Photo Op

What are the chances that you can actually get 3 cousins to stand still long enough to snap a couple of pictures, I thought slim to none but I was wrong. All it took were some new shirts, a few strings of licorice and a lot of bribery. The cousins don't get to see each other often enough so we try to get some group pictures each time. Adelaide will get to take her picture with her 2 girls cousins in January while we all go cruising together. The cruise in January is what makes getting through the holiday season with no time off a little more tolerable.

Sweet Home Alabama

Oh my, we finally made it to Fairhope and no Adelaide did not sleep the majority of the way like we had hoped. In fact, she fell asleep around Pensacola about an hour away which meant lots of entertainment by the parents. Not the easiest ride for the Mom in the car as I was sick, sick, sick which is why there will not be a single picture of me on this post.

Preston and Adelaide were getting all geared up for the weekend on Thanksgiving morning. Nothing like a bowl of cereal to start the weekend eating contest.

How cute is this picture, Grayson had a blast racing Uncle Grant around the circle.

Adelaide and Preston enjoyed this adventure, I on the other hand was waiting for bruises and crying which thankfully didn't happen.

Craft project with GG, the kids each got to decorate their own cup for the weekend. Funny thing was that we still had to ask which was which the entire weekend.

These boys were ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

Oh Pap, you are just so funny.

Assigned seating that the boys weren't happy about because they couldn't sit next to baby Adelaide. We are trying to figure out how old she will be before she isn't Baby Adelaide anymore.

Post dinner cruise on the golf cart

The afore mentioned cups.

Grayson the fire bug.

lounging next to the fire pit on the Gasbarro's Pottery Barn feeling patio, all we were missing were the dangling lights.

This was the first night I have really seen Adelaide make any attempt to crawl up on anything. The kids were absolutely wild jumping all over each other and the bed.

Messing with Uncle Grant is like messing with Sasquatch because this happens...see below.

The weather in Fairhope turned cold and rainy, but we started to get cabin fever and made a break for downtown Fairhope. Such a cute place to walk and shop. We didn't buy anything note worthy, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. If only I wore a size 8.5 instead of a 9 shoe.

There wasn't any Black Friday shopping this year, the Sewell tradition came to an end. Our typically Thanksgiving is spent looking at the sale fliers for Friday and we have perfected the order and manner in which this happens. No one gets it except for us and I think that's part of the fun.

Long weekend cut short, Adelaide was entertained by her cousins, I was sick and tired and Grant was able to enjoy his favorite past time, golfing with his dad. This Thanksgiving reminded me of college. Every year at this we were all finishing up tests in our classes and started to prep for finals. The weather in Tennessee was usually rainy, getting cold and I think all of this with the stress of having to drive 8 hours home made me sick every single year. It seemed as though no matter what I did I could never escape the sickness and this year the tradition carried on. I'll blame it on weather and stress of an acquisition at work.

On our way home Sunday Adelaide slept almost the entire way. Thank goodness because Grant and I were too tired to play!

So until next years Turkey Day, gobble gobble and thank you to my in-laws for a great weekend.

Thanksgiving...almost

What would Thanksgiving be without a preparty at work to warm up meal? On Thanksgiving Eve we spent the morning at work thinking about food, spent the mid day eating and the end of the regretting the amount that we consumed.

This is me demonstrating the purpose of smiling for the camera, the photographer was a little premature in the shot. I included the photo for one reason...this is the only photo of me for the entire holiday weekend, because I was sick and tired, literally. So I hid behind the camera with my tissues and over the counter drugs.

My helper and I made cupcakes for the work party.

After the work day we quickly got on the road to Alabama, just a short 6.5 hour drive on the least exciting road on Earth, I-10. While Adelaide and Grant were waiting on me in the work parking lot they decide to feed all of the birds. This photo was taking right before A started to freak out because they were getting too close.

Ode to Mom

This bad daughter missed my Mom's birthday on the blog. Russ got a shout out, my OLDer sister was embarrassed and my younger sister's wedding plans have taken over my blog so she is always on here. So now I would like to recognize not necessarily my Mom's birthday, but more her accomplishments.

No worries, I'm not going to make this a tear jerker just because I'm not in the mood right now possibly check back later. I just wanted to make sure that every one knew that MaryEllen Adam is a business woman (almost bell ringer) by day and a Ya-Ya by night.

By Day:

Yesterday my Mom was in NYC for work and while I sat in my day to day office chair she was strolling around the NYSE floor and was prepared to ring the bell just in case the need arose. No, she doesn't live in NYC nor is she is a trader, she is just really good at what she does and was invited to take part in her company investor day. Often times people ask me what she does and my most common response is, "good question". She has been with this company for many years and each time I think that I have it figured out she changes positions. So the truth is that I have given up trying to understand what she does besides the fact that she probably pays a few pilots salaries for Delta. Way to go Million Miler!


By Night:

Ya-Ya is her name and Adelaide is her game. I have learned the trick to sanity with a child is live 3 miles away from your parents. This should be true whether you work full time or not, because you always need reinforcements. Adelaide is very lucky to have a Ya-Ya that escorts haircuts, remembers the snacks on plane rides, gets entertainment systems installed in new cars so that "Mimmie" Mouse can chaperon trips and allows Mommy and Daddy to go out to eat once a month without having to worry about what time they need to get home.

So thanks Mom for always being there to lend a hand and being a Super Ya-Ya by night. Oh and Happy Belated Birthday!

*as a side note, my Mom doesn't consistently read the blog. She usually catches up on it about once a month and I know she already looked at it recently, so we'll see how long it takes her to see this post. I may have to go in hiding for a few days when she gets to the picture part!

Birthday Weekend - 30 is here

Wow, my age officially starts with a 3 now, when did this happen?! I had a fantastic few days of celebration. First it started with my favorite meal which Russ makes for me every year, Mayport Shrimp and Grits. Family tradition is that Russ makes whatever you want for a birthday dinner and each year I choose the same thing.

I am also a part of an elite group that turned 30 this year. The only problem is that two of my other cohorts that turned 30 moved away from Jacksonville, but that doesn't me we could forget each other. This fantastic gift was delivered to me office...

If you ever want a fabulous meal in Jacksonville you have to head to Matthews in San Marco. We hadn't been there in forever and we also hadn't been out by ourselves in a long time either. When Adelaide stays at my Mom's for a night we usually end up going out with friends, so for this occasion we decided to change it up a little bit. So back to Matthews, we had the 7 course full flight wine menu which included, salmon rolls, cod, beef tenderloin, dark chocolate souffle, cheese platter, scallops and oh so much more.

This kid loves staying at Ya-Ya and Grr's house.

THE best dessert on earth besides a warm fudge brownie sundae.

This is Grant handing over the keys after he drank the majority of the wine.

Last, but not least on Saturday I had a little girl time too. A few of us went out to lunch and then painted pottery.

I don't have any actually pictures of my birthday, but I can tell you the my lovely husband and daughter bought me a new chandelier for my entry way, new floor mats and had my blog printed and bound into a book that I will Cherish forever.

So now I'm thirty and I'm excited for everything that lies ahead.

crafty

I was feeling crafty again so for one of Adelaide's friends birthday gifts we made her a special outfit. A Super Lea shirt, matching hair bow and tutu is definitely the most practical gift you can give a 2 year old.

9 feet of joy and glitter

Yep, it's that time of year where the 9 foot tree appears in the corner of our living room. Adelaide was a huge help this year (wink,wink). She really does love the tree and thankfully doesn't love it so much she feels the need to touch it. I started putting the plastic ornaments on the bottom, but it doesn't seem to matter, she doesn't care. In fact, my tree was in more danger in prior years when Buddy would wag his massive tail next to it.