Julianne Hope Craft is Here!!

Julianne was born June 4, 2009. She is such a sweet bundle of joy. Her proud parents are my cousin/step sister (I know it's confusing, but it works!!!!) Alyssa and Steven. I am so happy for the both of them. Neil and I went to visit on the following Sunday. She is just tiny and precious! I can not wait to spoil her. I hope that when Neil and I decide the time is right for us to have a baby that our baby and Julianne will be as close as Alyssa and I were. She and I have so many memories together. I can only hope they will have as much fun as she and I did growing up.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to this lovely little girl!!

Not for the Fainted Heart

Last week my neighbor Nina called me and it went a little something like this.

Nina "OH MY GOD WE HAVE RATS"
Andrea" Are you FREAKIN SERIOUS"
Nina" YES, I went to the trash can and I saw this big RAT!"
Andrea"UH, UM, No way, we can not have rats"
Nina" It was as big as a squirrel"

Well, she told me her husband, Josh, he went outside and poured gasoline and water in the hole. Nothing happened. So the next day he put out some bait. He said they go in the house, eat the food, drink water , and then it explodes!!! EEWWWW


So on Memorial Day Neil is outside grilling and comes running in the house saying he saw this RAT! That Nina was not joking. So, here I go with the camera and I called Nina. Her and Josh came out and this is what the boys were doing.

Checking out the hole. Neil said"Man that tail was long!" Josh said ' I am going to stick this stick down in hole."



Josh has something else is probing the hole with.

Then here you can see the red gas can. Josh poured gas down in the hole.

Here Neil is waiting to swat the baby rat that come flying out seconds later!

Then the boys decide to get serious. Neil goes and gets his tools, hoe, chainsaw, pruning shears, and flash light. They trim back the bush to get serious with this burrow that they have dug.

1. we poked it with a stick

2. poured gas into the hole (one baby one came running out, but it was too fast to whack with the rake)

3. we trim the edge and start digging!

Check out what they hit with the hoe!!!!

That sucker is huge!!!! It was disgusting! I can't believe Neil picked it up. What a crazy day!!

So, if you you need an exterminator call 1-800-Neil Brian!!!!!

Guess Who is 28 Today?

That's right , Neil!!! Isn't he adorable! He will probably not like that I posted this picture,, but who cares! IT IS HIS BIRTHDAY! We had cake today and for dinner we are having fillets and scallops. I am sure that is not what he had 27 years ago in this picture.

Today we had hoped to go out and about ,but the rain has kept us in. It hasn't been so bad!

I hope you have had a wonderful day and all your birthday wished come true!

Happy Birthday sweetie, I love you!

Steeplechase 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee

This is us before the party got started. This makes the third year that Neil and I have been together. It is an event that we go attend to reunite with old friends. Some are from college and others that we have none before that. It is similar to a tailgate. Everyone brings food, drinks, and good times to this event. However, this year was a little different. There has been a ton of rain, so it made it for a very interesting day.

Amanda and Me. We lived together in college.

Me and Beth. We also are friends from college. We had some great times together. It was great to catch up with her.

Me and Amanda again. See, she got it right with the rain boots. Me , well I just went barefoot all day!

Check out the mud. See the crazy fellas with the goggles and inter tubes!

This is Neil and his college buddies.

Topsy Turvy really does work!!

I fell into the infomercial for a Topsy Turvy. I did not buy it off of the TV but wanted to. I did run into Walgreens one day and there it was smack dab in front of the door when you walk in. Of course I stopped to take a look. I was suckered, I bought it for the fine price of 9.99. So, I went to Home Depot and bought 2 tomato plants. They were pretty small at first, but after about two weeks of sun they have really started to grow.

Take a looky!! This thing is really working. I was shocked. This is the plant after about two weeks of planting. It is perfect for people who love fresh tomatoes, but don't have the right place to grow them. I highly recommend one of these. I went and bought 2 more. This morning we planted cucumbers and squash. So when they get bigger I will take pictures so you will believe me!! I can't wait until we have tomatoes who doesn't love cottage cheese and tomato, BLT's , Tomato sandwiches... the list could go on!

Does anyone remember the famous Shoney's Strawberry Pie?

I went to the grocery store on Wednesday and bought these awesome strawberries. As I was browsing the grocery store I came across some yummy red glaze to put over strawberries. I thought to myself "oh, I love that pie from Shoney's." So, that is just what I did. I went home and whipped this pie up in about 30 minutes. Just so you know, I don't have an after picture because there was not any left!!!!

Shoney's Strawberry Pie

1 pie shell
1 container of Marie's strawberry glaze (from Kroger)
2 boxes of strawberries
Cool Whip

Bake pie shell accordingly, cool for 15 to 20 minutes
mix sauce and strawberries together and place in shell
serve with cool whip on top

ENJOY!!!

Alyssa's Baby Shower

On April 25 I help host a baby shower for my cousin Alyssa. She looks so great and was very excited about her presents for her daughter Julianne Hope. As you can see there were lots of presents to be opened that day. We had a great time with the family and oooing and awwing over the cute girly stuff.

Congratulations and I can't wait to meet my new cousin who is due June 5, 2009.

The hostess for the party are from left to right Me,( cousin and step sister, but that part is confusing!!!) Ashleigh (her sister), Lisa (step sister) and then the Mommy to Be Alyssa

This is the hostess gift that we got Alyssa. I knew all along what I wanted to get her. So when I showed it to the other girls they agreed. The picture is painted by Kim Tate Wheeler. You can view her work at www.shopsmallwords.com

The painting is beautiful. It is very feminine and sweet. The font is exactly what I had pictured it to be. The flowers actually have some glitter on it ,but you are unable to see it in the picture. It is just lovely!

www,shopsmallwords.com