a football holiday

J can never seem to escape his little cubby of a desk inside the PCOM library for more than a day, and this past holiday weekend was no far cry from the usual. But, after the countless hours spent each morning in his study hole at the library, we were able to succeed. We succeeded in hanging out with friends, eating and drinking anything and everything, watching football, and relaxing just as much as we partied. Labor day just may be a great excuse for a football holiday...I'm convinced.



The start of college football season greeted us with nostalgic feelings. The days of waking up on Saturday mornings only a half mile from Doak Campbell Stadium on home game weekends -- let me paint you a picture: cool fall air blowing in our half-open windows, cars honking, remnant sounds of the Florida State war chant traveling through our wide-open front door from crowds walking up and down the streets, and cold beer always waiting for the first crack of the day -- weren't all that long ago, but they sure seem to be distant days for us. We were wishing for a morning like that this past weekend! Instead, we had all our Florida State gear out and ready, just as everyone else did with their respective colleges. Football, friends, and a barbeque filled our agenda that day (well, after studying, that is.)

Maggie came to visit - and added to our wide array of college football apparel. You'd think we planned to wear all of this or something.

The guys played football and the munchkins kept each other company - and played a little football themselves. The lavish food display fit the holiday so well - grilled burgers, dogs, and sausage, baked mac 'n cheese, baked beans, watermelon, an array of desserts (including one that looked like an American flag), and more. Thank you, Chiaki and Jason (and Liam too!)






A gloomy, cloud-filled sky seemed to confine us to our home for much of the weekend, but we were happy to oblige. There were plenty of movie options to keep us entertained, and of course, plenty of football. Maggie and I stayed up prettty late catching up on Keeping Up With the Kardashians (rediculous..I know!) Our pup was glad to have us around, too.

Dave had us over for pancakes, bacon, and mimosas Sunday morning...and I attempted those donut holes I was talking about. Note to self: cake pops are much better - stick with those!

We loved having time to spend with family and friends. The weekend was a success, just like our Noles...34-0 baby! We're ready for the rest of the season..

Multi-purposing at its finest

I, along with most people, am not the biggest fan of the "multi-purpose" room. But, I've gotta work with what I have, and I'm more than happy to do that! My latest project has been transforming our "office" into our now guest room/office/craft room. Talk about multi-purposing! Our once depressing-looking office (see picture below!) received a much needed and welcomed update :)

I began by putting the room together based on this old thing...

This once housed J's dad's old records, but now resides in our multi-purpose room as a great little piece :)

To the left of the bed, you'll find J's desk + a much needed bookshelf (those med school books are stinkin' BIG!)
..and to the right you'll find my little craft area (which I am not completely done with yet, but it's a work in progress)

These are some cute little no-sew pillows I made using Liquid Stitch..

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Remember that cake pop maker I wrote about that I just had to have? Well, I got it! Kohl's finally had it in stock (I got the last one that day! +$10 Kohl's cash made the purchase absolutely worth it!) Look at this beauty...

So far, it's been a hit. I made lemon cake pops the first time, which were loved by all, and most recently were the brownie pops. I also used this little machine for pancake balls with powdered sugar and syrup for a late night snack with friends. Next on the list: donut holes! Multi-purposing at its finest..haha :)

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The past couple weeks for us have been a bit intense. Well, for J I should say. But, as most of us girls here talk about, their intense study sessions have proven to be intense for us at times too. The lack of time spent together, while trying to keep things as easy as possible for the guys, doesn't always make it easy on us, BUT, it certainly gives us a chance to make the most out of the little things. I enjoy small moments spent with my husband, like eating dinner together, the drive to and from church on Sundays where we can try and talk about anything besides school, or grabbing a beer somewhere the evening after a test when he doesn't mind taking the night off. This past week, though, we had a great night together - a rare date night that we both loved. I got beautiful flowers, too! Wowza :) Grizz was ecstatic to see his dad come home with Dogsters ice cream + Jelly Belly's & raspberry lemonade for me. Check out my sweet little treats: re-purposed!

I took a few of the flowers out of the bouquet and placed them in the lemonade bottle for a fun addition to my desk top. It is currently winking at me as I type..how nice! I placed an adhesive magnetic strip to the back of the cap that surely didn't lie to me. I love little things like this!

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It's Labor Day weekend and I'm ready for some fun and relaxation with friends - and it's the start of Football Season - GOOOO NOLES!!! We kicked off the long weekend by having friends over to watch a football game, drink some beers, and I made some shredded bbq beef sandwiches. yum. Happy Weekend, everyone!

the joy of being a kid

There's something so simple and sweet about being a child. The innocence shines through in every child's eyes while they are doing something precious or even when they are annoying the #*$! [insert your own word here] out of you. Their curious minds can't help but inquire, their cute little laughs can't hide if they had to (even if they're laughing at all the wrong times), and they can't help but make playing the art of childhood. It's thoughts like that that really make one wish they could be a child again. Well, I don't know if I should say they make one want to be a child again, but it sure can make one reminisce about the joys of being a kid.

I remember being the kids of the family and all the fun times we had. We were fortunate enough to grow up with each other (8 of us cousins) and although we had 14 years in between the oldest and youngest(me!), there was always a time when each of us was having fun with another. Being a child, I could have cared less about what the adults were doing, talking about, etc. They were boring. The kids were the fun ones - and man, did we have some fun times. With that being said, this past weekend with the family made me look at the "new" kids of the family in a different light. My siblings' and cousins' children were having a blast just being together. They could care less what us adults were doing or talking about. To them, we were boring. Here are some of the joys of being a kid I spotted in just one weekend...

Remember the kids table? You always thought you were having so much more fun than those boring adults.
And why do they eat that weird looking food when there are chicken fingers, burgers, and fries? Hmm..


For some reason, the faces of one child can make another crack up in a way that no adult can.


Looking out at what the world has to offer is far more intriguing than the sound of adult chatter filling their ears.


Finally being taller than one of the adults is such an accomplishment! (Although, who are we kidding...I am just a big kid!)


Making funny faces in a moment when you know you're supposed to be lookin' good seems like the obvious choice.


Gosh, why do adults take so long to open gifts? "here..let me help you, GG!"


Yes, these crazy adults think that monkeys on my feet is the most adorable thing ever.


Ah, to set up a slip and slide, grab whatever dish soap you can find and hope the adults don't seem to mind. How much fun...


my turn, my turn, my turn!


Ending the night with a cousin slumber party and a movie in the den...oh, the life of a child. :)

And then there were the moments I couldn't capture - but I do know there were plenty of moments where they were being sneaky. They were doing things that only they could know about because the adults weren't cool enough to participate. Those are the moments they will remember just like the moments I remember having with my siblings and cousins..and while they may be long gone out of some of our minds, we know there will always be that bond we once had; the same bond the "new" kids of the family will always have.

live, laugh, love...with family

J and I decided to buy a nice camera as a wedding gift to each other and we have been having tons of fun playing around with it. This gift from my love brought about a new-found love for photography. I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend with my family in Florida (we sure did miss my new husband), but I think I can speak for all of us when I say we had a nice, relaxing, fun-filled weekend. With it being Aunt Kathy and Grandma(GG)'s 55th and 85th birthdays, we planned a 3-step get together that was sure to bring out the joy in everyone (+ surprise the heck out of Aunt Kath and let me practice my photography!)

[[ These banners were super easy to make - cut triangles out of scrapbook paper & clothespin them to twine ]]

Step 1: Catherine's house for appetizers and mimosas (+ a special birthday toast for our guests of honor!)

Step 2: Lunch at McDivot's in the Carolina Club (a delicious lunch with custom menu's honoring AK & GG)

Step 3: Cake, presents, and fun at Heather's house

The entire birthday party was spent sharing laughs, hugs, tears, and stories. Justin, who turned 8 today (Happy Birthday!), so innocently asked if "this was some sort of family reunion" - and I'm pretty sure he's never been to a family reunion - but that is exactly what it felt like. It was so nice being able to spend quality time with family and I am grateful for weekends like that :)

One more thing! Pretty soon, our family will be expanding even more. Did I mention that my (almost) 9-month old niece is expecting a little sister at the start of the new year?! Our family is excited and blessed..and I'm sure our beautiful Arianna will be happy to have a playmate so close in age. She has grown so fast..but gosh, she is darn cute!