Brent & Danielle

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of flying down to Boynton Beach, FL (near West Palm Beach) to see my cousin Brent marry his love Danielle.  I met Danielle briefly last year at Kyle and Megan's wedding.  With the little time that they had, she seemed like a sweetheart.  We were so excited when she and Brent got engaged.

Since Brett is in the grind of football season, I flew down to Florida by myself.  As soon as I landed, Megan and Kyle told me to change into my swimsuit so we could go to the beach.  I think it's the first time I've actually laid out on the beach since my bachelorette party 2.5 years ago.  Crazy.  Anyway, after about an hour on the beach catching up with my best friend, we headed to the hotel and got ready for the rehearsal.

The rehearsal was very well run, getting everything done within 45 minutes.  My favorite kind of rehearsal.  After the rehearsal, we headed to an Italian restaurant near the hotel. Mom and Dad had landed by that point.  It's the first time I've seen them in almost two months (definitely strange).  We enjoyed a wonderful family style dinner, some great (emotional) speeches, and lots of laughs. When all the rehearsal activities were done, Brent, Danielle, and their attendants went to celebrate.  I stayed at the hotel with some of our family.

Over the past couple of months, my mom and two uncles have been making a binder of letters and pictures in honor of Pappaw's 90th birthday next month.  They decided to give him the binder the night before the wedding.  I think he cherishes the written word.  I remember him telling me a letter is missing something if you don't include the date.  I've always included a date in any handwritten notes from that point on.  He was so appreciative and said he would read the letters once he got back to the room.

Rehearsal time

Beautiful view out of the country club

Two of the greatest men in my life

Cousins and their ladies

Love these women and their hearts

Last night as an engaged couple

67 years of marriage later and they love each other even more.

The next day was pretty relaxed, at least for me.  We went out to IHOP for breakfast, followed by some hanging out.  We then headed to the country club where Brent and Danielle were getting married.  Brent seemed so relaxed, but as time got closer, you could tell he was anxiously excited to marry his bride.  When Danielle walked in, she looked absolutely stunning.  I got choked up when I looked at Brent and saw him trying to hold it together (the groom's reaction to his bride walking down the aisle is one of my favorite parts of a wedding).  Just thinking about it makes me a little teary right now.  They had a heart-felt, Christ-centered ceremony.  When they did the sand ceremony, Cassy sang Oceans.  I just closed my eyes and listened to her beautiful voice.  And just like that, Brent and Danielle were married!

After the ceremony, we walked right around the corner to the cocktail hour.  There was some awesome food.  The reception was so fun!  I loved all of the dances.  Again, I cried when Aunt Nan danced with Brent.  The speeches were hilarious.  Danielle's sister's speech was one of the most unique speeches I've heard.  She had everyone in stitches.  Kyle's speech was funny, but sincere as well.  I know he's excited about having Brent and Danielle living in the same town as he and Megan.  Then the dancing started.... I could have sat there the whole time watching.  Well actually, I did.  Danielle's family loves to dance, as do their college friends. 

He's excited to get married.

Beautiful

First dance

Best man speech

They had to kiss every time someone rang a bell

Mother-son dance

Best friend and cousin-in-love

Love these two and the example of marriage they have displayed for everyone

Mom, Uncle Rich, and Aunt Nan getting down

Just like our picture from Colleen's wedding

Cousins by marriage. Love them!

Just missing Uncle Ed.

My favorite picture from that weekend.

Rollin' on the River dance

One of the last dances: New York

I really enjoy everything about Brent and Danielle's wedding.  Anything that involves family is something I don't want to miss.  I just love my family, and am so glad that Danielle is now a part of it.  Congrats to Brent and Danielle!

July = Weddings and Birthdays

July started out with two weekends of traveling, but they were worth it.  The first weekend, we came home from our week-long vacation with Brett's family.  The next weekend, we headed to Raleigh for Greg and Emily's wedding.  Greg and Brett met while working a football camp and have been friends ever since.  Greg was actually a groomsman in our wedding so Brett repaid the favor.  Issac, one of the other coaches at GWU, was also a groomsman, which made all of the wedding festivities easier for me since Quanza and Sydnei were there.

Greg and Emily's wedding was full of a ton of sweet moments.  At the rehearsal dinner, Greg's two sisters told Emily the top things she needed to know about living with Greg.  The points were full of football lingo, and had us all in stitches.  At the wedding, Greg and Emily had a sweet, choreographed first dance.  I also loved watching Issac dance with Sydnei.  The love between a daddy and his only baby girl is truly something special and to be cherished.  Greg and Emily's wedding day finished with a sparkler exit on the lovely cobblestone road in downtown Raleigh.  What a perfect wedding day for two dear friends.  Thanks for including us in your special day!

Handsome groomsman before rehearsal dinner

Thankful for her friendship

The last night as an engaged couple!

Coaches' wives. So true.

Another Piper and Aunt Sierra picture

Glad my parents could watch Piper while we were at the wedding.

Tug-of-war

My family before the wedding.

Coaching buddies.

One of the kindest, most welcoming families I've ever met.

For once, he was in the wedding!

Adorable first dance

A love between the daddy and his daughter is so special.

Get it Quanza!

Welcome to the married coaches club

My favorite picture from Greg and Emily's wedding day.

Thankfully, Greg and Emily's wedding fell on the same weekend as my birthday, so I was able to celebrate my birthday with my parents.  My parents made my favorite meal: Dad's bbq chicken with cheese potatoes, watermelon, rolls, and Mom's 1-2-3- cake (thanks to Aunt Tricia's mom for the recipe).  After we ate lunch, we headed out to the pool, where Sierra and Piper swam and later played fetch.  I'm glad we got to wear Piper out before we headed home.

Of course Dad had to be funny and say I was 72.

Pretty girl loves the water

Action shot of Piper chasing the ball

My sweet little Asian lady. Love her with all my heart.

The parents and me on my birthday.  Love you!

After Greg and Emily's wedding, we started gearing up for visitors and football season.  Stay tuned for our first football function of the year!

June Recap

Wow...I can't believe it's been over two months since I've blogged.  That should give you an indication of how busy this summer has been.  With weddings, traveling, a puppy, and getting slammed at work, I took the little evenings I had to try to unwind and relax. 

To give you an idea of everything that has happened this summer, I'm going to be writing a couple of recap posts.  They'll be filled mostly with pictures, but those are the best kind (in my opinion).  Here are the highlights of our June:

• Piper traveled with us (outside of her crate) three weekends in June.  She LOVES to travel. Brett and I give her the whole back seat.  Plopping down in front of the AC, she sleeps almost the whole time.  When we went to OIB, we drove through a hail storm for 45 minutes (driving 15 mph I might add from all of the rain), and she didn't even whine.  How blessed we are that she loves car rides.
• Celebrated our 2 year anniversary by surprising Brett with tickets to Saturday of the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2.  What an experience.  So glad we got to share it with our dear friends Kyle and Amy as well.
• Spent Father's Day (the day after our anniversary) at my parents' house. Piper swam for the first time in their pool...and boy did she love it.  Since she doesn't float well yet, she spent a lot of her time laying down on the first step.  As soon as you pick her up and put her in the water, her little legs start kicking. So sweet.
• Saw my sweet high school church friend get married in Southport, NC.  We stayed at Will and Laura's during this trips.  It was Laney's first time meeting Piper.  They love each other.
• We finished off June with a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN with Brett's parents, Will, Laura, and Laney (we missed you Sam and Maggie).  Stay tuned to my next post for a recap of that trip.  You don't want to miss the cuteness overload with pictures of Laney and Piper.

Piper and Aunt Sierra love playing with my Dad.

Family picture

Piper's first time in the pool.  She absolutely loved it.

At the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 for our 2 year anniversary.  How appropriate.

Baby girl and her crazy flipped-over ear.

That hair though.

Their favorite thing...playing fetch

Love that sweet little niece of mine.

On our way to Mary Beth's wedding

With my love in Southport

We love Southport. Such a beautiful, quaint southern town

The beautiful ceremony

No words

What you get when you say, "Love Piper"

Precious