DIY- Wreaths and Arrangements

I have been helping Hobby Lobby stay in business this summer and have hit it up several times the last 3 weeks.  Adam is at the point now when I say I am going to Ocala to run errands he cringes at the thought of me “swinging” by Hobby Lobby. 

We met friends for lunch last weekend and after Torie and I went to HL.  I had a list of things I needed and was determined to go get just those things but when I saw that floral stems were half off my goal was not met.  I was thrilled because when I was there the week before they were full price and I have been wanting to make a simple wreath for the front door for non holiday times. 

New to the DIY post I did not take a picture of all my materials prior to assembling my wreath.  Here is the scraps and my stem loppers.  I was too cheap to buy the 7.99 floral stem cutters and decided that our yard loppers would do. 

With a vine wreath and 2 gorgeous magnolia stems and a little bit of floral stem tape I made my simple yet classic front door wreath.

Excuse the dying ferns that are in need of water.  I think it looks a bit more welcoming but looking at this picture makes me want to paint that white door black.  Another possible DIY project for later!

While I was busy working on my wreath Torie was busy working on hers. She also bought the pitcher and vase half off at HL and was more adventurous than I and wanted to make arrangements for them. 

Here are Torie’s 3 finished DIY projects which turned out great and really blend well with the décor of her house.  It was a fun afternoon of crafting together. 

*LRW*

VBS 2011 is a wrap…

It has been a whirlwind of activity the last few days.  Our 2011 VBS began Sunday and ended last night.  The theme this year was SonSurf Beach Bash and the kids had such a blast.  Adam and I did the music like years past.  We had fun with the kiddos but are sure glad it is over and we are ready for some restful nights at home together. 

Our Pastor, Will Clark got up and invited all the families and children to church on Sunday to sing our VBS theme song “Everybody Let’s Go” for the congregation.  Prayers for those families to have the courage to come and begin a ongoing relationship with God! 

*LRW*

A Mirabella Photo Shoot

Was down in Tampa for a few days last week for a bit of family time.  I never pulled out the camera until the last night when we were out to dinner!  So here is our montage of pictures at the restaurant.  Matt is only a few months from getting his license  so he drove us around each day.  We jammed out to music in the car and sang the songs when we didn’t have the radio which was the most hilarious memory.  

Looking forward to a mother/daughter trip to Charleston in a few weeks!

I also got a chance to visit with my grandparents for a few hours which was so wonderful to catch up with them.  My granddaddy enjoys building things and has an amazing wood working shop at his house.  He made a few of these mirrors for different family members.  I got one…I just have to find a wall space it looks good on. 

*LRW*

Girlfriend Time

Met up with some good looking women and handsome young men for some girl time over the last few weeks!  Christina, Rita, and I decided a lunch date was in order.  We had lunch in Ocala at Mimi’s Café with some entertainment…Hoyt and L were the best behaved boys! 

Love this picture with Hoyt and Christina.  He is all about snuggling and giving hugs!

L was ready for a nap once his belly was full!

Love getting away with the girls!  Since this lunch we have begun working out in the mornings when our schedule allows.  Let just say we were all so incredible sore, but after round 2 I could feel “the weakness” leave my muscles.  It feels good to keep in shape I just don’t know why I don’t keep up with it.   We are planning a girls trip for November to Atlanta and even thought it is like 15 weeks away I am already counting down the days. 

Annie, Carrie and I got to celebrate Stephanie at the shower for the triplet boys.  We hope they stay in as long as they can but are also anticipating their arrival!

Great memories with the girls!

*LRW*

A Tardy 4th

I have really been enjoying my time off going here and there, reading a great book, and meeting up with great family and  friends!  All the fun sure does making blogging go on the back burner, but for my memories sake I am attempting to catch up!

For the 4th we head to the beach as usual but it was more packed than last year for sure.  We had 6 last year and this year it was much more full with 10!

Three of the munchkins resting as we slipped out and head for breakfast on the pier at Adam’s dads favorite breakfast spot…Crabby Joes!

The beach would not be complete without a little side work.  Adam was hard at work fixing the door stop.

We headed to the beach for some fun in the sun!  It was a perfect day and the beach was pack for the 4th!

Elliot and Taylor

Sand castle building had commenced!

All set up for hotdogs on the beach.   A new tradition which was festive and delicious! After lunch we had pool time so AB could show off her new swimming skills.  Uncle Adam was impressed and spider crawled with her…ha!

Love this picture of “most” of the girls!  Too cute!

Last year I had my first opportunity to experience a NASCAR race and this year I was ready for round 2 when a ticket was offered to me.  Last year it was me and all the guys so it was super fun to share round 2 with Annie!

The Race Crew 2011!

So Serious…GO Jr.!

Last year it rained and there was very few people walking around and this year the place was packed and the crowd was lively (I used the kindest word possible). 

Jr.’s intro.  we were hoping for a great race!

All ready to listen to Jr. and his crew at the start of the race.  This race definitely did not disappoint with lots of wrecks that were visible this year.  The last one was right in front of our seat and there were debris flying everywhere and the smell of oil and tire rubber burned out noses.  The next morning we headed home for another round of scalloping!

Scalloping day one was fun and we got to visit with friends, Matt and Grace who we had not seen in some time.

Day 2 was a bit more rowdy for my taste but it was still a successful trip.  We limited out both days and we still had time to make it to a firework show with Mark and Christina on the 4th!

Looking forward to a 4th next year with this much or more excitement! 

*LRW*

Wordless Wednesday- Before and After

*LRW*

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June Went Out with a Bang…

I have been wanting to do some bowling for quite sometime and when we went about a month and half ago I bowled really, really well.  So I was thrilled for another night of bowling, but I was less than stellar.  Check out LDiddy as Jimbo called me that night.  Pretty bad, right?  We had such a great time though bowling in “The Stockroom” which we had completely to ourselves.  BadBeat Mark was definitely the best bowler and he was even nice enough to give me a pointer or two!

We had more friends show up but after bowling for 2 hours we were ready for a change of scenery. We ending up heading over to Skate Station for some go kart races.  We each got 2 tickets and the boys fought and ran for the fastest car.  It was like they were all seven years old again.

The next day we headed back to Gainesville to help move my little brother Michael in to his apartment.  He decided after a year of school in Massachusetts he just wasn’t cut out for the cold or being that faraway from family.  So he has enrolled at Santa Fe to finish up his AA and transfer to UF.  I couldn’t be more excited to have him close by Adam and I. I am trying so hard to give him his space and not be a second mom  breathing down his neck.  So I limit myself to asking him once a week to dinner, which has worked out nicely and I think he has enjoyed himself.  Check out his new place…it is so nice! 

That night we all went to dinner for my birthday since we weren’t altogether the weekend before.  We ate at our families favorite steak place in Gainesville, Mark’s US Prime and it did not disappoint!

The Family (minus Adam who is taking the picture and Matt)

On Sunday we were off for yet another adventure…SCALLOPING! I had never been scalloping and was so excited!  We were invited to go a few years ago but the boat kept stalling on us.  A gracious pontoon boat towed us back in and gave me a scallop from their boat so I could at least see what one looked like since I had only ever seen a scallop shucked.  We proceeded to scallop for it in Adam’s dad’s pool…haha!  So fast forward to the present and put me on a boat that started to stall out again.  I know your probably thinking what I was thinking I am bad luck and should not try and go scalloping anymore.  Prior to us heading out on the water the boys replaced a tube that had a hole and they tube was reversed.  Once they flipped it around we were ready to go and I was pumped!  For those that know me I am deathly afraid of water creatures especially sharks, so getting into the open ocean and swimming is not a strength for me.  I watched the others get in and start picking up scallops and finally I got the nerve to get in.  Adam swam with me the whole time and was so great to baby stepping me into feeling comfortable.  I would have to say I LOVE SCALLOPING!  It is so fun and I am actually pretty good at finding the scallops.  Adam held the bag because holding the bag and feeling it brush against my leg startled me.  Every time we got close together I would have 5 or 6 scallops ready for the bag.  That Monday our friend, Torie cooked the scallops in a crab cake and they were delicious.  We are so grateful to have such awesome friends who invite us to go out on the boat with them!

After that whirlwind weekend of fun I had four days of training, but it was not bad because I have the most awesome lead and first grade team to work with!  Together with our administration we put together such an awesome training for the school.  Our theme was Dive in Deeper!  We had time to plan collaboratively and my first grade team is just so excited and ready to share!  I think this school year will be very organized or at least that is my wish! 

*LRW*