Yard Work, Hard Work

Jonathan and I agree that there's something about manual labor that gives us both a great sense of accomplishment. Lately, we've spent a lot of time and energy transforming our patio into a fabulous outdoor living space. Last weekend we planted flowers, created a grilling area beside our patio and planted six -yes, six- trees. Whew... what a weekend.

Here are a few photos from our busy weekend...


Our cute little outdoor dining room.


Pretty flowers in my new flower pot.


It's nice to enjoy an outdoor dinner for two after a very long day of work!


Prepping the new grilling area. I forgot to take a "before" photo. It was basically a dirt flower bed with no flowers, only weeds!


Placing the pavers...



After we added the river rock...


After: a much prettier place for the grill.


Then we decided to plant six trees.

After hours and hours of digging, our beautiful trees are in the ground! My poor husband was exhausted. Who knew digging was such hard work?!


I just love it!

Airport Disaster Drill

Earlier this week I had an opportunity to participate in something super cool: a full-scale disaster drill at Nashville International Airport. The drill allows airport and emergency personnel to test response plans and procedures. Sounds fun, right? Yea, it was.

I was among 200 volunteers who signed up to play victim during a mock plane crash on the airport runway. Each volunteer actor was assigned a role for the drill. Most volunteers were crash victims with simulated injuries ranging from minor to very serious. I was among the walking wounded, with only a lacerated thumb and bloody knee. After being treated for my fake injuries, I was transported to the airport to receive counseling and be reunited with my mock family. It was cool, but I was a little jealous of the volunteers who were transported to local hospitals via helicopter. That would have been fun, even though I would have undoubtedly gotten air sick.

Here are a few photos from the crash scene. I took them on my cell phone, so the quality isn't great.


The scene: plane down, victims scattered all over the runway...

Clearly, I was terrified.

My co-worker JoEllen and I acting super injured on the runway.

A view of the front of the "crash" after we were transported to "walking wounded" territory.

Favorite photo of the day! Obviously we're great actors. Gotta love those sweet Red Cross blankies too.

Happy Easter!

I've been feeling a little homesick lately, so Jonathan and I decided to take a quick trip to Knoxville for Easter. It was so nice to be home and visit with my Mom's side of the family.

Here are a few photos from Easter day.


Mamaw and Papaw Wallace

Dwight and Mom

My brother Billy and his fiance Carrie

Jonathan and I

Emily and Baby Leah (I am in love with that little one!)

The girls in the garden

Emily, Leah and me

Mamaw, Aunt Cindy, Leah and Mom

Jonathan and I playing "parents" for a moment

This is how Leah gives kisses... Big frenchies!

It's Wedding Season!

This past weekend was the unofficial kick-off to wedding season, as I attended the first of many spring bridal showers.

This particular shower honored our good friends Richie and Sarah who are getting married May 23 in New Orleans. I hope the Mardi Gras themed bridal shower was just a taste of the fun times ahead (i.e. good music, good wine an lots of laughs). Jonathan and I are so excited we'll be making the trip to the bayou to witness their wedding. It's going to be an absolute blast!

A few photos from the shower...


Kelly (the hostess) and Sarah (the Bride)

Sarah and I

Sarah showing off her second line prop (handmade by Kelly)... Perfect for a New Orleans wedding!

Opening lots and lots of cards and gifts...

We're having a...

Food baby!

When two people love each other very very much, they decide to get married. During their engagement the couple spends most of their time preparing for their wedding day. This includes choosing decor, attending cake tasting sessions, shopping for attire and -OH YEA- working out like, every single day. The wedding is a one day event, but those wedding photos will live in frames on your walls forever. Looking good is important.

The wedding day arrives. The couple looks fantastic. Then marriage begins.

The newlyweds celebrate their marriage with an indulgent dinner and multiple glasses of wine. This celebration takes place every Friday and Saturday night for the first 3-6 months of marriage.

Then one day the blushing (turned bulging) bride looks at her husband and says, "Honey, we're having a food baby."

"Already?" He asks. "But we're not ready!"

So, I realize that my previous post sent mixed messages, certainly raised a few eyebrows and prompted at least one panicked phone call.

Ring. Ring.
"Hello..."
"What the hell is on your blog?" my friend Rachel screeched as soon when I answered the phone.
I couldn't hold back my laughter.

My purpose for the cryptic post was two-fold:
1. It was April Fools day and I just couldn't resist, and...
2. I am not eating for two, so I should probably stop eating for two.

After five months of marriage, Jonathan and I are going back to the gym. We're just not ready to carry around a couple of food babies.

Bun in the Oven

More information coming soon...