Guns...and roses!

Sorry, it's been a while. We've been a little busy. Not this past weekend but the weekend before that we went for some target practicing at a local gun club south of Nashville with a guy John works with, his wife, and his dad. Oh, and, no, I am NOT turning to into GI Barbie or anything like that (in case anyone is wondering). I was very excited to hit the bull's eye at the rifle range. It was about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and 100 yards (a football field) away. Anyway, here are some pictures of us in action:

This past weekend, John was in a wedding in Meridian, MS. We enjoyed getting to see some friends and family and seeing Keyes and Jennifer tie the knot! We had so much fun at the wedding. The main colors were pink and brown - it was so pretty. John and I were just really glad it wasn't us. :) I mean, we're very happy we're married now, but one wedding is ENOUGH for us!

Here we are at the rehearsal dinner:

Here are some of the guys at a luncheon honoring the groom before the wedding....

Here are John, Keyes (the groom), and Ike waiting for their cue...

Shootin' 'em up!

This past weekend, John and I went to a USPSA (www.uspsa.org) sanctioned shooting match at North Tennessee Practical Shooters shooting club (www.ntps.org) in Dickson, TN. This is something he has really been getting into these past few months and enjoys - this was my first time to go. I've grown up around and shooting guns, etc., but I've never been to a shooting match or anything competitive like that (you know, except for riflery and archery when I went to camp as a kid). We had a really good time. As a first timer, it was very interesting to see all the different courses and ways to test one's skills. I was also impressed with the number of women involved. I expected it to be all men, so I was definitely surprised to see a few ladies out there. And there were people there of all ages, from 20's through 60's. I may even try it out the next time we go! Maybe I'll even beat John (but probably not).... Here are some pics. I tried to post videos but keep running into technical difficulties - I will try to have those up soon. Keep checking back!

Our first stage, Stage 4:

Here is John practicing Stage 4:

John getting ready to shoot Stage 4 (hopefully video is coming soon!):

Check out my cool protective eyewear...

Here is our second stage, Stage 6:

Each person's turn in this stages was divided into three parts: you had to shoot the targets at the end of the stage laying down (shooting on your stomach or on your back between your legs), kneeling, and standing. I only have video of John actually shooting in this one, but here is one of him practicing:

Here is our third stage, Stage 1:

Here is John getting ready to shoot Stage 1. I hope to have video up soon of this one as well:

Here is our fourth stage, Stage 2:

I did not take a video of this stage - the course was set up like the layout of a small house. Between the black section and the yellow and blue section there was a sort of hallway with rooms on either side which made it really hard to get any video footage.

Here is a side view of Stage 2 with targets on the corners of the "windows":

Here is John shooting in Stage 2:

And last, but not least, here is our last and fifth stage, Stage 3:

I only have video of John on this one - keep checking back - I hope to have it ready soon!

Now we're cookin'!

Wednesday night, John and I (or John) grilled out hamburgers. Here are some pictures of us utilizing our new bistro table and chairs his parents gave us at his Honey Do Shower in August.

(Sorry, no make up for me!)

Starting Wednesday night and going until next Thursday morning, I am catsitting for one of our friends' cat. He is the biggest cat I have ever seen but also the sweetest. He enjoys being fed and brushed, preferably at the same time. Here are some pics of Sly...

Tonight, we attempted (drum roll please) to make my mom's chicken spaghetti for the first time ever. I have never boiled chicken (neither has John) or sautéed vegetables before (thank goodness he has actually done this), but somehow it turned out delicious! We were so excited! All I have to say is thank goodness for recipes. I also need to thank my mom who had to endure a few phone calls today, just so I could verify I was doing everything correctly...We also made some homemade mini biscuits to go with it. Yum, yum!

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Sorry, it's been a long time since we've (or I've) last written... :)

This past weekend was pretty hectic for me and John. We had to part ways for the first time since the wedding (Awwww)... Thursday, I headed home to exchange/return wedding gifts. I got to see mine and John's families for the first time since the wedding which was really good. It's always really nice to see your family - there's no place like home! On Friday, John headed to Memphis along with 11 other guys for one of his friend's, Keyes, bachelor party.

My mom and I started exchanging gifts at 9:30 in the morning on Saturday and did not finish until 7:15 that evening! Afterwards, I went out to eat with my best friend from back home and hung out with her for a little while before she had to go to work (she's a nurse). On my way home, I HAD A WRECK!!! This was the first time this had happened to me! And, to make matters worse, it was my fault! I had stopped at a red light and looked to see if the coast was clear to turn right and began to turn. Apparently, I just though the coast was clear. I pulled out in front of an older white Nissan Maxima (which, by the way, I will be surprised if it is not totaled). The driver of the Maxima scraped down the corner of the front bumper of my Chevrolet Trailblazer. I think basically the whole passenger side of her car is going to have to be replaced (it looked like a crumpled up Coke can) including a sideview mirror and the passenger side window I shattered. Luckily, no one was hurt. She was kind of upset and shaken up at first, but has really been nice about the whole thing. My truck has a dent in the front bumper and one by the driver's side headlight along with some scuff marks, but other than that, seems to be okay.

Here is a pic of "Gray Gray":

Sunday, my family and I had lunch with my grandmother in Starkville. I was the only young married woman there NOT pregnant. I am starting to feel left out! ;) Just kidding! I am excited about the new babies coming into our family in the next year. I think holidays and family gatherings are just more fun with kids around.

John had a blast in Memphis. After hanging out and doing boy stuff on Friday night, the guys went to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band (http://www.robertrandolph.net/) Saturday night on the Gibson rooftop. Beale Street was THE place to be for them last weekend!

Here is a pic of Keyes and John inside the Gibson Memphis Factory (http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Locations/Showcases/BealeStreetShowcase/Discoveries%20of%20Gibson/):

Look! John found a broken ATM...He "withdrew" extra funds...

John's motto: "Live life like there's no tomorrow."

Keyes displays the "million-dollar smile":

John sees a platter of cheeseburgers across the way:

Today, John called me from work and asked me out on a date. Very sweet! After work, he came home and picked me up and we went out to the McCabe Pub in Nashville(http://www.mccabepub.com/). We LOVE to eat here. It's a laid-back bar & grill type place. Great food!

Well, that's all we have for now, but there will definitely be more later this week!

Settling in...

Well, this weekend was fairly uneventful. It was nice, quiet, and relaxing. Saturday, we spent most of the day unpacking (yes, we're STILL doing that), cleaning, and organizing/putting away everything. Saturday night, we tried an Italian restaurant we'd never been to before: Maggiano's Little Italy (http://www.maggianos.com/) - it was delicious! John said they have a balcony dining area as well with a pretty view of the city. In the bar area, there was a piano player who played background music and sang but also took requests as people asked. He was very good - he knew every request! Better than I could do!

Pic of Maggiano's from West End Avenue:

Pic of Piano Player:
Pic of us!

Sunday morning, we attended West End United Methodist Church (www.westendumc.org). It's a beautiful church with a rich history, and we've really enjoyed church services here.

Tonight, we went for a walk. John is currently watching Monday night football, and we all know what I'm doing! :) NOT watching Monday night football! I'm about to grab a book ("Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown) and read on the couch next to him while he watches TV.

Hope all is well with everyone!!