New Obsessions

So... I have mentioned before that my best friend, Hannah, and I are obsessed with the Royal Family. Back in April I talked about how we would scour over the People magazines in middle school with the beautiful pictures of Diana. Well, two nights ago Hannah texted me a web address... and that was it. Immediately I knew what she was talking about... the Duchess of Cambridge! You have to go to our new found obsession.

  www.whatkatewore.com.

It's all of Kate Middleton's dress, outfits, clothes, shoes, etc. Some posts tell you where she bought pieces of her wardrobe, how you can own her clothes, etc. In case you didn't know, her bridal gown is going on display in London. I desperately wish that I could fly over there and see it in person. For now pictures will have to do.

The commentary is hilarious if you read the article written about the new exhibit. 

The Queen doesn't like that it looks like there is a floating head! Ha! Ha!

I would love to be the curator of this exhibit! 

Today's post on the site is about the sapphire earrings that Diana wore. Prince William had them remade for Kate. They are stunning!

My friend Mary-Peyton sent me a link for Pinterest twice. I guess she really wanted me to join! So yesterday, I finally joined. I had to call Kelsey and ask her how to pronounce it. For some reason I kept wanting to put another "e" in there. But it's like "interest" with a "pin" at the front! So cleaver! Pinterest is my new obsession, almost as addicting as Facebook :)

You can follow me at http://pinterest.com/karibp/ 

And finally... he has been my obsession for the past 3 and a half months... but I just had to share some new pictures with you! 

Smiling for the camera! 

John Turner has a new obsession too... his feet! He grabs them and plays with them whenever possible! He is enthralled with them! It won't be long before he'll be sticking them in his mouth! 

I took a class on how to operate my camera this morning, so maybe I'll be posting some really good pictures soon!

Summer Reading List

I was the dork that loved to go to the library in the summers and get my summer reading list. You would read all of those books for a little treasure from the treasure box! ha! ha! In high school, the reading lists didn't stop. I had to read some doozies in high school that were just plain terrible. Although I did discover one of my favorite books of all time - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Many years later, I still love reading during the summers... well really all of time. But there is something about reading a good book on the beach. Last summer I read all of Emily Giffin's books, which I loved and wasn't sure that this summer could top it. But since I have joined my book club, I have been introduced to some spectacular books!

So here is my 2011 reading list so far... I still have a few more weeks of summer left!

This was our April Book Club pick.

Not a summer read, but I love this book so much I had to add it!  

I had read this book when Gunter and I first got married, so I guess about 5 years ago. I remember the majority of the book, but it was good to read it again. If you haven't read this, it's a must. Same Kind of Different As Me is a true story about a modern-day slave and a wealthy art dealer. They become best friends through the art dealer's wife. It is interesting to see how God works in their lives in unlikely ways. I have to admit, there is a sad part... but it ends happily! 

One day I was browsing through Barnes and Noble and saw this book, Georgia Bottoms. It is written by an Alabama author and takes place in Alabama, so I thought how fun! I will read this! It will be about places that maybe I've been to in Alabama.... So I downloaded it on my Nook. Big waste of money! Don't get it! I hated this book. The only reason why I finished it was because I paid for it to go on my Nook and I felt guilty. It was raunchy and terrible! In one sentence it's about a woman who sleeps around and has an illegitimate child. Don't waste your time or money.  

This was our May Book Club pick!

Ree Drummond is hilarious! This book tell the love story between Pioneer Woman (Ree) and her husband (Malbro Man). It's so funny to hear the things that happened while she was dating her husband. There were parts where I was literally laughing out loud! I do wish the book would have ended a little differently. But at Book Club we decided it ended the way it did because she is writing a sequel. Who knows if Ree really is or not... just our opinion. If you want a light-hearted read this summer, pick this one up! 

This opened the door to me reading Ree's blog more. I would occasionally read it, but now I look at it more frequently. I love her recipes, photography, and stories. Check out her blog at www.thepioneerwoman.com .

Speaking of blogs, my sister-in-law told me about a blog that I have enjoyed reading - The Lettered Cottage.  This blog is written by a couple who live in Alabama. They have great design tips/ strategies, pictures, etc. on their blog. One of their latest posts mentioned about how they are going to help the Pioneer Woman next week! How fun is that?

Speaking of my sister-in-law, I love reading her blog. Especially this summer! She recently did a post on my sister, Kelsey, who will be going to East Asia in less than one month! Read the post on Kelsey here, look for the story entitled "From Auburn to Asia."

June Book Club pick! 

Wow! If you haven't read One Thousand Gifts it is a must this summer! Our Book Club discussion last week was so good. Talk about being challenged! Ann Voskamp is a very poetic writer, so that took a little getting used to, but the message is wonderful! Her book is about being thankful for everything that we have. "Thanksgiving precedes the miracle." This was a statement from the book. She often referred back to the Last Supper. Jesus first thanked God, before taking the bread and wine. We should do this as well in everything that we do. Voskamp kept a journal of 1000 things that she was thankful for over the course of 1 year. She also talked about slowing down and enjoying the things around us - the moon shinning down, the load of laundry you're folding, freshly baked cookies. You will be challenged through this book! 

My pick!

I am currently reading Summer Rental. I first heard about this book on The Lettered Cottage blog. I wasn't sure what it was... and thought maybe it was a book about beach rental houses! ha! ha!  Then I saw a write up about it in People magazine (where I love to find books to read). I thought I might try it out. So far, so good! I am about 1/2 through and I am enjoying it! 

June Book Club pick

I haven't heard much about this book. I do know that it is not all about football. The other pick for our book club was Gene Chizik All In. Guess Florida beat out Auburn on this! If anyone has it on their Nook or a copy of the book that they would let me borrow, it would be greatly appreciated! 

Summer Wish List: 

I have a few books that I wish to read before summer is up! 

My friend Leah gave this to me when I was in the hospital with John Turner. 

I am going to read it this summer! 

The girls in my Book Club tell me I need to read this before John Turner gets any older!

Heard this one sucks you in like Twilight!

And you'll read it in a day! 

I can't wait! 

I am always looking for new books to read! Looks like I have a lot to do before the Fall gets here! 

3 Months and Counting!

On Wednesday, July 13th, John Turner turned 3 months! I can't believe it! The last few months have gone by so quickly! I am trying to cherish every minute I get to spend with him. In less than one month he will be heading to "school" and I will go back to work. Sniff, sniff....

In his Big Boy PJs! These are 6 month!

Sitting up like a Big Boy!

He had a little help from the couch! 

He found his hands a few weeks ago. Now they constantly stay  in his mouth. When he gets sleepy he starts to rub his eyes. It's so cute! Just in the last few days he has begun noticing his feet and grabbing onto them. He is becoming so observant, which is fun. But now when we are at restaurants, he wants to get out of his carseat, so that he can see everyone. He may be a little social! Mom says that he is going to be a talker! Now that he has begun cooing and talking, he doesn't quit! Speaking of Mom.... she came to visit for his 3 month birthday! 

John Turner and Cha Cha

John Turner is a happy baby the majority of the day! Which makes life so much better and enjoyable! He has a few new tricks - like sticking his tongue out. I tried to get a picture, but I wasn't fast enough! 

I finally finished smocking 2 plates for John Turner - an Auburn tiger plate, to match the twins, and some cute yellow ducklings! I have given them to my friend in my book club to put them together for me. When she returns them, I will definitely put pictures up! 

Until next time.... 

Happy Birthday America!

Aren't we blessed to live in such a wonderful country? I am so proud to live in the United States and call it my home. I feel like over the past few weeks, Gunter and I have been discussing this idea so much! It seems to just come up in conversation between us. We are blessed with a healthy child, a wonderful marriage, a nice house, a loving family, friends, a great church, jobs that we enjoy going to each day, yummy food to eat, and beach houses to vacation at! We spent the Fourth of July weekend in Panama City at Worth the Wait and Gunter's family's beach house.

Mom and Kelsey came and picked me up on Wednesday and we headed down to the beach early for a little girl time. Gunter came down on Thursday night. We dined at Old Florida Fish House, one of our favorite beach restaurants, but one that we haven't been to in quite a while. It was delicious as usual!

Then Friday morning we moved down to the Price's place. We enjoyed spending time in the sun and in the sand! The water was beautiful and the weather was perfect! It wasn't too hot! John Turner even got down on the beach a little bit, but stayed under the tent of course!

Chillin' on the beach in his bouncey seat! 

Yes, he is wearing an Auburn t-shirt that says 

"Aubie Rules! 2010 National Champions" 

I love it! 

Playing with my cousin's toys!

The Browns and the Prices got together for dinner one night at Louie Louie. If you haven't eaten there... it's a must. It's owned by the same people that own the Red Bar. The positive aspect of Louie Louie's is that they have crabcakes every day... which are my favorite! 

The Price family

The Brown family

Sunday we got to have lunch with my good friend from college, Amy, and her husband Clayton at Seagrove Market Cafe. It was yummy as well. (As you and see, all we do at the beach is eat!) I haven't seen Amy in quite awhile and it was so good to catch up and for Amy and Clayton to meet John Turner! 

Amy and I with John Turner

On Monday we celebrated America's birthday with both of our families. We spent time on the beach, ate dinner at Shades on the Loop, and then watched fireworks on the beach. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend! 

The twins and John Turner! 

Happy Birthday America! 

Something Old, Something New

There is a christening gown that has been in my family for years... over 110 years to be exact. It is on my dad's side of the family. My grandmother, Barbara Brown's (we call her MeMe) grandmother made it in 1902 for her children. It was hand- made and is beautiful! We have several pictures of the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren wearing it. It was lost for a little while... sadly when my dad was younger, but has been found again. Therefore, we have started a new tradition of taking the new grandbabies picture in it.

We do not christen at our church. The babies are dedicated to the church. But because this gown is so small, we were unsure if John Turner would fit in it when the Dedication Day rolled around. So when we were in Birmingham in May, I went ahead and took pictures of John Turner in MeMe's christening gown. It was so delicate that I was afraid to button it in the back... but you can't tell from the pictures!

My grandmother, MeMe, in the handmade christening gown. 

This picture was taken in the 1930s. 

John Turner in MeMe's christening gown. 

I love the beautiful lace that was hand stitched onto the gown! 

It is such a special heirloom to have in our family.

This picture was taken back in May when John Turner was 6 weeks old... 

and could still fit into the gown. 

Not sure that would be a possibility now !