CHICAGO

Last weekend I went on a weekend-get-away to Chi-town to visit my cousin, Roxie. My mom and I had plans on taking Rox wedding dress shopping since she is engaged to be wed next Fall. We are super excited. So here is a preview of what she found.

Her pick...

My pick (it actually brought a tear to my eye and I'm not an emotional kind of girl!)

Whatever dress she may pick...we all know two things for sure.
1. She is going to be the most beautiful bride.
2. She is marrying the man of her dreams!

Congrats Roxie & Jason. We couldn't be happier or prouder of the two of you!

In memory of Scottie Nauman

As many of you know, my cousin, Scottie Nauman passed away last weekend from an ATV accident. As I was thinking about what to blog about and looking through pictures I came across these from this past summer. My mom had a get-together at her house for my aunt that is battling cancer. My cousin Scottie is not one to make too many appearances at family functions in the past (I think he gets that from my dad.) But as I was thinking back he stopped by for a while and he even came to the family reunion with my aunt. What I remember most about him is that he reminds me so much (and I hear this often too) of my dad. He even resembles him. He always had a smile and something to chit chat about. I wish I had taken some pictures of his electric bike that he rode to my mom's house that day. He wanted me to try it out, but I didn't because I had a dress on. My uncle did and it was hilarious. Then he decided to try to climb the leaning tree in my mom's back yard. (See below). He looked like a little spider monkey. Hudson got the biggest chuckle from watching him do this. He definitely brought a smile to your face whenever he was around. I remember when we were younger, I also loved to see his "dance" pictures. He always dated the most beautiful girls in jr. high & high school. I would think to myself that he must be something else to have a gorgeous girl next to him in those pictures. Now, everyone knows that he loved baseball. He played in high school and he played wiffle ball all the time with my dad in our backyard. One time they were playing and he hit it over the neighbor's fence and he jumped over to get the ball and my dad yelled..."Watch out for that pit bull coming at you!" My mom was video taping and it was HILARIOUS watching him run for what it looked like his life. He jumped the fence and ripped his shorts. I'm sure my aunt wasn't very happy with my dad about that one!


Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the smile. Thank you for your stories. And thank you for being you through the years. You will be missed.

I have to find some older pictures of Scottie and post. The one that I remember most is both of us on the swingset eating icecream. You know there are always those pics that stand out over the years in your head? That is one of them.

RIP Scottie.

Hairbows Hairbows Hairbows

Here are a few of my favorite hairbows of Avie Lu's. I love to make them to match outfits for special occasions and just to be different. If you are interested in having an adorable bow made for your little girl please let me know by leaving a comment.

I recently started making bottlecap hairbows. My co-workers thought I was crazy when I brought in a 6 pack of bottled root beer for everyone to drink so that I could use the caps! I have made 2 twilight bows and I am in the middle of finding the perfect image of Hannah Montana for a sweet little girl to wear to the Miley Cyrus concert next week! Pictures to come soon!

I'm taking a short little va-ca this weekend. I can't wait to post pictures of what I will be doing this weekend. It's a surprise!

My cousin, Roxie, emailed me this to add to my blog. She wanted to be a "guest" blogger. This sweet paragraph brought tears to my eyes...because remembering how exciting but scared I was that day 5 years ago. So get the Kleenex box out, here we go...




Wow! Hudson is a 5 year old little boy now. I can’t believe it! It really does seem like yesterday that I was in the lobby trying to study for a Spanish test when he came barrelling into our lives. The bad news was that I did not pass that stinkn’ test, but my heart never felt warmer than it did that night. Since he was a preemie, it was hard watching Beth and Kevin just looking at this amazing gift that could not yet be opened. Beth explained it as it being Christmas morning when you are a child and not being able to open your presents. Hudson spent some time in the NICU, but eventually came home to be with his mommy and daddy at their newly remodeled home in Carterville. As an Auntie, I have had a front seat view to the stories Hudson’s short 5 years has provided, I can only imagine what his parents are thinking as their little boy turns 5.

Hudson had an amazing day. First on the agenda was taking his cupcake creation in the form of a dragon to school for snack time. Then he came home and helped daddy mow the yard. Later this afternoon, Grandma Jane and Grandpa Larry came to visit on their way home from Branson. They brought him a tackle box for all fishing supplies. Then papa arrived with a remote control car (like he really needed another. but he loves them!) and a huge styrofoam airplane (the best $3 you can spend). Of course, Grandma Shirley stopped by with a brand new power wheel 4 wheeler. Yes, it is big enough for both rugrats to ride on! YES! I think we will be having a yard sale soon. Kevin says the kiddie toys are taking over the garage.

Remember when...

my baby was this little bity. Five years ago right now I was at the hospital in pre-term labor. My water had broke at 3:30 that afternoon. I was excited. Scared. Worried. I was only 34 weeks. Hudson Arthur Lane Chapman was born at 12:02 am on September 23, 2004. He was 4 lb 15 oz and 18.5 in. long. He immediately was sent to the NICU where he would spend the next 8 days with the best nursing staff that you could ever ask for. My little buckaroo came home on October 1, 2004. We were remodelling our "new" house at the time and still lived in the duplex. Hudson had all of his baby furniture at the new house. So he slept the first night home with us in this laundry basket in the office chair next to the bed. He fit perfectly in that basket all cuddled up. Yes, you guessed it...we moved into our house the very next day. While everyone helped move us, I got to spend time with the newest edition to our family. We never knew how much our lives would change with this little one in it.

Five whole years later, this handsome, smart, funny, and talented child still amazes us each and everyday. Isn't it amazing how time flies by and when you look back at pictures you think to yourself...where has the time gone.

Yes, this is my silly 5 year old. My future Carterville Lion football player. Meteorologist. Dairy farmer. Comedian. Chick magnet. I have no idea what his future holds. But one thing is for sure, his daddy and I will be right there beside him.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY HUDSON ARTHUR LANE CHAPMAN. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Good morning sunshine.

Avery slept through the night last night. That hasn't happened in a while. She did get up at 6:30 am (her usual). She actually has enough hair to have bed head! Isn't it the cutest?
peek-a-boo I see you. She loves playing and hiding in the curtains. Maybe she will be into decorating and sewing like her momma. I hope.

She looks like a rooster with that hair do. Too stinkin' cute.

Football Friday!

There is one guarantee on Friday night in C'ville...Everyone is at the football game. Hudson's birthday is next week, so we decided to do a orange & blue (C'ville colors) birthday party. It was a small get together, but we had alot of fun. Look how cute these two look in their C'ville colors. GO LIONS!

Here is Avery and her best girlfriends, Mia & Sydne. Their mommy made their shirts and I made their bows. They were definitely the best dressed girls at the game by far!

And of course, Avery and Parker on the bike together. They are so cute together. Parker always is talking to or about Avery. I think that he needs a baby sister...

More to come of Hudson & his new bike. I didn't get to take too many pics during the party because we were busy. I should have gave someone that task. Oh well. I will post pics of him riding his bike WITHOUT training wheels. Yes he is a big boy now!