The Finn Files: July 2012

Wedding Crasher

Finn made his first wedding appearance at Summer's wedding and now he is a big fan. My mom and dad brought him and sat with him during the ceremony. He did great! Although my friends Jared and Linay sat behind them said Dad was feeding him altoids throughout the whole thing, which explains his silence. Hey, whatever works! I couldn't have done it without mom and dad, since Mark couldn't be there because he was traveling for work.

So Finn had a blast. He was hilarious to watch as he spent a majority of his time on the dance floor getting down. This is my favorite from the night. He is cutting a rug with the ring bearer and later the bride. Cookie in one hand, teddy bear in the other. Rest assured this is going in the vault to be viewed at a later date . . . maybe his wedding.

This is also pretty funny. Not sure who he gets his dance moves from.

My Best Friend's Wedding

Yes it's a nod to one of my favorite Julia Roberts movie, but also happens to be the perfect title for this post. Summer Tuggle (now Smith) is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met at a Braves baseball game when we were 18, found out we were both going to Samford and decided right then and there (at the Braves game no less) to be roommates. The rest is history as they say. Serendipity for sure. We've had ups and downs like any friendship but we've always been there for each other when it mattered most. Summer found a wonderful man to spend the rest of her life with in Eric Smith. I knew she had found a keeper when she told me he had adopted 2 dogs from the shelter AND convinced her to adopt one for herself. Summer has always been a cat person, so I knew this was true love. I couldn't be happier for Summer, Eric and the entire Tuggle family. It was a joy and honor to be there and celebrate with the whole gang. Just a few pictures for the week of festivities.

Shower hostesses and the guest of honor

I hate "getting ready" pictures but I swear this is the only

picture I have of us from the entire weekend

Summer wore her mother's veil

bridesmaids

The happy couple

Father of the Bride (also another of my favorite movies!)

Linda and Jimmy Tuggle

Me and my wedding date(s)

Always fun to see college friends

Yvette, Jennifer, Summer and me

Samford Alums

Go West Young Man

Finn and I took our first (in a really long time) road trip to see friends, family and ultimately see one of my oldest and dearest friends get married. Our first stop was in Marietta to visit with the Benich bunch. A slumber party, waffle house breakfast and day of swimming did the trick. It was short but sweet as we always enjoying seeing our old friends. Next we headed to Carrollton to spend some way over due time with the Youngs and Stones. I haven't seen my grandparents and aunts and uncles in so long. I always worry that Finn will forget them or be too shy around them. Not to worry though. Finn had a blast and we both thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone and spending more time with them. Finn has a special connection with my Papa . . . they were both born on December 21st, just a "few" years apart. Gigi cooked Finn a special lunch (which of course he didn't eat, so I ate enough for both of us), we spent the entire afternoon swimming in Dennis and Brenda's new pool. Katie Grace, who gets taller and prettier every time I see her, was a real trooper and played with Finn for hours on end. I thought he would wear out, but never did. A special thanks to the Stones for letting us stay with them. It was so great to catch up with Ginger and Amy and especially meet Honey, the newest member of the Stone clan. Big and Baa came to the rescue and took Finn for a couple of days so that I could go to Athens and begin the wedding festivities.

I know we don't get to see my family nearly enough but it is always such a treat when we do. We hope you will all come visit us soon!

Future hash-brown hawkers