Graduation Party!

With graduation nearing and living so far away, we knew it would be difficult for family to make it to the ceremony, so we decided to take the party down south. 

We had a big family graduation party back in AL where I grew up.  With both mine and Matt's family still back south, it made sense.  

We flew down a few days before to hang out and catch up.

The party was absolutely beautiful and we had  so much fun. Lily wanted the party colors to be all shades of pink and some white. The florist/decorator did an absolutely amazing job.  Everything was perfect and according to her, met all of her expectations and then some.  I couldn't agree more. 

Thank you to all of our family and friends for celebrating with us.  Having you there made everything extra special. It was so nice having everyone together, laughing, sharing memories and making new ones.  We are truly blessed!!

The Southerly House made for the perfect venue.  It was absolutely charming and lots of space both inside and out for us to have fun, play corn hole, eat and let the kids run around. 

She took Senior pictures before the party and I was so happy we got this family pic in.  

Let the party begin!!

From Kindergarten to 12th grade

Gracie requested a Lambeth cake.  Those are quite popular right now and she loves all of the piping work.  It turned out so pretty. 

Lily with the littles, she adores them

Thank you to everyone for being so kind and generous to her. 

Happy 18th Birthday Lily Grace!

 Lily turned 18 and had a Swiftie themed party to celebrate with some of her closest friends.  

Matt and I paid for her and her friends to go enjoy some Italian food.  Afterwards, they returned back home to enjoy dessert, games, crafts and a lot of laughter.

We had to have a friendship bracelet garland.

Of course they had to have a backdrop for their pictures.  

When it was all said and done, these 18 year old bedazzled not only glasses but there were beads and jewels all over the floor in the basement.

Happy Birthday little one!  We love you!!

HaPpY Birthday Gran!

 Gran celebrated a big birthday this past weekend!  She turned 75.  Gracie and I decided to surprise her to celebrate.  

We booked a flight and headed south with only my aunt and cousin knowing that we were coming. 

We flew into Pensacola and drove the 2 hours to Dothan, but not before making an extra surprise stop.  Grandma lives only about 3o min outside of Pensacola and we would pass right by her exit on our way, so we decided to make a quick stop to say hello.  

Lily and I decided that surprising people was pretty fun.  Grandma was completely taken aback when she opened the door and found Lily and I standing there.  She nearly tackled us once she opened the door and let us in.  After a short visit we were back in the car and on our way to Alabama.  

Funny thing, right as we entered town, Gran text to ask us a random question.  We ignored the text, went and got our things settled and then face timed Matt as we drove over to surprise Gran and surprise we did.  She couldn't believe we had flown there for her birthday.  

Even though it was a quick visit, we had a wonderful time and tons of fun.  

Happy Birthday Gran! We love you!

Notice grandma's "who is it" smile as she is opening the door? 

Now look at the shock when she realizes who it is.  Too funny!

Celebration dinner with all the family for Gran's 75th!

After dinner it was off to Adventure Land for some go carts, putt putt and games.  Just a little competitive family fun and tons of laughs!

Aunt Pam used this opportunity to show us her skill on the putt putt course, pulling off the win.

Coming off the plane, Lily and I found these two cuties at the airport to pick us up.  Murphy was loving life as everyone wanted to bet him at baggage claim. 

Total Eclipse

 

Matt was out of the country and Lily was off watching with friends, so The Murph was my viewing buddy for the total eclipse.  Being in the midwest, we got quite the show. 

Murphy goes to High School!

 Lily had to write a speech about her most prized possession for English class. 

She wrote about The Murph.  So of course, she asked that he visit class while she gave her speech and of course, he was happy to oblige.  

It was also "Snowcoming" week.  A week of themed dress down days. Monday all seniors wore red, so naturally Murphy dressed to represent. 

He got tons of love and pets and I am sure enjoyed it just as much as Gracie. 

All dressed and ready to go

Senior Hall

 

Merry Christmas!

Out to lunch to kick off the holidays

Twas the night before Christmas

Christmas Eve dinner after mass

His first Christmas home and surprisingly, he didn't ingest anything he wasn't suppose to and was actually low key (ish)  Of course we let him get the balls out of his stocking first to try and keep him busy so we could open gifts.

Never sure what the custom golf balls from Gracie will say but you get bet it will always be funny. This year it said, If you find me, please hit me better than Matt did!

Trying to get him in the Christmas morning pic was not on his agenda

Murphy turns 1!

 Murphy turned a year old today.  Somehow, we have all managed to survive.  He is all boy and full of energy.  He LOVES ball and will do anything for a treat.  

He has brought us much frustration, some laughs and a lot of love!

We often tell him he's really a goat because he loves to climb in these chairs. You will often find him out here in a chair with a ball in his mouth just watching the world go by.