I'm Not a Food Critic, but You've Got to Try This!

Don and I went to Carl's Jr. the other day and decided to try the Jim Beam Bourbon Burger. I don't know what possessed me to order it. I don't even like to eat hamburgers. Ordinarily I would opt for the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich. Anyway...

Let me explain to you how I adored that Bourbon Burger! Oh my goodness! I'm pretty sure my eyes were rolling in the back of my head like a baby while nursing. I couldn't quit talking about how delicious the burger was the entire time I was eating it. I reminded myself of Bob Wiley eating dinner with Dr. Leo Marvin's family in the movie What About Bob? (one of my favorites). Another movie that comes to mind to describe my Bourbon Burger experience is When Harry Met Sally. Remember the restaurant scene? Yeah. The Jim Beam Bourbon Burger is THAT good. 

Let me give you yet another perspective. Don has always told me I have a phobia about eating the last bite of anything I have to hold with my fingers (burgers, sandwiches, soft tacos, etc.). I assure you I do NOT have a phobia; I just get full. Regardless, I enjoyed that Bourbon Burger so much that I made sure Don was watching as I popped the very last bite into my mouth.

If you haven't tried the Jim Beam Bourbon Burger, you must. 

Image source ispot.tv

Wedding Part 3/ Surprising the Groom

Katelyn planned a couple of surprises for Matthew for the day of the wedding. Looking through these pics, can you guess which pro football team he is a fan of?

Katelyn and Matthew's cake was made by Brittany McMullin.

Photos by M Felt Photography

Wedding Part 2/ The Venue

Choosing The BellTower Courtyard for Katelyn and Matthew's reception was the single best decision that Don and I made with regards to the wedding. Don was completely sold on the idea that he personally would not have to set anything up or take anything down and I was relieved to have Julie and her staff help us carry out all of Katelyn's ideas and expectations. They were extremely pleasant to work with and I highly recommend using The BellTower for any big event.

Katelyn really wanted Key Lime Tarts and they were divine!

Photos by M Felt Photography

Wedding Part 1/ Bridal Gown and Flowers

I wish I could say planning a wedding was fun, but it was stressful at best. Katelyn and I had a vision, but like everything else in life, there were problems along the way... finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses, the perfect venue, the perfect flowers, the perfect colors, yada yada yada. 

However, now that the day has come and gone and I look through wedding photos, I feel better about the amount of money Don and I spent. It was such a PERFECT day! We could not have put on such an event without the help of some amazing professionals. I will talk about all of them in future blog posts, but today I want to make special mention of two of them...

 Lauren James Bridal  

and
Bloomers Flowers and Decor

We asked Bloomers to incorporate pearls. They were in Katelyn's bouquet...

...and Matthew's boutonniere.

Pearls were also in the bottom of vases...

...and arranged as part of the reception decor.

Photos by M Felt Photography

Happy Birthday Cody!

For thirty-two years Cody has made us laugh, cry, worry and keep a routine. Our family just would not be the same without him. 

We love you to pieces Cody. 

Because of you, we are a better family. 

Smilebox Wedding Video/ Katelyn and Matt

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Thank you to Bloomers Flowers and Decor , The BellTower Courtyard , M. Felt Photography , Stefani Jones, Brittany McMullin and EVERY SINGLE person who helped make Katelyn and Matt's wedding a day that we will forever cherish.

Shame on You Rolling Stone

These are the type of people that should be seen on the cover of magazines...

First Responders are formally trained, compassionate human beings and, in many cases, their presence can mean the difference between life and death. Fire, police and emergency medical personnel are the REAL heroes.  They have to see and do things that the rest of us would not being willing and/or capable of seeing or doing. Their work is physically strenuous and can be highly stressful. First responders put their own lives on the line each and every day for perfect strangers. 

Let's support CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and other businesses that are taking a stand and not selling the aforementioned magazine in their stores. 

An Atypical Gift for an Atypical Person

Cody's birthday is coming up in a few days and once again we are scrambling to find the present he is requesting. Usually Chase is the sibling that has to go on a wild goose hunt to track down Cody's odd ideas for gifts, like the Pretty in Pink Soundtrack or Bette Midler or Tina Turner (see this post ), but somehow this year the job landed on Katelyn and Matthew.

While shopping at Barnes and Noble this morning, an employee asked Katelyn and I if he could help us. Katelyn proceeded to tell him that she was looking for a movie sound track. When he asked which one she was looking for, Katelyn said "I'm looking for the I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry soundtrack. I'm not sure it even exists." 

The employee had never heard of it but was very gracious and said he would look it up on his computer. When he inquired why Katelyn was looking for this particular soundtrack, she explained that her brother is having a birthday and he loves the movie, especially the music played in it. Lastly she added, "He's autistic."

Just like we figured, there is not a soundtrack to the movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Between now and Sunday, Katelyn and Matthew will have to figure out which songs are in that movie, buy an iTunes card, download them to a computer and either burn a CD or put them on Cody's iPod.

Cody does not ask for much, but when he does, we usually have to go to great lengths to get it.

Katelyn and Matthew's Bridals

Photo Credit- M. Felt Photography

Happy 24th Birthday Casey!

Here is some random information about the year you were born...

• The first episodes of the Simpsons were shown.
• 1 gallon of gas cost 97 cents.
• US postage stamps were one quarter.
• George Bush Senior became president of the United States.
• The Mirage Hotel and Casino opened in Las Vegas.
• The Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil off of Alaska's shoreline.
• Nintendo began selling Gameboy.
• An earthquake, 7.1 on the Ritcher scale, hit San Francisco.
• Popular movies were Batman, Lethal Weapon 2, The Little Mermaid, Driving Miss Daisy, Dead Poets Society, Honey I Shrunk the Kids and License to Kill
• Duran Duran, Prince, Phil Collins, Madonna, Cher, New Kids On The Block, Paula Abdul and Garth Brooks were popular musicians.
• A few of the most watched television shows were Baywatch, Married With Children, Matlock, The Cosby Show, Cheers, Growing Pains and The Golden Girls.

Happy Birthday Casey. YOU are the best thing
that happened to our family in 1989 and we love you!