Trip to California

Ry and I returned from Malibu last night at 2 a.m. We are tired, sick, and are staring at the tons of sand covered laundry in our den floor. But being the blog addict that I am, I just had to post. We had a great time there seeing the sights, going to the wedding, the girls and I went to a spa, and of course the beach! Following tradition, Ryan got sick on Monday. I proceeded him last night on the plane. I became great friends with the airplane bathroom. (Too Much Info!) Here are a few of the pictures!

P.S. The only thing we know right now is that the wedding is airing on the WE channel in Febuary. I will post when I know more.

Miranda and I on our way to Cali!

The Beach
Miranda, Me, and Tobey even though it was very warm, the water was freezing. Ryan and Nate decided they were going to learn to surf. That plan didn't last long.
Katie, Miranda, Me, and Tobey
This sign was located in our hotel. The sign was in various places. All places were in very low traffic areas. Wonder why? Jeez.........

My birthday was on Saturday. We came back from Breakfast and this gorgeous arangement was in our room!!! Tobey, Miranda, and Nate sent me these for my birthday. The smell of the flowers literally filled the hallway to our room.

Before we left for the amazing Berk Williams Spa in Santa Monica. No make up!!

Yes, that is Tobey riding a bike. We ran into a fellow whom claimed to best friends with Batman, Spiderman, and various other hero's stunt men. This is his bike.
Mrs. Katie in her beautiful attire completed with a huge Tiffany's box heading to the wedding.

The guys in our stretch Hummer

The girls in the Hummer, with no A.C. I might add. 2.5 hr drive to the wedding. We came out looking a little partched

All the groomsman getting ready for photos
The wedding area


I thought this was an artsy photo op

Ryan and Erin walking down the aisle


Cam and Jenna

Post wedding at sunset, really hot and sweaty

Tobey and Nate

Ryan and one of his Best Friends Joe.
The Cake
Our Place CardsTable ScapeKatie, Kristen, and I. The three of us used to dance together at Sherry's School of Dance. We were a trio that performed every HerrinFesta during the Mayor's dinner, talent shows and other fine venues that the Herrinfest has to offer. ; )

The groomsman toasting for the fifth time

Cam and Jenna the Bride and Groom
On the beach after the wedding the waves were HUGE!
The ride home in the limo was hilarious! Here's Nate striking a pose with Tobey's sunglasses
Of course the night wouldn't be complete without Ryan falling asleep. I swear the music was as loud as it would go and the speakers were right behind his head.
Ryan and Nate went deep sea fishing. This is the orange fish he caught. About two hours pre-SICK!!! We went to the Santa Monica Pier the last nigth we were there. Ryan was a trooper even though he felt horrible. We were there at dusk.
On our last day there we went to Hollywood and Beverly Hills

Happy Birthday Courtney, Beth, and I

On Saturday Beth and I had our birthday. Courtney's was on the 19th of August. We got together the previous Wednesday night, had dinner, and caught up. Cade was the main entertainment of the evening. He is the happiest child I have EVER seen. He laughed and smiled the whole night. My stomach hurt the next day from laughing so hard the night before.

The mini cakes I had made for us. Of course a cupcake for Cade too!

He LOVED the carrots and corn we had for dinner. He kept eating and eating! He was playing "Where's Cade?"
Look at that smile!!!!
Hmmmm.... "What should I do?"
He pulled Tinley's tail (barely!) and Tinley hissed and took off!! Little Kitty liked Cade though. He would walk up to him and lay down a couple inches in front of him. I think Cade needs a kitten Beth and Ryan!
That would be a candle in Cade's hand. It was apart of Beth's gift and Cade decided he liked it more. He carried it around all night and pretended it was a car. Voorrrummm.....

So we tried to take this picture 5 times! Beth would say "Cade, Cade, look at mommy." He would laugh and it would make me laugh and then he would in turn look up at the crazy laughing lady and not at the camera.

The Foot and Football

So many people are asking us, "How is Ryan's foot doing?" Sorry I never posted the final update. Ryan had his port removed in his chest and went to oral antibiotics. Not too long ago he had the stitches taken out. In true Ryan fashion, he has improved his golf game significantly, and has consistantly won matches to place him closer to the Presidents match. All while the stitches were still IN I might add!

This weekend starts the Fantasy Football Madness. Ryan has been so excited about football starting that in some instances I have seen tears in his eyes. I know for the next several months I will hear the phrase "Da Bears", "Bears", "Ditka" chanting around this house like his own personal mantra. Fantasy football to me is like us girl playing Barbie dolls. We all fight about which one we wanted to be and then tell eachother how much prettier and better our dolls were than the other ones. Basically fantasy football is like that. They all gather in groups and "draft" (fight) about which player they want (tonight actually) and then they trash talk eachother the whole season about how the other teams are "Going Down!" For those who aren't up on the lingo that means, your going to lose sucker. Hey guys FYI the key word is "fantasy". Basically you're are all just playing Barbies. Only your Barbies are much uglier than the ones I used to play with!!

Pool Party!

Tonight we enjoyed Falan's parents pool. The kids loved it! We cooked out, ate too much, and of course took A LOT of photos! All the kids are getting so big this summer. Sophia is starting to talk in full sentences, Caden is going to Pre-K, Vance is trying to talk and Merrett is also going to school!

He is getting so big! Sophia and VanceShe LOVED Vance's Bumbo seat. She sat in it all night!Rockin the night away!Best Friends!Muscle time!!!!

Going Private

Alright, so I joined the bandwagon! Everyone else was going private with their blogs so I decided to also. Just to be on the safe side. There are a lot of weirdos out there!! So go ahead and bookmark the address or mark it as a favorite so you can have quick access to the link. I hope everyone is enjoying our last bit of summer! If I have left anyone out, and I know I have, please email me their address and I will add them! melisj1@hotmail.com

Evan's Concert

Last night was the big concert. We had a great turnout! I couldn't believe how many people would just walk up to our COTA table and just write a check to donate! I met so many wonderful people last night who have huge hearts and love this family! I even met a few who didn't know them at all but just saw the sign and wanted to come! I want to say a huge thanks to the COTA team, my wonderful parents (who were ushers), my wonderful husband (who was a kick but camera guy) and my wonderful friends who came to support! I know several friends who although weren't there have been there emotionally & even financially throughout this whole process! You know who you are! Thank You!The Merchandise TableHis Photo CollageMy Parents!

Falan, Tobey and I. Their husbands were there too!

Me and the camera guy. I think I look like a horse face in this photo, but I had to include it because I was so proud of my husband!

OH DEER!!!

We have had so many mornings when we wake up and there are deer just roaming our yard. It seems to be the same family. Because the two little baby deer are always with them. That was a first for me to see deer up that close. Well except for those evening when you come face to face with them because you are about to hit them with your car!!!! This experience was much more peaceful!

Happy Birthday Katie

We went out last weekend for Katie's pre-birthday. It actually fell on Monday. Happy Birthday Katie! Have a fun weekend in St. Louis you two.

The Windy City

I was in Chicago this week for work. Of course without a doubt I had to see Wicked! We had fabulous seats!!!! I had Sendi my trusty partner come along so I could once again create another Wicked addict. It's coming to St. Louis in December!! I can't wait to go again with about 15 other ladies!
Sendi and I. We both wore dresses that made us look about 8 months pregnant. The dresses lie!!!

Thursday night we went to Hugo's Frog Bar. It was the best steak I have ever had. This is Deena, one of our Bowling Green, KY reps. She couldn't look more like a Kentucky girl if she tried.
My partners and I
Friday afternoon. We were about to perform our Area "Skit". We were the best of course out of our whole district. Pig tails and make shift freckles from my ever trusty eyeliner I always have on hand!
Sendi and I Kevin and I. My partner in crime and comedy. Close up of my freckles. Not too sure what we were doing at this moment. I was just impressed with the freckle job I did on myself without a mirror!!

My boss Kelli brought each of us one of these little elephants from Africa. She just got back from a mission trip. She bought them from a little road side stand where the man hand carved all of them. It was a wonderful thoughtful gift!