Ruffles, Sequins and Bow Ties galore....

The time for me to officially buy every single box of tissues Wal-mart has to offer, is upon us. My smooshy faced baby brother is graduating High School  in TEN days!! How is this possible!? I can't deal with it. Someone medicate me until this is all over, please! To kick start the final downhill slide of his High School career was prom. Andrew had a date (a gorgeous one at that) and everything!

Remember this picture? The one of Andrew and his best friends? The friends he's been best friends with since kindergarten?

and remember this picture of them at Fall Homecoming this year? 

Well they got together for one last 'take a shower and put on nice clothes and don't forget to open the door for your date' time. Of course, they had to make it their own: 

Every year before prom the kids all get together and let their families proudly take their pictures: 

First the boys: 

Now the girls: 

Ok kids, now all together: 

Come on now everybody focus!!  Wait. Wait just a second..... Are you seeing the love I'm seeing in the upper left hand corner?

Awww!

It was important we got a picture of the boys with their moms: 

because these same moms will be red-eyed and snot-nosed for all the graduation pictures coming up!

Richie's grandma and grandpa even snuck in there for a picture: 

Really, can you blame them?

 This is probably the last time they will ever see their grandson in a power blue tuxedo, frilly shirt, & top hat!

But I made sure to get my picture taken with Kali:

Naturally, since all the girls were wearing fabulous dresses, I needed to wear on too.

After we sent all the kids off on the 'party bus,' my parent's and I went to dinner. Just look who we found: 

Obviously my dad wanted a picture of his two favorite children together!

Picture time wasn't over, and we met up with the kids at the prom venue for even MORE pictures: 

Hi Keaton! Hi Phoenix! You look fancy!

 Here is Andrew and his fabulous date: 

Here is me and my date: 

Hi Chris! 

Next we took a picture of Andrew's fan club: 

and then a family picture: 

I know you've seen my and Chris' prom photo a million times, and after looking at handsome Andrew, I'm sure you're wondering: "Man! How are these kids able to take such amazing prom photos?" 

The answer is an easy: "duh"......

My mom and dad!

Prom, 1980 baby!

Prom Sneak Peak....

This last weekend was my little brother, Andrew, senior prom! We were so busy and Chris even got the privilege of chaperoning (he was SO excited....)! I took a ton of pictures for you and will upload them tonight!
In the meantime here is a sneak peak:

These boys have been best friends since kindergarten.  Richie and Carson perfected the "Dumb and Dumber" look.

This was Andrew's beautiful date. They aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, I don't think he has much game...

Every prom needs a party bus!

The family, we clean up nicely don't we?

Divined by the universe....

Last week marked the day ten years ago that I was a senior sitting in my High School journalism class. I had completed my assignments, was doodling on my notepad and the ADD was kicking in. Bored, I asked my brilliant journalism teacher, Mrs. Baxley, if I could go to the bathroom. In our High School, the closest bathrooms are next to the weight room. This seems like an insignificant detail, but it is crucial.

You see, Chris was in weights class that fateful day, and they were timing 20 yard sprints in the hallway- by the very bathroom I was wasting time in! Timing the sprints was a 2 man job, and a clipboard was shoved in my hand to write down the sprint times (actually I was standing there talking and was told to get back to class, or make myself useful).  Chris, being the stud he is, was on track to break the record (which he still holds- no big deal) and stayed after the bell rang to make the record  his own. I stayed to write down his time.

On my way to return the clipboard (and Chris' return to the locker room), an innocent conversation took place that would have lasting consequences, for both of us:

Me: So. Do you have a date for prom yet?
Chris: No, not yet. What about you?
Me: Nope.
Chris: Uh...Do....you...wanna....go....?
Me: Sure!

Ten years ago today, Chris and I went on our last first date, and have been partyin' ever since....

Isn't he handsome!?

God bless Senioritis...and ADD.....and sprints in the hallway...

and Mrs. Baxley for letting me go to the bathroom....