Olive Garden, Critters, fye, Epic

I woke up this morning feeling...icky. My knee is hurting worse and my hip hurts when I move it a certain way. I didn't sleep well. This no air conditioning thing is hard to deal with. I think my brain is melting.

I didn't make any plans for today. We still intend to have everyone over as soon as it can be rescheduled. My brother called and invited us to Olive Garden to celebrate Brit's day. We decided to take him up on the offer and finished getting ready. She also opened her present from Cody...a stuffed Yoshi key chain and a couple Death Note pins. We met Max around 12:30 and had a delicious meal and Brit got the best pumpkin cheesecake. She said she couldn't imagine having a better birthday cake. After lunch we went to Pet Smart and looked around for a while. We're very critter oriented:)

Max gave Britney a machete, sword thing that she LOVES and another double bladed...thing. I have no idea what it's called. I'll get pictures tomorrow. Anyway, she loves them and couldn't have asked for a better present. Thanks Max!

Before we went home, we stopped by the mall so Brit and Cody could look through f.y.e. They wanted to look around at the other anime items and they also have a lot of Mario stuff.

Then we were home for about an hour before heading to church, where we were asked to dress in our favorite team's jersey. The discussion this week was on loyalty. I wore an Alabama shirt, Britney wore an Alabama shirt and hat and I sprayed her hair red, and Cody was Team Mario all the way. I was fun to look around and see everyone's clothing choices. One lady had a shirt that she made that said Go Jesus Go :) The youth pastor told everyone it was Brit's birthday so that was fun. After service they played tug of war several times and ran around and had a blast.

So for not having any plans, it turned out to be a pretty great day!

Dum Dum Da Dum

Beth and Richard's wedding was this past weekend!

It was perfect and beautiful and we had so much fun!

Bobby and I headed to Knoxville on Friday morning with me driving the whole way since Bobby had worked off that morning. Poor guy. He should have taken two nights off.

The drive was uneventful other than traffic, rain and construction. We made it to the hotel by 1:30, checked in, got our stuff to the room, called Beth to let her know we were there, and went to grab some lunch at La Costa.

After we ate, we went back to the room so Bobby could rest before we the rehearsal and dinner.

When it was time to leave, we met Beth and Barbara in the lobby so we could ride with them to the church. Then 'Other' Beth and her husband Rob walked up. Britney named her 'Other' Beth when she was little after both Beths came to Alabama during a break from college. I hadn't seen her in about 10 years!

The church is absolutely beautiful...stone, stained glass, statues, domed ceiling...just beautiful. The rehearsal went well and we were finally able to meet everyone. Then it was off to the hotel until the rehearsal dinner at Blue Coast Burrito. It was the perfect place! Delicious!

Beth and Richard!

My peach margarita

Me and Barbara

We wanted to take Beth out after dinner, but she had some other things to take care of. Plus I don't think she wanted to drink the night before her wedding. We just couldn't get everyone in the same state before the wedding. Beth's in Tennessee, Other Beth is in New Jersey, Barbara and I are in Alabama and Melissa's in Florida. A bachelorette party just didn't happen, which I'm kind of bummed about. I've never been to one. So instead, a few of us hung out in Beth's suite and talked and played with Melissa and Scott's 1 year old daughter, Avery.

The next morning, we had breakfast with Beth and Barbara and then headed back to Beth's room to meet the hair and make up people.

This is the view of Market Square from the 12th floor of our hotel. I think every Saturday morning they have a big farmer's market in the square. Looked like it would be interesting to walk through.

My hair was done first since I was showered and ready to go:)
I had never had my hair in a french twist.

Getting my make up done.

Beth's hair

and make up

Lacing up the corset to her gorgeous dress.

Bobby came into the room just before it was time for the guys to head

over to the church.
The whole gang!

We walked from the church to the reception (about three blocks) so that the photographer could get shots along the way. I can't wait to see the pictures!

Richard's son Jake was the best man:)

Mr and Mrs Richard Mason!

Father Daughter dance

The reception was amazing! I stumbled through my speech and cut it nearly in half. I don't do public speaking so I had counted on the nerves, but not the emotions! Geez! Anyway, we partied and had a blast! The food was delicious and the cake...OMG! SO good! Oh, and I am now a professional tambourine player...and clearly not afraid of getting on stage once I start drinking. I suppose those are good things to know about me:)

After the band finished their last set, we cleared out and went to the hotel's bar. I did go up to the room first to put on my new dress.

The drive home...sucked! I mean 4 1/2 hours in a car after drinking until
2 am...UGH! Oh well. It was worth it! We had an amazing time!

Beth and Richard are currently living my dream and are exploring Italy. I'm so happy for them!

Red Robin & CLC ~ April 14th

Last Thursday, we were suppose to go weigh out for Scale Back Alabama, followed by lunch at Red Robin. Well...Cathy and Kaitlin have been sick and decided it was best for them to stay home. The rest of us decided just to skip the weigh out and head straight for the restaurant!

After we ate a delicious lunch, we headed over to Creative Learning Connection.

Brit and Emily planning their European adventures.

We missed Cathy and Kaitlin and plan on a return Red Robin trip after they are better.

The Old Cook Stove

Home

I'm back from Knoxville, or Knoxvegas as Beth calls it. Yesterday, Beth's very good friend, Barbara picked me up and we headed to Tennessee. I just love Barbara. 5 hours is a long time to be stuck in a vehicle with someone if you don't like them.

In all the years that I've been a wife and a mom, this is the second solo trip I have ever taken. It was quite odd to look around and not see another Lackey. I missed my wacky clan, but still had a really great time.

We got to Beth's and later last night, then we braved the freakish cold in search of food. Have I mentioned that I am OVER being cold? We went to downtown Knoxville to Market Square. It's such a cool, funky place. I want to go back when it's daytime...and about 40 degrees warmer. Would you believe I didn't take one picture? Not one...

We ate dinner at Latitude 35. We were seated right next to the bar, which I found interesting and enjoyable since I'm a people watcher. That blond chick was so upset about something...I'm so glad all of her friends were with her to comfort her. I had the Low Country Turkey and Swiss with sweet potato fries. YUMMO! After dinner, we headed back to Beth's house to goof off and crash for the night.

This morning we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then split up while Beth had an appointment. Then we met up at the bridal store to try on/get fitted for our bridesmaid dresses. I thought Beth had pretty much decided on the one she liked best, but while we were there, we decided to try on others and search around a bit. I tried on several dresses and then we decided on THE one. It's beautiful! I think we're all really happy with the decision.

After that, we went to several stores in search of a dress for Beth for a formal event in a couple weeks. Than we got hungry! Shopping must do that to you:) I had a life changing experience...we ate a Red Robin. Guys, this was my first time to ever go there. I ordered the mushroom swiss burger (I decided one not so healthy meal would be okay) It was SO good!

Red Robin....YUM!

Barbara and I headed back to Alabama and made it to my house at 8:00. I had fun, but I'm glad to be home. Pajamas make me happy.

Frozen, Fresh Market, Galaxy of Lights, Paper Mario, Friends and Sleep Over

We had a night of surprises for the kids last week. We ate at Moe's, then we looked through Fresh Market, and then we went to the Botanical Gardens!

Um...sugar high anyone? :)

We had the construction paper out and Cody had a great idea! He wanted to make a Mario...that kid loves Mario!

He also put together a mushroom and ? block.

Jilayne invited us to watch Luke and Logan in their church Christmas program. They were SO cute!

Little Drummer Boys

12 Days of Christmas

After the play, they had a meal in their fellowship hall. We stayed so we could hang out with our friends a little longer. Santa showed up with a sack of goodies for all of the younger kids. After Santa handed out everyone's presents, he started walking around the room. He talked to Cody and gave him a present, too:)

The next evening, we went to Logan's to celebrate Luke's 5th birthday. I can't believe that kid is 5 already!

While we were at Logan's, Cody snagged a couple peanuts so he could play with this guy. The two of them made a mess in the kitchen! They did clean up after themselves, though.

We picked Sarah and Tori up so they could look at Christmas lights with us and spend the night. I love my girls! We had such a great time!

Party at the Lackey house!

All of my babies

Ooooo! Pretty!

In the morning, I made up a double batch of chocolate chip pancakes. So NOT healthy, but man they're yummy! Karen dropped Keilee off for a little while and everyone played and chatted. I took the girls home around 12:30 because they had plans that afternoon. When I got home, Karen was there talking to Bobby and soon they left too. It was just us, two days before Christmas...what to do? Make cookies of course!


That evening something amazing happened...but that story needs it's own post :)