Panama City Beach Florida

Weekend after Memorial Day, Justin and I took a road trip to Florida to meet his family at the beach. It is their family tradition and it was incredible to be included this year! It is so fun to have family traditions, and Justin and I look forward to the days ahead when we get to create traditions and memories... these are the types of events that make an imprint on your soul. They are irreplaceable memories! They used to come here with his Nini and Didi, and, for me, it was so cool to see the places in person that I have only seen in pictures!

The road trip was super neat too! We always find so much to talk about with conversations revolving around how we are going to raise children to putting on random music and figuring out who the artist is and trying to sing ALL of the words! Its a blast!

Once we were at the beach, the first day consisted of playing and relaxing until about 5. Then we all got dressed for family picture time... which came out so incredible! the picture above is one of them and that will be part of our Christmas card! Yea!!!! Then we went out to dinner and came back to celebrate 2 birthdays. Justin's cousin, Lauren, turned 16, and Justin's birthday is the 15th and he is turning 26 (he is so young = ) )!! Justin's aunt and Momma decorated 2 delicious ice cream cakes, so cute!!! The next day was full of beach volleyball, which is so hard but so fun, riding the waves on $1.88 floats (thank you Walmart!), and doing something kinda dumb, and it kinda made Justin and I realize that we are not teenagers anymore... we rode the Banana Boat AND actually asked for a rough ride!!! Whoa! That was a white knuckled, life flash before your eyes sort of event! Holy COW!!!! Fun but petrifying at the same time, and I was actually hoarse from screaming the ENTIRE time!!! So funny!

We just chilled that night, and the next day was the trip home... again conversation started with A-Z names that we could see our future children having to sports! It was a great trip, one I am looking forward to making again in the future! 

Thank you to all who made it possible! Enjoy the pics!

Panama City

Justin relaxing

From the balcony of the room where we stayed

Funny pretend Olan Mills shot #1... Thanks Scott! This was a blast!

Scott and Amanda pose in a laughing manner... funny!

Sunset

The decoration of the cakes

Yea!!! 

Happy Birthday to "This Guy"

Sing it ladies!!

Pretend Olan Mills Picture #2... looks like the Church Directory Pic! Haha!

The Ladies... or should I say Bahama Mamas!

The four of us! 

Justin and Nini

HOME!!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend and a celebration for the happy couple

Memorial Day weekend was a fabulous weekend in Arlington, Texas. We got a chance to toast my cousin Michael and his soon-to-be bride, Kristin. They are getting married in October in Maryland, and I cannot wait to see them join their lives together! They compliment each other perfectly! It is amazing to see our family grow! The love that is shared is beyond describing with words. 

Marriage is a beautiful thing! I have said it before and I will say it forever, marriage between a man and a woman is so sacred, so beautiful, and it is the beginning of a new adventure that God has given to us. 

I am so proud of Michael and Kristin! They do life so well! Both of them are good decision makers and are avidly making their lives better. It is truly wonderful that they have found out who they are individually and now they venture into finding out who they are together!

I love them both so much, and October cannot get here quick enough! These pictures to follow show how much fun all of us had celebrating a graduation, a birthday, and a wedding to come! Whoo hoo!!!!

The boys figuring out the pool toys

My TJ

Only 19 1/2 more years, dude (F.Y.I ***** He was only playing with the ICE!!)

Corey and Robyn

Robyn and Tiff

"WHAT???!!!! I am so cute that I know my Mimi will let me have some before ANYone else!"

Mom and Jimmy

I love to take pictures of Robyn and her son! You can truly see the love and bond they share!

Host and Hostess with the mostest!!! Thanks Auntie and Uncle Dave!

Jaxson's cousin JC ACTION shot... jumpin in the pool!!

The happy couple

Ashlee's Graduation from National Charity League

My beautiful cousin Ashlee and her mom, my Aunt Clarice, joined a spectacular group 6 years ago. It is really something that is truly honorable to willingly and devotingly give your time to assist others! Ashlee is not only beautiful on the outside, but she is also gorgeous on the inside! She is a true sister in Christ and her passion and faith shine through her attitude and good decisions! She is an inspiration to all younger than her, and to all of us older... well... she makes you see that life can be done in such a way that you can have fun AND be a good person all at the same time! Ashlee, thank you for showing me that life is beautiful and that it is a journey well worth making in order to do good for others! It is not about how much you have, but how much you have to give! Love you!

Graduating seniors

Wow!

No she isn't one yet, but isn't she going to make a beautiful bride!

Ashlee and her cousins (we missed Sarah Beth and Sam!)

The picture I wish I had in my dress! Ashlee is such a good sport to induldge me!

Ashlee and her Family

Ashlee and her momma

Ashlee and her Aunties

Joey!!

This post is a LOOOONNNNGGGG time in the making! Sorry it took so long! We got to spend a fantastic family night with Justin's dad and family the saturday before Memorial day! Isn't he so precious! He is enough to make any uterus jump! Haha.... but seriously! Such a good baby, and he is a good boy! I love him so very much!

T.J. rocks the Viola!

T.J. is so talented! I really think he is the smartest out of all of us, not to mention that he is the only one musically inclined! The orchestra in which he is a part has received the most high honor! They are held in the highest of esteem... much higher than any other middle school orchestra around! I love him so much, and I cannot believe how grown up he is! TJ is so talented and I love him so much! Please enjoy the music!

He can be taught!!

We are so proud and so excited because Brian has graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mathematical Education. I have to say that I am so proud of my brother and his accomplishment! Brian and I have a very special bond. We have been through so much together and we have become very close. We can laugh at movie quotes we have heard a million times, cry at stupid movies, and laugh UNTIL we cry at fart jokes. I know that may sound strange to some people, but Brian and I don't care! He is my brother, my friend, and a true confidant! There is a reason why he walked me down the aisle, and it is because he deserved the honor. I love Brian more than he'll ever know! Oh... and he will be working at our Alma Mater High School... GO DAWGS!!!!! Yeah! High School football again!!!!

A visit with Elliot

This is my first visit with Elliot and it was well worth it! He is so adorable and I love him soooo much! Enjoy!

Better Homes and Gardens... no... Just the Sutherland Back yard!

Justin and I have been working diligently to make our backyard beautiful! We cannot wait to have all of you over to enjoy it with us! We certainly love it!

The cat gets a hair cut

Okay, coming back to the house after our Dallas trip, Sam left us little surprises all over the house... i.e. little presents of throw up! When he gets mad... He really gets mad!! Soooooo... we gave him a hair cut and a bath... Poor kitty!

No that is not patches of snow... that is just a little bit of the kitty hair!

Poor Wet Kitty!

Brother, are you okay?