This past weekend we had some very special guests all the way from Richmond, Virginia. The short version: it was FUN. with a capital awesome.
The Petersiks are actually blog friends if you can believe it. Blog friends turned real life friends. When I try to explain that to people, especially people that are older than me, they give me this look like I am crazy. YOU MET SOMEONE ON THE INTERNET AND INVITED THEM INTO YOUR HOME?! What if you didn’t like them?! What if they robbed you blind? What if they were psychos?!
To which I reply…have you met me? Because I think psycho would be a nice break. And there is not much to rob. And if I didn’t like them, well, the entire world wide web would hear about it.
Thankfully, a couple years ago, that didn’t happen. At least on our end. (hmm?) And this weekend, our IRL friends John & Sherry & their little cutie patootie Clara came to visit for a second time…
When they first arrived, they got the whirlwind tour around the new abode and then I whisked Sher off to pedicures while the boys watched the littles…we also brainstormed what we could do for the blogs.
Bloggin’ is important to Sherry because it’s her livelihood. Can you imagine the pressure!? Each month, your mortgage & groceries & bill payment being determined by the public? Crazy. And in my opinion STRESSFUL. It’s basically like running an online magazine with only two people…but they both handle it like champs. True pros. I humbly acknowledge your amazingness (imagine me tipping my virtual hat to you both with a fancy twirling of the wrist!)
But there is a heckova lot more to these guys than meets the general public virtual eye…hopefully with this post, you will see a little bit of why we love these guys beyond their vast know-how of DIY projects and their impeccable style.
Okay – so when we got back to the house, the guys were out on the riding mower and the 4-wheeler…puttering around the lawn with the kids in tow. Note…there is no need to send me an email about the danger of riding a tractor with a baby. I do not recommend it for your precious darlings…I just know that we took it on ourselves to endanger the babies we love.
I promptly stole the 4 wheeler and took Sher riding in my favorite place. This is my version of a fairyland. Sherry might claim that I almost killed her. Do not listen. Everything, including the jump, was perfectly under my beefy control 🙂
The rest of the evening was pretty low key….at night we played Minute to Win It games…and yes, I claim the pimp cup for winning. John should get second place…he can snag Cherrios with a noodle and Sherry gets third for eating the gross ‘face cookie’. Overall, muchos fun-o.
But as much fun as that was, seeing these two little ones play together was so much more fun.
Yup. Looks like all fun and games. Which it was…until Will became a wild aggressive man-child.
Seriously. There were few moments when he wasn’t throwing something directly at Clara’s face, smacking her in the head or pooping in the tub…with her in it. That really happened. I almost died. And then it happened again. Consider me dead.
There was a couple of sweet moments that I captured. Like this one, where Will thought he could help Clara walk. Logically speaking, he tried to pull her up with her hands. That was right before he grabbed her head and pulled up. Again…not joking.
Jeremy & John. Do you guys realize how funny John is?
I don’t think it comes out in general….but this dude is FUNNY. Like in a totally subtle make me spit kind of way.
Oh and I wish that you knew this girl. Happy. Sweet. Expressive. And there are moments it is like the world stopped spinning and everything is slow mo….like she controls the time space continuum…and she becomes this magical little fairy. It’s true.
So after the little guys woke up from their nap, we headed to Goodwill…where we shopped and rambled and intruded on other shoppers. I got stuff. Can’t wait to share.
After that – we headed to Stone Mountain Park. If you haven’t been there or heard about it. It is exactly what it sounds like. A big ole rock. with a park built around it.
We actually pulled out a blanket and had a mini Arby’s picnic. High rollers, I know.
John likes em long 🙂
And snapped a few obligitory St. Mt. pictures…
Will tried to show off his mountain climbing skills to impress Clara…while I hummed Mission Impossible music in my head…
This girl is worth impressing too. Already more stylish than I am.
Oh and since this may be the only photo of Will actually smiling…it gets included.
This is real life people. This was actually the best photo of us girls holding our babies. It’s sad and true. But at least Will isn’t mauling Clara.
Weird randomness…
See these two fellas? Yeah…I hope you have someone in your life like them. Someone willing to hold the mom-bag and push the stroller and play with your baby when it’s 104 degrees outside because you want to chat with a friend. These are real men.
While we were waiting to ride the skylift to the top of the mountain, John suggested that we get a photo strip done. Can I tell you something about Sherry? Something you may not know? This girl is kind through and through. And I know some very kind people. But this girl never makes you feel like even the smidgieness of embarrassment (like when you burn ground beef for dinner for very special guests)…and she’s encouraging even when she doesn’t have to be (like when your baby craps on her baby, she tells you what a good mom you are for cleaning up poop)…and she’s just plain easy to be with.
Okay, enough Sherry praises. I don’t want it to go to her head and realize she could get cooler friends than me.
Here’s the tram thingie to the top of the mountain…
And the carving on the side. It actually is a natural formation…the three dudes.
And here is the photo that Buck (the skylift operator) took at the top.
BUCK!
At the top of the mountain, we had a mini snack time…
Will’s still exploring the joys of silverware…
…and feeding other people.
Again..Will demonstrating his climbing prowess…
And Clara demonstrating the elusive hot-girl-look.
The best photo of the two of them on top of the rock…
This one is tied for first place. And yes, we plan on showing these at their future wedding rehearsal.
Oh – do you see my ring below? the amber one? It’s glass and I got it in the park at the Glass Blowing Exhibit shop. It was $2 and I will call it my Clara ring.
Ridiculously photogenic people….unfair.
Our happy little crew. I told Sher that she was sitting so lady like. And then John told us that he was also sitting ladylike. You may have had to be there…but it almost made me pee myself.
Afterward, we rode back down and got everyone packed into the car….
There was this one sweet moment that I actually got between the Bean and my Tinkler…sharing at it’s finest.
Overall it was a uber fun weekend. I’m trying to convince them to move a little closer. It’s like a personal challenge. Some people want to lose weight. I want to coerce friends into coming south.
Thanks you guys for coming. And oh by the way, I found your changing pad in the back of my car along with that bag of naughty magazines you picked up at the Goodwill. Nothing says friendship like shipping you your second hand ‘stuff’ 🙂
Katie! This was one of the best posts ever. And it didn’t even have much dirty stuff in it (I love the KB posts where I guffaw outloud and read your funny stuff to my hubs and even he laughs though he hasn’t got a clue who you are, ‘scept for the funny posts I read to him…good times)! I even had a little tear in my eye because I wish I had friends like you guys. So fun and low key and designery and stuff. Plus I wish I still had a baby. I guess we could fix that part…hmmmm. But I wanted to say that I think that last photo of the Petersiks is A.W.E.S.O.M.E! Really, it’s dreamy. I hope they think so too. It’s sorta canvas worthy if you get my meaning. Props girl, nice job.
Its just too weird….. I have gone to that nail place. Is it by the Kroger on hwy 81? It is a SMALL world.
Yup.
xo – kb
Katie, I have to admit that I loved this post. I literally had to suppress laughs while “working” and just couldn’t stop myself from commenting. I came across your blog a few months ago after finding the Petersiks and falling in love with them. Now, both of you serve as a daily dose of inspiration and laughter to me. So thanks for that, and keep up the good work!
This post made me smile. I love your, and Sherry and John’s blog. I read them both everyday, although rarely comment, but had to tell you how much I really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing. Oh, and I love that your boyfriend is from Tennessee, we are from Cookeville.
A friend I met through us both blogging about our weddings at the same time (some 3 years ago) just hosted a wonderfully generous and kind baby shower for me. 🙂 It happens. I have such a time explaining it to people though. ha! Looks like a good time was had by all 🙂
Aww you guys are the cutest! As if I wasn’t obsessed with you guys enough, this post just brought me into crazy territory! I’m such a weirdo.
Your six people are totally amazing and fun. I read Bower power and Young house love every day. Rarelly comment, but this time I didn`t want to miss the chance. The photos are amazing also… the girls with kiddos, fantastic, and the last one… what can I say? an honor to friendship, really.
Great post, Katie! I read both your blogs daily and your personalities come through so well in your writing and photos. The strangest part is that I feel almost as though I know you, and I was reading your post feeling like an insider (Oh those Petersiks… Will is at it again… That’s so true about Clara…). I’m officially crazy!
So cute. Love the pictures!
I completely agree with you Steph. I sometimes feel a little stalkerish. I guess that is what blogs do, give you a window into someone else’s world.
I loved this post. My husband and I sat here laughing out loud at Will & Clara’s baby antics. And the comment about John sitting like a lady. Your photos (esp. the one of Clara the angel) are too precious.
Looks like you got some great pics & memories!
This cracked me up –> like when your baby craps on her baby, she tells you what a good mom you are for cleaning up poop. 😛
The last picture of the Petersik’s is awesome! If that isn’t frameworthy, nothing is!
Looks like fun! Do you and Sherry need a third amigo?!
Aw you guys are so cute! I hope you had a great weekend. Not gonna lie, looking forward to the Goodwill pictures!
what a great post katie!! Loved seeing everyone “behind the scenes” =)
haha Steph!!! “That’s so true about Clara…” Hilarious! I do it too!
GORGEOUS pictures, Katie, as always! What a gift! I wish we lived closer and I could book a session! xo, Carrie in the Northeast
So much fun! Which one of those pictures of Sherry is she fake pissed at you for posting?! I know that happens!!
The internet is no joke- really. I’ve meet what I know will be life long friends through blogging.
I see red chairs in your kitchen!! Cant wait to see more of those.
LOVE it!! beautiful pics and storytelling!
My son used to pull hair..a lot! I was embarrassed about it…but he grew out of it.
I think Will is definitely playing hard to get. I almost peed my pants when John said he was sitting lady like…and he WAS!
I would have loved to seen a vlog of their stay.
Now I’m going to go read this again 😉
Loved this post! It’s so fun to see the things you get up to with the Petersik’s! I love the group shot at the top of the rock. And that last shot of the Petersik’s is amazing! Girl, you have some serious photography skills!
Great blog! I wanna be your friend, too. I was so creeping and thinking, “Hmmm. . .which nail salon was that?” (it looks tons nicer than the one that my hubbie got me a gift card to in Grayson–shhhh. . .don’t tell him) and “Hmmmm. . .wonder if that is the Goodwill in Lawrenceville next to Allie’s Attic.” I started reading _Young House Love_ on a rec from my sister and then stumbled upon your blog from there. I read both daily, and only get a little bit upset on the weekends when there are no new posts :-).
Oh, and I so grew up near that orange stand that y’all took pictures at in your Florida posts. My dad was the preacher at a church in Ocala :-).
What no table setting this time 🙂 So awesome the friendship you’ve formed with eachother! The kiddos are so precious together!
Katie, you crack me UP!! Will’s hand stuffed in Sherry’s mouth…and John sitting all lady-like…hilarious!!
omg I totally just snorted when I read will pooped on clara.
Now I have to explain to my husband why I can’t stop laughing! ahahaha
Looks like a fun time! CRACKED UP about Will helping pull Clara up by the head. I have two boys, so the roughness sounds all too familiar.
Love Clara’s baby-jeggings!!!
Well don’t be shy Stacie! We all love to hear from fellow Tennessee-eans 🙂
You’re in!
xo – kb
haha! Actually it would be the other way around…I am the vain one. She doesn’t even wear makeup! And I’m in the bathroom obsessively caking concealer under my eyes hoping that people don’t notice my ‘stache!
It is actually the Goodwill in Snellville…at the corner of 124 and Bethany Church Road. And the nail salon was actually a happy accident. I haven’t gotten my toes done since before Will was born and I saw that one the last time I went to Kroger (it was next door!) so I made a mental note of where it was in case Sher said YES! Thankfully it wasn’t too groody!
xo – kb
Oh Katie… I’m sitting here in bed reading this post on my laptop… my hubby and baby boy are sleeping next to me, and I’m praying that my laughter does not wake them up. As a huge fan of both blogs, I feel like I’m reading commentary on good friends of mine! 🙂 Man, you crack me up. Please keep writing for a loong long time.
I can’t remember… did your guys’ friendship begin after you were featured on their blog? Did they “crash” your house?
Thanks for sharing your fun weekend!!!!!
Kate 🙂
Hi Katie, I’ve never commented before but have been stalking you and your blog for some months now. (All the way from Melbourne Australia!). I too found you via YHL… love that you both have a similar blogging theme going on but still remain totally individual. Your wicked sense of humor certainly brightens up my otherwise dull working day! Keep up the great work and the fantastic photography! 🙂
What a fun day! Thanks for sharing!
Looks like you guys had a blast! 🙂
Stacie, no way! I’m from Cookeville but I live in Knoxville now. Small world!
it sure is!!!
Please tell me the innuendo of “naughty magazines” and “second hand” was intended. Please please please. Because if not, I’m totally calling you out on a Freudian slip. (Which means it’s drrty, Xtina-style.)
The picture of Will’s fist in Sherry’s mouth made me almost spit out my water at my desk! Hilarious!
That picture of Will helping Clara walk is the CUTEST THING I have ever seen! So adorable 🙂
I love that two of my favorite bloggers are real life friends. And promise you’ll revive the blog to post wedding pictures of those two cuties even if you haven’t blogged in years by that point.
I love that forest picture! I would seriously just hang out back there and wait for Edward Cullen, I mean fairies to arrive. You should sell some shot of that spot in your print collection!
I have been following BP and YHL for not too long, but since the day I found you guys, I check repeatedly throughout the day – and why, yes, I DO feel like a stalker! I know it might sound weird, because you guys may not feel any different, but it’s always surprising to realize how down-to-earth you are (does that make any sense?)!!! I was so excited to realize you live near Stone Mountain (I live in Brookhaven) because that makes the real-life-ness so much better! I am so excited to be able to tackle small projects here and there in our condo, with inspirations from you both blogs!
By the way, my hubby won’t stop trying to put a fist towards my mouth after showing him Will’s feeding action – NOT so cute when it’s a 26 y.o…. oh, and Go Dawgs!
this post was hilarious and sweet all at once. i read both of your blogs every day. LOVE the pics, especially the one of the kids passing a slobbery-looking snack between them. too cute!
Clara’s baby jeggings and sunglasses were so cute and i literally LOL’d about Will pooping in the tub-twice! he’s such a cutie.
sounds like y’all had a great time!
p.s. i nearly spit out my drink at “bag of naughty magazines you picked up at the Goodwill”. Katie, you really have a way of capturing the random/weird moments in life in a relatable and humorous way in your writing.
Completely agree with Steph, Emily, and Carrie! I feel like I know a lot of the bloggers whose blogs I read and comment on daily. Especially if they comment back and then we wind up emailing each other and Facebooking.
This is my first time reading your blog, after becoming obsessed with Young House Love a few weeks ago. I was laughing the whole time! I’m a fellow Georgian as well. I’ll definitely be back. =]
OMG you are two funny! I can see why you and Sherry are friends….can so see it 🙂
A Girl’s Next Best Friend
This about sums up my comments! Best Post Ever.
Oh, and the last pic of John, Sherry, and Clara makes me so jealous. You got talent Katie!
dang it! I live in Atlanta! What I wouldn’t give to have met the 6 of y’all 😉 Hope you had fun!
Katie – you are hilarious! I found your blog after falling in love with the Petersiks and now I’m falling for you too! (ok, that sounds kinda creepy but I just couldn’t help my little crush!). I so look forward to these blogs – and I was never a blog follower – EVER. You and Sherry seriously crack me up and remind me of me and my friends when we get a chance to be zany. Love your pics and your new house is TO. DIE. FOR. Seriously, I almost died when I first saw it. I can’t wait to see how you decorate it and change it to suit yourselves. Just like watching YHL do the same with their new house. Thanks for all the laughs!
haha. you guys are super lucky for those men in your life and luck to have each other as well! great pictures 🙂
That picture of Will with his hand in Sherry’s mouth is cracking me up. I can’t stop laughing. Also, John’s “lady like” pose with the whole group…also cracking me up.
ps: you and Sherry (as friends and bloggy-friends) are like the “brangelina” of my blog world. :o) i heart you guys. :o)
Hmmm. . .I’ll have to check that one out. I’ve been to the Goodwill in Lilburn and the one near d’twn Lawrencville, but haven’t made the trek to the Snellville one. My mil lives very near that Kroger, and my hubs used to work out there off of 81. I’ll hint to him that that’s a good nail salon and maybe I’ll get a gift card for my birthday :-).
Hi Katie. Lovely post. I love how you and Sherry are such great friends!
I have a question and i think you can help me with it. Let me start off by saying that English is my second language and sometimes i don’t know the proper names of things. like those adorable toys that Clara and Will are playing with. We call them “Hol” in Armenian and I was looking to buy one for my six month old son for a while…I just don’t know what they are called? Is that funny? U think u could tell me what they are called and where u got them from?
Thanks a lot!
Love,
V
I think they are called spin tops. I could be wrong. Anyone else with a different name for them?
xo – kb
I love the photo of them touching hands! So cute! And you are ALL photogenic and adorable!
Hi! Just found your blog from YHL and I love it! Looks like y’all had such a fun time together. Can’t wait to read more of your blog!
Katie…you are quite cute and super funny! Looks like you guys had a blast!
I admit that I started reading YHL a few months back, and I’m just finally getting over here. Too hilarious in the video, with my kind of humor, to not check this all out. You two = type of people I would be friends with in real life (you know, not in that “lets be friends in real life” sitting in front of a glaring computer screen kind of creepy comment way *shivers*).
Anyone who video’s in a Goodwill, makes lewd jokes, and picks out guys like that to marry = good shit.
High-Fives all around.
Love the post and the pictures! Part of it brought up an off-topic question for me… hope you don’t mind, I’d love your input. About how much time per week does Jeremy wind up spending out on that riding mower taking care of the yard? I’m asking because my husband and I are seriously considering a move from the burbs (in our case, northern Virginia) to a more rural property, and we’ve been really wondering what it takes to maintain a few acres. Hubby loves yard work and gardening, so more work isn’t really a problem so far as he’s concerned, but I don’t want to completely lose my husband to the yard. btw, your property is gorgeous!!
I jumped over to your blog from Young House Love. You are an amazing photographer. I also give you extra points for saying the word “crap” – LOVE IT! The blog… not crap.
The picture of the two men pushing strollers is AWESOME. You and Sherry are clearly blessed 🙂
Katie, a very random question with this post… Could you let me in on your stroller secret? My husband and I are expecting our first in October and I’ve overwhelmingly started to research all the baby gear we need! So many choices and so many reviews. Thanks for any input!
What a great post! I think it’s wonderful that y’all met thru blogging and have become such good friends.
It’s amazing how the internet brings people together.
I “met” my husband on the message board of a television show. 🙂
haha… I love that you just said “And I’m in the bathroom obsessively caking concealer under my eyes hoping that people don’t notice my ‘stache!”!!!! Story of my life 🙂
And awesome post… I officially wish I could be friends with you two!
Good eye, I didn’t notice the red chair in the picture of Clara! The red looks awesome!
I am actually obsessive over your blog and the sherry/john/YHL crew. It’s true, I’m not even afraid to admit it! Thanks so much for sharing all of your adventures..I feel like I know ya’ll even though you dont know me back. So maybe that does make me a creep? Oh well, I’ll get it over it. Thanks for the entertainment!!! ps. I heard that poop in the tub is a sign of true love..and it happened twice. Go will.
Great post! It’s my first time visiting your site and it’s way fun!
thanks for sharing your weekend with YHL! so fun!
I am in the commenting mood today! I don’t think I have ever commented on your blog before and this is my 3rd today!
Anyway, the reason I love your blog can be summed up in the awesomeness of this comment: “I don’t want it to go to her head and realize she could get cooler friends than me.” SO funny!
Love it! What a great post. The comment John made about sitting lady like was SO hilarious – definitly not a location joke. I lol’ed. I was also laughing just imagining Will trying to help Clara up by the head. Ditto what everyone else said…great pics, clever writing, precious babies and beautiful friendships and relationships. I beg y’all to set up a tripod and record the whole weekend and then put together a video of all the funnies! Actually, I would be happy to come run the video for y’all!! 🙂
Blessings to you and the Petersiks!~
I mean this as creepy as possible – I love your kids. It helps I have one the same age, so your comments about them crack me up.
Wow! Great post!
The Goodwill you guys went to seemed to have a nice bit of furniture. Is that the norm? My Goodwill (Lilburn) is super hit or miss for me. Our Salvation Army has started charging crazy prices for furniture, even will the “It has been here forever” discount.
Always looking for a fun find! Thanks!
I saw on YoungHouseLove that you purchased a Christmas sleeper and a hat for your son at the Goodwill. How much was those items?
The sleeper was $1.65 I believe and the hat was $.24 🙂 Gotta love the baby section for good deals!
xo – kb
Good deals! You really can’t bet those prices!
I meant beat! Darn fingers, there are just too fast!
You are an incredible photographer! Love your adventures.
Loved your post, came way of Younghouselove. I was so excited when I received my June issuse of House Beautiful and on page 18 in the “the Best” column saw a very similar compote , just like the one you bought for (get this) $170.00. It can be found on tinafreydesigns.com So if you have the issue or you can get your hands on one, check it out! What a good buy. Love your post! Keep on shopping at GW and posting!
Katie, can you tell me about the stroller you use for Will/how much you love it? We live down a mile-long gravel road and I want to make sure the stroller we buy can handle the rough treatment it’ll surely get.
We got the Phil & Ted’s Sport…and we love it more than we love Will. Not really…but we love it a lot. And I love the newer version even more. It’s amazing.
xo – kb
Is it selfish of me to secretly pray that Clara never grows hair and will never grows sideburns. They are both so darn cute just the way they are!!!