Eating at Paula's

While I was in Georgia last month, Amber and I snuck away and went out on the town.  She made reservations at Lady & Sons, Paula Deen's restaurant.  It was sooooo yummy! It is definetely a must do place if you're ever in Savannah.  Thanks Amber for a really fun night.  I ordered the bacon wrapped shrimp with jasmine rice and asparagus.  YUMMO!! Don't show my Weight Watchers Consultant this picture--she would have my hide for my dinner choice!!

My Cute Clock

Bought this vinyl clock kit while I was in Georgia at Christmastime. Then I bought a round wooden circle from Lowe's and put it all together. The result---I LOVE IT!!!! I hung it down in the basement family room. LUUUUUURVE IT!!!

Remodel Project--Georgia Style

While we were in Georgia, Amber had Dad remodel the kids bathroom tub surrround. It was a VERY messy project. It started with demolition, mess, dust, and several days without the shower. There ended up being a layer of white dust (from the sheetrock and old tile) EVERYWHERE in the house. On walls, floors, furniture, countertops, ceiling fans,........ He even recruited some Really unusual helpers! It was a messy project but a nice one when it was all said and done. Amber was left to repaint around the new tub surround! We love her--just not enough to do the painting for her!!! Ummm, hello!, we haven't finished MY painting projects -- which consists of most of my ENTIRE house! Sorry Amber. It does look nice, don't ya think?

Arrrrrgh! Ahoy Ye Mateys!

While in Georgia we went to dinner at the "Pirates House". What a fun place this was. It was a real historic place from the 1750's. No joke. The inside was really awesome with original ceiling beams and doorways. It reminded me of the belly of a ship with all the wood and the furnishings. They even had the most awesome old stove that I am still swooning over! I'd love to have one in my kitchen. When they took us to our table, they had lil' hats and all the trimmings for the kiddos to wear. Notice that even the biggest kiddos got in on the goods! They also had a male and a female pirate that wandered around during dinner. They kept harassing the kids. Paisley was not amused! She would rather be surrounded by a princess or two (who can blame the girl?!) but this was truly a piece of heaven for Easton and John. The pirates did magic tricks for us and gave the kids some gold coins (not the chocolate kind!). After a VERY delicious dinner, we went on a tour of the house guided by the female pirate. She did a really good job--although the kids didn't get most of her jokes--I thought she was hysterical. It was a really fun night. Glad they didn't hoodwink us to the kitchen for cleanup or make us mop the deck and most definetely glad we didn't have to walk the plank! If you're ever in Savannah, the Pirates House is a MUST see place to eat some REALLY great food and entertain the kiddos for a couple of hours. Just ask Easton and John--and try to hire a sitter for Paisley!

Santa Needed a Helper

Shortly (like several hours!) after arriving in Georgia, Amber told Dad that Santa needed some help delivering some Christmas gifts to a multi-generational family in their area. She asked if he was up to the task and he said he was. She took us to a friends house that had all the gifts wrapped and ready to go in cute large bags that had been decorated. This friend, Valerie, also had a spare Santa suit that Dad proceeded to put on. He had lots of help! There were no Santa black boots so Terry improvised with what he had--brown cowboy boots! We then drove over to where these people lived and waited in cars while Terry went with the bags (yes, there were several very large bags) and proceeded to knock and do his "HoHoHo"s. He was admitted in by a man that answered the door and I have to tell ya that I panicked just a little! This was not a family or an area known to us! Try that on and see if your reaction is just a little like mine. Anyway, I was in the car with Easton and Paisley and they had lots of questions about the events of the evening. It was fun teaching them about loving others and giving to those that aren't as fortunate as we are. I love the holidays for this reason. Mankind is always at its finest during this time of year. We put our needs and wants away and think of others and find ways to serve more humbly and lots more diligently. I'm grateful that Amber and her friends were inspired to serve this family and also grateful that we got to participate in the joy of the season in a small but satisfying way. After Christmas, we actually got to see the family and see them wearing and enjoying some of the gifts that had been given to them. It didn't take the man who had answered the door very long to fill in the blanks on who had played Santa that night but he had to ask LOTS of people and shake TONS of hands until he introduced himself to Terry....the rest just fell into place in this mans mind and he just kept shaking Terry's hand and thanking him for the gifts of Christmas for his family. True humility at it's best!

A Few of My Favorite Things in Georgia....

As you know, we were lucky enough to spend the Christmas and New Year Holidays in Georgia this year with Amber, Easton and Paisley. We had a FABULOUS time and loved every minute of our time there. Georgia is a pretty state with LOTS of charming and cute homes. The weather is mild during the wintertime too. The accents (from the various southern states) are interesting.....(enough said!) The food was good at every place we went. Amber burned our palates up on Christmas Eve with a delicious and wonderful meal of Beef Wellington! Yummo! I love all the green that surrounds the roadways. The waterways are beautiful and unpredictably different from Utah scenery. But most of all, my favorite things about Georgia are these.......Ben, Amber, Easton, and Paisley. Without a doubt, hands down, for sure, absolutely, guaranteed.....my favorites!! (I'd add Bella to the favs list but one of my New Years Resolution is to ALWAYS speak the truth!! Just kidding. She is a sweet dog if you can get past her massive underbite! Wink! Wink!) Thanks for a wonderful time Amber. It was just the break and change of scenery and escape from my mundane life that I needed. Can't wait to see you all again!