NKOTBSB - Hell Yeah!

"HOWIEEEEEEEEE! HOWIE! HOWIE! HOWIEEEEEEEEEEEE!" - Sarah Wilder, 23.

12 years ago my best friend and I went to the Backstreet Boys concert when they played at the Georgia Dome! Well, Wednesday night we got to recreate the experience. Sarah's uncle hooked us up with some AWESOME club seats. We got to park under the Philips Arena and walk in this door that said "Authorized Personnel Only". Once in the door, we got to walk down a private staircase and then got escorted to our seats. We totally felt like ballas. Our seats were in the first couple of rows behind the floor seats. I actually really loved those seats because, unlike the floor seats, we didn't have to look up and the guys were eye level. It was like sitting at the 50 yard line. 

The Staircase down to our seats.

Jordan Sparks opened for the boys. Sarah and I were really impressed with her. She looked totally beautiful and we really enjoyed her performance! We had heard Matthew Morrison was going to open too, but he never came out. Pout. 

Okay, I can honestly say that I can't describe how amazing this concert was. I don't think I have the words. I know we sound incredibly dorky, but I so don't care. It was so much fun to scream like we were 13 again. We sang to all the Backstreet Boys songs. They sang all the songs we really wanted them to sing! We were surprised how much we enjoyed the NKOTB though too. They put on a really good show! It was funny because you could completely tell which audience members where there for which band. Everyone acted giddy, though, despite the average ten year age difference between the fans.

At one point they turned on the overhead lights and we got a glimpse at how full the arena was!

All the guys still have "it"! They sang the whole thing 100% live and danced around as if they were all young men again. Whoever thought to put both bands together is totally genius. The concert was really long because the guys could take breaks. Both Sarah and I keep saying we wish we could go back right now!

Nick!

Hello, Donnie! ;)

My only regret is not bringing my good camera. Next time! =) I am soooo thankful I was able to go, and especially grateful that I was able to go with my best friend!

Mrs. Wilder, how does your garden grow?

Wednesday I headed to Atlanta to go to a concert with my best friend of 19 years. I got to her house a little early. Instead of just sitting in the car I explored her mom's beautiful garden. Not only is this garden strikingly beautiful, but Mrs. Wilder did it all herself. When they moved in to this house a very steep ridge was all that was there. Now it is a wonderful world of green, buzzing carpenter bees, and a patio that makes you feel like you can go escape the troubles of the world and disappear into a secret, special place. I quickly grabbed my camera and luckily got some shots before a huge rain storm blew threw. Enjoy!

Passing through the vine covered arbor and gates, looking down through the garden.

Bee!

Learning To Share: Emma and Jackson

Jackson has been part of our family for two weeks now. He is settling in really well and we all (including Emma) are used to him being here. His hyper-ness has slowed down some and his playing isn't always so rough towards Emma anymore. I think Emma would honestly be really sad if Jack left. They follow each other around all day and play constantly. They are much more interested in each other than they are in me. Although, occasionally they fight over who gets the majority of my attention at that given moment. I try to split it up as evenly as I can. However, Jack is a little bigger than Emma and usually wins the battle over the space leaning up against my legs. But Emma isn't left out. I make sure she gets special time with me too. Plus, she is more nimble than Jack and she uses that to her advantage a lot. This week they discovered they can run from the family room through the kitchen to the living room and dining room in a big circle. They are so cute trying to chase each other on the hardwood floors. I love watching them entertain themselves and have so much fun. I think they're on their way to becoming bdff (Best Dog Friends Forever). 

However, they're still working out exactly how to share. Each dog thinks every toy belongs to her/him. When we were visiting my in-laws this past weekend (for Miguel and his brother's birthday... I will blog later) the dogs started playing tug-of-war with this long animal toy. They loved it so much and played so cute with it that I decided to pick one up to. My mother-in-law mentioned she picked up a three pack at Sam's Club. I just happen to be there today and saw the pack and picked them up. I handed them the panda looking one first. Jack tore it up in a manner of minutes. Sooo I tried the alligator hoping they'd play tug-of-war again. This time it was a success! They played tug-of-war with each other for about ten minutes before Emma got bored and went to chew on a bone. 

Look at those intent faces... okay face, since you can't see Jack.

... Jack then chewed off an alligator leg and started to de-fluff him. I took away the alligator to save him for later play. 

Look at the green in his mouth... Mixed feelings here... don't want Jack to eat a toy, but we aren't fans of gators in this house ;)