Ten on Tuesday

[one]

We had our first annual Sixth Grade Tacky Christmas Sweater Party the week before Christmas Break.  I couldn't find a tacky sweater at Godwill, so I just decided to make one.  I bought the sweater at Old Navy and the decorations at Michael's and then just hot glued them on.  Mrs. Julie always says "if you can't glue it, don't do it." ;) We had a great time, and I'm looking forward to next year's party already.

[two]

I took Molly out to the farm one unseasonably warm day before Christmas while Gaines was working, and she just had the best time running around.  We walked around the pond and then up to the cotton field while the sun was setting, and it was just beautiful.  I am such a sucker for sunsets. 

[three]

And speaking of Molly, there is something about the way she looks up with the whites of her eyes showing that just kills me.  

[four]

After Christmas we headed over to Jason and Caroline's with all of our friends to catch up about our holiday.  I am so thankful for their friendships and for the time we get to spend together! 

[five]

I used to hate having color on my fingernails.  I would always just get clear when I got a manicure, but after college I started branching out to lighter colors and have recently worked my way up to darker ones.  Here are the three colors I've been loving lately:

Malaga Wine by OPI / After School Boy Blazer by Essie / Eiffel for This Color by OPI

[six]

Have you seen this video yet?  It is a heart-melter for sure.

[seven] 

We recently saw "Catching Fire" in the movie theater, which is the second installment of the Hunger Games movies, and if you haven't read the books or seen the first two movies I would definitely recommend them.  We also rented "Jobs" the other week, which is the story of Steve Jobs, and I would definitely recommend that one, as well. 

[eight]

Gaines flew to D.C. last weekend for a bachelor party in Atlantic City and stayed at Matt and Demetria's on Friday and Sunday nights.  Dems and Jen FaceTime'd me (is it embarrassing that that was the first time I'd ever done that?!) and we "hung out" for over two hours.  I literally felt like we had hung out the entire night even though we were hundreds of miles away.  Gosh, I love my friends. ;) 

[nine]

This past weekend we drove about fifteen miles past Augusta to Aiken, South Carolina to explore for the day.  We had lunch at Aiken Brewing Company, walked around town, and did a little window shopping.  It's a cute place, and I would recommend visiting if you're ever close to the area.

[ten]

I got some awesome jewelry from the awesome ladies in my life for Christmas, and I just love them so much I had to share.  My mom (and dad) got me a gold initial necklace, which I'm pretty sure I will rarely ever take off.  There's still just something about seeing my "new initials" that makes me so happy.  My sister (and brother) got me a Kate Spade watch, which I've been eyeing forever, and I just absolutely love it.  It goes with everything and feels so classic.  And my mother-in-law (and father-in-law) got me (and Amy!) a Micheal Kors gold link bracelet, which I'm just obsessed with.  I love that it's so chunky and goes with anything! 

And Demetria gave me the J. Crew pave link bracelet last year as a bridesmaid gift, which I just love and wear all the time.  So, I was so excited when I found a matching necklace at Handpicked the other week. Even though you can't really tell from the picture, they match perfectly!  

Happy Tuesday! 

9th NYE

As I was posting the pictures of New Years Eve, I realized that it was our NINTH News Years together, so  I thought it would be fun to share some pictures from NYE-past.  What a lucky, lucky girl I am. :) 

[2006] 

[2007]

[2008]

[2009]

[2010]

[2011]

[2012]

[2013]

[2014]

Wishing you lots of blessings and happiness in the new year!! 

New Years Eve

On New Years Eve we went to dinner at Road Runner with the Blackburns, Livelys, and Parnells, and then headed over to the Scotts for a bonfire and celebrations.  We had a great time, and it was fun to ring in the new year with such great friends. 

Here's to 2014! 

Christmas

To say we had a blessed Christmas this year would be an understatement.  It was full of family and love and just couldn't have been any sweeter.  We drove to Virginia Friday after work and spent all Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with my family, including my grandparents.  Gaines and I alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we just pretended that Sunday was Christmas Eve (complete with a prime rib dinner and the reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas) and that Monday was Christmas (complete with stockings, Christmas breakfast, and lots of presents).  Honestly, it didn't fill that strange to celebrate early, and I was so thankful for the time with my family.

We got up really, really early on Tuesday (the real Christmas Eve) and drove back down to Georgia to spend it with Gaines' family.  There traditions are really similar to ours, and I loved spending time with a lot of his extended family, as well.  I hate that I didn't get more pictures, but I was way too busy having so much fun.  :)

Oh, and a few years ago we started the tradition of getting each other an ornament to represent each year, and I was pretty impressed by our selections this year. :) 

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas, too!!