Bon Voyage again!

I feel like all of my friends are leaving me! I had another bon voyage party last weekend! My friend Danny is moving far away to the state of Washington, so a few of us from work got together to wish him well on his journey! I will miss my adventure buddy...we have fun memories of our Grand Canyon trip, our kayaking adventure, and many other fun times together!

No party would be complete without some table decorations...so I put these together with maps of Washington state and some greenery from my yard:

I made some devil's food cupcakes (with some added mini chocolate chips) and homemade cream cheese icing! Yummy!

She said, "Yes!"

Our beach trip was quite eventful this year as my brother Robby proposed to his girlfriend, Maribeth. We are SO excited to have her officially join the family! It is obvious that God is at work and has great things planned for their lives together!

On Wednesday, Robby took her to Savannah for dinner and then proposed at a special place for both of them (Maribeth had lived in Savannah for two years during medical school). He had planned for all of us to meet up with some of her family at this fabulous place called the Bohemian where we would wait for their arrival:

  We were on the 7th floor of this building overlooking the Savannah River. Amazing view of the ships coming and going.

 Making their grand entrance:

 Lots of hugs and tears:

 more hugs...

 Lots of admiring looks:

 At this beauty! Robby did such a good job picking out the diamonds and setting. It is incredible!

Celebrating together God's faithfulness in their lives as he drew their hearts together!

 Group family shot with her side and our side:

 Robby had ordered this cake, which was one of the best cakes I have ever tasted!

 We all rejoiced in this good news:

 And enjoyed the evening together:

 Sisters (and Maribeth's sister-in-law, Paige)

 Gaining another daughter:

 So happy for you, Robby! Let the planning begin! :)

 

Beach 2013

I just returned from another amazing vacation with my family! We have been going to Hilton Head Island for over 20 years on a yearly trip with family. It is always such a relaxing time filled with time on the beach, adventures, and of course, lots of good food! I am so thankful for the blessing of a close family.

Here is the view across the street from our house:

 We took lots of bike rides on the miles and miles of paved bike paths that are all over the island.

 Saddling up!

 Uncle Jon Jon and Thomas:

 On our family adventure!

 A lady pointed out this owl in the tree, and when she saw that I had my camera, told me that I should get a picture of it! It was amazing to be that close to an owl and hear it call...

 Most of our days were spent playing! Lots of tracks and roads...

 Transporting sand...

 This girl loved the beach! "Beach" was her new word of the week!

 Playing with Grammie:

 Splashing in the water:

 Uncle Jon Jon and Granddaddy caught some little fish in the net and the kiddos were so interested:

 Elaine Mae was not afraid at all to touch him...

 They love each other so much:

 I did a lot of reading as usual. I finished two books and started a third.

We had a pond right beside our house where Granddaddy and Thomas and I went fishing one afternoon...we enjoyed seeing several creatures including egrets and alligators. We had to keep an eye out for the alligators everyday as we passed by on our way to the beach:

 And then there was the obligatory beach picture night...always a challenge! :) This year we didn't get too many that turned out. The wind was really whipping! But we give it a try every year.

Robby and Maribeth. YES! That bling on her left hand is real!!! Robby proposed and she said yes! (Another post about the engagement party). We could not be happier to have her in the family!!!

 The family (but missing 3...Nathan and Laura couldn't make it this year, and Jonathan had to leave early)

 Grammie and Granddaddy

 The last one left at home...about to leave the nest as she heads to college in a few short weeks:

 The red heads:

 Ireland family:

 Sisters:

 The girls (we missed you Laura!)

  The sunset was gorgeous while we were taking pictures:

 Auntie Tat:

 Aunt RuRu:

What an great week! I am so thankful for my very generous parents who make this possible. They are both such servants and just look out for everyone else all week long. 

 So long Hilton Head...until next year!!

Bon Voyage!

I had so much fun doing some arrangements for a Bon Voyage party a few weeks ago...

 I went to AAA and got some maps of California for free and tore them to fit around the wine bottles, tied with some twine, and added some flowers:

 Maggie made this banner from old maps:

 The venue was awesome...a new bar in an up and coming part of town...lots of woodwork!

 The hostesses with sweet ME who is going to do a short travel-nursing position in sunny California! :)