First trip to KY!

 M and I headed to Ky for the first time! Rob had to stay home and study. :( He was so sad to see us go. It was the longest time he's been away from M. I was a little nervous to make the drive by myself with baby M. But we survived!

 

It took us about 4 hours to get there. He slept the first hour and a half. My plan was to stop at an exit in Cincy where I knew there was a Drive-thru Starbucks that would give me hot water to heat up a bottle and give me caffeine for the drive! He started crying about 1 minute before I got off the exit! Way to go Marshall! We got to my Mom's Friday night and played a little bit. Grammy K loved seeing him of course. That day he started getting symptoms of a cold so that night he was congested and was up every 3 hours.

 

Saturday morning I was so tired but really wanted to see Kala and her clan. We headed over to her house for a bit to visit. Her sister Kasi just got engaged! Congrats Kasi! I can't believe I didn't get a picture of her gorgeous ring! Can't wait for that wedding next year! Kala's Dad and step-mom were in town from Indiana. They are two of my favorite people and it was so nice to see them! Amy- I didn't get a picture with you darn it! But if you look at the bottom right picture, Kala's Dad, Danny, is helping the boys hold on to Marshall.

Look at that blonde hair Parker has! It was so great seeing the Edwards/ Leugers Clan.

Next we went over to my Dad's house to visit for a bit. I didn't get any pictures though. :( But Lois and Dad loved seeing us. Lois put M right to sleep in her rocking recliner and he slept for awhile.

After this we headed back to my Mom's to get ready for the wedding.  

 

Monica and Dan's Wedding!

They got married at a beautiful little Episcopal church.

 Photo credit- Mandy

 

Behind the church was a shelter for the reception. It was perfect! I only had my phone for pictures and the lighting wasn't very good so the pictures didn't turn out the best but its all I got!

 

Me, Ginny, Becky, Mandy, Monica, Rachel, Lauren, Andrea, and some random wedding guest that jumped in the picture. Haha! 

 

The beautiful couple from Chicago- Andrea and Maher

 

Rachel and Lauren

Sweet Leighton fell in love with baby M. I know they both look silly in the last pic but I wanted to share every MOMENT! She held him twice! Getting ready for her little brother!

 

It was so nice having my Mom with me to help!

And it was so nice having my friends there to help too!

 

Mandy and baby M! So excited to meet her little guy soon!

The beautiful bride!

I didn't get a pic with Becky or Lauren holding him but they did!

We lasted longer than I thought and the next morning got up bright and early to get back home to Daddy! We missed him! 

It was so much fun and good for my soul to see my family and friends!

Pumpkin Baby Shower!

I headed down to Ky for my third shower and it was the last time before the birth of the baby. I feel so lucky and blessed to have had three baby showers thrown for me! I have the best group of girlfriends in Ky.  It was so emotional to think that the next time I make the drive I will have a little baby. I have been driving back and forth from Ohio to Ky for the last 5 years.

 

My mom, Mandy, and Kala worked together to throw me the cutest pumpkin shower ever!

 

Mandy made the most adorable banners and most of the food- Little turkey & cheese, ham & cheese, pimento cheese & chicken salad sandwiches, cheese & cracker tray, veggie tray, fruit tray, potato soup, chocolate covered pretzels, oreos with orange icing, and spinach dip in a bread bowl. It was all so delicious!

 

Sweet Leighton Layne eating her crackers.

 

Kala made cheese balls, mini caramel apples, pumpkin cupcakes, and hot apple cider. Her sister, Kasi and step-mom Amy came early to help set up which was so nice! We really appreciated their help. 

 

 

My mom did the decorations and placed baby dolls from my childhood on each table. Yes some are a little creepy looking. I carried this one around everywhere I went. It was called "real baby".

 

The creepiness didn't stop Leighton from playing with them though.

My bestie Lauren made the cutest diaper cake ever!

 

 

Do you see the spot in the upper corner above Lauren? Mandy pointed that out and we believe it was defintely Missy showing us she was there. We miss her so much!

 

 

Here is a goofy pic of Becky, Daisy, and I. Too bad Daisy was hiding.

 

Leighton and Brooklyn- The night before was trick or treat so Brooklyn still had pink hair.

 

Mandy made three games for us to play- Guess how many pumpkins are in the bottle (Lauren won with a guess of 157 and there were 156) she is good isn't she?; a baby name game; and pass the present.

Leighton stood by me the entire time while I opened gifts. She was my little helper.

 

My mom crocheted a blanket for Baby!

 

Mandy also had a book for people to sign. I can't wait to read it to my sweet baby boy! 

 

Mandy, Leighton,and I

 

I am so sad I didn't get a picture with each guest, especially with one of my hosts, Kala. I really need to get a camera. My brother's wife, Kelly, came and brought her Mom, aunts, cousin, and grandma, it felt so good having her family there since I don't have much family around the area. My Aunt Pam came and it was great to see her too! I could not have asked for a better shower. Well expect if Missy was there. Thank-you to all of you who came, brought gifts, and helped host. We really appreciate everything!

Most of the pictures are courtesy of Mandy. Check out her blog where she posted about the shower too. Thank-you Mandy for always taking pictures! You are an amazing friend! Love you!

 

After the shower I went over to my friend, Ashley's house. We went to UK together and then she moved to Columbus before me. Now she has since moved back to Ky. Her second baby boy was born the Tuesday before my shower so I was so excited to visit him. His name is Grayson and he was 9 lbs. He is beautiful!

After that, I picked Becky up to go to a Halloween party. Yes I am crazy! I was 8 months pregnant and hopping all around town like I was not. But I knew it would be my last trip to Ky before the baby so I wanted to see everyone.

 

Here is Andrew and Lauren dressed as Pepperoni pizza and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. There is a back story to this. When Andrew was saying his vows he told Lauren she was the Hidden Valley Ranch to his Pepperoni pizza. Isn't that the cutest thing ever and the most clever Halloween costume?

Becky and Lauren drinking their wine.

Becky and I made it until about 11:00 and then we were ready to go home. What a fun and memorable trip to Ky!