Tonight's going to be a GOOD GOOD night!!

Today is also a life long friend's birthday... Happy bday Jessi! And a couple weekends ago I traveled to St. Louis to help celebrate! They were planning a girls night out for Jessica and LeeAnn's birthdays... sushi night! So I decided to come up and surprise them! Luckily, my parents thought it would be a great time to come up and see the fam too! We got in town Saturday and made a few stops through our old home town and then straight to lunch with the fam... I wish I would have remembered to take a picture! It was great to see everyone!

Then my parents and I went to meet up with Katie and her parents. It was so nice just to sit around and catch up with them. Then Katie and I went back to her place just down the street to get ready for the night! Katie was the only one that knew I was coming!! I couldn't wait to surprise Jessi! It worked out perfectly because she was planning on coming over to Katie's before dinner anyway. When she got there I was hiding out on the balcony while Katie took her to the kitchen. Then Katie steered her my way to "have a glass of wine on the balcony". I could hear them talking about how much fun tonight was going to be, and then Katie said, "Yeah, but you know what would make it that much better..." right as Jess opened the door and I yelled "SURPRISE"!! It was so fun to surprise her and she was so shocked and excited she started crying! hahah! It was perfect! The rest of the night was SUCH a BLAST! I'm so glad I came up and I can't wait to come back! I LOVE YOU GIRLS SO MUCH!!!

My school and church in Illinois

Go Hornets :)

My parents and I had to make a pit stop at Kruta's bakery... everything is soooo good

My cute grandparents - looking good for 89, huh!

Best friends since Kindergarden, literally

birthday sake!

3 Musketeers reunited! love love!

Dawn finally met up with us! Friends for about 20 years now! Gosh!

So much fun!

Such a fun girls night!!

Happy Birthday Sista

Happy Birthday Gwen! I hope you have a wonderful 26th bday!
And as you would say... Eat some cake why don't ya!

pretty sissy

Sister's Bday office - Red Bull fanatic

I LOVE YOU!!

ps-Check the mail today :)

Sadie @ 2 weeks

Isn't she just the cutest little thing you've ever seen!!!?!!! I can't wait to take her home!!


Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wall Project

I had been wanting to fill the empty space on this wall in our dining room since we moved in May, and I finally did! I went out and took pictures of the street name and numbers of the houses where Ryan and I have lived and bought all different kinds of frames. I was going for the collage look. I think it turned out so neat! Take a look...

Before...

Setting them up and finding the best layout

On the wall... (Thanks Ryan :])

Ta-dah!!!

Football Season Has Officially Begun

Ryan and I just love having a professional football team in our city. Saturday night we went to the Tennessee Titans first pre-season game verses the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was so fun being back in a football stadium. And WE WON! Go Titans! We are definitely going to try to go to as many games as we can this season! Afterwards, we met up with some friends at Tootsies and then Rock Bar. Man, downtown was packed!

Ready for football!

Titan fans

LP Field

View from our seats

Our beautiful city skyline

We love Nashville!

Moved down closer to visit some friends

Bo, Josh, Glen, and Ryan

Post game drinks at Chesser's

Rock Bar

Two very exciting things...

Two very exciting things happened last night! First, Sadie was born! YAAAY! There was only ONE silver girl and she is ours! We are just thrilled!

Second, MEG AND AARON GOT ENGAGED!!!! Wahoo!!! I'm am so happy and so excited for you two you have no idea! You guys are such a great couple, and Ryan and I have enjoyed hanging out with you over the last couple years! You are both such great friends to have and I'm just so excited for you to start this new step in your lives. You have a fiance!!!! :) Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Let the planning begin! Love you!!!

the happy groom-to-be

the happy bride-to-be... still making phone calls!

So cute!!!

bling bling!

Meg's infamous happy dance :)

so excited for you!

the future Mr. and Mrs. Grunke!

Love love love you guys! Congratulations!

A & M

Last weekend I went to Huntsville because Ashley and Mason, two friends from high school, were getting married! I was dateless since Ryan went to Atlanta to an engagement party. Love is in the air! But it worked out since Erin's boyfriend couldn't make it either. It was a great weekend catching up with friends and family. First thing when I got in town I met Erin and her family out for dinner at Casa Blanca (all time fav) for her Daddy's bday! Happy Bday Mr. T! It was great to catch up with the whole group! Then off to Huntsville... we then visited with Ryan's Dad and Susan for the rest of the night.

On Saturday, I hung out with my parents some and went to lay out at Erin's pool before the wedding. Then, wedding time! It was a really sweet ceremony and you could just tell how happy they were! So cute! Then, since there is never a dull moment with Erin, on the way to the reception Erin hit the guy in front of her at the red light! And that guy hit the car in front of him who was the DJ for the reception!! Haha. It was made out to be a much bigger deal than it should have since the person she hit was quite dramatic, but we won't get into that... everyone was just fine! So, not only were we an hour late to the reception but we were seated (place cards) at a table in the middle and were the only ones at it! Haha... apparently no one else at our table could make it that night. It was slightly akward since all the other tables were full, but we had some visitors! Hah. Besides that, the reception was just gorgeous and so unique. It was in an old factory warehouse type building and they decdorated beautifully with drapery, paper lanterns, lights, and white chandilers. It fit there personalities perfectly! What a fun night! Congradulations Ashley and Mason! You two make a perfect couple! Love love you!

Sunday I spent most of the day with my Mom and we visited with Ryan's Mom as well. Once Ryan got back into Huntsville we ate a delicious late dinner with his Mom and Joe. All in all a good weekend! It was great seeing everyone, and I'm especially glad to have spent some time with ET - I felt like it had been forever!

Mr. T getting his bday surprise!

my best friend!

me, Erin, and Mrs. Thompson
Ready for the wedding

See, it wasn't that bad

Ooops! This is just a reenactment... wasn't me!

Good ole high school reunion!
The BeAuTiFuL bride

So so so happy for you guys!
Awesome reception

Best first dance ever! Ashley is a dancer and she choreographed it herself. So talented! Mason was so nervous! It was cute!

Catching up with friends I haven't seen in a long time

Love the chandiliers everywhere!

I've had the time of my life....

ET and me

Bye Ash and Mason! Have fun on the honeymoon!!