Ole Mess

Auburn won this past Saturday . . . in a not so pretty game. But our tailgate was a blast!

Gary's Mom, Elizabeth, and her husband, Jon Gary's Aunt Toni and Uncle Lynn came to visit from L.A. - this was their first taste of SEC football and tailgating. They even went to the bookstore and picked up some Auburn gear and game day pins.
We also had Erik and Alison as guests at our tailgate-always great to see them!
a senior out of Florence, AL, Alison Henninger will be the starting running back in today's

game . . .
. . . alongside tight end Cole Peterson, a freshman hailing from Auburn, AL

Robbie & Emma's Shower

Friday night a group of us hosted a shower for Robbie and Emma. There was a nice turnout and we had the best time visiting with everyone.

Some of the crew from the old Auburn days . . . Tricia, Elizabeth (expecting Baby Rose very soon!), Nancy, Emilie
The hosts . . . Tricia, Brett, Chad, Kevin, us. Brian couldn't make it. We missed him!
Robbie & Emma joined the group shot. Wedding date: April 19th, 2008

A little over 25 weeks . . . 14 more or less to go?

Life is full of surprises . . .

sometimes they are good, other times not so good. I came home from work on Friday to find Callie not doing well at all. I took her to the vet immediately and a blood clot had formed in her heart. Based on her age and other health problems, the observation was made that perhaps what was best for Callie was that she be put down and out of her pain.

That morning had been one like any other . . . she was up and about and her curious self. In the backs of our minds, we knew this day was coming. But it still caught us by surprise and was quite painful. Callie was 20 years old; outlived many a dog; and had a life full of traveling, good food, and comforts desired by any animal. Gary and Deirdre got Callie when Gary was in 4th grade; she spent all four years of college with Gary, spent some time at Mamaw's, spent some time with Gary's Dad, and had been with us for the last two years.

Callie had a very interesting and amusing personality . . . she really was the "top dog" with regards to how she ruled the other animals. She was not afraid of dogs ten times her size. She enjoyed going outside and roaming around. She loved drinking that last bit of milk out of your cereal bowl. She loved to find someone's glass of water (on the coffee or bedside table) and drink out of it, then take her paw and knock it over. That was perhaps her favorite game. She also loved music-especially Weezer's "Sweater Song." Gary could sing this song (and only this song) and from wherever she was hiding or sleeping, she would find him and jump in his lap. She loved drinking water out of the dog's bowl, and the bigger the bowl, the better.

And, like any feline, she fondly relished her naps and time to relax.

Callie certainly lived a very fulfilling life and she will most definitely be missed by all of us. It never ceases to amaze me how each animal we bond with changes our lives in a unique and kindred way. Animals have such a profound impact in our lives and in our hearts; we are truly blessed to even be able to experience this kind of relationship.

Congrats Mimi Brooks . . .

Best wishes to Mimi and Nick in the start of their new life together. They were married Friday night at Mathews Manor-it was a lovely ceremony. Pictured here is the crew from our First Financial Group office.

From Left to Right: Crystal, Baby Ella, John, Stephen, Ashley, Mimi, Keith and Embree.

Friday it is

This morning I found myself checking on the various blogs of our different friends and catching up on the past week's happenings and so forth. As I was reading various comments and observing adorable pictures of dogs, babies and families, I found myself getting a little sentimental.

I know we all realize this (maybe not as often as we should), but we live in such a magnificent world and are so blessed. Sure there are grave social, economic, and political issues in our communities, nation, and world that are certainly unsettling. However, I still believe that good prevails and many of us are all richly blessed beyond measure.

There certainly are trials and struggles that each of us and our families are facing . . . and will continue to face. But when compared to what God has provided, the opportunities He has put before us time and time again, the love and support of our parents, siblings, animals, friends, co-workers, the small kindnesses shown by complete strangers, and the beauty of nature . . . these burdens don't even stand a chance.

As Friday comes and goes and we find ourselves in the midst of my favorite season and time of year, I wish you a weekend where the stresses in life may be forgotten or pushed aside for a brief moment. Instead I wish you a weekend in which the "little" things in life shine . . . whether it is taking five minutes to enjoy the sunset and the brisk autumn air, enjoying the toothless grin of a precious baby, throwing a ball for a dog and appreciating his/her enthusiasm for the chase and catch, taking time for a walk or a jog and being thankful for the ability to be healthy enough to get outside and participate in this type of activity, telling your spouse or someone you care about how much they mean to you with a glance, hug or a kiss, you get the point . . .

Enjoy!

Allison & Madeline come to visit!

We had the best time with the two Solomon gals this past weekend. We went out to the Ponderosa to check out the progress on the Peterson's home. Madeline was such a trooper-going everywhere and not making a peep.

AU vs. New Mexico State

We celebrated Robbie and his mom's birthday a few weeks ago (New Mexico State weekend)

Tricia & Emma
Nancy, us, Chad, Emma, Robbie & Tricia
One of my zinnias that is still hanging on . . .

21 weeks

These pictures are ridiculous. Anyway, 21 weeks as of last Thursday and counting . . .

Allison-recognize this shirt?

Thursday with Madeline and Co.

Last Thursday I was thrilled to spend the day with Allison and Madeline. Let me just say that Madeline was perfect! We went all over town and she was so pleasant.

We met Mandy and Megann for lunch - what a nice day out for the girls!

Miscellaneous . . .

I came home last Friday and caught the dogs snoozing. I guess the fan blowing on them put them right to sleep. Actaully, this is what they do most of the day.

Tricia and I hosted a shower for Elizabeth (center) this past Sunday. She is due mid-November and is doing great!

These are from the day we went for our ultrasound. For those of you I told I wouldn't post pictures of the nursery, well, I changed my mind. Here is a brief glimpse of the beadboard and the stripes.
Proud grandmothers and the beautiful bassinet/baby moses basket Gary's mom gave to us.

Ultrasound - 18 weeks 3 days

We found out on Monday it is a healthy baby BOY! Little Henry Davis Vaughan wasn't really wanting to cooperate though; he was nice and comfy sleeping I suppose. I guess he gets the not being a true morning person from his mother.

He must also get his flexibility from his mother too-ha!

Squirrels

I am delayed in posting pictures of our most recent foster pup . . . Sterling. He is my parent's dog that has been staying with us for the last several months. He is a yellow lab about 9 years old and LOVES to play fetch and with the rest of our herd. He is a delight! And, since he comes from a family that follows the Crimson Tide, his Saturday scarf is red in color. He must stay true to his team, even though we would love to bring him over to the other side . . .

So much for branding the Bulls, but War Eagle anyway

Brock came and spent the weekend with us! We had the best time, despite the debacle otherwise known as the Auburn/South Florida game.

Emilie and Allen joined our tailgate also.
Gary made Tricia and I take a funny picture to rival one of he and Brett from last year's Georgia game . . . wasn't quite as funny.

17 weeks

Belly pictures - 17 weeks. My normal clothes still fit, but are getting a bit snug. One week from today we have our ultrasound. Will it be a little Henry Davis Vaughan? Or a Margaret Sophia? Or a Sophia Elizabeth? Or an Emerson Elizabeth? Either way, Gary is just hoping it has two legs and not four. I still don't have any feeling, girl or boy.

Weagle, weagle . . .

Bricks, Shelby and Savannah are ready for game day.

Wil, Brian & Margaret stopped by the tailgate.
The "core" tailgaters . . .

Madeline Bradley Solomon

Congratulations to Allison and Joel on the birth of their daughter. Madeline was 6lbs, 14ozs, 20 inches long. Welcome to the world! Isn't she beautiful?!

Belly Pictures-13 weeks

Everything still fits, for now anyway. I can notice a small difference . . .

September 10th is the day we will find out the sex of the baby - providing he/she cooperates!

Alison & Erik's Wedding

Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Erik Henninger!

Robbie & Emma

Weekend Photos

This past weekend we went to Birmingham for an engagement party to toast Robbie and Emma. It was great to visit with everyone, especially Mandy and Allison.

Baby Solomon meets Baby Vaughan for the first time.

Baby Solomon's (she has a name really, she does) grand entrance into the world is not too far away . . . will she make it to August 20th? Who's to know!

Breaking the News

Gary and I are excited to announce that we are expecting a baby in February 2008! Here are some pictures from the day we told our parents and families. I am 11 weeks and doing well so far. Due date is February 8th, 2008.

Cast your vote now - boy or girl - so far "girl" is taking an overwhleming lead for whatever reason! I remain indifferent.