Friday, July 17, 2009

Lacey came to visit...

Walker was out of town this past week on business, my research is nearing an end so my free time has increased dramatically, and I wanted some added entertainment for the week, so I requested a week-long visit from my canine niece, Lacey. Matt agreed, and alas, I had another dog for the week! I am not too fond of being alone at night, and I went from having a guard dog that looks like this...
to one that looks like this...
Bella is two months older than Lacey and they have essentially grown up together. Here they are at 4 and 2 months...
And this week...
Lacey has come along way from this...
to this...
She is 75 lbs of muscle, energy and affection. She thinks she is a lapdog and will do whatever she can to be close to you. Where Bella loves to lounge on her bed on the ground, Lacey prefers to curl up next to you on the couch with her head in your lap. Matt has done an excellent job training her, so she was a breeze to take care of. I thoroughly enjoyed our temporary family addition!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Destin & Dobb's Birthday

Over the fourth Walker and I headed down to Sandestin for a few days. All of the Fain siblings + spouses were present with the exception of the Norris's, who were missed greatly. We stayed in a condo at Baytowne Wharf, spent everyday down at the beach (and let's be honest, 90% of that time was spent in the water b/c it was so ridiculously hot), and ate delicious seafood. 4 days at the Gulf go by entirely too quick...

@ the Red Bar (where we got a free meal due to a sudden storm that arose as we ate on the patio: free Red Bar = zero complaints from the Fain's/Griesheimer's)
brothers
siblings + me and Eric
the whole crew...
brother & sister

Last night we hosted a cookout for Jennifer's 24th birthday. About 30 minutes prior to the party starting, we lost power (frequent power outages are one of the VERY few negatives of living in Homewood), which resulted in some creative cooking (i.e., cooking Rotel on the grill - it worked brilliantly) and cupcakes that melted to look like this (don't worry, they were still delicious - any other funfetti cake + rainbow chip icing fans out there?)... 
the birthday girl
my husband the grill-master
we love Brad!
Dobbs & Fran
(side note: power was restored about an hour and a half into the party - hence the electricity present in the indoor photos)