Round 2!

OK, I am taking another crack at blogging.  Life is so busy but I want to be able to look back and take a trip down memory lane every now and then.  So here goes my second attempt at blogging!

Baba turns 80!
At the end of March my grandfather (Baba) turned 80 so we all headed down to the lake for a weekend of family and fun!

Cousins with the birthday boy and Kaki!!

He just told me he is 80!  haha  I don't believe him! #onlyasoldasyoufeel

#80looksgood

His cake... he opened a firehouse at the lake and has made it a hobby!

Gotta have a picture of this handsome husband of mine!  #keeper

Mom lost the water balloon fight!  

Such a fun weekend with family!  I am so thankful for these people and the joy they bring to my life!

Sunday we headed up to Huntsville for Easter at Mimi's... We had a great day hunting Easter eggs and egg toss.  

Summer Brain

I have been so bad about updating my blog!!  I have a terrible case of "summer brain" and have been enjoying every minute of it!!  One of the best things about being a teacher is summer break.  Yes, I love my kiddos, I enjoy every single day of the school year and watching them grow.... but let's be honest... summer is THE BEST!!!

Anyway, I have missed a few events of our lives that I want to share!!

First, our annual family Leberte (my mom's side) beach trip!  Every year for the last, I think we decided 29 years, there has been a beach trip!  It's such a great tradition and one we hope to keep going for many more years to come.  We had a great time this summer!  The weather wasn't perfect but that gave me time to make my way through season 2 of SCANDAL!!  I started watching it before we left for the beach (recommend by my friend Virginia) and I was hooked!  My cousin, Sam, also loves it so we were able to spend some quality time together during the rain.  Then the sun came out and we spent 7 hours straight on the beach!  Such a fun way to spend the day with my mom!

 Cousins with our grandfather... minus a few 

 Beach selfie

Setting up the tent

Next, our TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!  I cannot believe we have been married for two years!!!  It has been wonderful and I love everyday I spend with Ardell more and more.  He is such an incredible person and brings so much joy to my life.  He makes me laugh every day and makes my heart so full!  I love you Ardell!!

Bruno Mars!  My dad surprised us with awesome tickets to see Bruno Mars!  We had such a great time.  That guy puts on one heck of a show!!  

Last but definitely not least, Fathers Day!  We spent Fathers Day at the Halstons with all the dads in the family!  It was such a fun day filled with love and laughter.  My family might be crazy but we have a great time together.  I am so thankful the Halstons have accepted my family and enjoy spending time with them as much as I do.  We are so thankful for our dad's and value their love and support more than they could ever know!  

Well, I think we are all caught up!  

Mother's Day!

Let me begin with a picture that I think sums up the meaning of motherhood.  

Let's set aside for a minute all the things that come along with being a mother... Things like helping with homework, driving kids all over creation, providing meal after meal and snack after snack (or in our family... pop tart after pop tart), passing out bandaids, or even just kissing a boo boo to make it feel better, laundry, housekeeping, PTO, and all the everyday things that seem to come so naturally to mothers.  

The thing that makes mothers different from one another is the love they have for their children.  Its a love that kids only feel from their own mother.  A sense of security and loyalty.  It's knowing you will have that love for ever and no matter what you do you could never make your mother stop loving you.  

Not only does my mother have that love for the three of us... she has also shown that love for her newest child... Ardell.  Now all four of us feel her love everyday!  

It doesn't stop there though... You see, my mom has this gift of making us laugh until our stomach hurts.  She has passed on so many "nannyisms" as we call them.  These are phrases we live by.  Things like... "scratch where it itches unless it's in your britches" or "when the party gets rough put your panties on and go home" and my all time favorite and perhaps the one that got me through life and I plan to pass on to my kids... "put your big girl panties on and deal with it!"    Yep, my mom imparted so much wisdom in me... it's because of her I made it through my teenage years ;)

Ok, so she loves us unconditionally and she makes us laugh... but thats not all.

It's because of her we have amazing memories to share with one another still today.  We look back on our childhood and laugh uncontrollably.  She gave us a wonderful life and prepared us to create our own wonderful lives as adults.  Now, even though we are all grown up and no longer live under her roof... we can still get together and act like children.  She still keeps us in line... and we keep her in line from time to time.  But the bottom line is... she loves us more now than she ever has.  Her love for us continues to grow everyday and we continue to make memories that will last the rest of our lives.  

We love you mom!!  Thank you for being our Mother!!!!!

Easter at Mimi's

One of my most  vivid childhood memories, and perhaps the reason I am the FRIENDS fanatic that I am, is driving to Mimi and Grandbob's house on Easter while watching the newest season of FRIENDS on DVD.  It happened every year like clockwork, the Easter bunny always put the most recently released season of FRIENDS in someones Easter basket, we went to church then loaded up and drove to Huntsville.  I can still hear my parents..."If you drive there... I will drive back" and whoever wasn't driving was in the backseat with us kids watching TV.
(See... I come by it naturally)

Anyway, each year we went to Mimi's and had Easter lunch with our family.  As our family has grown and spread out (some as far as Texas) it is harder to gather everyone in the same place.  However, this year the Delgreco/Halston clan went to Mimi's.  Part of the Lebertes were there too!  It was so nice to be back and share the day with our family.

Kind of funny - this time it was my "mom car" we took and actually opted out of watching a movie so my brother could study.... WHAAAAAAT????

Here is our selfie on the way to Huntsville.

When we arrived we were greeted with open arms and immediately escorted to the appetizer table... just what we needed ;)

Mimi had worked so hard to prepare a wonderfully delicious meal and we came hungry, as always!

Here is the "old lady" cooking' away!  (She calls herself that)

After lunch and wonderful conversation, Mimi and Mom informed us that they had stuffed and hidden 99 eggs in her backyard.  WOOHOO!!!!   

Side Note: Ardell and Derrick cheated and peaked before lunch... just sayin'.

Anyway, we all went outside to hunt eggs.  No, we are not too old or too proud to hunt eggs.  Even the "grown ups" participated because the "kids" couldn't find them all.  Pathetic I know!

Here are a few candids of the hunt... Oh and Derrick found the Golden Egg... I know everyone is wondering!!!

This is my husband diving under a bush... he takes this seriously!

Some people (cough cough) DERRICK are mean and steal other peoples eggs.

Uncle Mark and Mimi joined Ardell's team.

So Kristi joined mine!

Last but not least... here are our family pics!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed family, friends and the beautiful weather as much as we did!

Ardell and I with Mom and Derrick

Blair is Getting MARRIED!!!!

As promised, you are going to meet one of my family members right now.  Her name is Blair, she is my cousin and we are seven weeks apart.  We grew up very close even though we have always lived away from each other.  Through holidays, family beach trips and many other causes for celebration we were reconnected as though we had never been apart.

Now, Blair is getting married!!!!  This past weekend was her bachelorette party in Disney.  Let's just say this chick knows how to have a good time.  Sadly, I got the FLU right before the trip and was not able to make it... horrible timing!!

I thought it only appropriate to share some photos and memories of the bride to be on her last "hoorah" before she ties the knot.

Being the the oldest of our cousins, Blair always kept us in line and when I say in line I mean In - LINE.  She was the leader of our pack and somehow never got in trouble for the things she made us do. ;)  Here are a few shots of our childhood...enjoy.

Cute, weren't we??

Now, on a semi serious note,... I am beyond happy for you Blair!! You are an incredible person inside and out and I know you and Bryan are going to make each other so happy!  I can't wait watch as you start your lives together as a married couple!!

Now I have prepared a little something in honor of your big day... which is right around the corner!!!




Please read the following to the tune of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Now, this is a story all about how
my older cousin got ready to take her vows
I'd like to take a minute so just sit right there
Ill tell you all about a girl we like to call Blair.

In the state of Alabama born and raised
 on the guit-ar is where she spent most of her days
chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
and teaching her younger cousins a thing or two.
When a man named Bryan whose intentions were good
started making Blair feel the way she should
he asked one little question and Blair said yes
their life story begins with them and all their pets.

They bought a house tight after they got engaged
 and they said to the condo "first home, see ya lata"
They looked at their house, they were finally there
to start their new life, just Bryan and Blair.



Love you Cuz!!!!

*Another blog to come from the wedding... CAN'T WAIT!!  2 weeks!!

Spring Break 2014

We did not travel for spring break this year.  So I decided to do some things around the house.  My list quickly turned into a "jam packed" week.  The kind of list you make and think to yourself "I am going to be super productive this week" when in reality you accomplish less than half of what you intended.  OR the kind of list that consists of crafts and recipes you found on Pinterest one morning while sipping coffee and feeling highly motivated.  Either way, my list was LONG!!!

I decided to take it one day and one task at a time.  First project... organize the pantry!  I chose this task first because our pantry had become a death trap.  We couldn't retrieve anything from it without dodging falling objects or just giving up on what we were looking for.  L&L also liked to sneak in there when mom or dad left the door open to eat crumbs, dust, etc off the floor.  GROSS!  Needless to say... it was time for a makeover!  I went to Walmart to pick up some organizing materials I saw on Pinterest of course!! Guilty!!  I scanned the kitchen isles for a good 25 minutes trying to piece together some type of system of organization... a harder task than I thought.  Once I had decided on my plan of action I came home and removed EVERYTHING from the pantry.  The dogs (L&L) were watching me in shear terror.  I think they were thinking we were moving again...thank goodness that was not the case.  I assured them mom was just taking control of the situation that was our pantry.  Here is a picture of the finished product... I will not show the before pictures as I don't want to lose readers this early in my blogging career.  Pantry...check!

Next up, the closet.  Yes, I am one of those people who throws clothes on the floor when I decide not to wear them instead of hanging them back where I found them... don't tell my mom!!  After a few days, I have unknowingly created a bed for L&L to sleep on while I am getting ready.  Not exactly my intention and I would rather they didn't!!  Closet...check! While I was in there I also gave our master bathroom a little spit shine!

 

Last, the kitchen bench!  We have a bench under the windows in our kitchen that serves as seating for the wall side of our table.  When we built the house the thought was to have a cozy little nook... only I never "cozied" it up.  So, a few yards of fabric, a dusty sewing machine and a semi thought out plan later I was ready to go.  Here is the result.  Kitchen bench... check!!

All in all I felt pretty productive and accomplished the important things on my list.  Like I said at the beginning of this blog... I was a little overzealous in making my list.

Last, a quick, and I mean QUICK, trip to ATL for a good friends birthday.  We love you Matt!

Here Goes Nothin'...

Welcome to our blog!  We are the Halstons.  Ardell and I have been married for almost 2 years.  Ardell and I share a love for friends, family and fun!  We are extremely laid back and go with the flow... most of the time.  I met Ardell at Auburn and from our first date I knew "he was my lobster".  That was a friends reference... I should probably mention that I am a FRIENDS fanatic.  I have seen almost every episode at least three times.  I own the complete series, seasons 1-10, and sometimes feel like I am the 7th friend.  Ok, that's wishful thinking but fun to think about.  Moving on, we both moved to Nashville, TN after college where I earned my masters degree and we both worked at our very first job.  Two years later, we got married and moved to Birmingham.  In the last couple of years we have moved back to my hometown, started new jobs, built a house and added two little pups to our small family.  Sounds like a lot but it was so much fun to start building our lives together!  Here are a few pics of our family.

Christmas 2013

Typical

Wedding Fun

Let me introduce my pride and joy... Lamont and Louie!  They are 5 and 6 year old Pugs.  My in-laws rescued them in Florida then moved up north.  L &L were not fans of the cold weather or city livin' so they came to live with us where they occupy their own room and bathroom.  They have a place to hang their coats and a cozy little nest to sleep in.  We LOVE having them and the Halstons still get to visit them all the time!  I'd say its a win win!  Here a few funnies of "the boys".

It took all of 6 months from start to finish to complete our house.  We signed a contract the week before Christmas and closed May 31st.  It was so much fun to watch the process from start to finish and see our ideas take shape. Our house is a work in progress and we are slowly but surely filling it up.  Even though we spend most Saturday mornings glued to HGTV we made the decision to build our first home and avoid the headache of renovations.  As much fun as the Scott twins, Allison Victoria and Hillary and David make it look... we are not cut out for such labor.  For now we will stick to decorating and shopping for furniture.  Here is a quick photo of the pad.

May 31, 2013

Well, that's us!  You will meet other members or our family as my blog grows.  There are a lot of wonderful people in our lives and they make for tons o' fun and entertainment.  Oh... I should mention that my in-laws are moving to Birmingham to join the fun!!  We will soon have our whole family in one city... CANNOT wait!!  Now, I just have to get my brothers to move back here... I need to remember how I used to get them to do things for me when we were little... it didn't seem too hard back then ;)  That's all for now.