Walking In Memphis....

Round 2 of family to Memphis....we had 1 day to recover, change the sheets and wash the towels and Pa and Ro Ro Noble flew into Memphis. We had a couple of days with them before Carl and Jaime came into town. Saturday morning before Carl and Jaime arrived, we went to The Peabody to see the ducks walk in. That is always fun - Ethan wants to go all the time. It was the day of the Liberty Bowl - so the players were all staying at The Peabody, so it was packed. But we still had a great time and enjoyed the hotel and a little shopping afterwards. After Carl and Jaime arrived we went to Corky's BBQ (Mark and I hadn't eaten there in months....we've now had it 4 times in a week) and then the group (I took the kids home for a nap) went to Graceland. They had so much fun and really enjoyed the tour. They still use all of Elvis' Christmas decorations inside and outside the house. I was disappointed I didn't get to go, but I did NOT want to take either child with us....so come visit me sometime soon so I have a reason to go to Graceland.

Mark cooked chicken Parmesan and homemade Alfredo and that was our Christmas dinner together. Then we all had fun opening presents. Ethan actually opened all of our gifts for us - he got into it this time. After our Christmas together, I had made a caramel cake for Ro Ro's birthday (which was Christmas Eve), so we sang to her and celebrated her birthday. Ethan also loves birthdays!


New Year's Eve we just couldn't decide what to do. I am in a family of poor decision makers...well, I'll just say that Mark and Carl aren't the best at making decisions....so after going back and forth about going out or staying in, eating out or eating in...we finally made a decision and started our night out on Beale Street. Mark and I had not been down there - it was a lot of fun and we want to go back! We stayed there for a little while and enjoyed some good food and some great music. Then our friends Amy and Dave were having a little get together to watch the Auburn/Clemson game, so we headed to Mud Island for that. After the game and after watching that crazy guy make his motorcycle jump in Vegas, we headed to Donnie and Cathy's house to end our night. Carl and Jaime had to get up early New Year's Day morning to get to the airport, so we made it an early night....well, we got home and Nina decided she wanted to stay up until 4am. Happy New Year's Mommy! Carl and Jamie left that morning and then Pa and Ro Ro left that afternoon. While we were sad to see them go....we're happy that our house is now vacant!

2007 was a great year for us! We're looking forward to 2008 - Ethan turns 3 and Nina turns 1 and my dad turns..._0! Mark is still loving being at FedEx and has some great opportunities in the training department - who knows where that will take him...or us. We'll be going to Mexico in June for Carl and Jaime's wedding and we are certainly looking forward to that trip! We wish all of our friends and family a very Happy New Year!!! Come visit us in Memphis!!Mommy with Ethan and Nina visiting the famous Peabody DucksDaddy and Ethan on the roof of The Peabody

Enjoying the wonderful Corky's BBQ
Graceland
Doesn't this make you want to redo your tv room????
Carl....being Carl

Ethan and Mommy making the last batch of 7 layer bars for the year

Aunt Jaime with Ethan and Nina - notice Ethan's adorable outfit Ro Ro got him at a children's boutique we found here in Memphis....maybe I won't have to rely on over the phone shopping at Mud Pies so much anymore???!!!
Enjoying Mark's wonderful cooking
Carl spoiled Nina - she would belly laugh at him and it was so funny!
It was a John Deere tractor year for Ethan...he loves his tractors and trailers!!!
How cute are these caterpillars that cousin Erica made for Ethan and Nina! So cute and they love them - thank you Erica!!!Nina sporting Daddy's new bike helmet from Carl and Jaime - he got a bike for Christmas/BirthdayThis is a funny story...after Ro Ro's visit in October, she left this vest hanging in our laundry room. I forgot to tell her she left it...so when Mark was talking to his dad about what she wanted for Christmas, he told Mark that she wanted a new vest because she had lost her blue one...I then remembered it was hanging in our laundry room - so I wrapped it up and gave it to her. It was a Ro Ro moment for sure!!Ethan singing for us with his new microphone - I thought you were supposed to imagine your audience in their underwear...not actually do it yourself?!?!
Nina LOVED playing with the bows and paper - cheap entertainment

Pa and Ro Ro gave Ethan a sit and spin
Ethan's surprised face
Pa helping Ethan as fast as he can open the new tractors
On our way out the door...Happy 2008!!!