The Real Pioneer Woman and Bakerella

Wow, just wow! How is it that I got to meet BOTH of my cooking heroes in one night?!?! I read the blogs of The Pioneer Woman and Bakerella religiously! When The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, published a cookbook I was giddy (though there are even more on her recipe website if you are interested). When I found out PW was coming to Atlanta for a (cook)book signing I was thrilled! I counted down the days and then the hours! I didn't know what to expect that night, but showed up at Borders with my cookbook ready to bow at the alter of Ree! When I got there at 7:30p (right when it was scheduled to start) there were already hundreds of people. It didn't discourage me. I was going to meet her. Luckily this Borders bookstore was a large, 2-story building so there was plenty of room. When I went upstairs just to get a peak of the legend I GASPED when I saw Bakerella. Come on...you know Bakerella! She's the one that created the Cake Balls! She's a baking genius! Below is the picture of me and Bakerella that she took and is now on her website. I also had her sign the back of my PW cookbook!I thought meeting Bakerella in the first minutes of getting there was amazing. She was so kind and gracious! I was SHOCKED that she wasn't surrounded.

So then it was time to find a seat on the floor and wait for my ticket number to be called. I set up near PW's best friend, Hyacinth and her sister, Betsy. That provided hours (literally, HOURS I sat there) of entertainment. These women were hilarious! They signed my cookbook on the pages they were pictured.After being there for 4 hours and the clock being close to striking midnight it was finally my turn to meet Ree! She had been there for hours and was still smiling and greeting each of us so graciously. (The Borders employee must have been tired because he took the WORST pictures!) I walked out that night with a smile on my face and many new recipes from new friends I meet there.

Maggie's baptism

We were so pleased to see our third child, and only daughter, baptized last week on her 8th birthday. What a special evening it was for our family. She flipped up her toe so she got a second dunk. As I helped her get out of her wet white dress and put on another dress I broke down in tears. At that very moment, as she was as pure as the moment they laid her in my arms, I thought about the scriptures in John 13:14-17 'a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who sent greater than he who sent him'. Being able to serve my children each day in all their different needs in an honor and a blessing.

Search & Rescue!

I can't seem to keep up with my blog these days to save my life! But know that we are all alive and no need to send out a search party!

Let's see...we had fun on Halloween and ate too much on Thanksgiving! That wraps up those holidays...HAHAHA!Maggie wanted me to dress up for our ward Halloween festival so I threw on my Falcons jersey so we could dress alike. I think I need a pink one too ;)

Jack's hands got cold so he stopped to warm them at a neighbor's house.

Maggie was the meanest looking QB in pink you'll ever see!

Jack dressed as a (Clemson) tiger and was so stinkin' cute!

Vince Flynn

Aaron will freely admit he has a man crush on his favorite author Vince Flynn. Being the dutiful wife I am I always go out the day his books come out and buy Aaron a copy. But along the way I have never had much interest in reading his books. Mainly because when I read I prefer a light, 'happily ever after' type book.
About a month ago Aaron read on his message board (oh yes, he's THAT big of a nerd...err, I mean fan) that Vince was going to do a book signing at a local bookstore in Atlanta. Aaron was all set to go and was so excited when a business trip popped up. He tried so hard to work around the book signing but it just wouldn't work out. He was totally bummed but being the good employee he is he did it without complaint.
I didn't say a word about the book signing or ask any questions. Rather I did my google homework and found out all the information. I got the kids all squared away and trekked into Atlanta (through rush hour no less) to find this hole in the wall bookstore. (Really, couldn't he just go to the Borders at Mall of GA like normal authors?)
I had to park across the street because the parking lot was packed. Who knew this guy was THAT big of a deal?!?! I took a number when I walked in (#102) and looked around to see that I stuck out like a sore thumb. I guess I'm not the only stay-at-home-mom who hasn't caught the Vince Flynn bug. There were old men and business men then a few old ladies, but no 30-something moms. Oh well, I was there for a good cause. ;)
Vince spoke to the crowd for a little while then there was a Q&A. I was quite amused at some of the people's questions. I have to wonder if some of them know that the chararcters in the book aren't real. One person asked Vince if he felt his dyslexia made his job harder. It was at that moment I tucked my phone away and actually listened. He said, "No, it's a gift. Normal people just climb a wall but when you have dyslexia you learn how to go around the wall in other ways because you can't climb it. I've learned how to do things differently because I have dyslexia." I couldn't wait to get home and share that with Whitney.
After he spoke we lined up in number order for the book signing. I giggled at the old ladies getting their lipstick on and checking there hair in the hopes to dazzle Mr. Flynn. Me, I was in a tshirt and jeans. HAHAHA When it was my turn I plopped Aaron's book up on the table and said, "I think it should read your wife must freakin' love you to stand in line for 2 hours for an author she doesn't even read." Vince stopped and looked up at me with a little bit and shock but a lot of amusement. We chatted for a bit about his comments on dyslexia.
After it was all said and done I think I might just read a book or two of us...seeing as they are all just sitting there on my bookshelf.

Football Academy

Tuesday night I went with my friend, Nora, to the Falcons Football Academy at the GA Dome. It was geared for football idiots...so I fit right in. It was a fundraiser for a breast cancer support organization. The night included dinner, running drills on the turf and then a Q&A with players. Nora and I scored seats front and center (thanks Cayce for snagging those seats) which proved to make the rest of the evening interesting.

Hamzah Ahmad has become one of my favorite Tweeps. He's hilarious! He works for the Falcons doing all kinds of things from planning each of the halftime shows, to travel logistics when they are on the road...to planning entertaining events for desperate housewives. HA!

It was fun doing drills to learn what each position does. Here I am in wide receiver training. I was shown the 'route' to run then head to the endzone for a touchdown! I didn't have a good enough dance to be photographed. ;)

Coy Wire (linebacker) was a ton of fun and kept us laughing. Nora was in love at first sight. HA!

Brian Finneran. Really that's all I can say. BRIAN. FINNERAN. He was SUCH a good sport as Nora and I provided much 'commentary' as he tried to talk football. Really? You want to talk about getting in the hottub around a bunch of women?

Mike Peterson (Univ of Florida grad) was doing the Gator chomp with Nora by the end of the night. Everyone was gearing up for the big rilvary game of UGA vs UF today.

We quite enjoyed the visual aides the players provided to show us what different positions did. Gooooooood times...

Whitney's Big Score

It seems we've stumbled into a new 'tradition'. I took the boys to the Falcons LIVE radio broadcast for the first time last month and now they want to go EVERY week. Well, that's just not reasonable but we do make it to about half of them. It's always very interesting to hear the head coach discuss that week's game.

This week there was an interesting 'twist'. Matt Moore posted on his Twitter page that the first person who told James Hicks at the radio broadcast how many interceptions Thomas DeCoud (this week's player guest) caught in college would win a Matt Ryan autographed picture. Well, anyone who knows our family we are ALWAYS up for a challenge. Whitney was all over Google. The first answer he found was 1 and felt that couldn't be right since DeCoud just caught TWO interceptions in ONE game, so he kept scouring the internet. (I did get some help from Adam at http://www.thefalcoholic.com/ to confirm the answer so that Whitney wouldn't feel bad if he wasn't right.)

Once Whitney had the answer he was chomping at the bit to leave. This week Preston had basketball practice so Maggie went in his place for the first time. She was so adorable in her pink Matt Ryan jersey! We got there super early which I was dreading but we did get good seats. Usually the 'regulars' get there so early that the few seats they have are taken.

Whitney was like a caged animal waiting for Matt and James to arrive. Every time someone would walk in he'd jump. So I had to Twitter to James that Whitney was waiting for him. (Here's the Twitter post: My kid is at Hibbett circling like Jaws waiting for @FalconsJHicks to appear. Beware!) And James' response was on Twitter was: @keleland lol - tell him I'm on my way, Mook and I grabbed a bite nearby. When Matt and James walked in Whitney made a bee line for them at the door. The best is that Whitney asked if they had a winner yet. HAHAHA!!! Like someone might have met them at their car??? Well, needless to say he is now the proud owner of the Matt Ryan autographed picture.

For the love of the (Falcons) game...

I'm not really sure when it happened or how it happened but somewhere along to way we've become devoted Atlanta Falcons fans! It's been fun to throw ourselves into a sport other than baseball. Don't get me wrong, I'm itching to see the boys back on the field. But a little diversity has been nice.

Truly this ALL started with the idea of Whitney joining a friend's Fantasy Football league. Some might call me a little on the competitive side (shocking, I know) That's when I took the boys to the Falcons Training Camp and for there we were all hooked. The boys have enjoyed many of the Falcons and learning all about the team, the NFL and the sport. What I can tell you is that every person we have met associated with the Falcons organization have been top notch...so kind. That in itself is impressive.

GOOOOOO FALCONS!!!!

Boys with Roddy White

Boys with (head coach) Mike Smith

Boys with Curtis Lofton

Where to start...

It's been TWO MONTHS since I have blogged...don't even know where to start! How do I blog that every day the kids go to school, every day I run errands, every day we eat dinner? Is that exciting or what? Instead I should tell you that:
Right now Jack's favorite thing to say (loudly) is "You are the BEST mommy in the world!"
Maggie is ROCKING the tennis courts all over metro ATL, even serving in the rain and coming back to win that point though they were down Love-40!
Preston has sprouted wings and a halo and is truly the sweetest child ever. All because we found out he wasn't getting 'good sleep' at night and the Dr said to put him on melatonin (over the counter from GNC) to help him sleep.
Whitney...ugh...he's in middle school. Need I say more? Where did my sweet boy go? This kid MUST be someone else's! The rolling the eyes and grunting...what's THAT all about?!?!

Whitney's Ordination

It seems like yesterday that Grandma Frances was holding Whitney just after his blessing.

And today she was there to see him ordained into the priesthood.

Whitney, Mom and Dad are so extremely proud of the decision you made to live righteously and be worthy for today. We are proud of the young man you are and the example that you set for your brothers and sister.


Daddy was so proud to be able to lay his hands upon your head today and through the power of his priesthood bestow the Aaronic priesthood power.

What a blessing for you to have men in your life who love you and wanted to be apart of your special day. (Bishop Bradford, Daddy, Granddaddy and Uncle Bill)

Big,

I can't believe 12 years has passed in what feels like a blink of an eye! It seems like yesterday

your dad was giving you your baby's blessings. Today when he ordained you many of the same words were shared. In both he spoke of how you were saved for the last days because you were a valiant spirit and though the trials of the last days would be tough you were given the stregthen to withstand those tempations. Truer words have never been spoken. So often in times of adversity you are the calm in our crazy family. Son, your dad and I love you more than you will ever know (well, you might once you have your own family) and are so thankful that you were sent to our family. Thank you for loving us and being a wonderful oldest son! You have taught us so much. We love you Biggers!

Love, Mom

Happy 4th Birthday Jackie Brown!

My sweet baby boy, I can't believe you are 4 years old already. Where has the time gone? It has flown by and we have enjoyed every minute of it.

From the minute Jack was born he has kept us in stitches from laughter. He is the most animated child we have. He's full of life and is constantly chattering about something.

He loves playing with his older siblings, but that's because they give him his way every time. Even though he always has a playmate there are times he chooses to go in his room and play with his train set by himself (that's the Leland in him).

At this point, he seems to be our 'brightest' child but I am not sure if that's because of natural intelligence or the level of converstation he gets daily from his older siblings. He understands many higher level and abstract concepts many kids his age don't get.

Jack's smile is infectious!!!! The problem is...he knows it. When he is being reprimanded he will smile so big and not let up till Aaron or I starts laughing. Ohhhhh, he's rotten!


He loves going to school! We're are truly amazed at all he learned last year and are looking forward to another great year of educational growth. His teacher is in our ward and lately after sacrament is passed he slithers over to Ms. Kristi's lap for the remainder of the meeting.

This summer Jack, like his parents, fell in love with the beach. He couldn't get enough of it! He ran from the waves and giggled with delight when they caught him. He would dig in the sand and build sand castles for hours.

More often than not Jack is referred to as "J" or "JJ" (he's been called Jack Jack like in the movie 'The Incredibles' since birth). Other nicknames that he's called is "Bird" (started out as "J bird") and "Jackie Brown".

J - Mom and Dad love you more than you ever know! I love the mornings you crawl into bed with me and say, "I wanna sleep right there" and point at my chest. You will forever be in my heart!

Happy Birthday my baby boy!

Call Child Welfare Services...

Today I broke all the good mommy rules. I was down right irresponsible. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to give ME, Kerri Leland, kids???? Because good moms send their kids to school unless they are sick...especially the first week. Oh my! But no, not I. Today I kept my big boys home so that they could make memories. That's right, my honor roll boys played hookie from school.

As soon as we got Jack dropped off at a friend's house we were gone. With giddy anticipation we drove the short 15 miles up the road to a mecca they had never seen. Today we went to the Atlanta Falcons' Training Camp to watch the team's last pre-season practice. You see, even though we pride ourselves in being a 'baseball family' the boys really like football as well. I have tried hard to sway them away from it because they can't play football competitively due to their bleeding disorder. But they play it with friends, they play it on the Wii and they watch it so today they got to see the Atlanta Falcons up close and personal. So close you could smell their sweat (did I mention how hot it was in GA today?)

Above is starting Quarterback, Matt Ryan, yelling something the others are supposed to understand, then respond to. HAHAHA! (yea, mom's not much of a football person) Oh well, they say he's really good at yelling...and throwing.

Whitney played it 'cool' when asking for the autographs and a couple of the players even commented on how mannerly the boys were. Ahhh, this mama was beaming with pride as there is no greater compliment.

My favorite story of the day comes at Preston's expense. I'm still laughing just thinking about it... so, as you see Preston's a bag of bones, 65 pounds soaking wet. Some of these HUGE players would come to sign his shirt and not meaning to press hard against Preston they'd start to sign and his legs would tremble from their weight leaning against him. HAHAHA!!! Poor thing, he stood strong through it all but there was a couple of times I thought he was going to fall forward flat on his face.

All and all, they got TONS of autographs and chalked it up to a successful day of hookie!

Random pictures:

Back to School 2009

I can't even believe the summer is gone! I was so sad to see the kids leave for school this morning, though they were excited to go. The summer went by in a flash as we rarely had a dull moment...the pool, the movies, the beach and of course baseball. There was no bickering this summer or groans of 'I'm bored.' To be honest, it was the best summer we've had together. So, because of that AND because my kids just ROCK in general today is a sad day for me. I'm happy they were excited to go back and I am VERY happy that I like all their teachers (so far).

Thank you to my pint size (ok, Whitney's more like a quart size now) best friends for making it a wonderful summer to remember!!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Nut!

It seems like yesterday they placed that 6lb little bundle in my arms! I remember when the nursery nurse handed him to me and said, "Here ya go mom, he's such a little peanut!" From that the name "Nut" forever stuck. He's had many variations (Nut Nut, Nutty Buddy, Nutter Butter, etc) over the years but he answers (and his called) "Nut" more often than Preston.

Here he is at 2 weeks old laying on Aaron. He was so tiny that Aaron was a little scared of him at first. But most of Preston's naps those days were taken right there on Daddy's shoulder.

Preston had RSV his first Christmas so this was the only picture we have that he was smiling. What a lame outfit it was but he sure sported it well!

Whitney was less than gentle with Preston so he had to toughen up QUICK!

This is by FAR Aaron and my favorite picture of Preston...EVER! This was his first experience with snow. We were so excited to take him out to see the snowman Aaron and Whitney had built while he was down for a nap. As you can see, he was NOT thrilled. He was petrified of it not knowing what it was. We laughed so hard!

And here it is...10 years later. The time seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. He's still scrawny...but in the tall and lanky Leland way. He's strong willed and determined...kind and compassionate...smart and logically. I remember in kindergarten when his teacher was so frustrated with him because she felt he was being obstinate because he refused to GUESS how many were in the estimation jar when he could open the lid and count how many. HAHAHA! He's still very analytical in his thinking. "Because I said so" holds absolutely no weight with him, but if given viable reasoning he can be very obedient.

Ohhhh my, this one would make quite the defense attorney one day. Or from the Lego structures he builds from his imagination he could very well be an architect or engineer one day. What I do know is that he brings laughter and excitement to our lives everyday. He's funny and charming and we love all that makes him "Nut"!

Happy Birthday Preston Henry!

Sand and Surf...what more could you ask for?!?!

This was our view of the beach. North Topsail Island is very private and not commercialized at all. It's the perfect place to relax...because there is nothing to distract you...AT.ALL! Glad we love the beach so much!

Yep, that's MY chair. Nothing around me but sand and surf! Actually, everyday we would set up our 'area' and there would be no one on the beach as far as the eye could see in either direction. It was heavenly...just our little family and a great big ocean.

"Praise the Lord I'm at the beach!" Can you tell Jack loved the beach???

Preston enjoyed fishing and caught the first fish of all the men folk!



Maggie enjoyed getting a little 'lift' from Aaron as the waves came in for high tide. Not that she really needed the extra inches as she is all legs and the same height as Preston.

Whitney LOVED catching waves, whether on the boogie board or body surfing. He spent every minute near the water doing just that.

Aaron did such a good job and evenly distribuing his time among the kids. They all wanted to do different things...boogie boarding, fishing, building sand castles, jump waves, etc. and they all wanted to do it with Daddy. (Yeah, didn't hurt my feelings at ALL!)

My Dad found just the right spot to fish. He was so patient with the boys as they each wanted to fish...including Jack. But when they were off playing in the ocean he would sneak down to his spot and enjoy the peace and quiet of it all. This is sums my Dad up pretty good.