Lily Mize's Birthday Party

Doug worked with Jim Mize at the Preston Partnership.  I was able to meet his wife Jeanine during one of Preston's black tie affairs.  I thought it was really neat...Bob Preston always held these events during late January or early February, in lieu of a holiday party, so more of his staff and customers could attend.  Bonus for attendees, as all of the holiday dresses, etc are on major clearance by that time!  :)  It was always fun to get dressed up and head to Anthony's in Buckhead.  Anthony's is an old mansion right in the middle of Buckhead, complete with a cool, old wine cellar.  Doug and I enjoyed going to each of these events.  I hit it off famously with Jeanine Mize.  She is so sweet!  She had their daughter Lily about a year before we had Ava.  Since then, we've hung-out occasionally and go to Lily's birthday parties, Easter celebrations, Halloween parties, 4th of July fireworks, etc.  They're so fun! 

Jeanine is seriously crafty when it comes to party invitations and all-things-PARTY.  Her party invitations are the best!  She would love to get into party-planning. I think she would seriously clean-up in this category!

These are pictures of Lily's 5th birthday party.  Invitations mentioned kids should come dressed in costume.  She had it at Pettit Farms, complete with camels (which we fed), a bounce house, corn maze and petting zoo.  It was the closest I've ever come to a camel.  I was quite a bit out of my comfort zone in feeding one, too!  :)  Lily was a spider, with an outfit homemade by her Mama.  Very cool birthday party, super cute costume!

Peace, love and FIVE candles for Lily!
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Dad and Dolly's visit to Georgia, Quick Trip to TN

Dad and Dolly came down to visit during September.  We LOVE when family visits!  Dad was VERY sick in the hospital before they came down, so they were really unsure if Dad would even be able to make the trip.  After a few days in the hospital, Dad was pretty weak.  They were able to make the trip down, fortunately, and EVEN BETTER, Dad’s hospital stay was more for observation, than anything.  While in the hospital, they did start him on an insulin regimen, to better manage his sugar level.  He was diagnosed some time ago, but was able to control it without insulin.  The nurse assured him he would probably feel much better if he was able to control it more with insulin.  It sounds like she was right, as he seemed to start feeling better. 

When they came down, we didn’t want to overdo it with Dad, but wanted him to be able to set the pace for what he thought he might be able to do.  (Even a strong guy like my Dad can get weak if sequestered to a hospital bed for 4 days!)  We were initially thinking of driving across to Asheville, but decided against it.  Instead, we hung out in Atlanta and saw some sights.  It was still pretty hot outside, but we did manage to head over to an art festival in the Marietta Square, went to a very cool festival in the Newnan area (the oldest running festival in the Southeast, supposedly) to Cook’s Warehouse (where I bought a pasta machine! J).  We also all headed up to Donald and Anita Prince’s house for the following weekend, where we relaxed with them and headed-out on the town for a bit.  We said our “goodbyes” to Dad and Dolly at Aunt Anita’s, where Dad and Dolly headed back to Michigan and we headed south to Atlanta.

It was a fun, family-filled time! 

We miss you already, Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly!

Peace, love and memories made,

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam



Grandma Dolly reading Liam's favorite book:  Good Night, Moon.

 He finds new and inventive ways to hurt himself.  Can you tell?