As wedding week comes to a close, we’ll wrap up with the as-promised details of how we honored this year’s anniversary, including where we went, what we ate, what we gifted each other, and how we added to our collection of sweet mementos around the house.
First, we’re all about checking off some of photographic traditions of the day. Wednesday afternoon we took a trip down to Richmond’s Carytown district to pay a visit to our go-to photo booth at the New York Deli. It was Clara’s first photo booth experience and she loved it so much that we couldn’t resist grabbing a second strip. And now they both live on a shelf in our dining area with all of our other strips from big days gone by (which we shared in Wednesday’s post).
One thing we forgot to show you on Wednesday is that we have another collection of anniversary photos in our bedroom. On the ottoman near the mirror, we’ve got small framed pictures that we took on our last two anniversaries (we plan to add one each year – eventually moving the collection to a wall somewhere). In the left photo (our first anniversary) you can even see us holding the cupcakes that we froze from our wedding day to be eaten 365 days later, they were actually pretty good.
So to continue the anniversary “portrait” tradition, once we got home from our photo strip session we braved the heat to snap a few pics in the backyard – with Clara being an important addition to this year’s documentation (thanks to a tripod and the auto timer button on our new camera).
We especially enjoyed taking this one with the arch that we got married under in the foreground.
After that it was time for the all important anniversary meal. Since we had already recreated our wedding menu for year #1 and dined at our rehearsal dinner spot for year #2 (learn more about those adventures here) we decided to honor our Alaskan honeymoon this year by making some sort of salmon dish. And since I’m in the midst of cooking my way through Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (Sherry calls it my Johnny & Jamie project a la Julie & Julia) we plucked out a salmon stir-fry recipe that, despite Kroger not having all the right ingredients, turned out quite well. Yum.
Then after dinner (with Clara off to sleep) it was present time. Even though third year gifts are traditionally supposed to be leather, Sherry and I broke tradition and coincidentally each went the art route. She had 12″ x 12″ enlargements printed of two of our favorite pics of Clara from her newborn photoshoot with our friend Dana Duncan and hung them in our bedroom in inexpensive Ikea frames to surprise me (where one of our botanical prints had previously hung). I love that we can now admire our little girl even when she’s sleeping in her nursery across the hall – plus we couldn’t have planned our outfits better (they coincidentally match the color scheme in there perfectly). See the full sized pictures here and here.
And when it came to my gift for Sherry, I knew that we’d soon have a need for lots of postcard-sized art, so I channeled my inner graph nerd to make her a geeky-sweet representation of all of the things that Sherry has meant to me over the nearly six years that we’ve known each other (and the five that we’ve been dating/betrothed/married). I got to work in a lot of sweet things (like how we went from single people to a family of four) as well as a lot of humorous stuff (like the brief time I thought Sherry’s name might be Heather, how she’s always been the passenger in our relationship since she rarely drives, and how I’ve known her as everything from a fish mom to an actual baby momma.
The gift exchange pretty much wrapped up 7/7/10 for us, but it wasn’t the end of our anniversary festivities. We had planned a day-trip too, but with the triple-digit temperatures (insane) we decided to postpone our travel until yesterday when the heat dropped about ten degrees (you know, because the 90’s is sooo much cooler than 104).
So yesterday we hopped in the car and headed west to Charlottesville, VA. Why there? It’d put us at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just about 30 minutes from where we got engaged. In fact, we actually spent most of the day just outside of C-ville driving on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to soak up the view and tell Clara all about the fun adventures that predated her much-anticipated arrival (being mathy I’m good at recalling where we were and what we did on specific days, so there were a lot of “three years ago on this exact day we were…” conversations). Oh the memories.
We also stopped for lunch near the base of the mountains at the Blue Mountain Brewery. Yes, it’s odd that two non-drinking baby-wearing people would choose a brewery to celebrate, but we had heard good things about its picturesque setting and delicious food. Plus they consider themselves to be a “green” business (we happily counted at least three rain barrels when we arrived) so that always makes us happy to show our support. And although we didn’t head there expecting to see anything home related, as soon as we pulled up Sherry was raving about their deep bronze-toned metal roof. We’d love to have one someday… if they weren’t so darned expensive.
Inside the meal was simple, but delicious (and made from local ingredients). Plus I had the pleasure of rocking my Ergo carrier throughout.
Heck, if you can’t enjoy the view of the mountains – this one isn’t a bad substitute, eh? Clara’s like the seven dwarfs these days (sleepy, happy, bashful, and even occasionally grumpy). Here are just a small sampling of the faces I was getting throughout the meal.
After our second tasty anniversary meal we stopped at my alma mater (to get Clara her first UVA onesie, of course) and then we headed back home to call an official end to the extended anniversary festivities. Well, that is until this morning when we made one last nod to our lemon-&-lime themed wedding with Clara’s eight week photo. She’s such a good sport.
Thanks again for celebrating wedding week with us this year! It’s always fun to take a slight detour and look to relationships & the celebrations that accompany them for DIY and design inspiration. We’ll be back on Monday with our regularly scheduled programming, so until next year we hope everyone enjoys celebrating their own anniversaries and all of those other heart-warming milestones over the next twelve months!
Psst- Clamoring for more Clara? She doesn’t usually hang out on the blog all that much, so just click the sidebar button with her cute mug on it for tons of regularly uploaded photos of Baby P!
Laura (youngDCliving) says
Such a cute post! You guys are so creative :)
Brie says
You mentioned not having a plan for the fabrics you use for photographing Clara each week . . . well, I think you should either make or have a quilt made from them! You guys seem to love sentimental art, a patchwork quilt would be wonderful.
Michele says
Happy Anniversary! Though I have followed you for at least the past year, I didn’t realize that we share an anniversary. My husband and I were married 7/7/00 and we celebrated our tenth this week. We definietly claim 7 as our lucky number, on your wedding date- 7/7/07, we were celebrating our 7th anniversary and we found out we were expecting our second child. Yay for 7/7!
YoungHouseLove says
Happy Anniversary Michele! That’s awesome!
-John
Katy says
Quilt with all those cool little fabric remnants!
Brittney says
I wanted to let you know about some great postcards that we used in our home for a collage of postcards of the National Parks we’ve been to. I am not sure if you’ve been to any National Parks, but these are really cool graphic prints made from old Works Progress Administration prints from the 30s. Anyway, just thought I’d let you know about them, you can find them at http://rangerdoug.com/store/postcards.html or we picked ours up individually at each park we visited.
YoungHouseLove says
Love those postcards, Britteny! Especially the Blue Ridge Parkway one, of course. :)
-John
Danielle says
Where does one get 12×12″ photo enlargements? I have those frames but no source for that photo size. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Danielle,
Sherry got these particular enlargements at a local printshop (basically a local version of Kinko’s – er, FedEx Office as they’re called now). She cropped the photos ahead of time in Photoshop (you could do the same in something like iPhoto) and just ordered simple matte prints. Since they were going behind glass she didn’t splurge for glossy photo paper, so I think they were only a couple of bucks each. Hope that helps!
-John
tammy says
John, I LOVE the timeline! Stealing that idea for sure.
Misa says
John, I absolutely love your gift to Sherry. So sweet! Happy anniversary!
Fernanda says
Thank you John!! That helped a lot!!! Thanks!!!!
Rachel Elizabeth says
Love this. So sweet. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first daughter and all these sweet baby pictures are making it a little more bearable.
Shannon says
Happy Anniversary!
It is so cute that Sherry goes full circle from coworker-girlfriend-financee-wife-wife/coworker.
Adorable!
The ideas you two come up with are priceless, thank you!
Sarah says
According to the timeline you guys got Burger before your wedding. Did he partake in the big event?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup! He made a few quest appearances (although we didn’t want to overwhelm him so he spent a good amount of time inside) and we even took him into the photo booth for some documented dog fun. Good times!
xo,
s
Katrina says
Congrats on three wonderfull years – love yyour home decor and all your ideas :)
Carmen says
Happy anniversary again! You guys are awesome and have an absolutely adorable little family! Have a great weekend!
Alicia says
I love you two :)
I visit your and Katie’s blog’s every day and it’s funny how much expression Clara has compared to little Will! He seems to be content being a little stud muffin. I just bet Clara is a little flirt :)
Ashley says
I love Blue Mountain! It was one of the first dates my now husband and I went on. We even served their beer at our wedding this past May :)
I do have a question for you…I live in the Richmond area and would love to have my sofa reupholstered. I know it’s not cheap to do, but I can’t find anyone who doesn’t charge an arm and a leg. At the prices I’m getting we could afford a very nice new couch, but my husband doesn’t want to get rid of the one we have because “it’s a good napping couch”. It hideous as all get out and the cover we bought a few years ago at Target is just blah. Any suggestions on an upholsterer in the area?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ashley,
Unfortunately it can be as expensive to reupholster a sofa as it is to buy a whole new one! We don’t know of anyone who is especially cheap, but we do know that if you go to Williams & Sherrill they can recommend a number of people at the register. But I’m sure they’ll have comparable prices to most other upholsterers. Sorry we couldn’t be of more help!
xo,
s
anne says
Loved all of the anniversary/wedding posts this week! I’m totally stealing your anniversary photo idea too :)
Jenet says
Love this post! On a side note, you mentioned in a previous post about cloth diapering. Just wondering if you would consider a post on your experiences. I know it’s not home improvement related, but it is green related! (The pictures of Clara and the green brewery reminded me.) I’m thinking about cloth diapering as well so your experience would definitely be appreciated!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jenet,
We plan to post all about cloth diapering (there has been no shortage of requests!) but alas, Clara has to get a bit bigger before she’ll fit into them. We can’t wait though! Stay tuned…
xo,
s
jbhat says
The timeline is bringing a happy tear to my eye. What a thoughtful, sweet thing to have made for your girl.
jbhat
Leslie says
Congratulations to you both! This post made me tear up; it’s just so darn sweet! The timeline is really cute, and is a great idea. It looks like you guys had a great time in c-ville.
Gabrielle says
OH MY GOD! you too are just the cutest couple very!! love the post card idea very cute and creative!
Alison says
Ok Seriously, could you guys stop being adorable for like one day????? You guys are cute and fun and you made such a cute baby and you do cute things. Blah. (I’m addicted to your blog. And jealous, can you tell?)
Lisa says
Love this! Thanks for sharing your special day.
My husband and I have made a tradition of having a family portrait done every 5 years on our anniversary. Why 5 years? Because a few weeks after we met, my husband and I attended a wedding together (our first out-of-town “date”), and someone took the very first photo of us together. Exactly 5 years later to the day (October 5th) we were married. Five years later we did another family portrait, this time with our 2-week old son. 5 years seems like a long time, but when you see the photos lined up side by side, it seems like time has gone by in an instant.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
amyks says
Congrats on three years of marriage…it was such a fun week to be reading your blog, so many great & inspiring pieces. Thanks for sharing so many of your traditions with us.
Kim says
Just a curious question, apologize if it is too probing, but Sherry, did you change your last name when you guys got hitched? Or just added on John’s surname? Not sure if you ever answered it in the past…
YoungHouseLove says
Officially changed it! I love being a Petersik!
xo,
s
kelly says
i love the time line. what a fun way to get to know you.
Get to know me …
http://kellyloves.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/10-random-things-about-me/
http://kellyloves.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/10-more-random-things-about-me-…/
JordanB says
I just discovered your blog and I love it! I’m marrying my man in two weeks and we just bought a house (and are renovating it) so I really relate to your blog. Thank you for the romantic anniversary ideas!
Carol N. says
Love the gifts! A little off topic, but John, it looks like you are letting your hair grow out a little?
Love the timeline; I’ll have to work on ours (but we’ve been married 28 years so far so it will be a bit longer).
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Carol,
I’m at fault! John has been asking me for a haircut for weeks and we’ve just been too busy to get to it. It’s definitely on the agenda for this weekend though!
xo,
s
Natalie says
Love the baby pics and the timeline! Such thoughtful and creative gifts that you’ll cherish forever :)
P.S. Thanks for your comment on my Wedding Registry post!
liz @ bon temps beignet says
hehehe I like the “heather’ story. The timeline is such a good/cheap gift idea. I better start jogging my memory for dates so I can surprise my husband next year.
Gina A. says
Congrats guys!! You guys are an absolute inspiration! You are DIY icons and an extraordinary couple. (Not to mention parents!) You inspire me to be a better girlfriend, blogger and designer. Thank you for that. :)
Christin says
Long time reader, – first time poster:
“being mathy…” I have no idea why, but that has kept my giggling for hours. Seriously, could you two be any cuter?
Thanks for your great blog.
Laura says
What a great family you have established. Way to go guys!
May says
Happy Anniversary to you two creative, romantic people. I’m always impressed with your handiwork, but those gifts & Clara’s weekly pic on the lemon fabric – wow, you’ve outdone yourselves!
Christina W says
It’s all so lovely! I especially fell for the timeline postcard John made! Absolutely the sweetest thing!
I also like the reading you have under your picture frames in the bedroom.
Joi says
Just when I think you guys can’t get any craftier–it happens, and you do!
I love your ideas and you can just feel the love between all of you.
I am storing those baby week pictures ideas for when the time comes! : )
Seraph says
I was in Richmond this weekend! Because it was part of the quickest train/car combo route from where I was to where I was going.
It would have been super cool to bump into you, but, unfortunately, extremely unlikely. Btw how do you deal with the crazy Virginia traffic?
YoungHouseLove says
Virginia traffic? Did you hit some near Richmond? We always marvel at how Richmond is virtually traffic free (we can get to the heart of downtown in less than 15 mins!). Sure there’s traffic up in Northern Virginia (about 2 hrs north of us) but we’re rarely up there to worry about it. So sorry you had to deal with traffic on your trip though! And it would have been fun to bump into you!
xo,
s
Ashlee says
I love your blog and am truly inspired when it comes to mine and my husband’s new home! I also love hearing about your family life. It makes me happy to hear about how much your love each other and your daughter. You are blessed! xoxo
Queenie says
I am so happy I found your blog ,especially love the way you post the weeks on the baby garment and kicking it up with them eye candy backgrounds ,what a wonderful family you are .
JoDi says
OK, so you’ve heard it a thousand times (this week alone!), but you are without a doubt the cutest, sweetest little family ever! It’s so fun to read all about how you are building your home and family with your own hands and lots of love. Thanks for sharing with all of us, and I wish you many, many happy anniversaries to come!!
Katie says
I had to laugh at the traffic comments…I live in Newport News and the traffic down this way SUCKS!! Especially if you’re trying to cross the HRBT or through the midtown tunnel in norfolk. Although it sucks to me, I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad as what you were used to in NYC!!!!
Beth says
John, I love love love what you made for Sherry! It’s so cute and is such a great idea. Way to go. :)
Ashley Stinson says
I am loving all of your creative and personalized mementos. I find myself kicking myself all of the time wishing that I would have started some of these traditions earlier!!! Like the picture on every anniversary–what a simple and cute idea! And the Sherry: Timeline is maybe the cutest thing I have ever seen! What a great gift. Sherry, you must have loved that! :) Happy Anniversary guys! Loved reading along during wedding week!
Christie S says
Hi guys! I haven’t commented in a while but I’m always reading :) I just had to say I love the post card. The “I Like…I Love…I Do…I Still Do” part just melted my heart. Reminds me of something my hubby would say to me. So sweet!! I love your photostrip, your 3 year photo.. everything!! You guys brighten my day :)
Cheryl Joy says
I adore the timeline. That was so thoughtful!.. And fun to read.
Clara is beautiful. I especially like the second face in the sequence.
The photo tradition is a great one. I always wished my parents kept a school picture each year- so I might have to borrow this one from you guys. :)
Sophie says
This post is ADORABLE!
You guys have such cute traditions (:
And your presents are so cute, especially John’s to Sherry.
Oh John, if only you had a seventeen year old brother. *sigh*
Natalia says
Congratulations! Love the anniversary gift ideas, they are so unique and thoughtful!
Alina says
Love this post! Curious, is that brewery on the way to Wintergreen?
YoungHouseLove says
Yep! That’s totally the one, Alina.
-John
Janet says
Hey guys! Have the recipe for that salmon stir fry? Couldn’t find it on Jamie’s website boooo :(
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Janet,
It’s too long to type up here but if you check out Target you can find his book there and look it over right in the store (we bought the book though, since it was 25% off and we’ve used it so much!). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jess- The Semi Abnormal Gal says
Congrats to you! John-I LOVE your gift to Sherry, so creative and obviously thoughtful….are you sure you don’t have a younger brother? haha.
Enjoying the Clara updates, she is quite the lovely lady!