13 Years and Counting

I have 4 BFF's from "middle school" that I still talk to on a weekly basis.  These girls are what you call lifetime best friends! I say "middle school" with a hint of sarcasm since out of the 4, only 2 of them actually went to my public school. The other two were weirdos and went to private school/were home schooled. (I kid- though I often remind these 2 that if it weren't for B, Meg, and I they WOULD be frizzy- haired weirdos.)

Megan, Kori, me, Jessica, and Brittany

The girls all came to Fayetteville this year for our annual Christmas party. I was so excited to host since we all hadn't been together at my house since we moved in over a year ago.  With everyone so far apart, it was a real feat to get together... we usually set the date in the summertime of each year! We have gotten together EVERY year for 13 years for a Christmas party. THIRTEEN YEARS... we are only 25. I'm pretty sure that's some kind of record!

I was unsure what we would do all weekend... but luckily the new Crystal Rivers Museum had just opened up in Bentonville. It did not disappoint! It has some of the neatest architecture I have ever seen and contains some of the most rare American Art in existence. To top it all off... the cost is FREE.99!!! There sure aren't a lot of things that are free these days... but I am sure thankful to Alice Walton and WalMart for this gem.

 All of us at Crystal Rivers

A Norman Rockwell piece (one of the few artists I knew of! Ha!)

After a day of museum-ing and shopping we headed back to my house for dinner. I cooked a delicious Spaghetti Carbanera recipe that my friend Amy gave me.

Look ma! I even set the table like a grown up!

After dinner we opened presents and then made t-shirt scarves (Pinterest find!). I was so proud that we had a great girls weekend that really didn't cost any of us much money. We ate in, took advantage of free stuff in town, and did a low cost craft that turned out great.  Plus- since the 5 of us don't get together often there is plenty of conversation that takes place that provides a lot of free entertainment!

Kori working on her t-shirt scarf

The finished products!

We draw names and Meg had my name. She outdid herself- but my fav gift was this wreath that she made herself! She was so thoughtful to use the exact colors of my living room. I luuurve this wreath and feel so special that she made it just for me.

I feel so lucky to have each of these ladies in my life! We love each other a lot- we must to have stuck together this long. I'm looking forward to continuing this tradition of getting together for an annual Christmas party every year.  Next year there will be our first niece/nephew running around since Kori is pregnant!

Warehouse Sale!

thebabyhabit.com is one of my favorite places to purchase Melissa & Doug toys, Dr. Brown bottles, Moby wraps, Bugaboo, BOB, Medela, Jazzy toes and basically all things baby! (For baby gifts of course, NOT for me. c: )  December 1st- 3rd Acumen Brands, the owners of The Baby Habit and many other stores like countryoutfitter.com, scrubshopper.com, toughweld.com, and hecticgourmet.com is hosting a HUGE warehouse sale! They seriously have some great deals and merchandise is being sold at up to 50% off!

Visit this facebook page for more details! http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/274552595920775/

DIY Mesh Wreath

My sweet friend, Nicole hosted a "Deco Mesh Wreath-Making Party" this past Sunday at her house. Nicole is one of my favorite people. She has the purest heart and is a wonderful person all- around. She is also extremely talented and crafty. I was so excited when she decided to have several girls over to share her crafting secrets!

These mesh wreaths sell for more than $50 and the really big/ornamental ones are $100 or more! I tried to make one last year but it was just ok. I LOVE this one and cant wait to make a couple more for the windows in the front of the house. I will be able to make 3 of these wreaths for $50!

I'm not ready just yet to decorate for Christmas. Sarah already has her trees up and we have a neighbor that has their Christmas lights on the house! I think I will decorate the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Normally I like to wait until the day after Thanksgiving- but we're going to be gone SO much this holiday season and I'm going to want to take everything down before we go to Malaysia. I want to be able to enjoy it as long as possible... but until then I'm going to enjoy my mums and fall wreath for at least another week!

Mr. & Mrs. Lashlee

Two of our favorite people got married this past weekend, Jeremy and Leeanne!  Jeremy and Adam happen to be distant cousins and Jeremy's sister Jessica and I have been BFF since the 6th grade. Jeremy just got to be friends with me by default. :)

 The beautiful bride and I

Jessica and I.

 Me & my handsome date, Mr. Fite

mom, Meme, and dad also came to the party.

My beautiful friends!

me, Jessica, Stephanie and Brittany

Congratulations Jeremy & Leeanne! We were glad to be a part of your special day!

National Championship Bound?!

This past Saturday, the Hogs beat Tennessee giving us only one loss for the season (Alabama.) This coming Saturday the Hogs face Mississippi State in Little Rock, then the day after Thanksgiving take on #1 LSU in Baton Rouge. It is possible that the Hogs could compete in the National Championship should we beat LSU!! Win or lose, it's been an amazing season and we have had SO much fun attending (almost) every home game. (Since we love J&L so much, we skipped out on the last home game of the season to attend their wedding. c: )

I finally got some pics of the whole gang during the S. Carolina game. We had another great weekend in Fayetteville with both sets of parents in town for the game... even Uncle Ted came to call the Hogs for the very first time!

 The Richardson Clan

 Our Regular Tailgate Crew (ok we didnt really tailgate... but next year we're going all out!)

Baby brother and me

Jessica, Elizabeth, and Becca were in town for the game and we met up

 Liz sat with us up in the "cloud section." It was SO windy!!

Baba and I. Go Hogs!

Dad and Uncle Ted. I'm pretty sure I caught them doing the Hog call!

I can't tell you the scores of all the games, but I can tell you that I've had SO much fun and I'm so glad that Adam talked me into season tickets! We've loved having our families in town for every game and making memories together. I'm looking forward to the last couple of games and hopefully a National Championship Title!

WoOoOo Pig Sooie!

UCA Homecoming

This past weekend, Jessica, Brittany and I traveled from NWA to Conway for UCA's homecoming. I had only been back once since I graduated in 2008, and not many of my friends went. This year, several girls from my pledge class went and we had a great time!

 Me and my grand and great grand little sis

 My favorite Spring 06'ers. (Minus a few!)

Jessica, Becca, Liz, Courtney, me, Britney, Tyler, and Juliana

 Lizzybeth and I at Gusanos

 Some Delta Zeta's with our favorite DZ Gentleman- Derick!

My college besties outside the Delta Zeta room after the annual Alumni Tea

 We all stayed at Liz's parents house while they were out of town. After a fun day of tailgating, we gussied up and went for Sushi before the UCA Alumni party that night.

Brit and her Sushi!

We had such a great weekend! I'm so thankful for these girls. Im also thankful that I went to UCA and pledged Delta Zeta. Weekends like this one just remind me what a great decision that was. I have so many college memories with my sorority sisters and we are still making memories together years later!

Happy Birthday. Becca!

This weekend, several of my college friends came to NWA for the weekend. The occasion was Becca's birthday and we enjoyed an excuse to get together! We ate out a lot, shopped a little, and just enjoyed being around each other. I am so thankful for good friends!

 Ms. Parsley and I before going out Friday night.

 Elizabeth, Becca, me, Lauren, and Sara

Becca and her cake with only 24 candles- I refused to buy 2 packs for 1 more candle. :)

On Sunday, I had the girls to my house and we celebrated Bec's birthday. I made chicken salad, salad, and black bean salsa. I decided to bust out the China. I have only used it twice since Adam and I have been married- once on our anniversary and once with his parents for Easter. I decided that today was as good a day as any so we pretended to be fancy. :) Eliz picked up a strawberry birthday cake from Stoby's in Conway and brought it. It. Was. Delicious.

It was a great weekend! I'm looking forward to UCA's homecoming the last weekend of this month when we're all together again.