Hope's 30th Birthday Party (09-18-10)

On September 19th we all got together in order to celebrate Hope's 30th birthday! Hope is such a special person that I am so blessed to call my sister-in-law and friend. Adam was in charge of the music and we all danced the night away. The entire food spread was delicious!

Siblings...

Marshall and Tess Ward made the trip all the way from Washington, DC! It is always so great to see them. Tess is pregnant with Everett Joseph Ward.

Cousins Renn and Dede came too!

Taylor worked so hard to make this party a success.

Group picture...

Of course Charlie made an appearance at the end of the night to wish his mom a happy birthday. All celebrities are fashionably late!

Meeting Cooper Rae (09-12-11)

Adam and I were able to visit Curtis and Marian Rae's newest edition, Cooper, on September 12 and bring them a meal. Marian and I grew up together. We actually went to the same school from elementary school all the way through college. After elementary school Marian's family moved down the street from Adam. He is known for making random trips to their house to eat some of her mom's homemade toffee!

We are so excited about sweet Cooper. He is absolutely precious!

Katy Gregg's Bachelorette Party (09-03-10 to 09-06-10)

In September I was able to head to Savannah, GA in order to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Katy Gregg and Chris Gohagan. Katy has been a dear friend ever since my freshman year at Clemson. Our friendship grew stronger as we both joined Zeta Tau Alpha and majored in psychology. She is currently a professor at Georgia Southern University.

I was able to caravan down there with Carrie Kendrick and Lori Rhodes. Once we met up with Meredith Bado the Zetas were back together again! It was also exciting to see Laura Bickley Cox who I have known since high school. We were joined by Katy's two sisters, Erin and Emily, and her mom.

The Gregg Sisters...
On Saturday night, we headed out to Savannah Smiles which is a local piano bar. Katy knew the owner which made the night extra special. The owner also plays the piano so he got Katy up on stage. In fact, by the end of the night all of us had been on that stage!

Their interpretation of 'Joy to the World'

Laura, Bado, and Lori shakin' the salt...

Since we were the first one's to arrive at the house I could not resist taking some pictures. Once all nine of us moved in it looked like a tornado had gone through.

The house was three stories and each room had its own character.

I really do miss seeing these ladies on a regular basis. It was so nice to be together for an entire weekend and celebrate such a wonderful occasion.

Irmo Girls Beach Trip (08-20-2010 to 08-22-2010)

On August 20, 2010 I headed to Litchfield Beach to meet up with some girls from high school.

(Left to right: Whitney Livingston, Clary Powell, me, Rebecca Burdette, Kristina Motley, Anna Gray, Tracey Ammons, and Lauren Holiday)
Rebecca Burdette was gracious let us stay at her family's beachhouse. We were also able to spend time with Rebecca's sister's, Lindsay and Marianne. Friday night we cooked dinner and played some very entertaining games. We woke up on Saturday and headed to the beach. It was a beautiful day and it was so much fun to spend time with each other.

Saturday night we dressed up and headed out for dinner.

We went to Lee's Inlet Kitchen in Murrells Inlet for delicious fried seafood.

I thought this sign was so funny because they seemed really proud that they were voted "First Runner Up."

After dinner we headed to Dead Dog Saloon. They have a big porch where we stayed for awhile listening to some local musicians.

We then walked across the inlet to an open area where a band was playing. We literally danced the night away until no more music to be played. We piled into the car and headed in for the night...or morning.

I absolutely love this group of girls and I am so lucky to have met them so early in life. It is amazing that we have remained friends throughout the years even when some of us are now living in other states. I look forward to many other fun weekends with this group in the future.

Mom's Birthday with an Extra Special Present (08-15-10)

Anne Marie's birthday is on August 5th and mom's birthday is on August 16th. Joey and Anne Marie headed to Columbia on August 15th to celebrate them both. This birthday was extra special.

My sister and Joey found out that they were expecting in July but managed to keep it a secret so that they could reveal it to my mom and dad on mom's birthday. My sister wrapped up an adorable onesize that said "Destination...Grandparent's house!" It took a minute to register with them both but my mom in shock said "No Way!...NO WAY!...Way?" It was a beautiful day filled with tears of joy and shouts of excitement and I know it is a birthday that the newly appointed Nana and Poppa will not forget!

If you know my sister, you know that she one of the most creative people to ever grace this planet. Nothing is ever done in moderation and all events are better than the one before. Each time she told a family member she wrapped up a onesie and took a quick picture right after they opened it. Anne Marie and Joey celebrated their 5 year anniversary in June and Anne Marie told Joey that she forgot to give him this gift. Here is the picture when he opened it up...

So excited to hold his "I love Daddy" onesie...

I traveled up to Charlotte for work a week after she told Joey. I really enjoy buying gifts for people- especially Anne Marie. She calls me her Personal Shopper but it is fun to buy for someone who looks adorable in everything. Anyways she told me that she bought something for me to thank me. Here is the picture once I opened it up and found an "I love my Auntie" onesie inside. Apparently the first thing I said was "Shut up!" followed by "Stop it!"...

I cried for over 2 hours straight! You can see from the picture below that it was not a "pretty cry" either...

Can you tell I'm excited?

I am truly so excited for Anne Marie and Joey! I know that they will be the best parents! I am already counting down the days until I can hold that sweet baby in my arms and I can officially introduce him/her to Aunt Tephie!

Keeping Carter (08-11-10 to 08-15-10)

Adam and I had the pleasure of keeping Carter for Mason and Kelly for a few days in August. They headed to Tennessee to meet a group of people who are also interested in Nintendo. It was quite a challenge to have a 4 month old in need of 2 nightly feedings but he was such a sweet boy! I will say that it took me a while to "recover" and by recover I mean, catch up on my sleep!

Suzanne Maynard's Bachelorette (08-07 to 08-08)

On August 7, I headed down to Charleston, SC for Suzanne Maynard's bachelorette party. She is a dear friend who I met through Adam when I was in graduate school at University of Tennessee. Adam became friends with Suzanne at NC State and he told me we just had to meet when he found out that we were both going to be living in Knoxville.

Adam gave me her number and we decided to get dinner one night. The funny thing is that it felt like a blind date as I picked up someone I had never met at her apartment! From that night on most of my memories of Knoxville somehow involve Suzanne. She introduced me to Nicole Rogers and we really were the three amigos. I was so excited when Suzanne decided to move to Columbia when we finished school. I had a friend that needed a roommate and the rest is history. We don't get to see each other as much as I would like but we are in the same supper club so I am guaranteed to see her at least every other month!

Why we all love her...
One of her fabulous guests gave her these hilarious shoes...

I feel pretty confident these will never be used but they provided a great laugh...

Supper club minus Emily and Sally...

The three amigos together again...

Dinner at Coast...

Suzanne and her sister, Ashley...

Nicole, Suzanne, and I...

Well, those are the only pictures that will be shared- hey...its a bachelorette party!

The next morning we ate dinner at a great little restaurant called Poogan's Porch (on the corner of Queen and Meeting). They had a delicious breakfast and I look forward to going there to eat again.

We are all looking forward to Suzanne big day in November!