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!

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.