We're from the country and we like it that way.

This past weekend my not-so-little-anymore half brother came up from Bamburg to visit! We hate that we hardly ever get to see him. He's growing up so fast. We had a great Labor Day weekend spent relaxing with family and friends. Hope you all did too!

For one, my husband was estatic [and that is an understatement really] about Saturday because it was opening day of dove season. "Sandi, what can I say. I'm more of a "bird hunter", he tells me last week. More excited about dove and turkey season than deer season, even though when bow season opens up in a few weeks you know he will be waiting at the break of dawn for that too. I married a true Southern redneck gentleman. A man who loves hunting and fishing and well... unfortunately...[hold your breath]... Clemson football. Yes, I know. He loves all SEC football too, so I can't complain too much. But he'll also clean up well and wear his preppy Southern Tide polos, seersucker pants and Lilly Pulitzer ties because I tell him to . Alas, this is why I love him so much.

Friday night he was pacing the floors along with his "dove field planner/helper" Blake who was a few houses over. Acting as if they were anxious excited kids on Christmas Eve. Chad's dad, aka "Big Cain", has a dove field between his house and Chad's sisters house. The guys have been working on it for months and the same group shoots every year. Big Cain's Dove Shoot. Family tradition. This year they ended up killing a LOT of doves. I'm talking 200-300. Poor birds.

Two fellas who especially loved Saturday was our twin nephews Maddox & Jackson. Seriously I think Jackson was more excited than he was on Christmas day. I have never seen two boys light up so much in my life when they knew they could "participate" [aka. sit next to Papa Josh and Uncle Chad and wear ear plugs] They had the best time and oh, the stories they could tell you. I love to hear them talk about it. I think it was the best day of their life, I'm not joking. Even though their dad is a golf & football guru, I'm going to have to say the twins took after their Uncle Chad for sure - 100% southern boys whose necks tend to be a little on the red side if you know what I mean. Well, we wouldn't have it any other way :)

Even if I did gag a little when I saw them holding dead doves. Blah.

Our friends Blake [the also anxious dove field planner/helper] and Beth [a dear friend since high school] are one of the few couples around here who have GIRLS so these are the only baby girls I get to spoil rotten with frills and pink and I love to, trust me! But hey don't let the frills fool you though, oh no. These girls, especially Emerson - the oldest, were raised in the country and can tell you everything you need to know about hunting and fishing too.

"Why dah-ling, I do declare. You know I only hold my doves while wearing my frilly pink Polo dress and pink accented cowboy boots!"

Her younger sister Blakely [on left] is bound to follow right in her...and daddy's...footsteps.

We didn't stay down at the dove shoot but for a few minutes because it was time for the women to head back up to the house to watch the Carolina game! My SIL made the best chilli beans, which I'd been craving and we all watched Carolina beat East Carolina. Finally. I mean, I was a little worried during the first half. Good gah.

This cutie was decked out in his Carolina gear. Also donning my brother's hat.

Then I absolutely love these pics. Blakely and Carter are just a month apart and destined to get married one day since their moms are BFFs, so I have to take pics now for their wedding DVD right? Blakely has her hand up already telling Carter "Now let me tell you one thing mister!" Clearly the girl is super smart already and Carter's face is PRICELESS.

Finally, here's a few pics from Sunday. My mom and I cooked a big meal for the fam.I told you our younger 15 year old brother is not so "little" anymore. When did he become inches taller than us? He's driving in a week. How did this happen?He was just my baby brother. Literally. I really can't get over it but I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming. We were so excited he got to come visit and he is so excited that his new nickname is now "Uncle Will"
Here we are with Uncle Will and Aunt Courtney, or "Corky" as all the kids call her
This pic is also a prime example of the basketball belly popping out that I was telling you about. Help me Lord. It looks much bigger from the side!

It is very rare that Papa has ALL of his kids together so my mom had to take a pic. Here we are in all of our lazy Sunday afternoon glory. Papa was so glad to be with his three grandkids, one grandson in law, one future-better-be grandson in law, and of course future greatgrandson Cade was gleaming in the pic as well. It's very special to him since he lost his only son, our dad Charles, three years ago. He knew all along I was having a boy and he assertively called him "little Charlie" one day without hesitation. Goose bumps.

I then knew too.

I hope we get to take this very picture this time next year when Cade is able to be a part of it. Our granddad has been through so much. Just this time last year he was fighting colon cancer and we didn't know what the next few months or even days would bring.

He is doing so well now and we thank the Lord for his health and answered prayers!

I love getting all dressed up. Big cities make me squeal. Glitz and glam is what I live for. But at the end of the day I simply love being 100% Southern and living in the wide open country surrounded by my wonderful family.

It's why Sweet Home Alabama is my all time favorite movie.

It's what has made me who I am.

Just don't expect to ever find me wearing camo, that's all :)

p.s. I feel like the first part of this post should have totally been narrated by the dude from Swamp People. Agreed?