Baby's FlatDerek

Baby's mom planned an excellent activity for her Bachelorette Bash.

She copied an idea from the local elementary schools and made a "FlatDerek"

(a foam cutout with the groom's face)

and we had to take FlatDerek around town using out party bus.

We had a book to guide us toward destinations

and we had to take a picture with FlatDerek at every destination

then the book was filled in with the pictures we took.

We definitely had a couple speedbumps...

like when we tried to to get a picture with a cat

and the cat hated us

or when the bus driver hit a pole and we had to get a new bus.

But - all in all - it was a wonderful time!

Engagement Party

#BFF's Engagement Party was this past weekend.

To no ones surprise, the entire party was adorable

...from decorations to food...

everything was well-thought-out and perfect.

A blue&white theme with lots of sunflower accents.

And, of course, everyone had a blast singing karaoke,

playing yard games, and jumping into the pool in the dark.

If this is an accurate preview of the wedding that is to come

it certainly will not disappoint.

the bar and the obvious ring decorations

cupcakes, decorations, and "he popped the question" popcorn

chalk board signs and big fun letters

Misc Spring

i found a bag of bath & bodyworks while cleaning

got my "save the date" for shannon&derek's fall wedding

Joe&I hit up la feast for my favorite lentil soup

Joe's mom discovered leggings over the winter & dresses so cute these days

joe, linds, & i slammed some beers with this view before a red wings game

I turned around 2x on I-75 to get a picture of this "dyke" house

this flower bloomed in my front yard just in time for easter

Mom&Dad Weekend

My parents came over to My Side of the Mitten this past weekend. It made me so happy to see them and show them around where Mr.U&I live.
We started out by putting our names in at Slows BBQ. We’d parked across the street in a security-guarded lot with proceeds benefitting the surrounding neighborhood, which warmed my heart a little then walked around Corktown while waiting to be seated in the restaurant. It was a first visit for all of us, so we had fun with the experience. And it did not disappoint.
After lunch, we drove to MGM Grand Casino to park then walked to Comerica Park for a Tiger’s game. The sun came out as we got to our seats, so we baked in our front row balcony seats while watching the game. A couple times my mom&I walked around on the shaded terraces and gazed out at the city skyline to avoid the beating rays. It was a nail-biter at the end there – Valverde hopped back on the Closing-Struggle-Bus, of course – but we ended up winning. We headed back to the car then drove back to our house – driving by the house we’re attempting to buy first, so dad could see it for himself. Then, after a quick hello to Mr.U’s mom, they left for the journey back to their side of the state.

It was a great great day to spend with them and only made me miss them even more. It’s hard to be so close, yet so far at the same time. Hopefully we showed them a good enough time that they’ll want to come back eventually.

Barbie'sBigDay

Barbie&Marine got married this weekend in a beautiful&traditional Catholic ceremony near Metro Detroit. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t so wonderful – but I suppose that “rain on your wedding day” saying indicates the two of them will have a long&fruitful marriage.
That’s obvious, though, no matter the weather.

The entire day was absolutely amazing – filled with precious&adorable moments&glances between the two of them. Their love is so pure&enchanting, it can only reaffirm everyone’s faith in finding their “perfect match” someday. And, of course, their attractiveness added to the beauty of the day. Mr.Marine wore his uniform – looking incredibly handsome&mature – and Barbie’s dress was flawless – shimmering&flowing around her tiny&tan frame. Her blonde hair curled&hung over her shoulders – her makeup looked effortless&natural. Both their smiles were unstoppable&heartfelt. The reception hall was tastefully decorated in purple&silver and the family-style dinner fit the closeness of the day. The speeches had everyone in tears and the slow-dances had everyone in awe. And though I didn’t know 75% of the guests, I felt like everyone in the room genuinely loved&cared for every other attendee. The chocolate&vanilla cake options were a hit with everyone at my table – so much so that we asked for “more” and were showered with pieces by our server. The emotions were high and the tenderness was true. And by dusk, the open-bar&DJ had gotten everyone on the dance floor – jumping&singing. Our crazy sisters even lifted the bride into the air and bounced her up&down.

More than a wedding – it was an exciting reunion for sorority&fraternity sisters&brothers who have spread themselves across the country. We all stayed in the same hotel near the reception hall – enjoying each other’s company before&after… including a wild&sneaky late-night pool break-in.

 I can’t wait to see pictures & finish the video I’m making for the happy couple. I don’t think anyone could have hoped for a better time.

Address Box

I've been working on this wedding project for Barbie for a little too long. Finally, it's finished... not perfect, but finished. She found an address box on Etsy to use as a guest book, but the price was crazy, so I told her I'd make one for her myself. It's been a fun project - maybe someday I'll get better at making them. I am really glad that I learned how to make those fabric flowers. I kinda want to make a million and embellish everything with them.



Midnight Engagement

One of Mr.U’s best friends from childhood got engaged this weekend, so we all headed to their house Saturday night to celebrate the good news. He confessed that he’d planned to pop the question on her birthday in November or during the December holiday season, but he just couldn’t wait to propose, so he asked when she got home a late-night shift at the hospital.

 

Shocked and still in her scrubs, she – of course – said “yes” and we all drank lots of champagne with the happy couple and their families. The boys got all of us giggling with their kitchen serenades and the girls all gushed over the Bride-To-Be’s beautiful ring.
And we’re all anxiously awaiting for the date to be set.

Wedding Food

My dad loves to cook.

And he’s excellent at it.

But he tends to cook more for small gatherings – holidays, church gatherings, etc – not largely attended wedding receptions. For the girl who almost seems to have taken my place (my somehow distant cousin), though, he decided to cater all the food for her 300+ buffet-style wedding reception.

 When he asked me a few months ago if I’d be willing to come to town and help him serve, I quickly said ‘yes’ assuming I’d merely be scooping potatoes or filling drinks. When Saturday morning started bright&early at 9am with a trip to two different stores with dad prior to food prep at the church, though, I quickly realized this simple-serving was going to be much more of a task. And when the help he’d expected in the kitchen never arrived, a family friend alongside my aunt and myself found ourselves frantically cooking while dad did his duties as Master of Ceremonies. After a stove-top fire, a solid 15 minutes running around through the darkness of the power outage, and quite a few spills&mishaps, we got all the food in the buffet line and started serving.
 – Garlic Crusted Pork – Chicken Marcella – Green Beans – Seasoned RedSkin Potatoes – Rolls – Fruit Kabobs –

Everyone loved it, of course – like I said: my dad is an excellent cook. But the stress leading up to the event was pretty intense and the fear on my dad’s face when he caught glimpses of the mayhem in the kitchen broke my heart. All I wanted to do was make sure all his hard work&preparation didn’t go to waste and – in the end – I’m positive it didn’t. And – after the ceremony – lots of people were willing to help clean up in the kitchen. By then, I think my mom&dad were in a sleepless haze, but I was awkwardly aware of how helpful ‘church people’ are willing to be over people at weddings in outside venues.

I guess the sense of family&community is really cute&heartwarming, but potentially nothing I’ll encounter personally.

Brunch with Barbie

Yesterday afternoon was Barbie’s Bridal Shower at a country club in Marine’s home town. After making the commute north with #BFF & theBaby, we arrived at the beautiful golf course on a perfectly-temperatured day. We walked into the banquet hall filled with light from windows overlooking the fairway where Barbie, her MOH (Kitty), and her future mother-in-law were waiting to greet us. The tables were decorated with beautiful china stands covered in adorable little, cakes. #BFF asked if she’d shrink or grow depending on which one she ate since they reminded her of Alice in Wonderland. Our gifts were taken up to a table by the window and mimosas were handed out before reaching our seats. Each table setting had a heart-shaped glass dish filled with cookies&candies for party favors and white balloons with pink&purple ribbons floated over the center of each round table. We had the perfect amount of sisters to fill one table and we chatted away until brunch was served. Just before the meal, a prayer was said and Barbie’s future mother-in-law was tickled pink to introduce the beautiful bride-to-be to her wonderful friends&family.

Quiche – Cheesy Potatoes – Sausages – French Toast – Danishes – Bagels – Fruit Salad – All goodies served in a shiny silver buffet line. After our delicious meal, we were served two different kinds of cake – banana or chocolate (both with vanilla whipped frosting) – before Barbie started opening her gifts for all to see. A true dessert queen, she got every type of serving tray and tasting dish imaginable and we’re all so sad she lives to far away to throw awesome dinner parties with her new goodies. (someday, we’ll live near each other again – I promise.) After the gifts, we socialized and took a group picture in the foyer just like old times
before heading back to our homes.

Countdown

219 Days till Barbrie&Marine's Wedding.