Maggie Turns Two!

While I was in Oriental, Grant spent the weekend with Mimi and Poppy in Mt. Airy with Grandma, Grandpa, Cousins George and Betty and Aunt Lesley.  He had a fabulous time and on Sunday Mimi took him to one of my closest friends, Brooke's daughter's 2nd birthday... you still with me?  Brooke hosted an ice cream bash for Maggie in Winston Salem, 30 minutes from Mt. Airy.  I haven't been able to see Brooke and her fam on this visit but I'm so glad that Grant was able to see them and help celebrate!

Grant was stoked to see pretty Maggie once again...

and of course, Brooke outdid herself with the decorations.  I couldn't resist posting these pics.

tissue paper puff ice cream cones in vases filled with sprinkles.

The favors for all the kiddos.  The cones were filled with snacks and treats!

the most beautiful birthday cake I've ever seen

Time to blowout the candles, do you spot my little on watching on with his Mimi?

Maggie and Grant were not thrilled about saying goodbye to one another

but said "See ya later" with a kiss!



Girl's Getaway and a Wedding

I spent the weekend in Oriental, North Carolina celebrating my sorority sister and good friend, Melissa's wedding.  Grant spent the weekend away with his Mimi and Poppy in Mt. Airy and I had the entire weekend to catch up with my college pals.  Bliss, I tell you.  Pure bliss.  I stayed up late, slept in, took naps and enjoyed catching up with the gals...

 Friday night we were all invited to an "After the Rehearsal Dinner Party."  It was nice having two nights of events because one is never enough with this group.

We enjoyed desserts, cocktails and a slide show of the happy couple all the while enjoying this gorgeous venue, River Dunes in Oriental.  This boating community is truly special and the most beautiful place for a wedding I've ever seen. 

 With mosquito's the size of cats flying about we sought refuge in front of the fire and this is where we spent hours catching, up laughing, telling stories and reliving college memories.

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful friends whom I don't see nearly enough.

 After lounging at the pool on Saturday and playing several rounds of bananagrams it was finally time for the ceremony and the chapel was truly picturesque.

Melissa and Doug were married in front of the chapel with the crowd watching on from folding chairs in the lawn.  The groomsmen wore khaki suits while the bridesmaids were in lavender with yellow bouquets.  It was southern perfection.

Melissa was a stunning bride and I've never seen her happier!

 The marina was directly behind the chapel

 and at times the breeze coming off the waterway was a little strong...

 The flowers were gorgeous

 and the time spent together priceless.

I laugh to myself when I look at this photo. Not long ago we would have never taken the time out from dancing, conversation and cocktails to have a bite of cake and now we all sit down with our slices and contemplate strawberry or chocolate?

 The night was magical and the bride and groom left with all of their friends and family wishing them well with a sparklers farewell.

The getaway was very much needed and appreciated.  I came home and was so excited to see my little boy.  Grant on the otherhand had a fabulous weekend.  I'll share the details of his adventure very soon!

double duty

And double the fun! Grant and I flew to NC today and were picked up by Aunt Jessie and Sammy. We are having a ball!

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Oh No You Didn't...

Yesterday, after putting away some laundry I walked into the family room and Grant very proudly pointed to the couch and said, "Color, Color!"

And this is what I found.  Not just this one but three lines just like this all on the backside of our sofa.

I took a minute, closed my eyes and counted to ten and very calmly told Grant the error of his ways and silently cursed myself for not putting away the pilot pen I spotted on the end table during his nap.  I remembered what I had heard about ink stains and hairspray.  I went and found the nearest bottle and gave it a shot.

After applying hairspray to all three lines, scrubbing the spots vigorously and then following this ritual with water to remove the stickiness, the spots miraculously disappeared and everything was ok in my world again.  That is until he started doing this...

Whatever possessed me to buy a Pottery Barn Sofa in the midst of Grant's toddler years I'll never know.  For now, I've resigned myself to the fact that this couch is in for it and there is absolutely nothing I can do about those sticky hands and dirty feet that excitedly mount it every. single. day.

Let the Wedding Tour Begin...

After doing yardwork yesterday and spending time outdoors in the grueling heat, Luke and Grant had a nice long talk and decided they would let their Mommies and Daddies have a night out.

Our friends Ashley and Stuart were married in Mobile and their reception was held at the most amazing house on the bay.  The setting was beautiful!

The food was delicious...

and the inside of this place was just as breathtaking with four live trees growing in the middle of the dining room... breathtaking...

and so was the bride.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, all photos were taken on my cell phone.  That's life on the go for ya!

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Ron and I became very close friends with Jenna and Michael that short year we lived in Auburn.  Michael and Ron met through work relations and both happened to have significant others named Jenna.  We have remained close with these two and after two years, finally convinced them to pay us a visit.  We've seen them several times over the last few years.  As you recall, when I drive to North Carolina, I always make a stop at their casa in Auburn on the way and Ron recently went to the Talladega Nascarr Race with Michael.  Grant was thrilled to have them stay with us! 

We had a very relaxed weekend but managed to fit a lot of monkeying around in...

 We had dinner at The Fly Creek Cafe in Fairhope Friday night and enjoyed a great reggae band...

 Shopped all day in Fairhope on Saturday and Grant even got in a little bit of time at the park...

Saturday night we enjoyed fantastic food.  Michael is an excellent chef and took over our kitchen!

Jenna and Grant looking at his Tractor book.  Grant's wearing an Aubun T-shirt that they brought him.  War Eagle!

Shrimp, Corn, Sausage, Cheese... we had filet for dinner

Sunday we dared the crowds and went to Gulf Shores.

The weather was great, the water was warm and Grant loved the sand!

 Our friends, Angel and Joel met us all down there and Grant was so excited to play with his friend, "Memma!"

 Grant thinks Emma's a Star!

 "Watch Out for that Wave!"

 Grant with Emma's younger sis, Chloe

 After making fun of a couple of women that had their pictures made with the lifeguard, Jenna, Angel and I got the nerve to do it ourselves.  Well actually, I asked if we could take our picture in the lifeguard stand with them and was shot down... we settled for this.

 Grant wanted in on the lifeguard action as well and got to go for a test drive in the "beach tractor."

 We all had such a fun weekend.  Sometimes my camera was around, sometimes it wasn't, sometimes (the majority of the time) it wasn't charged.  Oh, and Friday morning I awoke with pink eye, (which has been a nightmare!)  Excuse me, for not wanting to take any pictures!!  Sorry there are so many loopholes in my storytelling but all in all, we had a great Memorial Day Weekend.  Today was spent at home with laundry and lots of fun outside with "Mall," Grant's friend Camille whom her family calls, "Mil," and Grant pronounces, "Mall."

And if you really want to see how much Grant has grown in a year, click here to see what we were up to last year on Memorial Day!