Jeffrey Gets Married!

My big brother, Jeffrey, was married this past weekend in the town I grew up in, Clinton.  He married Kristie, an art teacher and his love!  Friday night we celebrated with a rehearsal dinner and unfortunately, my pictures are limited because I left my camera in a church pew.  These two I stole off facebook from someone else!

My siblings, Beverly and Jeffrey with Grant

Dad and Jeffrey after dinner

 They had a beautiful ceremony, one I was honored to be a part of.  They were so joyful afterwards, I snapped this photo immediately after they said there, "I do's!"

                                                                                     My beautiful family

 We were so thankful to have Ron's entire family there for the wedding weekend as well.  Grant's Mimi made this beautiful linen outfit for the wedding, thank you Mimi!

The reception was held at the Victor R. Small House in Clinton which is now a historical Art Museum.  I snapped this photo of the house back in January.  The house is rumored to haunted and rightfully so.  Check out this link to listen to an audio recording of the house's paranormal activity!

The weather was much different than our last visit there in January.  It was HOT!  I love this photo of Grant, he looks how we all felt to be out in the heat!

 Jody and I

 Ron's Grandparents drove all the way from Illinois for the wedding!

My bestest friend, Jessica and I

My Mom and some of her closest gal pals

Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Boone, Mrs. Connie and Mrs. Brewer

My Mom's brother, Edward with Beverly and I

Everyone loved the bluegrass band that played.

Some of the wedding party with the band

Grant and his Uncle Jeffrey

Ron, Jeffrey and Grant

My sweet boy had so much fun at the reception!  We heard several times how much Grant favors Jeffrey as a little boy.

Having a ball and the shoes came, "off!"

Candid shot of Bev and her best childhood friend with Mom and Grant

After the reception Grant was worn out.  We arrived at our hotel room and he immediately put himself to bed.  He climbed under the covers and said, "night night!"

Congrats Kristie and Jeffrey!

Water Play

Grant and I have had so much fun in Clinton this past week with our family and friends.  Grant loves being outdoors and we've had some great times lately on and in the water. 

We've gone boating with "Papa."

 and spent a lot of time reflecting on the weeks activities...

Grant also loved visiting the pool I went to daily as a kid.

 I babysat these two girls when they were itty bitty!  Now they're all grown up, lifeguards, and had the best time playing with Grant!

After watching the big kids do flips and dives off of the diving board, Grant decided he wanted to give it a shot! Emily, the lifeguard was so patient and was waiting for him when he was ready to jump! 

                                                                   Aunt Bev was there for all the fun as well!

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!