thankful...

Andy and I were so blessed to share such an enjoyable and busy Thanksgiving holiday with our families in West Virginia! With delicious food for lunch at my Nana and Papaw's home and an early dinner at Grandma Frey's, our bellies were full as were our hearts with love from those that we miss and love so very much! We have so much to be thankful for not only in West Virginia, but for our loving and wonderful extended family of good friends in Louisville! While our life together has changed so much in just the short year and half we have lived in Kentucky, our hearts smile as we think about the close friendships that only God knew of while we lived in Morgantown. My, how He has blessed us over and over. After a wonderful holiday of family, food, Black Friday shopping, tree decorating, and football, Andy, Ms. Carmen, and I are now safely back in Louisville. As our Christmas decorations scatter each inch of our home, we can't help but look forward to the upcoming Christmas holiday with our family and friends!

stopping at 29...

Birthdays are simply my favorite and what a wonderful day I had yesterday as I celebrated mine! Beginning with breakfast in bed, and ending with a delicious dinner at Jack Fry's and dessert at my favorite sweet spot - The Pie Kitchen - Andy truly made my last "20" birthday a great one! Nonetheless, I think I'll stop there and we'll celebrate 29 again next year!

a blue and gold weekend...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

What a fun, fun weekend we had! Kent, Danielle, and their puppy Oden drove from Morgantown to visit Andy, Carmen, and I! We were so excited to share such a nice weekend of our favorite Louisville pizza, yet another WVU football victory against the Louisville Cardinals, delicious sushi, an evening visit with our close Louisville friends, and a special Sunday church service! While we were sad to see them leave, we know we will see our entire family on Wednesday for the Thanksgiving holiday! Thanks Kent, Danielle, and Oden for such a wonderful and special weekend and for accepting Ms. Carmen, an extra car passenger, on the drive back to West Virginia! We can't wait to see you both again later in the week!

dinner and strikes...

On Saturday night, Andy and I enjoyed a dinner party held for the head of his Radiation Oncology department at Vincenzo's, an Italian restaurant in downtown Louisville. Following a nice dinner, we planned to stop in and wish our great friend Whitney a Happy Birthday at King Pin Bowling Lanes before heading home. Little did we know that we would actually decide to bowl in our dinner party clothes! What a wonderful night we had!

a thankful weekend...

Last weekend, while Andy golfed in Myrtle Beach with his father, brother, and nephew, my mother visited Carmen and I for an extra-long weekend that sent her back to West Virginia on Tuesday morning! What a wonderful few days we had shopping, eating out, and spending some much needed relaxing time together! Andy and I truly love Louisville, but after weekends together with family, we once again recognize how hard it is to be so far away from those you love! How thankful we are to feel that way about our wonderful families! Thanks mom for such a nice weekend! Carmen and I loved it!

special delivery...

Thanks to Oden, Kent and Danielle's puppy, Ms. Carmen received a special package in our mailbox today - a "SPOOK-taular" ghost bone. She is loving it! Thanks Kent, Danielle, and Oden for your thoughtfulness!

it's official...

How exciting that my brother proposed to his long-time love, Danielle, this weekend! On Sunday afternoon, my mother hosted a small engagement lunch for family to congratulate the happy couple and to celebrate in their joy. We are so blessed and thrilled to be welcoming Danielle - officially - into our family! Let the planning begin!

Smiling after the proposal in Morgantown, West Virginia

Engagement gathering at my mother's house
~
This picture looks very similar to one my mother
coerced Andy and I into taking 5 years ago.
Do we sense a double picture frame?

love & congratulations...

Special, special CONGRATULATIONS are sent from Louisville to my brother Kent and his beautiful fiance, Danielle! Andy and I are so excited for you both and can't wait to celebrate with you during your November visit to Kentucky! We love you both!