Monday, September 27, 2010

Bringing Home the Gold

While Nathan has been away at Nun camp* this week, I have had plenty of free time to plan Oliver's future as the Dock Dog champion. Dock Dogs holds competitions all over the country where dogs gracefully leap 20+ feet into a pool. There are several different categories, but Oliver will be participating in the Big Air competition. The dog that leaps the farthest into a pool of water wins the competition. It is pretty neat to watch and Oliver loves the water and fetching his ring. 

Instead of cooking dinner this week, I have been scouting the competition. We will be traveling to Charlotte, NC to on Oct. 23rd for Oliver to bring home a trophy and sponsorship from Kibble N Bits. Today started training, with a 4 mile run (Oliver has been helping me train for a half marathon I'm running with Mary Jane. I think this will really give him an edge over his competition.) and we have been doing practice runs in the backyard off our three foot high retaining wall. 

Here is a sneak preview of his mad skills. Notice his form and the way he tucks his back legs in. I haven't found any other dogs on YouTube with as much style as Oliver.

And here is a clip of some of the competition
http://www.dockdogs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1506&Itemid=269 


*Oh yah, Nathan isn't really at Nun camp, he is at camp for work to learn how to become a mentor. And I just mentioned this whole dock dog competition to him, so this will probably be a surprise to him. :)  

Sunday, August 22, 2010

We're Back!

We're back from the honeymoon and back from the blogging hiatus. Nathan and I had so much fun at the wedding festivities. Thank you to all our friends and family who could celebrate the special day with us! After many trips to Lowe's and Bed Bath & Beyond, we are all settled in our house in Homewood. Oliver has adjusted well to the move after our neighbor (an older lady) convinced Nathan that Oliver did NOT need to stay outside while we were at work. I think Nathan was trying to toughen Ollie up.

We went to St. Lucia for the honeymoon. It was beautiful and very hard to come back! We went zip lining through the rain forest and took a catamaran to the Piton mountains and volcanic sulfur mud bath. We also participated in a Carnival the resort had on Thursday night. We dressed up in native costume and paraded around the resort. Nathan even showed off his mad dancing skills some unsuspecting ladies... poor things. Here are some of our pictures.

And last but not least here is a preview of some of the wedding photos. Thank you to Heather Hester, wonderful photographer and friend! Click here for wedding pics.


Monday, April 26, 2010

Ruffner Mountain Birthday Adventure

For our birthdays Nathan and I decided to go hiking. Even with all the tornado warnings, we were determined to go. We went to Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham and what a find it was! We discovered a cave, hiked through mine ruins and took in a beautiful view of downtown Birmingham. Oliver of course came and he had a great time to! Here are some pictures of our adventure.  


Nathan about to go into the cave we discovered. I made him go first and Oliver sat at the top and cried for us. He must have known something we didn't.
Nathan was scared inside the cave. 


Me and the pretty view of the city. 


On top of the mine ruins


View of the old quarries


A really big tree used to be in this hole. 
We had to document how hard core we looked after hiking through the monsoon. I gave Nathan a dry pack for his Birthday and it definitely came in handy! 

Our first Birthday Adventure was a success! Next year we are turning the big 5-0! (Since we will each turn 25)

Monday, March 15, 2010

Nathan has a job!

Nathan is growing up! He has a job with St. Vincent's as  their Administrative Resident starting in June.  I know everyone at my house is very excited for him, since this means we won't be living in my parents' basement and we get to stay in Birmingham!

This past Sunday we began looking at rental homes in Homewood and Crestwood. If you know of anyone renting let us know! Must come with fenced in back yard, be dog friendly and preferably a front porch, but we aren't picky.

Congrats Nathan!!!



Monday, March 8, 2010

Hurricane Oliver

This Saturday we went to the Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook Off 2010. It was a beautiful day and the event was packed with people, strollers and dogs. Oliver was on his best behavior all day...he didn't jump, steal anyone's chili or pop a squat in the middle of thousands of people.

To reward his good behavior, we took Oliver to the nearby creek. Labradors were diving into the water all around us, and Oliver jumped right in after his toy. Lots of little kids were playing across the creek, and my mom suggested Nathan throw Oliver's toy so all the little kids would get splashed. (Just a side note: If you know my mom, you know that this was her idea. She loved scaring my brother and I.) Oliver was leaping into the water splashing the kids as the adults around were egging us on. Meanwhile, an unsuspecting little girl and her fluffy friend were happily playing by the water. Here is a picture of her Yorkie puppy.

As this little girl was walking her puppy along the bank, Ollie leapt into the creek for his toy. A tidal wave drenched this poor puppy and little girl. I'm sure the dog had a no idea what hit him. The little girl ran off with her not so cute, drowned-rat looking puppy. This is what the puppy looked like post Hurricane Oliver.



This Yorkie will probably never get close to the water again.

P.S. Oliver had a wonderful day and was the cutest dog there!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

A Night Under the Big Top

Glenwood's big event, A Night Under the Big Top, is this Friday, Feb. 26, which means wedding planning has been put on hold.  If you have never been, it's one fabulous party! There will be food, drinks, casino games, silent and live auction and lots of good times to be had. Come preview our wedding reception band, The Undergrounders, a motown band. And since I will be working, Nathan needs some friends (even though he has never met a stranger). 

Here's a clip from a TV interview I did about Glenwood, autism and Big Top. CBS 42

Check out the event, order tickets or make a donation here!





Monday, February 15, 2010

Nathan's big break

I think this is hilarious. Nathan doesn't think it is nearly as funny as I do, but who knows, if Health Care Administration doesn't work out, it could be his big break as a singer/songwriter. Nathan created this song, improv, on the ride home from Charleston after New Years 2010.

Click here to listen and be amused.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Winter Wonderland 2010

A.K.A the Best Day Ever!!

Nathan and I had an action packed snow day 2010. I feel this story can only be portrayed with lots of pictures.

This is how our Winter Wonderland started and how I found Nathan around lunchtime. As his brother Kevin would say, Nathan had nursing home hair.
To have the best snow day ever, you must have the following things:
1. Snow Cream
2. Snow ball fight
3. Snow Man
4. Sledding
5. Snow angels

1. Nathan and I gathered some snow and made two versions of snow cream. The first batch was more of an italian ice which included snow (make sure you stay away from yellow snow), milk, sugar (we used brown sugar because we didn't have regular) and vanilla. You mix all of these things together to taste. I thought it was pretty delicious but Nathan thought it was missing something, which led us to our second batch. I thought, what would Paula Dean add to her snow cream...Eagle Brand condensed milk. Our second batch included snow, vanilla and the secret ingredient, Eagle Brand condensed milk. Nathan loved this and so did Ollie.

For once Oliver was not the culprit of this mess.

2. Of course a day long snow ball fight is a must. I quickly remembered a childhood lesson that I haven't used since Winter Storm 1993... you NEVER turn your back on anyone with a snow ball. I think Nathan secretly wanted more boys around so he could peg them as hard as he could. He had mercy on me.

3. Make a snow man... or decorate someone else's. Nathan and I tried numerous times to build a snowman, but as soon as we would get a sizable ball of snow, Oliver would pounce on it. We found this enormous snow man and decided to decorate the other side of his face. We also met the little boy who built the snowman. I think he came outside to protect his creation.

4. Cookie Sheets do not work as sleds. Ski pants, however, do make pretty good "body sledding" outfits. Since the last time we had snow was in 1993, we didn't have a sled, but we did have lots of fun sledding down the golf course hill on our bottoms and borrrowing little kids' sleds.

5. And lastly, you must make snow angels. We had to throw a snow ball really far so Oliver wouldn't ruin our angels.

Here are some more pictures of our super fun day! 






Monday, January 18, 2010

Our Insane Asylum

My first China choice wasn't very "me" so before it was too late I decided to change. I love my new china pattern, Wedgwood Sterling, very classic or as Wedgwood describes it, "classic yet with modern sensibilities."  I am keeping the same stemware and de-frosting the flatware (Stemware is Marquis Allegra Platinumis and the flatware is Lenox Vintage Jewel. The flatware was originally Vintage Jewel Frost.)




I also chose my everyday china from Pottery Barn. It is simple white (Emma) with seasonal accent plates. Very clean looking and with colorful accent plates for each season it is something that we can easily change up and won't get bored with.

And I figure white everyday china is like buying a white car... if/when it gets a scratch (or chip in the china's case) you won't be able to tell.

After registering for our china, everyday china and bath towels, (Our bath towels are also white. Who knows what our decor will be, much less where we will be living.) Nathan was worried that we would feel like he was living in an insane asylum... which might not be too far from the truth.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

We booked our Honeymoon!

We just booked our honeymoon to St. Lucia at Sandals! As I sit in front of my space heater, I am imagining I am there all ready. Besides the amazing beaches, St. Lucia is known for their beautiful mountains and rainforest.


And we really want to zip line through the rainforest like this guy!


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Ring

How one ring kept us from the other


Tomorrow is the BCS National Championship and Nathan and I are incredibly bummed that we are not going to the game. We could be enjoying the warm Santa Ana winds of Pasadena, but Nathan proposed and according to our families, we have to make grown up decisions... like save money. You don't want to go into being newlyweds with both sets of parents against you. Had Nathan waited until after the SEC Championship to propose, I am very confident we would not be engaged right now.

So while The University fights for their perfect season and 13th National Championship, Nathan and I will be cheering on our alma mater from home. We have high hopes that Coach Saban will lead the Tide to another  championship game...hopefully when we have money.

The University may get there 13th National Championship ring tomorrow but mine is much prettier!

Oh and Happy Mark Ingram Day! RTR!!