Spring Camp for Big Kids.....

That's where we've been.  We had an amazing time in Colorado & the airport was mostly uneventful.  The fine folks at Airtran had a wheelchair ready for us at every stop & gave Trent an extra seat for the ol' boot.  Only one time was I left to roll ALL of this:

They don't call these mountains the Rockies for nothin'

We kinda had separate vacations, but we were both as happy as can be with that arrangement.  Trent hung out with his childhood friends, Michael & Charles.  I went on several adventures with Kelly.

By far, my favorite thing was a hike to Hanging Lake.  Though a bit treacherous at times, the hike led to what I would seriously say is one of the top 5 coolest things I've ever seen.  I loved it so much it's going to get the rest of this post.  The pictures don't do it justice.

What we found at the end of the hike....

The hanging lake was gorgeous, but climbing a little higher led us a to an ice stalagmite that was breath-taking.

 Part II coming soon......

Hopefully we'll have gotten through the airport without a hitch and will 

be hanging out with this guy by the time this posts.  

Oh, and these guys, too.... we're so excited to have the opportunity to hang out with good friends and take in the Rockies!

The barn board

The nursery

Speaking of planes... we're getting on one tomorrow.  We've agonized on whether or not to cancel our trip to Colorado due to Trent's broken foot.  Yesterday morning we were canceling... by the evening we were packing our bags.  This should be interesting!  

A weekend of B's

Blossoms are all around here.  Looks like we're done with winter.... which I'm a little sad about, but I am enjoying the flowers.

I'm VERY excited about this lil' green fellow.  It's my beloved chinese snowball.  For two years I've been hugging it, watering it, whispering kind words into it's leaves, fertilizing it, and begging it to do something.  No blossoms.  Nothing.  You can imagine my delight when I discovered the plant is currently covered in potential buds!  

Butterflies.... this beauty has been hanging around ....

Birthday parties are one of those things that I hope to never grow out of.  GG always has something fun planned for her big day.  I'm talking limo party to a bowling/ dance party.  Good times.

Broken bone and torn ligaments was the verdict for Trent's foot.  He earned those injuries playing basketball Friday.  Not real sure what that means for our trip to Colorado next week.

Bottling beer didn't require too much standing.  My brother & Trent have a rather impressive home- brew operation underway. 

Babies... my mom has been helping with my niece & nephew while my dad worked on some projects for us.

Barn board painting wraps up my weekend....

A few months back I had an order for painted frames to be bridesmaid's gifts.  The bride had specific things she wanted for each girl.....

They were a fun change of pace!  

Lauren got her groove back.  I started painting again yesterday & I'm feeling a bit more motivated.  I've been wanting to put this collection together, but got a little hung up for whatever reason.  I finally finished and I think they turned out pretty cute.  I would definitely use these for a rustic outdoor dinner party.  Growing up on a farm we dined outside during the summer on a regular basis.  I can picture one of those evenings and these fit in perfectly..... several mason jars of zinnias on the table (my mom always grew zinnias in the vegetable garden),  citronella candles (the skeeters are bad here in Georgia!), mix-matched glasses (she has a thing for dishes & glasses... a ton of different sets), a nice spread of fresh vegetables.... all on an old picnic table under the pecan trees.  We'd eat late because my dad would be bailing hay until the sun went down..... the smell of fresh cut hay, the cicadas in full chorus, the stars twinkling away.... oh the memories!  

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 (images via pinterest)

In the spirit of continuing my birthday celebration & doing absolutely no work, I made a trip to Ikea today. We're working on a new little studio space for muah.  And when I say little, I mean little.... we bumped out a 4x8 area off our laundry/utility room, aka "the dungeon".  So what better place to get inspiration for maximizing a small space than Ikea?!  Seriously, how much do you love that place?

I have had the BESTEST of best birthdays today.  

If the past 24 hours is any indication of what 33 looks like, I'm in for a treat.  

I had no intentions of beginning the festivities Saturday night, but an impromptu dinner with friends led to a smashing good time stepping back into the 80s with The Highballs at The Melting Point.  I haven't laughed or danced that much in some time.

When my actual birthday rolled around this morning, there was absolutely no pressure to do anything in particular.  I lounged on the sofa catching up on my magazines with my hound before church.

 

Enjoyed talking with family & friends and this little video....

Dined with my man at Ted's and felt particularly affectionate towards Athens.  The sun was shining and downtown was alive.  Sometimes I forget what a wonderful town we live in.  

We took an old fashioned Sunday drive before strolling around the Botanical Garden.  

I tossed birthday penny into the fountain....

And wrapped up the day with a visit from my little lovelies...

I am BLESSED!!!!