wedding wednesday

How many weeks can I do wedding wednesday without any actual wedding pictures? Apparently a lot, and that's not ending today. Sorry Charlie. 

Today I'm just going to get sad that my hair is no longer that long and I am no longer that tan. And yes, that is tan compared to what I am now. Which is a ghost. I am surprised I didn't blind Ashley at our blate on Saturday. 

Friday before our wedding I woke up bright and early to finish the 94386390 things I still had yet to do. We had family come in Thursday night and had Carabba's catered for them (do you even KNOW how hard it is to not eat pasta and bread when it is sitting right in front of you?! HARD. also, I'm not sure why I even included that bit of info, it doesn't help anything here) and then all the rest were coming in Friday morning. I had to jet back over to my parent's house (I stayed at the hotel the night prior) and prepare for the family lunch. Then I ran to the airport to pick up my bridesmaid Stephanie and her boyfriend. Then it was back to my parents house where my bestie Alexa's family had just dropped her off. We lunched with my extended family and then I took them to the hotel to check in. And then I went to Sears. Who goes to Sears the day before their wedding? And why? Well, me. And to get A a grill because I procrastinated getting him his wedding gift. Then it was back to the house to shower for the rehearsal and I strolled in the church just a few minutes late. I call that a win. I also know that none of this information has anything to do with the rehearsal dinner, at all. So if you don't keep reading, I understand. Just know it gets better and pictures are coming.

The rehearsal went great. Except I don't think that the priest was even there. Could be why he got my name wrong three times during the ceremony, but that's a story for another Wednesday. A was perfectly fratty and even changed into a dinner jacket after that day jacket. Yes, I picked a winner, I know. 

We got off the bus in the parking lot and were greeted by a full on mariachi band. I am not even joking, as you can see by the pictures. My father-in-law went all out and it was AMAZING. They played for the first hour while the guests mingled and drank. 

family - Elizabeth & Chad and Mike & Tiffany

groomsman Ross, best men Michael & Phillip and us. After a lot of drinks, clearly

mis padres with my brother and sister

older sister & younger sister - matron & maid of honor. We didn't mean to match!

I don't think I was without a margarita the entire night. It was pink and delicious and I paid for it at 7am the next morning.

A and I with his Aunt Reta and her daughters Annie & Maria. We love this family!

We decided to do all of the speeches on Friday night at the rehearsal dinner. Mainly because I didn't want to take time away from dancing on Saturday and also because our family members were all there on Friday and they were probably the only ones who cared about the speeches. And we didn't have to limit it, we opened up the floor to anyone and everyone. And maybe because my dad's speech at my sister's wedding was the most hilarious and embarrassing thing ever, so we don't do wedding speeches in my family any longer. He called her husband the son he never had...yea, I have a brother.

The speeches were amazing - we are lucky to have such loving and supportive people in our life. A's brother Phillip had us all in tears with the sweetest speech I have ever heard. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. And then my little sister asked A to write hers while others were going...typical. He didn't, by the way, which is why it ended up saying something along the lines of her being a bitch to me all the time. Which is true. And then something about A taking 9274987543 hours to tell a story. Also true. 

We were SO blessed by such an amazing rehearsal dinner. I have the best in-laws ever and I seriously will never be able to thank them enough for hosting such a lovely event. They even matched the flowers that night to what I used for the wedding - so that's a bit of a sneak above, I guess :) And they did this all from 3.5 hours away. Like I said, they are amazing. 

if she would have been there

I was really excited to do the vlog today because I've got some hideous shirts in my dresser at the moment, but I woke up looking like a monster and well, no one wants to see that. I'll plan my good days better next week so I can join in on the vlog fun. Or wimp out at the last second, most likely. 

Last night I was inspired to do a post about my older sister. Because I got a bajillion comments from her on old posts since she just figured out how to leave them. 

My sister is seven years older than me. I joke that I was an accident, but the reality is that my parents were married at 22 and 23 and then one year later had twins. This always scared me. I'm 25 and am no where ready to even think about having twins - or just one! So naturally, they needed some time. I doubt they were going for that big of a gap, but that's what they got. 

This meant that she and my brother left for college (12 hours away!) the year I was going into sixth grade. AKA - the really impressionable years. 

If she would have been there...

...the unibrow never would have happened.

See that pour little soul on the left? This was in sixth grade. Want to know how the unibrow finally went away? One of the "cute boys" at school made fun of it. The whole not being kissed until 16 makes sense now, huh?

...these pants would have never been bought. and worn once a week.

Good ole' American Eagle. I think I FINALLY threw these out my Freshman year of college. And yes, my mom did ask me "is that what you are wearing?" pretty much every day. 

...I would have never been allowed to leave the house without makeup.

Drill team competition circa 2005 when I was out for an injury. She was visiting and she probably even said something to me that day about how terrible I looked. I hope she did...but I obviously didn't pay attention.

...this hairdo would have never happened.

Slicked back in a low messy bun with that sweet middle part. How did I get a homecoming date that year?! (All you non-Texas people, that is a mum. That we wore all day long.)

...she would have never allowed my mom to use this as the Christmas card photo. 

Scratch that, she probably still would have because she looks great. So we can change it to...she would have never let me shop at Abercrombie Kids throughout all of highschool. And you can't even see the worst part - blue. plaid. pants. (The only redeeming part of this picture is the fact that my mom sent out a Christmas card with a photo of all of us in a BAR. Kens is part of the family.)

While she didn't teach me much during middle school and high school, she did teach me a lot of really good life lessons. I am SO glad that I have such an amazing and loving sister that will always be there for me no matter what. 

She (finally) taught me that I look better with a side part.

She taught me that monograms make everything look better.

She taught me to love the greatest school and man ever. (Referring to bobby here, y'all.)

And she taught me how to (in the future) be the most amazing mother ever. Reid is one lucky man.

I love you, Boo!

wedding wednesday

In late June some of A's parent's friends threw us the best shower ever - it was seriously so much fun. 

We told them we wanted a couple's shower but didn't want it to be super "showery" - we wanted it to be more of a party. Because really, what guy wants to go sit down for an hour and watch the couple open presents?

It was Mexican Fiesta themed and it was the best party ever. They catered some of the best food I've ever had (still dreaming about those meat pies) and had an open bar with cute little margarita glasses just for the bride and groom. 

One of my favorites of the night was my dress - I so wish I owned this one. I used Rent the Runway and loved it so much that I rented a dress for my next shower, too! I would highly suggest this route to brides-to-be, you buy so many dresses that it's nice to save a little money here and there. 

Hands down the BEST part of the night was the after party. We all carpooled to a bar downtown and had the most ridiculous dance party. People hated us, but it was SO much fun. 

Can you tell we had a little too much fun dancing to Carly Rae and Justin Bieber? 

Being surrounded by all of our friends and family and so much love was my favorite part of the whole wedding process. I love re-living it through these posts!

For more, check out the k + a page!

how to day drink

Anyone know how to? I sure don't. I act like I do...and then five hours later I'm about to fall asleep.

Why would I need to know how to do this? Two words: football season. Duh! At LSU we typically get out there between 9 and 10...for a 7pm game. It's some serious stuff and I, sadly, can't hang like I could in college.

Doesn't mean I don't try to now, though!

Anyways, that's what I'm doing today. Trying to day drink and make it out alive at the end of the day. Look for me on TV! GEAUX Tigers - beat those silly little piggies.

Here's a look back at some games this season and last season :)

Bama game 2012 - we won the tailgate!

South Carolina game - we matched!

Washington game in the eight thousand degree weather. The things we do for football!

2011 game - nothing like a beer at 10am!

Arkansas game 2011 - mama's first game post baby!

FSU vs. Oklahoma 2011 - love my fratty guy :)

Another from the ou game, tailgating with my dad's best friend and his daughters

I'll be back Monday with a weekend update - hopefully LSU and FSU will win and I'll be in a good mood. If not, watch out.

friday's letters

this week went by SO fast! Not sure why, but can't really complain! Maybe it's because we don't have anything big planned this weekend - the things you cannot wait for just take SO long to get to! A's team has a home game this weekend (so does mine, but I'm not driving an hour to tailgate for a 2:30 game. CURSE YOU CBS!) so we'll be heading out in this fantastic weather to tailgate.

linking up for Friday's Letters with Adventures of Newleyweds today. Here we go!

Dear family: I can't wait to be home and celebrate Thanksgiving with you! And watch FSU kick some gaytor booty. And stuff ourselves with too much mac and cheese. And drink too much wine. best kind of fun!

 

Dear bestest friend: BEYOND excited to fly up to Little Rock to see you! Last minute vacations are the best and spending time with you is even better. I'll be bringing some purple and gold for you to wear, you'll look better in that than whatever shade of red the silly piggies are. 

 

Dear Nashville: I am so glad you got picked up for a whole season! ABC has a record of cancelling my favorite shows halfway through (looking at you Pan Am and GSB!) and I was so worried you would join that club. And helllooooo football love interest of Juliette, nice to meet you choir boy! You can stay a while.

 

Dear trash can: you have GOT to stop smelling so much. every morning I wake up and take you out (maybe a third of the way full) because the apartment smells so bad. We don't throw food in you - why you gotta smell so much?!

 

Dear Bowden: please sleep this weekend as well as you did last night. Your mommy is on morning duty and I would like to sleep!

 

Dear pinterest: please stop! you're making me want a huge house so I can make all of these Christmas crafts/decorations. I have no room left and everything I make automatically goes into the holiday box. Just not fair!

 

Dear sewing machine: I know I haven't touched you since before the wedding, so please be nice to me this weekend. I needed a break, and I think you did too, but I'm back and ready to go!

 

Dear kate spade: stop being such a jerk and sending out 20% off codes. I don't need to spend any more money this week!!

 

Dear St. Landry Parish po-po: I realize that I was going 20 miles over the speed limit, but it's a country road in the middle of NOWHERE. Also, how did my sob story not work?! I was lost, late to a work event and not even from here. My TX license should have been a clue, but that's probably what got me the ticket in the end. Also - there was not a SINGLE speed limit sign on the road! NOT ONE! Apparently I'm just supposed to KNOW that state highways in Louisiana are 55 mph. Uhhh hello, not from here. TOTALLY going to court to fight this one.

 

That's all I got - hope everyone has a great weekend! I'll be back Monday with pictures from the game. It's a black-out so I'm SUPER excited. I don't own any red (the main color) so I finally get to dress in a cute outfit - and wear my new boots!!



 

wedding wednesday

New thing - wedding wednesday. Because my wedding re-cap will be way too long to fit into one post. And honestly because I didn't know what else to post today.

I just wrote out three paragraphs about our surprise engagement party and then realized that it would probably be smart to do a post about the engagement first. I promise I'm smart. Ish. We'll probably get to the honeymoon post in about 6 months. Bet hey, that's better than a wedding post every day for two weeks, right? Right.

Here we go. A and I had discussed rings once or twice. And of course by discussed I showed him exactly what I wanted. They can't read our minds, after all. I had no clue when he bought it...until we mysteriously had to go pick something up at fedex that was supposed to be dropped off at a friend's house. (He didn't want it delivered to our place, I have a habit of opening his mail. Whoops.) Anyways - that raised a red flag.

We had a trip planned to New Orleans the weekend of December 16 already. His school (ULL) was playing in their very first bowl game. As in ever. His whole family was also going to be there, so I was kind of thinking it might happen that weekend, but not entirely sure.

We got to nola on Thursday night and had a relaxing night at the hotel. Friday morning he surprised me with a spa appointment and I had my first ever massage. (No clue why I waited 24 years for that, it was heaven on earth.) That raised my suspicions, but I didn't want to get my hopes up any. We then went to Saks to shop visit his sister and then just walked around a bit. It was a perfect 60 degree day. (Yes, in December. Love you Louisiana!)

When we went back to get ready, A left to go see his parents and get the ring, but really just to calm his nerves. It unfortunately started to rain and he was worried it would spoil his plan.

Moving on - once I was ready we took a cab to the riverwalk where Rebirth Brass Band was playing a free concert. Thankfully the rain stopped and he started walking me towards the river...away from the concert. Red flag! Once we got to the spot (the same spot we spent our first NYE together to watch fireworks) he made his speech, I cried, he got down on one knee and voila! Engaged!

The first person I called was my best friend Lyndsay. Lots of squeals there. Then we got in a cab to go the restaurant to meet his parents (I already knew of these plans) and only then did I remember to call my parents. At least they already knew it was happening!

We arrived at Gallatoi's - sidenote, best place EVER and if you go, get the turtle soup - and his parents and all of his siblings were there with Champagne ready! I wasn't expecting his sisters and brother, so that was really fun. We sat at the bar until the table was ready and just before it was ready, in walked my parents and little sister. They drove 5 hours to be there to celebrate with us! And I had no clue! I had always told A that I wanted my family to be included, so this was the PERFECT way to end the night.

And then ULL won the next day so it truly could be the perfect weekend ever. Until August :)

That was a lot of words. And I bet no one is going to read on Wednesday now. So how about some pictures?

this is the first new year's I mentioned above. babies!

right after he popped the question!

 

the ring! he did perfect.

toasts at dinner

 

after dinner - on cloud nine!

 

Tune in next wednesday to read about our surprise engagement dinner!