. Here's what I have planned so far:

-Read..I really would like to make this a daily habit.
-Mini Vacay, including Dropkick Murphy Concert
-Print and Organize 2013 binder
-Finish and submit taxes
-Get roof estimates and figure out finances
-Print those dadgum pictures!
-Work on guest room
-Hopefully welcome our sweet baby niece to the family!!

It is a lot of repeat stuff, but I'm bound and determined to get this stuff done! I know I can.

February Recap

Let's see how February was for the O'Dell household....here's what I wanted to get done, in case you (kinda like myself...hint hint) forgot:

-Read at least 1 hour a day
-Finish 2013 family binder
-Print wedding/engagement pictures
-Keep up with menu plans
-Work on guest bedroom (finish wallpaper removal, price all pieces to start bringing it back together)
-Plan out debt payments (I want all credit card debt paid off in a year...so, that will require careful calculations)
-Host Super Bowl Party
-Chris and Kittie's baby shower in Nashville (it's almost time for sweet little girl to be here!!!!!)

Now let's look at that list again, but with what DID get done:

-Read at least 1 hour a day
-Finish 2013 family binder
This is sorta kinda done. I have all the pages ready, the just have to be printed. I might get the 2013 binder ready by the time 2014 gets here.
-Print wedding/engagement pictures
HA. Ok...I have some in a folder ready to print, and then Josh and I went last week and purchased a few more frames...so, I just have to get pictures picked out. There's just too many to choose from!!! How in the world am I supposed to pick?!?!
-Keep up with menu plans
-Work on guest bedroom (finish wallpaper removal, price all pieces to start bringing it back together)
I have a list of all that I need, or think I need for this room, however, I have not done anything to actually work in it or start budgeting and price shopping. Although I do have a max dollar amount in mind.
-Plan out debt payments (I want all credit card debt paid off in a year...so, that will require careful calculations)
-Host Super Bowl Party
-Chris and Kittie's baby shower in Nashville (it's almost time for sweet little girl to be here!!!!!)

And to add to the list, I got to enjoy a lovely brunch with Sarah and her family and other friends to welcome her new baby. I have a post written about it, just have to get pictures on it, then you can read all about it!

Ok. So February was super productive, but considering we only had 28 days.....a lot did get done. And, now it's already six days into March, so I better get busy, right?! Right. But what am I gonna do?? I'll let you know as soon as I know.

Nashville Baby Shower

This past Saturday, my mom and I piled a TON of presents into her car and drove to Nashville for Kittie's first baby shower. Four of her friends in Nashville hosted the shower and did a wonderful job. Ten of us gathered to honor Kittie and dote on her. She got a lot of great things that will come in great use for when sweet baby girl (still no name) is here. Now for the pictures...they tell the story a lot better than I could.

After the presents were opened we all enjoyed each others company...and things got a little crazy with songs written in honor of Kittie and a little bit of a fashion show. Lots of laughs and love. The perfect baby shower. Congrats Kittie! We can't wait to meet that precious little girl!!