Happy Fouth of July!

Well I am a day late but like everything else in our lives yesterday did not go as planned and I did not get a chance to blog.  I will tell you more about that later in the week!  But all I can say is "Let it Snow"!

Today I am send out my Fourth of July greetings!  Even though it is July 5th I want to say thank you to all men and women who serve in our armed forces.  Our freedom is not free!  People have fought and died for your freedom and the rights you enjoy today!  Take time to say thank you!  When you see someone in uniform say "Thank you for your service".  It only takes a second, you don't even have to slow down.  They are very appreciative of your "thanks".   This is something I am trying to teach Jake to do and most of the time he wont say anything but hopefully he is learning and he will grow up appreciating our service men and women. 

Now a shout out to the military men in my life! 



My Dad and his brother Roy served in the Air Force.  Their brother Henry served in the National Guard.  My mothers brother Bubba served in the Air Force as well...I just don't have a picture of him.

Currently my life long friend Rita has a son Ben serving in the Marines.  Ben is stateside right now but will be deploying again soon.  He has already done several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Thank you to everyone who serves or has served our country!  And remember their families as well, they sacrifice for our freedom also!

I met Gail Pittman

While we were in Ridgeland for the State Baseball tournament last weekend I met Gail Pittman.  As luck would have it, I was giving Jeff directions and he could not exit the interstate quick enough so we had to take the next exit.  BINGO...we drive past the Gail Pittman Studio in Old Town Ridgeland.  Well, I quickly put that on my "to do list".  I LOVE Gail Pittman Pottery!  I have Garden View in my kitchen and I love it!  I love all of the patterns and would own every piece that is made in Garden View if I could afford it.  Did you know that Oprah, Faith Hill, Katie Couric, and ME all have Gail Pittman Designs?  Of course theirs were all custom designs and mine is Garden View but that is some AWESOME company wouldn't you say?  Anyway, we had some downtime Friday afternoon so we stopped by the Studio.  I was browsing around and telling my Mom and Jennifer how much I LOVED everything I saw when I looked up and at a little drawing table there sat the pottery master herself!  OH MY!  She was so nice and sweet.  I asked what she was working on...just trying to start a conversation with her.  She showed me the new designs she is working on and chatted about baseball and of course Jake.  Oh... even if I never liked her before...I am in love now!  She was down to earth and so friendly!  So I bought the new cross in the new Endless pattern.  It is awesome and matching my new living room colors just perfect!  Mrs. Pittman signed it for me and I got my picture made with her!  LOVE IT!  It was a great visit and such a surprise to actually meet her AND like her. 

Gail Pittman and me

Check out The Anderson Crew to see others "Embracing the Camera" this week!

And if you want to check out the latest and greatest pottery available check out Gail Pittman's Website.  You will love it!  It is a Southern thang!

The Cult had a Convention!

I am blessed to have a very close family on both my Mom and Dad's side of the family.  On my Mom's side we have been labeled a "cult".  It happened during a very bad divorce and there was testimony in court that was something like this..."that family is horrible...they are just like a cult.  They brainwash babies."  Well we found it to be HILARIOUS!  If loving each other unconditionally and sticking together through thick and thin is a Cult then we are it!  Rest assured it is something we are proud of.  It has become a joke among us and our friends that really know us.  Funny thing...people are always asking to join the cult or talking about how much they love the cult. So we made a huge joke out of the Cult and now we have chapters.  Everywhere someone lives is a chapter.  So this past weekend Ben played in the state baseball tournament and several chapters of the cult were together so we decided that instead of having a meeting we were having a convention.  See my cousin Jenn's blog for a much more frank and funnier take on the cult.  She will crack you up!

Anyway, there wasn't much happening on the baseball field for the Mustangs this weekend so I decided to share pictures of the Cult Convention.  I hope you can see from these pictures that even though we are labeled a Cult is it a good thing!  LOL

Jenn and Jake swapping admission bracelets and eating candy in the hotel.

Jenn (and Mikey claims to have helped) made these adorable door signs for all of the team members.  She made Jake one too that says "Future Mustang" on the sides.  SO CUTE!

Headed for the pool!

I am loving the hat!

Is that cute or what??

Me and Jake ready to swim!

Jake and Jenn playing in the pool.

Jeff and Jake fake napping.  Neither one was asleep!

Just cuteness!

Eating Turnip Greens at Cock of the Walk

Playing baseball with Ben and Benji

Ben and Jake playing on Jake's iPad

Lovin' oranges at the ball field

 Jake got to join the "big boys" for their pizza by the pool.  Thanks Coach Bill for letting him be part of the Mustangs!

Jake and Jane Claire in the pool.  Not sure what that expression is but he is having a BLAST!

Reed and Jake in the pool

This is his "put the camera away Momma" look!

The next generation playing in the hotel room.

Riding on the luggage cart was big fun!

Members of the Southaven and Ridgeland Chapters and the ball field.

On the way home we were able to stop and see the part of the Durant Chapter of the Cult.

This is "Ugly".  That is what Jake calls him.  Our Uncle uses him when he takes his cars to car shows.  Jake is not really fond of him but they finally warmed up to each other!

Jake feeding Abby and JR his snack.  They are Uncle Bubba's dogs and Jake loves them!

This is a close as we could get Jake to "Ugly".  Even then he had to have support from his ShuShu.

Jake and Uncle Bubba

Members of the Durant and Southaven Chapters of the Cult.

Before we were on the interstate Jake was passed out and slept all the way home. 



So you see....we had a great long weekend.