Need a Lift?

A few weeks ago we, again, drove down to Lake Eufala in southeast Alabama to stay at Brad and Lindsey's lake house. The house was owned by Brad's father before his death. We have had a few opportunities to stay with them this summer and do not pass up the opportunity, if at all possible. We had no idea, on the 3 hour drive to Eufala, that this weekend would be so memorable.

We arrived late Friday night and spent a few hours catching up with our hosts. We then hit the bed in anticipation of a busy day of water skiing, knee boarding, wake boarding, and riding around on Saturday. Saturday morning was beautiful and after waking up and putting the boat in the water, we were off.

Cayce, our resident athlete, hops up on her skis on the first attempt and even has been making great progress on slalom skiing.

After a few attempts by me to ski, we decided to head in for lunch and recharge. After lunch and a short nap by Preston, we were back on the water. Lindsey decided to go first and was tearing it up on one ski. Then she switched to the knee board and attempted a few unsuccessful 360s. She started to get tired and I decided I was going to give it a try. I got in the water and was ready to go, but when Brad tried to crank the boat, it was dead. We were adrift. After many attempts we were trying to put our heads together about what to do and trying to stay away from the rocks on the shore. We eventually drifted into a small cove and called the sea tow boat.

One small problem entered our minds as we sat and waited on our rescuer. Dark clouds were moving toward us...fast. I checked the radar on my phone and realized that we were sitting in the path of a pretty fierce looking storm. So, being the P90Xer that I am, I jumped out of the boat with the ski rope and swam toward a dock, pulling the boat as I went. When I reached the dock, I was able to jump up on it and pull the boat the rest of the way over and get it tied down. Amazingly, on the dock, we found a battery charger. Brad hooked it up to the boat, but after letting it charge, the boat didn't turn over. At this same time, the sky opened up. It started raining so hard. The lake house that owned the dock we were on was vacant, at the time, and Cayce, Lindsey and Preston were able to wait on the screened in porch.

As they were dry and warm, the sea tow pulled up and hooked up to Brad's boat. They towed us back to the boat ramp. It continued to pour down on us the whole time and Brad and I had a good laugh. We caught a ride back to the lake house and picked up the truck and trailer. After retrieving Cayce, Lindsey and Preston from the camp we returned to the boat and were able to get it on the trailer.

We were so thankful that we were not out in the middle of the lake when we went adrift. It would have been a whole different experience with an infant who probably would have been crying. We are also so thankful that no one was at the vacant lake house because I don't know how someone would have reacted, given the events that were going on.


On Sunday, everything was back to normal. Before we left the lake the sun came out and we were able to dry out the boat. As always, when we spend time with Brad and Lindsey we come away with a story to tell.

My friend, Mary

In late July, my friend from Austin came for a visit. Mary and I became friends at church in Austin, and we have kept in touch over the past year. I took Friday off from work. We spent the day eating sushi, watching a movie, and eating dinner on the back porch. On Saturday, we went to the local farmers market, Pepper Place, then went for pedicures. Jason cooked us a fantastic dinner that night. We had seared Ahi Tuna, grilled asparagus, and spaghetti squash. We played a game of Trivial Pursuit, and Mary kicked our butts in a game that lasted about 30 minutes. On Sunday, Mary's grandparents met her in Birmingham to pick her up on the way to the beach. Thank you, Mary, for a fun girls weekend!

On another weekend this summer, we took a trip to Hot-lanta with Brad, Lindsey, Matthew and Brittney. On Saturday we went to a Braves game where we saw Chipper and the boys take on Johan Santana and the NY Mets.



After tailgating for a couple of hours, we headed into the game. It was an awesome afternoon. The weather was perfect and so was the company.

Lindsey was on the JumboTron, Matthew and Brad threw the speedball faster than me and Brad and I were finally beaten at Ladderball.

On Sunday, we ate at a famous burger joint in Atlanta called the Vortex. They were featured on Man vs. Food and Cayce is the one who wanted to go. Matthew was the most adventurous of anyone by ordering the Elvis burger. It was a 1/2lb burger with peanut butter, fried bananas and bacon.

On Monday, Cayce and I took the day off from work and joined Matthew and Brittney at a Six Flags water park. There we some great rides and the weather was, again, perfect.

Ihfe Invasion

Karl, Kaley, Gabe and Hallie Ihfe came for a visit the week after July 4th. We met them in Austin and we became great friends. Karl and I spend several hours a week encouraging and challenging each other over the phone.

As always, we had a great time with them. Karl and Kaley are the type of people who you can spend 4 hours together and it feels like 4 minutes. When living in Austin, Cayce and I would regularly end our visits with the Ihfes at midnight or later. It was much more of the same during the visit here.

Cayce and I were amazed at how old Gabe and Hallie are getting. Gabe has started school this fall and Hallie is a very precocious 3 year old. During the trip we were audience to Halie's unique personality and showmanship. At dinner one night, Hallie did her best impression of a waitress by standing at the head of our table and taking all of our orders. Gabe has grown into quite a young man. He is smart, a strong swimmer and is very talented video game player.

During the weekend, we spent some time at the pool, ate pizza at the famous Davenport's Pizza in Mountain Brook, took walks, Karl and I ran, skipped rocks in the river, took a roller coaster ride in the rain, and laughed a lot.

It was such a treat to share our home with the Ihfe's. They are such a sweet family. We miss them tremendously and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Celebrating July 4th at the beach!

Well, it's been too long since we've posted, but we wanted to share our summer with you. Back in July, we were asked to go to the beach with Brad, Lindsey, and Preston. Brad and Lindsey go with some of their friends each year, and this year they asked if we wanted to come along. It was a gorgeous weekend. Jason had never been to the Gulf. I think he was pleasantly impressed. The water was beautiful, the sand was beautiful, the sun was pretty but hot, and the experience was a blast.

We arrived in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach on July 3rd and made it out to the beach for a couple of hours in the afternoon. We found some shade underneath a pier, and Preston was pumped! As we looked around, we realized we might be the only ones who didn't come prepared for our July 4th day in the sun. So, Jason and I left for Walmart. We picked up a pop up tent and headed back out to the beach.

It was EXTREMELY hot on July 4th. Preston had enough of the heat and feel asleep in this chair under our tent for about 3 hours in the afternoon. We took turns watching over him. Jason and Brad setup Ladderball and played for hours with other beachgoers. Lindsey and I caught up, read, and enjoyed being together.

Later that night, we watched the fireworks from our condo balcony. We also got our own private concert with an up and coming artist, Brad Garth Brooks.

Thanks so much, Brad and Lindsey! We loved the trip!

Folla me to Lake Eufaula

The weekend of June 27, Brad and Lindsey invited us to Brad's family's lakehouse on Lake Eufaula in southeastern Alabama. It was a gorgeous weekend, and we had so much fun together. Brad was so patient when trying to pull us up out of the water on the wakeboard, skis, and a failed attempt at slalom skiing. At the end of the day, Brad took us out on his tube which "seated" three people, literally. When we took spills on this thing, they were nasty. Cayce got whiplash, and Jason thought he tore his retina.

All of our lake pictures didn't quite make it off the camera...frustrating!

Preston was pooped after a long day on the boat. He looks so cute in his little lifejacket (it hardly allows him to move), but of course we don't have any pictures on the computer.

The Yankees are coming!

In June, my parents came to visit from New York. It was their first trip to Birmingham and coincided with Birmingham's largest music festival, City Stages (which has now gone bankrupt and will never again take place).

After arriving at lunch time on Friday, we headed downtown to see 38 Special, Styx and REO Speedwagon. Although it was in the low 90s with high humidity it was a really enjoyable night.

On Saturday, my Dad and I played golf while the heat index was between 105-110 degrees and there was very little breeze. Cayce and my mom shopped and ate at O'Carr's restaurant. My parents then treated us to PF Chang's for our (belated) anniversary dinner.

Sunday we had Cayce's family over to our house after church for the first gathering of both sides of the family since our wedding. It was a fun and special day. Sunday night we went back downtown for some good music and fantastic people watching. The Doobie Brothers opened up for Lynyrd Skynyrd (Wooo Free Bird!) Both bands rocked and we had a great time.

We capped off the long weekend on Monday night with dinner at home with Brad, Lindsey and Preston. It was a memorable visit and I think that they may actually come back to the Dirty South again.

Congrats Garth and Kalli!!

Weddings are always a great time, and when one of your best friends from growing up gets married it is a very special day.

Kalli and Cayce met when they were in cradle roll at church in Birmingham. From day one, Kalli has been creating laughs and stories in Cayce's life. If you ever get a chance to meet Kalli you will never again think of her without a smile appearing on your face. I have known Kalli for only six years or so, but wow what an impact she has. I may have only spent a dozen hours in her presence, but when she and Cayce are together, it is magic. They click like friends who spend everyday together, even when they have been apart for months.

Garth is the lucky man who has captured this woman's heart. He has a shy confidence about him that works very well with Kalli's dominant personality. Garth is an adventurous traveler who will have his hands full.

Today, as I write this Kalli and Garth have been in Africa for three weeks. Garth's job has taken them across the Atlantic for the next two years and we will miss them. Cayce and I plan on trying to get over and see them during the next two years but will have Kalli and Garth in our prayers either way.

Trip To Austin...Yea Karey and Kent

During the middle of June, Cayce and I made our first trek back to Austin. We saw old friends, ate great food, experienced a little bit of Austin and saw our friends Karey and Kent get married. Karey and Cayce became friends as Community Bible Study small group leaders. She was so impressed with Cayce's choice of a red-headed husband that Karey decided to find her own...this is where Kent comes in.

Karey and Kent had their wedding at a mock old Texas town

The ceremony was OUTSIDE in near 100 DEGREE heat surrounded by a beautiful grove of Pecan trees. The surroundings were only surpassed in beauty by the bride and we had a great time at the reception getting to know a fun couple who was sitting at our table.

As always Austin was scenic. Our hotel was on the Texas campus, next door to our old church.

I was able to catch up with quite a few of my co-workers and was able to get a tour of the finished north end zone of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium.

So after a weekend of Tex-Mex, Rudy's, friends and celebration we head back to B-ham. Adios Tejas, we will visit again soon.

The Arrival of Brooklyn Williams and Visit to NY

I am proud to present the newest member of the Williams Clan: Brooklyn Ann Williams. As you can see Grandma Williams is beaming! Brooklyn was born on 05/07 and she and her Mom, Bethany, are doing well.

Big brother Dylan (3 years old) seems to be making a good adjustment and is treating his little sister well. She has red hair like her daddy and is a big girl.

Dylan was sweet before Brooklyn was born and created this bear for her at Build-a-Bear.

Unfortunately for me, I planned a trip to NY based on Bethany's due date which was May 1st. I returned home on Cinco de Mayo without seeing my niece, but Ihe had a great time. I was able to spend a lot of time with Dylan, my parents and grandparents. There was even a trip to rough and tumble (an inflatable fun house). The weather was nice and cool, there was great food (pizza, half moon cookies, and Irish Nachos), and lots of laughs.


I was also able to catch up with a few friends. This picture of Mike Mierek with his oldest boy is priceless. Mike (who is 6'4") is standing next to his 13 month old. He is the biggest toddler that we have ever seen.

Blessed, Beautiful, Fun, and Hot Weekend!

The weekend of April 25, we traveled to Nashville for two very exciting events...the Country Music Half Marathon and the Dave Matthews Band concert at Vanderbilt Stadium. The trip started off a little shaky. We left Birmingham in enough time to get to downtown Nashville to pick up our race packets by 7 pm. About 1 hour into our trip, we ran into bad traffic and sat for a good 30 minutes. This put us at the front door of the Convention Center at 6:58 pm. Thankfully, the staff let us proceed with the last group of late arrivers, and we were able to quickly go through the line and get shuffled out the door. We hurried over to Caryn's, ate, and began preparing for an early 4:15 am wakeup call. Thanks Caryn!!

Jason ran the race by himself, and Cayce ran with her good friend, Natalie. It was a beautiful day, but neither one of us was prepared for the heat. Needless to say, this was not one of our best performances, but we thoroughly enjoyed the morning. After the race, we met Dwight and Harper for a visit. Thanks Natalie!!

After a quick nap, we got ready to head to Vanderbilt. The weather that evening was amazing, and we had so much fun at the concert. We even got the chance to meet up with our friends from church here in Birmingham, Bo and Whitney.

The next morning, we packed up and headed to Birmingham to make it in time for church. Logan was making her big debut, and the whole family would be in attendance. What an awesome day! Here are just a few of the pictures. We were the paparazzi and Preston and Logan were the true celebrities! We had such a fun day together.

Meeting Logan

A couple of weekends ago, we drove up to Nashville to meet Logan and spend time with the whole family. Brad, Lindsey, and Preston made a guest appearance as well, and we had such a fun time together. Logan was so precious and sweet. We hope to visit again soon!

See below for the sweetness (she is so cuddly):

She gave her Uncle Jason a really scary look when she first saw him, but she eventually warmed right up!

I love this picture of the two little cousins. I'm so glad we all got to be there that weekend!

She was so comfortable sleeping on Daddy's shoulder.

Jackson Hole

Last weekend, we went to Jackson Hole with Jason's work group. It was a reward for interviewing and being hired into the best sales territory in the US. We arrived on Thursday to find huge, snow-covered mountains and our room with a fireplace in it.

We caught a ride into downtown Jackson were we walked around the square and checked out the shops.


We had an amazing view of Grand Teton from our room.

On Friday morning we went to the Grand Teton Resort and took snowboarding lessons. Basically, we spent the next 3 hours falling on our knees, wrists. shoulders all while hitting our heads and getting whiplash. After lunch, we both were able to figure it out a little bit and as the day we went on we started carving up the mountain.

Our instructors name was Kelly and we owe her many thanks for being so patient with an un-athletic goof ball and a cold-hating former gymnast who was taught to NEVER to thrust her hips forward (very important to do during snowboarding).

On Saturday we went on a snowmobile tour of a national park. We rode out 10 miles to this natural hot springs. The temperature is 105 in the winter. On the way back, we stopped by an open field to have lunch. After lunch, we were given some time to 'play around' on our sleds. During this time, Cayce experienced the thrill of snowmobiling. Jason then decided that he was going to attempt to jump a tall hill and almost killed himself, seriously. The story would take some time to tell here, but please feel free to ask about it next time you see us. Cayce was not amused.

Jackson Hole was a lot of fun and we both hope to go to the mountains in the winter again soon!