AMAZING.

Please watch the whole thing. I cried because I was laughing so hard. love, lo

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

It is crazy to think that 2 years ago today, we were getting married. Time flies when you are having fun. Just a reflection back to that day and night and a special thanks to everyone who made it possible and who were there to celebrate with us.


Also, wanted to give a HUGE thanks to Alice Hendry (wedding planner) and David Wright (photographer) for making our wedding the wedding that never ends. Here is a clip of our wedding on Alice's Blog

And of course, this all could not have happened without our loving parents. Thanks so much. We love y'all.

I secretly stalk the Walgreens website

Through my mother's account. I probably check weekly the photos she uploads to her account and play the slideshows. This allows me to keep up on whats going on with my family, in a visual way. Distance between us: DC to Columbus (900 miles), DC to Brentwood (675 miles).

These are a few of the ones I found and thought I would share.

Bonfire at my parentsThe gift Lauren had begged to buy and she called me mean for not letting her...Dad and MasonBrantly's new puppy, Bailey.Clay Christmas Tree
One of my favorite ornaments from our tree. Props to my mother for making them.
Brantly all dressed up for Christmas.2009 Clay family Christmas pic
Lo and I at the British Ambassador's Christmas Party

And the edited 2009 Clay Family Christmas Pic. :)

In a Nut Shell

You might be seeing a common theme in my posts lately. That has been a result in my brand new iPod Touch that I got. I can now blog (or make the first draft) anywhere I please and that my followers, can keep the blog running a bit smoother than it has in the past. Below is the post from when we were flying back from the Holiday Season. Better late than never, right?

As I sit on the plane ride back to DC, I feel both eagerness and sadness. I'm going to be honest, as much as I love the big city, I love the south. It's hard to have the two together. You more often than not, have to choose one.

Christmas break was great. Here is the breakdown.

Friday: We visited with the McFatters. Like always, it was a good time. We hung out at their amazing house; drank wine, cooked steaks, and told stories. Their neighborhood Christmas party was that night, so we decided after dinner we would make an appearance. Boy did we. Before our departure, Daniel and I got into Lauren's (also Daniel's wife's name) closet and found her holiday attire. Daniel and I decided that the neighborhood party was for sure Tacky Christmas, so we put on our costumes and gave the girls holiday ribbons for their heads, and away we went.........only to be the SOLES wearing costumes. Well holiday costumes. These 30 year old women at Reunion (that's the neighborhood) thought they were back in college with their mini skirts (no leggings), sequins leggings (you read right), or the tight shirt/legging combo. WOW! They were rough and then had the nerve to look at us like we were strange. Whatever, Tis the Season to be trashy and they for sure were working it.

P.S. We knew it wasn't a tacky party, but wanted to spice it up.

Saturday: We headed over to the Zimmerman's for an always eventful time. The hosts had anything and everything there available for us. We watched The Hangover with Margaret's parents and then got ready and headed to Mary Margaret and Matt's wedding. It was such a good time.

Sunday: Travels to Nashville.

Monday: Christmas shopping where I saw a country music singer (name TBD, but I know it was one) and a Britney Spear's back up dancer. You know the one that made headlines for possibly being her latest squeeze (before her agent/boyfriend)? Yeah, he is from Nashville.

Tuesday: We had family dinner night at The Palm for the many birthdays and finished it off at a VERY interesting bar. Leaving it at that.

Wednesday: Rest and Relaxation

Thursday: Christmas Eve dinner, which consisted of Big Green Egg steaks and Silver Oak. Yom. That followed with a trip over to the Edmonds' for my very first taste of Egg Nog. I actually liked it. Who knew?

Friday: Present opening and Christmas lunch followed by naps! Love Christmas nap.

Saturday and Sunday: Dinner with the Brentwood Academy folks, followed by a hangout at Jordan's and more relaxation.

Monday: Flight back. Fun times. Now on to 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Can anyone believe it's 2010?!! ... because I can't! Where has the time gone?!! I feel like it was just yesterday and we were all waiting for the meltdown of Y2K... and now that was 10 years ago! Dang, I am getting old. Anyway, this year for New Year's Elizabeth and Ryan came down from NYC and stayed with us. New Year's Eve, we all got ready and drank some champagne and then headed out to Sonoma for a fantastic dinner and drinks. We stayed at that restaurant and brought in the new year there before going out to another bar and then heading home.
All of us waiting to ring in the new year...

Happy New Year's toast!!!!!!!

The Ozzie and the Redneck - hehe...

Liz and I tooting our horns!

HAPPY NEW YEAR YALL!!!!

Holiday Season 2009

Wesley and I are sitting back at home after a whirlwind of a holiday season. I can't believe that it is already over. Since we have been MIA bloggers as we have flown all over the eastern seaboard, I will recap what has gone down over the last couple of weeks. We first spent Thanksgiving in Columbus with Wesley's parents. We had a great week spending time with his family and relaxing. One night we had a bonfire and cooked hot dogs and smores... so much fun. We also went to the Ole Miss / MS State game.... annndddd that's all I have to say about the game. haha. We got to see Kayla and Kevin's new house, Brantly's new puppy, spend time with Wesley's parents and of course got to see Mason.
After Thanksgiving we came back to DC for two weeks of work before heading back south for the Christmas holidays. The day we got back from Columbus I made Wesley take me to Eastern Market to pick out out Christmas tree. We found one that had a little character and was a tad bigger than the one we had last year. We got the tree and some live garland and carried it all home in the back of the car. Here are some pictures of our decorated apartment... Wesley hung some ornaments (well most of them... including the lights... but hey I directed!) We got the rest of the decorations up too so that we could enjoy them for the two weeks we were in town. The mantle with stockings... And our apartment fully decorated! During all of this I turned 25 (wwaaahhhhh!!) and Wesley had his birthday as well. Sometimes it's so weird for me to think that we met when I was 19 and he was 22. Here I am with some friends at Sonoma for some birthday drinks. :) We had some visitors come to town - Jordan and her boyfriend Ryan came and stayed with us for a weekend. We went to dinner, went to a couple bars and watched the Ole Miss game. Such a fun weekend (even though Ryan gave us colds :)!!!) The weekend after that Wesley and I took the bus to NYC to stay with Elizabeth and Ryan - Candace and Charles were in town too, so it was such a fun time! We went out to dinner and shopped around 5th Avenue. It was fun getting to see the Christmas decorations in NYC. The weekend after that we were off to Jackson to start our holidays beginning with Mary Margaret and Matt's wedding. We stayed with the McFatters on Friday night at their wonderful new house. We cooked out there and went to their neighborhood Christmas party - I love the Reunion neighborhood! Saturday night was the wedding - Mary Margaret was beautiful and we had so much fun!



After the wedding we were off to Nashville for a week for Christmas break. It was great spending time with my family as well as my friends from high school who I miss so much. We ate A LOT of good food and drank a lot of good wine. It made me realize how truly blessed and lucky we are and that God has been so good to us.

It was very nice to have a break away from work and the hectic streets of DC, but back to the grind now I suppose. So needless to say we have had a whirlwind end of November / December and are excited for 2010. I think 2010 is going to be a great year for us. Who knows what it is going to bring - all I can say is that we are excited to find out.

Written Dec. 18th

As I sit on the plane, I am overwhelmed with excitement. I must first say that Lo and I are surrounded by a family of thirty Japanese. (Ellen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Not lying or exaggerating. We are headed to Jackson for Mary Marg and Matt's wedding. Our most favorite couple the McFatters are picking us up and we are headed to their house.

I can't believe it's almost 2010. The time has flown this year. I almost forgot. I am an uncle!! Brantly's little addition to our family is so precious. Another female has come into the Clay household. I can't wait to spoil her rotten! Don't worry peeps, I am talking about a puppy! The Columbus gossip wheel was spinning really fast there for a moment.

Post wedding, we are headed to Brentwood where we will get to spend some time with Lauren's family and longtime friends. Gonna be a good time. Maybe a little honky Tonkin or ghetto dancin with John Vaughn..... Who knows.

Last weekend, we visited New York . I love that city. I could move there seriously. Another adventure? Maybe. Liz and Ryan were more than gracious to allow us and the Clunkett's to stay in their apt. Lo and I are already planning another trip back. Because we are not going to the cotton bowl, Liz and Ryan are coming to DC. Will for sure be a good time... Ryan and I drinking our fav whiskey and coke while the girls tell Kramer stories (those never get old)......

Lo is posting soon..... maybe..... probably not pics of our apt at Christmas and a recap of thanksgiving and her recent purchases.

Until next time....... Wait, should I go ahead and say "see ya next year"? Haha guess you will have to check back to see.

Today is Thursday, that's my Birthday!

Today marks another day in Lauren's life. She turns the Big 25 and continues to keep me young. I hope she has a great day. I found a couple of flash back pics, I thought I would share. Now its off to work before dinner tonight!

This is an interesting pic because I took it in 2004 in Tuscaloosa. Lauren and I were not dating or in any direction to begin dating. Pretty funny how things work out.


This is one of the first pics of us post dating. We obviously were very young then.


Just could not resist this pic. Happy Birthday Lo. I love you!

Eternal Love Still Exists

Yesterday, Senator Byrd became the longest serving Senator in the history of the United States. However, what stuck out the most to me was how he reacted when he talked about his wife. Scroll over to around the 8:30 mark and watch. It's priceless.



Did you wish you had a tissue while watching that? Lo did. Both times she watched it.

So to all the non-believers of eternal love, this is just another example that proves you wrong. They were married for 69 years and he still feels the same way today. Can you imagine Lo and I 69 years later?!?! haha. Classic. I look forward to the memories. Many of our readers will be part of these.

Lo Now.


Lo in 69 years. I must note she is in FULL Chanel.


Me Now.


Me in 69 years.


Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. - The Wonder Years

7 Week Fly By

Is it really November?

It is probably a safe assumption that The Clay's have lost a few followers since our last posting. We apologize profoundly. Life has been a bit crazy the last several weeks. I am about to summarize in a nutshell what has occurred in our lives since we last spoke.

August Recess equaled more work, The Clay parents came, found out you have to pay to see Mount Vernon, Ole Miss started off hot and ranked (not the case now), Watched the SELA game on the computer, cried after the South Carolina game , went to Richmond with our friend Marcus, came back, was the only husband/boyfriend to watch the Lady Gaga concert in D.C., flew to Nashville, watched the Vandy game with tons of friends, flew back to D.C., flew to Oxford, stayed with Daniel and Watkins at The Watkins ' house, went to the Grove, saw shirtless college grads sing Party in the USA and Kings of Leon, refused to pay $20 to get into the Library, listened to the Little Mermaid, drove to Nashville, flew to D.C., got our car repaired ....twice , spent a weekend in D.C. finally, was able to maintain our double income (Thank the Lord), went to the Blue Ridge Mountains/Charlottesville, sat in the box at UVA and watched the game (it was very nice since it poured the entire game), were Chuck & Blair for Halloween (Gossip Girl for those who do not know) and now are getting ready to fly to Columbus for Kevin and Kayla's wedding tomorrow. It should be a great time.

I know us in a nutshell is not the same as detail blogs giving insight on exactly what we have done, but after getting up to go to the gym before work, WORK, then dinner, and Lauren's occasional swim lessons (teaching not taking), we have just a smidgen of time for each other. We choose that over blogging. We will get better. Promise.