Christmas 2011

This Christmas Chris and I decided to stay in Denver and enjoy a white Christmas and each other. We know that next year we will be traveling with our wee one and so it was nice to enjoy an us Christmas. 

On Christmas Eve we went to church, got sushi for dinner (no raw fish for me!), and watched Rent in front of the fire before bed. Santa showed up during the night and left us way too much stuff, but it was all wonderful! We spent the morning drinking homemade hot cocoa and stuffing our faces with breakfast casseroles. We spent the rest of the day watching movies, taking the pups on a walk and once again stuffing our faces with beef tenderloin, fix ahead mashed potatoes, salad and Sister Schubert rolls!

My favorite part of the day was announcing to Chris that we were having a little girl!!!! I had secretly gone to the doctor earlier in the week and gotten an ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. I then wrapped a sweet little dress and had him open it as the last present Christmas morning. It was such a wonderful present for me to watch his face light up as he discovered that he was going to be the daddy to a little girl. 

Last year I surprised Chris with a trip to Nashville, TN to see Garth Brooks in concert. I picked Chris up from the Tampa Paycom office to head the airport and shot a quick little video of him seeing the concert tickets for the first time.

This year I filmed him opening the announcement present. Chris is honestly the best surprise getter ever and I love his reactions!

Here are a few more images from Christmas 2011:

 Thank you everyone for our gifts!

 My sexy santa!

 Babies first ornament

 My sweet new snowboots

Dinner!

The Truth about Baby Clothes...

I have always loved baby clothes. When friends or relatives have had babies in the past, clothes are the first thing I have shopped for. They make cute adult clothes in mini sizes and they are just irresistible! But at the same time there are some baby clothes that are just plain tacky. Little babies don't need to be tacked up with lace and slogans, if I wouldn't wear the outfit or print in a million years then I don't want it on my mini me. 

To show more accurately what I can not stop buying and what I would never buy take a look below:

Loves: Polka dots, bright colors, animal prints, hoodies and sweet cotton dresses

Clockwise from top left:

1) Striped dress, 2) Polka dot top, 3) Onsies, 4) Polka dot dress, 5) Ruffled cardigan, 6) Hoodie and leggings

Not so loved: Sateen, lace, slogans, "I love......" prints, embellished jeans, character clothing

Clockwise from top left:

1) Slogan onsie, 2) Sateen dress, 3) Ruffle print overalls, 4) Holiday sweater, 5) Embellished jeans, 6) Character PJs

C and Z get married!

Caroline and Zach got married November 19, 2011! We flew back to Charlotte on Wednesday and spent the week visiting friends and family. I got some girl time with Caroline and fit in a pedicure before her big day! On Friday night the bridal party was escorted to Denver, NC by trolley for the rehearsal.

The rehearsal was followed up by a delicious dinner at Rooster's (one of my favorite Charlotte restaurants). On Saturday we got up for hair, makeup and a beautiful wedding ceremony at Salem United Methodist. 

From the church the trolleys took the guest and bridal party back down to Charlotte to the Palmer Building for dinner, dancing (to an amazing band!), a well stocked photobooth, and good friends!

C and Z wait for the rehearsal to get underway.

Bride, Bridesmaid and flower girl at the rehearsal.

The beautiful bride at Rooster's! (She's going to kill me for this one.)

A little gift from Zach's "sisters"

Working on getting fabulous for her big day!

Audrey in the makeup chair

My updo

Brandon the stud muffin ring bearer

Bridesmaids!

Amazing centerpieces

Cupcake tree