Hello my Friend!  Whew–we had a busy weekend!  A charity event Friday night, I decorated for a baby shower this morning and then we had a first birthday party for the twins next door this afternoon.  I’m ready for some vino!

Do you know Lyrics for Life?  Well, google it people (or just click on that link-I’m so helpful, huh)?  They are a charity who’s mission is to fight pediatric cancer.  Enough said.  It was founded by Sister Hazel’s Ken Block, in memory of his younger brother who lost his battle with cancer.  This hits close to home for our family and we def look forward to it every year.  Lyrics for Life “unites musicians and celebrities through concert events, auctions and fundraising efforts” (perfect combo).  Making it even better, Steve and Lori, her sister and hubby all drove in from Miami, so whoopieeee!  I kept saying I wasn’t going to believe that they actually moved until after this weekend, so we’ll see how I deal now =)  We missed Jeff, Ellen and the kiddos this year-but, seeing as how they literally had a baby this week, a pass was granted.  We represented though…

Friday night’s event was “No One Fights Alone” and featured music by Sister Hazel, Ingram Hill and The Alternative Routes.  It was at the Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach (we seem to do a lot at that hotel) and was a perfect night for getting together.  Cannot believe it’s literally Thanksgiving and the weather gods are giving us this hot weather.  Ugh–send us the 70s at least–so rude!!

Let’s change it up and start at the end–this was the last photo of the night.  Pretty hysterical.  CW “won” that Ingram Hill “drum head”–which you know means he out-bid everyone else at the silent auction.  Never mind the fact that we literally do not have ONE inch of wall space left in this house and there’s “a land of auction items previously won” shoved behind dressers, but all for a good cause, right?  Think we’re going to take it out of the frame and prop it up on a shelf….

I’m dying laughing at Lori, Steve’s face is priceless, saying “I dunno what’s goin on”, Li and Chris are looking pretty normal actually and I’m “dropping it like it’s hot” for some reason.  In a nutshell, here’s a glimpse into our fun night.  Love my peeps.

Usually L4L is a sit-down dinner with one stage, but this year they switched it up and did a cocktail hour out by the pool and the ballroom was set up so that Sister Hazel was on the middle stage, Ingram Hill was on the left balcony and The Alternative Routes on the right.

I love when we get dolled up and the boys wear jackets (so fancy, especially since CW is normally in scrubs)…

Give me a reason to wear a dress and I’m in….no twisting my arm.

No, these are not my shoes, these are Lori’s.  I have yet to understand how in the hay she can wear those sky-high digs–I would fall flat on my face or be crying in the corner because of blisters.  I do love me some shoes, but within reason (meaning two inch heel or wedge max).  Props to Lori though!

Ken spoke about ways L4L helps kids and their families fighting cancer, along with speakers who have battled diseases and WON.  Very emotional and an important reminder to cherish each day.  One of my new fav quotes is “smile while you still have teeth”.  True dat.

Our loves, Ingram Hill, were awesome like always…

The Alternative Routes were new to us and they were fantastic!!  We ended up buying their CDs and I’ve been listening to them all weekend.  Check them out.

A shot of the Miami fam (yes, Lori and Lisa are twins)….

and CW and I (not twins)…

CW and Lori added a little unexpected personality to this one and after seeing it–the rest of us felt left out.  Why did no one tell us we were going to be “fun”.  So, this is the ultimate reason that the previous “end-of-the-night” shot happened. 

Ok, be serious crew….

This would be me taking pics, while CW is video’ing (is that a word?) Ingram Hill…I never get sick of Justin’s voice…he can sing to me all night long (oh–did I say that out loud)?

Happy Birthday to Steve-O.  Hollaaaaaa….

People are always asking me about charities and Lyrics for Life is no question the one that I mention.  Come on–there is NOT a better mission…

Along with the Rock Boat (March 1-5, 2012 cruisin from New Orleans to Cozumel), there is also Rock by the Sea (April 26-29 in Panama City, FL).  Fun times and really unbelieveable artists (for example–we saw The Zac Brown Band on the 2004 Rock Boat, so we’ve been singing “Chicken Fried” for about 7 years haha).  You should make it happen if you love live music (Make it Work)!

Alright, can I get a h*ll yeah!!!  Super excited that Ingam Hill is trekkin it back to the Don in a couple weeks.  We told them that they pretty much need to get a pad here in Florida.  Now, THAT would make me happy.

Good-bye Don Cesar, hello Taco Bell….yeah, I said it, yeah, we did it.

Hmmm…boo-hoo to me.  I’m gonna miss my Lor (again).