Since I just shared images from Daniel's cousin Holly's wedding yesterday, I might as well get around to finally sharing about the bridal shower I co-hosted for her in November. (Yes, November. I know I've been a slack blogger, but you have no idea how busy I've been. The last time our family was home together with nowhere to travel over a weekend was November 7-8. So, I hope you're cutting me some slack and not thinking I'm a disgrace to the blogosphere.)

Back to the shower... This shower was a bit difficult because we planned it long-distance, with neither of the planners living in Midland, where the shower was held. But, it turned out to be beautiful and I think these two (bride-elect, Holly, and groom-elect, Jerry) were pleased.


We found this wonderful location that was such a surprise. It's a nursery that sells amazing plants and flowers and patio/garden furniture and decor. Hidden in the back of the nursery is a cafe surrounded by a beautiful pond/water feature and tons of gorgeous plants and flowers. It was such a lovely location that we were pleased to find, and their food was delicious.



Due to the nature of bridal showers, we wanted to be appropriately old-fashioned in many ways because, well, that's the way we do things where I grew up. I don't know why, but that's just how it is. Showers and weddings are traditionally somewhat formal, and there is just a certain etiquette that is expected. However, Holly is young and has a style all her own that we didn't want to ignore so we did opt to be a little funky in the decor. We chose turquoise and red for the color scheme. I know it sounds odd but it's really fun and funky when it comes together. I was especially proud of the invitations that were a deep red, trimmed in a red/white damask pattern and accented with a turquoise jewel. At the shower, we covered the tables in turquoise and placed large red tissue paper pom poms atop glass vases as the centerpieces.




For another special touch, Daniel helped me put together these cupcake flags. (They were almost as cute as the cupcakes were yummy - red velvet with cream cheese icing is the best!)


Most of all, I think Holly had a fabulous shower and was honored by all the ladies in attendance as well as all the wonderful household items she is not using to help make a home for her and Jerry.

Going to the chapel...

This past weekend we traveled to Odessa/Midland for the wedding of Daniel's cousin, Holly. It was a beautiful wedding and reception, and I'd like to think that my beautiful kids had a little bit to do with that.

Abigail, along with her cousin Avery, were flower girls. This was Abigail's first wedding to attend, and she absolutely loved it!








Cooper was hanging out with me in the back of the church while I helped corral the flower girls and make sure Abigail went down the aisle at the right time. The ring bearer, who was just 1 year old, wasn't fairing too well and it was decided that he wasn't going to make it down the aisle. The bride, Holly, asked me if Cooper would be able to go down the aisle with the ring pillow. While thinking that there was no way my shy little guy would go down the aisle, I confidently said, "Sure, he'll be great!" Fortunately, Cooper manned up and trotted off down the aisle ahead of the flower girls and was fantastic!


Daniel was seated at the front of the church and said his heart stopped a bit when he saw Cooper coming down the aisle. He just knew that Cooper had slipped through the door as I was ushering Abigail out ,and that I didn't get the chance to grab him. Fortunately, that wasn't the case, and the kids were perfectly behaved as they stood at the front of the church throughout the ceremony and then followed the bride and groom out the back of the church. As we waited in the hallway for the guests to leave the church before we returned for photos, the groom, Jerry, came up to Cooper to give him a fistbump and tell him how great he did. To my shock and humor, Cooper replied, "I got your back." Ha! (Remember, this kid is just three!) Kids are too funny...

At the reception, Cooper was a big hit on the dance floor. Who knew my little man had moves?!


At one point, there was a circle of people that formed around Cooper as he danced up a storm in the middle and everyone cheered him on. He even jumped on to the floor a few times and spun around from one buttcheek to the other in his own version of breakdancing. Too funny...

One of the best moments of the reception was the couples' dance when they had each couple continue dancing until it was narrowed down to the longest-married couple. Daniel's grandparents were the last ones dancing, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the place as everyone stood in their honor. Gamps and Gammy are the cutest couple ever!

But, Gamps cracked us up after having to give a bit of a speech before leaving the dance floor. He said, "If Kendall and Trevor (the next family members to get married) do that at their wedding, they're dead!" Ha, ha!

Abigail and her daddy had fun on the dance floor as well.


On Sunday morning, Abigail told my mom all about her beautiful dancing, but added that her daddy "got all kinds of crazy out there". Needless to say, the wedding was beautiful, and we wish Holly and Jerry a wonderful marriage together. For us, this is just the beginning . We have my cousin Leah's wedding in Atlanta in May, Daniel's cousin Trevor's wedding in San Antonio in July and are still debating on whether we will attend Daniel's cousin Stephanie's wedding in South Africa in November. Hopefully, Daniel's cousin Travis, who recently became engaged, will hold off until 2011 for his wedding because I have a feeling we will be weddinged out pretty soon.