Determined to become a runner...

I have always had a love-hate relationship with running, but honestly it truly is the best exercise! On Monday, I ran 4 miles with Brittany (well...ran 2, walked 1, ran 1). It felt great getting back into it. And surprisingly it was easier than I thought it would be. Brittany is training for a 1/2 marathon on Thanksgiving & I could definitely use her motivation to help me stay consistent.

The only problem was that I ran with the same shoes I bought 3 years ago when Brittany & I trained for the March 1/2 marathon that we never ran! My ankles were hurting the entire run & my left hip flexor was in serious pain for the rest of the day...I mean I had a limp! So before I continue on with my quest to become a runner I'm gonna need some new shoes. Thanks to Daddy-Dearest...he's gonna help me out!

And the holiday season begins...

I love Halloween because it's the holiday that kicks off the entire holiday season. Once it arrives, Thanksgiving & Christmas are never far behind.

This year for Halloween, little Missy was a monster.

And little Tini was a pumpkin!

Will & I started having a pumpkin carving contest back in 2004. Each year it has gotten bigger and bigger. The first year it started out just the two of us. Then we challenged Erin & Daniel in 2005. The following year we had more people over to Kathy's house & even had a pizza man deliver a pizza to judge the pumpkins. The past two years we have been doing it at Erin's house. There are now prizes & lots of fun Halloween snacks. We still have a pizza man judge but this year dressing up was added. Above are the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners. Will, Mary Susan, & I came in 3rd with our Frankenstein pumpkin.

Trying to get the girls to cooperate for a family picture. They had just spotted an orange kitty and were ready to go get it!

Still watching that darn cat...just wasn't our night!

Still goin' strong!

9 years ago today, sweet, shy little Will asked me to be his girlfriend over AOL Instant Messenger...haha. Never knew it would grow into something so special! Love you Will!!!

And they lived happily ever after...

The past month or so has been pretty busy with showers, parties, & events leading up to one my college roommates' wedding!!! Alli & Casey tied the knot this past weekend in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. This was seriously the most beautiful, fun, romantic wedding I have ever been to. The colors, the decorations, the setting, the food, the company, the feelings & emotions - EVERYTHING was just so perfect! Her photographer was INCREDIBLE, also! I have never seen a wedding captured more beautifully. Check out her blog to see more pictures from their special day:

http://blog.amandasuanne.com/2009/10/alli-and-casey-married.html

Be sure to look at the slide show at the end of Alli & Casey's pictures on her blog, too. Casey is singing the song that is being played. He wrote it & recorded it for their first dance at the reception.

Mr. & Mrs. Casey Ryals!

The wedding & reception was at a house in Santa Rosa that Alli & Casey rented for the week. We drove down on Wednesday and stayed until Sunday. We had the best time laying out, hanging out, & going out! Such a fun way to spend the week leading up to your wedding with your closest family & friends!

We were all huddled together trying to stay warm. It was a little colder than expected!

My handsome groom drove down Friday night all by himself. So glad he was able to make it!

"I'm going back to Charleston, back where I belong..."

Alli's wedding is just one week away!!! I can't even believe it. For her bachelorette party we took a girls trip to Charleston, South Carolina. Just like Savannah, it is such a cute little historical town. I had so much fun spending the weekend with some of my closest friends from North Georgia. We ate out at some really cool restaurants, layed out at the beach, did a little sight seeing, & went out on the town at night. Can't wait to take Will back...

Headin' to the beach!

Molly, Mary Susan, Alli, Joy, & me on the pier. We just came from the beach & were cooling off with Italian ice...so good!

View from the pier...

Cobblestone streets of Charleston...love it!

Going out with the Bachelorette!

When it rains, it pours!

Remember that car I just bought? Yeah, it's in the shop...already!

On Sunday, all of a sudden, the AC wouldn't blow cold air. I took it into the shop to see what was going on & one of the sensors isn't working. The part to replace it costs about $20, but for all the labor it will cost a grand total of $440!!! What next?