Second Anniversary Trip

Last week we went to Hilton Head for our anniversary.  We rented a condo in Sea Pines right by the Salty Dog, which is where we stayed a few years ago when we went for a Labor Day trip.  We love the area and would definitely recommend it if you are planning to go any time soon!

On Monday we stopped at the outlets on the way into town before getting settled in to our condo and hitting up the pool for a little while.  We then grabbed drinks and pizza at Jake's Pizza, which is owned by Salty Dog, and sat on their huge patio for the rest of the night listening to live music.  And I have to brag on my sweet husband for a second.... he requested "Can't Help Falling in Love," which was the first song we danced to at our wedding, and we danced together on the patio.  That was by far my favorite memory of the trip!

[How cool are these tide pictures?!]

The next morning was our actual anniversary (June 25th), and we started the day with a bike ride to Harbor Town.  Hilton Head has amazing bike trails that are really shaded and well-labeled.  We walked around and grabbed lunch at The Harbor Down Grill before biking back.  We spent the rest of the day on the beach and had a fun dinner at Red Fish before ending the night with some champagne.  What a perfect anniversary!  

[Alligator sighting #2...yikes!]

On Wednesday we went for another little bike ride and then drove to Coligny Square for lunch.  We spent some time at the pool, took a walk on the beach, and then had dinner and drinks at the Salty Dog Cafe.   Do you sense a pattern here? ;) 

We started off our final day with brunch at Land's End Tavern and then took our bikes across the street to the beach, where we spent the rest of the day.  And can I just say, biking on the beach is harder than it looks! We ended the night with some drinks, Jake's Pizza, and ice cream.  Yum, yum, and yum.

[Gaines...the wild life whisperer]

It was such a fun trip!  Oh, and you can see our first anniversary post here. :)

On the Job Front

We've recently both had some exciting things happen related to our jobs that I wanted to share!  

On the last day of post-planning, my school celebrates by having an end-of-the-year faculty party that involves good food and fellowship.  We not only honor those who are transferring schools and those who are retiring, but the Teacher of the Year award is always announced at the end.   This year my principal (who I adore) said some sweet words about the new TOTY...and then....called....my....name!  As I walked up toward her, I wanted to laugh and cry and smile all at the same time.  I felt so honored and overwhelmed and kept flashing back to the time when I was five, teaching my brother and sister in the playroom, and thinking that some day I wanted to be "Teacher of the Year."  I guess dreams really do come true.  Awwww. ;)  

[The award]

[Flowers sent home by Gaines]

[Celebratory dinner at Good Day]

[My new parking spot ;)]

Annnnnnnd after four and a half years of working at Ag Georgia Farm Credit giving loans to farmers, Gaines has decided to "retire" and join his dad full time on the farm!  His dad farms about 1,600 acres of cotton, peanuts, and corn, and Gaines has helped out since he was in sixth grade.  He worked full-time every summer and then on week nights and weekends during planting and harvesting for the last several years.  My parents actually asked him recently what his dream job was and immediately he said, "Farming."  I am so excited for him and cannot wait to start this new chapter.  Before we do so, though, we get to spend all of July together before I head back to school and he heads to the farm in August.  :) 

[Farmer Gaines, as I like to call him]

[Celebratory breakfast]

[A "We're on Island Time" celebration on his last day of work]

[and this is what I like to call Happy Gaines!]

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  -Ephesians 2:10

Elisabeth's Bridal Shower

A few weekends ago I headed to Columbia, South Carolina to celebrate my oldest friend and her upcoming wedding.  Elisabeth and I met in gym class in sixth grade and spent the our middle school years cheering together, having sleepovers, and getting our parents to drop us off at "cool" places like Target and the mall.  We spent two years of high school together before Liz and her family moved to North Carolina (and then later to South Carolina).  We stayed in touch through high school and college and even though we don't see each other a ton, we just always pick up right where we left off.  We had promised each other fifteen years ago we'd be in each other's weddings and I love that sixth grade promise in gym class became a reality. :)

Okay, so back to the shower!  It was held at Liz's good friend's parent's house (did you get that?) in Columbia, where we chatted over champagne and good food before watching the bride-to-be open her gifts.  It was a great afternoon and I loved getting to hang out with some of Liz's favorite people.  

 

Love you and can't wait for your big day in August, soon-to-be Mrs. Lettre!