Birthday Bash

Last night we had MK & Kurt and Jen & Lide over for dinner! We've been meaning to have a triple date for quite some time. I was also really, really excited to make this cake for MK as it's the one her Mama made for her growing up. MK's bday was back in early August but better late than never! Also, Kurt and Lide have the same birthday which is on Thursday.

The birthday trio blowing out the candles.

MK trying the cake!! She said it tasted just like her mom's... wahoo! Also, we had everyone guess the secret cake ingredient. No one guessed it.

(answer: beets!!)

Me & MK. I miss seeing her every day and watching The Golden Girls together. :)

The rest of the weekend

Oh dear weekend, why do you go by so quickly?!

Last night we had a wonderful time at our friend Ashley's birthday party. She's also the one who sang 'The Church's One Foundation' as I walked down the aisle. I cry every time I hear that song!

Today we checked two things off the bucket list we haven't made yet.

We rode on the Light Rail!

To the PANTHERS game!

This was before the rain.

We got the tickets from one of the ladies we had brunch with yesterday. They couldn't make it to the game so we went instead. They had club seats and we definitely took advantage of the air conditioning and lounge rooms when the rain came.

Speaking of rain, on our way home we drove by the river near our home... wow! It was a pretty awesome sight!

It's definitely not supposed to look like this.

Hope you have a great week!

Cabin weekend & family gatherings

I'm sitting on the couch with a box of kleenex. Yep, I have a cold. So thankful for the weekend.

Last weekend we were in Boone with friends. This is what our mornings looked like:

This is what cute doggies look like:

"I wanna play with Chauncey Neel"

(is what I assumed Toby was trying to say halfway through his yawn.)

We walked through ASU's campus and it was so fun/weird to be back! A lot has changed in the 7 years since I've been there.

It was really fun to take this picture in front of our old dorm, Eggers. We kept wondering how we lived in such a TINY space! Never again!!

ASU football game!

Go App!

Today we had a cousin get-together with my grandmother's sister and their family here in Charlotte. We had a lovely lunch at Providence Cafe and it was great to meet them. Actually the lady in black is named Ginna! Same as our Ginna!! :)

Oh how we love our Gigi!!

Last night we "celebrated" the anniversary of our first date. Because I was (am) feeling horrible due to this stupid head cold which I got from some second grade runny nose kid, I didn't feel up for doing much. We ended up walking over to Nolen Kitchen as we had a gift certificate. I didn't dress up and we left at 5:30 for dinner. Wow. A lot has changed after that first date where I spent a lot of time getting ready and we were out all night. I'm ok with that though. Sleep is good. So are soft Kleenex.

Happy Birthday Ginna!!

Happy Birthday to that Ginna girl!!! I hope you had the best day ever and I can't wait to snuggle with you this weekend in Boone!! :) I love you!

Remembering

Remembering those who were snuggled with their loved ones ten years ago yesterday. I can't even imagine.

I love today

Saturdays are my favorite! It's the day I catch up on sleep, errands and spend a lot of time cooking/baking. Today I'm making Iced Pumpkin Cookies! I already have a chicken tortilla soup in the crock pot (thanks, Al!) for tonight's dinner. Andrew will watch football in a few hours and life is good.

Last night we went to the Greek Festival here in Charlotte with our friends the Lowders. I LOVE Greek food. We also ran into a couple from church who was there with their 5 day old baby! And we even left before they did! It's cool to see that life doesn't have to "end" when you have a baby.

Oh and I also love being married! He's so good to me!

Have a beautiful weekend and go USC!

Life lately

I know. It's been a while. I'll blame it on my new job (!) and the fact that I am exhausted at the end of most days. But what a wonderful August it was! Here are a couple highlights:

Atlanta to visit Al & B!

I was so excited for this trip because I hadn't seen their new house and it's adorable. I also was super happy to see Toby, their dog. I think I only love two dogs in the whole world and he's one of 'em.

Here's the pre-breakfast table. Breakfast was yummy (of course!).

We met up with Julie for lunch and then did some shopping!

The next day we went to Winston-Salem for my Uncle Hunter's last day at his church. They had a lovely farewell lunch at a cool venue downtown followed by a band with dancing for after the service. The flowers were beautiful.

Uncle Hunter!

Some of the cousins in town for the occasion!

Now we're gearing up for a busy fall with football (I'm now a Gamecock fan!), trips, hanging out with friends and getting back into a schedule. Oh, and fall weather. I just got back from a run and it was pure bliss! Yes it was. Try running in 95 degree weather and 100% humidity to 70 degree weather. Yippeee!!