Wedding Weekends

You go through different stages and phases of life...at one point it seemed like we got to go to lots of weddings...there was a friend getting married or having a shower almost every weekend...but, we haven't really been to one lately until the past 2 weekends. We got to go to 2 really pretty weddings.

CONGRATS Cassie & Justin!
I work with Cassie and they just got married on July 16th in Gainesville. The wedding was at First Baptist Gainesville and the reception was conveniently right across the street at the Gainesville Civic Center. Cassie was such a good bride...the Tuesday before the wedding she got a phone call while we were at work- from the lady doing the alterations on her wedding dress---she asked "do you have anything else you can wear to the wedding?!!!!! And then told Cassie her dress had a hole in it...Cassie rushed to the shop at lunch but it turned out to be really small and no big deal--so all worked out ok--Cassie handled it with stride! (Thank Goodness since she didn't happen to buy a "back up" wedding dress! Ha!)
In this picture: Dawn, Bri, Cassie, Elizabeth, me, Amanda, and Jesse

One of my favorite things they did at the wedding was the guest sign in...our friend Elizabeth sketched this picture of a tree--then, the guests picked from a variety of colorful ink pads to make their thumb print (in the place of a leaf) on the tree branches and sign their name. It looked really neat!

Pretty Cake for Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton!

What a friend! Lana was in town doing some shopping and was so kind to volunteer to hang out with Milla for the evening while Brandon and I went to the wedding together!!! So Sweet!

Congrats Lindsey & Ryan!
Brandon's cousin got married on July 23rd. Their wedding was at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. She had a really pretty dress...I loved how it just had one over the shoulder strap.

They had a really cool reception spot! It was called "Summerour Studio" located off 17th street-close to Atlantic Station and Ikea. www.novareevents.com/summerour/index . It was awesome and would highly recommend it for a big event facility.

Pretty cake for Mr. & Mrs. Schoutlz!

Ryan (the Groom), Nick, Brandon, and Brian

Kelli, Lindsey, and me

Brandon's extended cousins: Catherine, Lauren, Jennifer&Christopher, Kristen&Seth, Sarah&Nick, Me&Brandon, Kelli&Brian

Gary & Vicki with Mrs. & Mr. Crim

24 hours in Chattanooga

We wanted to get together to visit with the Peppers family one last time while we were both families of 3....because we know things are going to be crazy for awhile when we both grow to families of 4 soon!

Samuel and Milla on Samuel's 4 wheeler. They are buddies!! Samuel is adorable...lovable, grinning, kind hearted, and strawberry blond!

There is a restored, over 100 year old antique carousel downtown Chattanooga that we got to check out. It was a dream of one of Lana's high school art teachers to refurbish a carousel...and that is just what he did. He was a master woodworker and held classes and instructed others in a studio in town as they created all the beautiful animals for the carousel. People came from all over to be part of the creation!
Ben, Lana and Samuel

Just outside of the carousel is an area full of water fountains--it kind of reminds you of the area at Centennial Park in Atlanta. With the temperatures in the high 90's it was the place to be!

After the fountains we cooled down with some Hawaiian shaved ice. Yum! I love that stuff! Milla helped me eat mine...half peach/half watermelon! We felt like Chattanooga had such reasonable prices... it was just $1 to ride the carousel, the fountains were free, and the shaved ice was $1.50... so, for less than $5 we had a wonderful afternoon!

got to spend the morning on Chickamauga Lake...rode on the boat, swam, and had a picnic. Milla and Samuel did great...made it back in the car just as it was nap time--they were both out before we made it out of the parking lot!

Joyful little ones!
It made us so happy just to watch them!
We had a wonderful visit!

Red, White, and Blue

We had a nice Fourth of July Weekend. There was a lot on our "to do" list around the house to get done in preparation for our second baby girl on the way!!!---luckily we did get a bunch done and made room for a little fun too! Milla eating a Popsicle in honor of the USA


WOW!! The new Cumming Aquatic Center just opened at the end of June only a few miles from our house--we checked it out over the 4th of July weekend! It is AWESOME!! It has a zero entry pool that this playground sits in, a lazy river, and a big water slide. Milla played like crazy. She had no fear. We can't wait to go back. Children under 2 years get in free and it was $5 for adults...it was a fair price and well worth it!

We got to go celebrate Brady Sweeting's 1st Birthday! It was a firetruck bday party. Lots of firetruck decor and a backyard filled with pools and a slip and slide!!! With this crazy summer heat it felt good to have the water nearby.

Brady was living it up! He had a blast in the water and then covered himself with his cake! It was great! Christina (Brady's Mom and my friend from work) was SO sweet to make "egg free" iced sugar cookies in the shapes of firetrucks and #1 for Milla and Anna (who is also allergic to eggs). Milla kept saying... "Love Cookies"!!! Christina shared the good recipe that she used...
http://debralegg.com/2009/02/12/egg-free-cutout-sugar-cookies/

Brandon was craving some BBQ and wanted to make his own at home. He got a "Boston Butt" and smoked it for several hours on the grill.

Brandon's BBQ turned out great! He even made his own BBQ sauce...the vinegar based Carolina way...YUM! I was impressed!

Our family by the lake!

Milla doing some work on the dock!

Becky and Milla
Christian and Milla swimming and dancing! Milla thinks Christian is hilarious! She laughed and laughed!

Kelli, Brian, and Hank kicking back on rafts enjoying Lake Lanier

Babies and Celebrations

Blessing seem to be plentiful these days in the baby department!!! This is a fruitful season for families expecting little ones! We got to do a lot of celebrating this week!!!

We got to help host a couples baby shower for Liz & Grant Huffaker. It was at the home of Kim & Dale Hicks. Here is the food table and pretty hydrangeas.

The parents in waiting....Liz and Grant!
They have decided on a name "Lily Jean Huffaker"
...estimated due date is Oct. 6th

Lana and I are excited about our babies on the way too!!!
Our baby girl is due Aug 23rd, Lana's baby girl is due Oct. 4th

We didn't let Grant and Liz off easy at the shower....we all wanted to see their parenting skills...so, they had to play some games...

here they are in a race to change a dirty diaper and then redress the baby. They are gloved and goggled up!

Kim and Dale had such a pretty house. I came home wanting to paint because she had so many fun and different colors throughout her house. I took a picture of this just because it was so pretty. In their living room they had the mantle and the wainscoting painted a cool turquoise color that looked SO GOOD!!! Neat Idea!

Becky and Megan

Congrats Lauren & Matt (and sibs...Davis & Haley)!
Welcome "Allie Marie Sanders"
born on Thursday (June 23rd) 6#1oz
She made her appearance after 1 push!!!!!!
Amazing! She was ready!

Got to hold the precious little lady!

Milla had fun swimming and eating watermelon with her two little stud boyfriends in their matching Hurley board shorts!! So cute!!! *Asher, Milla & Will*

Asher climbed up in Milla's chair to give her a sweet send-off kiss when we were leaving!!

We celebrated a late Father's Day with Brandon's family at J. Alexanders on Friday.
Here is a picture with Aunt Kelli and Uncle Brian!

Mrs. and Mr. Crim

Fun In the Sun

MILLA
Milla's friend Haley just turning 2 and at her party they got to play in pools and on a slip and slide. They took a quick break for some birthday cake and ice cream. Milla is allergic to eggs...so, no cake for her-but thank goodness she likes ice cream so much--she doesn't even notice the cake is missing!

Pool day with friends
Harrison, Milla, and Hudson

It was great to beat the heat in the pool. Jill invited us over to her parents pool for swimming and lunch! We are thankful we got to spend the morning together because we just found out that Chanler, Ander, Marshall, and Harrison are moving to Charlotte this summer!!!
We will miss them!
*Chan&Harrison, Me&Milla, Jill&Hudson*

Hank is SUCH a sweet pup and is SO patient with Milla!!! She likes to make him meals and cook for him!!

The birthday girl
How can Bree already be 1 year old?

Kriya and Beau hosted an awesome party for Bree at the Atlanta Country Club pool. The only thing that didn't cooperate was the weather!! They had everything set up so cute and had so many adorable little details...pictures and decorations. But, as soon as the party began, so did the thunder...so, by the lifeguard's orders no one was allowed in the pool! It was hard for the kids to stay out of the inviting pool---but, after it down-poured there were plenty of puddles that the kids got to splish and splash in and make their own fun....so, despite the weather--a good time was had by all!!!

Milla getting to enjoy a juice box treat with some buddies close to her age...
*Celie, Millie Kate & Milla*

The Benich Family
Bree didn't let the thunder and lightning get in the way of getting to taste cake for the first time!!

Kriya made these REALLY GOOD treats....cake on a stick!

* Milla and Grandpa Dunnington reading*
There is a sweet book written by Billy Crystal for his granddaugther called "I Already Know I Love You"--my Dad sent it to me before Milla was born and even recorded himself reading it on a CD---so, she listens to it ALL the time--but an even better treat is getting to have him read it to her in person!!!

Milla likes to show her great grandma (Granny Girl) all the photo albums every time she comes to visit!

Milla and her Hippo

Salads,Ice Cream & Relaxing

We went to spend the afternoon with my Mom in College Park and she made us a delicious lunch. She makes a spinach salad that I LOVE!!!! Here is the recipe....
Spinach, chopped up boiled egg, crumbled crispy bacon, toasted almonds, and the dressing is:
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup oil
3 Tbs. sugar
3 Tbs. Ketchup
2 Tbs. vinegar
1 small chopped onion (optional)
Thanks to the tip from my friend Lauren we learned about the free ice cream at Brusters! If you have a little one under 40 inches tall...they can get a free mini cone!!! Milla enjoyed taking advantage of that deal. She loves ice cream-- she is constantly asking for "cream".

Dad and Daughter

We got to see some old friends (Casey & Ann Marie) that we hadn't seen in a while and although it was their first time to meet, Milla and Macy had FUN playing together!

Milla gets really cuddly after bath time at night-just before bed. Here is a picture of her and Brandon kicking back and relaxing!!! Cozy!