Woah.

Do yall ever have those weekends where Sunday afternoon you think "what in the world just happened?" Like, where has the time gone? Our weekend was like that. We did so much, and got to see so many friends! David and I were a little pooped last night, but it was worth it. Beware though: it may exhaust you to read all of this! :)
Happy Monday everyone!

On Thursday, the Jaycees had a happy hour at Recess, a restaurant on the square in downtown Gainesville. David and I stayed for dinner after socializing for a bit, and made our whirlwind plans for the weekend.

First stop: The John Jarrard Foundation outdoor concert at Brenau. John Jarrard was a Georgia Music Hall of Famer, and this was the 10th annual concert in his memory benefiting several charities. Performers include Blackberry Smoke, and Balsam Range, and one of Gainesville’s own, John Driskell Hopkins (bassist for the Zac Brown Band).

One of the Jaycee wives's family owns Turnstile Deli and graciously offered to bring dinner munchies for everyone to have before the music began. So, I volunteered for the desserts. I made Paula Deen's Symphony brownies....

.....Sugar Cookies from Bon Appetit Y'all......

.....and Blythe Danner's cookies from Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook.

All of the sweets turned out great! Its hard to beat a Symphony Brownie, but the sugar cookies were really good, and the almond cookie from Gwyneth's cookbook is more like biscotti - they were really good for breakfast in the morning too with  my coffee!

On Saturday, we again joined Gainesville friends at the Melanomo event on the Chattahoochee River. Our friend Jamie grew up with Neil Gaines who's been battling Melanoma since 2008. Neil, his wife Margaret, and his family host an event at their cabin about 15 miles from here every year. The UGA game was on, there was live music and BBQ too. It was an afternoon of celebration for Neil's life and a nice time with friends.

Neil's dog sat in the river like this all afternoon watching the fish. I thought it was the most adorable thing!

Glad the Dawgs won!

I could barely keep my eyes off this little guy. When we walked up to the BBQ, I spotted him right away. I was like "Oh my gosh! Its a baby Baxter!" I could have taken him home with us! His name is Diesel, which is awesome. David explained that our Baxter is a bit larger in stature than most Beagles, and Diesel is actually a normal size. Even cuter!!!! I wish Bax had been with us so he could play with this guy.

Speaking of cuties, our friends Callie and Brian just got an 8-week old black lab..tentatively named Remy. I was obsessed!

Jamie and David

"New Mommy" Callie and her little guy!

Me, Callie, Colby and Laura

After lunch, the silent auction, and some "MelaNoMo" chocolate cake, Colby and I headed to Atlanta to celebrate with our friend Tiffany for her 28th birthday!

We got dressed with Hollie and the 3 of us met Tiffany and 7 of her Auburn girlfriends at Eclipse de Luna for dinner.

And afterwards headed to Gold Room for some dancin'.

Sunday was such a gorgeous day, so we grabbed some munchies and hit the lake to meet Amanda and Ben. Ben is in Kindergarten and is learning new things every day. I love hearing our little guy tell me all about his teachers, his playground, and his days at school.

Here, we started with 1 and counted to about 115. He can count to 200, but he got a little tired. That was ok; but I could listen to him count to a million!

My David and Ben caught two fish! Here they are letting the fishies go back into the lake...

After an early dinner of grilled chicken salads, which Amanda was so sweet to bring, we cruised back home.

Every time we're on the boat, David and I just smile seeing how happy this guy is to be on the water! He LOVES it!

A {sweet} surprise!

 For the past few weeks, my Mom and my Aunt Jill worked so hard planning a party for my grandfather's 75th birthday. They decided to have him a surprise dessert party last Sunday afternoon, and invite all of his friends, past and present, to come and celebrate with him. It was such a fun afternoon, and we were all so happy to see him being honored! We loved seeing friends and family that we haven't seen in a while too. Happy Birthday Gongaman!

The desserts were Coca Cola cake that was divine, lemon tarts, strawberry filled pastries, cheese wafers and Susie's pineapple cake. We had punch and coffee too.

My grandfather is an Auburn alumni and always a Tiger at heart. My mom, sister, and I wore blue to honor his Auburn pride!

Susie's pineapple cake was the first thing gone from the table - its delicious and always popular! I am glad I got a picture of it before it was all eaten!

I was so tickled that Amy and Chris came to say Happy Birthday! And my grandfather was even happier to see her!

My Aunt Jill and the birthday boy!

He loved greeting his guests.

One of my grandfather's elementary school teachers, Mrs. Zesta, even came. Here is Mrs. Zesta with 6 of her past students, including her son!

Hugh, Jill, Gracie and Chandler before they left!

Lots to Celebrate

The fam headed to Darlington in Rome on Friday night to watch my first cousins Chandler and Ivy play football. They're both really good, and we had a fun time watching them play. On Saturday, I made a few stops on my way from Atlanta to Hawkinsville, and ended at the cabin for a birthday dinner for my grandfather, Gongaman. We had him a surprise party on Sunday, but more on that later!

All of the senior fall athletes have life size cut outs lining the walkway to the stadium. Here's Ivy! Our #22 ball carrier!

This would have been so fun when I was in high school!

Darlington won the game, but only by a few points. My cousin Chandler #25 plays too - after the game all of these cute girls surrounded him!

And afterward, in the field house, all of the players, cheerleaders, coaches and the parents gathered here. Ivy turned 18 over the weekend, as did his best friend Kelsey Anne and friend Chase. They had a precious birthday cake for the three of them, and we all sang happy birthday!

I couldn't resist snapping this pic of my Paisley fresh from his afternoon nap.

On Saturday night, the fam gathered at the Coody Cabin for dinner together. It was a gorgeous afternoon! The water in the Ocmulgee river is usually muddy, but right now its a beautiful shade of green.

Its been a big year for our family! Abbye turned 21, Mom turned 50, Gongaman turned 75, and Asa is about to turn 18.

My grandfather with his first 4 grandchildren.

Hugh, Asa, Chandler, Austin, and Evan

We all enjoyed a dinner of baked dove and quail, then hit the sofa for more football watchin'.