Tutu's and Tchaikovsky

Dustin is taking me to see the Nutcracker for my first time tomorrow!  In honor of the ballet, I thought I'd post this Nutcracker-themed Christmas decor.  I'm officially obsessed....and so excited about tomorrow night!

(image)

My Bucket List: Checking Off #1 - Swimming with Manatees

A little background:  I have loved, loved, LOVED manatees every since  about the 2nd grade.  I saw a "Reading Rainbow" special on them, and it was all over.  Every book report from that point on was on my favorite animal, I became a walking encyclopedia about the subject (they won't harm anyone or anything in self defense or even to protect their young, and are known as "gentle giants," they eat sea grass, and live almost solely in Florida.)  I've had the jewelry, t-shirts, figurines, and even a stuffed animal named Max, that I slept with until I got married.

It's accurate to say that I've waited my entire life to actually see them in person.  In every book I've ever read, the only place you can go to see manatees, and snorkel with them, (scuba bubbles scare them off) is in Crystal River, Florida.  In August, my slightly unique dream came true, and Dustin and I headed to Florida!  Insert squeals of excitement here.

Words can't even express how happy these pictures make me!  Manatees are so friendly and curious.  Dustin even got a kiss from that whiskery face!  Much like our dog, Marlow, they looove to have their tummies pet.  They eventually sink to the bottom like that, and then swim up and roll over again.

Meet Lumpy!  He hung around us the entire time we were in the water.  We found out that manatee moms love to use humans as babysitters.  They come check out the divers to see if they're trustworthy, and then they bring their babies over.  After that, they go eat on their own, and occasionally come back to check in with their young.  It was hilarious, and so much fun!

This is Glen our tour guide whose former career was alligator wrestling.  No joke.  He was hilarious and an awesome guide.  

After swimming with the manatees, we headed further up the river to the "Three Sisters".  What an incredible place to snorkel!  At about this point, it occurs to me that no one has asked the obvious question: are there alligators here?  So before I even stuck a toe in the water, I asked Glen...  He informed me that being cold blooded creatures, swimming in a cold river wasn't something they like....  So I trustingly jumped in....

(My favorite rule is "no riding" the manatees.)

....then after I get back on the boat Glen says, "Aw, Jessica I was sad I didn't see my 4 foot alligator friend today," as he starts to laugh.  I just stared and he said, "What?  I knew you'd never get in the water if you knew there were alligators in there."  Touche. 

I waited so long to see this sign!  It does my heart good.

In my happy place wearing a manatee hat.

In front of City Hall.  What a great town.  Even their license plates have manatees on them, and they're also the high school mascot. :)

Holla!

Friends and Fall

Why does dressing up never get old (even when we do)?  Meet Lady Bug, 
Lindsey Lohan, Pippi Longstocking,  Teen Mom with her Root Beer, and Cleopatra! 

Joined by a cowboy and an Occupy Edmond protester. 

The grub.

I really like this picture. :)

Getting in the spirit!

 ...and the guys watched the game in the living room, while the girls 
piled in to watch a scary movie throwback:  "I Know What You Did Last Summer." 
 Yes, we still screamed.

My little banana split was the hit of the night!

My first time to ever hand out candy to the trick or treaters!  I was beyond excited!  
We ended up having a ton of kids and had to make an emergency candy run.

This Halloween got two paws up!

Goodbye and Hello

Dustin left for beach week with the youth group from our church last week, and I left him this little goodbye surprise.  This Angry Bird is made out of Baby Bel cheese, and I left it with a little note, in honor of the hours of Angry Birds he'd be playing on the trip to Florida.

I planned to get up at about 5:00 a.m. to give this to him, but I'll give you one guess if that happened or not... 

Daryl or Dustin?  Dustin or Daryl?  The twinkies kept everyone guessing and confused when they showed up in matching shirts, "accidentally".

I was honored to be praying for these guys and the rest of the campers this week, and was so blessed to hear about the work God did in everyone's lives.  We truly serve an awesome God.

So, I had this all ready for Dustin to see right when he came home and walked in the door.  Of course, it ended up being the one time in his life that he came through the front door instead of the garage.   At least I tried, right?

I know I was just on my own for a week, but I can definitely tell you that I do not enjoy my husband being gone!  Life is much better when I get to be around this man. :)  I'm very thankful that he went and served for an awesome week though!  Marlow is glad to have him back, too.

Dresser Inspiration

So, I've been on the look out for a large dresser, since the tiny closet Dustin and I share has reached its maximum capacity,  and then some.  The room above is probably one of my favorite rooms of all time, and it sent me on the hunt for a wallet-friendly, used dresser that I could refinish.  

Since our bed is traditional, I really wanted a  modern dresser like the one above.  I'm not a match-matchy kind of girl.

When I found this 80's sensation at a great furniture consignment store, I knew it fit the bill!  (Well, hopefully it will once I'm finished with it!)  Dustin was even happy with it because it's solid wood, great quality....and it was a bargain :)

I really want to paint it white and add some cute hardware like these...however, our bed is black...  (Pictured:  west elm, ikea)

Luckily, I found these rooms that have incorporated black and white furniture flawlessly.

Exhibit B

I'm particularly pumped to add some furniture sparkle, like these from anthropologie.  I'm thinking the option on the right might be best, but how's a girl to chose?

I can't wait to get started!  After all the sanding, priming, painting, and sealing, I'll let you know how it turns out!

Parades, Senators, and Fireworks: Happy Fourth!

I love this man!  This really has nothing to do with the 4th, but I just had to say it.  Anyone who can put up with my questions like, "Is this shirt a true red, or more of an orange red, and does that mean I can still wear it on the 4th of July?"  is a keeper in my book.

Our friend (and state senator), Clark Jolley, asked me if I wanted to drive his convertible in the parade.  I said, "heck no, I'm not driving it (too much pressure), but Dustin will!" Pretty sure the Loehrs would never turn down a chance to escort important people in a parade.  I was pretty pumped!  

Congressman James Lankford and his cute family were in the truck in front of us.

I just love our town.  Edmond is such a great place to live.  There were tons of people lining the 3 mile area of the parade.  It almost seemed like something out of a movie, and just made me happy.

Those Kershs are pretty great!  They had a sign that said We heart James Lankford, and when we drove by, they flipped it by and saw this!  It cracked me up that we were included on a sign with Clark.  Love it! :)

Dustin's favorite part of the parade was: a) the war re-enactors  b)  Shriners driving around in tiny cars  c) Uncle Sam picking his nose or  d) the OKC Jedis

Preparing to watch some of the top-rated fireworks in the nation!  Little did we know that sprinklers would suddenly pop up from the ground in the middle of the show...  Slight setback. 

So proud to be an American!
Hope you had a great 4th!