On Friday night, my best girlfriends and I all got together for an evening under the stars (and in the extreme heat) with friends like Easton Corbin, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, and Rascal Flatts! We bought these tickets at a presale in early Spring for only $15 - it was just too good of a deal to pass up! So we'd all really been looking forward to it for a long time! Country music concerts are truly one of the best things about Carolina summers. One of my absolutely favorite memories of all time is rockin' out to the AMAZING Kenny Chesney with my sister in the summer of '08 . . . and let me tell you, ladies, KC definitnely does have "the good stuff"! Ha Ha!
Everyone had been telling me for years that Rascal Flatts puts on an incredible show - so I couldn't pass up this very affordable opportunity to check it out for myself! I hate to admit it, but I think I set my expectations too high b/c I really didn't find them to be that wonderful. The singing was great - no pitch problems or terrible live performances (which, let's be honest, is usually what's expected) . . . the show just seemed a little low key to me. They didn't really work the crowd too much nor did the show flow very well. They would sing a set of approx. 2-3 songs, then stop the music and chat for a few minutes (one guy even told an Oprah story - really?!?). This kinda broke up the momentum a bit, which was a little disappointing. I went expecting to be oober-entertained, but left a little underwhelmed so to speak. However, in general, considering the time spent making a memory with my girlfriends, it was still worth braving the extreme 101 degree heat and overpriced food/beverages.
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| Me & Caty |
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| Me & Julianne (aka "Jules") |
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| Me & Jennifer (btw those fancy drinks are only smoothies!) |
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| Me, Jenn, and Candace |
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| my girlfriends! |
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| Jules, me & Caty (can you tell it was super hot outside?!) |
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| Caty, me, and Candace |
My Best Friend's Wedding (July 12, 2011)
When I was in high school, I met my "bosom buddy." In 10th grade, Corrine Helena Jager moved to the fair city of Raleigh, NC from Ontario, CA and we quickly became best friends :) We bonded over such things as Anne of Green Gables, Dawsons Creek, sewing/knitting, tea, and just plain ol' being silly! We were inseparable! We went to school dances together, high school football games, and lots of slumber parties :) Corrine and her family introduced me to so many wonderful things and I would not be who I am today without their influence.
Corrine was also the maid of honor in our wedding and for 8 years I've eagerly anticpated when it would be my turn to proudly stand beside her on her own special day. Well that day finally came! On July 9th, 2011, my sweet Corrine married her best friend, Adam Cottrell, on the most perfect New England summer day. I had the privelege of reading the wedding scriptures during the ceremony and it was such a delight to look up and see my best friend so happy!
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| at the Rehearsal Dinner |
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| Rehearsal Dinner |
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| Here Comes the Bride! |
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| Reading the wedding scriptures |
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| I now pronounce to you . . . Mr & Mrs. Adam Cottrell! |
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| at the reception |
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| Reception |
Fourth of July 2011
In keeping with tradition, last night we hosted our annual 4th of July shindig! I had great expectations for this year's party, but sadly, the weather made other plans. While we all still had a great time together, I was a little peeved that we were forced indoors :( Just as soon as I set out all the outdoor decorations, a big ol' storm blew threw and messed everything up! Literally, mason jars were broken all over my deck. But, c'est la vie. The fellowship was still fabulous and the food was pretty good too :) So despite it all, we still had a fantastic Fourth and I look forward to what we'll do next year!
(Next year I just may compete in the Harrisburg "Ms. 4th of July" pageant!)
(German chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries)
(Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and blueberries)
(Roasted corn)
(Sparkling lemonade)
(Cajun turkey burgers)
(the only good thing to come out of a rained-out cookout!)
Happy Independence Day 2011!!!
Recipe for a Super Fun Girls Night! (May 20, 2011)
Theme: Celebrating Friendships - Old & New!
(our cute beverage napkins!)
Ingredients:
1. Comfort food
2. Photo shoot with AMAZING friends!
3. Coke Floats and Popcorn
4. A good, girly movie!
5. And friendship bracelets (that's right, they're making a come-back!)
Directions:
Just sit back, relax, and have a good time!
