a weekend with friends.

On Friday evening, Andy, Carmen, and I drove the two short hours to visit our good friends Keith and Dana! We were so very excited to not only see and visit with them both, but to meet their newest addition, baby Samantha, who was born in December. What a beautiful blessing it was to meet Ms. Samantha and watch Keith and Dana interact with their beautiful bundle of joy with both joy and ease. We are so thankful that like Keith and Dana, that Samantha is now in our lives as well!

Keith, Dana, Samantha, and Sadie ~
Thank you so much for your hospitality! We had such a wonderful time visiting with you all and hope to see you again very soon!

After shopping and lunch, we enjoyed the beautiful
Spring weather with a walk at one of Indianapolis'
local parks.


We are so sorry Ms. Sadie that our Carmen was
determined to be the leader of our walk.



Andy and I with
beautiful Ms. Samantha (4 months old)

thunder over louisville.

With beautiful, beautiful weather, Andy and I decided to explore the local phenomenon, Thunder Over Louisville, which kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival, with our friends Matt and Sarah! After a delicious dinner at our favorite Mexican restuarant, we were lucky enough to use Andy's parking garage pass to park downtown, just a few blocks from the action. Nonetheless, after we walked those few blocks and arrived in solid pedestrian gridlock, we decided that the roof of the parking garage would be a perfect place to enjoy Thunder! How right we were! What a beautiful display of fireworks that truly sounded
exactly like thunder!

nashville getaway

To celebrate my Spring Break, Andy and I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday morning! Taking advantage of Louisville's surrounding areas, we couldn't wait to get away for just a bit. What fun we had shopping, eating, and relaxing! In addition, wishing to see Nashville through the eyes of a local, we decided to be true, goofy tourists and were picked up early Friday morning at our hotel by our tour bus! Spending time enjoying the historic beauty of Nashville and my favorite, gawking at celebrity's homes, Andy and I were happy that we decided to pursue the tour, but will definitely pack some Dramamine for our next tour bus adventure! Sad that my Spring Break has almost ended, I know that my Summer Break is right around the corner!

...Opry Mills Mall here we come...


...On our tour bus...
Don't we look like professional tourists?


Nashville U.S. Customs House


Nashville's historic train station, newly renovated into a beautiful hotel


...Let's stay here during our next visit...


Martina McBride's home
(forgive the glare...remember, we are tourists on a bus)


Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman's home


Tim McGraw & Faith Hill's home


Alan Jackson's home


Inside Opryland Resort




Enjoying dinner at EllenDales before
returning to Louisville

birthday boy.

Tonight, Andy and I celebrated his 29th birthday at one of our new finds, Mojitos! Recommended by our friends Creed and Whitney, Mojitos is a delicious Cuban/South American tappas restaurant. What fun we had ordering many different and scrumptious tappas! Yum! After a stop at the Pie Kitchen for a sweet birthday dessert, Andy enjoyed opening the rest of his birthday presents! Happy, happy birthday Andy!

a spring break for all.

On Sunday morning, Andy and I packed Carmen's travel bag so that she could head to her "Puppy Camp" in Philippi. Because Andy and I are going to explore Nashville for a few days later this week, my mother met us half-way in Huntington, West Virginia for the exchange and a quick bite at Sonic! Thanks mom for driving to meet us and to pick up Carmen. Now, Carmen can have a Spring Break trip as well! We know she'll be well taken care of until we see you for Easter! We can't wait for your visit!

...Who knows Carmen, I hear the Dairy King is now open.
You may get a delicious, vanilla pup cup...

yeah! it's mine!

It was a Twilight morning! After deciding not to venture out to Walmart at midnight last night for the DVD release of my latest obsession, Twilight, I couldn't wait to go to Target this morning to claim my copy! Yeah! It's mine!

let us worship Him.

Not only are we excited that Kent and Danielle are visiting, we were thrilled to treat them to Southeast Christian Church's annual Easter Passion program last night. Andy and I enjoyed The Passion last year with our good friends Whitney and Creed and knew from that moment that we couldn't wait to share this year's production with our own family! What an amazing night we had together as we experienced the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

birthday beginning

Danielle and Kent arrived from West Virginia on Friday afternoon! We are so excited to have them here and can't wait to spend the weekend with them both! And.......they came bearing gifts! Andy's birthday is at the end of March and because neither my mother, father, Kent, nor Danielle will be here to celebrate in person, they brought Andy "his birthday" a bit early! Thanks to mom and dad, Andy is now the owner of the ever-popular Wii! Kent and Danielle extended the "Wii theme" and surprised Andy with "Wii Play," a set that contains an extra controller and 6 additional games. In the few short hours that we have had possession of our new toy, it has already proved to be a HIT! Thanks mom, dad, Kent, and Danielle for such a great birthday beginning for Andy!

it's his "birthday month"

Just like my November birthday, Kent also recognizes March as his birthday month. What a fun and delicious birthday dinner we had at Cheddars in Morgantown! Although our Mountaineers were defeated in the Big East Championship, it was so nice to see the familiar sights of Morgantown! How nice it was to be in the midst of gold and blue Mountaineer country! Happy, happy birthday Kent! We can't wait to spend next weekend with you and Danielle in Louisville! Fun, fun activities are planned and perhaps Andy and I can wash, dry, and iron our "game pants" this week to prepare for your visit!

Waitng for Nathan.

While in West Virginia, I was so excited to host my friend Denise's baby shower with her sister, Alison! What a fun morning and afternoon I had visiting with the "mother-to-be" and family friends! It was so nice to see everyone! Denise and Josh received so many wonderful gifts and well wishes for Baby Nathan's April 30th arrival date, that will make his entrance into this world a bit easier for the new mom and dad. I can't wait to meet this special, special little boy!

What a cute baby bump!

Alison and I were happy to see Shandra arrive early!
I loved visiting with Ms. Shandra!
We loved having her help!

Very soon, my mom, Danielle, and I will be celebrating
at Danielle's bridal shower in June...we can't wait!