Happy Anniversary!

Happy 32nd Anniversary to my Mommy and Daddy! Love these two!

They're pretty cute, don't you think? I have been so blessed to have them as my parents. 

Congrats, you two! You've managed to produce three of the most beautiful, talented and gracious (also humble...) people on earth! ;)

Perdido Key a.k.a 4th of July - Take 2

I grew up in Perdido Key, Florida. You probably have no idea where that is, but that's OK because that's how us locals like it. Perdido is a little barrier island just west of Pensacola and the community immediately surrounding it on the land side. We moved there when I was six and have lived there since. When I was really young we lived just across the street from the beach. Literally, the waves put us to sleep at night. After we moved away Katie and I couldn't go to sleep because we couldn't hear the waves. 

In middle and high school I hated living out there because it was so far from everything! My school was 45 minutes away, the farm was 25, the mall 30... you get the picture. Basically, my parents spent a ton of money on gas. But now that I'm older I adore it again. It's where we all went for Spring Break in college and where we still run away to whenever possible.

One of the greatest things about Perdido, and specifically where my parents live now (on a different inland island), is that it's a perfect mix of wooded area, the beach and water. You can always find water.

A few pics from my 4th of July weekend home

Sunrise over Perdido Key (from my Daddy's boat)

The little inlet off the Intercoastal Canal where Daddy docks his boat. 

Me kicking a fish's ass!

Amanda and Daddy

Blue Heron looking for its morning catch (we had one that lived in our back yard when I was a kid we names Gracie. Every Blue Heron is now Gracie to me.)

Luke (sister's boyfriend) and I. We out-fished everyone that morning. He caught the biggest, I caught the most.

The beach! This is where we grew up! My Daddy actually laid out the plans for his clinic in drift wood on this beach.

Amanda swimming

As you've probably realized by now- my family loves our dogs! Amanda flew her 2 chihuahuas in with her for the weekend, Mama's Pixie was there and Katie broughy June Bug over. Van couldn't fly with me- it was very depressing. 

The Chihuahuas sun bathing (white = Maggie, Black = Ava Gardner, Brown = Pixie Dust)

June Bug and Pixie shacking up

My Paw Paw posing with June

Miss Magnolia (Maggie)

Pixie Dust napping with me.

I should have taken more family pics, I'm sorry! But we were having so much fun I'd forget and then my camera died. Thankfully, Luke was smart enough to snap one of the girls beaching it.

Katie, Ashley, Mommy, Amanda

All His Boys are Girls

I was listening to a sermon (Church of the Highlands, my fave) on my iPod this morning on the way to work. The speaker was talking about his kids and the types of gifts they asked for and he made the comment, "All my boys are girls," because he has all daughters and just loves it. I thought that comment was pretty cute, and it hit home for me because I have two sisters and no brothers. My Daddy loves having girls and he's never regretted not having a son.

He was absolutely the GREATEST Daddy for girls. He drove us absolutely crazy teaching us to be confidant, stand on our own two feet, and to have the complete ability to care for ourselves. And I think we are able to have those traits because we always know we have him if we need anything.

He taught us to throw a football (Amanda's the only one that's good at this), play softball (I'm not sure any of us were good at this), and shoot hoops (all of us, including him, stunk at this). He drove Katie, Sally, me and the horses to horse shows, dressed up as "Joe Cool" to escort Amanda and a friend to a dance, dropped us all of at college, attended every single game I played in or cheered at (and I was always the absolute worst- see my cheer leading post), went on field trips, brought puppies and kittens to our classes for show and tell (he's a Veterinarian), took us fishing; all of it. He even played Barbies and watched Cinderella every day with Amanda when Katie and I were too old to hang out with her. 

This is just a little tribute post because I love my Daddy! And I am grateful to him, because I think that great fathers create strong, healthy daughters. 

How cute is he???

PS- totally made the collage frame pink on purpose. When we were little everything was pink, as you can imagine. He decided one day that his favorite color was pink after hollering, "Pink, pink, PINK! All I see is pink!" To this day- he will tell you pink is his favorite color. Which is a good thing because me lives in my Mama's house and the walls are pink (no joke). 

A Shabby-Chic Christmas

Christmas at the Hamlin household was unexpectedly calm and nice! The Hamlin Zoo is not exactly known for its peaceful, undramatic holidays. But with two of the three Hamlin girls away this year, I was unable to create a commotion on my own. Aside from a few minutes of rough tears over my Gran, we sailed through unscathed this year!

My Paw Paw and Uncle Lar came in to be with Mama, Daddy, Van, Pixie and I and Sal rode over for a great Christmas dinner- I made homemade dinner rolls, oyster dressing and sweet potatoes.

And we had tons of presents! I dubbed myself the "Princess of Christmas" this year and wore a pink tiara for the entire two days.

I went around Mama's house and snapped some pictures of her cutie decor. My Mama is the queen of shabby-chic decorating and our house was filled with her arrangements of vintage ornaments, a rustic manger scene, poinsettia pillows, and vintage napkins for mimosa drinking.

Last Christmas and New Year was so traumatic, I think we were all appreciative of our peaceful two days filled with family, friends and the fire place.

If you're wondering what that is on my head... Kimmie sent me this ridiculous snow hat for a gift. So I wore it, naturally!

And, of course, it's not a Hamlin Family holiday without or pets.

Vannie G tucked in and waiting on Santa

Pixie Dust trying not to freeze

Merry Christmas!

Mama & Pixie enjoying the fire (please note Mama's ribbon-decorated sweat shirt)

Mama dividing her attention between her dog and grand-dog

Goodbye' til next year, Christmas!

The Sists

The Grinch is a legend in my family. Katie, Amanda and I can quote the whole thing. And for some reason, today, thinking about how neither will be with me for Christmas is making me so sad!

This line from our family mantra keeps running though my head, and it rings especially true today...

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!

Our Relationship is not up for Negotiation

Our relationship is not up for negotiation... 

I read this quote last night in a book I was reading and fell in love. The chapter was talking about the importance of friendship and looking out for one another, and also about the need to have people in life you know you can fall back on no matter what you have done or what has happened.

I think about my friends constantly, rely on them always, and am thankful for them daily. I pray for them, and am grateful for the prayers I receive in return.

I also happen to love quotes, saying, snippets...here are a few more faves.

A friend stops you to ask if you're OK. A best friend yells, "MOVE! She's PISSED!"

Tell me who you're with, and I'll tell you who you are -Spanish Proverb

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. 

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.  ~Amy Li

My Mother the Professional Cowgirl

This is a true story.

I'm pretty sure this whole event occured about two years ago because Amanda was home from college about to venture off to Phoenix. Katie was living with me in my completely adorabe little house in Navy Point. Mama and I had just gotten back from dinner at Deborah's house, and for some reason we all converged at my house. We did that a lot, so we didn't really need an excuse- but now that I think about it, Amanda must have been picking Mama up because Mama didn't have her own keys... explination to follow...

Mama and I pulled up about the same time as Amanda, and Kae came outside to greet us seeing as the Great Dane and Golden Retriever were about to burst through my glass front door. The door handle is onf of those that locks automatically and Kae locked herself out. So Amanda tossed her Mama's car keys (she had a key to my house), but overstimated her strength and they landed on my roof. Oops.

To remebdy this, rather than just driving home to get Mama's spare key, we pulled my truck into the front yard (and into my flower bed) and Mama created a lasso from my garden hose- I think this could have been my idea- and proceeded to try and "lasso" her keys and drag them off of the roof. I thought this was HILARIOUS (as you can see in photo number two). After about 20 minutes of effort, she finally did get her keys down. Actually, I think Amanda managed to get the keys down- and into my front flower bed where we lost them for the second time. But eventually we found them there as well.

I just love my Mama- she may do anything at any moment and you can bet whatever "it" is, it will be funny! Notice Katie and Amanda were unwilling to actually participate in this ridiculous event, but were more than willing to take photos.

No trucks, garden hoses or rooves were harmed in this effort. Only the bushed on both sides of my front door!

The End.

Sisterly Road Trippin

AC's post this morning inspired me! A few summers ago, Amanda was interning in Phoenix (where she now works). Katie and I flew out to drive back with her and we had many random adventures along the way. What is it about road trips with the sists that is so entertaining?

Amanda and I decided that it would be fun to have her teensie Chihuahua, Maggie, with us. So I Paris Hiltoned it out to Phoenix!

Then Amanda and I headed for the Grand Canyon- which is pretty much the most amazing place on earth.

So, here's where it gets interesing. Katie arrives, we do some hiking and hit Wally World for some major stocking up for the 24 hour drive. We get back out to Amanda's car... in the 110 degree heat... get our groceries unloaded, and the truck won't start because it decides we're stealing it. So we reload the groceries, go back into WalMart, call a cab, go back to the house, borrow the 85 year old neighbor's massive Buick, drive back to WalMart (lose some bananas along the way), have the truck towed and fixed.... eventually get home and load the truck and then hit the road at 5am the next morning all the while toting around a 4 pound Chihuahua.

Eventually we made it to Louisiana where Katie proceeded to pass out on Granny's carpet (which apparently smelled of cookies???) and then on home to P'cola. I can't tell you a lot about the drive because I basically sleep through road trips. But it went pretty easily after Amanda's truck learned we were not actually trying to steal it.

Daddy-O

Kendall inspired me- tribute to Daddies!!

My daddy is such a sweet, precious human being. He's raised three girls and never missed a beat without a son. When we were little he used to say, "Pink, pink, pink- All I see in Pink!!" and then he moved on to simply selecting pink as his favorite color.

The poor man has endured so much- we used to decorate his underwear! So serious! And bless him, he WORE them. He always wears khaki pants and once he was at an LSU football game in the pouring rain, so I guess you could see the bright paint through them. The people behind him told them they loved him too, since his underwear read, "I love you Daddy." I'm laughing right now...

Other things he endured/endures:
Dance recitals, glittery horse show outfits, his recliner covered in off white and pink rose pattern, sleeping on vintage sheets with ruffles every night, living in a house with pink walls (so serious- the living room is pink), being forced to always, always, always put the toilet seat down, sit down dinners with the good china for no reason, his bathroom full of chabby chic antiques...

I wish I'd thought to bring some baby pics to scan. But here's a few of my recent Daddy faves:

Fishing (in "Big Church") on a Sunday morning

The morning he was so incredibly proud that I talked my way out of a $500 fine with the Wildlife Official from my 1/4 inch too short fish because of my LSU t-shirt.

Spam Hat

Death Valley t-shirt

The parents!

One of our many Margarita dates

Playing with me at the NAS Museum

Daddy's Girls (literally, my Mama calls him "Daddy"  quite often)

And he gets an extra HUGE tribute this Father's Day for SAVING VAN!! Yesterday he spent his afternoon off at home with her instead of relaxing so he could feed her tiny meals every half hour. 

We're pretty sure she's on the up-and-up these days. She's got a long way to go, but the prognosis seems good.

I LOVE MY DADDY!!!