Labor Day & Dad

I am just now getting around to posting about our Labor Day weekend and the time we spent with my Dad who drove 15 hours (bless his heart) from TX. Usually he flies, but he was already doing some traveling so he just went ahead and made the drive. It was so good to have him here! I know my mom and my Dad are really missing each other and I know it's really hard on them. I feel like every time I mention my Dad coming home I have to explain the situation because I don't want people to think my parents are divorced or separated or something. So the quick version is last year his VP position with a company he had been with for over 20 years was eliminated. He had a 1 year non-compete and in order for him to stay in the same industry, he wasn't going to be able to stay here in the Memphis area. After a few months, he was offered a job in Lubbock, TX - so he packed up and moved there. Since then my Mom has been getting things packed up here while also looking for a job there in TX. She really doesn't want to go there for good until she has a job since the one she has here for a law firm is so good. So they have been a part and they do fly back and forth and see each other at least once a month, sometimes two - but I know it's really hard on them! So that's what is going on when I say my Dad is in town while also mentioning my Mom.

Back to the weekend, we had a great one. It was great spending time together! We ate a lot, watched a few movies, enjoyed some drinks and wine and just enjoyed our family time. We grilled out 2 nights, then one night I fixed Enchilada's. My Mom made Apple Pie, then one morning she made biscuits and gravy (Mike's fav) and then on Labor Day we made homemade ice cream - my Dad's fav. It was great and I was very, very sad to say bye to my Dad Tues. morning - he gets choked up and then I do too. Ugghh - so hard! So I can't wait to go see him or when he comes back - hopefully it wont be longer then a month. I am SO close to my family - and I don't know what I'm going to do when my Mom finally moves to TX for good. She's my BFF and I know I will just be a basket case.

On Labor Day my parents wanted to take us to Graceland - which is only like 20 minuets away from us. I have been 3 times my whole life. Twice when I was a little girl, and once when I was about 19. Mike didn't feel up to going b/c he has been half sick, so my parents and I decided to go. I really wanted Mike to go - he has lived here in Memphis his ENTIRE life & has NEVER been to Graceland! I find that really weird! I LOVED LOVED LOVED Elvis when I was a little girl. I could go on and on about this - but I think I'm going to save it for a post on Friday and post the pictures from our plane and stable tour. So stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are the pics from the rest of our weekend. I love spending time with my family and we had such a good weekend! I hope all of you did too!

Dad and Mike on our patio while Mike grills. Dad was enjoying some Cajun peanuts we got for him.

My Mosquito repellent candle concoction

Me - I'm looking pretty washed out here - it had been a long, hot day!

Time to dig in!

Instead of putting cheese on top of some of the burgers, I put the cheese in the middle. This one wasn't as cheesy as some of the others. But it was still good! Next time I want to add some jalapeno! mmm!

My brother sittin on the patio doing what he does best. At some point this weekend I think me, my brother, and my dad were all on our MAC's - wish I had gotten a pic of that!

A couple festive lanterns over the kitchen table

Steak time!

Linz x2! I'm such a dork! I was playing around on my MAC - think this was after a couple glasses of wine, ha ha!
Making homemade ice cream!