I want one!

How cool would one of these be for entertaining!  If you think I was obsessed with wine decor before, going to wine country certainly did not help that.  And I found that Kirklands has some really cute wine decor things too and much cheaper than Pottery barn...which is where this barrel is from, for $129, of course. 
I've also realized that a 3 year mark is about the time to start replacing some wedding gifts (kitchen things, everyday dishes, silverware).  Is it possible to have an anniversary registry?  Just a thought.

My favorite niece in the entire world is coming to Florida TODAY!  They are actually at the airport as I type this.  I can't believe it!  Her very first plane ride ever is to come see us!  We are so excited. 

We're back!!!

After a wonderful 7 day vacation to California and Vegas, we are back to reality!  Here are some pictures from my phone.  As soon as I can go through my 700 pictures and figure out which ones I want to post I will!  We had a wonderful time getting to celebrate 3 years together and getting to see some wonderful friends. 

1,096 day anniversary!

Yesterday we celebrated 3 years as husband and wife!!  I honestly can not believe how fast it has gone.  And even though we said no gifts (because we're finally taking a week long vacation to wine country!) my sweet hubby surprised me with 18 beautiful roses at work.  He really is the best.  We decided we weren't going to do a fancy dinner like we have the past 2 anniversary and just wanted to do something simple.  And I must admit, PF Chang's was very accommodating.  The hostess and waitress told us happy anniversary and the manager bought us a dessert.  It's the little things. 

Then when we got home (after taking out the trash, cleaning the kitchen, letting AW out...the romantic daily activities) we decided to sit down and actually watch our wedding videos for the first time.  Our friend, Travis Peck, videoed the rehearsal, wedding, and reception for us.  He gave us the videos around our 1st anniversary and we had a hard time playing them on our DVD player.  We finally decided to get them out and watch them.  It was so wonderful to watch the special day over and to see everyone who shared that day with us.  Kyle had a mic on during the ceremony so it was funny to listen to his commentary.  It is so special to have that on video!  Thank you Travis!

Another year down!  We are leaving on Saturday to spend a week in San Fransisco, Wine County, and then to Vegas!  Should be a pretty fun week.  I really wanted to go to Wine country for our honeymoon and someone didn't, so this will be like a second honeymoon!

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!  Have a great rest of the week!

Love
Mr. and Mrs. Payne

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We ventured to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter yesterday with an almost 6 year old and 9 year old who love HP more than anyone else I know.  My sister, Amy, her boyfriend Dennis and his two adorable kids Christian (9 year old) and Cameron (almost 6 year old) drove from Dallas to Orlando on Friday night and made it to Orlando Saturday afternoon.  Halfway through the almost 24 hour drive, Christian discovered he gets really bad car sickness when he's in the car for too long!  They stopped in Tallahassee for a little break from the car and he was such a trooper and made it all the way to Orlando.  I said, "I hope this wasn't the worst start to a trip ever" he said, "no it's the worst start to the BEST trip ever." 

The rest of Saturday we just let the boys relax and Dennis and Amy were exhausted, naturally, from working then driving 24 hours straight - with a puking kid half the way.  They love AW so much and for the first time AW is running away from his soccer ball because they want to play with it and AW more than he does.  Never thought I'd see the day!  Then we watched the first 2 Harry Potters, because I haven't seen any of them and they were appalled.

Sunday we headed over to New Smyrna beach and had a blast!  We built the most awesome sand castle and luckily the weather was wonderful and didn't rain on us.  The boys (the big ones and little ones) wanted to go bowling on Sunday night but the girls we're exhausted and knew Monday was going to be along day at Universal.  Cameron said he wanted Kyle to pay for bowling, "So Angela can save her money and not have to spend it."  Too cute. 

Monday was Harry Potter day!  I woke up Christian and Cameron and asked them if they were excited and Christian said, "yeah! who wouldn't be?" haha.  Once we all had breakfast, some coffee, put our sunscreen on and loaded the back packs with food, capri suns, medicine, extra clothes, and water, we were ready to go.  Experiencing Universal with kids is a completely different experience.  From 9 AM to 5 PM we did Harry Potter and Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure( maybe 1/8th of the park).  But we had so much fun and nothing beats the look on their faces when they saw HP.  Kyle and I stood in the line to get into HP while they rode the Spiderman ride.  Not surprisingly, recently diagnosed with car-sickness-Christian - wasn't a big fan of the 3-d moving cart spiderman ride!  It was about an hour wait to get into HP.  Once we were in the lines continued to grow.  We were able to ride the new Forbidden Journey ride which is really cool and different than any other ride I've ever been on.  We waited about 50 minutes for that ride too.  While I was waiting in the child swap room with Cameron some girl puked in the trash can right next to us.  That wasn't so fun.  But they were playing the 1st HP in the room so at least we got to watch some of that.

The lines for the Olivanders wand shop and the Dervish and Banges stores were hours long.  They really wanted to get a wand, but they are going back on Wednesday and Friday so Dennis promised they would go then!  We bought some butterbeer and luckily didn't have to wait for it, but it was really good and not too expensive . We bought 4 drinks for $10.00, however if you want it in the souvenir cup it's $10.00 for each.
Here with our with our butter beer mustaches!  and Cameron is holding his chocolate frog in the bag (in his mouth).

It was definitely an exhausting day, but worth it!  Other than someone stealing my camera from my bag it was a wonderful day.   Today when I left for work Christian told me I would have the "cleanest and sparkelest house" when I got home!  I told him he was the best best house guest we have ever had.  And Amy said once he was down cleaning my house he said, "Now this is a vacation."  Just the cutest and sweetest things.  I wish they never had to leave.  Not to mention, my husband is really cute with kids ;-)

They are visiting one of the world's largest McDonald's today and then are meeting me at my work when I get off.  Then we'll probably watch a couple more HP movies tonight!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week and getting ready for the 4th of July!

Love,
A and K

Father's Day weekend!

While Kyle spent the weekend in Tulsa, I was able to spend the weekend at the beautiful Anna Maria Island!  Here is a glimpse at the beautiful beach and a wonderful sunset!  I had a great time with Jen, Blair, and Baby Brock!

These beaches are beautiful and it will be really sad if they are ruined by the oil spill.  But for now we're going to enjoy them while we still have them!  I still can't believe I live this close to paradise!

 

 Then on Sunday AW and I picked up Kyle from the airport!  AW got him a cute Father's day card.  Not sure why no one has hired AW as a card model yet, he could be really good at it! (and a 3rd income would be nice!)

The inside just said "Hot Dog" as most cards with weiner dogs on them tend to say, but I couldn't resist.

Happy Father's day to all 4 of our dads and Granddaddy!  We love all you guys so much!

And yesterday was Rachel Taylor's birthday!  Happy Birthday Rachel!  Hope you had a wonderful day!!!!!!!

We are getting ready for Amy, Dennis, Christian and Camerons arrival on Saturday and we can't wait!  Although I heard the line for the new Harry Potter ride was 5 1/2 hours!  Sounds like we might be spending an entire day just to see all of Harry Potter.  But it will be so worth it.

Have a great week! 

Girls weekend!

Kyle headed to Tulsa / Wichita this weekend for his cousin, Wendy's wedding.  I so wish I could go, it is going to be a fabulous wedding, but he's going as the Payne family representative to this one.  This will be his 3rd and final weekend out of town.  Can't remember what it's like to have him to lounge around with on the weekends!  And I am leaving today after work to head the Anna Maria Island on the West Coast.  Hopefully get a good trip to the west coast in before the oil spill hits it.  I'm going with 2 girls (Jen and Blair) that I met through work and we're really looking forward to a weekend away. 

However, I am very jealous that Kyle gets to spend time with our friends in Tulsa, eat at El Tequila, and drink boulevard.  He's been back to Tulsa twice now since thanksgiving and I probably won't be back until Thanksgiving this year.  :-(

Our next visitors are Amy, Dennis, Christian, and Cameron!  They are quite possibly two of the cutest (Laney excluded) kids we know!  To say they love Harry Potter is a ridiculous understatement. We are both taking off next Monday to go with them to Harry Potter world...and whatever else Universal has to offer.  From what I hear they ask every day if they are coming to Florida tomorrow and are very excited to play ball with Dubbers!  And I know AW is very excited too!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  I know I will!  Happy Friday!

how cute is she...

Watch Out Nascar!

My sister sent me this photo last night of Laney at the grocery store.  The look on her face makes me laugh out loud every time.  She is really loving that car!  Just thought I would post something to make you guys smile too!  

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Love,

A and K