Camping in Brookville

No camping trip is complete without having a little drama. This past weekend, that held to be true when we went camping with some of my awesome NICU girls and their families (boys and dogs). Everyone left on schedule Friday (Becky and I even got our on time from work! When does that ever happen?!), but when Becky and Marcus stopped to get gas, her car wouldn't start back up. 2 hours and a ride from strangers to wal-mart later, they were installing a new battery in her car. Meanwhile, Liz/Michael/Becca got lost and their dog got sick in the back seat (with Becca in it). Kel and I had to stop at a funeral home to let captain out to go potty after whining for miles- rookie parent mistake. I felt so great about ourselves pulling out of the lot that I hid my head. All the while, Mark had got there at 2 and was sitting by himself in the campground. Who wouldn't be ready for a relaxing weekend after all of that?!

it was dark, but everyone was finally trickling in

Becca made a surprise for Liz's birthday!

Becca explaining to Liz why the icing is all smeared (Fey walked all over it in the back seat)

Birthday girl

Michael and Liz

Marcus and Becky

Mark and Becca

2nd folley with the trip: Mark and Becca's keys were accidentally locked in their car.
AAA saved the day!

Becca: "This is my life right now"

champagne for mimosas!

Canoe time!

Roll OUT

everyone stretching out their sea legs

.....AND there off!

I was the only one with the camera so sorry they have me in all of them!

The group was lucky to have the privilege of witnessing Kellen serenading me down the river

Girls

Guys

Captain decided the Bennet's canoe was better than his own.

Jam up!

Petey kept jumping in and out of the canoe

quit taking pictures of me, mom

liz promised her momma she would wear her life jacket the whole time.
and she did.

we made it! only one wet canoe-er (ME)!
Yes, in case anyone was wondering, the Heavin canoe was yet again the only canoe to tip over. I think I was a better sport about this one that the last. My girls came to my rescue and before I knew it was stripped out of my wet clothes and into dry ones in no time.

well hello there

Fey Petey Captain

Pass OUT

Didn't we teach these dogs to share?

The next morning we walked around the area a little bit, it was so peaceful

It was our first time to Brookville Lake, definitely would like to return and spend more time exploring and hiking.

Ready for the drive home

Walking in Memphis

Over Labor Day weekend we traveled to Memphis to go to the wedding of one of Kellen's cousins. We try to make it down at least for Thanksgiving every year, and always enjoy going down there. There is a warmth and a charm that can't be found anywhere else. I have always heard of 'Southern Hospitality' but never really appreciated the true meaning until I started visiting Kellen's family and getting to know them. His Aunt Cindy is Paula Deen's twin I swear. They are a loving and crazy bunch! The southern accents (my personal favorite is 'wah' for 'why'), the houses, the magnolia trees, the food (yes, I mentioned food in yet another blog)- I don't know which I love more. Not to mentioned they have both Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma outlets. I am sad we can't make it down for Thanksgiving this year.

GOOOD morning

Everyone cleans up quite nicely!

Ready for the wedding

I love my sis (in-law) Mallory!


It wouldn't be a southern wedding without huge hats! This came in very hand as it was about 100 degrees that day and we were in a field!

This was my favorite touch- they placed their programs on woven fans for us to use while we were sitting. I felt so fancy as I sat around everyone fanning themselves!

Poor Kellen. It was killing him that Purdue's opening game against ND was going on the same time as the wedding. So he kept using his fan, not to fan himself, but to shade the sun so he could see the updates on his phone. Last lasted about 10 minutes before his mom found out and promptly told him to put it away ;)

Kel's 2nd cousin, Jack, as the ring bearer that day as well as in our wedding. It brought back happy memories :) They had little bird nests to carry the rings! What a cute idea. The little flowergirls also carried nests full of petals.

The wedding had a bird theme and they had adorable bird cages and trees everywhere. It was quite lovely. They also had a candy station (we loved ours at our wedding!) and I didn't realize it till after I got that I caught the adorable flower girl eye-ing the goods!

Wish Tree. I loved the crystals!



Even their china went along with the bird theme! I thought it was a neat idea to have it displayed. They also used all of the family's heirloom silver as the serving wear and accents. What a proud southern tradition.

Jack's sister, Julia. Southern Belle for sure

I just ADORE these children! They were eating tootsie rolls here, hence the sticky teeth faces

The beautiful newlyweds!
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Schepman

In addition to their traditional wedding cake, they also had ICE CREAM CAKES! What a yummo idea (esp considering it was 100 degrees there). Each cake represented a school either the bride or groom attended: Memphis (to which this 'northerner' asked prior "is that Michigan?"), Alabama (Roll Tide!) and Pepperdine.

melting my heart here!

Kel was really in a dancing mood that night!

Where did this summer go? I can't believe it is September already. I'm not ready to put away my white pants! I have already started taking down all of the summer decorations/flowers and replacing them with my fall stuff and mums...maybe it's a bit early- but it is my favorite season so I'm gonna draw it out as long as I can!