See what I did there? If our 4th wedding anniversary were a movie sequel I’m sure that’s how the title would be treated on the movie posters (and yes, it would be dubbed a blatant rip off of Scream 4). Anyways, as is the tradition, we’re dropping in with our little rundown about how we celebrated four years of marriage last Thursday (see our three year anniversary post here and our two & one year anniversary post here). This year it kicked off, as most days do, with breakfast.
I made this particular breakfast (Strawberry-Orange Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry Butter) as an homage to our so-good-we-took-my-picture-with-it (here) favorite meal during our Alaskan honeymoon. Of course, what I lacked in food presentation (do I get points for my strawberry hearts?) I made up for in flowers in our wedding colors.
We agreed not to do gifts this year (our new laundry project was going to be a joint gift to ourselves), but I broke the rules when I spotted a bunch of bee-themed stationery from Smock Paper. Since Sherry’s an epic list maker and our wedding invite had bees on it, I just couldn’t stop myself from shelling out my credit card digits for a few items. And yes, Smock Paper is a sponsor of ours but no, they didn’t have any part in me buying these. They’re probably finding out about my purchase via this post, actually.
They sadly didn’t have any bee themed big sticky pads, but I got one in the closest color scheme since I knew Sherry was low on office notepads (small sticky notes went unused in our junk drawer, but these big guys are already getting a workout). We appreciate how eco-conscious these wares are in general, but we particularly loved this simple request printed on the bottom: use this to do good.
What I spent in dollars, Sherry matched in thoughtfulness – writing a homemade card listing thirty things she, Clara, and Burger love about me (each of them got ten). I told you, the girl loves lists. And it sure beat the “Love, John” in my card. Oops.
But the day wasn’t about exchanging paper products. It was about doing fun stuff together. So after working the morning away, we ducked out for lunch at one of our favorite casual spots: Sticks Kebob Shop. Yum. And we had a $10 off Groupon for it too. Aw, cheap lovebirds. Or should I say cheep? (Bird joke for the win).
From there we popped over to a local art place called Crossroad Art Center, which we’ve heard lots about but never managed to visit in five years of being Richmonders. It’s basically a massive gallery featuring of lots of local artists, though sadly we couldn’t take pictures inside for ya. One of our favorites was Morgan E. McKinney, but we didn’t find anything in our current price range. Someday.
We did get giddy over these $4 paintings-turned-notecards by Sherri Conley that we thought (once framed with big generous mats) would make for a great little “zen moment” in our master bathroom. So we took them home.
How could we pass up buying something that said “I Love You” on our anniversary? And the photographer’s name is Sherri, so that counts for something too, right? Sherry and I were actually standing in different areas of her booth and each said “this is sweet” at the same time. We reconvened to see what each other had found and we were both holding the I Love You airplane card.
From there it was time to take our annual corny anniversary photo. We’ve got a little tradition of snapping (and later framing) a family pic each year on 7/7…
… and this year definitely proved the hardest. Apparently a 14 month old can’t grasp the concept of “hey, look at the beeping black thing on the funny three-legged stick… and oh yeah, smile while you’re at it.” Guess we didn’t know the blessing we got last year when her 8-week old self slept through the entire thing. But we did eventually manage to get this one. Stacked heads = maximum cheesiness.
Apparently we pressed our luck by trying to get Burger in the picture. This was our most successful attempt. Hey, at least the adults are looking!
Then we headed off to grab our anniversary photobooth picture (more on that tradition here). The place we always go (New York Deli here in Richmond) has an authentic 50-year-old booth that actually develops film strips (not digital prints, like a lot of the others out there). Sadly the booth was having an off day, so the results were especially smeary (note the fourth frame in particular). We were having a bit of an off moment too, apparently. Yes, Clara cried the entire first strip.
Well, that was actually the second strip because we didn’t even keep the first one. During our first attempt the thing started going off prematurely with only me in the booth, so half of the strip is me looking perplexed and calling for Sherry to hurry inside with the bean. But we got some happy squeals during the third attempt from Clara. Good nuff.
After some in-the-car blog tending (what did people do before iPhones?) it was dinner time.
We ate at Brio Tuscan Grille because it was the site of our rehearsal dinner back in 2007 and, well, we hadn’t been back since celebrating our second anniversary. Meaning it was this little lady’s first trip.
Is it just us or is there something hilarious about a sippy cup, some Goldfish crackers, and a Dr. Seuss book on a carrera marble table? Thankfully those magic items (plus her very own pasta meal) were enough to keep Beansie happy and entertained – even after a long day of celebrating.
And as if we hadn’t shoved in enough anniversary bid-ness already, Sherry followed up this July 7th just like she did four years ago after our wedding: by chopping off a bunch of her hair (you can actually see her with short hair waay back in the 2007 archives here).
Yep, say “goodbye” to the honorary fifth member of the YHL team: Sherry’s ponytail.
Though I’d say it’s a fond farewell, since I think my lady looks mighty sexy this way. Note that she was too shy to pose for photos by me, so she snuck off and took pictures in the mirror because “I made her nervous.” Aw yeah, four years later, I still got it.
Oh and Sherry wants me to add that all is right with the world – she can still pull her hair back into a tiny pony when we paint. How would she know? Let’s just say we’re working on the laundry room rightthissecond. More details tomorrow.
Anyway, as much fun as we had this seven-seven, we must admit that our minds have already kinda skipped ahead to next year’s big five year anniversary. In honor of our Alaskan honeymoon, we thought it’d be perfect to celebrate the big 0-5 by going to Hawaii (since it’s sort of Alaska’s non-contiguous partner in crime). We haven’t really planned much at all, but we figure if we keep saying it out loud it’ll force us to actually make it happen next year. Since we haven’t actually flown anywhere on vacation since our honeymoon in 2007. Better make it happen.
jennifer says
your hair looks great! I have been growing mine since we welcomed our own little lady – 2 years ago – and I’m kinda jonesin’ for a new do after seeing yours… (esp. since you can still do a pony – that is a must!)
davesanngel says
HOLY HANNA!!! Sherry you look amazing with the new cut! (Not that you weren’t adorable in the first place, but WOWZA!)
Congrats on 4 years, by the way! My hubby and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary by announcing to the family that we’re pregnant with our FIRST kid. Are our lives gonna change, or what!?!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! But in only amazing ways!
xo,
s
Meagan says
Sher!! love the new hair cut…you look fabulous!!
I had this thought when I saw your picture…then realized I had just called someone I don’t even know by a nickname..I cant help myself…I don’t normally use full names…if a name can be shortened I will shorten it. I guess John will be just John..or J…hmmm. I need to pick short names for my kids one day to save them…now I’m rambling…all this to say you look great!! and happy anniversary!!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh I have a nickname problem! I give waitresses and dressing room gals accidental nicknames ( her: “hi I’m Ashley and I’ll be your server” me: “thanks Ash!”). Then John dies. For some reason it embarrasses the heck out of him and I don’t even know I’m doing it!
xo,
s
Meagan says
so glad you understand me. from now on you can be Sher…feel free to call me Meg.
shannon says
bahahahah to sherry and giving strangers nicknames. THAT is hilariously funny.
i’m still laughing out loud…
Caity says
Love the hair!! So super cute :)
Sarah says
Happy Anniversary and I love the new do!
We went to Hawaii 2 years ago and had a wonderful time! I highly recommend Maui, its like the OBX of Hawaii, where as I think Honolulu is the Myrtle Beach of Hawaii. No offense to Myrtle, but it was nice, relaxing and not too crowded but had fun things to do. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton there and would go back in a heart beat, we loved it!
Lindsay says
your hair looks amazing! I tend to think you look like the girl from Lady Antebellum! Ever get that one? John could even pass for the blonde guy in the group!
YoungHouseLove says
I think I have gotten that one too! I must have one of those generic-ish faces. Haha.
xo,
s
r8chel says
Sherry, people often think I look like someone else they know. A few years ago I joked to someone that I must have a generic face, and she said, “No, you just have universal features.” Sounds so exotic! Maybe you have “universal features” too. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I like it.
xo,
s
Natalie says
LOVE the hair!! The self-portraits are super cute, too!
Tara says
Do you guys watch Game of Thrones? Sherry looks just like Khaleesi. My husband and I watch, and it drove me nuts trying to figure out where I had seen that actress before, and it turns out I was just seeing Sherry! :D
YoungHouseLove says
I hear that all the time! I tuned in on vacation with the while family to see if we “saw” it and she was naked the whole time. Awkward!!! But hilarious. And I totally see it.
xo,
s
Cindy says
I just Googled this. Totally see it. Except that Khaleesi person has gross hair. Our $Sherdog does NOT. ;)
Kathy C. says
Happy Anniversary!! And LOVE Sherry’s haircut!! :) You guys are two cute for words… cheers to many more years of DIY bliss!
Jessi says
Happy Anniversary!
We’ll be celebrating 5 years next July too. We went to Vegas for our honeymoon. I wonder what the 5 year trip destination matches up with that?
Your food photo from Brio convinced this preggo lady that risotto is the way to go for dinner tonight. Oh dear.
April says
Looks like a wonderful day! My husband and I forgoe the gifts as well and just try to do a nice dinner out. If you don’t mind me asking….what sippy cup does Clara use? It looks like it has a straw. I think my little man might enjoy trying one like that too. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s a Munchkin one from Target or Toys R Us. She loves the straw (and never took to a bottle so we’re so relieved).
xo,
s
Jessica G says
this post made me laugh a lot and super happy for you two. i love the NY Deli! delish.
also- the hair looks awesome.
also- the. bird. joke. i laughed out loud. also, we had birds on our wedding invites and, like your bee theme, it’s spread some…so we got amazing salt&pepper shakers that are birds. and from husband to husband, my husband’s joke was “yay! salt & peeper shakers!” hahaha. good luck with the laundry!
Robin @ our semi organic life says
John – great job with the flowers! They’re the traditional 4th anniversary gift.
congrats!
Kristen says
Several things to note:
1) Congratulations on 4 wonderful years!
2) All of that food (John, yours included!) looks delicious and I wish I could eat it all right this moment
3) Those photostrips (although smudgey) are great and Clara will love them when she gets older. I particularly enjoy the first picture on the strip on the right of complete unpreparedness.
4) Sherry, I LOVE YOUR HAIR. You look beautiful! I die. You look just like Rachel McAdams.
Again, congratulations and a happy belated anniversary.
Rebecca @This Nest is Best says
Loving the new haircut! Did you donate what you chopped off? Because there was a lot there!
YoungHouseLove says
I wish! They needed 8″ and I only had 6″ :(
xo,
s
Sara {House Bella} says
Happy Anniversary! I just chopped off all my hair too – donated it to Beautiful Lengths.
Kristen says
Oh also, random question, about how many inches do you think you cut off? Was it enough to donate (8 inches) to Beautiful Lengths? Or Locks of Love (10 inches)?
YoungHouseLove says
Sadly not enough:( they said it was around six). Huge ol’ pile on the floor. Haha.
xo,
s
davesanngel says
LoL will take shorter lengths actually. They sell the shorter bits to help support their program.
Jessica @ The Southern Belle Baby says
Sherry your hair looks amazing!! Seriously, you look very hot. :)
Kristen says
Looks like a fabulous anniversary!!! We’re celebrating our 5 year anni by going to Hawaii too! If I see anything super lovey-dovey while we’re there I’ll be sure to pass the info along! :)
And your haircut looks great Sherry!
gk says
happy (slightly belated) anniversary, guys! sounds like you had a great day. chopping hair off on occasion is fun. and sticks is awesome. went to the cville one all the time when it first opened (oh, college). best hummus ever. i miss it.
Jenna says
Love, love, love the new hair!! I was reading this in Google Reader and thought the picture was one of the ads at the end. Very model looking! Happy Anniversary!
Annie says
Happy Anniversary!! Love the new haircut, in those pics you remind me so much of of Emila Clarke from Game of Thrones. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1536790016/nm3592338
Yet another celeb to add to your look-a-like list!!
YoungHouseLove says
I get her a lot now. Too funny.
xo,
s
Bethany says
I just pulled up that link and was like, “OMG! That’s Sherry!” You look absolutely gorgeous with the new hair! Love it. Oh, and happy anniversary. :)
hyzen says
You guys are too sweet, and I have to give a little extra credit to John for going in for all the lovey dovey stuff. I love it. Between our work demands and 2 little beans, My DH and I feel like we’re doing pretty well if we manage to go out for dinner and exchange presents on our anniversary (we also recently celebrated our 4th).
And don’t take this the wrong way, Sherry, but you look so hot in those last 2 pics that I didn’t recognize you at first! I mean, you always look lovely and adorable, but I guess the new ‘do is giving you a different vibe–very model-esque, so I defnitely see the Angelina Jolie comparison (although there’s another actress those pics bring to mind for me more, can’t quite place her….).
Karen says
Wow… love the hair cut! You look gorgeous.
Congrats on your 4th. Looks like y’all had a fun day.
Something I’ve wondered lately, and this might be a good time to ask since you just hit 4 yrs. ;)
Since John quit his outside job and stays home with your full time blogging gig…. do y’all ever get tired of being together practically 24/7?
I’m not sure I could do it with my S/O. We might want to kill each other after awhile. LOL
YoungHouseLove says
We fight like the best of them! Haha. We used to work together in NYC, so I guess we’re used to it, but we definitely get burned out and grumpy. But John runs and I go out with a friend and we each have separate interests and try to have fun family time together so it works. We honestly work a lot in different rooms (I’m at the computer in the office while John is playing with Clara outside or in the nursery, etc) so it probably helps that we’re not all in one tiny room.
xo,
s
heather s. says
All of the food pics look amazing and I love the small prints y’all bought. Great haircut – it looks very similar to mine and mine is super easy to maintain and pull back.
Danielle says
Congrats on the anniversary – and the haircut! :)
Ashley says
First things first, the hair = amazeballs! LOVE! Second, that pic of you guys attempting to fit Burger in the mix had me cracking up at work, nice try guys!
Ashley says
Oh, and I forgot to metion to John that I think his stuffed french toast presentation is superb!
Emily says
You two are so cute, I love all of your family traditions.
This question is 0% related to the post, but Sherry – your eyebrows are perfect! How do you get such a perfectly shaped brow?
YoungHouseLove says
I went crazy about two years ago and let them grow in for a month. No plucking at all (I thought they had gotten too thin). Then I just plucked the spare ones and left them nice and thick. Now I just maintain that, so they’re not much work. My tip: put down the tweezers and walk away before your eyebrows are gone! Haha. Can you tell I had an overplucking problem?
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
And enjoy them while you’re young ladies! They will start to go away when you hit forty! LOL…Maybelline brow powder is a lifesaver!
Amanda says
My friend had an over plucking problem when she was a tween/teen and now she basically doesn’t have eyebrows because they stopped growing. She has to draw them on now. But it doesn’t look like they’re drawn on (which is good!)
I used to over pluck as well, but then one day my mum scared me by saying my eyebrows wouldn’t grow back and I wouldn’t have any! So I spent a good part growing them out, then I got them waxed to my shape. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes- I think the growing them in so they’re crazy and bushy is a key step. Gotta start from “scratch” with the shape. Haha.
xo,
s
Janelle says
I like to look at the pictures before reading posts sometimes and today was one of those times.
So as I get to the Sherry hair reveal I actually think to myself, who is that gorgeous model and what the heck does she have to do with their anniversary? Not kidding! Your hair looks so, so pretty! I just chopped mine about a month ago and it feels to good. Styling takes about 10 minutes, even though I rarely do it anyway… go team lazy!
Also, all those food pics are making me hunnngry. Happy Anniversary! :)
ChristinaM. says
Smokin hot hair lady!! Congrats on 4 years of marriage!
Sara says
Sherry you look gorgeous! Love, love the hair. What a nice day! I love the plane “I love you” too cute. And you guys better go to Hawaii!
Christa M says
The French Toast looks amazing (better than the original in Alaska!) but not as amazing as Sherry’s new do! I too was going to ask if you had DIYed your haircut, I’m still waiting on a how-to video!
PS – I want to see Burger’s 10 things
YoungHouseLove says
His were all cute and misspelled (ex: you give me bons, you pett me lots, you let me sleep on your nek).
xo,
s
Anna says
Congratulations on your 4 years! How wonderful! And like everyone else here, I LOVE your hair cut, Sherry!
sarah says
LoveLOveLoVe the hair!! That first picture is very model esque. What a hotttttie!
Britt@knewlywifed says
LOVEEEE your hair! I think you just gave me the courage to chop my locks. I haven’t cut it since before our wedding 2 1/2 years ago!
Alison says
yowza sherry that is a gorgeous cut on you!
kathy says
Happy Anniversary, John & Sherry!
Sherry, I absolutely l-o-v-e your hair – mine is in desperate need of the post wedding chop (and I got married in April) but I just can’t committ to anything yet!
I went to Hawaii twice a few years ago when my friend was living out there and I’ve always wanted to go back. You guys will absolutely love it! Just a heads up though you won’t be able to bring Burger with you – the Hawaiian government would quarentine him upon arrival to make sure he wasn’t bringing any “mainland germs” (maybe not the offical term) into the native territory
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah he’ll stay back with Grammy! Don’t want the poor guy caught in quarantine!
xo,
s
Jacqueline says
Okay, I am totally a “long hair is better” type of girl. (Oh what I would do for Kim Kardashians locks!) But your hair looks amazing short! Ditch the pony tail, lady!
shannon says
i’m going to echo everyone else and say how GORGEOUS you look in those pictures! love the new do!
very very pretty S!
F.D. says
Definitely give hotwire a try for Hawaii (and figure out which hotel you are getting by using http://www.betterbidding.com). We got a great rate for the Sheraton Waikiki and Sheraton Kauai. Waikiki was great to do the whole Pearl Harbor thing, hiking Diamond Head, shopping, dining, and watching the surfers on the North Shore. Kauai was absolutely breathtaking and a really slow pace of life surrounded by these amazing sights (google hanakapiai falls hike. not sure if you could do it with Clara in a backpack but it was the most incredible hike I’ve ever done and swimming under a 100′ tall waterfall was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!)
Crystal says
Beautiful, Sherry! I didn’t even recognize you at first and thought those were stock photos from somewhere. Your new haircut frames your face beautifully. What made you decide to cut it?
YoungHouseLove says
Every few years I love going in for the big chop! My hair gets so dry and boring in a pony that it’s exciting to “reboot.” Haha.
xo,
s
Sara says
I just have to say that you look sooo good Sherry! I have been thinking about cutting my hair off just the same lenght, and now I’m convinced. When I get back to Sweden after living one year in Kenya, it’s coming off!
You are a lucky guy John!
Best of luck to all four of you.
Mary Anne says
I love hearing about different couples traditions. My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost three years!!! The first place we went out to dinner together was the Outback (classy I know but we were sophomores in college at the time!!) SO we have now created a tradition out of it anytime we celebrate we go to the Outback(good week at work, Birthdays, graduation ect). WE love it because nomatter what one we go to they all look the same and we always look back on or first(real) date and remember all the reasons we fell in love. A more quorky tradition we have actually came from or actualy first date! It was a blind date (akword I know what 20year olds resot to blind dates…..?) We went putput golfing! To this day when we see a putput course we stop whatever we are doing and play!I hope as we go on we can find more great traditions like the two of you!!!CONGRATS ON 4 YEARS OF BLISS. Hope we can all be so lucky!!
Jill says
Wise choice to get your hair cut in a salon, Sherry. I cut 10″ off the other week and totally botched it. My husband (bless his heart) tried to fix it but it was beyond his skill level. Eh, it was worth a shot to save a buck. It’s fixed and looks sixxy (as in sixty, sexy dollars paid to the “professional”). Happy 4nniversary – you guys are the cat’s pajamas, or should I say, the bee’s knees.
Yin Yin says
Congratulations! <3
Isabel says
Happy (belated now) Anniversary! Looks like you had a wonderful yet simple anniversary to gear up for the big 5 year mark. :)
John — the breakfast looks awesome, even prettier than the one from the Alaskan restaurant.
Sherry — gorgeous! But still so practical to leave juuust enough for a tiny ponytail (that’s my rule of thumb for haircuts, too, haha).
Elizabeth says
Me, too. Which has prompted family members to refer to me as George Washington at times when I have a tiny ponytail!
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious!
xo,
s
Melissa says
Such a fun day! Do you wish you waited to take your family photo until AFTER your haircut? I love it like everyone else does. Did you donate your hair?
YoungHouseLove says
I wish I could have donated! I didn’t have enough (needed 8″, had 6″). Next time! As for the pics, I’m glad I chopped it after so it might make me maintain it until next year’s pic. Haha.
xo,
s
laura says
Love you guys….congrats on 4 years! I hope in 3 years…my husband will take me to Hawaii for our 5 year!! Better plant the seed right now. :)
Kelley says
this post is especially amazing! your family makes a really great team, and you can tell how in-love you still are! and i L-O-V-E Sherry’s hair! it is pretty much the bombdotcom!!!
Mylene Desjardins Beadow says
First of all, happy anniversary! I love your tradition of taking an annual family photo on the day of your anniversary! Will totally start this tradition this summer for our 1st wedding anniversary (Aug 6)!
And, the pictures of Sherry FINALLY allowed me to pin-point who she reminds me of (been trying to figure it out forever…) I hope you take this as a compliment Sherry, cause I think she is gorgeous! Rachel McAdams (http://www.celebritythunder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Rachel-McAdams-1.jpg) !! Totally, right??
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah, I get her a lot. When I lived in NY people gave me their cabs and called me Rachel. Haha.
xo,
s