Weekend in Monteagle with the Kitties

Last weekend, the kitties (minus Towbin - we missed you!) headed to the mountains for a relaxing weekend sans kids, husbands, dogs and significant others.  It was wonderful!  We rented a beautiful home, ate tons, drank tons, watched movies, went on a hiking adventure and of course had a dance party!  Here are some pictures from our weekend away...

First drinks of the weekend... Lindsey making delicious strawberry margaritas.

The end product...

 

Annie sipping her crown while keeping her feet on her lightbox.  You'll have to ask her why.

For some reason every time I opened a door the doorknob fell off.  Whoops!

Post margaritas, popping the champagne...

Moving on to red wine...

Table centerpieces for the weekend.  Who doesn't like a little strobe light action at the breakfast, lunch and dinner table?

And the dance party begins...

The night ended at about 3 am... So needless to say we were not feeling so well the next morning (except Miller of course), so we decided to get our blood pumping and take a hike.  What was supposed to be a 3 mile, easy trek through the woods turned into 5.26 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes and a mountain climb to get us back to civilization.  Everyone was such a trooper especially 6 months pregnant Miller who took it all in stride.

The starting of our hike overlooking Monteagle mountains.

Everyone's feeling pretty good at this point... 0.6 miles in - what we didn't know is that there was another 4.66 miles to go!

 

These are funny... it looks like we were on a teambuilding excursion.

Like little kids, everyone wanted to stop and poke at some leftover ice.

I think this is about half way.  Everyone's still smiling here.

Post mountain climb to get off the trail and on to an actual road...

Saturday night, we were all spent.  We cooked all the food we had, vegged out, put our PJs on and watched the Hangover.  

Here's a picture from the porch of our cabin Sunday morning.

It was a great way to spend some quality girl time.  Of course, we all had to get back on Sunday to reality but we're already planning our next getaway!

National Champs!

Michael is having a great year so far... he was admitted as partner to his firm AND his favorite football team won their 13th national championship!  I got a Julio Jones (#8) jersey for Christmas but he told me time and time again that I was not allowed to wear it during the game. "We can't jinx the jersey," he kept telling me.  But, not 5 minutes into the game, Alabama was doing terrible - so I was asked to go put on my jersey.  As soon as I did, Colt McCoy (QB for Texas) was injured and sidelined for the rest of the game.  Some say, he's just a fragile football player - not me.  It was totally the jersey.  So, needless to say, I'm sad that football season is over, but happy to have my husband back.  AND, already looking forward to next season. Roll tide!

Michael made Partner!!!!

My wonderful husband hit a huge milestone in his career! On December 22nd, Michael found out that he was named as a Partner in his firm.  See the article in the Nashville Post:

http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2010/1/4/babc_names_four_new_partners

Congrats Michael!

More Open Houses on a Lazy Sunday

Instead of going to the Titans game with Michael this past Sunday, I spent the afternoon looking for a new house.  Clearly, my expectations need to be reset because both houses that I visited were 4,000 square feet (plenty of room!) and near or over $1 million.

Both were move in ready - but one I would never need to touch and the other needed some TLC.  Here are some pics:

Townhome in West End Close (corner of West End/Craighead) - $1.195 million

Living Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom (sigh...)

Sunroom with Kitchenette right off the Master

Wine Cellar!!!!!

Rooftop Garden overlooking Nashville (I could throw lots of parties here)

Gate off West End into Garden Area

(The kind old man who owned the home and gave me a tour told me this is where people should enter if they're coming over for a party.  "The valet should stand outside this gate to greet people."  I must look wealthier than I am because I've never had a party with a valet service, but he assumed that's how I roll.)

Historic Home on West End Avenue -$899,000

Beautiful exterior

Living Room

Kitchen (this is where the TLC comes in...)

Master Bedroom

Pool (Ahhhhhhh....)

2010 Resolution: Buy one of these :)  Well, maybe 2020 is more realistic.

Alabama Crimson Tide 2009

Michael, this post's for you.

So, it is a well known fact that my husband is an avid football fan.  Not just any football but the Alabama Crimson Tide in particular.  This year they went undefeated in their regular season and defeated Florida at the SEC Championship.  Now, they'll play Texas at the National Championship in January.

I have to (begrudgingly) admit I've definitely jumped on the bandwagon.  Roll Tide!

These are pictures just from the games I went to... I know.  I'm a good wife. :)  Two trips to Atlanta and two trips to Tuscaloosa.  Please note: Michael wears the same shirt to ALL the games. 

Alabama v Virgina Tech (September 5th) - Opening Game

at Tap the Friday night before

Me and Erin at the W hotel before the game

Me and Michael tailgating outside the Georgia Dome

When I said "let's get a picture," the boys immediately posed for this shot.  I actually meant one of me and Michael.  See above.

Bama Band.  Erin's favorite.

Alabama and Virginia Tech Bands playing the National Anthem.

Alabama v Arkansas (September 26th) - I went but didn't take any pictures.

Alabama v LSU (November 14th)

Final Score 24 - 15

Alabama v Florida (December 5th) - SEC Championship

Big Al!

Look at all the RED in the stands!

Final Score 32 - 13

Alabama receiving their SEC Championship trophy

Don't think we'll be going to the National Championship in January.  But, there's always next year! RTR!

Christmas Decorations

While I'm typically not a fan of putting up any Christmas decorations prior to December 1st, this year I caved.  Michael and I picked out our tree on Sunday afternoon from one of the local boy scout troops.  I made just a few trips to Target over the weekend in preparation.  Our outside lights went up late Sunday afternoon and we trimmed our tree on Monday.  There's nothing quite like all the Christmas lights to get you in the Holiday spirit.  Here are a few pictures.

Now it's time to bust out Elf, Love Actually, the Holiday, the Family Stone, Holiday Inn and all the other Christmas movies I love to watch.

Giving Thanks 2009

I am truly blessed.  Last week, I took the entire week off work, spent a wonderful Thanksgiving day with Michael and his family, watched Alabama beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl, enjoyed lunch with friends, dyed my hair brown (!), practiced yoga almost every day, shopped, and just truly loved my life.

I am able to do so many things in my life - and last week I appreciated all of it.  With all the hustle and bustle of every day life, it's so hard to remember how lucky I am.  And I am very, very lucky. 

Thank you to my wonderful husband for providing a home, stabilty, security and most of all love.

Thank you to Anne and Don Alan for reminding me what it's like to be preparing for a wedding (I don't miss it!) and just enjoying time together.

Thank you to Patty and Sid for demonstrating a loving relationship after 18 years.

Thank you to my parents and sisters for being supportive and not getting mad when Michael and I don't visit as much as we should.

Thank you to my friends who are always there for me.

Thank you to Winston who provides neverending love and affection everyday, but especially on the bad ones.

Thank you to God, for without a Him, I would not be so blessed. 

I hope everyone had as wonderful a week as I did.

Some funny pictures from Thanksgiving week:

And one of my gorgeous table: