7.29.2013

a country cottage shower

Yesterday we had a shower for my future sister-in-law, Bailey.
Bailey & Robert will be living in North Dakota on a beef ranch,
[well, Robert's already there, but Bailey will be joining him after the wedding!]
so we thought it would be fun to incorporate some of that into the shower.
 Unfortunately, I was slacking on pics [again] and didn't get a picture of the food before it was gone. 
The shower was at Bailey's Aunt Jen's cottage on Lake Ontario - such a beautiful home & setting!
Bailey's sister Katie, my mom, dad, Victoria and I all made different jams for favors.
We kept the decor really simple - just ball jars with zinnias from the garden 
& wildflowers from the field across from the cottage! 
Seriously - what a view!
Part of the dessert table - lovely cake made by the one & only Manda.
I heard it was scrumptious - sadly I didn't get a piece! 
That just means you have to make another one, Mand!
Drinks & desserts - what's not to love?!
The beautiful bride-to-be opening gifts.
My sweet sisters, taking advantage of having control of the camera! 
The bridal party, L-R:
Jayne, me, Emily, Bay, Betsy, Martha & Katie
[sidenote: I think this was the only picture with all our eyes open!]
Bannister Babes, minus Mom:
& one more to get Mom in the picture with us.
So blessed that my brother has found such a wonderful girl to spend his life with!
Love our growing family!

Thanks to the Hartway-Wilson clan for all their help in throwing such a fun party!
We love you, Bailey & we're so excited for the big day!

7.15.2013

ADK 2013

Heads up: lots of pictures from our awesome trip to the Adirondacks.
What an amazing time.

1:: the squintiest picture known to mankind
2:: follow the leader
3:: less than 2 minutes at the house, and the boys are already trying to escape
4:: hmm, the gate is locked... maybe there's a gap elsewhere...
5:: these two buddies bonded quite a bit over the week
6:: beautiful mirror lake
7:: a contemplative colden observes the ducks
8:: views like this will just never get old for me
9:: someone's in the zone. the i-need-a-nap zone.
10:: so many daddy-son snuggles on this trip. i can't get enough.
11:: 3 little boys. 1 picture. nearly impossible.
12:: is this real life?!
13:: goons.
14:: doesn't mess around when it comes to filling up the pool.
15:: our backyard. not too bad, babies.
16:: essence of summer.
17:: this.
18:: get it.
19:: family walk
20:: then there's this kid. melt.
21:: sons on shoulders
22:: lovely
23:: enjoying the river
24:: sadly, bo did not enjoy the river.
25:: truly. 
(he loves his baths and loves my parents' pond - lakes & rivers?! not so much.)
26:: aftermath... 
27:: how could we?
28:: on the other hand, colden is a fish.
29:: bo preferred throwing rocks into the water.
30:: the profile. the chub. astounding.
31:: v & bo finding a nice stick to throw
32:: i mean, really? REALLY?!
33:: lots of this awesomeness.
34:: and quite a few timeouts too. rarely taken seriously...
35:: couldn't have posed this if i tried...
36:: what a little bug.
37:: kid could just explore forever, i think.
38:: owls head summit
39:: first family mountain hike!
40:: is there anything better than throwing rocks with your dad?
41:: taking a little break from the chilly water
42:: at the flumes
43:: hiking around the flumes
44:: my loves.
45:: splashes.
46:: can not get over sweet kade. such a good baby!
47:: view from the front porch...
48:: partners in crime. love this girl so dearly.
49:: our home for the week.
50:: let's go back.

A truly wonderful week.