Graduation - Two down, one to go...

Katie entering the stadium and is featured on the big screen.  She is tearing up because she doesn't want to graduate.  College has been the best four years of her life!  Katie graduated Cum Laude.

Katie's name is called and she walks...

I don't have any pics of her afterward in her cap and gown.  It was so crowded and Katie gets anxious in crowds, so I said we would take them at the restaurant.  She left her stuff in the car, that just means a photo shoot will take place when she gets home.  Unfortunately, we missed the moment. 

Beautiful

 Paper Lanterns are a staple at our parties

 New family favorite: Oreos and Nutter Butters dipped in chocolate.

 We experienced some designer beer.  Blue Moon being the overall favorite.

 Daddy says a few words in honor of the graduate: she beams!

The girls

Survived!

A Little Treat

 Alyssa went to New York for vacation last week.  I gave her some money and asked her to go into the new New York Laduree and bring us home some Laduree macaroons.

 If you've never had a macaroon, the are delicious.  Crisp at first and then soft and yummy.  They come in different flavors.  I love the chocolate and pistachio.  The salted carmel and coffee flavors were a big hit.  

They are about an inch and a half wide.  Just a bite or two.

Just to keep it real, I gave her $75.00 thinking she would be able to bring back a wide variety of tasty treats.  I was shocked when she handed me this tiny box.  Twenty-four tiny cookies, $3.00 each.  They were gone before you could blink an eye!

Blessed With LOVE!

The girls and I on Mother's Day

I am feeling quite blessed this Mother's Day.  My girls were left up to their own devices and planned a beautiful brunch at Alyssa's house for me.

 They made delicious waffles, fresh fruit, bacon, and Champagne Bellini's.

 They set a beautiful table.  I am very impressed with the tablescaping skills.  The apple does not fall far from the tree!

A lot of planning, care, effort and love went into this Mother's Day Brunch and I am so grateful.

It was a gorgeous day and I felt so LOVED!!!

Scottsdale and Machine Guns

 On Wednesday, we flew out to Scottsdale, Arizona, land of the Saguaro cactus.  It is a beautiful, peaceful resort. We saw a huge, well fed coyote one morning, lots of bunnies and birds.

 On Thursday, we attended a black-tie gala where the Handsome Husband received an award.  He looked so handsome in his tux AND I tied his bow-tie.  Pretty proud of myself.  We don't have a picture together because in previous years, they had a professional photographer that took beautiful couple pictures, so we were counting on that.  As it turned out, they had a photographer that just came around to your table and took your picture - oh well. I had a navy blue beaded lace dress, silver shoes and wrap.

HH and I shooting Tommy Guns!  HH wanted to shoot them from the hip like in the old gangster movies, but it wasn't allowed.


On Friday, we went to the Scottsdale Gun Club and shot 4 different machine guns and three pistols.  I have to say, it was SO MUCH FUN!!!  I loved shooting the machine guns the most.

Shooting the S.A.W.

This was the first machine gun I shot and I was scared there was going to be a huge recoil that would hurt my shoulder, but there wasn't.  It was easy.  I was caught off guard,though, 

by the smell of the gunpowder that just about filled your nose. 

There were three pistols we shot: M&P 9 mm, .40 and .45.

This is my target from the M4.  Not too shabby.

My favorite was the M4 machine gun.  It is what our troops are currently shooting in Afghanistan.

We had time to lay by the pool and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  We got facials and massages.  I loved it.  It was a great weekend at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale.   Thanks Willis!!!

Million Dollar Quartet

You have to go see this!

It is the story of a day in 1956 at Sun Records.  Sam Phillips had just signed Jerry Lee Lewis and he was playing piano for Carl Perkins at a recording session when Elvis and Johnny Cash come in for a visit.  It is quite an interesting story and there is a lot of FABULOUS rock 'n' roll.  I never really liked Jerry Lee Lewis, but after this, I really admire his piano playing.  The songs the guys sing take you back to your childhood and you can't help but dance in your seat!  

This was the last time these guys were ever all together in the same place playing music.  Shortly after this, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins signed with Columbia records and a year earlier, Sam Phillips had sold Elvis' contract to RCA to save his company from going under.  He had just signed Roy Orbison too.  RCA tried to get Sam to come to work for them and work with Elvis again, but he wanted to keep his business and work with the guys he signed.  

 This is the real picture from that day.

It is really in black and white, but I liked the color!

Don't miss this, it is so wonderful!