good for the soul

Spending time with my parents is like therapy to me. There is just something so nice about spending time with my parents. No matter what is going on with the world or how bad of a day I have had, everything suddenly gets better when I am around them. I am really missing living close to them and seeing them whenever I want. They knew I was missing them and needed to see them, so they made a trip to Memphis this weekend.

Thursday night we went out for a BBQ dinner.

Friday night we had a delicious dinner at the Majestic Grille downtown.

For dessert, we went a few blocks down the street to enjoy Cookies and Cream Cheesecake and original Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Corner.

Don't they look so yummy?

Saturday we were spoiled rotten! We spent almost all day Saturday shopping around. Mom and I got some really good deals on some super cute clothes. We may have purchased a few of the same things. We ate a great lunch a Bogies and then picked up some World Famous chicken from Gus's. Dad saw the restaurant featured on Man vs. Food and wanted to try it out for himself.

Blessed to have wonderful parents!

Trying to get a group snap shot with self-timer. Reecie didn't want to be in the pictures I don't think.

Mom and Dad, thanks for a breath of fresh air! This weekend was exactly what I needed. Love you tons!

weekend with the mattmanns

MLK weekend the Mattmanns came to stay for a few days.

What do we normally do when they are in town? Absolutely nothing! Well, the girls anyways.

The boys go to Tunica and try to win big and play a few rounds of golf.

Summer, Josie and I relax and play at the house.

Josie trying to help KeKe cook cookies and pat my booty. =)

Sun Chips snack. Check out those orange lips.

Besties!

Playing with Uncie Tabis' student ID.

Chillaxin' on the couch.

Have I mentioned that she has a major crush on her Uncie Tabis?

Her new favorite place...KeKe's hamper!

She could spend hours in my closet.

It was a little bit chilly out but we still walked to the playground.

This girl loves to swing.

We had a wonderful weekend. It makes me so happy when they are in town. I am totally content sitting in my house for days on end just playing with my sweet Josie B. Come back soon!! Love you!

snow day

Today, we had our first snow day! I cannot believe I was still doubting the weatherman even when he said, "100%". They never say 100% so I didn't want to get my hopes up.

It started Sunday evening after 6 pm. It came down hard and stuck immediately! It was so pretty.

We were pumped when we both got the news that we were out of school.

Our patio table this morning.

Thanks Chip for letting us play on your 4-wheeler!

Reecie is not a fan of the snow like we are. Travis and I were both standing outside saying, "Come on girl, come on!!" She wouldn't budge. Finally after a lot of begging she stepped out.

She wouldn't step in the snow. We had to pick her up and put her in it. She wasn't happy!

She wouldn't put all four feet down.

Please let me go inside...

Travis and his camo-snowman. Our first snowman in Memphis!!

I'm not happy that he is so dirty.

Have a great snowy day and stay warm!

east tn friends

While in East Tennessee over Christmas break, we were able to spend time with our friends. We all met at Summer and Mike's for a yummy dinner and time to hang out.

The Jochums, who moved soo far away from us. Life in D.C is treating them well.

Lucky Man.

Cory, Trav, and Nick.

Somehow, Lauren and Trav always manage to sneak a picture or two together. =)

While the boys were being boys downstairs, the girls congregated in the smallest room in the house! Why? Because it's the coolest room, ever!

Beauty Shop, anyone?

We did hair and make-up.

Josie loves to play with make-up!!

Sweet kisses.

I think she gave me 100.

Sum (and Charlie), Annie, Me, Lauren and Mary.

Josie calls her Aunt Mary, Mae Mae. Well it sounds more like Mee Mee but...

Sum and I with little Miss Ella.

We really enjoyed spending the evening with so many people that we only get to see every so often. Thanks for a great night, friends!

snow

While back in East Tennessee, we saw some SNOW!

It even snowed on Christmas Day. Cannot get much better than that.

Josie B. enjoyed playing in the snow.

Her outfit cracks me up! She looks like a mismatched scarecrow. =)

Too cute...

Here she is sledding down with her Dad.

Sum and Mike have a perfect sledding hill right in front of their house. I bet some neighborhood kids will be borrowing this hill in the near future.

Josie is such a little dare devil. She went down all by herself!

yummy granola

Wanted to share this easy and delicious granola recipe. My sister, Summer, got this recipe from her husband's cousin. Travis and I decided to make it this weekend.

What You Need:

1 ripe banana (mashed)

1.5 c oats

1/2 c chocolate chips

1/4 c maple syrup

1/2 c peanut butter

1/4 c coconut oil

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 to 4 scoops of protein powder

(Ours turned out a little more peanut buttery then it should. I goofed when reading the instructions. Oh well, it was delicious anyways.)

What You Do:

Mix all the ingredients together.

Spread into a dish.

(You do not have to put mix into a dish. You can make yours into bar size and layout on wax paper. Your choice.)

Cut into squares.

Put in freezer to harden.

Eat. Enjoy.

Very easy and yummy treat to enjoy.

Thanks Sum for the recipe.

the rest of Christmas & a happy new year

Since we were in Kingston for about 8 days, I decided to make Christmas into two separate posts. Here's the rest of our Christmas break (that has quickly come to an end).

Even with all of her great Christmas gifts, what did she want to play with and carry around?

My down comforter.

(Check out her headband, she does her own hair.)

Mom and Dad opening their present from us, tickets to the Cirque Du Soleil, Alegria show in March. I am a little jealous.

Future musician?

Loves her Buddy from Dinosaur Train. Click here to read about Josie meeting Buddy at the Knoxville Zoo.

Josie giving Uncle Eddie some lovins.

Trying on her new kicks. Thanks KK.

Playing with Uncle D.

Troy trying on his new jacket.

Judy's turn...

Giving Reecie her treats from Santa.

While in town, I got together with two of my favorite girls. Now that Lauren is livin' it up in the National's Capital, (click here to read about my trip to see her) it is hard for us to get together. We spent over 3 hours chatting at McAlisters. Talking with these girls is like being 16 all over again. We laugh, talk and giggle nonstop. I am so lucky to have had these two in my life since the first grade.

Typical....

As much as we love going home, it is always nice to head back West to our little house and great friends.

For New Years, we kept it sweet and simple.

Dinner at the never failing Olive Garden and then back to the Trammell's to celebrate the new year.

While the girls stayed warm inside, the boys goofed off out in the garage.

Yes, they are in the pajamas.

That's how we roll. =)

Happy 2011 Puryears!!

Thank you 2010 for being a great year, but we cannot wait for the things to come in 2011.

The true us.

Trammell family, ready to meet their little Aven Kathryn in 2011.

(Aunt Kayla cannot wait to meet her either!)

Cheers to 2011

Back home celebrating with Reecie girl.

We hope everyone had a great 2010 and will have an even better 2011.

Happy New Year from the Siscos.