Snow/Ice Day 2011

While Rick was out of town for the National Championship, Bham got a snow day. It was actually more ice than snow. So I played outside for a few minutes with my ADORABLE neighbors. I just adore them.

This is Chloe.
And this sweet baby is Lola.

They were all bundled up, and so stinking cute. This wasn't very fun for them as all the snow was iced over, and very slippery! I do have to give them credit, they gave it a shot.

P.S. Before Rick left for sunny Arizona, he did ask if I needed any canned goods from the grocery store and said he would go get them for me. He also told me where all his ski gear was in case I had to walk 3 miles to his brother's house. I'm so sure I'm going to open up a can of food eat that, then trek 3 miles in the snow. Thanks RB!

Tacos & Margaritas

Last weekend a big group of our friends here in Birmingham hosted us a Tacos & Margaritas wedding shower. It was SO nice to be home and not have to travel to one of our showers for a change. Not to mention get to see all our friends we have missed in all our travels. The shower was SO much fun, and it was great to see Rick with all "his people." The food was awesome, margaritas were perfect, and the company even better! Thanks to all our sweet friends that hosted. 30 days until the wedding!!!!!

Some of my Mississippi girls.
My love.

All of our wonderful host (minus Vance).

All the girls.

And last but not least, all of the guys. Most of these guys have been best friends since they were kids, and you will never meet a more close knit group of SO many guys. It really is amazing, and I feel so lucky to be a part of that.

Happy birthday Allison!

Last Saturday we went to Parkside, a new little bar in my old hood, to celebrate Allison's Birthday! We loved this place! So cute and fun. Thanks for inviting us, we have a new fav bar. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AL!

Showering Rachael & Tom

Last weekend we helped host a wedding shower for our friends Tom & Rachael at Rojo here in Birmingham. Tom and I graduated high school together, and Rach & my parents are friends from high school. Another happy Pascagoula couple (but here in Bham). We are so excited for them (especially since we set them up), and can't wait for the wedding May 8, in Goula.

This is the only pic I have from the shower, and I look HORRIBLE, Sorry!

Our little SNOWDAY!

Yes, we actually got snow!! Not just a little dusting, but actual snow, probably the most snow I have ever seen (I don't really like cold much). Rick and I got off work early, and played in the snowstorm with our neighbors. We had SO much fun!!! I usually don't want anything to do with going outside, but this was really fun.

Our little family. Lilly has little snowballs stuck to her paws.

Rick in our back yard.

Our ADORABLE neighbors, Chloe & Lola. I just adore them.

Lilly L-O-V-E-D the snow!!!

Rick would throw snowballs, Lilly chased them, tried to carry them around as long as possible, then sneezed from a nose full of snow. She had so much fun. WE ALL LOVED SNOW DAY!!!!

Congrats Mr & Mrs Kelly!!!!

Last weekend we had our dear friends Eric and Michelle's wedding, and what a weekend!!! We celebrated Thursday to Saturday, and had to stay in bed all day Sunday completely exhausted. The rehearsal was a fabulous, the wedding was perfect, and the reception was a blast. We couldn't be happier for this couple, we just hope they don't go into hibernation like lots of our other married friends. Here is the happy couple.

My 11th run as a bridesmaid (actually honorary bridesmaid this time, but bridesmaid none the less).
Here is one of our new FABULOUS friends from Baton Rouge, Lauren.
Some new Bham friends, Christie and Shea. Love them!

And some old friends, Kate & Stephen.

It was a fabulous weekend, friends new and old, we are so lucky to have such wonderful people around us. CONGRATS E & M!!!

Happy Birthday BR

Weekend before last we went to BR's birthday party. Here are the pics:

The guys.
Blair & BR

Cheering for the Tigers.

The Woods (minus Davis)

Southern Miss vs UAB

Last Thursday we went to the Southern Miss game here in Bham, and well......we lost. So that's really all I will say about that.

Rick & me
The girls.

Kelly & Erick

We did get to see my sweet friends Chris, Joy, and Macie Rayburn at the game. Above are Joy & Macie.

Surprise Kitty

Friday before last, was another birthday celebration. My old roommate Katherine turned 30, and her husband threw her a surprise gathering at Rogue Tavern here in Bham. We had a great time visiting, and seeing everyone we felt like we had not seen in forever since we have been so busy. Happy Birthday KITTY!

No time for rest after the Birthday festivities....

When we got back to Bham from all the FABULOUS birthday celebrations, my sweet Fancy was waiting at our house to stay with us for a few days! I was SUPER excited since she couldn't make it to any of the festivities, and because I just love to extend my birthday as long as possible. Lilly also loved having Fancy here, and slept with her every night. Fancy's (aka Chrissy) last night here we went to my fav Bottega for dinner and drinks, all while I tried to talk her into moving to Bham. We miss you already FANCY!

Wednesday morning Chrissy headed back to Hattiesburg, and it was time to officially end my birthday celebration, so sad. I moved on to celebrating my sweet friend Heather's birthday. Katherine had a few of H's girls over for a birthday dinner and a little wine. Heather, Katherine, and I lived together for about 1 1/2 yrs, and all of our birthdays are within 1 week. Crazy I know.
Thursday, I have to admit I tried to extend my birthday by inviting all my friends here that couldn't make my birthday dinner Rick put together to Thirsty Thursday at the Baron's game, but we got rained out. SO, DeeDee, Duffy, and my sweet boyfriend little Alex came over and we ordered pizza. Little Alex is such a trip, I just love playing with him.

Well, another great yet busy week for us. Sad the birthday really is over, but thankful for the FABULOUS celebrations.

Half of my life.....

I have wanted a TAGHeuer watch. When I was 15, I was certified to SCUBA dive, and my mom got the most awesome TAG diving watch. Since then I have dreamed of my very own TAG, well this year, 15 years and half of my life later, MY FABULOUS MOM GAVE ME Y DREAM WATCH!!! This is the 3rd stop on the Candice's 3oth Birthday Tour. My mom and sister came to spend the night with us in Bham last Wed, and took me to dinner. After a fabulous dinner my mom gave me a very heavy gift bag. I opened to my most beautiful watch, a bud and ally's t-shirt, and a little pewter cross that says faith. I was (and still am) the happiest little girl in the world. It was like I was 15 all over again. My watch needed another link added to it, but I wore it the rest of the night even though it was cutting off my circulation, and first thing Thursday morning we went to our dear friends at Shay's Jewelery (who was so kind to work with my mom and order the watch for me) to have the extra link added. This birthday is really shaping up nice at this point, and the fun is just starting!!! Thanks MOM, you are the best mom and friend a girl could ask for!!!!

My first SURPRISE

Next stop on the Candice's 30th Birthday tour: Rick SHOCKED me last Tuesday with at surprise birthday dinner at Hacienda, here in Birmingham. I know people always say they had no clue even if they did, but I REALLY had NO CLUE!! This never happens!! I very rarely get an actual surprise, yet I love them SO much. It was so fabulous! Rick really did a great job, with a little help from his friends (Kat). He did plan it last minute so some of our friends couldn't make it on such short notice, but the short notice is probably why I was so shocked. I would have figured it out if I had more time, I feel sure. We had such a good time, and then out of the blue....a gang of the servers rushed up behind me, made me put on a Hacienda t-shirt, put a sombrero on my head, and a flaming shot in front of that they tried to make me drink out of a straw. It was NUTS! As you can tell from the pics (look at Kelly's and my faces). The straw melted 4 times, then I blew it out, the gang re lit it, and made me try again. At this point I was concerned about the melted straws that were now in my drink, but they would NOT give up. Finally I finished the shot and the madness was over. WHEW, it was possibly the strangest thing that has ever. Thanks to all who were there and helped Rick with the secret, it was PERFECT. I felt so loved.

Stewart/Gannon Wedding Weekend

The first weekend in August was an exciting one to say the least. We celebrated the wedding and festivities of our dear friends Kat and Brad, and what a weekend it was. The weekend started with the rehearsal dinner at Cantina, and it was just perfect, here is a pic of the happy couple.

There were tons of fabulous, touching, funny, sweet, just perfect speeches honoring them, not to mention many words of advice for the couple.
The wedding was even better! It rained, actually poured, but nothing could stop us all from celebrating. Rick's friends were in town from NYC, Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans, and more I am sure, and we had a BLAST!! The rain cleared, and everything was just perfect. Here are THE GANNONS enjoying their first dance.

All the guys were all smiles (except James and his Blue Steel pose) for a group pic.

So you know after that Abnous, Beth, and I had to have a pic too.

Rick and I haven't had that much fun in a LONG time. We acted like we were 20 again. It was a GREAT weekend for a GREAT couple! Congrats Kat & Brad Gannon, we love you, and were honored to be a part of your special weekend.

HBG comes to BHM

Some of my friends from Hattiesburg came to Birmingham this weekend, and what a fun weekend it was. Friday a group of us went to dinner @ Greyhouse Grill, and it was yummy! Only the strong survive, ok not really, but only McDonald and I could make it out to meet the other guys that were in town. Here are McDonald, me, and Jon.

Saturday night, Fancy, Natalie, Katherine, and I went to SURIN, my FAV, for dinner and drinks.

Then it was off to meet the crew downtown (Rick came to meet us too)....

Rick & McDonald Natalie, Rick, & Katherine

It was such a fabulous weekend, and I am always so sad when my friends leave town. I miss you guys already!! COME BACK!!!

Bacon doesn't go with Whisky

Last Tuesday we enjoyed the patio @ Jackson's with some friends and fabulous weather.

Kate & I were the only ladies.The guys were THRILLED to take a picture.

Then Kate & Stephen talked us into going to the new place in Mt. Brook Village, DRAM, for this disgusting drink. Just thinking about it makes me feel sick, but the rest of the crew loved it. With that said, it is whisky on the rocks, with a piece of cooked bacon and an orange slice in it. WOW, count me out. Other than that, fun summer night.

A Saturday CWS cookout

Beth & Kyle had people over to grill out at their new house to watch the College World Series. They are always a fun time, and Beth is a GREAT cook.

Beth & Kyle
Walker & Kyle

Cameron trying out some of Ella & Davis' toys.

The kids L-O-V-E Uncle Matthew!

Rick & Kyle looking for a massive bug that was flying around.

We had a good time, and it was great to get out and be around friends. Thanks guys!

Pizza with the Morgans

Like I said I am way behind on blogging so here is another old one. Thursday 2 weeks ago, I met the Morgans at Dave's pizza to enjoy the patio. I rarely get to see them, so it was great to catch up. I had never met Myles, and I really wanted to adopt him. Here are a few pics.

Shay and me

Myles was looking for some $ to play in the game room, and I was a TOTAL sucker! I would have given him every dime I had.

Shay and Steve

I was seriously considering taking him home to live with us. We are best friends. It was a GREAT Thursday, with great friends, food, and weather. I LOVE SUMMER!

*REMEMBER THEY OWN SHAY'S JEWELRY IN HOOVER, SO GO CHECK THEM OUT!!!