A Grand Weekend

This weekend, I headed down to the coast for a relaxing weekend with the girls. We started off with a Starbucks run for the road, and I got my new favorite...skinny vanilla latte. Delicious.

We were anxious to get to the pool and catch the last couple days of summer rays. Mission accomplished. And we saw the last of the sun as it set on the bay. Hurricane in hand. Not a bad way to start the weekend.

View from the room.

The hotel was obviously on my plan to lure fall in and had the fire pits flaming. Friday we sat outside, enjoyed some seafood and drank some wine.

Saturday was a combination of all my favorite things. Spa, pool and Alabama football!

In case you didnt watch, the game was a nail biter. Thanks to Brad the Bartender for recommending a Bama vodka and diet tonic. It seemed to be lucky, since after ordering we managed to pull through for another W.

We headed back to the room, enjoyed the sunset and played a little "newlywed game" during the lingerie shower. I missed some obvious questions about MS, but I think I got the important ones right.

We went out for sushi and drinks in Fairhope. It was so nice to catch up with everyone! Life gets so busy, so it was so relaxing just to get away and spend time with some friends.

No more time for relaxing until October 31st.

Fall. Literally.

It seems as if I've gotten into a routine of humiliating myself on a weekly basis these days. First it was with my hands with an embarrassing email blunder, last week with my mouth and this week it seems my feet wanted in on the action.

While running this morning - on some very uneven sidewalk, I might add - I propelled myself off the ground. Not sure if it was sheer luck or sheer athletic stamina, but I somehow managed to turn in mid air so as to land and skid on my shoulder and back instead of doing a total face plant, as evidenced here. Sorry to the person who's yard I went skidding through, and you're welcome to all the runners who saw me and got a good laugh.

Like a trooper, I turned up "Like A Prayer" a little louder and went about my merry way.

Because it is a GREAT day people. Temperatures may still be soaring in the high 90s, but by God, it's fall. You know why?

That's right, the return of fall Thursday night TV. It may or may not have been the very first thing I thought of when I opened my eyes this morning. There's just something about two full hours of good, albeit overly dramatic, TV to propel you into the weekend.

In other efforts to drag fall in by its heels kicking in screaming, I've decided the all important time has come to lose the summer nail polish colors and move to dark. On the recommendations of my twin nail polish experts, I think I'm going to venture down this route.

Verdict is still out for toenail color. I'm taking suggestions.

Did I mention today is my Friday? More on that Monday.

Have a great weekend. Roll Tide!!!!

The Low Country

Saturday night, the Searson's very best friends graciously hosted a "His and Her's Low Country Boil" for us. If you're like me and didn't know what a low country boil was up until a couple of years ago, let me enlighten you.

The term "low country" generally refers to the the coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia. Low Country Boil refers to a one-dish meal consisting of shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn all boiled in a large pot of spicy, briny water.

Matt's dad is from the low country - Georgia edition- so I've become familiar with their delicious cuisine over the years.

Yes, I googled it. I did not google the image. The food, beergaritas and yellow hammers were excellent.

We had such a relaxing time with our closest friends and family. I'm finding it hard to believe we're close to a month away. It seems as soon as I scratch something off my to do list, I think of something to add. But, we are enjoying every minute of it! I know it will go by way too fast.

We won't be soon-to-be for too much longer. Which reminds me, I need to add 'change blog address' to the to do list.

We're Going to Party Like it's Your Birthday

Despite the heat,

we did a lot of celebrating this weekend.

Especially this cutie.

She loves her Uncle Mac. Makes me so happy!

This was her first year to have a big girl birthday party with all her friends from school. She had such a good time, and was sure to thank all her guests for each present. Maybe the terrible two's are behind us?!


Dive right in! I asked if she wanted me to take the wrapper off, "No, my hands might get dirty." Did I mention she's a clean freak?

"It's a backpack! Thank you Joseph!"

Sunday we had the family celebration. One of her favorite presents was her new pink Hello Kitty CD player. She learned how to work it in NO time.

Some pink Hello Kitty boots.

Some things for her baby doll.


Even baby sister got a few goodies.

Then it was time to go downstairs and see her surprise! She closed her eyes "REAL tight!"

Checking out her new pink princess golf cart!

I just love this picture. She is one proud girl.

Dad and Uncle Mac helped her learn forward and reverse.

But soon she was cruising on her own...

and pretty darn excited about it.

Girl after my own heart...get every bit of that icing.

Nostalgic

Tomorrow marks the THIRD birthday of my sweet baby niece. It has been so fun to watch her grow into a little person. We laugh all the time at her personality and quirks. Each little stage I think is my favorite..until the next one. (well, to keep it real, I could have gone without a lot of the terrible two tantrums.)

This child cannot stand to be dirty. When she discovered the little birthmark on her arm -she about had a come apart when she couldnt scrub it off.

She loves to play in the car, turn up the radio and open the sunroof. I've started letting her "drive" around the neighborhood with me. I have a feeling when she turns 16, we won't see much of her. She is I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T.

Girlfriend loves shoes, purses and cell phones. Anytime I have something new, "Aunt Erin, where'd ya get that new purse? I like it!" "Oh, you got a new pone! Let me see." Doubt I'll forget when she asked me to unlock my blackberry so she could call "Mac" (Matt).

Taking a stroll down memory lane today.

I love this sweet girl and can't wait to see what the next year brings! We are excited to celebrate her little life this weekend!