Quadruple Birthday Party

Last weekend (June 13), my family celebrated four June birthdays with a quadruple birthday party at my Mom's house. We sang Happy Birthday four times in celebration of my papaw, great aunt, cousin Emily and her boyfriend Derek.

Here are a few photos from the festivities...


Kelsea, Katie, Emily and Leah

Lots of colorful floats and noodles...

Baby Leah can hold her own bottle now!

The girls playing Yatzee

Hanging out by the pool

Happy Birthday!

Four Birthdays: four cakes

White chocolate for Frances

Cookie cake for Derek

Carrot cake for Papaw

Double chocolate cake for Emily

Happy Birthday!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Davis

Last week (June 12) my good friends Amber and Shawn got MARRIED!

Amber and I met in college when we had several journalism and broadcasting classes together, but we truly became friends when I got a job at WATE-TV in Knoxville. Amber was already working there as an Associate Producer. So, she taught me the ins and outs of the station and how to produce a newscast.

After only three months at WATE, I was offered a reporter position at WJHL-TV in Johnson City. I tearfully said goodbye to my friend Amber and promised to help her get a job at my new station after she graduated from college.

I kept that promise, and Amber joined WJHL about 8 months after me. Our desks were side-by-side in the newsroom. Our houses were approximately 100 yards apart. We went to the gym together. We ate dinner together. We were practically inseparable. We kept each other sane in the midst of the ridiculous demands of our jobs. Oh, those were the days…

Amber met Shawn at work - he was a photographer at the station. Their days off happened to align (which is extremely rare in TV news), so the they started spending time together. Next thing I knew, they were in love. I am so glad they found each other... and glad that I was one of the few to see their relationship form. It's a beautiful process to witness.

I was thrilled to stand beside both of them last weekend as they said "I do." They are such a great couple... and terrific friends!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the wedding festivities... To see them all, click here.


Amber and I at the Bridesmaid luncheon at the historic Mabry-Hazen House

All of the bridesmaids at Lily's Bead box making our wedding day jewelry.

Amber with her fabulous parents at the rehearsal dinner at Calhoun's on the River

Amber and I at the rehearsal dinner

So in love...

And... they're married!

One of my favorite moments... Shawn is officially a Tennessee boy.

Jonathan and I at the reception

Amber and some of the bridesmaids being silly

Congratulations Amber and Shawn!!!

Weekend With The Girls!

June 5-7 (yes, I am a little behind on the blogging) I traveled to Asheville, North Carolina to spend the weekend with six girlfriends –Amy, Avery, Brittany, Laura, Rachel and Sheryl. We were not only reuniting for an incredible “girls only” weekend, but also celebrating Sheryl’s final days as a single lady.

On Friday, we began the celebration immediately with lots of wine and talking. Somehow we stayed up until 4:00 a.m. chatting – which is a huge accomplishment for seven career women. We’re all used to going to bed at 10:00 p.m.

We woke up early Saturday and headed to Biltmore Estate. We began the day with a picnic in the grass, and then went to tour the house. I visited Biltmore many years ago with my family, but I was so young, I didn’t truly appreciate the beauty of the house. It really is amazing. It’s hard to believe it was once a private residence.


A view of the house

Rachel and I at Biltmore

Sheryl, Brittany, me, Rachel

After the house tour, we went to the winery where we indulged in wine tasting and a red wine and chocolate class. So fun! We ended the afternoon in the gardens with a bottle of champagne, making toasts to the bride.

The whole group at the winery: Amy, Sheryl, Rachel, me, Brittany, Avery, Laura

A really pretty tree we found in the gardens

I stopped to smell the roses...

The flowers were so colorful

A bloom on a very cool tree

Me, Britt, Rachel and Sheryl in the greenhouse

After a long day outdoors, we went back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. We ate in downtown Asheville at Bistro 1896. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect. We sat outside, practically on the sidewalk, and watched street performers during the entire meal. Some were better than others. We were particularly impressed with a balloon artist.


Amy, me and Brittany at dinner

Sheryl and Avery

Laura asked the balloon artist to make flowers for the bride

Brittany and Rachel

After dinner we went back to the hotel for Sheryl’s shower and bachelorette festivities. She looked adorable in her “Countrified Bride” hat. It suits her perfectly.

We ended the night in downtown Asheville at a bar called Jack of the Wood. We were so impressed with the band that we didn’t go anywhere else. The singer was incredible. Her name is Peggy Ratusz - Hot Buttered Blues Mama. Definitely talented.


The Countrified Bride!

All dressed up!

Sunday morning we had brunch outside of town at Moose Café. We said our goodbyes and headed to our homes in Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Washington D.C. and Wilmington.

What a great weekend with the girls!