Showering Em

For the past six months I have been planning my sister in law, Emily's wedding shower. Of course, the day we were supposed to leave to drive to Columbus I got the stomach flu and was unable to make it.

Although I was not able to be there in person the things I had planned (along with the other hosts) were, and they all turned out great. I am looking forward to celebrating Emily and Jason at their wedding in just a month!

 My gift. Yellow wedding bowl from Peachtree. She got me mine for my wedding so it was only right to return the favor.

Wildflower centerpieces created by Debbie,  Brenda and Mary Feikle. Great job ladies!

 Cookbook guest book, a tie to her time living in Charleston.

 Favors placed on the place settings

 Bridesmaids minus myself.

 Mini cupcakes Aunt Debbie got, they are so cute.

 No, I did not make this sign. That is what Etsy is for. 

 Bride and Mother of the Bride.

 All 55 guets. Emily is loved by many! 

The other hosts, Aunt Debbie, Brenda Clark and Aunt Laurie.

Parental Approval

Finally my Mom and Dad came to visit the weekend after Matt and Stacey (May was a month of visitors and we loved it!).

I have been spoiled most of my life living only 30 minutes away from my parents, so now that we are a plane ride away I have been counting down till they got here for their first visit.

We have gotten pretty settled in our home but once my parents arrived, and loved everything, I definitely felt a sigh of relief and reconfirmation (not that I really need it!) that moving was the right choice for us! Now, if only my Dad would go on and retire and they would move to Charleston I would be a happy camper!

They got in Thursday night and Brent was still out of town (ironically he had been staying with them in Chicago earlier in the week) and we went for a casual dinner at Mr. Friendly's which I think is my favorite little restaurant here so far. Friday, Saturday and Sunday was spent going to Home Depot numerous times (5 to be exact!), getting plants, hanging pictures, grilling out with my cousin Scott, the local farmer markets, discovering local folk artist Ernest Lee aka "The Chicken Man", dinner at Motor Supply, dessert at Nonnah's and just enjoying the nice weather.

Only 6 weeks till we are all together again at the beach in Charleston - can't wait.

 Our new umbrella and patio lights. Makes a huge difference! 

 Friday night grilling with family.

 Columbia farmers market on Saturday morning on Main Street. 

 The "Chicken Man's" store...otherwise known as an empty parking lot. 

 Planting flowers with Mom.

 Dessert at Nonnah's (second weekend in a row!). So good!

 Porches looking a lot prettier with our new flag and plants thanks to my parents.

More flowers...let's hope I can keep them alive!

Matt and Stace Visit!

After a long week we were so excited to have our friends Matt and Stacey come in to visit us from Chicago!! The weekend was perfect and it was so great to show friends our new home and city.

They got in late Friday night so we just enjoyed a glass of wine on the porch. While the boys golfed Saturday Stacey and I hit up the local boutiques and grabbed lunch at The Gourmet Shop. For dinner we went to a great restaurant called Colas where Matt tried grits and loved them! Sunday, the boys golfed again (of course!) and Stacey and I enjoyed laying in Finley Park and doing lots and lots of catch up! Finally, Sunday night we just enjoyed grilling on the deck before they had to catch their early Monday morning flight. We feel very lucky to have wonderful friends like them where we can all 4 hang out but more importantly the boys and girls also get along and are good friends separately :)

Luckily we had perfect weather. We had so much fun the only problem was it went by to fast!!

We also celebrate Matt and Stacey's news that they are expecting a baby GIRL in September!!