Memorial Day Weekend

We had a wonderful LONG weekend after a very LONG work week for me. I couldn't have picked a more relaxing place to go! We headed to Highlands early Friday morning with Julie and Shipley. My mom, Juleann and Sam were already there, and Douglas and my dad came up Friday as well. We went straight to the porch after bringing in our luggage to enjoy the past couple of hours of daylight while staring at this pretty gorilla :)

 Terrible picture of me after a long day in the car!

The boys played golf on Saturday, and the girls went to town for a delicious lunch at The Old Edward's Inn and some shopping. 

We stopped at a nursery after shopping so Juleann could pick up a couple of ferns and I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures. 

When the boys got home from golfing, they were ready to move on to the next activity so we headed to The Highland Hiker in search of worms for fishing.

We (the boys) fished in the HFCC ponds. 

Shipley caught about 6 fish, Douglas caught 1, and Grant caught ZERO :) In his defense, his pole was a little messed up.

One of Shipley's pretty fish

Julie and I went up to the clubhouse for a potty break and saw this beautiful arrangement for a wedding reception.

Saturday night we celebrated Shipley's 24th birthday with steaks and a chocolate cake from Olexa's Bakery in Birmingham. Yes, my family is obsessed!

On Sunday, Grant, Douglas, Shipley and my dad bolted for another day of golf. Mom, Julie, and I happened to run into them on the golf course coming back from the grocery store. They weren't overly thrilled to see us or pose for a picture.

Then one of our biggest treats of the weekend was having Sherill and Lawson over for Sunday lunch after church. They were staying in Cashiers. Nobody made it to church but Juleann and Sam from our clan, but Lawson recapped the sermon and I could have listened to him talk for hours! We all enjoyed their company so much. Sunday night we went to HFCC for a barbecue dinner. The food was delicious!

What a fantastic weekend! Cannot wait to go back sometime soon!

A Jekyll Island Wedding

This past weekend we went to Jekyll Island, GA for my co-worker's wedding. Wow - what a beautiful place! The wedding party stayed in the Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Island Club. It was such an elegant, simple, historic "cottage."

The wedding ceremony and reception was on the grounds of the Crane Cottage, which was nice! After the rehearsal on Friday evening, we took a trolley to a beach pavilion for the rehearsal dinner. They had a delicious shrimp boil and the best key lime pie I've ever had!

Kelly and I in front of the trolley

Rehearsal dinner on the beach

The bride and groom back at Crane Cottage after the rehearsal dinner

Bridesmaids' luncheon at the resort

Pre-reception in front of Crane Cottage

After storming ALL day, the clouds rolled out around 3:00 and left clear skies and cool temperatures for the ceremony and reception. 

At the reception

 Our room was upstairs where the balcony is!

 First Dance

 We did not want to leave Jekyll Island on Sunday! We ate a delicious breakfast at the resort and walked around one more time before trekking it back to Birmingham. I cannot complain about the 16 hours in the car because Grant drove the ENTIRE way there and back :)

 Beautiful courtyard where the wedding ceremony was

Jenny and George's Wedding Weekend

This is my second attempt to post this blog - very frustrating! Somehow blogger had some technical issues and it was deleted. Anyway, Jenny and George tied the knot on May 7th. We loved going to a wedding in Birmingham and not having to fret over packing, taking off work, and driving home on Sunday. We also really enjoyed having my mom and Douglas stay at our house!

The weekend kicked off with a bridesmaids luncheon on Friday. We had shrimp and grits, asparagus, melt in your mouth muffins, and "cake balls," which happen to be my new obsession.

After the rehearsal Friday evening, we headed to The Club for the rehearsal dinner. Sipping cocktails while looking at this view was quite a treat.

Saturday started off at the Nelson's new home in Cahaba Heights with yummy breakfast food, hair, and makeup!

Mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and sister of the bride sneaking a peek as Jenny and George see each other for the first time. 

Reception at Birmingham Country Club

 Yaya's minus Meg. 

 Yaya boys minus Jason

 I love this picture of the newlyweds!

It was such a fun night! On Sunday, we celebrated Mother's Day after my dad got back from his annual Highlands golf trip with his high school buddies! I couldn't ask for a more wonderful mother!