Crabby ...

One year old and already crabby?  No way, he's the happiest little boy you've ever seen so a red, white a blue birthday will be perfect.  A few ideas via Etsy.  

first row: crab plush; c is for crab; crabby leash (for the pup)

second row: sailboat painting; clay crabs; candy wrapper; letterpress invite

third row: crab applique; cloth set; cupcake liners

fourth row: punch outs; matchboxes; bracelet (for mommy)

[love] a crafty turned healthy adventure

Big Crafty....  ohhh myyyyyy ....  and in Asheville?  I couldn't resist.  The crafts were almost as amazing as the people who made them and I LOVED meeting the artisans that I've watched (okay, maybe stalked is a better word) on Etsy for so long.  I even recognized some the artists from the Charlotte Etsy Fair I visited last summer.  It was so awesome that it needs it's very own post so onto the kiddos.

The ONE problem with the Big Crafty, 1000 degrees at noon with three VERY sweaty kids right around nap time.  The answer, The Health Adventure, a very cool (both figuratively and literally) "family health and science attraction" located on Pack's Square in Asheville.  The same location as Big Crafty!  Being an avid visitor to the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, how could we just walk past without at least checking it out. 

It's awesome and the staff is so super nice. Even on a day when you couldn't walk outside their doors thanks to all the craftmania.  We let the girls out of the stroller and just let Jack loose.  Kate and Maddie loved the play area.

They had an amazing time in just the first room and after a few minutes of ultra cool ac, I was back off to browse the crafts while Dad watched the kids.

We met back upstairs in the "Wizard of Oz" exhibit.  Jack worked on Tornado Alley while the girls visited some munchkins for tea.

So, if you are ever in Asheville and need a wonderful and educational break, this is the place.  I was just a bit jealous at not getting to explore The Health Adventure the whole time, but I know we will be going back!

[celebrate] burlap and the beach

Here are a couple final photos of the Rehearsal Dinner for Brandon and Wendy. 

Not bad for a much older church fellowship hall.

Images: Josh Jessmer

[love] the lake

Papaw got an RV.  Mamaw doesn't care to ride in it.  Mamaw likes to park it and leave it.  Papaw doesn't like not having a car.  The answer, Lake Lookout and a little campground with no more than 15 other campers, mostly fifth wheels and our new summer vacation spot via the grandparents.  I think they had the idea they were going to "escape" us kids for a bit and yet I think the opposite has happened and they would have it no other way. 

images: playpending

[celebrate] tonight is the night

So between a lovely vacation in Asheville and getting ready for the rehearsal dinner, blogging has suffered.  Back to it with a little glimpse of Brandon and Wendy's Rehearsal Dinner.  The Big Day is tomorrow, so I hope they are having a wonderful time tonight and get to enjoy their friends and families as much as the barbecue. 

brandon and wendy ...

Brandon and Wendy are a beautiful couple who are finally getting married NEXT WEEK!  I've been working on some ideas for their rehearsal dinner.  Since it's Brandon's show we decided on burlap and the beach.  We begin assembly tomorrow and hopefully our ideas will turn out as pretty as the ones below.

images: Style Me Pretty, Pottery Barn and Coastal Living

[read] sunny inspiration

I was sucked into craft books again.  Add a weakness for books to a love of crafts and I'm so done.  All but one are solid, and the one that's not was free, so there you go.  Sew Sunny Homestyle by Tone Finnager is one of the prettiest books I've read or even seen in a long time.  Although the style is something that I could never pull off, I've found one project that may have me busy for a while.

So hopefully I will have some crafty posts to add in very soon and at the same time get a head start on Christmas for all the girlies in my life!

happy fourth of july

you can always count on martha ...

image: Martha Stewart

kampfest 4 - planning ...

a few years back we started meeting some very good friends of ours "in the middle" at koa's.  the first kampfest was in mt. pleasant, sc and we fell in love with the kabins.  now we all have kids and we're stepping up to the lodge but still rockin' it koa-style.  this year, swannanoa.  so it's time to start planning - oh not where we are going to stay or what we are going to do.  no, what's our theme and what are we going to cook!

more to follow but i'll give you a hint ...

image: Better Homes and Gardens