This is going to be awesome.

Mentone part two

OK, I realize that there are a lot of pictures but this is nothing compared to the amount that I took...

The front of the house. You can't really tell, but the door is big enough for giants. Awe-to the-some.

Mom and Dad in the kayak. How cute.

The falls

Yes, this was my 2nd time to see Harry Potter in less than 2 weeks. Don't judge.

We made a palette in the back of the car. Obviously the best way to watch a movie.

I'm basically a pro. 

Fishing in the Little River

 

This was clearly before Isabelle "tripped" and completely submerged my shirt in the water . Thanks for that, Sis. 

 Great weekend. Now I'm in denial that summer is almost over.

Mentone on my mind

{Photos taken on my iPhone via Instagram}

This past weekend the family (and Kevin) went to Mentone, AL. Here's what went down:

kayaking on the river, eating at cute restaurants, watching Harry Potter at the drive-in movie theater, building a fort, taking lots of pictures, reading a ridiculous amount, watching the sunset, and looking for shooting stars.

YEPP, that pretty much sums up the weekend. More pictures are on the way. Let the anticipation begin.

From my window

Way back when I was beginning the process of applying to colleges (yeah, I'm getting old), I considered applying to Wake Forest.  But then I changed my mind when I realized that their application had about 12 essay questions consisting of really vague promps like... ~Who is the greatest intellect of our time?  ~Define cool.  ~Talk about something that outrages you.  ~What do you see when you look out your front door.

But now I have an answer... 

caption: what I see when I look out my kitchen window

The quick story:  Mouse was sighted eating Dixie's dog food, Charlie wanted to shoot the mouse, (with a BB gun), rumor is he hit it and the thing didn't die.  Believe what you want.

World Cup

I have played and watched soccer my whole life. I knew every name on the women's team, read soccer books, and practiced juggling in my spare time. I remember that my dream job was to be a soccer missionary. Needless to say, I was a bit obsessed. When I was about 12 years old, I had the opportunity to be a ball girl for the women's team during one of their practices in Birmingham. I even talked to Mia Hamm. It went something like this...

(she came to the sideline where I was to get some water)

MIA: Hey, thanks for helping us today.

ME: Yeah. I did my book report on you. (Cause that's the proper response and not creepy at all)

MIA: Oh really? Well I hope you got an A!

(she runs back to practice)

So I'm pretty much part of the team.

Anyways, the World Cup made me think about my soccer days. Even though I miss a lot about soccer, there are many reasons to be thankful that my soccer days are over. I know that God has a plan for me and I am so grateful for a college experience that is not consumed by endless practices. 

AND I can't wait to watch the big game on Sunday, yell at the t.v., and cheer on the U.S. of A

Yes, I found this in public.

Bonus points if you can find me and Charles in the reflection.

let's go on a hike

My serious hiking face 

Obviously i can't be serious for very long

He loves his hammock

Saturday consisted of exploring Chewacla, which is a state park that's only a short drive from the wonderful Auburn University. 
Here's what I learned on my hike:
1. Being the leader is overrated. Especially when you walk through spider webs (gross). Always make the boy go first.
2. Clif bars are the PERFECT snack for hiking. How appropriate.
3. Chewacla does not have clearly marked trails. Just go with your gut and you'll eventually make it back to the starting point.
4. NEVER race to the top unless you're in really good shape. Which I am not. Found this out the hard way.

Library

I love to read.

I've loved to read since before I could read.  In Elementary School, I would go to the school library multiple times a day cause I'd read entire books in one day.  Now, I really have to control myself because once I start a good book I'm pretty useless until it's finished.

Vestavia just built a new library.  And I'm the girl who knows my JCLC card number from memory.  And this new library just happens on my old street.  Let's just say if it'd been built while I was still living on Round Hill Road, I might have taken up permanent residence there.

The new library is a fresh building nestled up in the "woods."  And I say this with quotations because, let's face it, it's Vestavia, it's not real woods.  

I've been going to the library quite a bit this summer to study.  It's just such a nice place to get away from the craziness at my house.  My only quibble is that I wish it had the same hours as the good ole RBD library in Auburn.  I got kicked out at 5 pm this afternoon.  I don't hit my stride 'till after 6.

I think being surrounded by books just helps me think more clearly.  I've even claimed my own table.  It's right by the wall of windows, so the sunlight is quite nice in the afternoon.  (Although there have been days I've worn my sunglasses inside... too bright for my eyes to handle.)

The afternoon storms are the best.  One day I thought I might blow away.

my view of the library from my table

eternal glory

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. -Colossians 3:1-4

put on yer snake boots.

10 points if you read that title in a redneck accent.
Well this past weekend was full of mother-daughter bonding. After an afternoon at the antique store, we got inspired and decided to make some of our own creations. This required a trip to the barn, which is full of rats, bugs, and snakes. So we did what any rational person would do…
Put on snake boots and brought someone with a gun.

I know..we're a good lookin' group

All for the sake of art. And I'm glad to say that there were no injuries and we came out with lots of treasures! Basically, we should be on American Pickers.

After some thought and a little paint, we made lots of these bulletin boards:

And mom got inspired to make these cool crosses out of random stuff we found:

After seeing the idea of printing silhouettes on book pages on pinterest (I'M OBSESSED), I decided to print some of my own pictures on old sheet music. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was and thought it turned out pretty well:

Our last project of the weekend was to turn regular mason jars into vintage ones using this tutorial. If you decide to do this, my advice is to wear disposable gloves because my fingernails are still green from the paint. This is before the jars dried:

We made a couple of other goodies too, but I think this post is long enough already.

War Eagle.

Happy Holiday

So... I went the whole holiday weekend without taking many pictures.  I'm already kicking myself.  Even more impressive is that I got a snazzy new iPhone... that has a cool camera... and I still didn't.  Oh well.  Maybe next year.

the creepy post-apocalyptic picture (aka fireworks)

As usual, the holiday went by WAY too quickly.  Family, lake, seadoo, food, movie, lake, food, fireworks, movie.  A trip was even made to the MOVIE THEATER.  Wow.  That rarely happens anymore.

A true vacation.

{and i have a super sweet video of lots of fireworks but my computer is being difficult so you don't get to see it at this moment... maybe later}

God Bless America.

The day in pictures:

NOT PICTURED: hanging with the fam jam, swimming, tanning, crafting, driving back to auburn, eating bomb pops.

Hope everyone's 4th of July was as awesome as mine. 

Stay tuned for pictures of the awesome crafts my mom and I did this weekend!