Memphis in May BBQ Fest

Last weekend, we celebrated BBQ Fest with a few Georgia friends. It was great to see them, and we had a blast at the Spiderpigs tent. Thanks for inviting us, Pattersons!

First, we attended the wedding of one of my former teachers at SBA on the banks of the Mississippi. Good (interesting) times!


Then, we enjoyed the BBQ festivities. We were so thankful to be invited for dinner Friday night to Swine-O-Mite. Having grown up in Memphis, I am picky about BBQ. This was some of the best bbq I had ever eaten! The ribs were out of this world. Thanks for the dinner invite! I can see why they have won before.

After this, it was party time! Enjoy the pictures! I wish I had taken pictures Saturday night at Gus' Fried Chicken, but we were too busy stuffing our faces. Can't wait for next year!

Brian may have had a little too much fun...

Kate Patterson, me and Kate Wells Friday night

James, Kate, me Kate and Kyle on Saturday

Graduations #2

This past week, we watched my brother Joe graduate from the University of Memphis and Brian's sister Brittany graduate 8th grade from St. Louis. Both were really special and we've enjoyed spending so much family time together lately.

Joe's graduation was the Saturday before Mother's Day, so thankfully I was able to spend Mother's Day with my grandmother as well. Joe graduated Saturday afternoon at FedExForum, and afterwards we all went to Majestic Grille downtown. Later that night, Joe had a bunch of friends over to my parents house that night to celebrate. It was lots of fun to see all of his friends - most of which he has grown up with. Joe has already starting working in commercial lending for Triumph Bank here in Memphis and loves it.

The best part about Saturday was the BIG SURPRISE present for Joe. Of course, my creative mom called the boys party to order, and began reading a poem she wrote. As Joe opened his present, he pulled out a big Eiffel Tower. At the end of the poem, my mom revealed the surprise - HE'S GOING WITH US TO ITALY, FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND. He was shocked and it was a great surprise. I am so glad he is going! It will be so fun!

Joe walking across the stage and shaking Dr. Raines' hand. This was him on the jumbotron.


Nannie and Gramps with Joe in front of Majestic Grille.

My brothers Joe and Mark, me and Brian on my parents patio. They have done so much work in their backyard and it looks gorgeous!

Next up was Brittany's graduation last night. It was really sweet! They had Mass at St. Louis, and had a little reception and slideshow afterwards. I cannot believe she is going to high school. It's so crazy! When we met, she was in 2nd grade. In the slideshow, there were so many cute pictures of her with her bright white hair. We are so excited and proud for her as she begins high school at St. Benedict. Good luck, Britt!


Some of Brittany's friends from St. Louis

Brittany and I after graduation


All five of us after graduation.

These graduations are pretty bittersweet for Brian and I as the oldest in our families. It's fun for us to see our little brothers and sisters not be so little anymore.

P.S. - Also, usually I am not this short. They all had on high heels and I had on flats. However, I was shorter than most of the 8th grade class, which is about when I stopped growing. Oh well!

Happy Birthday Robyn!

Today is my best friend Robyn's 25th birthday! Since 10th grade, we have shared so many memories throughout high school and college. We got married within weeks of each other, were in each other's weddings, and we always have so much fun together. We are both so excited about the future and seem to be sharing a similar life path. I love her so much, and don't know what I would do without her!

UPDATE:

We surprised Robyn with a dinner out at Beauty Shop. Lots of fun! Love you Rob!

Mother's Day

We had a great mother's day. Of course, we spent it with both moms! It was nice that my grandmother was in town as well, so that we could celebrate with her. We had lunch with my family and dinner with Brian's. I've included a couple pictures of us with our moms. We are so fortunate to be close with our mothers. They do so much for us, and I love that we all live in the same city and can see each other whenever we want. We love you!

Graduations #1

2009 is the year for graduations! I've decided to separate the graduations into two posts.

Brian and I headed to Knoxville Wednesday night for Shellye's graduation from UTK bright and early Thursday morning. I was excited to go back, not only to see Shellye graduate, but to be back in Knoxville. I had so many fun memories in my four years there. Wednesday night we met up with the Fields at Ye Old Steakhouse for dinner on Chapman Hwy, then went to a few local hangouts. Thursday morning, Shellye graduated from the College of Communication and Information Sciences (same as me!) and her graduation was held in the Thompson-Bowling Arena. I spent many many nights in the TBA when I was a marketing intern for the Lady Vols basketball team. They recently have refurbished it, and it is soo nice! After graduation, we made a stop at Tomatohead for lunch before heading back. A trip to Knoxville is not complete without Tomatohead. It was a great couple days and we are so proud of Shellye!

Ye Old Steakhouse has a lot of great quotes written on the back of their chairs. I thought this one was fitting for the moment!

The Fields

Shellye and Dr. Haas - he was my advisor too!

Brian and I at Tomatohead - so delicious! Sitting outside of course.

We quickly left Knoxville Thursday to get back for my graduation from NEXUS. It has been an awesome experience and I would recommend it to anyone. Below is a picture of my NEXUS mentor Dana and me after our graduation from the program. She was a great mentor and we learned a lot from each other. I'm glad she will be doing it again next year!

Saying Goodbye

On Monday morning, April 27 Brian's sweet grandfather passed away. Although he has been sick for a while, it was still upsetting to receive the news. Say prayers for sweet Brian and his family during this difficult time. Papaw was Brian's last grandparent, and I am so thankful he was well enough to attend our wedding last year and dance the night away. We will miss him, but we are also glad that he is free from suffering.

I love this picture. It is from Brian's high school graduation from CBHS, where his grandfather and dad both went. We'll miss you Papaw!

8th Grade Confirmation

Mallory and Brittany were confirmed yesterday at Immaculate Conception Cathedral. It was a great night, and Mallory was so excited about getting confirmed. I was honored to be her sponsor. She worked hard to get confirmed and I am so proud! I got tears in my eyes when we walked up there together. Every life step for Mallory means so much... she is such a miracle!

Angela Crone was Brittany's sponsor. Here is a picture with the four of us.

She even picked out this nice gift for me! So sweet!