Farewell Summer

Now that Labor Day has come and gone I guess summer is officially over. Even though I like fall, I don't usually want summer to end. I will say that the cool mornings, crisp blue sky, and the start of college football this weekend made me pretty excited though. Before summer ended, we had one last beach trip the end of August and it is a favorite every year. It rained most of the week, but when you are at the beach with 35 friends + 8 kids the rain doesn't really matter!

C enjoyed the sand and ocean for a few minutes

R & R - the wonderful trip planners!

Cafe 30A - always a delicious meal!

Playing inside...

and more inside time!

Bike cruisin' with B

Young love :)

The pool was a big hit and favorite this summer

Now onto fall!

Wedding #4

Meet Jay and Fran. Our last wedding in August and a great one to end our series. I went to high school with both. Though they were only friends then I think we all knew one day they would end up together. I love this couple together. Two of the most funny and laid back people I know. Their wedding was also Caroline's first which is probably the reason I do not have more pictures. And the best part... so excited to have them living in the ATL now too!

Peace Out

We are headed to wedding #4 and then to paradise for a week! I can hardly stand it I am so excited. Happy weekend!

Wedding #3

With all these weddings back to back I am starting to feel like a wedding critic and #3 did not disappoint. Last weekend we celebrated Julia and Evan. Sadly, I completely failed to take a picture of the bride and groom! Julia and Evan are friends from our church. Let me try and give some good highlights since I do not have much to show you visually:

1. The band. Check out Mo' Sol Band. This was our 3rd wedding to attend with Mo' Sol playing and I think they literally get Mo' Sol everytime. They are crazy and they make John an even more crazy dancer with each wedding.

2. The bride. Julia was probably the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. There are not even words to describe it. She was stunning. Sorry, I guess you will just have to picture that one!

3. Sweet Treats - as in the most delicious ice cream. Pretty well know in Highlands, NC and I just found out there is a Marietta location too. We may or may not have had two cones of Oreo Mint.

4. Always a fun dance party with Cuz (although we are still enjoying ice cream here).
4. Seeing Kate (aka bride #1) back from her honeymoon!
I think I could be happy going to a wedding every weekend.

Wedding #2

We celebrated Laura and Ryan two weekends ago in Huntsville, AL. Incase you forgot, remember how excited we were when Laura got engaged? Her wedding weekend was even better!

We kicked off the weekend Friday night with toasts to honor the bride and groom and ended in the early hours of Saturday singing karaoke. This couple loves some karaoke.

Laura looked radiant on Saturday. Laura defines the word classy and everything about her special day was just that. I love when different aspects of weddings really capture the bride's personality.

Perfect example: This cake is SOO Laura. I mean, have you ever seen something like this???Laura makes wedding cakes and although she didn't create this one for her big day it was only fitting she had the most beautiful cake most people have ever seen before.

Look at that detail! And let me tell you it tasted just as good!

This precious couple is next to marry. Hurry up December!

Oh how I love weekends with college friends...the dance floor is out of control, we laugh at everything, we are way too blunt with one another, there is always good food and even better conversation. Oh, and of course lots of pictures!

(we missed those that couldn't be there with us)

I love these two girls and this picture just makes me laugh.

And thankfully, the husbands have fun too.

And what better way to send off the bride and groom on their honeymoon?

War Eagle! Football season is coming soon!!

Wedding #1

Meet Clay and Kate. Aren't they cute? They are bride and groom #1 as we have one month of weddings back to back. Their wedding was last weekend in the beautiful mountains of Highlands, NC. Kate and I have become friends in Atlanta and she is one of the most joyful and friendly people I know (and 100% genuine). She is a true southern belle and her wedding was something right out of Southern Living. Complete with shrimp and grits, BBQ poppers, and sunflowers everywhere.

We are loving these weddings as they provide awesome dance parties every weekend and celebrations with friends. Off to Huntsville, AL for wedding #2.

reunion

We spent last weekend at the lake for our annual reunion with my family and our close family friends, the Gaileys, who might as well be family too. We added three babies since being at the lake last year which made this year much more crazy and fun with 5 little ones under 4. This is always a highlight to the summer. The weekend was wonderful. It is hard to not have fun at the lake. We ate well, played hard, and laughed all weekend.

Everyone

Some of the boys

Baby Will

Caroline loved the lake water just as much as she loves the pool

And just in case we got tired of the lake...we had this huge toy!

Morning workouts

Owen and Caroline

Fourth of July

A fun and low-key weekend celebrating the 4th at home

The biggest 10k race in the country takes place in Atlanta every 4th with over 55,000 runners.
Love to swing on our front porch.

She had to have watermelon for the first time.
Just 1 of the 5 meals we grilled out over the weekend and were able to enjoy sitting outside - the low humidity was fabulous.
Fireworks show - a bit sleepy at 9pm...
but she loved it.
Yes, we were that family dressed in red, white, and blue.
Happy Birthday America!

Take me back please!

I am craving the beach terribly. This is not a very unusual thing for me since I wouldn't mind just living there too. Thankfully, we had a wonderful vacation at this beach several weeks ago with John's fam. We look forward to this trip every year. Even though I am an Alabama girl and love me some 30-A beaches, I have come to love this area just as much. This is where John's family has always vacationed and it is fun hearing all their stories and memories of trips growing up. John and I also got engaged on this island 4 years ago, so both islands are very special to us. We were excited to take baby girl with us for her first year to join. The week was a blast. I loved watching Caroline explore the beach, sand, and pool. She loved it too. Thanks to my wonderful in-laws for hosting us!


Now go away oil because we cannot wait to go to the gulf next!