margaritas & musicals

First of all, I have to apologize for going a little MIA last week. It was just a crazy one and I honestly just did not get a free moment to sit down and write. The kids and I started feeling a little sick on Thursday of the week before. We were gross most of that weekend and all the rain Memphis saw for 19 days straight just didn’t help matters much! By Monday, we were all definitely not doing well. Lilly Kate managed to make it to school most of the week, but ended up being sent home early on Wednesday b/c she got sick in the cafeteria. She went to school on Thursday, but we ended up at the doctor’s office on Thursday afternoon. She was running a 102 degree fever and had an awful cough! At this point, I was starting to wonder if we had all picked up the flu (which was REALLY worrying me!). Luckily, she was diagnosed with nothing more than a viral infection. The bad part about that diagnosis is that there’s just nothing you can really do for it other than motrin to control the fever, lots of rest and fluids. She’s still coughing, but is no longer running fever. Ethan stayed home from school on Tuesday b/c of a runny nose and fever, but was fine the rest of the week. I think he is more or less just dealing with the weather changing. I’m in the same boat right now! Chris SO FAR has escaped all cold/weather/flu symptoms. Although he did start complaining of a sore throat last night. Hopefully, with the sun shining brightly the past two days, we can all get over our illnesses. With all the rain and all the sickness going on, last week just seemed to drag by. Usually we are so busy that the weeks fly right by, but with no activities planned for last week, we were itching to get out and about by Friday!!

Chris and I celebrated our anniversary last Tuesday. Although I have to admit, I think I only saw for about 45 min that day! With Chris back in school this semester, we don’t really get to see him on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although, I did have a sweet card and gorgeous mums to make my day a little brighter! Our front porch is now ready for fall!! We planned to really celebrate Saturday night though, so it was all ok! Saturday night we dropped the kids off at Noni and Papa’s for an overnight stay, and Chris and I headed downtown to The Orpheum. Before we got downtown, we decided to grab some nachos and margaritas at Café Ole! It’s been a long time since either of us have been to Café Ole, so it was a nice treat. Not to mention, they had super yummy margaritas!! (a little TOO yummy! Ha!) After the margaritas, we made it to the Orpheum JUST in time for our 8 pm showing of A Chorus Line. I had never seen A Chorus Line, so I was really excited. Chris had never been to a Broadway show at the Orpheum, so he was a little nervous.. ha! I was surprised to find out that ACL is shown with NO intermission, but 2hrs went by so quickly. Before I knew it, the show was coming to an end. I absolutely LOVED the show! It is now one of my favorites!! I’ve gone to Broadway shows since I was a little girl with my grandmother. I love the experience and am really looking forward to sharing this with Lilly Kate as she gets older. She’s at the perfect age now so hopefully soon I can start taking her. (hopefully Lion King will come back to Memphis soon!! Fingers crossed!)

*LK took this one.. even though she cut Chris' head off, it's a cute one!! :)*
By Saturday afternoon, the sun was finally shining again in Memphis. It’s so nice since we went almost a full month without seeing it at all! We haven’t been to soccer practice or games in over TWO weeks, so we’re really excited about going to practice tonight!! Thursday night we have a birthday party at Pump It Up. Looks like we’re back to the craziness that usually exists in the Stickles house! Truthfully though, I would much rather it be that way.. the kid’s (and Mommy) get bored just sitting around the house! (probably why my house is completely spotless after two weeks of no activities and sick babies.. hmmm! Ha!) I am really looking forward to the month of October, we have so much planned.. including, the Ole Miss Homecoming game, Race For The Cure, Halloween, Mommy’s birthday, Brittany’s birthday and then Daddy’s birthday on Nov. 1st. Not to mention the halloween costumes I have to make and all my room mother activities!!WE LOVE FALL!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband!! Time sure flys! :)

This picture is us.. almost 7 years ago when we first met! Oh.. how young!! ;) Amost 7 years later...We are celebrating Saturday night! He's treating me to dinner and then a musical at the Orpheum! I am so excited!! I'm such a lucky girl!

BBQ. . bourbon. . and OLE MISS football!!

Well... the day i've been waiting for all summer finally came! SEC Football Season Kick-off! Sunday morning, Chris and I dropped the kids off with Grams and headed out to the Ole Miss vs. Memphis game!! We have been anticipating this game for weeks! First stop.... Corky's for some OH SO YUMMY bbq pork nachos! Then it was off to the Liberty Bowl to meet up with friends to tailgate! Now, let me just tell you.. tailgating in Memphis is NOT FUN! It was about 90 degrees outside, no shade, direct sunlight and NOT surrounded by stately oaks.. oh no, i had lovely blacktop! Oh... how I miss the Grove!! Never the less, we greatly enjoyed ourselves and got to catch up with some wonderful friends! The best part... OLE MISS won!! 45-14! HOTTY TODDY!! We are definitely looking forward to driving down to Oxford for the Homecoming game again UAB.. the kid's will be joining us for that one! I can't wait to introduce them to the Grove! Here's a few pictures from Sunday's game! Just warning you.. i look TERRIBLE and Chris looks like he just stepped out of the shower! Goodness.. I just can't even describe how hot it was! :)

**EDIT**

I had to come back later and add to this post! I found this online.... THIS is why I love Southern Football!!

Football Season in the South

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different than up North. For those who are planning a football trip South, here aresome helpful hints.

Women’s Accessories:

NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.

SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, and afifth of bourbon. Money not necessary – that’s what dates are for.

Stadium Size:

NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

Fathers:

NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.

SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

Campus Decor:

NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.

SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

Homecoming Queen:

NORTH: Also a physics major.

SOUTH: Also Miss America.

Heroes:

NORTH: Rudy Giuliani.

SOUTH: Herschel Walker & Peyton Manning.

Getting Tickets:

NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus.

SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus,make a large financial contribution, and put name on a waiting list fortickets.

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game:

NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they’re going to the game, becausethey have classes on Friday.

SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don’t want to see the fewhung over students that might actually make it to class.

Parking:

NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for gameparking.

SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for theweekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

Game Day:

NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.

SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over towhere ESPN is broadcasting “Game Day Live” to get on camera and wave to theidiots up north who wonder why “Game Day Live” is never broadcast from theircampus.

Tailgating:

NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radiostation with truck tailgate down.

SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cookingaccompanied by live performance from the Dave Matthews Band, who come overduring breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

Getting to the Stadium:

NORTH: You ask “Where’s the stadium?” When you find it, you walk right in.

SOUTH: When you’re near it, you’ll hear it. On game day it is the state’sthird largest city.

Concessions:

NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.

SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team’s mascot on it,filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

When National Anthem is Played:

NORTH: Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up.

SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

The Smell in the Air After the First Score:
NORTH: Nothing changes.

SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

Commentary (Male):

NORTH: “Nice play.”

SOUTH: “Dammit, you slow sumbitch – tackle him and break his legs.”

Commentary (Female):

NORTH: “My, this certainly is a violent sport.”

SOUTH: “Dammit, you slow sumbitch – tackle him and break his legs.”

Announcers:

NORTH: Neutral and paid.

SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear inhis eye because he is so proud of his team.

After the Game:

NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.

SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes to thenearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for next week’s game.

Date Night!

What an amazing weekend!!! I'll be honest.. we didn't do much, but it was great! Lately, we've been so busy, that it was so nice just to take things at a slow pace and enjoy it all! Saturday, the 4 of us ran a few errands, nothing big. And Sunday, I convinced Chris that we needed to clean out the garage. With our newest residents in the garage, it needed to be straightened up and organized! It didn't take us long, and the kittens love their new playspace! Chris and I did manage to give the kids to Noni and Papa Saturday night so that Mommy and Daddy could have a date night. I can't even remember the last time Chris and I got out without the kiddos. It was amazing!! We headed downtown to Rendevous and enjoyed some absolutely delicious ribs and BBQ nachos! YUMMY!! You can never go wrong with BBQ and Beer! (rather, pinot, in my case!) :)

BTW.. Born To Run: Week 1 begins tonight.. that is, if the rain will ever stop!!! So.. say a little prayer for me! :)

Tony & Julianne: Married

This past weekend Chris' cousin, Tony, got married. Friday night we headed to First Evangelical Church for the rehearsal and then to the Botanic Gardens for the rehearsal dinner. Everything was beautiful! Chris was a groomsman and Lilly Kate was the flower girl. I'm sure ya'll can imagine how excited she was about this!! We were back at the church early Saturday and spent all afternoon taking pictures. I was so proud of LK though.. she held up so well! The wedding was incredible and everything came together so beautifully! Here are a few pictures from the weekend. I'll try to get the rest up on Shutterfly later this week! :)

Ok.. so after my post of Ethan's Birthday, I wanted to find a cute way to post some more pictures from his party. Well, I have Picasa installed and I love it for editing photos. And who knew that you could make the cutest collages?! How adorable is this?? And who doesn't love to see 25 pictures of Ethan all together?! HA! :)

*Click on the picture to get a "zoomed" view!*