Nichols-Howe Wedding

On August 23rd I had the pleasure of assisting Laura Nichols and Michael Howe with the final details of their wedding. Laura and I began working together back in July to help with some design and planning concepts and I think they all turned out smashingly! Here are just a couple photos of the day. When I have more from the photographer I'll post them!

Congratulations Laura and Mike! You were both great to work with and I wish you all the best!

Since the bride is from Traverse City, chocolate covered cherries were the perfect wedding favor.


One of her two styles of centerpieces from Flowers by Marla Courtney Woods.


The second centerpiece- simply elegant with the painted granite rocks from Whitefish Point on Lake Superior.


And the cake, picture perfect by the window.


Reception: The Homestead Resort, Glen Arbor
Flowers: Flowers by Marla Courtney Woods
Entertainment: Mac Daddy
Cake: Robin Smith

Here's Murphy!

I couldn't keep it a secret any longer. Please welcome our newest addition to the Caldecott house, Murphy our 8 week old golden retriever!!

I was trying to hold out until guests started to arrive for Melissa's wedding but he's growing so much and he changes every single day. Murphy was born on July 1st and was welcomed into the world with 4 other brothers and 2 sisters. And by a promise made by my husband, Chris and Tina you can vouch to that conversation at our condo in Colorado, I could have a "Golden on my Golden Birthday." Thus, Murph is here :)

These are a few pictures of him since he came home. He successfully has multiple nicknames already the most commonly used is Murphenstein then Murphffles, Murphenshiz, Small Fry and Superman. The last name is because he already loves to leap off our bed which is quite a drop for someone that small.

The house looks slightly like a miniature prison but each day he is better and better with behavior. His favorite tug is still mom's ponytail! In honor of our new baby I'll feature a post a week, or many more :), on Murph and his adventures. He is very excited to meet his friends Gus and Moose and to play more with Isabelle and Lola. And he loves his playdates with his cousin Hudson and Uncle Cayman at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Day one sleeping in the hallway.


Day two playing in the backyard.


Day three checking out the garden, which he loves, especially the tomato plants.


Day four sleeping upside down.


Day five mom was traveling and didn't take a picture, bad mom!

Day six taking a break from eating mom's shoes to check out her camera that's been in his face all week.


Day seven posing with mom who was squinting in the sun


So there he is everyone, our newest love Murphy.

Shhh!

I have a secret and I can't tell you just yet... but when I do, watch out!!

We live in paradise

You'd think I'd have more "free time" not working at the course in the summer right? Absolutely not! My office is at home therefore my home is my office thus working is continuous. Oh no, don't think I am complaining for one moment... you will know why sooner than later!! (I am a great surprise maker and secret keeper, hehe)

This has been just as, if not a busier summer for Kyle so one weekend morning we decided to make a day out of enjoying God's playground, a summer vacationers haven, our home.

The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore has some of the most picturesque coastline I've ever seen, and trust me I've seen my fair share. From California, to Hawaii, BWI, USVI, Cote d' Azur and the Liguria coast... Sleeping Bear is just as magnificent in it's own right. So we headed to one of our favorite spots, North Bar Lake. In high school this was the place to beach it- you could run from the sand dunes down to the shore, jump on a trampoline and dive into the water because the shoreline fell away 6 feet into the water! Now there are ropes and posts protecting the dunes but I will never forget the time I slipped on the trampoline face planting into the sand!

It was a perfect, I mean perfect summer day. Great breeze, comfortable air and water temperature and not too much traffic earlier in the afternoon.

Don't you love the pretty signs... please tell me... how do you "preserve" dunes?


North Bar Lake.


The little creek bed connecting Lake Michigan to North Bar... great for skim boarding.


US Coast Guard patrolling the lake shore.


Dune grass is so beautiful!


Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore.


I swear I didn't edit this photo... natural beauty at it's finest!


I love the look of this shot with the beach umbrellas.


Kyle enjoying some reading and relaxing... this was a great day!

Where did summer go?

To make up for my lack of posting recently I've got some great images to post from "July" that are completely blog worthy! Enjoy these snapshots and the stories with them!!

These stargazer lily's were a Mother's Day gift for mom that were absolutely stunning. The intensity of color was just breathtaking.


Following Melissa's wild bachelorette party at Polka Fest we headed to Linda Dornbusch's house the next morning for a beautiful shower. Here's Melissa with Christina who was crowned the winner of the Toilet Paper bride contest and a picture of Christina's design team!
From LtoR: Sarah Cahill, Christina Mazzola, Carrie Calcutt, Libby Godwin, Karla Krause, Keri Firek, Jamie Foster and me.


What would the National Cherry Festival be without the insanely talented Blue Angels?! Try watching them from a boat on West Grand Traverse Bay. When then fly right over your head you can feel your sternum vibrate and a HUGE rush of adrenaline. As Christina would say... well nevermind... I can't say that online, hehe! Let's just say these are the best of the best.


Walloon Lake is northern Michigan's best kept secret and my second favorite lake. Our adorable nephew Dylan whom calls me "Bish" was trying to smile but had to squint because the sun was in his eyes. Oh yes, he melts my heart!

Another "adorable" nephew (he'd kill me for saying this) Cameron, Dylan's big brother, show's all the guys how to wake surf... he makes it look so easy. He went from surfing to knee boarding the blink of an eye!


And yet another adorable nephew Simon celebrating his first birthday and enjoying his dessert like a true Caldecott/Hornak! How cute is this... a mess only an aunt would love!

Tina and I enjoying the sun, water and time together... we don't get much of it but when we do we know how to make the best of it right girl!?

Set the world on fire

Kyle and I have been attending Bay Pointe Community Church for almost two years and this past spring when my career path changed I was able to serve on our programming team. Our worship leader, Joe Horness gave a great message this morning on walking in step with the Holy Spirit and what that means in his life and in our own lives.

This week I have danced, walked, ran away from and embraced the Holy Spirit. There has been loss, grief, rejoicing, happiness, nervousness, excitment and joy. And this morning I said a simple prayer... "Lord be with me this morning as I direct this service in your name, I've had a lot on my mind and plate lately and I need your help."

I gave my heart to God shortly after I met Kyle and ever since then I am constantly amazed by the blessings he has given me and my family. Not a day goes by where my heart isn't touched by His grace. Now back to the prayer- here comes the funny part of my relationship with the Big Man upstairs. I listened for a response and before I knew it for some reason I was singing the bridge from Chris Brown's Forever, "I won't let you fall, I won't let you fall, let you fall..."

So right there, my prayer was answered! He knows that I love music and that I've let go many a times to this song with my wooden spoon and dishtowel... you all remember that post!

At BP, we had great rehearsals with one more to run before 8:30. It was a song from our student ministry group that just returned from South Africa. I don't know if the song will be on the podcast (visit itunes, search Bay Pointe Community, and subscribe for free to the teachings each week) but I am going to try and get a clip for you. It was an incredible piece. It was raw, it was real and it was God's children worshiping their hearts out- way to go!

So back to the Holy Spirit... set the world on fire with your love, your patience and your kindness. You will dance, you will fall but when you do His arms will be there to welcome you home.

One World

Few and far between, and extremely rare, are the moments where the world becomes one and tonight it was truly awe inspiring to witness just that... on a sixteen hour time delay!

08-08-08 marked the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Kyle, Dad and I watched the opening ceremony in awe of the technology, cost, creativity and human spirit this country of 1.4 billion exhibited. Without Matt Lauer as our commentator we all would be slightly confused as to what we were watching, nonetheless it was amazing.

There has been such controversy over these games and I hope tonight helps those who questioned the Chinese judgment- the true spirit of China was present this evening. With the help from over 15,000 performers, tonight's opening ceremonies was the most magnificent I've witnessed. I cannot wait to see more from China during the next 18 days. Below are a few of my favorite moments from tonight taken from publications around the world.







Go Team USA! GO WORLD!!

Quite the woman

Earlier this year, as ADIM was still finding it's breath I was introduced to a remarkable event planner by the name of Jodi Bos. Jodi owns In Any Event and is an extremely talented designer and special events planner through out the Grand Rapids area. (Please visit her site to see the amazing events she has done in the past!)

We both have a mutual friend, Jen Kroll, who helped introduce the two of us and our first conversation I wanted to thank Jodi for some great words of encouragement and guidance in getting ADIM off the ground. There is always a little controversy when there is a "new kid on the block" and Jodi was so great in offering her advice as a mentor and a friend. As I told Jodi, and everyone else, ADIM officially started (I mean getting paid for what I do instead of just doing it!) when God opened one door in our lives and closed another.

This past year has been one of the most rewarding, yet challenging times in my life. So thank you to Jen for introducing us and thanks again to Jodi for her amazing talents and growing friendship- I hope you see you ladies soon!

Jodi Bos of In Any Event, photo by Jen Kroll of Jen Kroll Photography

My favorite DIY Store

Quite possibly my favorite DIY website and store ever is Paper Source. Not only do they have the greatest selection of affordable paper products but they offer beautiful letterpress (my personal favorite), great gift ideas and everything you could possibly need for creating a one of a kind event!

I stumbled upon them a couple years ago when I began to plan our wedding. I never knew I had such a love for paper and stationary until I started searching for the perfect wedding invitation. Unfortunately there is no PS store in Michigan but their headquarters is conveniently located in Chicago... their store on Chicago Avenue is a must go to for paper lovers a like.

For a great way to jazz up your paper products check out their adorable rubber stamp collection. They have a stamp for every occasion. For a great gift/card pick up a PS stamp, Colorbok ink, embossing powder and PS paper* and let your creativity run wild!

* You can find all those supplies and more at www.paper-source.com

This was our rehearsal dinner invite that was created exclusively with Paper Source products and the design talents of yours truly!