My Little Sister's Wedding!

My youngest sister, now Elizabeth Gray got married Sunday May 4th.  She had a beautiful colorful wedding at a manor house in northern Virginia.  Elizabeth is a talented hair stylist and all her friends were involved to make everything and everyone beautiful.

Here is her family's arrival to the reception!

Dorathea was blessed to be asked to be a flower girl with Elizabeth's little girl Violet.  Violet followed her around all weekend.  Here's D the day before trying on her dress with Violet;

 Cousins who don't get to see each other often got to enjoy lots of time together.  This is Jonathan and Ronan (aka the ring bearer)

 S gift of crowns from my aunt Melissa!

 Cousins being silly.

 On the big day after hours of hair and makeup (and the big flower girl spinning the little one around in a barberchair

we arrive for the wedding.  

Here is the second floor balcony,

 My little girl has been having trouble with heights lately, crying when on second floors or going down stairs.  Evangeline's boyfriend Phillip gently talked her out onto the balcony and helped cure her fear.  Thanks Phillip!

 Brave girl!

With Phillip and Violet enjoying the view and trying to get guest's attention.

With cousin Atticus and Jonathan

Phillip and Evangeline looking elegant on the balcony

I accidently left my camera in the ladies changing room so I missed taking the wedding video of walking down the isle :(
Here is the reception my Aunt Melissa, my Grandmother who celebrated her 90th birthday this year, and my  mom. Doesn't looking way younger than you are run in my family?

My beautiful mom.

First dance.  Violet cut in halfway through and it was a tear wrenching dance of this family of three.

Then their was a lot of cousins chasing and laughing on the lawn.  

Catching violet.

Violet was a happy girl all day!

Me and my handsome boy after he showed off his moves on the dance floor.  At times it looked like he was breakdancing.  Who taught him to breakdance?

My Dad dancing with the bride.  I could tell he was trying to hold the tears back.

We all were holding back tears. My sister is just so beautiful.  Happy Wedding Day Sister!

- Allie 

Nature Party 8th Birthday

Dorathea asked for a Nature Party this year.  My girl who studies bees for hours, and knows all the bird calls by heart, the one who fed a squirrel on her shoulder.  So I said yes!

A new use for Dandelions suggested by my friend Kristen.

A birthday party is a great excuse to get your yard all gussied up.  I set up the banners and ribbons early and enjoyed this view for days.  (You still might see it if you come over soon). We mowed, hung the porch swing and a thousand other little tasks.

I saw this idea of using stuffed animals as favors.  What a good alternative to goodie bags or candy!  I found dollar tree and thrifted woodland animals for around 7 dollars for 11.  The kids fell in love with them instantly.

Here is Dorathea making a last minute "Pin the leaf on the Flower" Game in the kitchen. 

The stage is set and we are ready for guests!!!!

 Here they are!! I let them choose a seat (and a stuffed animal) as they finished the pin the leaf game one by one.

We made this cute Ball jar raspberry lemonade drink with cupcake wrappers for lids.  See my Pinterest Parties pins here. So cute!

Then I passed out aprons and filed the kids downstairs to my new studio for a leaf printing craft.

They painted on leaves...

and placed them on a tree trunk I had drawn on some thrifted pillowcases.

They were so quite as they concentrated on their work.

they hung them up to dry outside.

Now it's time for a flower scavenger hunt.

They hunted for a list of flowers to pick from around the yard and then placed them on...

a vine "crown" I made from some random vine growing in my yard. 

 I was afraid the 3 boys might be repelled by the flowers but they liked it too.

Doesn't Jonathan look like Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream?

kids + flower crowns = adorable!

 Now cake time! My birthday girl graciously pretended to blow out the candles.  I couldn't keep them lit! Sweet girl.

 D opened some really thoughtful presents from her bffs as she calls them all

 notice the blue icing on the nose and crown?

after presents I called free time! and let them play all over the yard.  They all played so nicely together despite being full of sugar and in the hot sun.  

 All our friends all made the day so special!

 Dorathea felt very loved by them all!

 I should really think about taking the banners down tomorrow!
Happy Birthday Nature Girl!!!  Love Mommy