Summer

We had a fun filled summer and it is about time I post something about it. It came and went way to fast. Here is a recap of the Highlights.

We went to Atlanta 3 times... for the 4th of July, to buy fabric for a project (I'll get into that later in this post), to check on my Grandpa (he had his knee replaced) and of course to visit with our family.

I spent some time at the pool mostly with my friend Michelle.

We went to Orlando, Fl.

Us in FLORIDA. We didn't take pictures we didn't have our memory card in our camera... Oops! This is a cheesy phone camera pic.

Then there was my favorite part of summer... When my mom came to visit for a couple of weeks. You might think thats a long time to have your mom visit but we had a great time and did not want to send her back to L.A. While my mom was at my house we embarked on a major HGTVish project. My mom and I tend to think we can do anything. While it is great to think you can do a project the reality of completing it is another story.

I decided our new house needed drapes I'm not talking about pre-made panels from target or bed bath and beyond. I thought we needed custom one of a kind drapes. Now why I didn't decide that one or two rooms needed these custom drapes I don't know... I guess the phrase go big or go home applies here. I didn't realize how much work it was going to be either. While we were in Atlanta we went fabric shopping with my aunts. Brian stayed home and worked on man stuff with my grandpa GB. He and my grandpa were so cute working on their projects.

Brian says when I decide to do something there is no changing my mind and this was the case with this project. I was determined to get drapes made for a long list of rooms...

Living room,

Dining room

office

master bath

1/2 bath down stairs

Sun room/Kitchen

Family Room

I had no idea how much work this project was going to be!!! Wow! My mom and I spent 12-14 hours a day for 1 week sewing and sewing some more. When we finally finished I was very proud of our hard work! The drapes look great and make our house feel more cozy. We LOVE LOVE LOVE them and could have never done it with out my moms help. Here are a few pictures.

We started with this...

We used the entryway to lay out the HUGE panels

Ellie helping out

Brian's Office

Formal Living Room

Family Room

The pillows we made to match

The kitchen/sun room (This is my fave)

Summer went by to FAST but was fun filled! I wonder what our next project will be?

Ellie got Mail

Our nieces and famous flower girls,  Adalyn and Cosette sent us a package this week.

They just had a dance recital how cute are they!!!

The girls sent Ellie a package with two darling little dresses. She has been wearing them all around the house. She looks so FANCY! Thanks Girls we miss and love you!

Ellie napping in one of her cute new dresses.

Ellie Loves her new dresses!

Nap Time

Brian and Ellie LOVE to take naps! I walked up to the man cave and found this...

Myrtle Beach

This past weekend we went to Myrtle beach! Brian's mom and step dad were there. Dave's family goes every year for a week and since we are only 3 hours away we headed on down! Dave's parents are in their eighties and have been going to Myrtle Beach for years it is like their families Carpenteria. For those of you who don't know what Carpenteria is I will post a blog about it soon! I was loving that his mom was walking around in her swim suit and getting in the pool! That is my goal for when I am in my eighties... playing at the beach! I loved being at the beach it is so relaxing to me. Brian was sweet and made sure to go on walks with me and frolic in the ocean.

Debbie, Brian, Whitney, Dave

Grandma and Grandpa Mason and us

Us

Out to dinner with everyone!

Hotel

A huge swan we saw.

A little fish brian caught in the surf?

Sunrise

Brian standing by the pier.

Us getting home from the beach.

Going to dinner.

Spring Cleaning

Yahoo our house is clean we just pressure washed and painted! So our shutters are all the same color now!!!! 

The Week of Williams

This past week we had Biran's Big brother, Jared came to visit. He lives in Jackson Hole so the sun and high 80's were pretty exciting for him. We LOVED having him here and we wish he lived here in Charlotte! (Hint, hint Jared). While he was here we introduced him to some of what the Carolina's have to offer... beautiful women, good food, and hard red clay dirt! We tried to have some fun and let him rest but Brian loves to do projects so they worked and joked and worked some more.

Brian and Jared on a hike in SC

Brian and Jared

They fixed a leak on the roof.

They changed the out side lights.

They tore apart a window and fixed it.

They added dirt and mulch to the flower beds and front yard, well EVERYONE helped with this. (the boys bought pallets 60 bags of top soil and 2 truck loads of mulch it was quite the task)

Brian and Jared working Hard!

Most improtantly they put closet organizers in the master closets. So now I have a "Sex in the City closet" compleate with bright lighiting, a full length mirror, and tons of storage space. Thank you my very own Mr. Big and his Big brother.

Before

After

The trip wasn't all work and no play... we had more Williams come and visit ( Brian's Mom and Dave, and sister Jennie all came down to visit. We were hoping to get all of the east coast family down here to see Jared and celebrate Brian's moms Birthday... maybe next time.

Brian, Whitney, Ellie, and Jennie

Debbie and Dave

Brian, Jennie, Debbie, and Jared

We had a great time with everyone. We ALL spent Friday working in the yard and got tons done. His family was a HUGE help and our yard looks 100 times better. We loved grilling out, playing games, and visiting with his family. It is always good to see family.

Spring Break/ Easter

I teach at a YEAR ROUND school (I know what was I thinking, right). This will stink when I only have 5 weeks off during the summer but it was great for spring break TWO WEEKS OFF! My two weeks were not school free...I decided to go threw ALL of my files and clean them out. What a task! I also spent some time with a few of my friends in the sun and I'm happy to say that I have the start of a great tan!

Brian's aunt and cousins all stopped by on their way down to their beach house... Yes it was tempting to hide in their trunk and stow away for a few days at the beach! We had a great time visiting and having dinner. I was excited to meet Brian's cousin Tiffany. She meet my expectations and was as great and nice as I had had been told. I tagged along on a couple of work adventures Brian went on and was happy to get to spend extra time with him. This hole 2 weeks of spring break should go national!

Brian, his aunt Melanie, his cousins Seth and Tiffany, Tiffany's daughters Avery and Kaili

Kaili and Ellie

Brian, Whitney, Avery

Brian Being a cute cousin!

We went up to Virginia for Easter and spent the weekend with Brian's mom, sister, and grandparents. It was a crazy fast whirlwind trip but we loved seeing everyone. Brian's grandpa has very interesting stories and he intrigues me. I love asking him questions! Brian got to go to priesthood session (if you don't know what that is its a a church thing) with his grandpa, they used to go together so it brought back some good memories for both of them.

Brian and his Grandpa Glen

We loved being able to see them and get away for the weekend.