Labor Day Weekend Recap

Well folks, I am finally back from my last trip of the year.  That is right.  Being 5.5 months pregnant, I won't take the risk to fly anymore, even though there are many events I want to go to.  It just isn't worth it.

I went out East, and spent time with friends and family.  My first stop was visiting one of my bffs and her husband and son.  My first time meeting the little dude.  He is a dead ringer for his dad, and just too cute.  We all went out on a grown up night, and got to catch up and she def talked to me about a lot of baby stuff.  So grateful, as I feel clueless and unprepared most days. We ate dinner at Bazins, which was excellent.  Then we found a tiny boutique that was moving, and I bought a bunch of stuff for the tiny human.  Made out like a bandit.  50% off everything. Woohoo!  We also went to Sweet City Desserts for a treat to go.  Such a wonderful day.  I left their house and went 30 mins west to my oldest brother's house.

Friday we went to Ford's Fish Shack for lunch.  So good.  I was in heaven.  We then went to Ritas for some ice, and then back home so we could get ready for some Friday Night Lights.  High School Football!  My niece, aka, mini-me's school was beating some serious butt until lightening made us evacuate the field.  Bummer.  We left after they called the game for weather.

Saturday I went to Alexandria to have brunch with my ILLINI ladies. I love and miss my college friends so much.  And it never ceases to amaze me that even 15 years after we have all met, we are close, and will drop anything/everything to help each other out.  We had brunch at Warehouse, which was incredible.  I will def come back whenever I am in VA.  It was that good.  We grabbed some cupcakes at Lavender Moon Cupcakery.  Highly recommend it.  I have had many a cupcake in my day, but this place was just wonderful.  After brunch I relaxed as the baby was wearing me out all day, and then had dinner and played Apples to Apples with the crazy family!

Post Cupcakes! And over 50 years of military experience.  Awesome ladies!

Sunday I drove to Annapolis for my friend's wedding.  What a whirlwind.  Brunch with my Navy gals, wedding ceremony, and reception.  Thank goodness I wore flats:)  I just can't get over how beautiful of a day it was.  I am so happy for my friend, and just find it amusing that our whole group found our "loves" so much later than most people.  Our husbands were worth the wait!

Alie, Me, Katie

Can't even describe how beautiful this is!!!

Love these ladies!

Me and Katie.  I met her 15 years ago, and we always pick up right where we left off!!

I flew back to Chicago Monday, and am glad to be home with the pups and my guy.  Now I just have to get my butt in gear and prep two more rooms in the house before baby comes!

Wedding Wednesday: Reception Details!

Our reception was incredible.  Yes I am biased, but our wedding planner and I put a lot of thought into each and every detail.

I bought a card box off of etsy, and had an instagram sign made.  The large frame is our guest book. 

I had a designer make a vintage chart of Chicago's harbor for us for our guest book.  Everyone signed it, and it has our new last name at the bottom in flag code. 

Place Cards

More detail of the Card Box and Instagram #

We used KLA designs for our flowers.  Love them!

We had Amy Beck design our cake.  It was incredible!

We rented every piece of furniture for our reception.  This was one small gathering area for folks.  One niece was passed out on that couch by the end of the night!

Some tables were farm tables.  This was the head table. 

My seat and the menu!

I love the variety.  KLA and the wedding planner.  Wow.  Just wow. 

Our linens were from La Tavola.  Such a great selection.

I am so happy how everything turned out.  Just so beautiful!

Wedding Wednesday: Photo Tour

One big part of our Chicago wedding was to take some incredible pictures with our wedding party downtown.  Our ceremony and reception were both downtown, and we wanted some landmark pictures!  Our photographer obliged, and she led the way.  Only downside was the day was chilly, and 25 degrees was welcoming at some points!

I love this photo so much.  It was our Christmas card picture this year!

State Street Bridge!

Michigan Ave

Art Institute Lions

Lakefront

Cheesing!

Me and my girls!

I love this photo.  I made it into a canvas for our home!

Were there any photo must haves on your day?  We just wanted to reflect the city we love:)

Wedding Wednesday: The Ceremony

Our wedding ceremony was at Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago.  We had a tough time finding a church, because I lived in Florida, and wasn't a parishioner anywhere.  Luckily, they took us, and my friend who is a priest.

I didn't decorate the church, as it was gorgeous on its own.  I did get some great music choices, an organist, trumpeter, and a vocalist for all of the music.  I picked the following songs, as the Catholic Church is strict in what you can/can't play.  I was happy with it, because it was more traditional, and just beautiful.

• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach for the seating of parents
• Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke for the Wedding Party
• Canon in D for me and my brother
• Ode to Joy Beethoven for the recessional

I felt like it was a blur, but it was about 30 minutes of pure joy.

I was really nervous.  I was sitting in the bus with my oldest brother, waiting for him to walk me down the aisle.  Then I saw a dear friend from college in the back of the church with her toddler and infant daughters, and I was immediately at ease.

The walk down the aisle seemed like an eternity, and I was just jittery.  Until I got to sit down with Mike.  Then all was perfect in the world.  I had my SIL and niece do the readings.  I have such a big immediate family, it was tough to incorporate every single person!

One big detail I do need to mention was the programs.  I had all of my paper products match from wedding paper divas.  They are such a great company to work with!  I made a section in the program which had the following below the wedding party:

Through the years their comfort, wisdom, and unconditional love has helped shape who we are.  They are here today, watching over us and smiling as we begin our new life together. Their love for both of us will never be forgotten, as their memories will live on forever in our hearts. 

In loving memory of Michael and Janis Gill, Parents of the Bride

Enough of the wordy description, here are a few photos!

Assumption Church

Father Stan

2 of the 3 flower girls.  My other niece went on strike:)

When he saw me!

The long walk.  Longest walk ever.

Trying not to be nervous, and my brother hiding his Oakleys!

Our reaction after my brother gave me away.  He thought he would give me a friendly ass slap to ease my nervousness.  

Yep.  Happy!

Vows

One of the many kisses I managed to sneak in the ceremony.  What?  Can you blame me?!

Husband and Wife!

What was your favorite part of your ceremony?!

Wedding Wednesday: The Gift

I figured this story needed its own post, and it is most deserving of one.  Both of my parents passed away (my father 19 years ago, and my mom 9 years ago), so the wedding without them was tough.  I paid tribute to them in little ways, but also did not want to dwell on their loss the entire day.  It was a day to celebrate a new life, a bigger family, and most of all, love.

After I finished getting ready, my bridesmaids got me together to give me a gift.  It was an engraved locket, with my parents wedding photo inside, as well as another cute photo of them inside.  I was beyond moved.  I cried my eyes out, and didn't want to ruin my make up, but this was a gift that I will always cherish.

I had a picture of my parents from my sister Amy's wedding on my bouquet.  I also wore one of my mom's rings on my right hand. 

Wedding Wednesday: Getting Ready

Wow.  Getting ready the morning of.  So much fun.  Hair, makeup, breakfast delivered, flowered delivered..it went by so fast, but I was surprisingly calm, cool, and collected.  I give those props to an amazing wedding planner!  She made my life so incredibly easy throughout the process, especially the day of!

My fantastic planner, Crystal Moriarty!

My lovely maid of honor and I.  

Matron of Honor and Maid of Honor

My youngest brother stopped by so I could give him the flower girl headbands!

Just before we embarked on the bus..

My love getting ready!

Him smiling while opening my gift to him!