Faux Chili's Carribean Salad

My favorite salad is the carribean salad at Chili's. It has chicken, lots of fruit, and a tangy citrus dressing. I decided to recreate the salad at home.

Faux Chili's Carribean Salad
romaine lettuce
pineapple chunks
mandarin oranges
dried cherries
black sesame seeds
grilled chicken (marinated in Newman's Own Light Lime dressing)
Newman's Own Light Lime dressing

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

My Baby Turned 5 Years Old

Hershey celebrated his 5th birthday on August 13! I can remember when he was just a little baby and we picked him up from the little doggie shelter in Lexington. He was so small, he fit into the palm of my hand, and now he is right at 30 lbs! He is still as sweet as ever though!

For his birthday, we got him a new travel bag from thirty-one, embroidered with his name on the front. He also got a special Beneful meal and banana pupcakes, made with love by mommy. He is so spoiled! Hershey was nice enough to share his banana pupcakes with his favorite doggie friends.

Cody's Birthday Weekend

Cody celebrated his 26th birthday on August 7! Happy birthday to my best friend, my forever love, my Heffalump!

Celebrations included:
Dinner at Chico's
Cody's loves Mexican food, which is not really my favorite, so we rarely go eat a Mexican restaurant. We always go out to eat for our birthdays, and this year he decided he wanted to go to Chico's to get fish tacos. (I ate my chicken caesar salad, as usual.) They even sang to him and brought him a free fried ice cream to celebrate his birthday!


A Night of Outdoor Fun
For Cody's birthday party, we decided to do outdoor games. (Little did he know that he would be getting a Cornhole game for his birthday.) We ate pound cake, made by Cody's mom, opened presents, and played Cornhole! The bugs were biting pretty bad, but we still had a great time!


















A Day at the Beach
Cody's mom, cousin, and his cousin's friend were all visiting for the weekend, so we packed up the Pilot with all of our beach gear, and set off for Atlantic Beach for the day. Unfortunately, it rained a little when we first got there, but by the end of the day, the sun was shining. We ended the day by stopping at Dairy Queen on our way back home.

Bowl-a-Thon

As part of Cody's birthday celebration/vacation from work, we went on a bowling date. We used a coupon to play for 2 hours, with unlimited games, and shoes were included, for only $6.99/person. We ended up playing 6 games--which will really wear you out. Who knew bowling could be such a workout? By game 4, I was bowling granny shots and throwing the ball backwards through my legs. Cody won all 6 games! I almost won the last game, but I let him win since it was almost his birthday. ;)

Getting ready for the big competition!


Why Cody calls me Twinkletoes...


Look at that form....this was a strike!


Love birds!


Might as well try something new since my score is already shot!


How did this happen?

Lost? Found!

FOUND: Orange and blue rubber tennis ball.

Hershey found a ball in the yard the other day. He spent about 20 minutes, just pawing and sniffing at the ball, with his tail wagging about 50 mph. I spent about 15 more minutes outside, throwing the ball for him. I took some pictures of him, just because he was so cute!

We still have not found the owner of this cool toy. I hate to think that some doggie is missing his/her favorite toy. Please let us know if this is your ball, and Hershey will return it. Hershey says, "Thanks for sharing your toy with me for a while!"

Memories of a Wonderful Man

Cody's dad passed away on Wednesday, July 14. He will forever remain in our hearts, and we will always cherish the memories we have of him.

Four Wonderful Years

Cody and I celebrated our 4th anniversary last Thursday. I can't believe it has been four years since we got married, but it has been four great years! I love you baby!

Our wedding vows:
I, Melanie/Cody, choose you Cody/Melanie to be my husband/wife. Today I join my life to yours. From this day on, I will be your partner and companion, for you are my dearest love and best friend. I look forward to the joy we will find in each other’s separate successes, as well as our shared ones. I welcome the challenge of whatever obstacles we encounter, for I know that whatever we face, we face it together. In times of celebration, I will share your joy. In times of sickness, I will give you care. In times of sorrow, I will help carry your burden and be your refuge of strength in times of uncertainty. I make this covenant with you this day and ask God to help me fulfill my promise as long as we both shall live.

Cody/Melanie, I give you this ring, as a sign that I will love you and honor you, make you laugh, wipe your tears, and hold your hand all the days of my life. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Our wedding day (6/17/2006)


Eating our anniversary dinner at University Chophouse (6/17/2010)