A Relaxing Summer

     Summer 2015 is quickly coming to an end. I have to say, I've had the most relaxing summer! I've mostly spent a lot of it at my parents' house. It was truly refreshing to my soul!!! I love getting to have some quality time with my parents and the occasional visit with my brother, sister-in-law, and new niece! I also got to meet up with a couple of my friends and meet some new babies. It's been raining babies this summer lol! 
     On Father's Day weekend, I really wanted to surprise my dad with something special and different. My parents rarely go out to eat. So, I decided to take them to Outback Steakhouse! I told him we were going to a painting class hahahaha! He was not excited. But as soon as we pulled into the parking lot and saw where we really were going he had the biggest smile on his face! We had a fabulous dinner and he even ordered the Chocolate Thunder From Down Under which is a conundrum to me because he claims he doesn't like chocolate! LOL. I'm so glad I was able to do this for them. 
     On the Fourth of July, we spent the day with my brother, sister-in-law, and niece. Then we went to the annual fireworks show that never disappoints! It was a fun day. 
     Other things I did over the summer included working on my butterfly quilt top and school projects. This break has flown by and I can't believe I'll soon be starting my 7th year as a school speech pathologist! I feel refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated. Summer has worked its magic once again. 

Sleepy Effie

With my friend Merrill

Effie sleeps again

Coke family minus Daddy and slight misspelling of Candace

Me and Mama

Happy Father's Day!

Outback!

Steak!

Chocolate Dessert, yummy!

Summer baby number 2!

Selfie

Happy Fourth of July!

Fireworks

The apple was my fave!

Lunch with Merrill

Summer baby number 3!

My Alma Mater. So beautiful!

KK fashion show :)

Lovely Mama and Effie Pooh :)

Love my sweet Effie!!!

Daddy loves her too!

She sleeps with her head on a pillow lol!

There is always a silver lining to every cloud

Longwood and Windsor Ruins

     My parents and I went to Natchez one day. We had a picnic lunch on the Mississippi River and then went to visit Longwood. My dad said he always wanted to tour it. He told us that it was never finished. My mom and I were like, "Why in the world would you want to see an unfinished antebellum home?!" But, it really was so interesting!! It was built right at the time the Civil War started. There are 5 stories, but only the bottom floor is finished. The workers had to go back to the North when the war started. If they had finished it, it would have been really grand!  It is octagonal in shape and has a rotunda. I am so proud of myself too because I asked the tour guide several questions! 4 years ago, I would have never done that!!! :)
     On the way back, we took a detour to see the Windsor Ruins, a landmark of a grand home in the middle of nowhere. Kinda tricky to find, but we eventually made it. The only thing that is still there are HUGE columns. Unfortunately, it burned down from a lit cigar. I've always wanted to see it and I'm glad I got to go. It was raining and extremely muddy, but I managed to get some pictures. Overall, we had a fun day!

On the way

Old Man River, keep on rolling....

So pretty

Looking up in the rotunda

No zip codes

The workers' tools

Looking down through skylight

Love this!

Will you look at that? Chevron was around in the 1860s!

To Be Loved

     Last week, my friend Rachel and I went to see the amazing Michael Buble in concert!!! I have always wanted to see him and was finally able to! I absolutely love his music. The concert was fantabulous! The opening band was Naturally 7, an extremely talented a cappella group that blew my mind! Then Mr. Buble made his grand appearance with the song Fever and flames on stage! We had floor seats and one row behind us was a second stage. He was sooo close! I really got into it at that point and started to sing along and dance---just a little! Towards the end, heart shaped confetti fell from the ceiling. It was such a fun night! It all ended too soon. I could have listened to him all night!!!