Fall is in the Air...sort of!

This weekend was full of time spent with friends and family. Friday night Dennis had to work late because the students were coming back on campus and there was LOTS to do to prepare. We were hoping he would get off early enough to take our niece and nephew to the fair in town, but no such luck. We were woke up Saturday to two little red heads at our house! It was Destiny's first cheerleading game and she was super excited. I didn't get to take any pictures of her cheering, but there was a huge crowd for the Jamboree and I know she is looking forward to the rest of the season. We then took them to the pool to cool off! Dennis had promised the kids a treat if they did well in school and on their Spelling test that Friday, but I don't think they thought he would take them to the pool! There were probably 20 people there, it was soooo nice. I guess everyone is wrapping up their summer and getting ready for a little cooler weather. They were wore out on the car ride home, but I could still hear little Destiny practicing her cheers quietly in the back seat. Our lives are so hectic and busy, it keeps us grounded when we get to spend quality time with our niece and nephews.

We went to Dennis' parents that afternoon and watched the Little League World Series game, Tennessee vs. California. What an awesome game! It makes us so proud of the boys who also call Tennessee home. They had a lot of heart and played some good ball! Saturday night we went to spend time with friends and watch the Nascar race! Yes, I know...Nascar? I married a redneck country boy and his love of any and all sports has also become mine. I would not trade his country butt for the world!

Sunday both of my sisters came to town and of course little Miss Paisley came too! My Mama cooked chicken, mashed potatoes, cheese bread and some AWESOME baked beans (they had hamburger meat, bacon and brown sugar)! Yummmm....My sister's friend Shelby was in town as well and she was so excited to have a home cooked meal! Once we were all stuffed, we sat around to watch the final Little League World Series game, Tennessee vs. Japan.

Miss Priss

Taby and her baby

Shaelyn and Miss Piggy

I cannot believe my little sisters are in college! I know they will both succeed at anything they do and am so proud of them!



Sleeping on Grandmama's lap....she loves her Grandmama!



Once we left my Mama's house we made a second attempt at buying Dennis some new kicks for Disney World and once again it was a FAIL! He did manage to buy 3 new Tennessee hats for this weekends game! Go VOLS!

We could not leave town without seeing our other nephew Malachi. He was taking a nap when we got there, but he soon woke up and was wide open. He LOVES his Uncle D and we love him even more. Dennis was teaching him how to hold a bat and then he can't be around D and not play a little football....HUT, HUT!

Handsome boys!

Sunday night was full of fun at the grocery store! Until next time, I hope you have a great week! Hopefully next weeks post will involve a big WIN for TENNESSEE!

2,4,6,8..Who do we appreciate?

 Thursday Destiny had her first cheer practice, and from the expression on her face and the constant loving on me I think she was pretty excited to be there! She has always been the type to make friends quickly and her cheer squad was no exception. There are many little girls on her team, but I think she will come to like being the little "mother hen" as we say in the south. She learned lots of new cheers and can't wait to show them off at this weekend's Pee Wee Jamboree!

I also can't forget to mention that my little "niece pup" turned ONE year old on Thursday! I remember when she was so tiny (like 1 lb tiny)! She has not grown much, but she sure has captured all of our hearts! We all love her so much and I know she brings my little sister so much joy. She is as spoiled as she looks, but we could not imagine life with out her little tail.

Friday night we went to Dennis' Aunt and Uncle's house to wish farewell to his cousin who was leaving for the Army! We are so proud of him and know he will succeed at anything he puts his mind to. I know his mom, dad and sister will sure miss him alot though! We had a yummy cookout and all the ladies sat around and talked while the boys relaxed by the pool reminising about old times. Dennis loves spending time with his Dad and Uncles and we all had a wonderful night! We will miss you Alec, but are so proud of you and appreciate all that you are about to do for our country!

Me, Alec and Dennis

Alec, Jeff, Missy and Kaitlyn





Sibling Love!



Saturday we relaxed on the lake with friends and my mom and step-dad. We always have a fun time out there just talking and laying out! Saturday night we had yet another birthday to celebrate! Our friend Nick was turning 27 and we all had a cook out to start his year off right. Everyone had a great time! Sunday was a boring day around the White house, but I seem to love those kinds of days. I get to spend time with my two favorite boys, Dennis and Peyton! I hope you have a great week!



Lazy days of summer...

I must say this weekend was beautiful, but I could not help but relax and be lazy! Friday night was a pizza night at the White's (didn't even feel like cooking,ha!). On Saturday we woke up super early to meet Destiny for her pee wee cheerleading kick-off. We thought it would be an all day extravaganza, but it was simply a registration day. She was a little bummed, but excited to hopefully meet her team this week! These past two months have been full of birthdays and this weekend was no different. Dennis' mom's 47th birthday is actually today, but we helped celebrate it on Saturday so the kiddos could join in!



Ice cream cake...yum!

Notice Dennis in the back "blowing" out the candles! haha



Somehow Mr. Peyton got ice cream cake too, hmm....



As I mentioned in the last post, I do have some of the best in-laws a girl could ask for! Karen is a wonderful mother, grandmother (I am sure Peyton would agree) and friend. She is always there with comforting words when times are hard and has supported me and Dennis every step of the way. We want to wish you a FANTASTIC Birthday Karen!

I was so excited on Sunday to attend my first ever Origami Owl party! I have been on a wait list to become a designer, and cannot wait to get started. I was able to create my first O2 locket and absolutely love it! These lockets open up and close with a magnet so you can change out the charms as many times as you chose! I chose our initials  "K" and "D" and also went with the starfish because of our love for the ocean. It also symbolizes the "make a wish starfish" everyone at our wedding threw into the ocean with their hopes, dreams and wishes for our life as a married couple!

Sunday night was no different than Friday or Saturday, yup you guessed it lazy! We watched the movie Step-Brothers and stayed up long enough to try and watch the meteor shower. I only saw one shooting star, but that was enough for me! Tonight we will continue Karen's birthday celebration with a cookout at the house. Dennis thought it would be nice to treat his Mama with dinner since we are always eating over there. I know it will be yummy! Until next time...hope you have a great week!

50 and Fantastic!

Tonight we celebrated my father-in-laws 50th birthday! I have been "in the family" for nine years and could not imagine having a more fantastic set of in-laws! Big Dennis (as I call him) is not a man of many words, but he is a wonderful father and grandfather, a great mentor to Dennis and I and a wonderful provider to his family! He did a great job raising his son, my husband, and I could not thank him enough for that! I am so proud of my husband and he would not be the man he is today without the guidance of his father. Thank you for always being there for us both and we want to wish you a WONDERFUL 50th BIRTHDAY!

Monday again....

It seems like this weekend flew by! Friday Dennis' department at work had a family picnic at the local lake for everyone to enjoy. I decided to retreat away from my desk for lunch to join! We had BBQ, baked beans, potato salad and lots of other yummy fattening foods! My niece and nephew made an appearance as well so they could eat and jump in the inflatable play house! It was a nice surprise for my Friday, then back to work I went....

On Saturday Dennis was on-call for work so nothing exciting went on around the White house. It was tax-free weekend in Tennessee so we thought we would take advantage of some deals and buy Dennis some new tennis shoes for our upcoming trip to Disney World. Of course, he could not find any he liked (and I agreed), but we did find me some cute gold wedges for $9.99! We then went to Wal-Mart to buy some baby gifts for a baby shower I was attending on Sunday and noticed a big yellow school bus parked in the back of the lot. Once we got to the entrance a boy scout asked if we would like to "Stuff the Bus"? We looked at each other puzzled and said "SURE!" The United Way has a campaign each year called "Stuff the Bus" asking community members for school supply donations to help less fortunate children in our area. As we were heading out the door we stopped at the school supply section to pick out things we could donate to help. When we dropped off our donation at the bus it looked like the boxes were piling up! It always feels nice to help our community and big thank you to those who volunteer for this event each year! Maybe next year, you can find the big yellow bus in your area and help stuff it! United Way

On Sunday I was excited to attend Chelsea's (a high school friend) baby shower. The decorations were super cute and the food was awesome! She got lots of girly gifts for little Maddox and it was so nice to hang out with "the girls + Kiley". Kiley is the cutest little girl and was so sweet the entire time we were at the baby shower. Her mom Jaimie and I have been friends since kindergarten so it is always nice to catch up with them!

We all had such a great time catching up...Can't wait to meet baby Maddox!

Before leaving for the baby shower I decided to try a recipe from one of my Weight Watcher magazines. It is called Italian-Style Pot Roast. I knew I would not be home all day and it was rainy so this was the perfect recipe for the hubby to watch over while I was gone. You will need a chuck roast, trimmed, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 pepper, 16 0z bag of baby carrots, 1 14.5 oz. can of Italian-style stewed tomatoes, 1 medium onion and 1/3 cup tomato paste.

Sprinkle the roast with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper and heat in a large skillet or pot for 2 minutes on each side ( This allows the grease to drain, remember is is low fat)!

Combine the carrots, tomatoes, onion and tomato paste and remaining salt and pepper into your slow cooker. Add roast and cook for 8 hours on low.

The recipe also paired this with mashed potatoes on the side made with skim milk and light butter for a more satisfying meal.

 The hubby seemed to like it pretty well and took left-overs for lunch today! We had a lazy Sunday night on the couch curled up watching the Olympics- Go USA! Until next time...have a great week!