Vacation Weekend Recap

After the wedding was over, I got up early Sunday morning and Denise and I got on the road to head back. I dropped her off in Atlanta at her apartment at SCAD and then I headed north.. very north. A short concert into my steering wheel later, I pulled up to the cabin where I was firmly planting myself for the next week.

I always like to spend the week of the 4th at the cabin. Independence day is my FAVORITE holiday, and there are so many celebrations going on in Blue Ridge and the surrounding area. Much to my displeasure, it rained every.single.day. while I was up there. We got very little outdoor time that didn't result in us coming back inside drenched. Equally not cool, Billy had to work every single day but the 4th.. the rain screwed his schedule up to boot, so his days were extra long and I would see him just briefly before bed. Then he was gone again in the morning before I even woke up.

But it was a week spent better there in the rain than at home and at work, so here are a few highlights that I have to share from the week.

1. We went to the orchard every other day to get more fresh peaches. We were eating them like candy. I  love fresh fruits and veggies from Merciers. We also found ourselves enjoying brain teaser ipad games.
2. Our friends from Miami were up to visit for the week. It is an absolute joy to have them around.
3. I got in a lot of quality front porch sittin' and reading.
4. The one day we actually saw a smidge of sunlight, we went to the lake. The views are hard to beat!
5. We put together a bookshelf that Billy's grandpa got for his birthday to go up in the loft. This is Billy's brother practicing his moves to see if he could make it as a hammer model in the future.
6. We went to watch the fireworks in the neighboring Tennessee town. We stopped by KFC for our traditional 4th of July dinner to take to picnic out with. It rained the entire time, but luckily we were under a pavilion and brought cards to entertain ourselves to the show started. I absolutely love fireworks. I think we should have them for every holiday.
7. Did I mention it rained a lot here in Georgia last week?
8. We went to the 4th of July parade here in town. This was the crazy marching band that came to perform. I was a little let down when the poster for the parade said a Budweiser Clydesdale would be in the parade, and all we got was a plastic statue of one. Rip-to the-off!
9. We went to dinner one night at the oh, so good Rib Country after we went to see Despicable me.


Unfortunately, because of the weather, I have very few exciting pictures to share. I thought I'd share them anyway because I was at least sort of hoping some of you cared.

Amanda and Tyler's Wedding Recap

As all of you were well aware, my college roommate and one of my best friend's got married last weekend! I didn't get to update sooner as I was detoxing myself from technology, but there's no time like the present!

Friday I picked up my dear friend Denise and we drove to the homeland to begin our weekend of wedding festivities! A few of the girls came over to my parents house and we finished a few last second crafts for the wedding like these cute cans to tie to the back of their car as they left from the reception.. except I was silly and forgot to actually take pictures of our look-alikes! so tadaaaa

After we finished crafting we jetted over to the church for rehearsal followed by a fabulous dinner downtown at the coffee shop. I was so excited to see everyone again. Let me tell you, this couple has some of the FUNNIEST friends and family. We were laughing the entire night! After dinner, everyone went over to the country club, which was where they were going to be holding their reception and to help decorate for the next day. Well, the girls decorated, the boys performed quality control over the bar to make sure that it was going to be suitable for the party the following night. Figures.

As gifts from Amanda, she gave us these adorable monogramed pocket shirts and sandals to wear at the reception

Saturday was the big day! We woke up bright and early to head over to Amanda's aunt and uncle's house on Lake Hartwell for a delicious home cooked wedding day brunch! You could not have asked for a prettier location or better weather!

Billy, myself, and Blake who is pretty much a brother to me. I can't describe what he and his family mean to me.

 Us with Amanda's crazy aunts. I've known them since I was a squirt! 

One of my favorite pictures from the morning. Tyler and Amanda's dad having a last second heart to heart. 

After brunch, we all went and got ourselves ready for Amanda and Tyler to start their forever together. Here are a few pictures from the precious ceremony and their absolutely adorable reception. She made such a beautiful bride! I love the way Tyler looked at her all day. I am so glad they are so happy together and that their day was as perfect as it could be for them. I had a blast and was so excited to be a part of such a special, sentimental part of them starting their lives together.

These two goofballs make my heart so happy

Some of us with my Godmother, Mama Dee

Leaving for their honeymoon in their favorite city, Las Vegas!

Stephanie Hicks did SUCH a fabulous job caputuring their special day! I highly recommend her to anyone in the Athens or Atlanta Area!