Zack Brown’s lyrics describe my day perfectly. Happy Labor Day weekend yall. Hope yours is full of soul filling rest & fun.
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Tag: family
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Showering with Love
Last weekend Jason & I traveled up to VA for the weekend. The occasion? My brother & his fiance’s first wedding couples shower thrown by some my parents’ oldest local friends.
First though, Saturday morning, mom, Nana, my aunt Sue & I met Beth, her SIL Emily & her MoH Lauren at David’s Bridal for bridesmaids dresses. I found two dresses I liked but didn’t order anything. Beth is letting us pick our dresses as long as they are “latte” colored. She’s also suggested a couple of Nordstorm dresses so Mom & our group headed there. The first {& only dress} I tried on was this Adrianna Pappel one {but in brown which I can no longer find online}. Beth had actually emailed us suggesting this one too. I bought it on the spot. $138 & no alterations!
On to the shower! We arrived at 6:30p & appetizers were already out & friends were beginning to arrive. Beth & Steven quickly gave the fabulous hostesses candles as thank-you gifts. Lots of catching up with old friends, meeting new people & hearing more wedding details.
Even though it was around 100 degrees, this back yard had such pretty views {& beer} that people still gathered on the porch. It was wonderful to have both families together. Of course I realize now that while we took photos of the families separately, we don’t have one of all the families together {next time!}. 
The dinner that followed included bbq, potato salad, cole slaw, cold vegetable salad, baked beans & mixed fruit. Yummy dessert was strawberries & brownies with chocolate fondue. 
Steven & Beth opened a ton of great gifts & the open second floor walkway worked great for photos! 
Once gifts were opened & things had cooled down a little more outside, we all went out back for attempted golf shots into the lake, corn hole games & lots of chatting. 
Looking forward to gathering again to continue the pre-wedding celebrations with another couples shower honoring the happy couple in Sept.
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Memorial Day Weekend {part 2}
Another beautiful day meant another beach day! We started the morning thanking God at my grandparent’s church’s beach service. My view from the back of the golf cart on the way there. [flickr id=”5792358032″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
I promise I was paying attention & not just taking photos. But I couldn’t resist a “toes in the sand” shot nor a “Suz in the shadow” shot {ignore that I’m rewearing the Lilly pants from dinner the night before. You hadn’t noticed, right?!}. [flickr id=”5792358090″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
My grandfather & his friends estimated approximately 900 people were in attendance. [flickr id=”5791800235″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
It was really hot that morning. But by the time Mom & I went back down{after watching the last Oprah}, a breeze had come up & it ended up being a gorgeous beach day. I finished Unbroken, took a nap to the sound of the waves & enjoyed a few cold Bud Light Limes before we came back to the house. Mom, Nana & I made the same appetizers again before baking blackened grouper, asparagus & corn on the cob {all from the local market}.
We watched The King’s Speech that night {I’d already seen it but enjoyed watching it again}.
Mom & I walked the beach again Monday morning before we packed up. Bags at the door, Steven, Beth, Nana, Mom & I headed back to the beach for a few more hours of basking in the sun. [flickr id=”5791929319″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
I had to wear a baseball hat since the top of my head was red. I thought that was the only too-much-sun spot until I just realized my neck is peeling. Awesome. I’m officially a redneck!
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Memorial Day Weekend Saturday
My immediate family {minus the husband who had to work} gathered at OIB late Friday night. Nana & I caught up on the final Oprah’s waiting for the others.
[flickr id=”5791538057″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Saturday morning, Beth, Mom & I went for a three mile walk where even a little rain didn’t slow our strides & chats. We were at the beach from 11-430 staying chilled with Sunset Slush & Firefly pink lemonade. Hungry & a little pink from the sun, I made Jenny’s Sundried Tomato Bagel appetizers {gotta love a 4 ingredient app}. [flickr id=”5792096284″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Thanks to call ahead seating, we walked right to our table at Inlet View. [flickr id=”5792096794″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] [flickr id=”5791538767″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Mom, Beth, Steven & I waiting until after we’d ordered dinner to check out the top deck. [flickr id=”5792097360″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
I loved the company, the food, the whole view & those great chairs. [flickr id=”5792097482″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
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Easter Weekend {part 2}
The second half of our Easter long weekend was spent at my in-law’s new-to-them place in Garden City, SC {which is south of Myrtle}. Jason & I arrived there around 11a, unpacked, & checked out the place.
We got in the car for a quick drive over to Murrell’s Inlet. The ILs have become regulars at the Dead Dog Saloon. We sat outside on the water & their regular waiter, Jason, took great care of us. Cold beer {Magic Hat then Bed Select 55 for me} with a blackened fish sandwich. Look at this view~ how awesome right?! Life doesn’t get much better! We thought the place was awesome & the food great. I couldn’t resist getting one of their pink koozies.
After our leisurely lunch, we walked along the boardwalk. The restaurant next door looked cool too. Might want to try it next time. The island I zoomed in on below is called Goat Island. There’s wild goats & peacocks who live there. Random right? I just wondered how they got there! But they seemed happy, so that’s cool.
We drove around Garden City before heading back to their community. The four of us jumped on their new golf cart & took a tour around their new neighborhood. I woke up from a little nap, hearing Beth & Jason talking about the birds outside.
Bill grabbed a loaf of bread & to the back yard we went. We perched on the picnic table & admired the momma goose on her nest {Dad was near by in the pond making sure other birds didn’t get too close}.
A family of ducks {with 6 babies} swam near by & walked along looking for food.
Turtles crawled out of the pond/canal to pick up the bread that hadn’t made its way to the birds {Jason & Bill weren’t always the best throwers}.
Later that afternoon, the ILs & I took another golf cart ride. This time we discovered a swan family. The parents were huge. I didn’t have my DSLR but after cropping & zooming you can kinda see just how cool & beautiful they were.
Oh & Mr & Mrs Goose were taking a swim. Turtles {or something} was bothering them in the water so back to the nest Mrs G went & Mr kept watch.
We ended the night with dinner at Texas Roadhouse, followed by NBA playoffs & reading. The night morning, Jason & his mom ran a few errands & fixed her computer while I slept in. We went to their around-the-corner pancake house {yep, they’re regulars there too!} for eggs & pancakes. Sufficiently stuffed, Jason & I packed up, mapped out our trip & headed home {we got lost a little on back roads but still made it home in less than 4 hours}. We’re both looking forward to our next beach trip soon!