B + J Wedding

Bryant & Jilli got hitched on December 7th. It was such a special & beautiful day. (weather isn't even in the equation) The temple is such a special & sacred place. I probably cried more than the newlyweds. I was overcome with joy & love. Words can't express the love I feel for these two. I'm so happy to have Jilli as my sis, Bryant picked a good one! I'm so grateful to have been included in their special days. (endowment, sealing, reception)

The reception was held on December 8th in Hartsville. It was held in such a great location & I hope it was everything B & J wanted & more. They both looked so awesome & happy. I had the pleasure of assisting the photographer with the couple's pictures & being head chef for the reception. Fortunately the place wasn't burnt down & the food all turned out amazingly with the help of SO many! (no way I could've done that by myself!) Let's just say I would only take on such a beating for the few that I love so dear. :) 

Here are a few pictures that I snapped. I can't wait to see the photos from their photographer, Rob!

P.S.

Mad love to Mom, Leslie, Geoff, MinDee, Kyle, Pat, Jen, Dawn, Renee, Ann & more. I couldn't have pulled the food off without yall!

Thanksgiving 2012

We left on the 21st (my bday) to head to Maggie Valley, NC for an Ensign Thanksgiving. Pat found a great house to rent on the side of a mountain. It had a great view! On our way to MV we stopped to see a Waterfall. It was quite a windy road to get there but it was such a beautiful sight to see! Kyle walked behind the waterfall while Coop & I tried to stay warm. I'm so glad Kyle finds these little adventures for us!

Our time in MV went by way too fast! Here are some of the highlights I can remember. (I was in & out of a food comma so forgive me if I don't remember it all)

-Good chats with great family

-Appetizer Battle (we should all swap those recipes huh?)

-King size bed

-Cooper falling down the carpeted stairs (yeah that was crazy scary)

-Kyle won the Guys Frolf Tournament

-MV has an awesome wooden park for adults & kids.

-Black Friday Shopping! (crazy lady in leopard print blanket, crazy lady trying to run over the people in Belk line, & then the crazy lady without a jacket with a towel wrapped around her head--that last one is me)

-Playing Celebrity & the Ladies dominating! woo hoo!

-Getting to hold baby Brighty (until a cold set in & my man voice took over)

-Cooper learned how to slide by himself & he loves it!

Here's a slideshow of all of our fun!

On our way home Kyle drove us up to the top on a mountain so we could climb the lookout tower & see out over NC & Tennessee. It was so high up & cold that there was snow on the ground! It was a breathtaking view but the wind was intense so we didn't stay long.

27 Candles

on MY cake! AH! I'm 27!! This can't be real, can it?!

This year we had a little shindig at our house with some close friends. We had pizza, a yummy salad from Sarah, & Erin was so nice & made a delicious PURPLE velvet cake for me. (I ended up freezing half of the cake so I am STILL enjoying it!) When it was time to blow out the candles I couldn't seem to blow more than 2 out so maybe that was the cake telling me that I'm not officially 27 yet. :) (thanks Sarah for helping me blow the candles out. what would I do without you?!) It was so great to have our friends & their kids over for a fun night. 

On my birthday we drove up to Maggie Valley, NC for the Ensign Thanksgiving Bash. While there Kyle & I went out on a late lunch/early dinner birthday date. (if you're ever in the area, you've got to eat at the Sweet Onion in Waynesville) Thanks to the family for watching Cooper for us. I love spending some solo time with Kyle. Later that night we had some cake with all of the family. The cookies n creme cake was SO good!

I am so grateful to have such wonderful family & friends that make me feel so special every year!

yeah those flames weren't going anywhere.

Man I wish I had some more!

Grandma & Poppa Visit

The weekend before Thanksgiving Marc & Pat came for a visit. It was so great to have them both here for the whole weekend! We had so much fun! We went did our usual Costco run, ate at Chickfila, made yummy pizza, shopped til we dropped, hiked up Stone Mountain, played frisbee golf, & MORE! Cooper thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Grandma & Poppa & their ipads. :) Kyle & I were also able to go on a little date to the temple.

THE WIND!!