Hottie Toddy: AGAIN!

I have updated and rebooted and redownloaded and thrown my computer in the trash-- not really....but it is FINALLY working....I hope.  Soooo much to write about!

Let me try this post again!

.... Last Thursday morning (9/22), I drove and picked up my sweet friend Andrea (she was my MOH in my wedding!!!) and then we drove to Greensboro to pick up our friend Julie (both of these ladies are Andy's Godmothers!) and then from there we drove to Charlotte to catch a flight to MISSISSIPPI! (I love typing that word....). We did this trip last year and had soooooo much fun so we were all anxious to return again!

We got on board in Charlotte and promptly made drinks for the flight.  Because, well, duh. 

We got to Ashley's house and hung out for a while and then Ashley surprised us with our ride to dinner:

It's called a FLYING TUCK and it was so much fun! Its like a big oversized golf cart.  

 These two cuties sat on one side....


and me and Andrea were on the other.  I always hate when I take pictures like the one below, with my mouth open and laughing....but then when I look back through the pictures from the trip, I love it because we look really happy! It makes me smile when I see it now-- glad I didn't delete!

 We rode the flying tuck into the square for drinks before dinner. 

 Our first stop was a really cool rooftop bar for drinks.  We all got the Miss Mississippi and it was delicious!

 We all got the Miss Mississippi and it was delicious!

 Our next stop was dinner out on the square at a really fun little restaurant.  Thank goodness Ashley made reservations because it was slammed packed. 

We left dinner and went a few bars (who did we think we were?!).....

 By the end of the night, our early morning wake up call was hitting us all pretty hard so we headed home to crash!

The next day, Friday, we took a walk, went into the square for some fun shopping and went out to lunch.  It was PACKED! Ole Miss was playing Georgia and their fans certainly traveled well for this game. 

Friday night we went out to eat at Ashley's country club- which is just down the street from her house. 

It was a more low key night but still sooooo much fun! A LOT of laughing took place. 

Love this picture! Might be one of my faves from the trip! Don't we just look HAPPY?!?!? I love these peeps.  So so so much.  

We were all a little bummed when we found out the game started at 11 Saturday morning.  That doesn't leave much time for Grove hopping-- but it all worked out GREAT.  We pregamed in Matt's office, where it was nice and cool.  

When we walked into the practice facility, we had to take a picture-- it truly is breath taking-- and we've been there before! It still is just really neat in there.  

Ashley had a grad assistant drive us through the Grove to see it all.  Andrea had never seen it and Julie and I wanted to see it again-- since the early start, none of Ashley's friends were doing a big tailgate until after the game, but the Grove was still going in full effect!

Back in the football offices-- had to take a picture in front of the Ole Miss sign in the team meeting room!

And really-- you know I had to get a pic with Mr. Manning!

 Okay so the game.  When I say it was hot, that doesn't quite describe it.  I believe the temperature was 99, with a "feels like" of 108 in the stadium.  It wasn't just hot.  It was OH MY GOOD GRACIOUS I AM MELTING hot.  But it was still fun!

We went back into Matt's office at half time and basically sprawled out in some AC to bring our body temps back to normal-ish.  I am not sure I have ever sweat that much-- and that really says something because I am a sweater.  (ha)

This was taken at the end of the game-- WE SMOKED UGA! holllla!

We went to a little party after the game and then headed to the Luke's house for some football and relaxing.  Her sweet boys love to snuggle and they were all cozied up with us on the couch.  Made me miss my stinkers!

We were up early the next morning to head to the airport! It was SUCH a fun trip! We laughed a ton, talked nonstop and just really enjoyed each other!

This little Nugget was excited to see me when I got home.  He wanted night time snuggles with his shades on.  Because why not?!?!

 We can't wait to hopefully go again next year!!! I feel it is an annual tradition!!!

Side note: last year Tiffani went to (Hi, T!).  She couldn't go this year because she threw her husband a BOMB 40th birthday party.  She's crazy talented.  If you want to see what she's up to, follow her blog HERE. 

Thanks for having us, ALuke!!!! Love you!

 

Hottie Toddy!

Where in the WORLD have I been?!?! SHEESH! It has been a hot minute since my last post. 

Here's the long story, short...sorta...

I went to Ole Miss LAST weekend and when I came back, my desk top keyboard was acting funny.  The computer wouldn't recognize it. I must have restarted the thing 976 times, but still nada.  So then I figured I would use the lap top we have.  Well, Eddie flew out of town the Monday after I returned home and low and behold, the charger to the lap top was in his work bag, which was on him.  I continued trying to fix the computer, to no avail. Then Eddie got home and the lap top had no storage left on it thanks to some crazy something or other on there so I still was screwed.  SO THEN, finally, today, Monday, I took the keyboard to the apple store and told them of my woes and how I already went online and did a whole lot of trouble shooting....and they gave me a new keyboard! HOLLA!

SO this post is coming to you from that. Long story long, I guess. 

ANYWAY.... Last Thursday morning, I drove and picked up my sweet friend Andrea (she was my MOH in my wedding!!!) and then we drove to Greensboro to pick up our friend Julie (both of these ladies are Andy's Godmothers!) and then from there we drove to Charlotte to catch a flight to MISSISSIPPI! (I love typing that word....).


oh my gosh.  okay so i just tried for the last 38 minutes (yes, I looked at the clock right when I started this junk) to upload all the pictures off of my phone.  for whatever reason- I am blaming the new update....- I am unable to get pictures off of my phone onto my computer.  it says I have to unlock my device (phone)-- and it is unlocked.  Any tips here, people???

Maybe I am just not meant to blog lately! But I have so much to write about!!!!! wahhhhhhhh!

Oh- and I know I can do all of this from the app and be just as successful...but I post way too many pictures and it takes me way to long and also...autocorrect.  It gets me every time.  #shitnotshut

I give up.  Off to read a book.  A really good one, I might add......

I will try again tomorrow!


 

Life Lately

We've been super busy around here with the whole turning SEVEN thing.  Other than birthday festivities, here is a look at our life lately!

Homework! Cal doesn't really have any...Andy does.  Some days he does it without issue.  Other days are a struggle.   A big big struggle. 

 The other night the alarm wouldn't stop going off (I wrote about that already, but couldn't remember if I posted this picture already....).  The boys were terrified to go sleep in their rooms and begged to sleep on our floor together-- kind of a cute sight to wake up to!

Last Tuesday, while I was at work, I got a call from the boys' school that Andy had slammed his finger in a bathroom door.  They weren't sure it wasn't broken, so they had us pick him up.  Thankfully, Eddie was able to grab him and bring him to me at the preschool.  It is totally fine, but the bruise came up immediately and it was a pretty shade...!

Lunch at Chick Fil A makes everything better, right?!

More homework!!! I love that little tongue popping out-- pure concentration.  

Andy and Nash were pumped when their jerseys were handed out at tee ball last week.  Just in time for the games this past weekend. 

This whole wake up stuff is HARD.  I have to wake both boys at 6:30 and they usually look like this:

Bruce has decided he no longer needs me to walk him.  

I say it all the time-- this neighborhood is truly amazing.  Monday afternoon, we had a gaggle of boys in our side yard playing a full-on football game.  They all were wearing soccer flops and by the end of it, they were disgustingly muddy.  

I had to make the boys come in for baths-- Cal realized he hadn't loved on B yet that day and insisting on some kisses before the shower....

And then it was time to work on some thank you notes.  I remember my brother growing up having a hard time being a lefty because his hand would rub across the paper as he wrote.  I totally got it yesterday as Cal was writing-- it was a smearing MESS! I need to get him some stationary that isn't slick...? I think? I am not sure what we will use, but I will say this card got thrown away.  Ugh. 

And, because dad was out of town, I made meatloaf for CalBoy... and he literally gobbled it up.  All three helpings of it!

The first few weeks of school, the mornings were a struggle-- just figuring out the timing of when everything had to happen. We are finally starting to figure it all out (momma had to wake up earlier....but that's okay....), and we had time to take a few pics in the morning while we waited on carpool! hollla!

That's been life! We got some much needed rain Monday and Tuesday-- no soccer or baseball on Monday.  Not sure if we will have it Wednesday night. 

Thursday I am off to Ole Miss for some friends, football and FUN! xo



 

Weekend Update: part 2- birthday party!

To continue on with the crazy busy weekend (read part one here), Cal's 7th birthday party was Sunday afternoon...at our house!

I can just suffice it to say this kid had a BIG BIG day-- he was a happy camper!

The day started early with a neighbor coming over to play with one of Cal's new toys- the D man.  They threw the football to each other and made the D man be the monkey in the middle.  

Then Andy went flying by on his bike and wanted in on their picture.  

The group grew as some more neighborhood boys came over- looking for popsicles and drinks.  

Next thing I knew, there was a football game going in my side yard- ! Have I mentioned how much I love this neighborhood?!?!

 These sweet 4 boys- oh my goodness, I love them.  They are sweet, kind, funny, well-mannered... and could go on and on and on.  They are also super sweaty! HA!

While these boys were playing up a storm, we were getting busy decorating...!

Few things to note--
-we had the party at our house in our back and side yards...we obviously didn't care if they killed the grass playing, because the yard looks awful as it is-- we are having to kill it all and start over any way. 
-we did not have a plan B in case it rained... we were just hoping and praying for a non-rain day (and ironically enough, it poured rain all day Monday.... appreciate you holding off, Mother Nature!
-it was HOT out there from 2-4...but there was a nice breeze and it wasn't too too bad.  It didn't seem to bother any of the kids.

 I can't believe how awful I was at taking pictures-- there were so many things after the fact that I thought about getting a picture of that I never did (grrr).  Behind this long table, there were two small tables.  One had a cooler for gatorade (thank you, Amy!!!) and this was a HUUUUUGE hit! Holy cow-- they were chugging the stuff.  Next to that table, I had a sign that said "get your game face on" where the kids could apply the black under eye stuff that football players wear.  Also on the table was a sign that said "autograph this" with a big football and silver and gold paint pens-- I had each kid sign the ball so we could put it in Cal's room and see who all was at his party. 

 We couldn't bring out the cake until the last minute because it would melt.... but the cake went here eventually. 

 And, the favors! Woohoo!

So, the party started around two-- the kids were so cute showing up and getting the eye black on.  i9 Sports ran the party which was AMAZING.  Can't say enough great things about this company and the men who came to this party.  They brought mouth guards for each kid- so once kids were suited up, they were ready to go!

Cal was very specific in wanting an all boy party-- but then he said he wanted Laynie there and then he said he wanted Mae there.  So we had two girls-- who could VERY MUCH hang with all the boys!

The coaches split the kids into two groups and they ran drills with them-- offensive and defensive...and it was sooooo cute to watch them!

 I mean.... how cute are these kids?!

 Again- the gatorade was a HUGE hit. 

Cal realllllly wanted to invite a ton more people-- but it was encouraged to keep the number down, and I totally can understand why- although I would have liked to invite a bunch more people! Cal is lucky to have many great friends. 

I mean: can you even handle this picture............. seriously.  I can't handle it.  LOVE!

A few more drills- this one was practicing ripping flags off each other:

 Some more cuteness....

 And then it was GO time.  They played an actual game and the boys were SO into it! Holy smokes!

 I love this picture-- 1. Andy only has one glove on because he said his friend needed to wear one. 2. The little boy on the right of the picture has a cast on his arm-- he was not to be playing....try telling that to him 3. Th tall brunette boy got out of the car with his shirt tucked in (real rules for flag football) and his gloves on, ready to GO! love it!

The final play of the game, the coach tossed the ball to Cal and then picked him up (HIGH) and ran with him in the air, into the end zone.  Everyone ran after him, but no one could reach Cal's belt.  I seriously do not think I have ever seen Cal smile so big.  He thought it was the greatest thing ever-- I wish I got better pictures of it! I didn't know it was happening or I would have been prepared!

 This is the only picture I got of the cake...! Fail! Meredith was lighting it and the lighter was acting up-- whoops! I think all the boys were pretty tired by this point so they were happy to be sitting. 

Post-cake smiles! Green teeth and sweaty heads. 

We had some cuties there, that's for sure!

the gloves that Tricia and Tommy gave Cal were a big hit still- he wore them the entire party!

You know it was a good party when....... can't you just see them in college...? Cal holding a coozie....and still wearing the gloves....!

 I would say the party was a big success! THRILLED the rain held off for us and that no one got hurt (two of my concerns!).  Everyone said they had a great time so I am happy as can be-- and so is this guy:

 Thanks to our friends that came and celebrated with us!!!