Quick catch up!

 Evan decided he wanted to learn to tie a tie by himself.  So, he did....in about 15 minutes.  When he sets his mind to something, it's gonna happen!

 Some days its a real accomplishment to leave the house dressed with hair and makeup done and on time.  Today was one of those days:)

 Evan has a girlfriend.  And social media makes it so much different than when I was a kid.  Man crush Monday and Woman crush Wednesday and killing me!!  But, I'm glad at least I can see it all!

 Blake took the ACT Explorer test at school this year.  He  made a 23.  That's the same score that he made on the real ACT, so I think it just reinforces the fact that he's a genius!!  I love that boy!!

And that's what is going on around here this week!

Big Cedar Weekend

 Travis is on the Arkansas AIA board this year as the secretary and convention chair.  He's gonna be BUSY!  But, one of the perks is a planning retreat at Big Cedar.  Of course, I tagged along!  We had a great weekend!  We had an amazing dinner Thursday night.  Friday morning I slept in and then got up and took my time getting ready!!  After Travis's meetings we drove into Branson and did a little shopping.

 We came back that afternoon, took a little nap, and then got ready for the "swearing in" banquet that night.

 LoVe HIM!!!

 Getting sworn in!

 One of the best parts of Big Cedar is all the authentic outdoorsy decor.  There were a LOT of animals in our room.  I made friends with this one;))

 Saturday morning I got up and checked out while Travis was in a meeting.  I found an amazing porch with a rocking chair and a beautiful view and worked on my Bible Study for the week.  "Unglued" by Lysa Terkeurst is one of the best I've ever done.

 On our way out of Branson we stopped and had the "greatest BBQ sandwich ever" at a gas station.  Travis has been telling us about it for years.  He had stopped there with some buddies one time after playing golf.  I finally got to have one and it was pretty tasty!

 Beau stayed with Nana and Papa, so we stopped to pick him up.  Nana convinced us to stay and go to the Razorback basketball game that afternoon!  Beau was excited!

 It was SO fun!  I have been to very few games at Bud Walton since the college days.

 A little blurry, but I sure do love them!!

We had a great weekend!  It is so nice to get away with my sweetie, even if I have to share him with the work world part of the time!

January Cotilion ~ New Year New You!

January Cotillion was this past weekend.  Miss Teen USA Lauren Weaver came to speak.  Both my boys were a little mesmerized:)

Evan had fun even if he wont admit it!

My dancing gentleman:)

Blake truly loves Cotillion!  I LOVE to watch him in his element!

A fun technique they tried out that night!  Someday he and Mary will laugh at this!

A good night for my boys!  Learning to be Southern gentlemen!!

Life & and a Re-Do!

 Nonnie and Poppy have been working very hard on their garage.  Poppy has it set up again as a workshop.  He moved all the re-loading stuff out there.  Beau LOVES to re-load.  Poppy has taught him how to do it and he is SO proud that he can help!

 Evan's team got their new baseball jerseys this week.  He's super excited...and so am I!!!

 I picked up my phone the other day and found a couple of Evan "selfies".  Crazy boy!!

 One morning after the big boys left for school Beau told me he was going to fix me breakfast.  This is what he brought me:)  So sweet!

 I bought a table from Sherry that was from her Granny's house.  It was the perfect size for an empty corner in my dining room.  It just needed a facelift.  I called my crafty painting friends Sherry and Amy and got some instructions.  It took me a while to get the look I wanted.

In the end, I think it turned out perfectly!  I love it....and my little photo bomber!!

 I LOVE my texts with Blake.  He truly is one of a kind!!

Evan did a "clay-mation" project in GT.  He created clay characters and a backdrop and made film.  It was about 30 seconds long but really good!!  I just love Mr. Clow and GT!!

And that's what has been going on around here!

Lately...

 We had some work to do in the backyard, and Beau wanted to help.  He got his digger and his new shovel and went to work!

 

There is nothing he loves more than playing in the dirt and moving it around!!

 Nana & Papa got the boys a funnel cake maker for Christmas and so Evan broke it out and gave it a try!  They were SO yummy!!  Tasted just like a funnel cake from Silver Dollar City!!

Evan's team got their new uniforms and Beau had to model one of the new hats;)

 An Evan "selfie" I found on my phone one day!  Ha:)

 Beau Beau LOVES puzzles SO much.  He also loves to dress up every now and then.  He's so stinkin' cute!!

This  was a text I got from Blake one day after church.  He didn't have the emoticons on his phone, so he improvised.  Crazy boy!

Beau and Whitney finally got to have their first sleepover!!  They have been talking about it for months.  We met Sharon in Alma and Beau headed to Fayetteville with them.  They had a blast!!  They slept great.  Beau slept in the floor on a pallet next to Whitney's bed.  I LOVE these kidoos and their sweet friendship!

Chelsea's Wedding Shower

 My sweet, dear friend Chelsea is getting married!!  She and her fiance Spencer are getting married in Texas, so I really wanted her to at least have a shower here in Arkansas.  Spencer came in for the weekend and it turned out so good!  I'm so excited for them and for their new life together!  Ahhh....young love:)

 Chelsea and Spencer with all the hostesses.

 Chelsea took care of Beau & Hayden in the nursery for years!  And, she worked at Geno's and we would go visit her there VERY regularly.  She also taught middle school with us for the past year.  Our lives have intertwined in so many ways.  I will miss her so much, but I'm so happy for her and Spencer!!

 She is going to be a beautiful bride and future Mrs. Jones!!

Happy Wedding Chelsea & Spencer!!!

Blake is LEGAL!!!

 Well, it's finally happened....we have a DRIVER!!  Blake took his written driving test for the first time and PASSED!  I'm very proud of him!!

 It's time to get serious about learning to drive!!  This is a major milestone for him and for me.  It's hard to believe that my baby is old enough to drive!!!

I couldn't be more proud of Blake!  Good job bud!!