Charleston, SC

My cousin, Jackie, got married in Charleston, SC last weekend.  We've been excited about this wedding for a long time as they've been planning it for almost a year and a half.  We arrived late Thursday night and the festivities began Friday morning with a Bridesmaids lunch at a cute restaurant in downtown Charleston.  My mom, sister and I managed to get lost going to and from the lunch.  I will admit that I was in charge of directions as I was the only one who had been to Charleston before.  However, in my defense, there are way too many one way streets and every time I've been before I've been with someone who knows where they're going.:)  Anyway, we made it, and I wasn't in charge of directions the rest of the weekend!  

Rehearsal Dinner

My great-grandmother, Grandma Presley, made these flower pieces that we think she was intending to make into a blanket.  The blanket never got made and my aunt and mom found the flowers as they were cleaning out my grandmother's house.  Aunt Ann surprised all of the cousins (there are 8 of us) with a baby blanket for each of us that was made using the flowers that Grandma Presley had made herself.  They're absolutely beautiful and SO special!  (You can click on the picture to make it bigger.)  

Game night after the rehearsal....so much fun.  It made me miss game nights at the lake.  



Thompson Cousins in age order from right to left:  Angela, Kristi, Jackie, me, Mike, Katherine, David and Stan (holding Emily).  The 8 of us have taken countless pictures together over the years.  We almost always take the picture while in age order.  It's tradition.:)

I just liked this picture.  She looks like such a big girl.    

We didn't have a lot of time for sightseeing this weekend, but we did get a few hours to walk around downtown Charleston before it was time to get ready for the wedding on Saturday afternoon.  

My good friend Sara was in Charleston the same weekend we were.  Sara lives in Columbia, SC and I feel like I NEVER get to see this girl who I love dearly.  She stopped by Sunday morning on her way out of town to say hey.  It was so good to see her....even if it was only for 10 minutes.  

It was such a great weekend!  Congratulations to Jackie and Andrew....we're so excited for y'all!!  

Williams' Wedding

A couple in our small group, Corey and Sunni, got married a couple weeks ago (I'm a little behind on the blog :) )  Their wedding was absolutely beautiful and we had such a great time celebrating with them!

Corey's sister, Karrington, loved Emily.  I think Karrington is about 11 or 12 and she made a point to check on Emily all through out the weekend.  During the reception Emily was sooooo busy.  She did not want Bert or me to hold her.  She wanted to be on her feet and running around the room.  Every time Karrington stopped to pick her up, Emily would immediately lay her head down on Karrington's shoulder (as I stood there with my mouth wide open).  This literally happened 3 times throughout the night.  Emily loved Karrington.  I feel sure if she was talking a little more she would be asking for her right now.:)  

Emily's new friend.:)

The happy couple!  We love y'all!:)  

Small Group Picnic

Our small group got together for a picnic at Joyner Park on Tuesday night.  It was a great night of food and fellowship!

Emily decided that it was her job to collect all the frisbee's.  Every time someone dropped one or put one down she toddled over to pick it up.:)  

Emily played H.A.R.D.  We had one tired and dirty little girl by the end of the picnic.  Thankful.  

The Lake

After Kate's baby shower we decided to pack up and head to Lake Hartwell.  Emily loved the water!  This was her first time being in the lake (one of her Mama's loves).  She kept splashing and laughing and leaning her head back so that she could get her hair wet.  It was so much fun to watch her enjoy the water.

Please just look at this cutie!  She looks like such a big girl in this picture...excited and ready to go!  

"Let's go da da"

Emily helping Uncle Jimmy drive the boat.  She loved feeling the wind on her face.

Playing for a few minutes after having oh so much fun in the sun.  She looks exhausted in this picture!  We had her in the bed not long after this and she slept like a log.:)

Playing with Papa Stan.  She calls him "Papaaaaa".  She drags out the last "a" and leaves off the Stan.  It's soooo cute!:)    

I asked Bert to take a picture of Emily .  Emily is asking Bert to pick her up.  Just look at that face....forget the pictures...Emily won.:)  

Just relaxing with Daddy.  She stayed like this for the longest time.  

We had so much fun at the lake with Mimi and Papa Stan.  We were there for less than 24 hours, but it felt like we had spent the entire weekend there....so relaxing.  I got to slalom for the first time in 2 years.  I love to ski.  I used to do it several times a week.  I would go down to the lake after work and bring whoever I could find with me to drive the boat.  It was so much fun to get to do it again, but I definitely felt it the next day!  

A Baby Shower for Baby Jacob

Some ladies from Toccoa hosted a baby shower for Katherine.  It was so sweet to see everyone love on my nephew, Jacob (coming in August)!  Katherine and Brett got so many wonderful gifts for their sweet boy.  I can't wait to go over to her house and help her get organized!:)   

After the shower we went to Brother John's for lunch.  This is my favorite restaurant in Toccoa so even though it was time for Emily's nap we decided we'd join everyone for lunch!  

Katherine and Brett moved up to NC about a month after we did in 2008.  We have lived in the same town for right at 3 years.  We have both taken countless trips back to GA, but every time we're either leaving a day later or earlier than the other couple....so we have to drive separately.  This trip was the first time we were able to carpool and we had SO much fun!!  We talked and talked, took lots of pit stops (pregnant lady and a 14 month old), watched a movie, sang kids songs when Emily was ready to get out of the car, and talked some more.  We love y'all, Sanders family, and we can't wait to meet Jacob!!  

Wordless Wednesday: Go Tigers