Wonderful Long Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend visiting with family! It was a MUCH needed trip home. My cousin, Jacob graduated from high school Friday night, I got lots of Ava time, and I got to see my grandfather who has been very sick. It was difficult to see him in his current condition. I can only pray that the Lord is merciful and helps him find strength and peace.

Jacob and my grandfather (Paw Paw) before graduation.

Congratulations Jacob!!

On Saturday, we had a great time hanging out at the pool at my grandparent's house. Ava had her first experience swimming (please notice how stinking cute she is in her bathing suit!) My Aunt Kathy got thrown in and gave us all a big laugh.

Ava before the big swim!

Ava and her daddy splish splashin'

Ava thinks Papa's lap is much more inviting than the cold swimming pool!

Ode to my Aunt Kathy's dunking!

As you saw in my last post I had not seen Ava in over a month!! I was having serious withdrawals. I was AMAZED at how much she had grown in that short amount of time. She is so beautiful and amazing to watch. She laughs out loud and just has this incredible personality. I could not get enough her sweet self this weekend!

Ava giving Pinky a taste of WWF baby style!

Ava and I both wanting to take a nap!

Ava Withdrawals!

I am having Ava withdrawals!! It has been since April 14th that I have seen her!! Infact... I haven't even since an updated picture of her in a month! My brother must do better. (Yes, Adam, that comment was directed to you.) I leave tomorrow night to go visit though! I can't wait. I am staying in Jackson on Thursday night with Adam and Katie and then going on to Natchez for the weekend. Adam, Katie, and Ava will be coming as well. My cousin Jacob is graduating from high school Friday night. Go Greenwaves!

I promise to have new pictures to post of my beautiful niece when I get back. In the meantime, here are some older pictures that I never posted. This is of her baptism back in February. She was baptized at St. Mary's in Natchez. This is the church that Adam and I (as well as our parents) grew up attending. We were received all of our sacraments in this beautiful church. Ava wore the same baptismal dress that my mother and all of her sisters wore as well as both Adam and myself wore. I love traditions and miss my niece!



Katie's Family and my family (Eugene was taking the picture... we didn't leave him out on purpose!)


Sweet Ava being baptized.


The newest Catholic in the family with her parents and Father O'Connor


Ava doing what she does best... being beautiful.

New Kid On The Block

Lori Beth (Marchbanks) Edwards has a blog now!

Let me paint the picture...

Last night was graduation in Halls. We live three doors down from the high school and football field. Which means that for any school function cars are parked all in front of our house and down our street.

We had a friend's engagement party to go. It started at 7, but Eugene called saying they were working a little late and it may be more like 8 before we leave. So when I got out of the shower, I decided to put big Velcro rollers all over my head so that my hair would stay "volmuized" until he got home. (Note, I have very thin hair that loves to go flat.) There I am sitting at my vanity rollers from one end of my head to another wearing my bathrobe when Sam comes in and barks. He then takes off down the hall to the kitchen. Ahh, he has to potty. Well, I go stand at the back door wait for him to his deed, and what does he do? Takes off! Well I can't holler very loud because graduation is starting and they would hear my screaming SAM!! In my most stern voice I am saying, Sam come. Nope. No come. So I muster up the courage to go out in the yard (still in robe and rollers mind you) and get him. No luck. Then I throw my flip flop hoping that he will play fetch and bring it to me. No. He grabs it runs into my neighbors yard drops it and again takes off. I follow him running down the street in my bathrobe, rollers, and one shoe. Cute right!

I was so outdone that I still could not get him. I called Eugene and said, your dog has run off! I am going back inside he will find his way home. So, Eugene pulls up about 10 minutes later with Sam in the back of his truck. Where was he, I asked? Oh, he was in graduation, Eugene said!!!!!!!!!

Red Samuel Bridges, Class of 2007

Who knew I had it in me?

I have a new skill! I can cut the grass. Now, I know this seems like it isn't a very difficult thing to do, and of course it isn't, but I feel rather accomplished that I can add this to my repertoire of talents. Eugene gave me a “lesson” if you will several weeks ago. His main concern is that I am going to blow the grass all over the driveway and into the flower beds. He stood on the deck and watched me cut the whole yard that day. Well, yesterday when I got home from work, I decided I would beat him to the punch. I saddled up my tractor and rode off into the wind! You know you really have to know what you are doing to crank a lawn mower. Switches have to be in the right place, blades up, pedal pushed… it is a multi tasking operation people.

I feel that I did a remarkable job. The lawn mower only backfired one time... you would know it was when Eugene's dad stopped by to get his tiller that we had borrowed.


My ride!


Sam basking in the glory of the freshly cut grass!

My Perfect Date

You know all those silly emails that you get that ask a million questions about yourself and one is always “what is your idea of a perfect date?” Well, I have decided that mine has changed. This week was HELLACIOUS at work and I had to work late Friday night and all day Saturday on top of that. Needless to say after my weekend in NY, followed by a long week at work tired was an understatement! Eugene has been super busy planning cotton and of course worked all day Saturday. After little to no thought, we decided to just do nothing on Saturday night. It was great. We bought some steaks, enjoyed sitting out on our deck, and had great quality time with our sweet baby Sam. My favorite part… we went to sleep REALLY early!

Click on the picture to make it bigger...

A Few More Pictures...

Here are a few more pictures from NYC that Jennie took with her camera.


Sally, Holly, Me, Beth, & Kate at McSorley's


Jennie, Kate, Anna, Lauren, Melissa at McSorley's


The whole group outside of the NY Stock Exchange.

Fabulous New York

Well, we had a WONDERFUL time in New York. I don't know if I have ever walked that much in my life, but it was worth it. I am so sad to report that we didn't make the cut on the Today show. We did get there at 4:30 am, but I guess we just weren't special enough that morning. Matt Lauer was doing his Where in the World series, and so the time they spent outside was limited. But, it was fun to say we did it. And... we got to see Meredith, Al, Ann, and Campbell Brown.

We saw A Chorus Line, ate at Tavern on the Green (where we saw Kelly Ripa), took a walk through Central Park, shopped 'til we dropped, and managed to see some of the great tourist sites that NY has to offer. My favorite place we went was to McSorley's Old Ale House. It is NYC's oldest bar and is great. It is everything you imagine a hole in the wall pub to be in NY. I will go back for sure. They only serve beer, and you have to order it light or dark... no bud light or anything like that.

Here are just a few pictures of our travels. My camera decided to malfunction and tell me the memory was full after just a few pictures. So, I am waiting on everyone to share their pics and I will post more at a later date. Enjoy!

Heading out to Time Square on day 1

We ran into the Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile on our walk to the Today Show... couldn't resist a photo op!

The only three dedicated fans that made it to the Today show at 4:30am!

Al giving us the brush off at the Today show. I think I am going to watch Good Morning America now just to boycott the fact that I didn't get on TV!

Campbell Brown... the girl needs to eat a cheeseburger!

Tavern on the Green

Kelly Ripa & her children standing outside of Tavern on the Green. I don't think they ate... not sure she ever does. They looked like they were about to go for a carriage ride.

Central Park

Hollie & I with the soldier outside of FAO Shwartz on 5th Ave.

Take that Sly.... I couldn't resist. This was post McSorley's Old Ale House :), so with the extra beer energy I decided to give Sly a fun for his money!

NYC Here We Come!

I am so excited and I just can't hide it!!

I leave for NYC Thursday morning and will be there through the weekend. Myself as well as 10 of my sweet college friends (some of whom seen in these pics) are going. Our total group is myself, Amy, Anna, Taylor, Beth, Hollie, Jennie, Lauren, Kate, Melissa, and Sally. We are going to have a BLAST! I hope that everyone will be watching the Today show Friday morning. I plan on having my 2 seconds of fame!

Tailgaiting at MSU

We are going to see A Chorus Line one night, and I can't wait. I have never been to New York, so I am sure this will be a great experience. I feel so fortunate to share it with such great friends.

Kelli's Bachelorette Party in Orange Beach.

We are staying at the Double Tree in Time Square. Thanks Jennie for your excellent travel agent skills, yet again.

I will be sure to post lots of pictures when we get back next week!