Shower #2 for Ali

This weekend I went to another baby shower for Mark and Ali.  This was a local Richmond one thrown by Mark's mom's friends.  I liked the theme and they definitely had such cute decorations.  So, since I actually brought my camera as I tried to document all of it for Ali, I will post all the pictures.

Invitation:

Decorations and Food:

The only pictures I got after the decorations:

I took some pictures for Marks mom on her camera and I also got to write down all the wonderful gifts that she received. The ladies at this shower were so sweet and the food was awesome! Wyatt already has a lot of people that love him very much.


Another one of Ali's friends from college and I are throwing a shower in a couple of weeks.  I will post pictures from that shower as well.  Wyatt is going to definitely be well dressed.  I've enjoyed seeing all the fun gifts that Ali has received.  I feel somewhat that I may have tested Ali's patience over the years.  Don't laugh!  I was just preparing her for motherhood.  With that being said, Ali is going to be the best mother and I will definitely do my part to be a very great honorary Aunt.  :-)

Matt's Family Reunion

Once again, I'm a week behind.  Last weekend, we traveled about an hour away to spend time with Matt's mom's, Debbie's, lovely family.  It was neat to see all of her side of the family again.  I saw some of the family members at her retirement party.  Being a fairly new member to the family, I met a lot of cousins and, now, I think I am ready for a quiz!  :-)

Debbie and Matt's aunt, Kay, planned the event.  The decorations, food, and fellowship were great.

The planners:

The BBQers:

Kitchen Duty:

Family history:

The Saunders fam:

Pics galore:

Tomatoes

This is a silly post, but here it goes.  I think this post is a little about my favorite food and a lot about reminiscing fondly about my childhood and my grandparents. 

I found some pictures on my camera from sometime this summer.  Apparently, I was real proud of our dinner!  :-)

I like anything tomato and, in fact, eat a lot of them.  I eat tomatoes like apples during the summer and always have.  I'm known throughout the family for my love of tomatoes.  Growing up, all of my grandparents had gardens and I think I definitely got my share from all the gardens.  Most parents complain about not getting their children to eat their vegetables.  Fortunately, my Mom and Dad never had that problem with my sister and I.  Now, getting us to eat our meat or protein was a whole other story! 

For several years, my Papaw had 2 gardens (one at his house and another one that he shared with other people).  It was pretty crazy because he ended up giving away a lot of the vegetables when we couldn't keep up, but I, along with Dad, Mom, and Meredith, definitely benefited.  Anyways, Papaw carried a salt shaker in his truck so when he and I traveled to the other garden (Of course, I was his number one helper and sidekick.), we would have our salt shaker ready to go and sit down and eat us some tomatoes.  I also reaped the benefits of my other sets of grandparent's gardens when I stayed with them during the summers.  Now that I don't get to visit during the summers, Grandpa Bill and Nanny have tomatoes cut-up for Christmas dinner just for me!  My sweet Grandma that I miss dearly gave me tomatoes that she canned as part of my birthday present every year.  It's not the same, but they are great for some macaroni and tomatoes (Another one of my favorites that Matt has now become accustomed to as well even though he doesn't share the same love as I do.).  One summer, I traveled to Paris with my Grandpa and Grandma.  I found the best macaroni and tomatoes.  It's ridiculous to even type it but I'm talking true Italian.  I will never live it down with my Grandpa but it's true.  Speaking of Grandpa, he says that a fried green tomato is a waste of a good tomato but I disagree.  Not the healthiest way to eat a tomato, but most definitely, not a waste.  While I was at his house this summer, we joked to steal one of his green tomatoes from the garden, but we are way too smart to actually do that!  :-)   I introduced Matt to fried green tomatoes shortly after we met and every summer, I get excited over having them. 

 
They are delicious!  I'm still able to get the good summer tomatoes but know it won't be long until I will have to say goodbye until next year.  Until then, most evenings, I will continue to cut up a tomato to eat with supper or have my tomato with lunch, or maybe both!

Crabfest

My wonderful husband and I had a great time last weekend with friends at the Crabfest.  I had a good friend from college, Adrienne, in town.  We had such a great visit and caught up just like old times.  Adrienne is such a fun smart girl and it's just been way too long since we last hung out.

Matt had his good friend that he grew up with, Andy, in town.  We don't get to see Andy and his wife Liz often enough but always enjoy hanging out with them.  We missed you, Liz, and look forward to seeing you in October, hopefully.

I learned that Andy is a faithful blog follower.  Hope you can forgive me for being a week behind in making you famous on the blog.  :-) 

Anyways, here are some pictures from our fabulous time with friends.

We enjoyed delicious crab, shrimp, hotdog (I actually can't stand hotdog, but I did eat one with a lot of ketchup, mustard, and relish.  Not sure I tasted the meat.), corn on the cob, and desserts.  I will say that the crab is so much work and not near as much fun as it used to be growing up when my dad would do all the work for me.  :-) 

After we ate, we spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the beer.

Since, this was a JMU alumni fundraising event, the Duke dog joined us.

Dave and Lyndsay live close the event and they graciously hosted us at their house before and after.  Here's a picture with Lyndsay and I (not sure what is going on with my hair):

And, of course, Dave and Lyndsay:

I can't tell you how happy I am about Baby Hamrick.  I am one excited honorary aunt.  Isn't Ali cute?  She is the best pregnant gal for putting up with all us silly silly people and driving us!

And look who else is excited... (Sorry Matt!  Couldn't resist posting this one. 

Not sure what Mark thinks of you kissing his wife's stomach.)

The proud parents by themselves...

The weather was wonderful all day.  Such a great time with friends!

Happy Retirement to my Wonderful Mother-in-Law and the next...

Walmart Greeter! 

As promised, I wanted to post pictures from the retirement party that we threw for Debbie, Matt's mom.  Debbie has been excited about this day for a while.  Matt, Courtney (Matt's sister), and I decided that we would plan her a surprise party to help her celebrate her retirement.  The day was a great day and I think Debbie thoroughly enjoyed herself as we all gave our congrats.   

The invitation:

The food, of course:  (No party is complete without good food!)

We set up the appetizers outside for people to munch on until the guest of honor arrived.

Here are some of the yummy food and a lot of empty platters:

(Sorry, after it was serving time, I was busy hostessing and not taking pictures.  But I assure you, it was delicious.  I'm posting recipes later.)

The Grill Master:

The cake:

The weather ended up being wonderful and such a good crowd came to show their love and support.  I truly think Debbie saw how much she means to all of us.

    

 

Debbie told us she still feels like she is on vacation.  We are excited for you, Debbie, and hope you continue enjoying your permanent vacation as you take time to travel and relax.