Funny sign...

Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm sure you have heard all the controversy surrounding Tiger Woods. I'm not even going to go into because it isn't worth my time... BUT while we were in Charlotte we came across a funny sign. It was actually a store called "Tiger pro golf". My parents, Garet and I were in the car together. When I saw the store name I said, "Bet their business isn't doing too well right now..." Once we got up close to the store, we realized just how bad they were doing!

Can you read the window signs?? I zoomed in so you could see it better...

You just have to laugh :)

THE wedding...

Ready for another picture overload??? Okay here we go...

Saturday morning started off early for us girls! Kailey's aunt hosted a bridal brunch for all of us ladies at 9 that morning. It was so nice! Her aunt had a feast for us!
All of the bridesmaids came, and my mom, Kailey's mom, Kailey's step-mom, the flower girl, Kailey's grandmothers, some aunts and cousins... there were quite a few of us girls! We enjoyed food and good convo, oh and they served mimosas.

We all came pretty dressed down since we were leaving from there to get our hair done. Kailey finally got to wear her Bride outfit!

Once we left there we headed over to the salon to get our hair done. I'm sure I mentioned before that Kailey does hair, so we had all the girls at her salon working on us. Someone else did our makeup - Which by the way, was WAY out of my comfort zone! If you really know me, you know I don't wear much make up. Boy did I wear a lot that night :)

Kailey picked out a hairstyle that Carrie Underwood had - it was teased on top, then pulled back to the side in kind of a messy bun. It was very cute! We were there for a long time, and then we headed over to the church to start getting dressed.

The flower girl, Olivia, is a close family friend to Kailey. She had her dress specially made to look exactly like Kailey's wedding dress! It was adorable!

Everything went so smoothly that day! I think it started to hit Kailey when she could hear the music starting up! My plan was to sneak over to the boys side to see my brother, but I never did. The first time I saw him was when I walked down the aisle. SO CUTE!!

Kailey decided to have two garters. One to throw, and one to keep. Since Eric is going into the Marines, she picked one to represent that.

Here are all the bouquets

and the bride

The ceremony was beautiful! It was a very Godly service. I could see my brother's face almost the whole time, and he was just so happy! I managed to choke back most of my tears :) Like I mentioned in the previous post, there weren't any pictures taken during the ceremony, so I don't have any of them walking down the aisle.

The reception was just as beautiful as the rest of the day had been! It was packed with around 250 people. There was a slide show going of Eric and Kailey from when they were babies all the way through now (I am proud to say I put that together).

After they announced the wedding party, Eric and Kailey led the line through the buffet. Then once everyone was finished eating they had their first dance.

Right after the ceremony, when I saw Eric I asked to see his ring. Inside was engraved "History in the Making" I thought, how cute! But then when they had their first dance, it was to the song "History in the Making" by Darius Rucker, and it all made sense! And it was sooo sweet!

Not only was it great to be there at my brother's wedding, but it was also so great to see my whole family! We took tons of pictures, but I didn't get any with my camera. I did get one of the proud parents!

When Kailey first started planning everything for the wedding, she said that neither her nor Eric really like cake, so they probably wouldn't do anything fancey for the cake...

psshh

Just take a look...

How gorgeous is that?! She even laughs that she said that at the beginning! They also discussed beforehand that they would not be smashing cake in each others face, even though there was a lot of people egging them on, they kept their promise and kept it sweet.

Here I am with the groom

Just as they wanted, there was a lot of dancing! It seemed like everyone had a great time!

I can't remember what song Eric and my mom danced to, but it was really sweet too!

The bouquet and garter toss are always a big hit!

Oh, it was just such a perfect wedding! They both looked wonderful and happy! I know they are having tons of fun in Jamaica right now! I will have to plan a trip to go back soon!

Eric & Kailey...

These are going to be long, just want to warn you :)

On Friday we had the rehearsal and dinner. It was so much fun! Remember how I did a cake class? Well, somehow I was convinced to do the rehearsal cake for Eric and Kailey. Don't get me wrong, I was honored! But this was their CAKE! My mom had tried to get one made, but the place wouldn't do what she wanted... so I did it. Actually my mom, dad, and I all had a hand in it. Mom cut the strawberries, dad crushed all the Oreos, and I iced and place everything.

Once we got everything place, we had to put it in the box for transportation. Well... the box lid would have smooched the center strawberry... so my dad fixed it :)

After lunch, my mom and I headed over to the place where the reception would take place. We went to help decorate. It was already starting to look beautiful! Their colors were black, silver, and white. The centerpieces on the reserved tables (reserved for family) had a bouquet of white hydrangeas surrounded by candles. The centerpieces on all the other tables had a tall vase with a floating candle surrounded by smaller candles. It was fun to go help set up and see the behind the scenes! Kailey was there, and was doing pretty well :) She wasn't too stressed and seemed to have everything under control!

That night we got all ready to head out to the rehearsal.

Everyone was on time and ready to get things started. On the day of the wedding no one was allowed to take pictures, so the only pictures I have right now of them actually getting married are these from the rehearsal! Just pretended she is in a white dress and he is in a tux. Thanks.

I can't wait to see the photographers pictures of the actual day! She got to take pictures, she just couldn't use a flash. Here they are getting instructions:Here they go! Aren't they too cute?!

We went to City Tavern for the dinner. It was wonderful! They put us in a private room and we had our own little buffet. It was really nice! Here is Eric posing with the cake :)
And, here are my parents - the proud parent's of the groom:

The food and everything was so good! Everyone was so excited for the next day! The girls got together for some pictures... I am pretty sure no matter where you go, the girls always get together for pictures!

I will do the next post on the wedding!

Here comes the bride...

Garet and I are taking off tomorrow... we're headed to Charlotte for MY BROTHER'S WEDDING!!! I can't believe my little brother is getting married!! I am soo excited for him! And I just love Kailey. It is going to be such a fun wedding! I wish I was already on the road there :)

Because of work, we will probably won't get on the road until about 1:00, so that puts us in Charlotte around 7 or so... not too bad. Friday we will have the rehearsal dinner. Then all day Saturday will be wedding festivities! Bridesmaids Brunch, hair and makeup, getting dressed, having fun!
The picture is from the day they told my parents they were engaged - back in July.

I am just overjoyed that my brother found someone to spend the rest of his life with! I can't wait to be there!! I will be sure to take tons of pictures!!

Snow days...

This past Thursday morning we woke up to small snow flakes. Once I got to work, at 8, the flakes were huge and they were starting to stick! So, at about 9 a.m. my boss sent us all home (all 8 of us!) Here was the road to our neighborhood...
Yes I was taking a picture as I was driving. What? We don't see stuff like this down here! I had to get some shots :) Here is our pond at the entrance of our neighborhood - it was frozen solid!

And here is the street in front of our house:

It was crazy! It snowed all day long! Garet started a fire soon after I got home from work and we kept it going until we went to bed that night!

I managed to get a few shots, but honestly I pretty much stayed inside. It wasn't enough to get out and play, and it was FREEZING! I am talking like 8 degrees outside!

Yesterday it was still snowing, but nothing was sticking much. There was a lot of ice on the roads so that made for some craziness. We did manage to get out with some friends last night for dinner and a movie. At least we didn't have to stay cooped up! When we got home, we couldn't get up our driveway! The tires kept spinning! Garet didn't want to leave the car on the street (because it would get too cold :) ), so he went to Walmart to get some salt. Turns out everyone had the same idea and there wasn't anymore salt. So guess what he covered our driveway with??? Cat liter. Is that really what people do?? Gross. Now we have kitty litter all over the bottom of our driveway. Really?!

Friday...

I pretty much use this blog as a way to keep my family/friends up-to-date with what we have going on. It seems much easier than sending a monthly update email to everyone. I rarely go into really personal issues... mainly because I know the whole Internet can view this site, and there is no telling what kind of crazies are out there :) but also because Garet and I are pretty private people.

That being said, I have posted before on a personal issue to Garet and I, infertility. I wanted to share a really awesome article. I also want to make sure I link the right people to it... I found it though a friend's sister that posted the link on her site. It came from this blog, and if you want to find it even easier CLICK HERE.

It is called The Bible and the Pain of Infertility. This article is not only for those that are going through it, but also the friends and family that are trying to be supportive. I have gotten to know quite a few people that are struggling with infertility, it is such a sensitive subject. Unless you go through it you just can't understand, but this article does a good job of explaining the emotions and state of mind someone with infertility has. It also shows how God is present in the midst of everything.

Just thought I'd share.

Weird...

If you haven't figured out by now, we have a weird dog.

I love her to death, but she definitely has some weird qualities.

For example... she is scared of coughing.
Yes. When people cough she gets all.... weird. If it is me coughing, she runs to Garet, and then some cries if the coughing continues, or she'll just sit and stare at you. She does this with visitors too. How awkward! Yeah, sorry my dog is acting strange, it's because you cleared your throat.

Needless to say, I am pretty sure Suzi is on the verge of going insane because I have been sick for over a week now. It isn't the normal stuffy head and sneezing, it is the cough-all-night-long-don't-get-any-sleep kind of sick. Garet left for a conference last night so it was just me and the pup. Boy she wasn't a fan of me :) I got up around 2 a.m. and went into the bathroom. When I came out Suzi was sitting in front of the door with a look similar to this:

Once I was back in bed, she proceeded to scratch up our bathroom rug. So this morning it was in a ball.

How did she get this way? How can I fix it? Garet and I got a Dog Whisperer DVD for Christmas (since we don't get the channel it comes on), so I know that somehow we have made her this way... I need some help from Cesar!

By the way, I broke down and went to the doctor yesterday and am feeling MUCH better!

Happy New Year!

Well Garet and I rang in the New Year last night... sick.
I have been trying to ward off this cold since last weekend... but it took over. Yesterday morning Garet woke up feeling it too. It was still nice, at least we were together :) We had a nice dinner, then came home and watched a movie. Oh, and I have a confession.... we actually celebrated the east coast new year. I just knew I wouldn't make it!

It is amazing how fast 2009 seemed to go! I was going to do a little review of the year, but I'm just not feeling it. Hope everyone had a great New Year's eve! I'm looking forward to what 2010 has to hold for us!

Wedding Shower...

While I was in Charlotte we had a wedding shower for my brother and Kailey. Well first off, on Saturday my mom and I went and got a mani/pedi. It was so much fun! The guy that did mine was hilarious! He picked out red - I usually keep my fingernails neutral, so it was a nice, festive, change :)

On Sunday afternoon, we all gathered at one of my mom's friends houses to have the shower. Here is Kailey with her mom (on the left) and her soon to be mother-in-law (my mom, on the right).
They got lots of nice stuff!! I can remember the showers and how great it was to receive such wonderful gifts (and gift cards!) While she was opening gifts everyone kept asking her how many bows she ripped... she had no idea what we were talking about! Has anyone else heard this - however many ribbons/bows you rip will determine how many children you will have.

It was a great time with the girls, although my brother did make an appearance. He stopped by at the end to help get the gifts in the car.

I am so excited for the wedding!! I know Kailey's counting down the days... I think it's at 18!!!

Christmas 2009...

We had such a great Christmas!! On Monday I met up with Garet in Raleigh. We spent the week with one of his sisters Karen, her daughter Kathryn, and her son Sam. Garet's mom also came down to visit (she left behind about 20 inches of snow!!) (in DC).

Garet and Sam

We met up with another one of Garet's sisters, Merideth, and her family. We went to dinner one night, and the next they came over and we played at the park.

On Christmas Eve we went to a nice service at church. Then we set out cookies, hot chocolate (they were out of milk), and a letter to Santa.

Garet and his mom

On Christmas Day after we got up and opened presents, we got to play! I got a tripod for my camera, so we decided to take some fun shots :)

That night we headed over to Merideth's house for dinner. It was a really nice Christmas!

Garet and Kathryn

The next day we packed up and headed to Charlotte. Suzi stayed with my parents while we were in Raleigh. We celebrated Christmas again with my family that night.

Garet and I have gotten in a routine where we alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas with each side of the family. This year Thanksgiving was my family, Christmas was his. BUT since my brother is joining the Marines and it is possibly the last Christmas all together for awhile we made an exception.

My uncle came over with us and we had dinner and opened gifts. I used my tripod to take a group shot!

We had such a great time! We got stuck in traffic yesterday traveling back, so it took about 2 hours longer to get home... we were so tired! At least this is a short week!!

An outtake and I'm gone...

YAY!!! Tomorrow I am headed to Charlotte!

My co-worker is picking me up in the morning for work, then she is driving me to the airport after work. I hear that there is supposed to be snow and sleet in Charlotte tomorrow night... my plane lands at 9:30! I pray that the weather doesn't interfere!

For our Christmas picture this year we used the one that is at the top of my blog. We probably took no less than 60 pictures! When we take our family pics I set up my camera on a delayed timer and then it takes like 6 in a row... we usually get some pretty funny ones! Here is one of the outtakes
Check out that tongue! She always gets Garet really good! :)

Don't know if I'll be blogging while I'm away... if not hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!

Home Alone...

Yep, I'm home alone, Garet went out of town...
oh, and he took Suzi with him... He is driving to Charlotte. Dropping off the dog. Spending the night with my parents. Driving to Wilmington, N.C. Meeting up with his dad. Working on our rental house. Spending the weekend with his aunts and grandmother. Driving to Raleigh. Meeting up with me. And spending Christmas with his sisters. OH... and then driving back to Charlotte. Getting the dog. Hanging with my family. Driving back to Huntsville.

Sounds crazy when I actually type it all out :) It really is a good idea though! I am sure I've mentioned our first house on this blog. It's a cute little thing up near the coast of North Carolina. It has been rented by the same lady since we left (over 3 years ago!) It needs some TLC, so G and his dad are going to do manly projects to fix it up.

I am going to fly into Charlotte Friday. I get to spend some fun time with my parents, AND I get to attend a bridal shower for my brother and his fiance! I can't wait! I will meet back up with Garet in Raleigh on Monday. I'm sooo excited!

But in the meantime... I will try to keep myself busy so I'm not sad! It will be weird not having my man or my dog!