Sprinkle Explosion

I think Layne's smash cake turned out cute! It took 2 batches of icing and an entire bottle of sprinkles on that 6" cake. Can't wait to see if Layne is going to dig in and make a mess or push it away! Happy Party Day!!


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This is what 7am looked like for me

On this Saturday morning! Loading 18 wheelers into a freight elevator at the convention center. It's National Sales Meeting week and I was lucky enough to be selected to be on the committee!

Happy 1st Birthday...

To Layne! I never knew baby boys were so sweet and so much fun! Layne is strong, loving and busy. He brings so much joy into our lives and I can't wait to celebrate him this weekend (pics to follow for sure)!


Layne already loves to play with tractors and trucks! He pushes them all around and makes truck sounds at the same time!


He also likes to be pushed around in his red car!


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The pizza box

Can not be recycled! Learned this and much more tonight from the recycle relay that Memphis City beautiful held at Lester!



TaTa was patiently waiting her turn to show off her impressive running skills!


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Hog and Homily

On Monday night, after the September JL meeting, a few friends went to check out Hog and Hominy! This is a new restaurant on Brookhaven Circle opened by the talented owners of Andrew Michael! Such a cozy, warm environment with delicious drinks/food and great service. They are known for their unique pizzas and the one we shared was yummy, but I must write about the appetizer, side and dessert! Poutine, their version of chili cheese fries made with neck bone gravy (the delicious/tender pork at the top of a pig) was finger lickin' good! The collards were the best I have ever had and the peanut butter pie is something you just have to taste for yourself! While the food was great, it's the company that made the night! So blessed that through GROW I met these amazing ladies! Just love how our friendship has evolved. And just 2 years ago we didn't even know each other!

Weekend fun...

With my two favorites! We spent Friday night at the playground, eating spaghetti and popsicles and building with blocks!












After a good nights sleep we headed to the zoo! Lily loved being the zoo keeper and playing on the farm!





Layne loved the Merry Go Round!


We spent the afternoon playing at home...Lily taught Layne to play the banjo!


And uncle Ray to lick the cupcake batter bowl (in case he didn't know he could!)


And Lily had so much fun icing the delicious cupcakes we baked!


We went to Nonna and Poppa's for dinner and Layne enjoying destroying Lily and Poppa's buildings!



Love spending time with these two!
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Lunch...

After store visits, Kim and I were in the mid town area and The Women's Exchange popped in head. We are both so glad it popped in my head as it was delicious!!!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Breaking up the drive with a to-go Anniversary lunch at Loveless Cafe. We have always heard great things, but never stopped. The wait at 1pm, was over an hour...So we placed a to go order and ate on the picnic tables on the premises (with lots of others!).


The fresh green beans, creamed corn and biscuits were the best!


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All was great till the 3rd quarter...

It was like we stepped back into 1998...the energy was awesome, the excitement was extreme and the tailgating/people watching was at its best! Most of Ray's buddies were there and so happy to see each other and relive the 'glory' days!








Is that the ATO house or Club LaVila? The guys were shocked (and proud) and us girls were almost scared to go in to the bathroom...yes the house was shaking!


The stadium was rockin' and Rocky Top was flowing. Yes, Ray did wear that silly hat all day and believe me when I say it was a conversation starter for all Vol fans.












Halftime even featured the most amazing version of Amazing Grace by the Tennessee bag pipes (still don't get why they see this appropriate for football games)!



But, everything ended in the 3rd quarter...17 points in about 3 minutes...you could hear a pin drop...grown men crying...the hope of this season was crushed. We couldn't do anything...it was like we didn't know the plays. We all realized that we are not back...we stayed to the end, but it was hard to watch. Win or lose, we will always be VOL fans, but this one was tough. Needless to say we helped ease the pain (since there were no true Smoky dogs to be found in the stadium) with an old favorite...steamed turkey from Gus's Good Times Deli. It helped, but the loss of hope for this season still hurts this morning (or maybe it was the tailgating and super late night!)



I'm pretty sure the only way we will be able to make this 6 hour drive home is with a stop at Nordstroms!

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Pregame

At Ray's grandparents! Ray's mom made some delicious fresh veggies and his grandmother a Birthday Pie!


Look at this recipe collections...
It was like finding a needle in a haystack, but we found the Blond Brownie recipe that Ray has had a taste for!



It was a short, but great visit with Ray's parents and grandparents!

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Old school...

Finding the perfect retro hat from Ray's dads collection! What shall it be...Bill Dance vs. Driving Range Clown??

Happy Harvest...

To all the farmers (and farmer's wives)! Mr Layne is ready!

Where do the days go?

I've been working nonstop on a Stereo review (which I Rocked in my TN orange skirt!) and learning my new categories.



Also, Tried spinning about a month ago and I'm currently obsessed (and hope I stay this way!)...enjoying some yoga and weight training too! I'm hoping one day the weight starts falling off somewhere besides my feet. Seriously can't keep my shoes on...all my dress shoes sound like flip flops!

We kicked off the 3rd year of GROW with a HUGE crowd! I'm so proud of what has become of this program and was so excited to be back with the families! Also excited and proud for this years fabulous leaders (and that I get to be a regular volunteer)!






I'm loving that Tennessee is ranked, we have tickets for this weekend and game day is going to be there! Too bad none of my close friends are going...they are all working, vacationing or having babies...this week these two future Tennessee Vols were born. Wesley Thomas on September 10th


Brenner Brown on September 11th


Speaking of game day...Emily and I enjoyed reliving the game day back in 1998 (yes it was that long ago) over the phone this morning! One day soon I'm going to the attic to pull out that family pic we took at game day...think it might need to be on my desk!

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Flight...

Had a work lunch at Flight! I've been here once when it first opened for dinner and loved the concept, but thought it was over priced for what you got. Glad I gave it another try...their lunch is awesome...check out my delicious salad flight! I will be back!!

Beautiful day...

For a sail! The wind was a bit strong at times, but we only had 1 close call...needless to say, I'm not allowed to sail while playing on my iPhone again!






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