Lake Weekend

Last weekend Erin, John, and I went to Spartanburg to see my family and stay at the lake. My parent's lake house is one of my most favorite places to be. There are so many things I love about it that it is hard to decide what I love the most. For starters, I love the beautiful, detailed yard that my Dad always makes sure is filled with lots of bright colors each year. I even love that it's smaller size always forces you to be around each other, and that it's front porch is just perfect for drinking coffee and family morning talks. I also really love how when we are there in the evenings we always take an after dinner pontoon boat ride while drinking coffee and listening to Alan Jackson hymns. In conclusion, I guess you could say that I just basically love being at the lake. Here are some pics from the weekend:

Brittany Came to Visit!

Typical Joy Pose

John turns 26

Personally I don't think you are ever too told for a birthday party. Even though John's opinion on that is a little different than mine, he did agree to do a birthday cook out with his family. So on Sunday night, April 25th the Mader's had everybody come over to their house and party. The weather was perfect for all of us to hang out on the patio and for the kids to play outside.

John's Cake

(just excuse my jank writing)

John with 7 of the 9

Classic Picture of John and his Parent(s)

Celebrations

On Friday, April 23 Jessi and Spidey got engaged!!!! I got the phone call when I was in Walgreens picking up some drinks with John to take over to Jessica and Bordas' apartment. In typical fashion I didn't answer my phone the first time she called because I was just going to call her back when I got in the car. However when I got a call from Lauren's phone immediately after I knew something was up since I knew they both were in Nashville together. I answered by saying "He proposed didn't he!!!!," and all I heard was loud screaming after that. It was obviously Jessi. Well that night Jessica and I decided we just HAD to get up there some how so the next morning I picked her up and we went to Nashville. I don't know if Jessi was glowing more or Spidey because they both were the happiest I've ever seen them.

The future Mrs. Walker and her GORGEOUS bling

There just happened to be two other reasons for celebration that weekend as well. That Saturday was Amy's 23rd Birthday as well as the Nashville half marathon that Lauren and Kirsten bravely ran in the horrible weather. I always love getting back together with my college friends, but I especially enjoy it when we have something to celebrate, and we most definitely did that weekend.

The Birthday Girl

The Girls at Mafioso's

(minus Hayden, whom we missed)

Me and the Runners

Weekend To Chattanooga

Last weekend John and I went to Chattanooga for Cash's 4th Birthday and Baby M'leigh's Christening. Cash's party was a lot of fun. Emily and Kurt rented at blow up jumper thing that was a huge hit with all the kids. I wish I had gotten some pictures of it!

As you can see from the pics, Dissy looked ADORABLE on Sunday. She's also quite a talented little girl to be able to pick her nose and suck her thumb at the same time : ). The christening was really, really sweet. She ended up not wanting to go to the preacher at all which was both funny and predictable, however once she was back in her mama's arms she was just fine. The picture below is of her and John bonding. This was about as much love as she was willing to give him all weekend so I most definitely had to document it. She is THE most precious thing and I'm so glad we got to spend some time with her and the rest of John's family (minus the Mader's).

Our First House!!!!!!

This will be our new home when we move to Winston-Salem! We could not be happier or more excited!!!!!!! We close May 21st, but because my last day of work is May 28th, we won't move officially in it until June. Here is the tour in pictures....

Front View of House

The Front Porch

The Kitchen

(My favorite part is the table to the right because the owner before turned the extra granite from the counter tops into a table for the built in benches in the kitchen.)

The Den

(This is the room you walk into when you walk in the front door)

The Bathroom

It has 3 bedrooms and one bath. We are turning the front bedroom into an office, but our guest room will always be open to out of town guests, who I really hope will come and visit!!!!!

Camping

Easter weekend the entire Lucas family went camping at Oak Mountain State Park. Some enjoyed it more than others, but everyone had a great time. We roasted marshmellows, made smores, and sat and laughed around the campfire. Even though everyone will probably stick to the annual Seaside beach trip as their main family vacation, it was still a lot of fun!!!! Here are some of our memories:

Brian, Brian, and Kurt Hanging Around the Campfire

John holding Tamez

All the Grandchildren with Doc and Boose

Baby M'Leigh and Boose

Amy, M'Leigh, Emily, Me, Reese and Boose

Spring Break Guests

Last week my Mom and Allie came to Birmingham and stayed at the Lucas house from Sunday through Friday. We had so much fun!!! Mom and I got to walk together almost every morning while Allie rode her bike with us. Within a week they became regulars at Yogurt Mountain, lovers of Leah's clothing store, and haters of 280 traffic. Allie, or "Allie Rainbow" as some of the Lucas kids like to call her, probably had the most fun of all though. She loved getting to spend the night with Reese, ride her bike with Emmie, play with Merell, and of course camp with them all. However, while Allie was having fun with the kids, Mom basically turned into a college girl. Above is the proof where you can see the pictures of us out at Rojo last Thursday. She is so wild that after Rojo she wanted to party hop over to O'henery's, and she still wasn't done after that. To prove her college girl ways even more, she went back and spent the night with Erin at her dorm room!!!! I mean I couldn't keep up the girl : ). Even though we really missed Elizabeth and our Dad, having Mom and Allie here in Birmingham for that long was too short and such a treat.