Halloween

I just realize how long it has been since my last blog. Oops! But here is my Halloween update.
My parents invited us out with them to a Halloween party they were attending. Bobby and I didn't exactly dress up. I was Fuddy and Bobby was Duddy. But we had a blast getting my parents ready and spending the evening with them and their friends.

One thing about their friends, they always treat you like you are their best friend and give you such a warm welcome.

We spent Saturday night before Halloween at a party with my parents. Bobby and I did not dress up so we went as "Fuddy" and "Duddy."

It was a lot of fun helping my parents get ready. My mom had some pretty awesome socks.

I handled the white makeup and mom handled the eye liner but Dad actually did his own lipstick.

My mom is allergic to face paint so she used a TON of green eye shadow. I think she looked great.

Dad as Dracula and Mom as the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz

Mom was tired of waiting for karaoke to start up so she sang along with the Glee soundtrack from my ipod.

She finally got on stage.

Mom and her buddies - Michelle and Nicole

My dad with three (out of four) of his favorite ladies...of course me being the most important. But somebody had to take the picture. :-)

Top 2 in the Costume Contest
Freddy Krueger (Michelle's son Corey)

And the winner! My dad.
I was so proud!

Love These People

Last weekend, Bob and I spent the evening with some very special people. It was a celebration of Emily and Nicole's birthdays. These friends are the ones you can not talk to for weeks or months and it is like you were never apart. They are all so warm and friendly and hilarious. I seriously have never laughed as hard in my life as I did last Saturday. We all gathered at Emily and Tyler's home for food and a crazy game of BINGO.

Emily, Michael, and Katie
Can you tell Emily and Katie are sisters?!?


This family is extremely talented and they have recently taken up various string instruments.
Emily and Ginny showed off their talents (sort of).


Tyler's mom indulged both Emily's new hobby of guitar and mandolin with her extreme obsession with all things Twilight with guitar books for the soundtracks to the first two movies. She was ecstatic!

Nicole LOVES the outdoors and even has her own camper! She just purchased a new camper and is decorating it with Scotty dogs. Her "mom" got her a stained glass scotty for the camper window.

Ginny can play any instrument she picks up. It is really sickening!

So...this family plays a hilarious version of Bingo. The winner of each round gets to choose a prize from the table. The prizes are white elephants gifts that all of the players have brought. Each prize can be "stolen" twice before it is frozen with that last person. It is really amazing to watching people fight over a used board game or cooler. I had completely horrible luck. As evident from the picture above, I went a whole round without any of my numbers being called. Bobby, who had never played Bingo in his life, had beginners luck and won two rounds. Although, I did get a prize for a clean sheet.

Katie snagged a very coveted prize - a kite! Bobby really wanted this kite, again because he has never flown a kite in his life, but couldn't steal from sweet Katie.

One of the loudest, fiercest competitiors was Tyler. He was hysterical - as always.

I am not sure Michael won a round either! But, as always, he was so cheery and so very funny. He has the most recognizable laugh ever and you can't not laugh when he does.

Bad Blogger

For the past three months, I have been a very bad blogger. Also for the past three months, I have been in the strangest kind of funk imaginable. I woke up one day a few weeks ago and said "enough!" I jumped headfirst back into photography, crafts, renovations, etc.

What we have been up to....

1. After months of a jam-packed schedule, waking up with nowhere to be or nothing to do on a Saturday was a nice treat.

2. The renovation we started in March is about 85% complete. Just waiting on Bob to finish one more thing and I can hang frames and blog about before and after pictures. Then onto the bedroom and my office!

3. NOTHING! I have spent lots of time in front of tv or just laying around reading. I discovered an Austrailan show called McLeod's Daughters and I was addicted. And, my new favorite author, Charlaine Harris, has several series of mystery books. I love her writing and her stories.

4. We became Losties. After dabbling in Seasons 1 and 2...we became addicated around season 3. We actually spent an entire day in our pajamas and managed to watch every episode in Season 5. So, now was are waiting for Season 6's dvd release and trying to stay away from spoilers.

5. I starting reading some random hilarious women's blog and she had craft projects. I began to search for various projects. So far I have made cake plates using Mod Podge and have a half way finished picture frame that will soon become a dry-erase board

6. I have jumped headfirst back into photography and am really working towards getting to know clients. I launched a facebook business page - that means I'm legit, right? I'm still learning but having a blast.

7. I have learned that the right decisions are not always the easiest ones. In fact, they can be completely heartbreaking. But, I know more than ever that God is the ultimate comforter.

8. We spent 6 wonderful days in Panama City Beach, Florida. It was beautiful and relaxing. Bobby wants to move there. Tomorrow. He even looked into real estate.

9. We have jumped into bulk shopping and I LOVE it. Our cabinet looks like an aisle at Walmart. We have also tried new recipes...trying to branch out both on our taste buds and my cooking skills.

10. I desperately want a new hairstyle and have been on the search for the right style/cut/color. No such luck yet. To cut or not to cut??

Nicholas Turns Two

My sweet bud Nicholas turns two this week and will be celebrating at Disney World. Last weekend Amanda threw Nicholas a birthday party. Its theme - Winnie the Pooh. Nicholas LOVES Pooh!

We found a card that would sing the Winnie the Pooh theme song. Nicholas LOVED it. He was so shocked when he opened it and it sang to him.

Nicholas' cute cake. Amanda did a great job with lots of fun food and decorations.

Nicholas and one of his many faces.
I had a great time visiting with this fun boy and his family to celebrate his birthday. It is so funny to watch these babies grow up and become little people.

Bobby found Nicholas a super fun little playset (a castle with knights, a catapult, and drawbridge) but I bought the kiddo a few outfits including this shirt with a little monster and it says "Hungry." This definitely describes Nicholas.

Another Bobby Quote...

Late in 2008, my cousin introduced Bobby to his coffee maker - a Keurig. It was a brand new on the market (at least in our price range) and Bobby fell in love! He had been wanting one and we had been waiting for the price to come down some or at least that was my excuse...until my parents bought one. Bobby couldn't stand it. So, on a Sam's outing back in December (on New Year's Eve to be exact), we bought a Keurig.

These coffee makers are very interesting in that you only brew one cup at a time. Here is a quote from the company's website:

"The word "keurig" is derived from the Dutch word for excellence, and it is our promise to you. Excellence guides everything we do, from our patented single-cup brewing technology, to the gourmet brands of coffee and tea that are packaged in our K-Cup® portion packs, to our customer service.
Today, Keurig® is the leading single-cup brewing system in North America-for both At Home and Away From Home. Now, you can enjoy a fresh cup of gourmet coffee or tea, and hot cocoa Keurig Brewed® in less than a minute, without any set-up or clean-up. Keurig's popular coffee, tea and hot cocoa brands offer hundreds of K-Cups® to choose from, so everyone can have their favorite variety."

So, Bobby drinks way too much coffee each day because of this contraption. He loves it. He named it. Klyde.

Last night we were talking about our vacation in May and Bobby says "Umm, can the Keurig go on vacation too? Because if it doesn't go then I don't go!" That's my Bob.

Worst Blogger Ever

I am seriously the worst blogger ever. I am lazy and don't want to stop what I am doing to come up with witty things to say about our life. But, here I am recommitting to this monster. Here are some random stills from the Armstrong life -

I love this girl. Ava Brooke.
Her parents are pretty alright people too.

My cousin and I through my grandmother a surprise 70th birthday party. She was so surprised. My cousin made 65lbs of baked spaghetti and I decorated everything in the backyard that stayed still. And, there was karaoke. It was fabulous.

I am teaching Sunday School/Small Group now. Young Adults/Couples. This is frightening.

We start a new study called "Heart of a Renegade King" from 1 & 2 Samuel. I am terrified.

We helped move Jim and Ashley into their new house.
And, we had Japanese with Jim and Ashley.
And, we spent a long Sunday afternoon playing board games.

They are having a baby girl in December. Her name is Ella Kate and she will love her Aunt Mel more than anybody else.

No explanation needed.

Other news:
We bought a new, beautiful television. I know nothing expect it is 46' and beautiful and its a Sony and it came with a free blue ray player....and I wrote the largest check ever to Best Buy.

Bobby will preach again on October 4th and maybe the 11th. I am excited.

I bought new pots and pans/utensils/plates. But, since I came down with the virus from the bad place, the only thing I have been able to eat on my new plates is a chicken patty sandwich. Sad. The pots and pans are from the Paula Deen Collection and the plates are square.

Lastly, I bought an iphone. I love it. I adore it. I don't know how I functioned without it. It is way better than Bobby's (it is the exact same except for my super cute pink cover).

Been A While Randoms

1. I hate the Flu.

2. I hate shots of cortisone almost as much as I hate the flu.

3. Listening to Lady Gaga makes me feel like I'm on drugs. So strange.

4. My irrational fear of being decapitated is as strong as ever. Maybe a post about this later.

5. We have had so much rain that not only is my grass a mile high but you need floaters to use the lawn mower. It's bad. However, my weeping willow is thriving!

6. Jim and Ash are having a baby. Wow. I found out that my best friends were having a child while I was standing on the dog food aisle at Publix. Therefore, I will call their child Rover until its born.

7. Vacation is booked!! One whole week at the beach!

8. Spring semester is over in one month! (insert Hallelujah chorus)

9. I found a great new chicken recipe and can even make a rough, knock off version of Rice Pilaf. To duplicate Zoe's rice pilaf is my life goal. If I can reach this goal, my life will be complete (forget kids, college, promotions, retirement. it's all about the rice!) Just kidding. But that would be fabulous.

10. Easter is coming up and we had a great message on Palm Sunday.
Imagine being present as Jesus rode into Jerusalem that day. Imagine as they drug Jesus down the streets. Imagine watching the crucification and standing there helplessly. So, heartbreaking! Now, imagine life if Jesus had none rode in on that day or died on the cross. What a sweet savior!

Wow...we were couch potatoes

After Bob felt very sick all evening Friday, we found on Saturday that he has the flu! We spent all weekend laying around the house - Bobby basically parked himself in his recliner all weekend! With lots of orange juice, medicine, and the following movies...hopefully he will get to feeling better soon!

"I'm your huckleberry" - Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer)

"At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall!"
- Optimus Prime (Hugo Weaving)

"See... I tell you I can read minds and you think there's something wrong with you"
- Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson)

"So I'll stand with you, side by side. Until the end." - Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner)

"They call me Cowboy Gil, as in guil-ty"- Gil Buckman (Steve Martin)

" I know exactly who I am, sweetheart. I'm a guy who came a long way for lunch."
- Doug Dorsey (D.B. Sweeney)

"Well, as usual, the Republican comes up with a plan while the Democrat just aimlessly wanders in the woods." - Russell Kramer (Jack Lemmons)

"I've been blown up, take me to the hospital" - Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks)

"Any guy can sweep any girl off her feet, he just needs the right broom."
- Hitch (Will Smith)

An Off Day

So, I took a couple of days off work. I had planned to clean out our extra bedroom to get things ready for our church yard sale. Yeah, didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow.

Here's a peek into what I did today.....I was planning to meet Bobby for lunch and run a few errands. So, I set out on a country road.I met Bob at a mexican joint - Bob LOVES mexican food.

Here's Bob. Waiting for his delicious lunch.

A sign at one of the local shops. I love it. It makes me giggle everytime!
I bought Bob some new pants at this place. I returned his some other ones to Academy but forgot to take a picture.

Then, I headed home to "clean" the house. Yeah right. But, I made a pit stop at my Mother-In-Law's House. She keeps children. Wild, Insane, Sweet, Adorable, Crazy Children - especially these three. They also happen to be brothers. God Bless their mother.

Top to Bottom:
Landon, almost 5, Don-Don, age 3, and Michael, almost 2

So, I did manage to clean the bathroom and my bedroom. I also mopped the kitchen and cleaned the top of the stove. See, so I was productive afterall.

Now, we're heading up to my MIL's to have some homemade barbeque and coleslaw.

Nice Off Day.

Sweet Babies

Nicholas (12 months), Brooklynn (22 months), & Gracie (6 months)

After church, we thought it would be sweet to get these three together for a group picture. After 8 or 9 attempts, I managed to get them all looking one way (with A LOT) of help from mom's and grandma's. Nicholas is the super sweet little boy that belongs to Nick & Amanda, Brooklynn is Michelle & Brian's big girl (whom I first held when she was only an hour old), and precious little Gracie. Gracie and her parents live in North Carolina and her sweet grandparents are two of my favorite people.

The Weekend That Was

1. I slept until after 9:30 on Saturday. Loved it!

2. I love Publix. It is my favorite place to shop! I should be in their commercials.

3. My parent's anniversary is coming up so I worked on a special project Saturday afternoon while Bobby helped our friend Andrew go pick up their new baby crib (Baby Ava will be here in early May!).

4. Andrew basically flooded the baby's room while cleaning up a massive amount of spilled paint so we took our trusty steam cleaner and helped suck up the water. Well, Bobby helped, I sat in the recliner and looked through Ava's clothes.

5. Our sweet friends took us to dinner for helping (again...I didn't do anything). We had a great meal with good conversation and LOTS of laughs (Gotta love Rich - our waiter).

6. Church was canceled because of the snow. This made me sad.

7. WOW. Lots of Snow.

8. We got up at before 8 am to play in the snow like 5 year-olds. I loved every minute of it. Coby, our dog, did not enjoy any of this. He went back to bed.

9. The only breakfast food we had in the house was pancakes and we didn't really want those. So, since I had laid out dinner for Saturday night and we ended up going out, we made dinner for breakfast. Yes, we had hamburger steaks and french fries at 9:45 in the morning!

10. I spent many hours in front of the television. I was productive though - I worked on bible study stuff, church directory samples, math homework, and did laundry.

Snow Day

Coby...who did not enjoy the snow at all! He ran right back up the stairs and back into the house.

Our neighbor's dog who was trotting down the road. Probably looking for a warm place to sleep.

Talking to my mom on the phone. My parents are in Gatlinburg for their anniversary and missed all the snow. It has rained constantly since their arrived in Tennessee.

Bobby playing on his mom's playground. He actually attempted to slide and hit the snowy, wet ground.