Happy 8th bday

Happy {belated} birthday to our oldest niece, Abby.  Yesterday she turned 8!  Aaron and I were just watching home videos of her first visit back to the states when she was a baby.  I can't believe how big she is already.

Can't wait to see her in 1 week! :)

Tapleys Take Texas

As most of you know, one of my besties moved from Atlanta to Dallas in May. Lauren is one of my closest friends and she always will be! She was also my photography partner with Two Girls and a Camera. I miss doing photo shoots with her!

Well, I am a complete slacker and never posted about the fun "Tarpleys Take Texas" party that we had for them before they moved. And since I've already been to visit since then, I feel like it is way over due! Jenny and I had so much fun planning the Texas themed party and personalizing it with their very own Atlanta photo book. A lot of times when friends move from Atlanta, an Atlanta book is purchased and everyone signs different pages that have meaning. Jenny and I decided to take it one step further and went all around Atlanta in 2 evenings and snapped a whole album worth of photos. Add 1 night of editing photos and 1 night of designing and we got something really special. I love it and I know they Tarpleys do too!

At the party, you better believe we made those Tarpleys go out in style in cowboy hats. And Jenny got extra festive with western themed cupcakes, which were just as good as they looked.

We miss them soo much. Like I've said, Aaron and I have already been to visit them once.. and I'm sure we will see them again soon!

Only 2 more weeks!

Remember these cute Africa shirts I made last year?

Well when I gave the girls the shirts, only Abby and Ellie tried theirs on.  We decided to not wake up Katie Joy to try on the little onesie. 

Yesterday I was browsing around on facebook and came across this photo.

Oh my!  So cute!  I cannot wait to see these adorable girls in just 2 weeks.  and their parents too! :)

Minor Family Reunion

Aaron and I just got back from a fun weekend at Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama. Every year, we get together with my grandmother's siblings and their children and grandchildren for a very extended family reunion. We have a few locations in the mix. I've only been going for a couple of years, but so far we've done the lake (Joe Wheeler), the beach (Gulf Shores), and the mountains (Smokey).

We always have a great time getting together and enjoying whatever the location provides.

We stayed in these cute little brick cabins right on the the lake. They were a tad bit retro on the inside...

We were only able to reserve a boat for the 1st half of the day (8-12), so early Saturday morning we headed over to the Marina and hopped on the boat. It was still a little to chilly to get in the water at that time.. but it definitely warmed up enough.

Michael

That's my brother

Aaron and I out enjoying the boat ride

Beautiful lake scenery

James

cute cute cousin, loves the water

The family enjoying their time on the lake. :)

We found a rope swing that we were pretty excited about, but the water ended up being too shallow.

After the lake, we all headed over to the pool for a little more fun. We didn't stay too long, because shortly after, the giant black storm clouds rolled in.

James especially loved the pool area.

Saturday night is always the big get-together. This year we all grilled out steaks and hung around the cabin. The cousins also went on a deer search.

These are the deer we found on our deer search.

This is the deer we saw while driving to the cabin.

Grilling squash

Jr. Howells and Michael

Green Crocs everywhere!

All the little kiddos watching a movie.

Family enjoying the deck with the lake views.

On Sunday, we got up and had family church before loading up the cars to head to lunch and then home. We had a little bit of spare time, so we stopped by to see the dam.

Hanging out on the playground before leaving on Sunday

Wheeler Dam

After lunch in Florence, AL

We had a wonderful time and I'm already looking forward to next year!

On our way back to Atlanta....

Creepy doll...