Trip to Alabama for Papa's memorial golf tournament

We went to Alabama for the annual Steve Driggers memorial golf tournament in honor of Jon's dad hosted by Papa's company. Jon & his brother Brad & their team won the tournament!  Yay!  We also spent a day at the pool.

                                                            Jon & Brad

As we were driving home, we passed alot of utility trucks going to NC after Hurricane Irene.

Caitlyn comes to visit!

My beautiful cousin Beth has had her first child after trying for so long. Gorgeous baby Caitlyn came to visit & we had nice family time!

                                                        The proud family!

Dexter's cancer

A little voice told me to go outside & spend quality time with the dogs & to do it now so I did. When I got outside to the dogs area, I noticed Dexter's testicle was ALOT bigger than his other one (the little one at the top is the size they are supposed to be):

We made a vet appointment & they said yes, it's cancer & he had a castration that week. He is fine & cancer free now!  Yay!  Although he might not see it that way!

Jon's 39th surprise party

Jon turned 39 on Aug 8. I figured he would expect a party for his 40th, but not his 39th. A friend from church had thrown her husband a surprise 39th for the same reason. By the time I got the idea from her, I had a week to plan!  I was able to have a few friends & family over to make it enjoyable!  Below are highlights:

                                        They only had 30 sucks lollipops so I added a"9"

                                                                   Write on balloons!

Turtle Trouble!

When I went to feed the dogs, I saw that Dexter was playing with a turtle that had crawled into the electrical fence parameters. I quickly moved him to safety.

                                          Dexter wanted that turtle something fierce!

                                                           So cute!

                                                          
                                                           Free at last!!!!!

Highlights from Gabby's trip, 2011

Every year for Spenser's birthday, my best friend from childhood Gabby flies from her home in Texas for the party (a tradition we started with his 1st birthday).  This year we went to Biltmore. Below are highlights of the party & Biltmore:

Deflated balloons

I love to decorate the mailbox & love my garden flags!

Can you guess what Spenser got?

Was soooo glad Karen was there to build this toy!

My Aunt Annie came down from Pittsburgh too & I love it when she comes to visit!

Loved this Wizard of Oz doll set!

The photo of me looking JUST like my Mom that made me see she was there with us

Grapes!

Bee on flower

Gorgeous waterfall

This made me laugh for obvious reasons

Yes I was!

                                                            Yes it was!

The making of a Thomas cake

I thought I had plenty of time to find a place that would decorate Thomas the Train on a sheet cake, but 2 days before Spenser's 3rd birthday party, I found that no one would for copyright laws. So after I picked up Gabby my best friend from childhood, from the airport I told her that we might be up all night trying to draw Thomas on a sheet cake!  I had printed pics I found online & supplied the supplies & she went to work:

                                                       Cutting the shapes

Tracing with edible markers

Looking good!

Then coloring with a toothpick

                                        The finished product!  Great job Aunt Gabby!