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.