Candace's Chronicles

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Because Everyone Needs a Surprise Birthday Party at Least Once!

Last weekend, my mom and I successfully threw my dad a surprise birthday party for his 65th birthday! It was soooooo much fun to do for him! He's never had one and I'm glad we were able to pull it off. The only kinks in the plan were the restaurant not having the food ready at the scheduled pick up time and horrible traffic! His brother and sisters all came, along with a nephew and one of his cousins. It was a fun family day!

I went a little crazy with the pictures :)

Cookies my cousin made

Great Uncle Ray loves babies!!!

Pop Pop and Jo Jo

Group picture with the selfie stick!!!

All the siblings

Siblings, spouses, and cousin :)

First Cousins!

Aunt Evelyn and I

Aunt Carolyn and I

Aunt Barbara, Chad, and I- she is too funny!

Great Aunt Dianne!

Effie trying to figure out what this "thing" is lol

KK and JJ!

Smile!

He is so cute!

Blow out the candles!!!

She is a real live baby doll!!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! We love you!!!

Monday, July 27, 2015

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

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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!