We Are Family

And nothings beats that.

Add a little of mama's love....

And a bit of daddy's charm....

And sister's energy....

And it makes for a fun day on the Plains! If only my Auburn Tigers had shown the love and energy we had....seriously, Kentucky???

I do love me some holidays....

I'm just sayin. I think I decorate for everything! I have been hounded by my friends about my Easter tree for years! And so what if I need three Christmas trees. Holidays make me happy! And this is all my mama's fault anyway!

So I couldn't resist this beauty!

And the table's set for any hungry goblins who may stop by....

Don't be scared by the spooky haunted house with the windows all a'glow! And these little ghostly guys are just waiting to be gobbled up! (Which means if they're not taken care of at bunco they're going to work...AWAY from me!!) :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN Friends!

He has a name!

Meet "Andrew" James Horstman, and his beautiful mom Aimee (24 hours after giving birth!). She's a rockstar, and he's a heartbreaker already!!

Baby Fever!

So maybe I don't have all the right "tools" right now to cure this baby fever, but I've got some cuties around me I just can't get enough of! It's plain killing me! For now I'll settle for being "Aunt" Jenn. And I'll just plain eat up every minute of it! As my dadgum clock ticks on.... (and my mom smocks gowns for invisible grandchildren, God love her....) :)

This weekend in Birmingham I got to spend a few precious hours with this baby hoot, Katherine Crowe, who loved on me and made me melt. She's walking around and getting into waaay too much now that's keeping mom on her toes! I couldn't get enough of her angel face! And catching up with the mama bird Anna Kate just wasn't long enough, I will be back soon!!

And for the record, mamas are never too old to play in the ball pits! It makes them extra cool!

Next up for me was a trip to Dahlonega (North GA) for work on Tuesday, and on the drive home I just had to stop in the ATL to love on these chubby cheeks and envy these forever long eyelashes on Miss Blair Verdigets! I'm mean seriously, look at this face. I could eat her up! But, instead her mom and I decided to eat up our favorite dishes at our favorite Mexican restaurant TAXCO!! (I know you're jealous people, it's DE-vine). And last but certainly not least (just newest and tiniest!), today Baby Boy Horstman was born!! Mama Aimee did amazing during surgery, and Sam is so proud to have a son! (though as of tonight he is yet to be named....) Lord have mercy.

Seriously, this baby is beautiful. Pictures will never do him justice. I mean look at these toes.

Football and Birthdays

First and foremost, the busy season is OVER!! With work that is. I can play again. I can leave the office when the sun is still shining, and by the way, when did fall get here?? I love this weather!

The weekends have been busy with football, which makes me so happy. The most interesting tailgate so far certainly being for the West Virginia game....aka the PERFECT STORM on the Plains!! It started out beautiful....

But by the time we headed toward the stadium....the skies darkened "just a tad."

So after 4 inches of rain in 45 minutes and lots of lightning causing rain delay after rain delay, the game finally got started. And after a little drizzle in the first quarter, not another drop of rain the whole game! Rocky at first, but we pulled out a win, despite the crazy day! Another great day in Auburn, like I ever doubted it! WDE!

Next up, another one bit the dust. Turned 30 that is!! My friend Casey had a SURPRISE birthday party for her hubby, Blake, and she pulled it off perfectly!! The best part was playing with all my favorite girls!

A Small Piece of Steel for a Day We'll Never Forget

September 11, 2001. The largest terrorist attack our nation has seen. Where were you as those planes entered our New York skyline? As those two skyscapers came tumbling down? As the heroes took the third plane down in that Pennsylvania field? As countless firefighters, policemen, paramedics and military searched for survivers?

I was in an engineering class, when Bryan called and told me about the first plane. Class was dismissed. I was in shock. I obviously didn't understand what he was saying. My (genius) response was "Oh my gosh! Was anyone hurt?!?" Idiot, I know. An engineer, at that. But to me, and so many of us out there, this couldn't happen to us, right?? As me and friends joined him at his house, and watched the day's events unfold on the t.v., the reality set in. We were under attack. The land of the free.

Ft. Benning is home to the brand new National Infantry Museum. It's amazing. Last week we held a very special ceremony. We received one of only four steel beams from the twin towers being given away. We also received a statue of Rick Rescorla, a former Infantryman then working in the towers, one of the countless heroes of September 11th, who sacrificed his life in order for others to be saved.

The beam is 12 feet long, and approximately 1-1/2 tons, and dedicated to the men and women of the US Army who've lost their lives since the attacks on September 11, 2001, and to those who continue to serve. After our Commanding General unveiled the beam, we were all able to go up and sign it. Just to be near such a massive piece of steel, to know this may have been hundreds of feet in the sky, to touch it, sign it, know where its been, what it went through, what those 3,000 people went through, was the most humbling experience.

Though this Global War on Terrorism has taken twists and turns, I see pride in the soldiers' eyes, determination, and strength. I see homesickness, sadness, and loss. I am proud of my country, have faith in my troops, and pray that the small light at the end of the tunnel brings them home safe. And I pray our leadership makes the wise decisions we so desperately need to end this war, turn our country around, and remove the fear. And remind everyone who we are.

The Home of the Brave.

What Can I Say? I'm A Night Owl!

No kidding. I do stay up way too late. If only there were a late shift at my job....but this isn't about my insomnia. I am a little OCD when it comes to owls. Love 'em. Thank you, Chi Omega.

So, fellow Hoots...look what I found to lounge in at my favorite Target (and none other than a Phi-Mu girlfriend who loves to make fun of my owls told me about them! ha!)

How precious (not me, of course, I'm looking rough! This is truly a late-night picture!) And check out the shorts too....you will NOT see me modeling these on the world wide web!Ok, run to your local Target and get your new pj's...this lil' hoot's going to try and hit the hay!