All Tied Up

Last night, we played our second game of kickball! We ended up playing the same team we played the first time. We ended up with a tied score of 3-3, which was good considering that means that we didn't lose! On the other hand we didn't win either.

Unfortunately, Tucker didn't get to play. He had to learn a new route in Tuskegee and didn't get off till 6:30. This meant that I actually had to play and couldn't depend on Tucker to coast me along. My goal every game is to look like I'm actually doing something when in fact I'm not doing anything! Thank goodness for me, whenever a ball came my way, the other husbands on the team jumped right in and saved me from embarrassment.

My bunting strategy didn't work out too well either. At one point the bases were loaded with 2 outs and guess who was up to bat? ME!!!!!! It was the classic cliche situation you see in the movies. And of course, I bunted and was tagged out on my way to first. New strategy is needed ASAP! At least they didn't yell "Easy Out!" this time!

Amanda

Undefeated

Team Ball & Oates

This is our UNDEFEATED kickball team! Granted we have only gotten to play play one game, but we did smoke them 7-5. We have 15 members on our team, but we needed only 10 to lay a beat down on the opposing team last week. Unfortunately we didn't get to play last night due to the rainy weather. I was so excited too! I had been in my uniform since 8:30 yesterday, and Tucker just laughed when he came home and I was still in it with a sad look on my face.

I had big plans to redeem myself after my terrible playing last week. Tucker made me play short stop (bad idea) and he played left field. Twice the ball came right at me. The first time it was a ground ball that bounced off of my hands and hit me in the face, and the second was in the air and I freaked out and let it bounce instead of just catching it. To put it mildly, I stink! The other team even announced that I was an easy out when I came up to kick. Totally hurt my feelings! I can't wait till we play next week though because I have been working on a bunt strategy. I'll let you know how it goes when the time comes. Until then....Go Ball & Oates!!!!

Amanda

Girl's Day Out

Last Friday us girls went antiqin'! And it was so much fun! Tucker's Aunt Katie has a booth at Angel's Antiques (you should go check it out- she has some amazing things!) and we went to check that out and then some. Just to warn you-if you have never been to Angel's Antiques, it is huge! There is just so much to see. We were there for about 2 hours and only saw about half of the entire store! We found several great pieces for Emily's (hope to be soon) new house. It's not official, but we can dream right? Half the fun is imagining how you would decorate your new home and we did just that and had a blast doing it. Then we all went to lunch at the Irish Bread Pub. Delish!

From left: me, Phyllis, Kathie, Mymama, Emily, and Katie Rae

Getting ready for an afternoon of shopping!

After lunch we planned to go shopping at all the cute little shoppes in Opelika. Unfortunately, we didn't get to do as much as we would have liked to due to a torrential downpour. It hadn't rained in days and the one day we decide to go shopping it pours! I'm not complaining though- we desperately needed the rain. 

And I have to give some major props to my sweet husband! He came home after a long, wet day (he's a UPS man) and grilled out for us! He's the best! I so enjoyed my day with all of them! I feel so fortunate to have married into such a wonderful, loving, and FUN family!

Amanda 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to you Grandpa! You are my friend, my mentor, and one of the most important people in my life. I hope you had a wonderful day! We tried our best to make it all about you for a change! It was a super fun day full of swimming, good eating, and lots of laughter!

Doing what all fathers should do on Father's Day- relaxing!

Grandpa, Aunt Rhonda, Rachel, and Taylor

Grandpa and Aunt Rhonda

Grandpa, Aunt Rhonda, and me

Grandpa with two of his great-grandchildren, Taylor and Rachel

Aunt Rhonda and me

I love you!

Amanda

Celebrate Good Times!

Tucker's sweet grandmother, whom we all call Mymama, had a birthday this past Tuesday. We won't tell how old she is, because as I always say a lady never tells her age! To celebrate the whole family headed to Montgomery to eat at Wintzell's. They'll think twice before they let this rowdy crowd back in!

From left: me, Tucker, Al, Phyllis, Mymama (Sherry), Kate, Kathie, Emily, and Andy

Phyllis, Mymama, and Kathie looking very cool!

~Too cool!~

It was another night full of wonderful memories! There was great food, great conversations, and great people! Emily and Kate spent nearly a half hour explaining the Kardashian clan. (Yes, this is what we do!) It was exhausting and hilarious at the same time. I still don't think anyone at the table knows what a decathlete is!

Kate enjoying a raw oyster! Ha!

All of us outside of Wintzell's.

Mymama with her grandchildren (minus one- We miss you Will!)

Happy Birthday Mymama! We love and cherish you dearly!

Amanda

Kickballin'

Tucker and I have joined a summer kickball league, and we are so excited about it! It's a great way to meet new people, especially young newly married couples! Last night was supposed to be our first games (we had a double header), but unfortunately, there was some confusion between the league owners and the city of Auburn about the lights being turned on on the fields.

We still had a great time! We got our team shirts and met the other couples on our team. Everyone seems wonderful! Our team name is Ball & Oates. In case you don't get it right away, it's a play on words from the singing duo Hall & Oates. Even though we could not play an official game, we did get some practice in before it got too dark to see. And I have to say I'm so thankful for that practice! I probably haven't played kickball since I was in elementary school, and it's a lot harder than I remembered. The ball is huge and hard to throw and control! This is going to be a great workout!

Then we all met at Halftimes downtown to partake in a celebratory beverage! We had a blast! Hopefully, we will be playing our first official game next Wednesday. I'll be posting pictures weekly, but to hold you over till next week, here is one of Tucker and I in our team apparel!

Amanda

Summer

I love summer break! The first week of my summer vacation was so hectic it hardly felt like the beginning of a two month hiatus at all! Between our lake and beach trips, I'm pooped! This week lends itself to normality, if you can call it that. Tucker starts back to work, and I'll be doing a hodge podge of things. One being getting most of my school work accomplished, and the other being overdue house work.

I so enjoy not having to get up early unless I want to. Recently I have been getting up early to run my usual two and half miles. It's just too hot in the afternoons. I also enjoy being able to eat a breakfast that does not include cramming a breakfast bar into my mouth on the way to school. And  best of all, is that I can enjoy a few cups of coffee sitting on the couch watching TV in my pajamas! 

I am going to live it up this week for next week brings with it trips to school :( I'll be moving, feverishly cleaning, and organizing a new classroom. And now that I have plenty of time off, there will be more happy blog posts in the near future!

Amanda

Memorial Day And More

This past Memorial Day weekend was spent at the lake, our home away from home! It was so nice to get away from all the stress that has been our lives recently. This was also a very exciting weekend, because Bandit got to meet his new cousin Ethel! Ethel is little sister to Lucy and both are Great Danes. Bandit wasn't so sure about playing with her at first. She is only 12 weeks and already twice the size of him. Introductions went well considering that they didn't go too well with older sister Lucy. I'm glad they were able to make friends!

Ready for some fun!

Ethel

Bandit with his mommy!

Introductions!

We did lots of this!

We had a small crowd this year, and we weren't too lively. Kate, John, Jay, Mymama, Tucker, and I all went to bed at 10 on Saturday night! I think we are all starting to grow up! It was a weekend full of fun, laughter, and delicious eats! Mymama made fried chicken Saturday night per request of Tucker. It was delish, but oh so bad for my diet!

Suiting up!

Tucker skiing!

Some lake silliness!

Sunday, Tucker's parents joined us along with Emily and Andy. We had to leave Sunday because we were heading to the beach on Monday! Tucker surprised me earlier this month with a vacation for a few days to Orange Beach. We are always so busy, and it is rare when we actually get to vacation just the two of us. We cherished every moment, and we had a blast just enjoying each other's company!

The view from my chair!

Life IS Better at the Beach!

A scrumptious dinner at one of our favorite eats, The Original Oyster House! Following dinner, we followed tradition and had Scoops Ice cream! Yum!

Put Put Golf!

The volcano behind me was erupting!

We saw this boat at the Wharf.

My yacht just happened to be here as well! Ha!

As you can see, we had a great time! Now it's back to school and work. I'll be busy packing up my classroom and moving while Tucker will be sweating away delivering packages. Why does vacation have to end?

Amanda