Papa-San Drew Turns 50

We pulled it off! My mother has been planning this party since the week after my wedding in May, and it was a complete SUCCESS! She worked it out for all of Dad's siblings to travel out-of-state to visit for the first time, and about 50 other guests traveled and surprised my dad at our Arizona house. It was a wonderful day full of friends and family, wonderful authentic Mexican food, and "Tickle" the clown. We love you Daddy!!!

The first morning I woke up early and saw a sweet family of deer right outside our back door.

We went wine tasting in nearby Page Springs.

My wonderful Uncle Ron "Lush"tig... Wine enthusiast

Whistle while she works.

Waiting for the birthday boy...

Beautiful desert highlands near Sedona on my morning hike with Uncle Ron-Jon.

Megan is a "Spence"!

During Thanksgiving weekend my old college roommate and good friend, Megan, got married north of Seattle. It was a beautiful Northwestern wedding. My parents lived in Portland, Oregon for the last 2 years due to my dad's project in Alaska. I was glad to be there to support my BF and to be back in that beautiful country.

.. And my date was...

Momma of course! Maybe one day Erik can join me to an out of town event:(

Karah and Chris! The other couple, and Meg-O's grad school roommate, who mom and I played around with.
















Pike Place Market in Seattle





































Mom and I stopped by my cousin Andy and Esther's house on the way down to the airport!

So much to be Thankful for!

My friend, Leslie, first invited Erik and I over for Thanksgiving dinner in September. We weren't sure what our plans would be, but when the day approached, we decided that we couldn't really swing travelling anywhere for the holiday. We took Les up on the offer and had a great day full of great food, champagne, and football!

Its always a tradition to say what we are thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner. This year mine were (not in any particular order):
1. Thankful my mom is cancer free!
2. Thankful for being married to Erik!
3. Thankful for having Erik's residency in Birmingham!

Erik's List:
1. Thankful for marrying me!
2. Thankful for graduating medical school!
3. Thankful for starting the residency of his choice!

We are so blessed!

Leslie and her Momma

Me and Les went on an Uber-Glamorous walk after dinner!

What a beautiful fall!

I was fortunate to be able to experience my first real autumn this year...

and we get to enjoy it for 3 more years!

Happy Halloween!

I am usually such a big fan of minor holidays and pumped when October 31st rolls around each year, as well as St. Patricks Day, the 4th of July, ect. This year I was just too busy to be creative or even shop around for a costume, but my hubby had such a fantastic idea that I had to take one for the team.

Our wonderful neighbors above and my good girlfriend Leslie in her cheerleading uniform from highschool.. which was more than 10 years ago! You go girl:)

Have you figured out what Erik was all weekend? Just recently there was a "Free the Hops" movement in Alabama. Higher alcohol content beer was made legal to purchase within the last year. Erik decided to dress up like "Hops" who was just recently freed! My hubby is so creative.

Along came Nanjie

Since we moved here I have been itching for some company. In a series of one month, Erik and I had my brother, his mother, and my mother visit!

My mom, Angie, was excited to come check out our home, but with one request: She did not want her trip to be as action packed as Brandt's visit.

With that said we did a lot of eating out, shopping, and taking walks,  and we had a great 4 days together!

Momma kindly asking Kirbs to move over and share the bed.

We made fruit salad and my Aunt Cindy's zucchini muffins for our brunch group.

I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving weekend with my momma in Seattle for Megan's wedding!

Our Fun Weekend Trip

... and by "weekend" I mean 36 hours:)

Erik has been working a VERY busy schedule, and it seems that it won't really change in the next 4 years. He works 6 days a week, 2 nights usually are spent overnight at the hospital, and it totals about 70ish hours a week!

One day he came home and told me he was going to have 2 consecutive days off.. and they were Saturday and Sunday! We jumped on the opportunity to go away for the weekend. We decided to check out the state park of Desoto in northeast Alabama and stay at a bed and breakfast. I also discovered that there were going be two festivals going on in that area: the Fall Colorfest Festival in Mentone, AL and the Bluegrass Festival in a nearby community college.

Our WONDERFUL neighbors Craig and Dave watched Honey and Kirbs. Then Craig handed Erik the keys to his convertable BMW and told us to have fun!  We had a wonderful trip... err.. I mean.. 36 hours:)


One of the falls at Desoto


Our wonderful b&b called "The Secret".  The innkeepers are so sweet and hospitable.


The view from our room overlooking Lake Weiss.