Porch People

We are always saying that we never realized how much we would love our back porch. But what can I say, we are porch people. We love them.. Front porches, back porches.. we love them all !! But our furniture was lacking some luster. So I was telling my mom how I wanted new outdoor furniture, but she said we just needed some new cushions with color. And so it began. Wish I had a before picture, but just think boring and you get the idea..
Michael's mother bought us these beautiful outdoor plants as a house warming gift. Then we went to World Market and found these cushions and outdoor rug.. Soon after we found a super cool eagle to go back there (picture coming soon) !! Before we knew it, it looked great.. Props to mom for the idea !!

We spend SO much time on our back porch. It is shaded by trees and the house, so it feels great back there. Now if we could just get rid of the mosquitoes it would be perfect..
They eat me alive !!
Watermelon is a summer must for me.. It is my favorite !! I can eat an entire one by myself, but I decide to share with Michael sometimes !!

Kenzie and Shug love the porch too !! But when they are not out there, they can probably be found here !! We have all of these windows at the front of our house and the puppies just sit and look out !! They have found other favorite spots too, but I will post about that later !!
Funny Puppies !!

Just What I Wanted !!

It is hard to say how many hints I dropped about what I wanted for my birthday. I wanted a Dyson. You may remember from my washer and dryer blog that I tried to work one into that price.. But I just did not think I was getting one. I mean lets be honest.. #1 We just bought a new house #2 Dyson's are very pricey #3 I did just get a new vacuum around a year ago. I did not have a lot going for me here.... But I was hopeful !!

On Friday when Michael got home from work.. Before we went to Cort's for our "cookout".. Michael asked if I wanted my gift.. Why do people even ask that question.. Has anyone ever said.. "No I will wait till later".. Not this Girl !!

He handed me my card and said .... "Well I know what you want, but I was just not sure you wanted it for your birthday".. So in the card he wrote...

" This card is good for

1) A New Dyson

or

2) You may take that money and go on a shopping spree..

As you know Dyson's are pricey little boogers... Everyone told Michael I would take the money, but Michael knows his wifey and told them I would probably take the Dyson.

I did not even think twice.....I chose......

He said that he just did not want me to hold it over his head for the rest of our lives that he gave me a vacuum for my 30th birthday !! But that is just what I wanted !!

We spent all Saturday going from place to place trying to find the best price. Between coupons and places that price match almost everybody had the same price.. We finally bought it from Best Buy !!

And I came straight home and vacuumed my little heart away !!!
I HIGHLY recommend this vacuum. It is very light, moves anywhere, and picks up anything. The suction is great and with two little doggies.. that is a great thing..
So Thank You Michael for knowing me SO well... I love my 30th Birthday Present.
It is just what I wanted !!!

Surprise For Me !!

June 19th was a Friday.. yep yep that also happens to be my birthday.. Now it is no secret that this is the birthday I have dreading for years now.. The big 3..0.. !!

Earlier in the week Cortney had called to see what were our plans for that night. I told her we would probably go to dinner or something. She asked if we wanted to come over and cookout. I said sure and it was a plan.

I spent that day relaxing.. Going to the pool and such.. Then came home and took my time getting ready. But while at the pool, Michael texted me asking where I wanted to eat that night. I texted back that we were eating at Corts, we had only talked about this a million times over the last few days.. DUH... He then texted back and asked me to call to see if they wanted to go out, maybe to Buffalo Wild Wings. WHAT !! That is such a guy place.... I said NO.. Number 1 that is no where I wanted to eat for my birthday and Number 2.. how rude would that have been.. no way was that even an option. Now I thought this was weird, Michael is always all about what I want to do for my birthday. I called Cort to see if she had talked with Michael because he was acting so weird. She was a wonderful actress and played it off.

Once Michael got home he was complaining like crazy about going over to Cort and Trey's.. Just about getting on my last nerve.. Then he says after dinner maybe we can go see a movie.. "I have heard Hangover is good" he says.. WHAT "Hangover".... Not even close to being my type of movie.. NO !! We brought the paper for movie listing anyway.. But I brought a few games to maybe play after dinner.

So I walked into Cort and Treys house with my purse, A sweater (in case we did go to a movie.. it is always so cold in there), the paper for movie listings, and a bag with games inside !!!

I walked in, hug Cort.... and then... SURPRISE !!!!

This flat cracked me up.. A surprise party for me !!

Michael had planned it perfectly !! He even had everyone wear black like they were mourning for me turning 30 !! crack me up... And of course I had on HOT PINK !!! i stood out.. HAHAHA

Me and A Few of the Girls There !!
L-R

Lora,Heather, Sarah H., Amy, Me, Rachel (holding Lillian), Sarah S., Cort, Lanie, Lori, and Whit.

A silly picture !!!

So of course I wanted to know.. Where were all the cars... they were all in the back and Trey had mowed a walk way through the brush !!! Flat crack me up !!!
Michael invited so many Birmingham Friends. Here are a few that work at my gym..

L-R: Kayla, Erica, Me, Brian, and Katie
Me and Sheryl

Whit, Lori, and Sarah S. hanging out !!

Heather, Cort, Rachel (with Miami), and Sarah H.

Justin, Hal, Michael, and Drew

Trey, Jared, and John.. I am loving the excitement John...
Justin, Hal, and Michael also so excited about my party !!!!

Way to go Michael for thinking to invite so many friends... Sarah Smith is a great friend that I worked with at my gym in Montgomery.. Now she is back in Bham where she grew up.. Yea.. I love me some Sarah S. !!!

Whit, Me, and Maghan..

Still trying to get these picture right !! We'll keep working on it !!
Lori, Me, and Sarah H.

Rachel and I

Did Justin not get the black memo ?? I guess he got the same memo I did.. PINK !!!!
Oh Honey !!!! You did a WONDERFUL job..... This was the best party ever !!!! Thank you !!
A big SHOUT OUT to Cort !!!! Thank you girl for hosting and helping Michael as much as you did.. You are a WONDERFUL Best Friend !!
I was so surprised !!! Thank you so much for everybody that came !! That meant so much to me. It made turning 30 not so bad !!! Ok it is still bad, but the party was Super Fun !!!
I can not brag about Michael enough for this one.. He really did a great job with everything from the invite and reminder emails I heard all about to the balloons he bought !!! Way to Go Babe !!!
HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY TO ME !!!!

Cookie Dough Gooey Dessert

On Saturday Night at SawGrass I made my Cookie Dough Gooey Dessert. This is a HIT out of the park every time I make it. From the sounds everyone was making while eating it, well I would say it did not let me down at SawGrass. I decided to share this recipe with the blogging world, the only catch is: to you it needs to be called "Jessa's Cookie Dough Gooey Dessert"... Yes I know a little wordy, but that is the deal.. take it or leave !! When it comes to cooking I don't have much, but I am proud of this one !! Sure I got it out of a cooking book, but I got it (meaning it's mine) !!

Quick warning: It looks good and smells even better, but don't put too much on your plate at first. It is WOW rich !!

Cookie Dough Gooey Bars:
2 (8 oz.) choc chip cookie dough rolls
1 (8 oz.) container of cream cheese (softened)
3/4 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
* After spraying pan (9 x13) with pam spread 1 entire roll of cookie dough on the entire bottom.
* Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix good (I do not beat it, I usually just stir real good with spoon)
* Pour Mix over Cookie Dough
* Take other roll of cookie dough. Break into pieces, flattened with hands, and place over mix. The mix will be mostly covered, but not entirely. That is ok so the mix can come through a little.
* Cook at 350'
* The directions say to cook for 30 min. I usually set my timer for 20 minutes and watch it after that. I usually end up cooking it for around 25 minutes total. it all depends on how gooey you want them.
* Let sit for awhile to settle and cool..

* Best to serve with spoon and eat with spoon.

Even Mr. Pillsbury himself would like this one !!
Enjoy and share it (it is worth it)

SawGrass 2009.. Part 2.. Saturday Night Poker and Dominos

While fishing Michael got a crawfish. While our dinner was on the grill he decided to throw the crawfish on too. After it was finished, he looked at it for a few good minutes and debated about whether he should eat it or not. Finally he just went for it.. Result = he said it was good !!Michael and I

Getting ready for poker !!
Sunglasses are a much once the sun goes down and you are playing poker !!
Louisiana Point.. Sawgrass Style !!


L-R
Paul, Hal, Jared, Justin, John, Shaun, and Michael
SunGlasses on and Ready to Play !
While the guys were in one room with their poker, the girls were in the other with a mean and LONG game of Mexican Train Dominos (so addictive)

L-R
Lori, Rachel, Maghan, Me, Sarah, Whitney, and Ashley
I was not doing so hot, so out came the "Rally Cap" !!

Rachel and Jared

John.. this picture straight cracks me up !!
Whitney and Justin (you can tell how excited Justin is about this picture)
Good ole fashion SawGrass group photo !!
L-R
Whitney and Justin, Maghan and Hal, Michael and I, Lori and John, Shaun and Ashley, Jared and Rachel, Paul and Sarah !!
Our 2009 SawGrass Group... We hate that there were a few families in our lifegroup that could not make it. Ya'll were missed !!
And you know we had to get in a few crazy pictures !! How old is to old to do silly pictures.. I hope we are no where close !
A BIG thanks to Rachel and Jared for hosting us at SawGrass. Like always it was a blast. We made many fun new memories to add to all the others !! Can't wait to do it again !!

SawGrass 2009.. Part 2. Saturday Outdoors Fun

Saturday morning was rainy and yuck. Perfect !! We slept in and ate two wonderful breakfast casseroles. After eating we decided to dive right into playing Mexican Domino's. Let the game begin !!

Maghan, Me, and Sarah

Ashley, Lori, and Rachel
After pouring down rain all morning.. the sun came out around 2:00. Maghan, Ashley, and I all decided to layout.
While Whitney, Rachel, Sarah, and Lori all rode horses. Here they are after their ride.

The guys went fishing and did other "guy things" throughout the day.

Justin and Michael.. aren't they super cool ??

Lori, Hal, Maghan, and Whitney hanging out later in the afternoonThe guys shot skeet and we decided to have some good ole fashion photo fun with all the guns !!
Please.. How could we not.. This screams GANGSTA !!!
Oh yea.. that is my man !!!!

GUYS ALL GANGSTA !!
Shaun, Paul, Hal, Michael, Jared, John, and Justin

GIRLS ALL GANGSTA !!
Rachel, Lori, Me, Whitney, Maghan, Ashley, and Sarah
**notice the gun "hidden" in my towel.. Seriously, how bad am I !!!
Michael and I

Saturday night still to come.. I took some serious pictures during this trip !!