Gift's from Nana's

As you all remember, my grandmother passed away in October {view here}. My parents have been cleaning out her home in Albany, GA and are working on selling it. In June, my parents brought a view things home for us to have from Nana's. What a blessing it is have so many fun things we can used to remember her.

First we have Nana's wooden sewing container. That's a terrible word for this great piece of craftsmanship, but I really have no idea what this thing is called. Haha.

closed

open

all all of the goodies that came inside!

Next we have a wooden shelf. We are thinking that either Nana or Pop made this, but we have no idea. It was a light wood color. Jon sanded and stained it darker to match the rest of the pieces in our home.

before {still with the little screen over the hearts}

before staining

after staining

with all our things!

We also took in these fun wooden chairs. Nana had these in her ceramic workshop. Currently, we have them in the garage with the work bench that Jon got from Nana's {I don't have a picture of that, but it's pretty sweet, too}.

The last thing was Nana's sewing desk. It opens up to hold a sewing machine inside. Unfortunately, my sewing machine was too big. We painted it white and it now serves as my desk. 

Jon turns 25!

I would say Jon's birthday was quite a success. If you read about all of things he did {or took part in} for my birthday, you would know that I had a lot cut out for me to make 25 a special one. I also had to be just as sneaky.

On Tuesday {Jon's birthday was on a Wednesday}, I met my parents at Lowe's on my lunch break. I bought Jon a grill!! This is the benefit of still having a credit card in my name. Jon works at the bank, so he's always checking our account and keeps an eye on the checkbook. It's hard to buy anything without him knowing. My parents brought the truck and off we went to it's new home, on our back porch! That evening, we had plans to go to dinner with my parents at Outback. {We met them at the restaurant after work, so the grill surprise would have to wait until that night! You guys! It was so hard!} When we were leaving, my mom asked if they could come over and see the new things we had done to the house. I asked Jon what he thought. He agreed... see, totally his idea! hehe. Jon decided that he wanted to go on a little evening walk. He was heading to go out the front door and I asked, "why don't we go out the back door?" Back door opens and BAM! Grill. SURPRISE!

grill on the back of the truck

mom and dad

us

birthday song!

delish!

surprise!!

On Jon's birthday, his co-workers decorated his desk and gave him LOADS of candy and treats. Good thing he shared. ;)

That night, we went for pizza at Tony's on Haywood Road. Pretty yummy pizza if you ask me. :)

The grill was christened a few days later with hot dogs and veggies. :)

Father's Day!

Jon and I both are blessed to have 2 awesome Dads {& 2 awesome moms, & 6 awesome siblings...}, but really this post is about Father's Day. Here are a few pictures of us and our Dads.

 

This year, we celebrated Father's Day in TR. My dad grilled fish and veggies, Jon and I made a few side items {mozarella & spinich on tomatoes, rice, green beans, & honey biscuits}, and mom made the apple salad {so delicious!}. Good spread of food with good company. Dad invited Jim and Jennifer over for the meal as well. Great time spent with family.

Mr. & Mrs. Adam McKinney!

If you remember from our wedding, my beautiful friend Jenn served as my maid of honor. What a precious friend she has been to me over the years! Jenn and I met our Junior year in high school when I moved to Travelers Rest. She gladly took me as a friend with one simple question, "can I call you Val?" From then on, she called me Val and we were friends. It's really that simple. We had a our not so fun moments as most good friends do. I have a little magnet on my fridge to remind me of this (Jenn gave to me) -- "Friendship is when people know all about you but like you anyway."

helping me get ready

beautiful friend

silly in the photobooth

We have had the joy (and not so much joy) in watching each other grow and mature into the women we are today. We have held hands during the long, treacherous journey of growing up, even when we were miles apart. Even when we hadn't talking for months at a time, we were always able to pick right back up where we left off.

On July 28th, my sweet friend married a very respectable man, and I could not be happier for the both of them!

I had the pleasure of hosting the bridesmaids at our house for Jenn's bachelorette weekend at the end of May. We all took part and pitched in on the fun festivities to love on her and celebrate the new upcoming season of her life. We all met for dinner at The Nose Dive in downtown Greenville. What a fun little restaurant! We stayed up late giggling and being girls. Saturday we had lunch at Panera. That evening we all came together again for a little lingerie shower.

Lingerie Shower Invites

She's Tossing the Cotton and Making Room for the Lace! ;)

Bachelorette Inserts for the Invitations

Jenn's Bridemaids {L to R: Taylor [moh and jenn's sister], Sarah Beth [adam's sister], Anna M. [adam's sister], Jenn, Anna R., Megan, Me}

cookie decorating with all the girls

panty cookies ;)

The Roger Ladies {Suzanne, Jenn, Taylor}

Thank you Anna for bringing the fresh strawberries! YUM

party favors

 

Jenn and Adam tied the knot the end of July. Jenn's dad officiated the wedding. He had the whole audience in tears as he expressed his love as Jenn's father and how he was so happy to give Jenn over to Adam as his wife. What a beautiful pair as they exchanged vows in front of a community of loved ones. The wedding was held at Jenn's church, Pelham First Baptist in Greer. The reception was in the Family Life Center of the church. Really great reception and party to celebrate Adam and Jenn!

cutting the cake!

me w/ the beautiful bride!

I cannot wait to continue to be a part of Jenn's life as she learns what it means to be wife {and as I continue to learn what it means to be a wife}. We will continue to push each other and hold hands, even though we'll be miles a part. I love you sweet friend!