Matt's Golden Birthday!

March 26th was Matt's Golden Birthday. We celebrated big :)

Matt's first gift was a this candy bouquet. I made it for him with all of his favorite candy.

On Saturday morning, we ran by his grandparents to pick up the gifts I ordered for him and had shipped to them. And then we got on the road to Columbia to spend the day/night there. It was such a great trip.

I drove on the way there and Matt got some pictures on the drive. We took the scenic route.

The whole ride there it looked like it was going to rain but it never did and we got to spend several hours at the zoo. 

This was a 5 legged giraffe...wow...Love was in the air

 Matt got to feed the goats. 

This Darth Vader figurine was the 5th lost item we had seen in the zoo that day. We joked that we should have taken more pictures and made a post just for lost items! 

After the zoo, we went back to the hotel room and chilled out for a bit and then we got dressed for dinner. Here we are all jazzed up :) 

After our great dinner, we headed to see the Lorax...so cute! 

On Matt's birthday, we chilled out at home and I made him breakfast in bed. Waffles with homemade whipped cream and homemade salted caramel sauce. Happy Husband!

Overall good time...and as a final thought/picture...Here is Matt acting crazy at the hotel wearing the bedspread over his shorts. Crazy Birthday boy! 

Til Then-

Did YOU Hear About the Morgans? 

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

When Matt's family was here, we had a little "party" to celebrate Matt's birthday since they were all here. It was fun. We even played "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" and sang "Happy Birthday". Here are a few pictures!

Til then-
Did YOU Hear About the Morgans?

National Championship Game

Matt and I were excited to watch the National Championship game together. Although it didn't turn out like we hoped. We still enjoyed it. See...

GEAUX TIGERS!

Til then-

Did YOU Hear about the Morgans? 

Our First Christmas!

I know this post is significantly delayed but Matt has been working on some other photography projects and had just not gotten around to uploading our Christmas pictures and sharing them.

We decided to stay at home this year and spend Christmas just the two of us since it was our first Christmas married. We had a super fun morning opening the gifts we had chosen for each other. We limited ourselves to $125 each and we each made a list of things we wanted, needed and a gift that represented Christmas to us. It was a great way to do it and I think we will keep it up for sure.

After we opened gifts and had yummy breakfast, we spent the day lounging, napping, playing board games and enjoying time together. All together GREAT Christmas!

Here are some pictures from that day and the couple of days before.

Matt got me some new scented oils for my oil burner. WOO!

 Matt got Jones soda...his faves

I got some warm fuzzy socks and they are long...best part!

 Mom sent us this ornament

Here it is on our tree

Matt got some flashlights because we didn't have any! 

An ice cream scooper to be used when making cupcakes!

EEEKKK the latest Karen Kingsbury book

All the fixins' for Hot Cocoa

Matt got a "gift card" for a tripod for his photography business

A new belt

A pink pair of socks. I was pumped!

The Mister got some new house shoes

A new children's book...the 12 days of Christmas in South Carolina

Fun book!

New track pants

A new ice tray...it's the little things

Matt's mom made these mug "sweaters" for one of my gifts for Matt. He likes them. 

My calendar/agenda...I have loved this gift!

A gift card for a steak of Matt's choice. He chose Ribeye with creamy shrimp parmesan sauce

My handmade earrings. Not the best picture but I LOVE THEM!

Matt's "mixed tape"

My Willow Tree ornament. LOVE

I donated 2 soccer balls to underprivileged children in Matt's honor

AND Matt got me a HIPPOPOTAMUS! 

Matt's new photography book

Posing with the tree :)

Matt's turn

I was so proud of our tree. LOVED IT!

Christmas day photo...hahaha

Love this man!

Merry Christmas in March!

Til Then-

Did YOU Hear about the Morgans? 

March 101 in 1001

Here is our March update!

Our Goals

1. Add a member to our family :)

2. Pay off all student loans.

3. Visit NYC...We are discussing a trip in August. 

4. Take a long road trip.

5. Sell something on Etsy  

6. Have Dad's Crawfish in Louisiana. 

7. Take a trip to Louisiana at least once a year. 

8. Host a holiday in our home.

9. Go camping.

10. Build a real fire.   First weekend in March :)

11. Rent or buy a house.

12. Decorate the outside of a house for Christmas.

13. Stay at the Biltmore.

14. Serve in a soup kitchen.

15. Grow our own tomatoes.

16. ******* ;)

17. Give an item away each time we buy something new (clothing, housewares, etc).  I'm crossing this one off because I believe this has become a hard and fast rule at our house. We have done this consistently for 3 months. 

18. Go on dates at least every other week. 

19. Complete a blog series together.

20. For one month, don't buy anything extra.

21. Contact our family members at least once a week.

22. Go to a shooting range.

23. Go sailing.

24. Get involved in a community service group.

25. Go on a mission trip.

26. Read at least one book a month for a year. 

27. Start a small business. I have an Etsy Business and Matt has started his Photography business! 

28. Fast once a year.

29. Buy a new Christmas ornament each year.

30. Get a massage.

31. Send a card to a friend or family member just for fun.

32. Begin a photography business (big or small).  Matt has started. Can't wait to share his photos. I am PROUD. 

33. Eat at a local/non-chain restaurant every time we travel.

34. Visit a new place once a year. (So far this year, Charlotte, Asheville, Columbia)

35. Ride in a hot air balloon.

36. Attend at least one festival a year in the state where we live.

37. Stay at a B&B.

38. Floss more- at least once a week. (WE HATE FLOSSING) 

39. Give a 100% tip. DONE. Completed on 3/11/12. It was only $14.43 but we were grateful to be able to do it. We will try to do this again before this is over. 

40. Go see a musical.

41. Eat a new type of foods (Korean, African, etc)

42. Repurpose a piece of furniture.

43. Watch a sunrise and photograph it.

44. Explore secret paths.

45. Do something nice for someone anonymously. 

46. Pick fruit at an orchard.

47. Get a library card.

48. Go to a garage sale together.

49. Celebrate our Golden Birthdays in style!

50. Make homemade ice cream.

51. Learn a new hobby together.

Leslie's Goals

52. Lose my desired amount of weight.

53. Continue to utilize this blog to document our lives especially once we start having children.

54. Get a Skype account and use it. 

55. Paint something worth looking at (not just a wall) :)

56. Add at least one cross to my cross collection.

57. Learn to make the best sweet tea my husband has ever tasted. (I'm very close to this!!!)

58. Make homemade marshmallows.

59. Sell/Give away at least one cake that I've decorated for a party/gathering/birthday/etc.

60. Plan a scavenger hunt for Matt.

61. Bake and decorate each of Matt's birthday cakes.

62. Rake someone's leaves.

63. Meet up with at least one other blogger whose blog I read.

64. Complete a blog series or post about our wedding, including the planning. Just for my own sake :)

65. Continue mailing out birthday and anniversary cards to our friends and family.

66. Invite someone to stay with us for a weekend or longer at least once a year.

67. Complete a vlog.

68. Go fishing.

69. Make a point to call my closest friends as often as possible, not just texting.

70. Take a continuing education class related to Autism or other childhood disorders-even though I don't currently work with children.

71. Find a yummy Low Country Boil recipe and cook it.

72. Take at least one picture of Matt and I every time we travel.

73. When we take a long trip (5+ hours one way), drive so that Matt doesn't have to.

74. Take a trip to visit a few special friends (we know who they are).

75. Take a cake decorating class.

76. Read a book, write a blog post about it, and link up with a book club blog.

Matt's Goals

77. Run a 5k.

78. Take a photography class. 

79. Take Leslie to an air show. 

80. Make a picture frame out of an old or hand made window frame.

81. Go to a college football game.

82. Get a dog.

83. Get a new camera lens.

84. Make my wife cry in a good/romantic/sweet/you get the idea way.

85. Give Leslie a love letter at least once a month.

86. Visit Chimney Rock, N.C.

87. Wear a suit, and look good doing it. ;)

88. Visit a new, to me, zoo. Completed on 3/24/12...Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC

89. Watch the Flyers destroy the Hurricanes in Charlotte (hopefully with Leslie).

90. Fix something for someone.

91. Cook something new and exciting.

92. Swim in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

93. Make something from scratch.

94. Do something with Granddad.

95. Journal more often.

96. Learn all the words to or learn how to play one of Leslie's "high school days" favorite rap songs.

97. Teach something to someone.

98. Ride a horse.

99. Surprise Leslie with surprises.

100. Spend an entire day, literally the entire day, in bed. Hopefully not while sick.

101. Figure out how we will finish all 101 things on this list.


Til then-
Did YOU Hear about the Morgans? 

Open Letters, Part 2

The first post like this was so fun that I thought I'd do another one...

Dear Underage Drinker,

You know that's illegal right? Also, it's completely uncool that you post pictures of the wild and crazy outings you have. 

Sincerely,

Slightly more mature woman

Dear Zoo Giraffe,

It's really best to keep those intimate moments with your lady friend more private. I guess Spring really is in the air in your neighborhood!

Sincerely,

Scarred for Life Zoo Visitor

Dear Salted Caramel Sauce inventor,

We LOVE You!

Sincerely, 

Sweet Tooth

Dear Facebook Friend,

STEP AWAY from the status update box when you consider writing a status that is VERY personal about your life. My oh my...

Sincerely,

Facebook friend who has just hidden your status updates

Dear Hulu,

Thanks for having Doogie Howser re-runs on your site. It has made us laugh A LOT! Also, we had no idea that show had so much sexual "stuff" on it. CRAZY.

Sincerely,

The Morgan's

Dear Highway Departments,

I understand you are having to make budget cuts BUT I really miss having streetlights when I'm driving and it's dark. Bring them back? Just a thought.

Sincerely, 

Street Light Lover

Dear Hulu,

We LOVE Doogie but we DISLIKE your crazy commercials.

Sincerely,

The Cheap Morgan's who don't have Hulu+

Dear Older Man in Green Tank Top,

YOU MADE MY DAY!!!

Sincerely,

Me

Dear Car Maker (Chevy, Ford, Subaru, Honda, Etc)

You may want to check the blinkers on all of your cars. It seems that when I'm driving on the interstate that no one's blinkers are working. It's rampant so I figured you should know. Hope you get it fixed soon! ;-)

Sincerely,

Car Owner whose blinkers work :)

Til then-

Did YOU Hear about the Morgans? 

Open Letters..

Lately, as various events and situations have occurred, I have found myself wanting to "write a letter" to the person who it occurred with. It's actually  made me laugh about the situation and just move on it if was an annoying situation OR it has made me hold onto the situation a little longer if it was a good one. I wanted to share some of them with you here :)

Dear Truck Driver,

Please go somewhat close to the speed limit if you pull over in front of me after passing me. Oh, and if you have time, do you mind using your blinker too?

Sincerely, 

Buick Driver

Dear Crazy Driver,

If you feel the need to wait until I get very close to you to pull out in front of me, please accelerate quickly so I'm not having to slow down to negative 25 mph while you speed up :)

Sincerely,
The driver of the car who almost ends up in your bumper EVERY TIME :)

Dear Lawn Maintenance Guy at work,

Thanks for stopping your blower while I walked to my car. Next time, would you consider leaving it off until I actually get into the car so I don't get covered by grass anyway? Just a thought. 

Sincerely, 

SLP who is covered in grass :)

Dear Girl Scouts,

Thanks for creating your cookies. TAG A LONGS???? Seriously, the best cookie I've ever eaten. And those THIN MINTS? They make my husband extremely happy. Oh and the smiles you have on your faces when you ask me to pay $3.50 for one box? Make it all worth it! 

Sincerely,

Your #1 cookie fan 

Dear Gas Prices,

You suck.

Insincerely, 

A family with an empty Gas Budget envelope!

Dear McDonald's,

I don't really like your food but in a pinch sometimes it is necessary. HOWEVER, I am not thrilled about the rude young woman you hired to work at your York, SC location. I did not enjoy her having my sandwich hanging out of the window before I even got to it or how she never made eye contact or spoke one word to me. Nope, I didn't enjoy that one bit. 

Sincerely,

The woman who PRAYS that good customer services isn't gone!

Dear High School/College Girl,

Step away from the mirror with your camera phone. FOR REAL :)

Sincerely,

Person who is considering deleting Instagram

Dear Husband,

You are incredible. Thanks for the flowers you got me last week. BEST SURPRISE after a crazy day. 

I'm gonna keep you!

Sincerely, 

Your bride

Dear Mom,

You spoil us. Thanks for always surprising us with treats. And BIG thanks for the new lipstick. HAPPY DAUGHTER!

Sincerely, 

Your spoiled rotten kids

Dear Road Kill,

Sorry that happened to you.

Sincerely, 

Driver who smells your pain

Dear Spring,

Where are YOU!?!?! 

Love, 

Your friend who isn't ready for Summer in March!

Hope these made you Laugh. Maybe you can relate. Who would you like to write a letter to?

Til then-

Did YOU Hear about the Morgans? 

Pecans in the Cemetary

Made me laugh out loud...a good Thursday Funny :)

PECANS IN THE CEMETERY

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me,' said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, 'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me...'

He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls!'

The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.' When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.

Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.'

The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord...?

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done...

They say the old man had the lead for a good half-mile before the kid on the bike passed him.