As I’ve mentioned a couple of times, Jon, Hadley and I spent last weekend in Pigeon Forge, TN (H’s first trip out of state!) along with all of Jon’s Mom’s side of the family for Jon’s Uncle Heith’s wedding. In order to break up the trip (it would have been 6 hours from Raleigh), we headed to the lake Thursday night, spent the night, and left Friday around lunch time to head to Pigeon Forge. H did amazingly well on the trip—it ended up taking us over 4 hours to get there due to traffic and a detour—and she either slept or was happily playing for the whole ride. Score!

We stayed in an amazing cabin (I should have taken pictures of the place—it was beautiful!) inside a mountain resort where Heith and Karen were getting married. The cabin had 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, several wrap around porches, a pool table, hot tub, etc…it was so nice! Since we didn’t get in until around dinner time Friday night, we didn’t do a whole lot—I fed Hadley when we got there, then we headed out to a pretty late dinner, came home and hung out for a bit, then went to bed.

Saturday morning, Jon, Heather and I went to the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville…my first shopping trip since H was born! We really had to twist Jon’s mom’s arm to watch H while we went…HA! We found some great deals and even though I really needed some new clothes that actually fit, I ended up buying more for H than myself (hello, Janie & Jack, Gymboree, and Baby Gap outlets!). It was nice to get out for a bit and to not have to worry about feeding or changing H, or dealing with her fussing and/or getting hot, etc. So thanks to Mamaw Aldridge for letting us have a few hours out!

When we got back to the cabin Saturday afternoon, it was time to start getting ready for the big event: the wedding! I fed H and we got ready while she napped…then it was go time! I got to snap a few photos at the cabin before we left (and how handsome are Heith’s boys, Tyler & Trent?!):

The wedding ceremony was held under a beautiful covered bridge at the resort where we stayed. The ceremony was so sweet and perfect—and as usual, I took way too many photos!

I got to snap a few of the after-wedding family shots, but unfortunately, I didn’t get someone to take a photo with my camera of the whole Kluttz side of the family…I’ll have to get a copy of that one from the wedding photographer!

The reception was held at the club house at the resort. Karen did all of her own flowers and decorations, and they were SO pretty! I think she missed her calling. ;)

We had a great time at the reception—good food, good company, and good music. Heith and Karen’s first dance was super sweet…I love seeing people in love! And H did great with the loud music, and had a blast dancing with her Mamaw and her Daddy (I didn’t have quite enough wine to get me out there!). 

Whew, photo overload, I know…but I just couldn’t choose. ;) H made it until a little after 10:00 before getting super tired and a little fussy, so we headed back to the cabin to get her to bed as to avoid a total meltdown (who wants to hear a fussy baby at a wedding?! No one!). We had a great time at the wedding, and could not be happier for Heith and Karen! 

We had a wonderful weekend full of family and love…couldn’t have asked for a better time. I would say that H’s first trip out of NC=success! :)

-S

This weekend was busy for the Aldridges, to say the least. We literally did NOT stop going from Friday night through Sunday night, but we had a great weekend! We left Holly Springs around 6 p.m. on Friday to head to the lake, to get ready for the couples shower that we hosted for Bekah and Kyle on Saturday. H did perfect on the ride, she pretty much slept the whole way. I am learning to try to time our drives for when I know she will need a nap, that seems to do the trick every time!

Saturday, we got up and started preparing for the shower—my Dad worked outside on the pier ALL day long, and Mom and I worked on getting the food ready, while Jon entertained H. The menu was simple—hamburgers and hotdogs—our typical go-to summer entertaining meal. Bekah’s bridesmaids all pitched in and brought appetizers and the sides to go along with everything, and everything turned out great! We had a great turnout and Bek and Kyle got some awesome stuff. We also played “The Newlywed Game” with Bekah & Kyle vs. my parents and Kyle’s parents, and it was hilarious…not to mention my parents surprised us all and won by a landslide! (Sorry Daddy, I just had no faith in ya!) Most of their friends ended up staying for a while, and we played Catch Phrase (our favorite) until after midnight. We had a blast with everyone! Here are some photos of the fun that was had…also I want to mention that I made the towel/utensil cake, only the 2nd crafty thing I have ever made! ;) And…yes, that is a gun. A pink gun, given to the bride by her soon-to-be groom. Only in North Carolina.

We are officially only a month away from the wedding, can’t wait!!! :)

Sunday morning, we got up early to head to Concord to see Jon’s mom and Grandmas for Mother’s Day. Before we left, Jon surprised me with some sweet cards from him and Hadley, and the best part? A spa day at The Umstead that he and Dan had planned for Sarah and me! I can’t wait to go and have some QT with the bestie along with some relaxation at the amazing Umstead spa!

We had to wake H up, then I fed her and we hit the road…she slept the whole way (score)! She woke up right before we went into church, at which I thought “great”. She shocked us, though, and stayed awake through the whole service but didn’t make a peep! She just smiled at the people standing behind us and played with her Oball—she was seriously perfect! After church, we went back to Jon’s parents’ house with Jon’s parents, Heather and all four of his grandparents and ate a delicious lunch and hung out for a while. It was great to see everyone and to celebrate several of the awesome mothers in our lives!

Later Sunday afternoon, we packed up yet again and hit the road for Conover—to go to my Granny’s house for a Mother’s Day gathering with the Kirby family. H did great on this drive too—we timed it so that we left right around time for her nap, and she slept the whole hour and a half drive. We got to Granny’s a little late and didn’t get to stay too long, so I didn’t get any photos from it, but it was great to (briefly) see my grandparents and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins…and to see all of the great-grandkids running around! It is crazy to me to think that Hadley will be right there running around with them before we know it!

We left Granny’s and headed back to the lake to pack up our things… and took advantage of a quick photo op of my Mom and her girls on Mother’s Day! ;)

Jon really wasn’t feeling great when we got back there, so we decided that we would go back to Holly Springs in the morning instead of driving the 2.5 hours back home with him feeling terrible. We watched the series finale of Desperate Housewives (*tear*, I’ve been watching since the beginning and am so sad that it is going off!!) and headed to bed.

Whew. It was a crazy, busy weekend, but it all made me realize how amazingly blessed we are to have such AWESOME mothers in our lives—our moms, grandmas, aunts, great friends, etc.! I am so lucky to have so many amazing role models to look up to.

I would say that my first Mother’s Day was one that I will remember. I always dreamed of becoming a mother, but it is even more rewarding and fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. Hadley is my proudest accomplishment to date—she fills my heart in a way I never knew it could be filled. I could not be prouder or happier to be her mom!

-S

As promised… I have some BIG news to share. I mean REALLY big. And it has nothing at all to do with babies. 

MY LITTLE SISTER IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!!

Bekah and Kyle have been dating for a little over 2.5 years, and I can honestly say that I knew after only the first time meeting Kyle that my sister would marry him one day. It was obvious that he was crazy about Bekah (and the feeling was mutual) and he was polite, smart, and driven…everything I could have ever hoped that Bekah would find. To sum it up…they are perfect for each other, see?!

Hahaha, I couldn’t resist. But seriously, Kyle is SUCH a catch:

Bekah is so lucky to have him! ;)

All jokes aside, I would say that after about the first year of dating, we (my family and I) were all ready for a ring and a wedding at pretty much any time. But Kyle likes to do things on his own time (#1 reason probably being that Bekah was constantly sending him pictures of rings that she liked that cost about as much as Escalades…), so we waited. And waited. And waited. I was really hoping that he was going to ask her this summer…and my wish came true!

The two of them, along with Kyle’s mom, Kathy, drove up to upstate New York last Thursday night to spend some time with some of Kyle’s family who live there. I found out after the fact that Kyle went to see my Dad on Wednesday afternoon and asked for her hand in marriage…so my Dad and Mom both successfully kept their mouths shut and did not spill the beans to me before it actually happened, I am shocked. ;) Anyway, on Saturday afternoon, they went out to a gorgeous piece of property in New York that belongs to Kyle’s uncle, and, with the help of Kyle’s mom and aunt, this is what Bekah saw when they arrived:

Beautiful, right? She was completely shocked (which is the best part) and obviously SHE SAID YES! Just shortly after it happened, she sent a text with a picture of the ring—no explanation or anything. To say I was shocked is the understatement of the century. I can’t believe it finally happened and I had no idea it was even coming! I am so glad, though, that she got to share the news with me herself—it is one of those sister moments that I will never forget. Now, pics of the bling (might want to put your sunglasses on, just warning you):

Great job on the ring, Kyle! And Bek—I would say this was DEFINITELY worth the wait, right? ;) Jon and I could not be any happier for you two (I am still shaking I’m so excited!) and cannot wait for all of the wedding planning and festivities that are to come. Enjoy the engagement, it will fly by! This is going to be (and already is) one of the happiest, most exciting times in your life so make sure you take the time to enjoy it. 

Congratulations for the millionth time, we love you both very much!

-S

**I wrote this on Saturday as soon as I found out the news. She has forced me to wait to post anything until tonight, after she has told all her best friends in person. For the record, I did NOT want to wait. So, it is now 9:30 and I’m going to bed, but scheduling this to post at 11 after her friends know. I am not sure whether it will actually post or not…but we’ll see. The things I do for you, sister. ;)