Is that a Jewish Holiday?

Here the view we got to enjoy all weekend!

We spent a wonderful weekend at Whit's beach house and it was even more fun than last year. After our usual morning walk and a little yoga, we headed out for some time in the sun. We headed to the pool instead of braving the windy beach. We started the day in jackets but bathing suits made an appearance later in the day. We were entertained Adele, Caroline and Kat's lunge contest, wedding talk, many drinks and sunscreen lectures. (yes, some of us got more burnt than others) Saturday night was filled with so much laughter and shenanigans...trying to learn Texas holdem', "deep dark secrets" from Caroline, hilarious photo shoots, HELEN, and so much more.
I had so much fun and I'm so blessed to have each of these ladies in my life. They love me despite my lack of speed walking ability, blankies, bad skin care habits and controlling nature...that's what you call true friendship!!!

Don't you love Whit's wine bucket?!Emerson was practicing her cheerleader skills

Nice poker faces

Until the 2011 beach trip...

Pregnancy Charades

We're getting ready to head out for our annual BS girls BEACH weekend! I am beyond excited and can't get on the road fast enough.
We had so much fun last year and I know this year will be even more fun! Unfortunately, Ellen will not be playing pregnancy charades...but maybe someone else will be?!?!?!?! :) (A or W)

I'm ready to sit on the rocking chair, drinking my coffee and listening to the ocean in the morning...a little piece of heaven!

Let the shenanigans begin...

Nashville

Mike & I went to Nashville this past weekend to hang out with BOTH my sisters/hubbies and the 2 cute kiddos!
Friday we celebrated Lora & Greg's 32nd birthdays, wore party hats, ate too much food, drank and laughed until our belly's hurt. Nate was the center of attention and loved every second of it. Abby Reece was content just sitting and smiling at everyone.
Saturday was park time with Em & Nate. We climbed, went down slides, chased each other and threw rocks (who knew throwing rocks could be so fun). Nate LOVED getting so much one on one time with us. I melted every time he wanted Mike to help him, hug him or hold his hand.
After the park, Mike & I headed to Nashville to play by ourselves. We went to Martin's BBQ then walked around downtown Nashville and took it all in. I even got a wild hair and had a beer at 2pm!
After we had "people watched' enough, we headed back home for more playtime with Nate & Abby Reece. Nate showed me "Charlie" the horse and Domino the donkey that lives right next door.Sunday we woke up early and started our trek to Knoxville to meet up with Mindy & her family. We were so excited to see everyone and catch up on their new life in Knoxville. After a LONG day traveling, we finally got back to Charlotte around 8:30pm...and I was so tired!

Couldn't have asked for a better weekend! Check out Em's blog for more pictures

Saying Goodbye

We had a bittersweet Gibbs family reunion this weekend. Grandpa Gregg passed away on March 1st and we had his memorial service on Saturday.

Gregg passed away at the age of 88 and lived a long and successful life. He owned his own company, had several patents on his inventions (that are still being used today), retired at the age of 40, married for 66+ years and raised one wonderful son! Everyone that spoke at the service talked about his generosity, intelligence, and sweet and loving spirit. Gregg was all of those things and so much more. Gregg passed down so much of himself to my dad and I see it in his actions all the time.

We had a good time celebrating his long life and sharing fun memories together. After the service, we continued the celebration with lunch at my parents house. We caught up with relatives and friends we haven't seen in a while. It always seems that the time isn't long enough and we didn't get to catch up enough.

As always, we took lots of pictures of the weekend. Deedee had never met her great granddaughter, Abby Reece, so I wanted to capture that special moment.

We had a great weekend honoring Gregg's life and spending time making more family memories.

Deedee seeing Abby Reece for the first time ever!4 generations

Making the memory board...Lora got demoted

Sushi Experience

Mike and I met our friends Laurel & Mike for lunch to talk about all of our printed materials for the wedding! We met at Yama, which Laurel & Mike eat at ALL the time. Seriously, they even named a sushi roll after Mike...its called the BIG MIKE roll and its delicious!

My Mike does NOT like sushi and refuses to eat it with me. Well, he got a wild hair (or had enough of my nagging...probably the latter) and tried some sushi. He LOVED it...yes, he really did!!! I love this man and his willingness to try new things!

Yes, he used a fork...so back off!

This called for a celebration, so Mike ordered a special dessert for my Mike.
Get ready....
Chocolate cake with ice cream rolled in pound cake and deep fried then topped with whip cream. Yes, you probably just gained a few pound from looking at the picture. The four of us split it (and didn't finish it so don't judge me yet), and it was AMAZING!

WOAH weddings

Is it Monday already?!?! We had a full weekend and I think I need one more day to recover!

Friday night we helped our friends, Renee & Nathan with their rehearsal dinner. Mike & Daniel cooked a low country boil and burgers while Tammy & I decorated. Everything came together and we survived the evening!

Delicious grooms cake that Renee had made for Nathan

Saturday we watched Renee and Nathan say "I do", then headed to Bonterra to start the celebration! Renee & I have the same wedding planners so it was nice to see Christina and Alisa in action. Unfortunately we had to sneak out early, so we could head to Philip and Hillary's engagement party...or so we thought!

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Skipper!

Philip and Hillary pulled the best surprise ever...got married on Saturday night at what everyone thought was an engagement party. Their parents hosted a great party at a local art gallery in NODA. It had all the details of a "real" reception...because it WAS! In between taking pictures, watching them cut their cake and have their first dance, I might have shed tears of joy. I am so happy for these two and couldn't be more excited that they got married THEIR own way.

Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Tester!

We were exhausted on Sunday, but had one more adventure. We had our "engagement session" with our wedding photographer, Jeremie. We really had a FUN time and can't wait to see the pictures. By the way, I am in LOVE with her, and I know we picked an amazingly talented photographer.

The Sturges

The journey begins with the Sturges...the blogging journey I mean!

Welcome to Blogspot Andy & Whit! We are ALL excited about your new blog and can't wait to become faithful followers :)

That's What She Said

Best Proposal Update

There has been a lot going on the past few days that forgot to mention we were the Runner's Up in "The Best Proposal Contest".
Morgan emailed me last week to let me know that we lost by 20 votes (who wasn't pulling their weight, huh?!?!), BUT we won a prize for being the Runner's Up.
The winner's picked the Crate & Barrel gift card so we were awarded FREE calligraphy for half of our invitations. WAHOOOOO!!!!

Yes, we were beyond excited to win this amazing prize. The calligrapher just so happens to be the same one Kelly used so I already knew she was talented! Guess that means I need to start picking out invitations.

Booked!

Mike has officially booked our honeymoon!! Yes, you read that correctly...I gave up control (slightly). Mike has been working with the travel agent, looking at different locations, resorts and weighing all the options. It was not as stressful as I thought it would be...thankfully!

As I sit and watch it snow outside, I couldn't be more ready to be on our honeymoon together.
These pictures will get me through the next 6 months...

THE BEST PART...
Our own rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean with a jacuzzi, pool and outdoor bed!

Pioneer Woman Potluck

As I am crafting my letter to "Ree" aka Pioneer Woman, I figured I should share this wonderful event with everyone else. (yes, I am writing her a letter so she will know we had a dinner in her honor. I would really like to win something in the process so you better believe I will push for that)
I was introduced to Pioneer Woman by a few girls in my bible study and have been hooked ever since. I love her story, read her blog daily and can't get enough of her recipes. (Some of her recipes are a bit overwhelming but just push through.)Caroline suggested we have a potluck and all the dishes had to come from PW...it was a SUCCESS!
I was in charge of appetizers and made buffalo chicken dip & stuffed mushrooms. Everyone loved them so much, I didn't have time to take any pictures!

Main dish-Coq au vin
salad- Caesar Salad
side- Creamed Corn
bread- Garlic Cheese Bread
dessert-The Perfect pound cake

Read Adele's blog because she was nice enough to link all the items we cooked.

ALL items were SO GOOD and it was such a fun night with friends!!!