I promised more Bower visit deets on Wednesday when we dorkily spilled the beans that Katie B and I had been together in a series of photos that can only be described as awkwaaaard (get to the root of that joke here). You know we love a good Bower Visit Breakdown (like this one, this one, this one, and this one of yore). But before we get to all the stuff we did together, we’ll share the little video that we made for ya. Because KB and I always get the same few questions:
- how did you guys meet?
- are you real friends or just blog friends?
- how long have you been friends?
- what were your first impressions of each other?
- what surprised you about each other?
- what do you like to do together?
- how are your styles similar? how are they different?
- do your husbands really get along?
So we thought we’d answer them all on film for ya. Warning: you’re about to lose 12 minutes of your life to two giggly girls who incessantly say the word “like” and perform incredibly terrible impersonations of each other).
When it came to the stuff that we did together this time, here we go:
- filled our bellies with a ton of favorite local food (Bottom’s Up, Q BBQ, Carytown Burger & Fries) along with enjoying a few home cooked meals together in our torn apart kitchen courtesy of chef John
- did fun stuff with the kiddos like going for a walk near the river (where Katie snapped some family photos for us), hanging at the playground (where Clara & Will had some quality sandbox time), and even attending Clara’s weekly music class with Will in tow (he fit right in)
- checked out a few Saturday morning yard sales and even found a Goodwill Outlet (where they sell things by the pound in giant bins – it was like nothing Katie or I had ever seen)
- strolled around Carytown (where we did some browsing at a few thrift shops and consignment stores) and shopped at Stonypoint mall (where Jeremy got the same jeans as John, I’m telling you our men are hilarious together)
- hung around the house while our kids napped (Clara slept from around one to two thirty, and Will would sleep from two to five… so we were house-bound for a good chunk of time each day- which we used to do some synchronized blogging, talk about future projects, debate the merits of certain paint colors, take naps on the sofa, etc)
- rented a few movies after the kids went to bed for the night (X-Men: First Class for the boys and Bridesmaids for the girls) – we also watched a lot of Bang For Your Buck on HGTV since we liked betting which room got the most bang
In summary: good times. Katie even used her photog skillz to take some sweet pics:
So thankful for good friends, good weather, and sweet babies. Er, I guess they’re technically toddlers now. Sniffle. Did any of you guys hang with friends this weekend? Or have a weird feeling that KB and I were together? One commenter totally guessed that we were visiting each other while it was happening and we had no idea how they knew about it (maybe they’re psychic? or they saw us around town together?).
Psst- Check out Katie’s sweet post about everything. She even dug up our first email exchange. Love that lady.
Sunny says
I totally want to have a sleep over, then some shoe shopping!! If the two of you just happen to be traveling through Kansas give me a shout :) LOL
YoungHouseLove says
Haha – sure! We’ll be right over.
xo,
s
NYC Wedding Venues says
Haha, very cute! I can see you two are great friends, the chemistry is obvious on video. Congratulations to you, it’s hard to find friends like that!
Marin says
HAHA!! That was hilarious! This is the first YHL video I’ve watched, well, because usually I’m reading from work where I can’t watch the video :) Katie was exactly like I expected!! But SHERRY! You surprised me!! You’re both fun and I’m glad you found each other and became such good friends….with hilarious man friends! Thanks for sharing!!
Melody says
Having a girlfriend to sit and talk about nothing for hours with is a huge blessing. She’s like your lobster :) (10 bucks if you know what that’s from) Hopefully yall can meet in the middle to see the new Twilight movie coming out soon! Team Edward!!
YoungHouseLove says
FRIENDS! She is my lobster.
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
Yes! Love the Friends reference!
Randa says
You two are sooooo funny together! I loved the video! Your men are pretty stinking hilarious as well… What a great way to cap that video off. Such good sports :)
My guess is that commentators guessed you were together when they heard about a friend who helped you take bushes out (and kept some), since the Bowers have been wanting some more landscaping. Plus, you both only posted once (I think?) last Friday, implying you were busy. Not that we are stalkers or anything! :)
maggie d. says
love the video, ya’ll are too cute!!! hope to see many more videos and many more visits to come :)
Amanda says
Oh em gee, that was amazing. I’m so jealous of the sista-mance! :) I have several blogging friends turned real life friends from blogging over on Weddingbee, and I love how awesome it is to turn an online friend into a real life friend!
Also, and this is probably just my monitor, but I totally can’t see the stencil on the walls at all! I was hoping to catch a glimpse of it on video, but looks all gray to me. Am I crazy, or is it really just that subtle?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- in person it’s much easier to see than in the video (which is totally invisible for some reason) but still subtle. Sort of like tone on tone wallpaper.
xo,
s
Amanda says
Got it – that’s what I figured, but I just had to make sure I didn’t miss some crazy we-decided-to-paint-over it post or something! :)
Rachel @ Common to Moms says
That video is awesome! You guys are all so hilarious :)
Ann says
Unrelated note, did you see this Ranch Reno?
http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2011/10/total-renovation-for-1960s-houston.html
Great photos, she’s got a knack for getting munchkins making adorable expressions!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh. Amazing!
xo,
s
Kayla says
Just have to say that I only have/wear one bra too :)
Kimberly says
HAD to comment about the one bra . . . I’m with Katie, that’s astounding! Although I do admit, I have several of the same *style* of bra. I’ve just built up enough over the years so that I wear them in a rotation. I find that the elastic doesn’t wear out in them as quickly as they did when I was wearing fewer more often.
Also. When did Clara get so many teeth?!? Holy MOLEY. (Holy molars?)
Glad you guys had a lovely weekend with such lovely people.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I know right? My baby’s all grown up.
xo,
s
Stephanie G says
Clara could not be more beautiful!
Heidi P. says
That was hilarious and too cute. Katie B. is so funny! Thanks for posting 12 minutes of funniness :D.
Karla@TheClassyWoman says
I love that you guys met via blogging and that you’re such good friends. Since moving down to FL 5 yrs ago, I’m yet to meet friends like the ones you have in each other, my BFF’s are back home. I always love your videos together. :)
Beth says
Your video is hilarious! I wanna be friends with Sherry & KB!!! I could be your hillbilly northern friend!!! Haha… ;)
Elle B says
You guys are hilarious! I am sitting here laughing, but i have to be quiet to not wake the kidlet…so I’m just making bizarre noises at the screen. So glad that you both have a friend that really gets you!
Hello Door Seven says
Oh MY GOSH! The sprite thing made me laugh for half an hour!!!! XD
Maky says
Ok, seriously have tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard at J&J… Brilliant!
Katie says
Firstly the photos are lovely. Kudos to Katie for capturing some really special moments.
And secondly, this video had me smiling from ear to ear. In the blogosphere snarky competition between bloggers can become a bummer, so it’s refreshing to see you two ladies so comfortable and genuine with one another. And it’s nice to get to know both of you a bit better too. Thanks for sharing!
Lindsey says
Best 12 minutes of my life!! Haha you girls are too funny! And your husbands… That was just the cherry
Katie says
You gals crack me up! Also, through Katie’s blog I went back to one of those first videos you made (the hotel one in Nashville) and found it hysterical that Sherry was wearing pink while Katie was wearing black, which is exactly opposite from this video! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- it’s true! I packed colorful clothes for that trip to try to fit in with Katie and she packed black to fit in with me! Hahahaa.
xo,
s
Jessie M says
When I nanny’d in Richmond (full time for 2 years until the end of June!) I would take the children to that park in your pictures! It is the BEST playground I have experienced! Seeing pictures of it is giving me heartache over missing my little ones so badly. :( I’m really glad you all know about it and enjoy it though because it is FABULOUS!! These pictures are adorable!
helen says
Hello guys, huge fan =) i just wanted to tell you that I like the past design of your blog better, I’m not saying -go back to the old one- but maybe use a different color on the background jaja thank you for the great ideas xo
Shannon says
Your husbands totally crack me up!
Elizabeth says
so i have heard those goodwill outlets can get dangerous – i’m sure interested in hearing about your experience!
YoungHouseLove says
It was just packed with people sifting through giant bins full of stuff that wasn’t even remotely sorted! Kids toys + adult clothes + housewares. So crazy but fun if you find something good (some of it is junk, but there must be some good things hiding in the rough!).
xo,
s
Jess says
Wow. Clara is bee-you-tee-ful!
We love watching her grow up through your blog….it almost makes me want to have a child of our own!
Thanks so much for sharing!
laura says
I love that playground! (just recognized it….my mom used to live very close to it!) It’s the best and my son loved it when he was younger.
Betsy says
you guys are hilarious! and i had to share – after the video ended YouTube helpfully posted an assortment of other YHL videos and even a couple of what I assumed were BowerPower sanctioned videos. One was called Katie Bower Modeling and I thought – Oh! she’s a model! and clicked on it. Um, different Katie Bower. and, there’s music. enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gjjaHViGVI&feature=related
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- we saw that too. The music was a good choice since I think my Katie B looks like Britney!
xo,
s
K @ First Time Home says
I love your blog, I have been following it for a while and finally decided to create my own blog when we bought our first house. Your daughter is so adorable and always looks so happy for pictures!
Kristen says
This was like, the cutest video EVER. I found Katie through you guys and I adore the both of you! I love that you guys are BFF! And your husbands are hysterical! Making friends when you’re older can be so hard, so it’s really nice to see that you guys were able to connect and form a great friendship!
Melinda says
I would like the last 12 minutes of my life back….lol just kidding you guys are cute. :)
Allyson says
OMG I want to hang out with you guys! You two are way funny. Thanks so much for making a video answering all of our questions-I’m sure I wasn’t the only one wondering! Can’t wait so see more!
PS-Don’t you love when husbands become “boyfriends”? There’s something so great about them getting along. Its way cute.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- yes! They’re BBFA (best boyfriends for ever).
xo,
s
Tiffany Hall says
Just wait till Clara gets a little older and goes to school. You will meet lots of awesome people through your daughter. We met so many wonderful people through our childrens activities and school stuff. You and Katie are a ton of fun to follow. Glad you two found each other you are very creative inventive souls.
maryb says
sherry- clara TOTALLY has you smile :D
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! SO many people say she looks like John so I love hearing that she looks like me.
xo,
s
Katie says
Oh for goodness sakes! I never post comments here (although I read every day :), but just had to say… those pics of Clara are DARLING. Your daughter, as you know, is gorgeous and those photos did such a great job of capturing her!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Katie! We owe it all to Katie B – she takes the best pics!
xo,
s
Lisa says
sh*t you weren’t kidding about the ‘likes’ lol totally cracked me up! As a fellow Jersey Girl, I absolutely get the references. Love you guys. Great way to spend par of my snowy Halloween Weekend in NJ (I know, crazy!!). Keep up the great work blogger gals :)
Kristyn says
OMG love both your blogs and just watched the video interview…I knew you were from Jersey but I was still surprised hearing your Jersey accents shine through. Love it :) and it’s funny bc reading your blog bc the jersey accents never cross my mind! Katie-your accent is southern and Jersey mixed-hilarious! anywho both you ladies are soo inspiring. hugs from an upstate NY-er who is in the midst of a kitchen remodel!
lindseyrochele says
Hey guys! Just HAD to comment to thank you guys for this wonderful blog. I have been a follower for a while now. I love everything about this blog. You guys are such a lovely family! XOXO
Morgan says
Oh my goodness! I read your blog everyday and I don’t usually comment, but I just had to comment today after that video. Your husbands had me cracking up!! “Um… Watch tv….” Haha!
Silvia says
This is such a funny video, thanks for uploading it! it made my day… :) seems like you guys had a blast!
Alisa says
Wow, what a beautiful little girl! Also, I think the first one of the three of you would make a cute, colorful Christmas card (I’m probably not the first one to say that)!
Beth M. says
That family picture is STUNNING!!!! You should consider using it for your Christmas card. It’s beautiful! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Beth!
xo,
s
TheChangingHouse says
She takes amazing pictures, but it’s easy to take such beautiful pictures when the subject (Clara) is so beautiful!
Alicia says
Great video! I just had an a-ha! moment watching it. Although I read your blog every day, I don’t usually watch the videos since I’m at work when I read them. Today, when I watched this video, I realized that I’ve been pronouncing Clara’s name wrong in my head! I noticed that Katie pronounced her name “Claire-a” and I’ve been reading it as “Clah-ra.” Just one of those random tidbits… :)
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! We think that’s one of those regional differences (my mom up in NY calls her Clah-ra, and also pronounces Sarah that way “sah-ra”). Down here Sarah is Sair-ah and Clara is Claire-ah. I keep reminding my mom to try to say Clair but she just can’t help herself so it’s Clah-ra most of the time. Hahah.
xo,
s
krys72599 says
LOVE that fact that you all got to be real friends after meeting online… Loved the video; it’s fun to see people together. But I must say, it’s a good thing I wasn’t drinking my Dr. Pepper or Vanilla Coke Zero when the men showed up on the video. I’d have spit up all over my keyboard – laughed out loud!!!!
Serena says
Loved this video-its so fun to hear how really good couples (be they husbands & wives or BFFs) got started.
One thing I’m still wondering after watching the video and checking out Katie’s time line of your friendship on her blog is, what made you and John decide to go for it and take her up on her offer to visit? Did John think you were crazy for wanting to visit someone you had meet online?
Anyway, off to call my BFF (who also happens to be named Katie) ’cause this video just made me miss her like crazy!
YoungHouseLove says
It was so strange, but something about Katie was so inviting that I was dying to meet her. The whole drive I worried it would be a day full of awkward silences, but we were only staying with them for a short time so I guess I somehow thought it was worth risking that. So glad we made the trip! John is so awesome, he loves a road trip so he was totally in! I think he secretly was excited for some guy time with Jeremy just because he knew from Katie’s blog that he’s a fun outdoorsy guy (mountain bikes and stuff).
xo,
s
ashlee says
you guys are so cute. and you are so lucky to have found each other. i’d give anything to have a real life blog bestie!
Stephanie says
I freaking love you guys!! I’m seriously addicted to both of your blogs (yes its my crack, caffeine or whatever you wanna call it, I can say your my daily fix hehe) (gosh sounds bad) anyways you both just make my day a little brighter :) and both of you combined just makes it sooo much better! I can only imagine what a blast it would be to hang out with both of you giggly girls :D! And John and Jeremy are too funny!! Love the matching shirts! hahah
Thank you guys for for being such inspiration for me! thanks for sharing that video! haha like always made my day!
your very faithful follower!
Stephanie :D
Erin says
I’m just up late on a sunday night and re-reading all the comments from this week. I just want to say how much i love you guys. I’m no critic. i love what you do and love your fearlessness. all i can say is you inspire me and please keep it coming. you’re may fave. god bless!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Erin!
xo,
s
Amanda says
Bottom’s Up Pizza is the best!! Even though we’ve moved away from Richmond, we still end up doing “big events” there (we had my husbands going-away deployment party there, his coming home party, birthdays…etc!)