Mom's Surprise Party and More Surprises!

This weekend was the culmination of MONTHS of planning between my Sister-in-Law, my Dad and myself. Starting in January, we began planning the surprise birthday party for my Mom. I can say confidently that the party was a major success! My sister-in-law's Mom was also a MAJOR help in decorating the venue. It looked great!

We had a great crowd, beautiful cake, and lots of good conversation with old friends! I can definitely say that she was surprised without a shadow of a doubt! She cried after we surprised her!

Here was something I discovered online for the party that was certainly a big hit. We decided to do something non-traditional for the guest book. After looking online, I found this WONDERFUL tray at IDoEngraveables . This website provides all kinds of neat alternatives to a guest book such as signable picture frames and signable serving trays. I ended up selecting this beautiful tray below. The company provides you with diamond tipped pens that the guests can use to sign the item. You can use the pens just like you would a traditional pen on paper and it makes a lasting mark on the item. All of the guests signed their name to the tray. It definitely made a great memento of the party and gift for Mom! They also engraved the tray with my Mom's name in the middle as well! The company engraved the item and shipped it less than 2 days after I ordered it. I would recommend this company to anyone!




As an additional surprise, my brother decided to propose to his girlfriend at the party! Before my Mom arrived, he pulled me aside and showed me that he had the ring with him. He was planning on proposing THAT NIGHT! My Sister-in-Law came up with a great idea on how he could start the proposal and it definitely worked out well! We had my Dad stand up to say a few words and thank everyone for coming. At one point, my brother stood up and said he too wanted to share a few words. He transitioned that very well into the proposal! Needless to say Mom cried again and we were all VERY excited about the additional surprise. Many of our family members and my Mom's friends got to witness it!

So big night for the family!

I'm an Aunt!!!

Yesterday my nephew, Hudson, graced the world with his presence! My sister-in-law was induced yesterday morning. At 1:58 p.m., Hudson was born! He weighed 8lb 3oz and was 21" long. He is the sweetest little guy! We can't get over all his little features and sounds. So precious!

My parents and I got to see him shortly after he was born. We are all smitten!

Mom and Baby are wonderful! Sister-in-law did a WONDERFUL job during the delivery! My brother was so proud of her (and so are we!). We're all super happy!

Here's Lookin at Ya Kid!

My little nephew has around 9 more weeks till he graces us all with his presence. Below is one of the pictures from his 4-D ultrasound. Everyone swears up and down he looks like my brother. My brother has also started calling him "Mini-Me." How cute is that?! it's CRAZY how much they look a like! On some of the pictures, I do see some resemblance to my sister-in-law though! Regardless, I know he'll have the same appreciation for funny movies as they do and a sweet heart....not to mention some killer dance moves and sweet nun chuck skills=) (OBVIOUS family inside joke on that last one.)

Can't wait to meet you little guy! I think he's adorable already!

Christmas 2010

It was our turn to go to my family's state for Christmas this year. We drove down the night before Christmas Eve into my hometown.

Christmas Eve - J and I spent time with my closest and oldest group of friends. Not everyone could attend, but we had a good turn out. One of our friends and gotten engaged, another was expecting her second baby girl with her husband, and another brought in their new baby boy. It's such a blessing to remain connected with such a GREAT group of people after all these years! We have all remain good friends since elementary school. It's simply amazing!



Christmas Day - We enjoyed a nice lunch and presents at my parents home. It actually snowed at Christmas. It was our hometown's first white Christmas in 20 years!



Later that afternoon, we drove south to my brother and Sister-in-Law's house. We had a really great Christmas dinner at their home. Good food, pretty decorations, and presents filled the house! We got to see the pretty furniture they got for their first baby's nursery as well! We had a house full of uncles, cousins, siblings, significant others, and parents. As you can see....J really likes my sister-in-law's dip.



However, our Christmas isn't over for J and I. We will be visiting some of J's adopted family in another city this weekend for a late Christmas and early new year's celebration.

I pray that 2011 is a year of blessing for my family and anyone else who might be reading this!

Thanksgiving 2010

J and I rotate where we spend the holidays each year. This year we spent Thanksgiving at his parents house and we'll spend Christmas at my parents. Next year we'll rotate it as we always do. This works well for us since his family and my family are located several states apart.

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This year we got to meet J's brother's girlfriend's two little boys. This was RIGHT before their bedtime as you can see below.



While we were spending our time with his family, my family was also celebrating the gender revel of the first grandbaby. As you can see below, my SIL and brother are having a boy! So excited! (Thanks Lar for the picture!) Also pictured is my present for them since we couldn't be there. I wanted our little nephew to have a onesie with a joke that is near and dear to SIL and I! If you don't know what the image on the onesie is, google, "Peanut Butter Jelly Time Video." As soon as I saw it, I KNEW the baby had to have it!



When we got back from our Thanksgiving trip yesterday, J decided he wanted to revamp our bedroom. We painted it the same color we have in the hallway. )It's MUCH lighter than it appears in the picture. It's a pretty gray.) Also pictured is the new white duvet set as an early Christmas present from my parents! Pardon the wrinkles. We got everything together to show my parents how it turned out. It will be nice and neat later. I promise! As you can see, our two kitties wanted to be photographed as well!=)

Shrimp & Grits

I'm way too busy for my own good right now. It's hectic at both work and play. (Although, I LIKE how it is hectic with the latter!) I will have some new interesting items to post very soon.

However, I wanted to share my shrimp and grits story.

(If you aren't aware of this dish, I suggest you try it!)



Some friends and I took a trip to Garden City Beach, SC a few weeks ago. We decided to drive around and find a great local restaurant for some great seafood. We were NOT disappointed! We came across this restaurant, Mr. Fish , that was NOTHING short of delightful!

I decided I wanted to order the good ole South Carolina favorite dish, shrimp & grits. Boy, was I blown away! The food was good and the service was great. We were very glad we stumbled upon this place!

If you ever get a chance to try this dish at a restaurant, go for it. Delish.

Best Birthday so Far!!!

My wonderful sister-in-law and brother invited our whole family to their home to celebrate my grandfather's and my birthday this past Saturday.

We enjoyed great food and even better company while watching our college football team play a great game! They had got some fantastic barbecue and munchies for us all to enjoy!

At half-time they had my Grandfather and I sit down to open presents. Once we were done, they started singing "Happy Birthday" while bringing out our birthday cake.

I decided to take a picture of the cake before blowing the candles out. As soon as I took the picture, I looked again down at the cake and saw.....



Of COURSE I started SCREEEAMING and jumping up and down!!! My brother and Sister-in-Law are having a baby!!! Everyone was crying/hugging/you name it! Obviously we are all VERY excited for them!!!!!

Best Birthday Cake EVER!!!

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The Next day, I drove home to relax and spend the day with the hubs for my birthday. He had THESE waiting for me! Beautiful Pink and Red Roses!!!



Later that night, my husband and I, along with his dance partner went out to celebrate with great food and wonderful cheesecake!

I'm Back!

SO....I'll be posting about the last month of our busy lives! July was super busy! I'll post a recap and start by posting the first three weeks in this post. Here goes:

1st Weekend: The very first weekend of the month was July 4th. J was out of the country for business, but I had a wonderful dinner with friends!

2nd Weekend: I has helping execute a large event for my college alumni association. I'm currently volunteering as the student recruitment chair. We held an event for over 100 students and their families. Unfortunately, this is my last event with them as I am resigning my chair position next week. I've got too full of a load between working full-time, training and going to dance practice, getting my fitness on, and spending time with the hubs. I've decided I'm going to need to resign. It's been fun, but I've got to narrow my priorities down. Well, let's just put it this way...I'm going to multitask a little less!

3rd Weekend: My Family and I went to the Aquarium in my state. We have a really nice aquarium just 2 hours from my house. It's LARGE! My family lives one state down and only 1.5 hours away from the place so we met in the middle to spend the day there. We had a great time spending time with aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

Here is a picture of my Dad and I in front of one of the exhibits:

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today is my parents 31st wedding anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Thank you for all of your love, support, and generosity! Here's to 30 more!

Me and My Dad

Yesterday was Father's Day! J and I went down to eat lunch with he and my family yesterday. It was great seeing everyone!

I have the world best Dad for many reasons! He has certainly given me a lof of love and support throughout the years! Love you! Happy Father's Day!


Here's a few pictures of me and my Dad!

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Dad walking me down the Aisle...






Dad and I at my last dance competition. Need an explanation on this strange outfit? Take a look at the Ballroom Dancing Posts. That's all I can say!