Merry Christmas #3

Time for the Latham Christmas! On Christmas Eve we all get together at Ed and Helen Latham's house for yummy finger foods and family time. Then the "kids" get to open their presents. This year, Darinda and I incorporated money with a gift and it was fun to think of an idea and then for them to open it.

*You can't tell but under all the money there's a soccer bulletin board*

*Darbi's box had an OSU purse (yuck haha) and some money tucked in it*

*Dalton got a beanie from Pac Sun*

*I don't know what she was laughing about but I like this picture!*

*All the grandkids with Ed and Helen*

When the kids get finished with their presents it's time for the adult's to exchange. Sometime ago they all decided to play $50 Dirty Santa and it works out very well. Devin and I have been included it in for the last 4 years and at first it was hard to come up with something that everyone might like. It's pretty fun actually and it's fun to see what everyone brought and how they play the game. This year, my gift was a big cross I bought from Affair of the Heart. I kind of played it safe because if I didn't get to bring it home I knew that I could buy one again in February haha. But when the night was over I left with it and Devin got a cordless drill and jigsaw. I think this was the longest we have all played Dirty Santa though! It was a lot of fun and it was nice spending time with the family. I think we all got a lot of laughs. The only thing that made me sad was that I forgot to get a group picture and we had the majority of the family together! I won't get it next year either because Darrell and Myrna won't be there and I don't think Dakota will either. So maybe at my wedding we can get one of everyone!

Today is the last day of the year! It has been a busy one with lots of new turns in the road and it's been great. I'm looking forward to 2009 and the adventure it brings. I hope you all have a Happy New Year!!

xoxo,
Brandi Sue

P.S. Mom your pictures are next!

Christmas #2

Have you missed me? Devin and I just returned from Kansas where we visited my family and had a few more Christmas celebrations. So I am a little behind in my post. Mom, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to wait on your pictures ;)

Anyway, these are a few pictures from the Welch Christmas which consists of Dev's parents, Bobby and Darinda, Devin, myself, and the animals. They celebrate on Christmas Eve, same day as the extended Latham family Christmas, which always seems to work out well for everyone.

*He was really excited, can't you tell??*

*Dweezle loves to open presents!*

We all had a nice time and although I know Christmas isn't really about gifts...I do love my new external flash I got for my camera ;) Now I have to learn how to use it! Well, I'm sleepy from all the driving and whatnot so goodnight!

xoxo,
Brandi

Merry Christmas #1

Man, I had a very busy weekend! Friday I stayed up all night trying like mad to get my Christmas cards out so people would get them in time. But, since I didn't have everyone's address (and still don't) I don't think I will make it in time. Oh well! I'm usually quicker at it but this year my plan was for Devin and I to incorporate our wedding date in the picture somehow so that it would double as a "save the date" card. But most of them went out today and some accidentally were sent without pictures and unsealed haha! The rest of the weekend was a blur of shopping, wrapping, and helping Dev's mom re-arrange her living room, den, and dining room! Fun huh? haha It was a pretty good weekend though if I do say so myself!

Every year for the last 6 years, since I have been dating Devin, Brandi Adams and I try to get all Devin and Daniels closest friends (who have also become ours) together for Christmas. I think we have only succeeded in getting the main ones together ONE time in all that time haha. Well now more of them are married and/or have moved out of town. Last year we ended up not even having it because we couldn't come up with a date. So this year I, the "official" picture taker and party planner of the group, wasn't even going to plan one. I knew that we would still get together with Daniel, Brandi, and Clay so that was going to be good enough for me. Well...low and behold...they asked about it this year! So Brandi and I picked a date really quick and with like 3 days to plan we had a little party planned complete with a Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, when the day actually came...it was just going to be the four of us. Not a big deal because that's what I had originally thought it would be but I was disappointed the others couldn't make it. It's sad when you grow up and eventually grow apart from your friends and/or you just can't find time to get together. You spend a big part of your life with these people but then life happens and you slip away. But I guess that's part of it! I don't get to see my friends much either but mainly because they live out of town and out of state. I try to keep in touch the most I can though because they mean a lot to me! Anyway, we didn't want all the food we had fixed to go to waste so we asked Devin's parents, who have been like second parents to most of Devin's friends, if they wanted to join us. It was a really nice evening and the food was yummy! I wish Thanksgiving and Christmas were spread apart more so that I didn't get all that good food and family just during one part of the year haha.

*growing too fast*

*way to hide Daniel! You're gonna pay for that later haha!*

*grr...can't ever get everyone! haha*


*the cake I made*

Well, I'm off to bed. It's going to be a busy week with lots of food and family time! I'm excited but hope the roads stay nice! Oh and I only have a 2 day work week this week! Whoo-hoo!
xoxo,
Brandi Sue

Moving Day!!

Friday evening was a busy one for Devin, Daniel, Bobby, and I. We spent the whole night sorting, packing, cleaning, loading...and...reloading (Bobby thought he had a better way to make everything fit...and he was right) For the last 7 months or so, my things have been sitting on one side of the garage and stuff kept getting added to it when Devin moved out of his apartment. Let's just say...his parents are happy we have our own home now ;) Devin's mom keeps talking about what she is going to do with the extra room...I told her that when she comes home for the first time and it's all quiet and empty...it will hit her and she will cry. She responded by saying I was probably right but then she would start thinking about all the space she has haha.

Earlllllllllly Saturday morning Daniel, Brandi, Clayton, Devin, and I headed off to Norman with a trailer and 2 vehicles packed FULL of our things. I was excited for them to see our house and even more excited to have my things in it! Alex, Devin's friend and former roomie, came over to help out as well. Brent and Brian, Devin's friends from work, stopped by later too and hung out for a bit. Anyway, here's some pictures from the day...enjoy!

*I had to have the classic moving in picture! You can't tell but it is SUPER windy. Not only was there trash blowing down the road...but trashcans themselves made their way several houses down!*

*I love Clay's expression in this one...he's just not too sure about this!*

*Clay kept saying, "Take a picture of me Aunt Brandi."

*When everything was unloaded the guys relaxed with some rockband. Later, Devin and I treated them all to Ted's as a thank you. We definitely appreciated their help!!*

*"Don't take anymore pictures Aunt Brandi!!" He was redecorating my tree haha*

*"Okay...you can take one if you want to" haha he's too cute!*

This last one is of Devin cooking our first "meal" in our new home. (one of those quick skillet things haha) He's also using our new pan too!! ;) We were really excited about it haha. The one he is using in the pic was one we bought with a gift card from Bed Bath and Beyond from his Aunt Myrna and Uncle Darrell. It's a non stick one and it worked great!!

We have a lot of work ahead of us but we are fortunate in the fact that we have most of the staple items...so we can take our time and buy things we really like and are of better quality. So now the hard part is saving up the cash for it with a wedding coming too!! Oh!! My mom just informed me that my family has been talking about how they think I'll be the one to bring in the first grandkids!! AND...she said they even picked out a time frame....3 years!! hahahahaha When I informed Devin's parents they said that they are fine with 5 years! Although...I just realized that in 3 years I will be 27!!! :( I no longer find this topic as funny...so...I'm off to bed! haha Goodnight!

xoxo,Brandi

Happy Birthday Dakota

When I was going through the house pictures I ran across these of Dakota and realized I hadn't posted them yet! This "little" boy, Devin's cousin, turned 15 the other day!! It doesn't feel like I have been a part of Devin's family for 6 years so I forget that I knew this kiddo when he was like 9 years old! He was so little and over just the last year he has definitely outgrown me! All three of Devin's cousins are taller than us I think...even Darbi!! ;) Anyway, we celebrated with cake and his favorite meal...waffles. I snagged these pics too...he was having a hard time blowing out the candles ;)

I thought that I had bought sparkle candles...but they were more like trick candles. It made for some good entertainment so it was okay!

Okay...time to work on the moving post!!

xoxo, Brandi

Morgan and Adam

My friend Morgan and her boyfriend Adam have been wanting some pictures to fill up some frames and for Christmas gifts. So when we all had a moment we ran around town taking as many pictures as we could before the sun set! The first one is by far my favorite! It's so romantic! It's also my favorite silhouette that I have captured.

*this was a fun picture!*

We were lucky because this was a warmer day than usual! Anyway, they were fun to photograph and I'm ready to get some more of them when there is more daylight!

Now I'm off to edit some pics from this weekend! It was moving day on Saturday!

xoxo,
Brandi Sue

Welcome Home

Hey everyone! I got a little behind here! Well, here's an update: After many hours spent searching the internet, making phone calls, making offers, gathering information, and signing paperwork....Devin and I now own our first home!! We are really really excited! I can't even explain how I felt when we finished signing the paperwork! I REALLY wanted to bring in my camera (don't laugh Missena) but Devin said that would be silly so I didn't. I ONLY agreed because I thought these people might be stuffy business people...well I regret not taking it in! They were so nice and pleasant! It only took about 30 minutes and when we were finished it took all I had not to cry! It's so overwhelming. I had all these thoughts going through my head *Now I can officially change my address and it will STAY that way for more than two years, I don't have to move anymore, I finally have a place to call HOME, I get to decorate ANY way I want to, crap...how do I want to decorate it?, I can have people over and throw holiday parties, we have a home, we have a home, HOME!!!* Yep...all that went through my head in like 2 seconds haha. Our realtor was very sweet too she even gave us a gift! I didn't see that coming! It was sweet too because it was something she thought about, not just some random thing.

It was all a whirlwind after that. Over the course of the weekend we have: gone to Wal-Mart, scrubbed the walls, the baseboards, (can I just say I LOVE the generic magic eraser?!), the bathrooms, the tile, the cabinets, cleaned the windows, dusted, gone to Wal-Mart, vacuumed, shampooed the carpet, vacuumed again, gone to Wal-Mart, lined the cabinets, put some kitchen things away, gone to....nope not Wal-Mart....Home Depot, then....went to Wal-Mart haha Yeah we went there a lot! We did pretty good cleaning, we were lucky and found a house that was pretty much move in ready. Plus I was giddy the whole time and still in shock that I have a home!

*Devin's Grandparents drove up from Olustee to come see the house. His Grandfather has been waiting to come up ever since we got the offer (a month ago) haha He talked about it all the time haha His Grandmother keeps asking me how I plan to decorate and what colors I plan to use. They are too cute and I'm glad that came to see us! His parents also came up to Devin a bed and t.v to hold him over until we can move the rest of the stuff this weekend. He has an Aunt and Uncle who live in Norman too and they also came by...so we had a "houseful" of guests! I couldn't be a very good hostess though, we didn't have anything to offer to drink or eat haha.*

*Devin and Dweezle trying to figure out the gas fireplace*

*Giving Darinda (future Mother-in-law) her key...big moment haha*

We had a pretty good weekend I'd say! We still have lots to do and I can't wait! Right now Devin is without electricity :( He said that the whole block is out in our neighborhood. Guess the storm messed up something, I dunno. All he has is a little candle and whatever left of his laptop battery...poor thing! haha Anyway, that's my update for now, I have more to catch up on later! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm a day late...but...I hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving! Mine was wonderful...lots of yummy food and good conversation! I spent the morning at work, I was the mean one who made patients get out of their warm bed on Thanksgiving haha. I got lucky though because they were all pretty cooperative!

I LOVE Thanksgiving food and I wish I was able to eat it more often :) My favorites are the turkey, stuffing, and rolls! Mmmmm I'm already looking forward to Christmas! Who am I kidding, I start looking forward to Christmas on Dec 26 ;) I love coming up with ideas for presents for people and I am almost done with my list this year so that makes it even better! The thing I enjoy the most is having all the family actually get along and enjoy their time together. (Dev's family that is) Anyway, I'm thankful for the time we get to share.


Speaking of things I am thankful for...here's a short version of my list:

*My Fiance-He is patient, loving, and kind.

*My family-They aren't perfect and I'm glad! I feel like I can relax around them and be myself.

*Dev's family-They have accepted me into their homes from day one and make me truly feel like a part of their family.

*My best friends-The ones that I can go to when any of the above make me upset haha They let me vent without passing judgment and cheer me up!

*God-Where would I be without His love and kindness? He is my biggest fan and continues to take care of me!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the month! December is right around the corner!

Love and hugs,

Brandi Sue

The L kiddos

I always seem to write late at night! I'm a night owl I guess :) Anyway, today was a pretty good day. We had a Thanksgiving Fiesta at work. That's kind of been a tradition for us I guess (does 2 yrs in a row count? haha) We all agreed that we wanted something other than turkey and whatnot so we don't get sick of it before the holidays. It was pretty yummy! Then some of my friends gave me a going away present in the form of a gift card. Which is perfect because now I am going to buy new pots and pans for our house!! Yay! We just threw out our old ones and decided that would be something we would buy before our wedding. Never thought I would be excited about pots and pans...proof that I am getting OLD!!! haha

I have been working on the L pics from Saturday and have some of my favorites ready to post!! This was a special session for me for a few reasons! First, it was the first time that someone came to me and asked me to take their pictures. That was a sweet compliment! Second, it was my first with this many kiddos and non comfortable weather! I was so nervous about this shoot! The mom had so much faith and confidence in me so I wanted to get her the best pictures ever! It started out okay but then when we all got out in the cold and wind I was afraid that I wouldn't get any smiles!! I only had one cry on me though *forgot to bring candy to fix that!!* But we were still able to get some smiles out of her so it all worked out in the end! My third reason why this one is special is because this was my first "paying gig" haha Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the results and can't wait for Mrs L to see all of the images! This is a long post by the way (in case you haven't figured that out already) so....enjoy!!

*This wallpaper and the red one you see later is on the walls of an old farm house that hasn't been occupied in 10 years! It was way awesome and I'm glad Mrs. L found it! I can't wait to take some more pics with it*

*Here is where a sucker would have come in handy...I'll keep that in mind! In her defense, it was pretty chilly haha*

*Lomo effect*

*This picture takes me back to a time when my only worry was what I was going to bring to show and tell. Look how happy and proud he is! I love this picture!*

*Had to put another one on here...too cute!!*

*Now this little guy was all about the pictures! He was so cute because as soon as we started taking pictures he started posing! It made me smile!*

*Blond hair and blue eyes...watch out girls!*

*Brotherly love*

Thank you so much Mrs L for having faith in me and giving me this opportunity! It has really made me more confidant in what I am doing! I can't wait to give you all your pictures!

Well, I'm going out of town for a few days! Devin and I have a Thanksgiving dinner in Norman to go to so we will be spending the weekend up there. I can't wait until I live up there! I love being up there, it's so pretty and happy to me! That sounds silly haha I don't know how to describe it. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Love and hugs,

Brandi