Family Matters

I posted last time about spending time with my family over the weekend, and I thought I would share a few pictures.  

My little brother was in town from Montana and it was great to see him where he is the most comfortable...at the piano.  James is so talented, and you know this is true if you've ever heard him play.  He's played since he was 5 years old, and I love listening to him.  I grew up listening to him practice, I drove him to his lessons, and I attended every single recital.  If I could possess just an iota of his passion for the piano for anything in my life, I'd be set.

James at the piano at Jon's house.

We couldn't pry him away from it.

James last summer playing piano with Grant.

Grant couldn't get enough of it.

Grant and Jude were so cute with everyone around, and I couldn't resist taking a picture of them together.

Grant and Jude sitting on the cool floor after being outside all day.

They are so sweet together!

An exhausting day!

Jon and Emily came into L.R. last night and today, we all went over to my older brother's home.  Jon and Emily were so kind to take pictures of our family, something that hasn't been done in more than 20 years (unless you count wedding pictures).  It was so hot and humid, but Jon and Emily were so great!  Thank you both!!!  

We grilled and had a huge lunch, and it was great having almost all the family there.  Grant was so cute, and finally warmed up to Emily as she was leaving.  Grant and Chris jumped on the trampoline and Chris is about ready for a nap.  Jude had a blast jumping up and down in my lap...he's such a great baby!  Now it's time to relax on the couch and watch a movie!  Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!

Be Nice or Leave

Chris and I love this little restaurant downtown called the Flying Fish.  Anyway, on the wall, they have painted "Be nice or leave"...and I LOVE IT!!!  I think I may paint it in our house someday :)

Chris and I went to a store the other day and they had all of these different hats for kids.  I thought they were great, so I made Chris try them on and model them for me.  He's such a good sport!!

Houston...we have a problem

Baaawwwkkk!

Argghhh.

The joys of being back in Arkansas

Yesterday, Chris and I were lazing on the couch when our phone rings.  It's my parents.  Church was over, they had gone to visit a member in the hospital, and were wondering what to have for lunch.  They decided to call us.  I owed my mother a Mother's Day dinner because I was sick Mother's Day.  And they decided it was time to cash in.  It's not like Mother's Day was 6 months prior, just a week or two...but whatever.  

Chris and I scrambled to figure out what we were going to feed them, and finally decided on taco salad.  I started cutting the Velveeta to make cheese dip, and sliced my finger open.  I finally got it to stop bleeding, and Chris pulled out a band-aid for me, and I continued on.  Chris made molten lava chocolate cakes for dessert.  It was delicious!

I'm so thankful to finally be back in AR.  I love that my family, or Chris's, can call and just come over.  I've really missed out being in TX.

My mom and me in Frankfurt, Germany.  We were there for an international audiology conference.  Mom was probably trying to direct dad on how to take the picture, and I'm sporting an awesome bow.  I was 8.

My parents and me, probably before a RMB band spectacular...or something totally cool like that

Mom and me in Mexico

White Coat...the Final Cut

These pictures are a mish mosh of pictures from my white coat ceremony and dinner the night before at Pappadeaux's.  I LOVE seafood, and Pappadeaux's is my favorite seafood eat place.  If you are ever near one...eat there.  Have I mentioned I love seafood?

              My brother, Jon, and me

                     My mommy and me!

                      My grandma, me, and Peepaw

                    Daddy, me, and mommy

                    My mother, Grandma, and Peepaw

                 My daddy and my brother, Jon

    Chris and I at dinner the night before my white coat 

   

     Chris and myself, after receiving my white coat

          Me, my Aunt Susan, Uncle Robert, and Chris

Have I mentioned?

I'm done with my research! WOO HOO!!! I made an A, too, just in case you were wondering :) I did my statistics (4 times, because the computer I was using kept crashing...and I did save it, but once it crashed, it was gone), typed up my results and discussion, and presented! It's such a weight off of my shoulders. Now on to more important things, like my 4th (and final) year!!

I start my job on the 2nd. I'm really excited to finally have an income, and to be in the real working world again. In the meantime, I'm 'working' at the office my dad owns. It's been pretty busy, so I'm helping out. And because someday all take over all of this glory, I'm working on the organization and prettiness of it all. The office hasn't had a makeover in almost 15 years, and it's due for a serious upgrade. For instance, the counters and floor are mauve. Yes, I said it...mauve. And the trim and cabinets are gray. The filing cabinets are overflowing. The walls in the back are yellow from nicotine (my dad has stopped smoking recently, he hasn't had a cigarette in a little over 9 months, he's smoked since he was 13). I'm also wanting to put files and appointments on the computer. So if anyone knows a good scheduling office program, let me know. As a matter of fact, we need a new computer for the front desk. The one I'm using to write this blog is about 8 years old. It's a beast.

Chris and I got to see a friend Tuesday night. Daniel stayed the night with us, while in town fulfilling his Nat'l Guard duties. He and his wife, Heidi, had a little boy, Jaxon, a few months ago, so we got to see new pictures of him. We had a great time with him, it was nice to catch up! This weekend another couple of friends are going to be in town. They recently eloped in Las Vegas, so we're excited to see them! And then the next weekend, Jon and Emily are supposedly coming into town to shoot a wedding (photography shoot, not gun shoot). I haven't seen them in a month or two, and last time was in a hospital...so it'll be nice outside of that setting.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!! And doesn't get too wet!

Boat racing!

Today, I was invited to Riverfest in Port Neches, TX by some friends.  It's on the Neches river (which I had never seen in the 3 years we lived in TX).  I had no idea of what to expect, but it was a ton of fun.  They had professional boat races.  I mean, people from Canada came to it!  It was really fun to watch, but after the first few laps, I kinda spaced out.  The sun was blaring down on us, there was no shade anywhere, so it gave me a headache, but it was great nonetheless.  I only had my iPhone, so I didn't take a ton of pics, but I tried the best I could with the few I did take.  This is the best pic, but you can't really make out the boats, just the waves.

 

Just a sampling

Here are a few pictures of my white coat ceremony (as stolen from friends).  I'll upload more when my pics get loaded.  

                           my dad pinning me :)

                   shannon, joni, lindsay, me

       me, lacey, dr. baer, dr. dionne, shannon, lindsay

                        megan and joni