more goodies!

I have won several blog giveaways in the past, some much more exciting than others, but it's always fun!  I have always wanted to do some sort of giveaway on my own blog but never know if anyone would be interested.  Maybe one day..... in the mean time I want to tell y'all about a few things I've won lately and where maybe you can too!  

Kelly with Til Death Do us Part is a newlywed blogging about DIY home decor ideas and she also does tons of fun little giveaways and reviews!  I have already won 2 giveaways on her blog!  First I wont a giftcard to Dali Decals and then I won an awesome new kitchen knife from Shenzhen Knives! Ben was skeptical based off the fact that I got it for free and because the knife looked "different" than most of our other knives, but then he used it and LOVED it.  Subscribe to her blog to enter to win something yourself!

 I also follow my wedding photographer Samantha on her personal blog The More I Run.  She's pretty funny and posts about a number of various topics, mainly running (something I don't do too much of), but I still won this great and cute slip-not headband!  I look forward to seeing a post on her photography blog soon about my sister's wedding that she recently photographed!

I have also ordered a snapfish.com photo book of our honeymoon recently with a coupon code for 50% off + free shipping! I made the book a little while back but just had to wait for the right time to find the discount on ordering it!  

I also got a free 8x10 wrapped canvas from canvaspeople.com of one of our wedding pictures....  All I had to pay for was shipping!  

So I have found the blogging world to be a fun resource for finding great deals, and winning a few things too! I hope that you do, too! enjoy! 

Still on a blogging roll!

I promised more regular blogging and I'm still keeping my promise! so YAY!

The week after the wedding, there was a very special birthday in the family.... EMORY TURNED ONE on September 28th!  Apparently this past year has flown by, and I can't believe baby girl is already 1!  Nat had a great little daytime playdate at her house for the babies and then family dinner later that night (and her blog post about it is beautiful and made me cry).

Leigh came for the playdate and I think she had a fun time playing with all the babies.  SO fun to have both of my nieces together... aren't they both SO cute!?

This was the night that Rachel & Hollis got back from their honeymoon and we watched football with my parents that night before we all got together for breakfast the next morning before they moved! 

The next weekend, Ben & I went up to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama football game (vs. Vanderbilt).  Our friends Garrett and Holley came to the game with us and we had a lot of fun!  Walking around after the game... we saw the Nick Saban statue... and it made me laugh.  

I have to say, I was resisting this whole Pinterest craze lately because I just didn't get it.  I didn't get how it's an activity that people become obsessed with or how it can hold attention for hours... until I decided to sign up anyway just so that maybe I can be like all the cool kids... haha anyway, I LOVE IT!  I love the crafts and design inspiration and recipes I have found.  Apparently this picture is floating around to everyone through Pinterest (1st saw it posted by Natalie, then heard Rachel say she made it) 

and I thought it looked pretty yummy so I made my own version of it the other night.  I didn't have some of the ingredients so I just fudged it around, and apparently I cut up the avocado much smaller, but it was still delicious.  SO you should try it too :)   RECIPE HERE

And last, we went to Polo at the Point this past weekend.  This is the 3rd year that Ben's company has sponsored and we have been able to take part in such a fun day!  It was a beautiful hot day in October and we had a great time watching the Polo matches, having some champagne & mimosas (at least I did), and visiting with friends and customers.  I guess since I had been there 2 years before (Posts #1 here & #2 here), I neglected to remember to take any pictures this time!!! 

Gulf Coast Tennis Challenge

After a busy weekend with my sister's wedding, I had a big work event on Monday!  The Gulf Coast Tennis Challenge was a day full of Tennis with all proceeds going toward the non-profit company I work for.  Professional tennis players Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, and the Bryan Brothers doubles team were the stars of the day... putting on a tennis clinic with local children during the day and a big tennis exhibition match later that night! This was a big deal, because "stars" like this don't really come to our town too often! haha

Our Distinguished Young Woman sang God Bless America and kicked off the start of both events. 

[L to R: Bob Bryan, Mardy Fish, Mike Bryan, Andy Roddick, Katye Brock] 

 I'm pretty sure all the kids LOVED the tennis clinic where they got to hit balls with the pros! 

The day time matches they played were all fun & games and entertainment

I was standing ON the court so Andy Roddick was constantly right next to me... ahhh

it was HOT!

Mardy next to us too! 

They had a serve return challenge, and considering the fact that Andy has the record for the fastest serve in tennis (155 mph), this was no easy task! I'm amazed I actually got the ball in the picture.  

The players did a meet and greet later that evening before the exhibition; where they answered questions and talked a little bit.  

We even got to have our picture taken with the pros and met them up close! (I haven't gotten that picture yet from the professional photographer, but will!!!)

Michael Johns was a top 10 finalist on American Idol several years ago (remember he's Australian?).  Anyway, he plays in the band that performed at the after party (The Bryan Brothers' Band) and I got to meet him at the pre-party, too.  

This was the setup in the Civic Center Arena

There were several components to the show, but the main events were Roddick/Fish vs. Bryan Brothers and then Roddick vs. Fish at the end!

Yes, he just kept looking right at me :) 

Roddick was hilarious, imitating other famous players, cracking jokes left and right, messing with the ball boys/girls, and just overall very entertaining!  The match obviously didn't count for anything in tennis world, so it was fun for them to just relax and play.  

 There was an after party at a restaurant in town where the Bryan Brothers and Michael Johns band performed into the wee night hours!  We had SO much fun and luckily raised a whole lot of money!  Very cool experience.... I guess you could say I'm a big tennis fan now! 

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hollis Anderson

My baby sister's wedding day finally arrived!  The weather was beautiful and setting was perfect.  Enjoy the photo documentation of the day: 

Rachel's beautiful bouquet

Wearing the same veil that Natalie and I both wore..... our mother's veil that she wore when she married our Dad 32 years ago! 

 I cannot wait to see Samantha's pictures!  She photographed my wedding as well and I couldn't have been happier with my pictures.  I know that we will love Rachel's pictures as well.  I had to capture the woman in action! :) 

 I LOVED our bridesmaid dresses.  There were about 5 different styles of the same dress we could pick from and everyone looked gorgeous! 

 my pretty parents... now OFFICIALLY empty-nesters

The stunning ceremony location

gorgeous bridesmaid's bouquets

 sisters

 ringbearer Bennett

 Nat and her precious babies

The beautiful MARRIED couple

 First Dance

 This was the beautiful archway where the ceremony took place... and where the babies played all night long! 

 With my sweetie... married almost 4 years! 

 Ben & Rachie: dancing the night away

 garter time

 Love the Bradfords & so glad they were there with us! 

 Saying goodbye with sparklers! 

 getaway in the golf cart

The day was absolutely perfect in every way and I couldn't be happier for Rachel & Hollis.  They are such an outstanding couple and I know will have a very happy and blessed marriage.  The bitter sweet part about their wedding was that they were moving away.... far far away.... to Houston, TX.  As sad as I am to see them go, I can't wait to go visit them and know that they will enjoy the adventure as newlyweds!  

CONGRATULATIONS RACHEL & HOLLIS!  

9.24.11