Fourth of July at the RIvah

I'm not sure how time got away from me, but I'm finally back (the day we start back to school....boo!) with pictures from our Fourth of July weekend at the rivah.  It was a bittersweet weekend, since we had just lost my sweet Papa, but it was so nice to be with my family, talk about Papa, and celebrate Mom and Dad's 30th anniversary.  Gaines and I drove up Thursday morning and pulled in shortly before dinner.  We grilled out and had such a great dinner together. 

Once Mom and Dad went to bed that night, we quickly and quietly started decorating the downstairs.  We hung up tons of pictures of them through the years, and it was so much fun looking back at all of them.  We celebrated with a fun brunch on Friday morning and then enjoyed the beautiful weather, live music, our neighborhood friends, and jelly fish-free water the rest of the afternoon.  We made another yummy meal that night and then watched tons of fireworks across the bay from our house.

I'll be back soon with more pictures from Saturday night when we continued the celebration of Mom and Dad's anniversary at the Tides Inn. :)

S'mores Cups

When Gaines and I went home for the Fourth of July, I brought a few desserts and wanted to share my favorite.  I found the recipe on Pinterest (duh!), and it was so easy and delicious.  

S'mores Cups

[original recipe]

Ingredients:

1 cup of finely crushed graham crackers

1/4 cup powdered sugar

6 tbsp butter, melted

4 Hershey bars, divided 

12 large marshmallows 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.

2. Place a small amount of crumb mixture in each cup of a mini-muffin pan.  Press crumbs to form shallow cups (I used the back of a melon baller).  Bake for 5 minutes or until edges are bubbling.

3. While the crust is in the oven, break two of the candy bars into rectangles and cut marshmallows in half cross-wise.

4.  Remove pan from oven and place one rectangle of chocolate into each cup.  Then, place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, on top of the chocolate.

5.  Return the pan to the oven for 2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened.  Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.  Thenn, carefully remove cups from pan.

6. Break up remaining candy bars and place in a small bowl.  Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds.  Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate.  Turn top-side up and let stand for about 30 minutes or until set. 

Enjoy! 

Third Anniversary Trip

After celebrating our actual anniversary at home, we decided to continue the celebration in Charleston, SC.  We got up early on Saturday and drove to Folly Beach, which is about two and a half hours away.  The weather was so nice, and it felt great to relax on the beach for a while. :)  

Then, we checked into the Francis-Marion hotel and got ready.  We met up with one of my best friends Elisabeth and her boyfriend Andrew at Belmont for drinks and had the best time.  Liz and I have been friends over fifteen years (since our awkward days of sixth grade!), and I just loved getting to catch up with her in person...and meeting her cute new bf. ;)  

Gaines and I then went to Hall's Chophouse for dinner, which is hands-down our absolute favorite restaurant.  I went there on Steph's bachelorette party and my whole family went there for Annie's 80th birthday weekend, and it has been amazing all three times.  I mean, seriously amazing.  My sweet parents surprised us with champagne, and the service and food were just unbelievable. 

On Sunday morning we got up and walked to Hominy Grill, where we had a great brunch.  I would definitely recommend it, too, if you're in the area!  We then walked back down King Street, through the Market, and then down the pier at East Bay Park (not sure if that's its real name or not).  The weather was so nice, and it was fun to window shop and people watch.  

It was such a great little vacation and such a fun way to celebrate our anniversary! 

Our Third Anniversary

For our anniversary on Wednesday, June 25th we decided to grill at home after Gaines got home from work.  I picked up food, dessert, and champagne (the most important part!) from Fresh Market, and Gaines did such a good job grilling steaks and asparagus.  We toasted to another great year, took some pictures, and read cards from each other before enjoying dinner and dessert. :)

It was such a fun night!  We went to Charleston the following weekend to continue the celebration.  I'll be back soon with more pictures, and in the meantime here's what we did for our First Anniversary and our Second Anniversary. 

My Papa

Reuben Elias Turner

January 28, 1928 - July 3, 2014

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -John 3:16

My sweet Papa was born in Hawkinsville, Georgia in 1928 and was the oldest sibling to two younger brothers, Jim and John.  He served in the 702^nd Army Air Force and was awarded a World War II Victory Medal before attending The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!).  He met my Gram in Athens, and they got married 65 years ago in July 1949.  They moved to Maine and eventually had my Aunt Jane, Uncle David, and dad.  Papa worked at Firestone Tires for 38 years and moved with his family several times, living in Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio, and Florida.  After his retirement in 1991, he and Gram bought a house on Lake Winnipesauke in New Hampshire and spent their days boating, golfing, and hosting family get-togethers during the summers.  During the winter they would either travel the country in their RV or cruise the world on the QEII.  He and my Gram were always together and loved spending time with their family. Through the years Papa had bypass surgery and battled prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancers, but he always had a smile on his face and never once complained.  

It honestly still doesn't feel real that my Papa is gone.  My parents and I went up to New Hampshire last week for the visitation, and I half expected him to jump out from behind the door when we walked in and tell us he was just kidding.  He was such a big part of our lives, and it so hard knowing we can't hug him or call him or tell him we love him again.  It is comforting and amazing, though, knowing how many people loved him and how many lives he touched in his 86 years.  Everyone that talked about him confirmed what we already knew-- that his smile and laughter lit up a room, that he was always positive and kind, and that he adored his big family.  He was one of the absolute best people I know, and as sad as I am to say goodbye, I can't help but be grateful that I got to spend 27 years with him.  I know his memory and spirit will live on in all of his family, and not a day will go by that we won't miss him terribly.  

The pictures below show a little snapshot of his life and the family he leaves behind.  

 

"Sometimes I feel my heart is breaking,

But I stay strong and I hold on cause I know,

I will see you again,

This is not where it ends,

I will carry you with me,

'Til I see you again."

-Carrie Underwood

I like to think my Papa's up in Heaven looking over us and maybe even playing a round of golf with my Grampy right now. :)

I miss you so much and will love you forever, Papa.