It's Tool Time

The AMAZING cake

To help celebrate the pending nuptials of the youngest Brian sibling (aka Marcus) Billy and I, with the help of Elizabeth and family, hosted a "Tool Time" shower. Here are some of the pictures from the affair. I'd say the party was a success...seeing as the party started a 3pm and the last guests left at 11:30pm...

The spread...

Murphy waiting for his shot at the spread....

Billy and Marcus

The Proud Parents...

Floor!

The living room...just ignore the copious amounts of dust...

We finally have floor! Last night, with Chad's help, we finished laying the wood floor in the living room and dining room. The wood looks beautiful...but it could stand a good cleaning now - that damn dust won't go away!

We laid the tile in the master bathroom and downstairs bathroom. So now all that's left is the kitchen and the upstairs bath. Then, we have to grout it all. That sounds like fun! (Can you sense the sarcasm???)

More updates later...

Tear down that wall!

Well the wall is down. Marcus came over a last weekend and helped Billy finish tearing down the wall between the kitchen and the sunroom. It was every bit as long a process as we thought it would be. First, we had to tear out all the sheet rock. Then we had to sever the electrical wire (that was fun...and Marcus has a scar to prove it!).

Now you see it... Now you don't!

Next Marcus and Billy built a temporary wall to support the sunroom. Then came the really fun part...actually knocking down the load bearing wall. We were happy to hear...or not hear...any creaking or movement the whole time. Anyway, Marcus and Billy then placed the 12x2 support beams in the new wall and the Robyn and I (yep...we weren't just sitting there looking pretty) helped place the 2x4s to support the new load bearing beams.

All in all it was quite a bit of work...but so worth it! The new space looks TWICE the size and we're so very happy with the result.

On to the floors...

On the Street Where You Live

Our humble abode...just ignore the POD in the driveway.

Well...we're back. Billy and I have moved from Denham Springs into our new home back in Mandeville. Ok, we haven't technically "moved in" yet. We bought a beautiful house that needed a little work. It's got "great bones," or so I'm told; but it definitely needed some cosmetic improvements.

The Kitchen - with and without a ceiling...

So, Billy and I are doing some remodeling (and my parents are helping a bit too). The downstairs wil be receiving all new flooring and a fresh coat of paint. The kitchen will be a total redo with new appliances and countertops, and we're knocking out a wall or two for a better floor plan (did I mention that through all this I'm studying for the bar???)

The foyer...with and without floor.

Making way from the breakfast area to the sunroom...

Anyway, I'll post more pictures as we progess. Hope when we're done everyone will come by and visit!

That's my story...

So last weekend was our girls' weekend in Florida for Rebecca's Bachelorette Party. We had so much fun; it was a welcome break from the humdrum of law school.

The weekend was especially funny when Jenny met some people and said, "__________." Then Garrett said, "___________." We had a good laugh with that one.

Garrett's brother, Bill, serenades Rebecca. It was sooo lovely.

Oh, and then while we were out Rebecca _________ and then she ________ and finally she _________. I thought Jess and Kim would blush but they just __________. Stephanie had fun to; she _________ all night.

Oh, and though she doesn't think we know about it, Jessica ______ with ______ in the _______!

Of course, I was a perfect angel.

Meanwhile, back home Billy added some much needed mulch to the garden. Sounds like we both had fun weekends.

Playing Catch Up

Yea, yea, yea...I know it's been a while since I posted, but I've been busy. And yes, I know that's not a good excuse since we're all busy. But, whatever, here goes.

For Christmas this year Billy and Murphy and I traveled to Conroe, Texas for the Brian family Christmas party.

I really enjoyed it, especially since this is the first time I've ever been able to make it for the Brian family Christmas.

Ann and Harry were very gracious hosts and it was so nice to catch up with family members we don't often see.

Also, we were able to preview Debbie and Tom's new home in Montgomery. They're now officially moved in and we can't wait to make our first trip to visit.

In December my law school friends and I hosted a "sweet" bridal shower for our dear friend Rebecca. Rebecca is set to marry her college sweetheart in May of this year.

The shower was so much fun, but her bachelorette weekend is next weekend, and I think it might be even more fun!

This year for Mardi Gras we took Murphy to the Puppy Parade in Baton Rouge. He seemed to enjoy himself, but he didn't handle not being the center of attention very well. Do you think he's spoiled?!

Also, Billy and I went "dogless" to New Orleans with some friends and spent the Saturday before Mardi Gras on St. Charles. We had a wonderful time, but I'm done with Mardi Gras for a while. I'm getting too old for it!

So, besides all that, Billy and I have been doing very well. Billy is still working for Marine Interior Systems and is looking forward to moving to the Northshore and ending his long commute. I am looking forward to graduating lawschool in May. The countdown has begun! Of course, once law school is over, preparing for the bar exam begins - oh joy.

Halloween - Bring in the Clowns

This year Murphy was a clown for Halloween. I stepped up my game and actually pulled out the sewing machine for this costume. Needless to say, he was adorable. He didn't seem to mind the costume so much, but man...he hated that hat! Of course, he was a huge hit with the kids. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Ah...what a cute doggie! Anyway, Murphy and Me and Billy send our love.

Rebecca's Engagement Party

The Girls - Stephanie, Jenny, Garrett, Me, and Kelly D.

Well, I made my first trip ever to Birmingham, Alabama...well, more specifically, Hoover, Alabama. My friend, Rebecca, and her fiance celebrated their engagement at a party this weekend. We decided to leave the boys behind and make a girls trip out of it. It was a blast. A few pictures from the trip:

The Bridesmaids - Me, Stacy, Jessica H., Rebecca (bride), Kim, Jessica D., and Garrett

The Happy Couple - Kris and Rebecca

Fall Semester is Almost Over

Whew...once again, it's been a while since I posted, but man, I promise I've been busy. This is my SECOND TO LAST SEMESTER of law school. I'm so unimaginably excited. My biggest problem right now is actually going to class. I, along with most of my friends, have a serious case of senoiritis.


Lately Billy and I have just been enjoying the fall. LSU football is in full gear and it's been a blast so far. Also, hunting season is upon us and, as you can imagine, Billy is one happy person. He recently bought a new bow and has been practicing in our backyard. The neighbors don't mind...of course, the neighbors don't know. He was rather excited the other day. He ran in screaming, "Oh my God! This is some Robin Hood s***!" Ok, it really was impressive, especially since the Discovery Channel did a "Mythbusters" show on how shooting one arrow through another was "impossible."


Me, I've been hanging out with my law school friends a lot. Garrett got married this summer, which was a fantastic event. We had fun throwing her a "wine tasting" shower, but the wedding was definitely the climax.

Last weekend our little group participated in the local bar association's "Belly Up to the Bar" fundraiser. It's a cooking competition and we submitted two recipes...a lemon drop martini and a cheesecake lemon bar. Our theme was "Motions in Lemine." Ok, maybe that's not really cute, but those lawyers out there reading this are having a good giggle right now. I'll spare you the lesson in Louisiana evidentiary law; ask me next time I see you. Oh, wait...did I mention we won FIRST PLACE in the law school division? Oh, yea. We rocked.

So, what's next? Well, my very dear friend Rebecca got engaged and asked me to be a bridesmaid...so flattering. So next May I'll be helping her celebrate that very special occasion. AND, my very best friend Natalie also got engaged about two weeks ago. Yes, she and Chris having been dating for about seven years...but who's counting...Anyway, they will be celebrating their nuptials sometime in late '07 or early '08. I'm so excited for them and so incredibly humbled that not only was I asked to be a bridesmaid but I was also asked to sing at the ceremony. Whew, guess I better start practicing right now. Oh wait...and my friend Lauren got engaged a few months ago and she will be getting married in March of '08. Ahhhh...all my little friends...so happy for them.

Now, the next logical step after marriage is babies. Kenneth and Sarah had their little bundle of
Joy by in May (I think...). A few weeks earlier than planned, but Paxton is just the cutest thing ever. I love babies with a little extra "pudge." He's such a doll with so much personality. Oh, and Mimi and Jake are due in December. Best wishes to them and their little boy!



So, that's about it in the Denham Springs Brian family...oh wait...what is an update without a mention of Murphy? Surprise...he's pretty much been spending his time doing what he does best - sleeping. But tomorrow he'll be making a new friend, hanging out with Emma's new pup, Fiona.

Hope everyone is doing wonderful! We miss everyone so much!

Summer Update...

I know I haven't written on this blog in quite some time. I'd said it's because we've been so busy, but I can't really figure out what's been taking up so much of our time...

Let's see...my dear friend Garrett is getting married this month in Shreveport. Our law school girlfriends hosted a lovely wine tasting shower for her. (We had to get creative, her other friends stole all the good themes for their parties). But it worked out wonderfully and I think everyone had a great time and learned a lot. Next weekend Billy and I will be making the trec to Shreveport to see Garrett become Mrs. Scott Callaway.

The first half of the summer I clerked for a great firm in BR. It was a larger firm with approximately 80 attorneys and nearly a dozen law clerks. Now, I've begun a clerkship with a much smaller firm in NOLA - five attorneys, two secretaries, and little ole me. The firm is great; the drive...well not so much. I now spend nearly four hours in my car each day. It's amazing how sitting still in a vehicle can really drain you.

So, anything else...ah yes. Billy and I bought a fantastic new camera with our tax refund - thank you Uncle Sam. And so I've spent part of my time this summer learning how to use it and taking lots of pictures. I started posting them on a website to let my friends view them. And something happened that I didn't quite expect - people starting buying them. However, they were buying them from that website - I wasn't seeing a dime. Well, I'm no dummy...my free enterprise side came out and I've decided that if anyone should make money off of my photos, it should be me (I don't think that's such a stretch). I'm in the works to develop my own website to post pictures and allow people to purchase them from me. My dad has his own website for his company - www.mccallphotos.com (Daddy, you can thank me for the free plug later) - and I thought that was quite a nice idea. I'll let everyone know more about as things develop...

Well, a funny thing happened...

Well, about one week after the purchase of our lovely new truck, a woman decided to hit Billy head on while he was driving our fully-paid-for vehicle. No, it wasn't his fault; yes, he's just fine. So, within one week of buying our first new car, we bought our second new car.

But here it is...

Having two new cars is really nice. The two new car notes on the other hand...

Anyway, this is supposed to be my car. However, this one is much better on gas mileage. That means during the week I drive Billy's truck and he drives my car. Now we both get a little jealous when the other one leaves!