Finally....our vacation montage!

I decided to make these photo/video montages while we were on vacation, so I could email them to family throughout the week. Instead of blogging individual pictures, I decided to just post the montages. You probably have to really love us to watch it all.....but it's here! We had a great time.

There are a few stories within the images...all we really like to do on vacation is go back and forth from the pool to the beach, then go out for a nice dinner. We did bowl one night, the kids saw a cool looking place and really wanted to do it. Then the last night, Davis said it would not be a family vacation unless we played putt-putt. We also have the tradition of taking a picture holding your #1 finger up each time you get a hole-in-one. You'll be able to tell who won from the pictures!

Davis HATES seafood, but he is a good sport, so the nights we went exclusively for seafood, he ate either McDonald's, Wendy's or Zaxby's on the way, then ordered dessert at the restaurant. The last night, he got brave and decided to crack the crab legs for Caroline. (That's her favorite.) He did not eat any but....he woke up the next morning with huge puffy cheeks!!! He said, "Mom, my face is a little FAT!" So, we are not sure if he might have had sun poisoning (he didn't burn) or an allergic reaction to shellfish! Luckily, that was the morning we were headed home. He's fine now, but he won't be crackin' crab legs any time soon.

We had a good time, but we're glad to be home! The Carter's dog sat for us and we appreciate that so much!



Panama City Beach


Tuesday at PCB


The rest of our vacation...

Link to Beckham's vacation video: http://www.vimeo.com/1390645

Weight Watchers Update!

Well, I'm just proud of myself. haha... I hadn't weighed in for 2 weeks, because we went to the beach last week. I decided my "goal" for last week was to gain 2 pounds. That sounds crazy, I know, but in the spirit of making life changes, I decided I would NOT diet. No way.

So, I ate breakfast and lunch the same way I have been, trying to stay at or below 10 points during the day. Also, I hit the treadmill or elliptical for 30 (hard) minutes each day, which earned me between 4 and 5 activity points back. Then........I ENJOYED dinner. Yes, I ate bread, I had steak and baked potato, lobster tail dipped in butter, dessert. I tried to still avoid that STUFFED feeling, but I did not deny myself any food that sounded good for dinner.

As soon as we hit the Kentucky state line, I was back on my 20 points a day regimen. The result? I felt pretty good about it and thought I might even have maintained. To my pleasant surprise....I had LOST 1.8 pounds! For a total 6 week weight loss (including vacation) of 10.4 pounds. WOOHOO!

Now that feels good.

My sister's new venture!

I am so proud of my little sister, Kellie. She has just taken a leap of faith to do something she loves. Here's an announcement from her blog...please visit her site to see her work. If you want to see our family collection, go to "clients", then type in password "mccracken". I just love them...

From Kellie:

This has been a long time in the making!
From a fleeting thought to just a day dream to a reality!
With the encouragement of family, friends and most of all my wonderful husband I want to share with you:

KayDeeCarter Photography!
http://www.kaydeecarter.com/

I am so excited!

I am currently working to build my portfolio.

Email me to find out more about about the great portfolio building pricing specials available.

I love to work on-location with natural light and I look forward to photographing newborns, maternity, children, families and seniors.

Slow and steady....

...hopefully wins the race! I had to weigh in a day early because I have a meeting out of town tomorrow. I lost -.2, but it's a loss and I am most definitely changing my habits and chugging along. :-)

Whew......

Today was my weigh in and I MAINTAINED. I am actually thankful for that, considering there was the 4th of July cookout at the Harris', a 3-day weekend and too much eating out in general! Lissette and I are kicking it up a notch for next week to see some results!

It was a really good meeting today. I watched 2 women receive their Lifetime Memberships...one of them had lost 30 pounds, the other....86.5! It was very emotional for them and very motivating for the rest of us. I'm still at an 8.4 pound weight loss for my first month with Weight Watchers.

To Everyone...

Can't Wait!

You all know I'm a huge "Idol" junkie....the tour kicked off this week. Caroline and I have great seats for the show at Rupp Arena August 16th! We can't wait! Here's a little review of our favorite, David Cook... Despite Archuleta's fervent following, winner Cook was hands-down the star of the show. His rock take on Lionel Richie's "Hello" showed a superstar of the future, following in the footsteps of former contestant Chris Daughtry. Between the chorus and the verse of "Hello," Cook smiled and said, "I like this," in response to his fans' shouting.

Two years ago, we got to actually meet Chris Daughtry and he autographed Caroline's shirt. She is completely expecting to meet DC as well! I told her that Mommy would do her best. Ha...we shall see!

Update: Caroline and I are going to be reporters and cellcasters for www.rickey.org! :-) (Yes, it's legal, it's fan sharing, not pirating.)