O.T.W. Rodeo Club and Lake Goodness

Over the weekend...

Ryan and I hit up The Rodeo Club and enjoyed some good ole lake time!

For those of you unfamiliar with the Rodeo Club allow me to explain this "classy" (read:sarcasm) establishment to you. The Rodeo Club has been around for years! It is a hole in the wall bar with live entertainment and billiards. It's a private club so they make their own rules (read: allow people to smoke inside and can serve alcohol later in to the night). One encounters all walks of life in this place.

Our local country music radio station was hosting a singing competition and we had two friends entered. So I tossed on my denim shorts and Ryan and I hit the club to cheer on our friends.

Clockwise from top left: DJ (competitor) and Justin; Ryan and me; The group of competitors that made it to round 2; Ali and me

Saturday morning we ventured back to DJ's for lake fun! We cruised on the pontoon boat and eventually settled in on a island, where the boys played horseshoes and the girls floated and chatted away.

From L-R: DJ and Eric; Kyle, Champ and Jack lounging on the island; group shot ; bro and me

Clockwise from: Bro posing; Ali, Ashley, Mallory, & Amanda; Dee smiling; Riding the boat; Ali and me.

Saturday night we all went to Niffer's on the Lake for dinner.

We got to spend a little bit of time with sweet, sweet Kaci. 

We even talked our pal, Wade, in to attempting the Niffasaurus (see description below-- 1 1/2 pounds of beef, a fried egg). 

Wade dominated the Niffasaurus and all he got was a bumper sticker! It was the funniest thing. We thought his meal would be free if he ate it all. Not the case.

Overall it was a good weekend. Really good weekend!

The 4th

On the actual 4th of July Ryan and I parted ways, as I spent the day with the girls on the lake!

We covered some major ground on the good ole pontoon! Just out there in the open, mmmmm, motor boatin'. (that's for you, Ryan)


Hayden was in town from New Orleans and Bess and Jenna scooted down from Birmingham for a day of fun. We decided not to be held back by having to work the next day. We celebrated our Independence regardless!

Clockwise from top left: Bess and Hayden getting ready to jump of Chicken Rock, the girls swimming back to the boat, Bess & Hayden, Chimney Rock in all it's glory

Our first stop was at Chimney Rock. Hayden, Bess and Jenna decided to jump off Chicken Rock, which is the lower jumping point but still scary. 

The rest of the day was spent cruising and catching up. God Bless America! 

Why Hello There, July!

I've been slacking on the blog posts. I know this to be true because Ryan told me yesterday.

With the Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday like it did this year planning became difficult (or at least inconvenient).

The weekend before the fourth I celebrated by attending a local arts and craft show, ArtiGras.

It was blazing hot, with temps in the 100's and humidity through the roof, but artists came out and set up booths regardless of the blazing hellish heat.. They had some awesome things. I splurged on tea towels and an american flag for the front porch! America BABY!

After the arts and craft show I enjoyed an afternoon at the pool with family. It was a great way to kick off the holiday.

The actual Fourth of July coming up later! 

O.T.W- MD 2011

Whew... what a weekend.

Around these parts Memorial Day is a big deal. It's the official kick off to summer. Friends load up and come from all around to congregate at the lake.

A detailed agenda was sent out weeks in advance, outlining what food to bring, where to be, and what to expect. We bring our A-Game for MD. This year we even had koozies made for everyone. (if you are interested in a koozie let me know I can send one your way for only $3, as we had few extras).

Saturday we were invited to spend the day at The Bain's. Mrs. Debbie and Mr. Jim are always kind enough to host a BBQ for everyone each year.

Check out the cool koozies.

It was crazy how many of us showed up in yellow bathing suits. Who knew that was the latest trend?

Upon returning from a long day on the boat we feasted like kings. I think we all literally inhaled our food... and then decided to have a rowdy game of Flip Cup.

BRING IT!!

Ryan celebrating a win for his team!! That's why I love him. He takes any and all competitive sports very seriously!

On Sunday we ventured down to Mr. Scotty and Mrs. Jane's for a fun filled day!! It just doesn't get any better!

Lacey and John Howell at the MD celebration!!



And Sunday Night hit up a concert at the Lake Martin Ampitheater.

In all honesty it was a GREAT weekend. Good friends together for good times... Toss in some good food, a few cocktails, and beautiful weather and I'm in my happy place!

God Bless the USA!!

O.T.W.- Down and Dirty

Over the past weekend... a few of us got down and dirty on Saturday during a heated game of beach volleyball. (random side note- I literally just sat here for five minutes trying to figure out why sand volleyball didn't sound right... it's because it's beach volleyball)

I'll let the pictures tell the story. It got aggressive and I won't say which team won because it wasn't mine, but it was [this] close.

That's me really getting after it. I love John's facial expression. He's in shock.

We got a little aggressive once we got into the swing of things. We all ended up in the sand at some point.

 It made for a glorious Saturday by the lake.

And, well, Sunday was a girls' day by the pool.

Nothing better than a good magazine, beautiful weather, and sweet Maggie jumping in and out of the pool as entertainment!



Sunday marked one year since Maggie came to live with Ryan and I. We can't imagine life without her now.



It's Thursday people, which means we have survived the brunt of the work week. Stay strong friends, as the weekend is easing on in again...

Beautiful Lake Martin

Bring it, MD 2011... bring it! So ready...