Special Weekend

We spent the weekend in Atlanta. It was fun to play in the big city for a few days. On Thursday, my mom met me at the flower shop - she'd come up for the long weekend to help me prepare for a rehearsal dinner and wedding that I'd be not only attending but doing the florals for! I don't know what I'd do without her! 

She and I had a ball on Thursday arranging and designing flower arrangements and compositions, and even had my sister Abbye put to work! 

Later that night, we got to have dinner with Brince and Laura Lyn too! 

Friday was spent having lunch with friends before delivering the flowers to Piedmont Park's Magnolia Hall for the rehearsal dinner for my and David's dear friends Sydney and Gray. Sydney's family is quite large, and I am fortunate enough to know most of them...some of which are really good friends! Sydney's cousin's wife, Ashley happens to be one, and she and I are due to have our babies 4 days apart! She's having a baby girl, and we are excited to have our kids grow up together. :)

Saturday was the usual wedding frenzy with installing the wedding reception decor and getting the bouquets and such to the bride. I was so happy to see her before her walk down the aisle.

Her dress was absolutely stunning - perfect on her. She looked incredible!

Here she is with her sisters Colby and Ansley - who also happen to be great friends of mine too! 

Loved their eggplant dresses.

On Sunday, our little baby boy was honored with a Griffin family baby shower along with the other Griffin baby on the way, David's cousin Kathryn's little girl - held at the Griffin condo. As I've mentioned before, Kathryn and I are due 2 days apart in May - isn't that just so fun? 

David and Kathryn's Aunt Vicky hosted a lovely, special baby brunch for the expectant parents. Pink and Blue were the colors of the morning. We were surrounded by our family and so much love! 

Vicky knows my love for anything chinois - the plates were gorgeous! And baby's breath graced the centerpieces. Chevron paper cups held a favor of Hershey's kisses while the bright blue napkins hinted at a soon-to-be stork's arrival. 

The bar held vintage baby prints with honeycomb balls and tiers of both chocolate and coconut pies. They were divine!

My sweet mother in law had her antique pram polished and shined for baby boy Griffin. I really can not find the words to say how much I love this special gift. It's just gorgeous - and happens to be the same blue in baby boy's nursery bedding and chest. 

There were lots of gifts to open from darling family and friends for baby girl Stempler and baby boy Griffin! 

I felt so lucky to have all the aunts there! Aunt Abbye, Aunt Jill, and Aunt D...and one special grandmother to be - my mom!

Here's the soon to be Aunt Sally and Uncle James with the other mommy, Kathryn and her husband Justin.

Uncle Grady, Aunt Vicky and Pammy prepared the most delicious brunch for us all...Pammy's divine homemade biscuits, bacon, fruit, and Grady's egg strata...it was wonderful!!! 

David and I felt so loved {and spoiled too!} with all the precious gifts for our little guy.

It was so fun to open all those blue things! 

And so fun to have Kathryn open all of her pink things too! 

We got matching hooded towels for the bambinos - one in pink and one in blue!

David's Aunt Jane and Uncle Chris even found baby boy a Firehouse outfit! How precious! 

And here we are with the soon to be new grandparents - what a lucky little guy to have these as grands! 

It was a wonderful day with family! Feeling more and more ready to meet our little fellow every day!

A Football Game and A Christmas Party

I've been a little behind on blogging...there's been a lot of work things to get done before the holidays and it's kept me from updating what we've been up to in our down time! 

Two weekends ago we were in Atlanta of for the SEC Championship. Sadly, the game didn't end the way we'd hoped or prayed, but we had a nice time visiting with friends and family for the weekend. 

On Saturday, we joined the McLeod's for their fantastic tailgate before heading to a friend's house to watch the game. 

Hollie snapped this picture during happier times while watching the game. We were at Amy and Jeff's house.

And here are a few other snaps from the day. We began the morning with the trip to the dome, and the McLeod's tailgate quickly amped up with more than 50 people there! So fun!

After watching the game at the Dils' house, we stopped by Griffin and Allison's house for some post-game commiseration.  We were so sad. Even Murphy, the Hamsley's dog wanted to just forget all the heartache and huddled under David's arm. 

This past week brought some happier times for these Dawg fans though...our first Christmas party in our new house! We invited our friends, family, and co-workers for a drop-in party, but most people just stayed the whole time - which I loved! 

Before our guests arrived, we had a little photo sesh with the fam...

So happy Amanda and Pammy could join!

My handsome co-planner! He's such a help and I couldn't pull it off without him!

I was beyond tickled that Laura Lyn came to play too!

And my sweet parents (who also brought James with them, but we don't have a pic!) drove up to hang for the night as well!

Here are two pics from the evening, but stay tuned to Bellissimo and Bella for detail photos of the whole house. 

Hope your holidays have been happy so far too! Can't believe its 2 weeks to Christmas! 

A Birthday Party Continued

Part II of the Birthday Party: Here are a few more shots of the photo time and dinner.

Here's my Mom with her friends Carol and Catherine. I love all of the dress-up pictures!





We're so lucky to have these two moms!



David's Uncle Grady and Aunt Vicky looked so sharp! Grady's spectacles were his grandfather's - they're over 100 years old!

Stephanie looked great in her vintage hat and gloves!



Mrs. Connie was pretty in her summer white...



...and my Aunt Jill looked beautiful in her lavender and vintage jewels!

I love this photo of my Griffin family. The fur I am wearing belonged to my great-grandmother and Amanda's fur belonged to her grandmother. She and Mrs. Pam really were stunners in their hats! Mr. Benjy looked the part in his tweed coat and pageboy; and of course, my David was handsome as ever!

Patti flew in from NYC for the special party! We were so happy to have her there!

Mrs. Pam, Mom and Mrs. Caroline make a great looking trio!

Jen and Jason looked great too! I loved all of Jen's pearls!

Tina and Tony made a good looking couple. Tina's vintage hat was adorable!

Here are the FriendGirls. My Mom's bffs are so much fun - Jen, Claudette, Jill, Susan, Tina and Steph.

The Conner's had so much fun! Susan's hat was awesome!

My Mom's cousin Jamie and Aunt Bren came down from Kentucky to surprise her! And of course cousin Bengie was there too!

Everyone enjoyed their seating arrangements!

It was a lively crowd!

The foyer table was such fun!

The night ended late, and we loved discussing all of the details with Mom after her special guests left. It was a great night, and I loved every minute of planning the night to honor the most special lady in my life! My Dad was a fantastic co-planner, and I had lots of help from my Aunt Jill, Aunt Vicky, and MIL Pam. I couldn't have done it without them, and I loved how excited everyone was to dress up!!!