Memphis '10

DW was out of town all week for a conference for work so I drove over there on Thursday to pick him up and spend the weekend with some of the most important people in my life! I literally couldn't keep from flooring it in the car the closer I got to Memphis because that meant I was going to get to see Bartee, my BFF!!! If you don't know who Bartee is, he's all things in this world precious to me (as you can read about here and here)!

I got into town around dinner time so we headed straight over to Newk's, one of our regular lunch spots when I worked for him. As soon as he walked in the door, my heart melted...as soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up and he said, "Well, HEY young'un! It's been too long!" and gave me the biggest hug. I had to take a deep sniff because I love the smell of Bartee's pipe that he smokes because it's just him! As we stood at the register to order, he jabbed me and said his normal joke about how I was going to order their shitken salad (which is what he calls chicken b/c he hates it). Afterward, we went out to the Farm to spend the night with him and Mary (his "child bride" as he calls her).

The next morning, I was happy to find out he'd taken the day off to spend it with me and we headed over to our other favorite spot to eat together - Colletta's, the first pizza place in Memphis. Once of the things I LOVE about spending time with Bartee is that he has lived in Memphis forever, went to school with Elvis, and every time we spend time together, I learn something completely new and unique! He seriously has the best stories!

Bartee and I at Coletta's:

Unfortunately, our time together went too fast...I just can't get enough of him & Mary! Soon after we went separate ways, I headed to pick up DW at the airport and then spent the rest of the weekend with DW and the Bradford family: Jason, Diana, & Aidan! We made sure to get in plenty of cuddle time with Aidan (aka Manimal b/c he's quite the beast for his age) and plenty of quality time with his parents!

DW, Aidan, & I... Diana and Amy...
My beautiful bestie and I...

Thanks to Jason's parents, David and Patti, we also got a chance to sneak away, go grab something to eat, and get in some adults-only time on Saturday.

Diana & Jason (or JB, Sr. as he likes to refer to himself):

DW and I...
David (Jason's brother), Jason, and DW...

The future SIL's and I...

And then, of course, I had to share these pictures of my self-proclaimed nephew!

He's got Shiloh Jolie-Pitt lips...perfection!

DW was showing Aidan the dogs out back and I caught this one:

...and this one, which is proof that men are even hotter when they hold babies! ;-)

Aidan LOVED DW. Every time DW talked or laughed Aidan would turn, find him face, and either just stare or smile at him...and although he wouldn't sit still long enough for me to hold him, he just chilled with Dusty.

Love this smile...

...I did snag him for a minute or two when I could and his face says it all! Really, Amy? I'm kinda busy here! I had to bribe him with toys so he'd hang around!

On Saturday night, Diana took her future sister-in-law (who is pretty wonderful) out for dinner to celebrate the upcoming nuptuals in Cabo and I got to tag along!

Ashley & Diana at Bosco's in Memphis:

Ashley & Diana's friend, Randy, also came along:

Right before we hit the road on Sunday morning, Aidan was getting a little fussy and the grandparents were watching him while Jason & Diana caught up on some much deserved and needed ZZZZZ's. I walked in at the right time and managed to rock the fussy boy until he fell asleep on me...giving me a much-needed little taste of heaven...and a serious case of burning biceps!!!

Gigantic sleeping baby!

We left in the morning and got home at dark, making for a very long day...but I can honestly say that my time with our friends didn't last near long enough!

Let's not wait so long to do this again!