Killing for the Crown-Murder Mystery Party

My sister turned 21 this week so to celebrate I wanted to do something special. I got the idea from a friend who had been a guest at one of these parties and she said it was a lot of fun. I purchased the kit online to host my very own. I chose the one that was all girls because we didn't know any guys that would be willing to participate. The theme was a pre-pageant cocktail party for the Miss America contestants. All the girls wore prom dresses or bridesmaid dresses. I made everyone a sash. I held the party at my parents house since it is bigger and they were out of town. I hung tulle from the ceiling in their great room (which is easily 35ft, they have a big A-frame house!). I wanted it to feel like a ballroom! The girls were amazing and really played their parts. I think everyone had a good time. Some of them were definitely more into it but I think everyone enjoyed just sitting back and watching it all unfold.


The sashes I made for everyone! They looked so good!
The award winners. (L-R) Smoking Gun Award (solved the murder), Best Dressed, Smoking Gun, Drama Queen, Smoking Gun, and Miss Money Bags!

Happy Birthday Sister! I hope it was wonderful!

Caroline's Baby Shower

Baby Jasper will be here before we know it. It seems like just yesterday that I stumbled upon Caroline's blog where she began to document her pregnancy. In a few short weeks he will be making his grand arrival! Two of Caroline's best friends hosted a wonderful shower for her a few weeks ago and I was honored to attend! Jasper's room is done in a cowboy theme with red and neutral colors. I'm sure it looks wonderful! ( I haven't seem it yet!) Here are a few shots from the shower. I am disappointed in them but they are photos none the less! Caroline, I working on my photoshop skills so when I get really good I'll work on these again for you! I'm just not sure how to do what I wanted to do! I hope you enjoy. All the yummy food! They did wonderful!

The sweet favors! They were also very yummy!

All the gifts!The Wonderful Hostesses! Yall did a fab job girls!

SO much to say and So Little Time!!

I have been a blogger slacker this week. I have so much to write I just haven't been able to find time. I usually blog at work but I've been busy this week. I am going to get caught up I promise. Here are just a few things I intend to post about! So stay tuned!

• Caroline's Baby Shower- Last Saturday was Caroline's shower. I took some really cute pictures and I want to post them. I can't wait for baby Jasper to get here!
• The photography class I've been taking over the past 5 weeks. I've really enjoyed it and I feel like I've learned alot. I want to share some of the photos that I've shared with the class.
• Football...only 16 days till Alabama Football!
• My Darling Husband's birthday is tomorrow. Happy Birthday Honey!
• I've been so busy this week planning my sister's 21st birthday party. It is on Saturday night. It's a murder mystery party and it's going to be a lot of fun...it's just a lot of work to put it all together.

I think that is all. I'm going to try to get caught up by the end of next week.

One year ago today...

Okay well not actually today but this past Saturday marked the one year anniversary of the day I brought Ally home to live with Patrick and me. Yes I know she is only a dog but you have to understand...she is like a child to me. I could not have asked for a better companion (besides my husband of course!). My reasoning behind getting a little inside dog was the fact that Patrick works nights and I wanted some company. The big dogs stay outside and they shed so badly that we can't let them in. So I wanted a little dog to watch TV with me while Patrick was at work. She has been so much more than that! Even Patrick loves this little dog. He takes her out in the morning for me. He even lets her sleep in the bed with us. He used to try to hide the fact that he cuddles with her and talks to her but after I caught him several times he has given up and now just admits he loves her. He never had an inside dog growing up so I don't think he knew quite what to expect. I'll just leave you all with a few photos of her year with us!

Ally's first day at our house. This was right after we got her home!Her first haircut!Watching her first Bama game!First trip to the lake!In Tuscaloosa on gameday! First HalloweenOn the quad...Thanksgiving day! (Our Christmas Card photo)In front of the tree.

Family photo Christmas EveHer first snowAlly and daddy. He loves her!At the lake Spring Break!In her Easter dress

1st birthdayLake Fourth of July

Her cousin BellaThis was taken Saturday. One year after we brought her home!

It's Whatever...

I have a heavy heart as I write this morning. I had a very busy weekend, but that is not the reason for my heavy heart!

Last week as one of my friends from high school was putting the final touches in order for her wedding on Friday her little sister sat in a hospital room waiting to hear the word on the large tumor found on the base of her spinal cord. It has made me hurt for this awesome family. I remember the week of my wedding and how excited I was for everything. They found out the tumor was cancer, she was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. When I hear those words I am reminded of my Mimi who died of this terrible disease. She was 80 years old and had lived a wonderful life. Kendall has just started her wonderful life. I hurt for Bragan the beautiful bride who carried on her wedding without her Maid of Honor. I think about Ms. Tammy who carried the guilt of leaving Kendall's side to fulfill her role as Mother of the Bride. All in all it was a wonderful wedding and I think a good time was had by all...which was exactly what Kendall wanted everyone to do. They set up a web cam so that Kendall could watch from her hospital bed. When The bride and groom left they went to the hospital to take some photos in the chapel at the hospital with Kendall.

This is one of those things in life that makes you sit back and thank God for your health and family and the health of your family because in an instant it can all change. I can't imagine how I would feel if my little brother was beginning this journey like Kendall is (they are the same age).
If you are the praying type...please keep Kendall and her family in your prayers as they begin this journey. Here is a link to the blog that Kendall's stepfather as set up to keep everyone updated while they are in Houston.

This is the beautiful bride and groom. I mean really have you ever seen two more beautiful people.

Show US Your Life: Reception and Honeymoon

Our reception was absolutely everything I had dreamed. It was a party! Everyone had a blast. We had a local DJ that does most of the weddings at our church so we knew him well. We had the reception in the fellowship hall of our church. Because it only seats 150 with a dance floor we had a 2 30'x 60' tents brought in and attached to the building. The food was to die for. We had chicken fingers, ham and cheese croissants, spinach and artichoke dip, fruit, veggies, and crab cakes. My husband doesn't like chocolate so for a grooms cake we peach cobbler with ice cream! We used my favorite punch recipe and of course sweet tea!

This is our first dance. We danced to Rod Stewart's "For the First Time" because Patrick has been in my life forever. He and my older brother have been best friends since high school. He was there when I really got my heart broken the first time and I just always saw him as my big brother's best friend. Then it was like one day I just saw him as this awesome man.

Daddy and Daughter. This was so special we danced to Stevie Wonder's "Isn't she Lovely". This is a picture of the tent. My dad hung tulle and white lights down the center and ferns around the sides. It was beautiful. I wish I had a better picture! This is our cake (minus the top). Since we are both very big football fans we ran through a paper "bust through" as we left. IT was perfect. We wanted to do shakers but since I am a University of Alabama fan and he is an Auburn fan we decided that this would be the best alternative!

For our honeymoon we rented a little house off of Englewood Beach in Central Florida. One day we drove to Bush Gardens in Tampa. One day we drove all the way to West Palm Beach to rub elbows with the rich and famous. We didn't stay long...it cost $2 to park for 45 minutes to go to the beach!

Our honeymoon was very relaxing except Patrick got sun burnt on the second day and was pitiful for the rest of the trip! It was the perfect place for us!

I hope you all enjoyed touring my wedding. I wish I had better pictures. But trust me it was beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by! For the rest of the receptions jump over to Kelly's Korner and check them out!

Guest Blog

I was recently honored to write a guest blog for Alabama Bloggers Hometown Tour Wednesday on my hometown of Gardendale, Alabama! Go here and check it out! Thank you for this opportunity!

Wow! What a weekend!

This was one of those weekends... you know the kind where you wonder how you got everything done in just two days. One of Patrick's best friends from childhood got married and we were honored to be a part of it. Kevin and Cassie are such sweet people and we were so excited for their wedding. The festivities started Thursday night for me. All the girls went to get for mani/pedi's and to dinner at Stix. It a nice relaxing night, a calm before the storm of sorts! Friday was the rehearsal, Patrick couldn't make it because he had to work. We had a wonderful dinner prepared by the bride herself. This is where the friend/photographer realized she was in Alabama and her camera was 3 hours away in Mississippi. Imagine the terror she felt as she entered the church to shoot some pictures of the rehearsal and opened her camera bag to find NO camera! Luckily, I had brought along my new camera and she was able to shoot everything with it.
The bride getting her pre-wedding pedi!

Lindsey, Cassie and Tracy at Stix!
Saturday was the big day. I got up early to go get us a new hair dryer because ours died. We got dressed and dropped Ally off at my parents for the night. We met everyone and started pictures. In what seemed like minutes it was time for the wedding. While the guests were being seated one of the candles fell into the fern and started a small fire but then extinguished itself. Crisis averted! Whew. Next thing I know we were walking down the aisle and Kevin kissed his bride! It was a beautiful ceremony! On to the reception which was themed like a backyard picnic (indoors thankfully because there was a monsoon complete with rumbling thunder and bright lightning). There was fried chicken, potato salad, mac and cheese, green beans, and coleslaw. It was all so good. Then, before we knew it, the garter was off and the bouquet had been tossed and they were off! We got to stop by and see them before they actually left for the honeymoon. They were both so happy. It made me remember exactly how I felt right after my wedding and reception had ended and it was just Patrick and I, husband and wife! What a feeling :)! We went home and changed clothes and went to the after party! It was so much fun to just get to hang out with all our friends. Patrick doesn't get to see his friends often enough so he really enjoyed getting to hang out!

Sunday was the same as most...church, lunch at mom & dads, then we went to Patrick's mom and dad's for my birthday dinner! I was wonderful! I love his family so much as always enjoy getting to spend time with them!

All in all it was a wonderfully busy weekend. I did realize something...I love weddings! I love being a part of them. I love helping the bride on her big day! I always said I didn't want to do weddings. Even though this is my major. But after the weekend I might have had a change of heart!