$300 Birthday Bash Giveaway

One of my good friends, Suzie, is hosting a GiveAway. She is a very talented photographer.

She lives in the metro Atlanta area and is partnering with 3 area businesses to provide a $300 giveaway!

It's easy to enter & you can make the chance of winning more likely by registering on each business website. (You can only enter once per household on each website.)

The contest will close on October 15th and the winner will be randomly selected on October 26th!

Click on the button to the right or go to www.splitsecondatl.com to see instructions on how to register on her site!

Below is the contest details:

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The English Pea, KD Cakes, Split Second Photography, and The Fancy Bee are proud to announce our Birthday Bash Giveaway.

Our giveaway is easy, fun and all about celebration. One lucky child will receive a birthday party worth remembering. The winnings include:

* A Party Package from The English Pea – includes 16 birthday invitations with matching envelopes, 20 party favor stickers, one set of personalized notecards with matching envelopes, and one set personalized calling cards – retail value $75.00
(all items must be chosen from available graphics).
* A Custom Cake designed and constructed by KD Cakes – retail value $100
* A photography session with Split Second Photography commemorating your little one’s special day - retail value$100
* A $25.00 gift certificate from the Fancy Bee – your place for personalized gifts
* Total Value: $300.00
(each business will award a gift certificate to the winner with specifics outlined in the gift. Some restrictions do apply. Please see each website for more information).

This fabulous prize can be won by visiting each business’ website or by stopping in at The Fancy Bee. You may enter once at each place thereby increasing your chances of winning (only one household per entry). All entrants must list a name, address, contact email or phone number and the item he/she would choose from each business if they are to win the grand prize. The contest will close October 15th. The winner will be randomly selected by www.random.org and announced on October 26th at 5:00 p.m. at The Fancy Bee’s One Year Anniversary Open House. The Party Bash Giveaway Package will be awarded to the recipient through gift certificates from each business. The winner is responsible for the planning and location of the party as well as any other items – such as food, party favors, etc. – that are not included in the items listed above.

Websites and address locations to enter:
www.theenglishpea.com
www.kdcake.com
www.splitsecondatl.com

Rain Rain Go Away

Thanks to the excessive amounts of rain over the past couple of days, my lovely garden with which I have been so diligent is about to die. The floods of 2009 here in Atlanta are the worst since 1918 (or something like that). To give you an idea of just how high the waters rose, here is a real shot of Six Flags Over Georgia.


I didn't even get to shoot a picture of when it was healthy. I guess that's what you get when you procrastinate. My two zucchini plants are not going to make it, my Roma tomato plant is imitating the leaning tower of Pisa, and the new role model for my bell pepper plant is it's neighbor (the Roma tomato plant). I did however, manage to pick and cook my first bell pepper. I experimented by making this Southwest Chicken Bake. Yes I made it up. It consisted of chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, rice, cheese, a few different spices, and of course, my bell pepper. I'm quite proud of myself. Hopefully the Roma tomato plant will make it. I need to get out there and prop them up some.

Family Vacation

My older sister, Sherisse, and her family came to the U.S. to attend the wedding of our cousin, Jeannine. Sherisse, her husband Glen, and my nieces, Shanell (7 years old) and Aliyah (5 years old) arrived in Atlanta on August 25th and left on September 8th. They tell me they had a really great time. Leroy and I gave the girls point-and-shoot cameras as a present (come on, the Aunty has to spoil their nieces right?!?!) Here are some fun shots of their time here in America.

This is Sherisse during the wedding rehearsal in New York. Isn't she beautiful.


This is Alana, another on of my gorgeous cousins. She lives in Jersey. This was taken outside of the church after the wedding in New York:



This is Sherisse and Glen. No, it's not a prom picture, it's them during the wedding reception. The reception was so much fun. I really had a great time. In fact, I didn't want it to end, but they had to kick us out :)


The Sunday after the wedding, Jeannine and Kevin organized a farewell brunch on the Hudson for family and friends. It was a great time to catch up with some of my Uncles and Aunts (Tito and Tita). Top left to right: Tita Ethel, Tita Lani and Tito Ed. Bottom left to right: My Mama and Tita Helen. I love my family. They are so much fun.


When we got back from New York, I sent Sherisse and the crew around Atlanta to different spots. Here is Shanell at the Fernbank Museum:


Not sure exactly where this is, but this is Aliyah. You can tell both of these girls are sassy and spunky! I love 'em. I had so much fun with them!


Here is Shanell at the Georgia Aquarium.

Here is Aliyah doing the hula-hoop at Lake Lanier water park.


Here is Aliyah and her mobile playground...um, I mean her Uncle Leroy. They had so much fun with their Uncle Leroy and tumbling around with him. This was taken at Jillian's on Friday September 4th. We celebrated Glen's birthday there.


On Labor Day, we went to Mom and Dad's (Leroy's parents house) for a BBQ and then went on to Stone Mountain to watch the laser show. Top from left to right: Dad, Kasey (Rebecca's boyfriend), Glen. Bottom from left to right: Rebecca (sister), Leroy, Me, Braylon (nephew), Sherisse, Shanell, Mama, Rachel (sister). It was a nice relaxing time after a long weekend. I think Mom and Aliyah were taking pictures :)


Here's Shanell at Stone Mountain. She is such a sweet girl. I really miss them.


There were so many things we didn't get a chance to do, but it was a good time anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing them in 2011. That's probably the next time I'll see them. 2010 we are planning to take a trip to Alaska and maybe back to Disneyworld. And if I can convince Leroy and save up enough, maybe we can take a week long vacation in Europe somewhere. We'll see.

Then in 2011, my Papa is turning 60, so we're throwing him a big birthday bash. The whole family, and even Mom and Dad are supposed to be coming too. We'll keep you posted with that.

Jeannine's Wedding

My cousin, Jeannine married her sweetheart, Kevin Feyen on August 29th in New York City.

I didn't get a chance to take my own pictures as I was lending a little bit of a hand during the ceremony and afterward. Jeannine is the oldest of my cousins on my Dad's side of the family. If I had to give an example of a stunning and elegant bride, I would definitely pick her as my example. She planned a beautiful and amazing wedding. I wish I had more pictures, but here are a few that were captured by Leroy. If I can find more from other photographers, I'll be sure to share.


At the end of the ceremony, they released two doves. These are some of my favorite shots.

Congratulations Ate Jeannine and Kevin!