Talladega Baby

I knew TJ was probably going to guess that the Auburn game was a part of my surprise but he was shocked we were getting to go to the NASCAR race the next day in Talladega!  This was my second race but TJ has been to several and they really are so much fun!  There is a lot of strategy that goes into these races.  TJ is a big Jeff Gordon fan and I will follow Jimmy Johnson when I watch races.  

We accidentally got there an hour early and some men gave us passes for the pits!  It was such a blessing because I wanted to buy them but knew I better stick to my budget and we got to go anyway!  It was really neat to go see the cars up close and get to be close at the drivers introduction.  

It was a great, competitive race which ended with a big BANG... BANG... and BANG.... a HUGE wreck on the LAST turn!  The cars were 4/5 wide and it was bound to happen.  Jeff Gordon ended up with 2nd place so TJ was happy and that's all I care about :)  

We drove back to Altanta and stayed at a hotel in Buckhead before heading home on Monday. 

It's CRAZY how close the cars are when they are drafting! 

Day 2- AUBURN

We woke up early to head to Auburn.  I told a little white lie... I told TJ we were staying at Jared's parents in Opelika (true) and I had the football tickets mailed there and we had to pick them up (lie).  But I had a surprise at their house... his DAD!  We pulled up to the McCrory's and his dad was in the driveway.  It was very fun to surprise him!   Then we headed into Auburn...

We got to see Nathan and Liz. 

We are holding tight to remember our championship season... This year is not going well AT ALL and we lost to Arkansas :(  But like TJ said, just being in Auburn is awesome!  It is my home away from home! We love being in Auburn so much!

After the game we went to an old favorite restaurant, Cock of The Walk.  It was fabulous and just as I remembered it years and years ago!  I'm ready to go back... now!

Anniversary Tip Day 1

10 Years Ago... I married TJ!

Yep... that is Pressley, the little flower girl above.  Ten years ago she walked down the aisle before me, this day I walked her to her middle school bus stop!

I planned a surprise trip for TJ for our 10th anniversary/ birthday weekend!  It was REALLY hard keeping it all quiet! We started our anniversary trip by leaving for Atlanta Thursday afternoon, late, after I finished a HUGE lab practical (got a 95% by the way!).  We stayed with Leigh and the kids (Brent was out of town).  I had a big day planned for our actual anniversary in Atlanta.  I knew we couldn't check into our hotel until noon so to Ikea we went and got some ideas for our new house. 

I gave TJ his first clue that lead us to The Ritz- Carlton in Buckhead.  We stayed here our honeymoon night before we flew out the next morning.  It was pretty awesome to be back. I could get use to that place:)  We got a really great deal with included a $50 gift card to Lenox Mall (shocker- I spent it at Pottery Barn), champagne brought to our room, chocolates with a nice note, and a wonderful free breakfast the next morning... oh and a free upgraded room to the 21st floor!  TJ was surprised and we really enjoyed our day!

 He's hot! (please not, that is not a cigarette in his mouth.... its a reflection of some kind) 

Dinner at Empire State South was an experience!  The food was so unique and YUMMY!  Very different than anything I have ever had.  One of my favorite things was the chicken liver pate!  I had fish and TJ had duck but it was way more complicated than that... very unique! I will be saving our money and going back one day! :)

 TJ's duck..

My fish...

We had to set our alarms and wake up early because we wanted to enjoy our yummy breakfast before heading to AUBURN!!