Lauren's Bridal Shower

Lauren's, KW's daughter, wedding weekend was like a fairytale weekend for me.  Each event was magical....it was lovely....it was super sweet....it was over the top!
Friday afternoon was the Bridal Shower.  There was more silverware on the tables than I have in my kitchen.  Julie was so sweet to pick Elysse and I up from the hotel.  We jumped in the car and before we knew it, we had arrived and someone took our car (valet).  The shower was hosted by Lauren's grandmother, her grandmother's best friend and her aunt.  Just to let you know I took about 200 pictures and only showing a select few.  They all turned out great.

We had a party crasher....KW.  Just couldn't miss a party!

 The tables where all decorated so beautifully.  I felt like a princess.

 Raline, Lauren's grandmother, and Julie

 There was a lot of chattering going on in the room.  Some of these girls have known Lauren since she was 4 yrs old.  Others since high school and/or college.  Each of them feel very special and close to Lauren and that is such a testament to how Lauren views relationships. 

 The Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids.  What a wonderful group of ladies.  I so enjoyed getting to know them just a little bit better.

 Lauren and her grandmothers.

 The Hostesses, Inez, Rayline and Jill

 John's mom, Mary and his sister, Bess.

 All the girls...WOW!

 Our sweet Elysse.  Just couldn't resist.

Time for a nap because we have a Rehearsal Dinner party later on ....stay tuned.....

Mother's Day Weekend 2012

Mother's Day just keeps getting better and better and better!  This year we had the joy of playing with Anna for a few days.  Keith and Elysse left on Thursday to spend a surprise birthday celebration for Jim (Elysse's step dad) and the rest of her family in Phoenix, actually The Boulder Resort.  Hal took them to the airport and brought Anna home so he was home alone with her for a few hours.  I wished I had taken a picture of what the house looked like when I arrived home.  There was stuff everywhere.  Thursday wasn't Anna's best day.  Neither Hal or I thought she felt very good so we just loved on her.  She wanted to be held and that was just fine with me. 

Friday we started the day out having breakfast at our favorite place, Cindi's.  Anna was thoroughly entertained with all the new people, activity and a little boy next to us.  They were so cute talking to each other.  Friday night we had a sip (wine) and see (Anna).  She loves to be the center of attention, just like her dad.  Liz, Susan and John stopped by for just a while.

 She is a curious little girl.  Takes everything in around her. 

Saturday we tried the same routine.  Anna would wake up around 7:00.  I would feed her while Hal showered and then we traded places and off to Cindi's for breakfast again.  She knows the routine now and all is well.  I wanted to stop by Central Market since we were in the area.  We were pushing our time limit with her until we arrived and found the merry-go-round.  I think GM was more excited than Anna.  This thing went around fast and up and down.

 The fun part of taking Anna with us is getting all the "looks" from other people trying to figure out granddaughter / daughter.  We just die laughing.

Our church had a Ladies Tea party, so Anna and I had to go.  I was quite impressed with how many ladies attended.  Elysse sent Anna with the cutest little black and white dress so she was styling with everyone else.  Susan was so sweet to save a seat for me...thank you dear friend.

 This event will have to become a "Tradition"for us.

Can you see those sleepy eyes???  We so needed a nap but she is such a trooper. 

Get up and play a little and it's time to eat again.  Eating these days is a whole different story as Anna is eating people food and it's EVERYWHERE.  We may have to get a dog to help with cleanup.  Not sure what will help with the high chair and Anna.

Belly is full and it's time to hit the streets for a walk in the neighborhood.  Of course she loves to play the game, drop the toy and GM pick it up.  We get to do this over and over, so fun!

Saturday night we decide to grill out using Hal's Father's Day gift from the kids.  They couldn't have selected a better gift and it works!  We grilled a pork tenderloin and it was the best ever.

We took Sunday a little slower, for all of us.  Still went to Cindi's for breakfast.  We can be in and out of there in less than 30 min.  We did take time to stop by my dad and Elizabeth's as it was Elizabeth's birthday.  We were pushing the envelope so didn't stay long, but long enough to get a couple of sweet pictures.

Anna has found the steps at our house and this time was determined to go all the way.  There will be no more sitting her down and turning your back on her now as she is gone in a minute.

It's almost time for mom and dad to get home.  We have had one of the best weekends ever and what a Mother's / Grandmother's gift!  We thank our kids for the joy of letting us play with the grand kids. 

Cinco de Mayo

Last Saturday Hal and I celebrated Cinco de Mayo at our very favorite Mexican restaurant, Casa Milagro.  They have really put a lot of work into their landscaping on the patio.  Saturday was an incredible beautiful spring day.  In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Casa had a 5 piece band that was pretty good.  It was so funny because they spent about an hour just setting up walking around, blah blah.  We thought they would never sit down to play.  The other funny thing is that we thought we would get there for Happy Hour...not true, we were 20 minutes late.  Note to self, Happy Hour on the weekends is over at 4:00 PM!  Oh well, we had a great table, margaritas were good, people watching again was good (Hal says outstanding!).

I dont' even know the name of this band.  A bunch of old men and one cute bongo drummer.

Jessica, Jason and their daughter, Rowen arrived.  Elysse...note that sippy cup. Can Anna have one?

 

And then the Jose Cuervo girls showed up.  Now Hal is ordering another margarita.  Two minutes earlier he was ready to leave.  We got free t-shirts and shots of tequila. 

Another lovely evening spent with Babe!

Anna in the Flowers

We wanted to get a picture of Anna in the bluebonnets this year but by the time our schedules worked out....the bluebonnets were all gone.  We did find some flowers at an entrance to an office building so decided they would work just fine.  Anna was too cute.  We threw down a towel, plopped her down on it and started clicking away.  Elysse has a new camera just like mine, so when I say clicking was.....that's just what is sounded like.  Enjoy!

 

Soon the security guard for the office building arrived asking if there was a problem.  We said no, we were just taking pictures.  She informed us that we needed to be moving on.  The next few pictures are so cute of Anna checking out the Security Guard and because she is so darn cute, we got to take a few more pictures!

 

Chris and Melissa Wedding Weekend

OK....I started to cry just typing the title of this post.  The wedding weekend was incredible, awesome, lovely, inspiring, forgiving, magical, sweet and the best weekend ever.  Melissa and Chris worked hard to find a place that would set the stage for how they wanted the weekend and they found the perfect place, Hawkesdene House http://www.hawkbb.com/.  Not only did they want beautiful and relaxing surroundings, they wanted all of the family and friends to be together and Hawkesdene provided just that. Once you arrived on the property, you could feel your shoulders relax.

All over the property you could find sitting places where you could escape with a book or your thoughts to meditate.

 Friday we all took our time to get up and move around.  We had yard games to play, people to visit with, lunch and naps to take.

 Chris's dad, David and Brother in law,Jarred.

 Elysse, Trish, Melissa's mom and Julie

 The pavilion transformed it's self many times while we where there.  Here it's lunch.

 Melissa's brother, BJ and grandfather, George.

This is the fire pit outside the cabin KW, Julie, Keith, Elysse, Hal and I stayed in.  Doesn't that look inviting?

 This is the place where the ceremony took place.  Chairs were lined on each side.  This made a beautiful walk down the aisle for Melissa.

Saturday morning we took a couple of hikes up the mountain.

And then there was the ceremony of uniting Melissa and Chris as one.

And then there was the dinner, dancing and partying!  Melissa's mom, Trish made all the flower arrangements for the tables and serving areas.  She is so very talented.

Father daughter dance.  This was so sweet as Bill started crying way before he ever hit the dance floor.

Mother son dance and yes I was a mess!  What a very special moment for me. 

Chris and Melissa, we wish your hearts to be filled with joy, laughter and love.

Mom and Hal