More birthday!

It's been awhile since I've gone out-out in Oxford. I usually avoid it--especially on a home football weekend--but in honor of my birthday we hit the Square. I had to squeeze in to City Grocery while Scott and another group of our friends went to another bar. We all had a great time and then met for our taxi. Scott knew we'd be in desperate need of a ride so he prearranged for a van to pick us up--and this was no ordinary van. He had Mr. T himself pick us up in the A-Team van!!! What a ride!

Birthday continued

So we got back from a fantastic weekend in Lexington and I thought we had celebrated until we could celebrate no more....but boy was I wrong. (I'm reminded of when I was little and my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I replied, "Wasn't my party enough?"...or something to that extent. I'm sure it was sweeter and even more precious that when it is repeated by said angel.)

Scott had something up his sleeve, but I was clueless! On Wednesday before the big reveal, I told Sarah that my birthday weekend had been perfect--who needed a party?! I had enjoyed myself and besides, who would Scott invite to my party on such a crazy weekend?

And then there was Friday night....a P-A-R-T-Y!!! Let me just say, I was shocked for the entire evening! What a celebration! There were friends from out of town--all the way from New York City to New Orleans and in between! There were family members and stand-in family members! There was a BAND and a crazy banner from me on stage with a band! There was an awesome cake that I swore was done by the Cake Boss! There were presents and booze (brewed by Scott and Darren)! And guess what else was there?!? MY 2 BOSSES! hahaha We had a BLAST! I laughed so hard and was so honored to have some many of my favorite people together again! (Later, people apologized for not being able to come, but I told them the best thing about a surprise party is I do not even know who was invited so I didn't know to look for them).

Thank you friends and family and especially sweet Scott. He knows I love surprises and he got me on this one! Turning 30 ain't so bad afterall.

Below are random pics from the party. Enjoy!


The Hopewell Gang--Jason and Melissa moved back from Iowa just in time for my party! Davis and Julie were in on the surprise and were the only people I knew would be in town staying with us. We were to be meeting up with Darren and Allyson after visiting my parents...little did I know!

My dad and I singing....we were terrible! So bad that the band muted our microphone!

Nice! Notice the banner above me. I have the same "YOU BETTER SING ROLL TIDE ROLL AS LOUD AS YOU CAN OR ELSE" expression....and of course, my foam finger.

My fabulous friends, Janice and Elizabeth

Look at that AWESOME cake! It's Denny Chimes from UA...way to go Scott!


Several of the ALABAMA fans (and future fans)

Momma and Daddy--THANK Y'ALL!

Pam and Susan--my UMBO buddies

Sweet Nancy and me (where's Linda--I thought we had Linda with us!)

OHS friends--and spouses that we let in the picture

There's Linda! The best neighbor ever!

My sweet Scott--LOVE YOU!

3-0!!

Cindi, Chick, Scott and me

Jeffrey--It's been a great 13 years!

Lots of drinking and dancing!

Happy Happy Birthday!

Yahooooooooooo---I have to say that my 30th birthday was by far my best!! What a wonderful MONTH-LONG celebration! I cannot believe that I have not posted my updates sooner, but truth be known I've been busy partying and then recovering.

To celebrate my birthday Scott planned a trip for us to Nashville to see the Ole Miss/Vandy game...or so I thought. We left early on Friday and had a fabulous lunch at Loveless Cafe. I love that place so it was a perfect stop. Little did I know that it was only the halfway point for our trip, as we were really going to LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY to see the Sylvester crew and going to the Alabama football game! I was thrilled and couldn't wait to get there (4 hours later).

When we got to KY we played and played with Luke and Joseph and went out to dinner and a piano bar with Catherine and Jeremy. It was so awesome to be able to spend the weekend with them in their new (old) house and to celebrate my birthday with my sister as it's been awhile since I have been with her on the actual day.

To top the trip off, my birthday gift from Scott was a nice new CAMERA! Just what I wanted--and trust me, I've already used it enough to make up for the months without one! The weekend was a blast--we took Luke to his first football game (which he enjoyed 1 half before he crashed and fell asleep), played "chase" with Joseph, enjoyed a special homemade birthday cake, and toured the Sylvester home. We also enjoyed some adult time and celebrated with Alabama "cheerleaders" and "Shots of Love." What a blast! Thanks Scott for a fun trip and Catherine and Jeremy for a fantastic weekend!

More to come...

XO Reunion

Last weekend Scott and I made a spur of the moment trip to Tuscaloosa for a reunion of my pledge class and the pledge class above us. As you may know, although I loved my time in the sorority while I was in college, I am not a huge fan of the "for life" over-the-top advisor alumnae types. But, I thought I would suck it up and join in for the weekend to see some of my dear friends....and boy am I glad that I did!! We had a BLAST! While at UA, I lived with 5 girls for 2 years and we became very close (socially, emotionally, mentally, soberly, not so soberly and literally) and this the first time in a long time that we were all 6 together again. It was so fun to "remember when" and to spend time with each other and our spouses. I am so blessed, and I told Scott as we were leaving town that I hadn't had that much fun in a long time. We partied (until 3:30 am) on Friday night and tailgated (even in the rain!) on Saturday. Scott and I watched some of the game on the Quad with Brad and Bentley and then headed back home, listening to the Tide roll over Arkansas on the radio. I'm still smiling!

Hummingbird Festival in Holly Springs

I have wanted to go to the Hummingbird Festival for awhile now. Depending on the year you can see hundreds of hummingbirds as they prepare to migrate South for the winter. Despite the rain, the family loaded up and rode to Holly Springs for a Sunday morning in the woods. It really was quite fun--and we did seen 50 or more hummingbirds feeding. That was pretty cool. We also watched as several were being banded so they can be tracked. Those precious birds are so tiny--they weighed one and it was only 4 GRAMS. The pictures do not show 1 hummingbird (how ironic!). We went to the children's nature area and watched a demonstration of several animals--the most popular was the Python and the Pot-Belly Pig. As you can tell, Hayes was more excited about the pig! It was a great day and I hope to go back again next year.

Joseph--my new love

I had to share some pictures of me and Joesph. He has stolen my heart! The first picture is while making his feetprint in a stepping stone that will one day be in my garden. I did this with Luke years ago and will do so with Hayes (and hopefully with Eli and Ford if they don't think it's too cheesy!). Joseph is such a sweet little boy and loves to cuddle (which of course, I do not mind!). However, I think Mo might not like it...