Southern Comfort

Thursday found Mike, Lila, Jason, Celia, Ruby and I heading south to Nashville! We have been planning this weekend for quite awhile to help my Mom do some wedding planning and to also celebrate Terry's 60th birthday!


The girls have so much fun together, so we were all looking forward to giving them a few days together to strengthen their bond with each other as well as their Grammy!

When we left Iowa, it was cold and a bit gloomy, so we were thrilled to welcome 65 degree weather on Saturday, which meant a lot of playing outside...without a coat!!!

Saturday found us out at Cedarwood, where my Mom and Terry will get married in September. I found this spot online for them and was blown away at how beautiful it was in person! They were hosting an open house for all of their brides, which allowed those booked at Cedarwood to come and look at all they have to offer: food, flowers, music, invitations, decorations, photographers, they do it all!

The property is a perfect backdrop for their shabby chic/sophisticated/southern wedding! The main building is an Antebellum style house that greets you as you head up the driveway. Also on property is a rustic old barn with lights strung across the beams and pine needles on the floor, it was breathtaking!

Here is a sneak peek of what the tables will look like. Even though this picture is beautiful, it really doesn't do it justice. We had looked at several tables and had picked out a few that we really liked, but when we came across this we both knew it was it!

After all the wedding planning Saturday found us celebrating Terry's birthday as well! We had dinner at his favorite restaurant Taqueria with a handful of his good friends and family. It was clear that he picked Taqueria because he likes the food, but we think it was really more about the humongous margaritas they serve. I guess when you are 60 you deserve a margarita that is as big as you are!!!

Today we packed up and said our goodbyes. The girls were so great on the trip and have so much fun together! It is times like this that the special memories are made that will last a lifetime for all of us!


Lila didn't sleep a wink the whole way home, until we started to descend into Cedar Rapids she curled up in my lap and she was out cold! She didn't make a peep when we transferred her from the plane to this couch! Exhaustion is a good sign that a lot of fun was had!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Doodlebugs!

This weekend found us visiting our good friends The Vaughns! Damon and Noelle have a beautiful little girl Jozie who is 2 1/2, so we were looking forward to getting the girls together to play! Which is always a great excuse for the adults to get together and "play" too!


The girls had SO much fun playing together! Lila was a bit shy at first, but Jozie just grabbed her by her hand and led her around, no time to be shy when there is so much fun to be had! Damon and Noelle's living room looked like Toys R Us had erupted by the time we left, I don't think a toy was left untouched!

Today had us utilizing some Christmas presents that we haven't had time to take out of the box yet! This tent with a crawling tube was a hit! She spent quite a bit of time going through the tunnel and walking back around, squealing with delight as she would go back through. Doesn't it make you yearn to be so easily entertained?!

The LIGHT at the end of the tunnel!

Happy Birthday to...

You and You and YOU!!!

This January has found us busy celebrating a lot of birthdays! Our celebrations started in early January with Racquel for her 29th birthday! We had a nice dinner at CRCC and then headed out for the evening! It was great to get the gang together and celebrate another one of the last birthdays before we all turn 30!

Mid way through the month found us celebrating a very special FIRST birthday for little Miss Henley! What a sweetie she is! We are so thrilled that Henley and Lila are so close in age...before we know it the 9 month gap won't be a gap at all!

Mmmm...yummy!!!

Ruby, Celia and my Dad also all celebrate their birthdays in January! Dad celebrated his 53rd, Ruby celebrated her 4th and Celia celebrated her 6th! The girls had special requests this year...Ruby wanted a Dora the Explorer doll and Celia couldn't live without Justin Bieber pajamas and a pillow...yes, she is a Belieber!

Happy Birthday gang!

All else is good in the Eddins' world! Lila is very expressive and is talking a mile a minute! She carries on conversations with you and if she isn't telling you a story she is singing her favorite songs! She started Kindermusik classes with her Aunt Jen this week, which she really seemed to enjoy! This is something fun for just her and Jen to do together, those will forever be special moments for both of them!

We are looking forward to a quiet February, I am beginning to believe there is no such thing as "quiet" time anymore!

Happy New Year!

Where did 2010 go?! I have asked myself and others that several times as the year came to an end. The year found us busy with our family, friends and work, so busy that it seems as if the year was here and gone in a blink of an eye!

We celebrated many birthdays, including a very special first birthday in April, engagements, weddings, pregnancies, new homes and much more! The year blessed us in many ways and we look forward to all that 2011 will bring!

We rang in 2011 by spending some much welcomed family time! Our weekend plans were changed last minute, so we had an unexpected weekend at home, which was a blessing in disguise! We spent the weekend laughing, playing and bumming around...a perfect recharge for a busy January ahead!

As I ponder what 2011 will bring, my "resolution" is health. Yes, physical health, but just as or more important, focusing on mental and emotional health! We often get wrapped up in the buzz of daily life that we don't check in on our personal health from time to time and before we know it we are bogged down by the minutia. So, to be the best wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and coworker I vow to check in on my health often. What will you focus on in 2011?! With a new year, comes new opportunities, change and memories to be made, I am looking forward to it!

The Eddins family wishes you a Very Happy New Year ~ with love, happiness and health!