Flashback Friday "Halloween" Edition

On this day last year we were "trick or treating" as a family of five (with one on the way!) -- We had a rotten little witch, an adorable Draculaura, and a pokey puppy. This year, our littles are going as the cast of Frozen (we've got Elsa, Anna, Olaf & Sven) -- it's crazy how quickly time flies and how many things can change in 365 days. 

The weather this year is supposed to be pretty terrible for being outside, but we're going to do our best and make the most of things! We've got an evening of movies, pumpkins, popcorn and cookies (and hopefully the spoils of candy!) lined up for when we make it home. 

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Halloween -- or as someone on Facebook said the other day, Elsaween (seriously, I can't wait to see how many Frozen costumes are out there this year!) 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Flashback Friday

Two years ago a two-year-old Sidney sat on the lion at Greenville Zoo. Hard to believe two years later, there are two of my girls sitting on the same lion. Who knows what two more years will look like!

Flashback Friday

This was the scene almost a year ago. A very sleepy Sidney woke up and snuggled a two-month old Rhealen on the couch before her very first day of Pre-K.

Come Wednesday, we'll do it all over again. A very sleepy Sidney will pile up on the couch and watch cartoons before heading off to her first day of Kindergarten! (I doubt there'll be any "sissy" snuggling. Our very active fourteen-month old doesn't want any of it these days!)

Hard to believe it's already been a year! 

Flashback Friday

So there was a night, many moons ago, when Justin was living out on his own and we were but still "girlfriend-boyfriend" - and he and his good buddy TJ wanted to get all sweet for us ladies. So, they decided to cook a fancy little dinner.

And I say cook because, if memory serves, the baked potatoes never quite got done in the oven. The charcoal grill was only lit a few minutes before they began to cook, so there was heavy dousing of lighter fluid happening (which gave the meat a lovely taste that even ketchup could not conceal) and the cork for the wine bottle somehow got lodged down inside the glass.

Still, the idea was sweet and in that moment, we would've eaten anything (obviously!) - plus, doesn't Justin look so baby-faced here? It's only been five years ago, but he looks like such a kid!

Flashback Friday

Sidney and her good buddy Logan, three crazy short/crazy long years ago.

It's insane to see the growth in these two; but it warms my heart to know they still love hanging out anytime they get together. Sidney and I hate that Logan and Ashley are all the way back in Michigan now, but summertime means playtime for these two. I'm glad SidMo and Logie got in plenty of quality time last month; we'll miss you, Logan!

Flashback Friday

This certainly isn't an "old" picture - I took this one about two months ago when I did a little session with Cassie and Gerald to celebrate their engagement. But I don't think I ever posted those photos here, and after tomorrow, they'll be married!

I'm so excited to travel to Middlesboro this evening and spend tonight and tomorrow celebrating these two. Cassie and I have been through so much, she's always been right by my side - I'm so excited to stand by hers tomorrow as she marries the love of her life. You've worked so hard putting this wedding together, Cassie, I can't wait to see what the final result looks like!

Congratulations, Cassie - no matter what, remember you'll always be my butch! I love you! 

Flashback Friday

Three years ago.

Three awesome kids, all totally mesmerized by the 4th of July fireworks.

Good times. 

Flashback Friday

Yep, there was a time when I wore a coordinating brown outfit complete with a cowboy hat. I wore this outfit proudly. Out in public. In pigtails. On a "school" sanctioned trip that was supposed to honor how smart we kids were.

Yep, that happened. 

Flashback Friday

This is a photo from December 2007 of my good friend Meghan and a three-month-old Sidney Morgan -- it's so funny to look at this now, because at the time Meghan wasn't real sure what to do with a baby. Now, she's got twin boys! Her hands are two times more full than they were here, just a few short years ago.

My, how time changes things! 

Flashback Friday

A photo from our engagement session, summer of 2009, taken my good friend Emily. And yes, I still love him like a fool. And no, I don't miss all that hair.


(It's kind of crazy this September will be nine years for us!) 

Flashback Friday

I haven't been swimming at the lake in almost two years, which by my standards (and love for the lake), is INSANE. I totally plan on rectifying that situation this weekend.

It's Memorial Day - go outside, play with your kids, eat lots of good food, spend time being lazy, have a campfire, put the kids to bed, drink a little, stay up late, sleep in and do it all over again. The kick-off for summer 2012 is here, baby! Y'all enjoy those three days! 

Flashback Friday

Before volleyball or basketball or football games, we all used to pile up and go eat at the Red Stone. I would always order the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, mayo and lettuce only and tator tots. Cassie would always get a cheeseburger steak and fries; she'd always leave one bite of her steak left, which Dobby couldn't help but always eat, no matter how full she was.

I miss the "old" Red Stone. I miss high school (this part about high school, not the whole school part, mind you) - and I miss those grilled chicken sandwiches.

Ah, memories. 

Flashback Friday

July 2008. That moment when Miranda came trotting up the sidewalk at work one fine summer day to show me her ring! That crazy old boy she loves finally asked her to marry him; and tomorrow they'll say their vows surrounded by family, friends and more love than they know.

I'm so excited/honored to be by her side tomorrow; she's been my crazy best friend since middle school. We have more inside jokes and embarrassing stories than we'll ever admit! We've been on wild trips to the beach, driven our parents crazy, stalked boys, played ball, laughed, cried, and done it all. Together.

I love you, Miranda! Congratulations on your wedding day. Don't be surprised if tomorrow just becomes another wild and crazy day for us to look back on and laugh about! 

Flashback Friday

Sidney at Ormond Beach, FL 2009

We are leaving for the beach this upcoming Tuesday (!!!) and I cannot wait.

It's been too long since my toes have been in the water. Too long since I've had to dig sand out of every crevice of my body. Too long since seagulls surrounded me and waves knocked me down.

I'm a little nervous about having a sensitive little RJ, a very excited and impatient SidMo, and an unpredictable and hilarious husband (plus me!) all at the beach, all at the same time, ohmygod what have I done?

Beach, here we come (soon) !! 

Flashback Friday

There we are. My two best friends in the world. We were seniors and still acting like we were 12 years old.

This was, to date, the best homemade costume I've ever made. We didn't have to buy anything, and we still looked awesome.

Plus, Cassie and I were nice enough to finally give in to Dobby's insane Tinkerbell obsession and fulfill her dreams.

I'd bet you $100 if you ask Cassie or Dobby what they think about this picture now, they'd both say, in perfect unison, "I miss being that skinny!"

Me, too, girls. Me, too. 

Flashback Friday

So there was this time, one summer a few years ago, when I had a wreck down in Pigeon Forge.

And then another time, while on my way to Pigeon Forge, I got a really big speeding ticket.

I'm hoping that today while I drive down to Newport, which is pretty close to Pigeon Forge, neither of the two things happen. It is Friday the 13th, but I'm determined to let today be a good/lucky day and not a bad/unlucky day.

Poor little HHR.

Flashback Friday

A four-week-old Sidney Morgan and my best friends in the world.

I miss those sunglasses.
And that bag.
And that shirt.

And, of course, my baby being that little!



**The girls and I are off on a special weekend trip! Justin has been fishing in Alabama since Tuesday, so we're heading off to surprise a certain special someone this Saturday!**

Flashback Friday

2006. Senior year (yes, I'm nostalgic lately).

There were just enough senior boys for all of us senior girls to get jerseys made. And, yes, I graduated from a teeny school.

Can you guess which one I am?


*Hint: I wore Justin's nickname on my jersey!

Flashback Friday

2006. Senior year.

Justin and his buddy, Steven, bought me in the homecoming "slave auction" and made me wear their practice gear.

It was always wet with sweat and stunk more than any roadkill, Mexican diarrhea, old shoe combination ever could.

Ah, memories.