Here's the rest of the story...
We started out July by going to Rockbridge to celebrate the 4th early with our Hamby friends. We love Rockbridge, it's kind of a special place for Kody and I since we've gone for big occasions. It's on the river and a nice restaurant with cabins...we need to stay the night sometime. We had a good meal, I survived the car ride down without getting carsick, and made it home before too late!
Our nephew Drew turned 1 on July 4th, but we didn't get to spend his birthday with him, we were sad, but Kody had to work! July is actually full of birthdays for both of our families...it starts out with July 4-Drew, July 10-My Dad, July 11-Luke, July 17-Erica, July 24-Cousin Sam, July 30-Kyle. My Uncle Larry and Aunt Janet's birthday is also thrown somewhere in that mix!
We started going to rodeos in July with the Hamby's and really enjoyed it...
Besides a lot of rain and our garden growing like 1 big, fat weed, we didn't do a whole lot in July....
In August we started the month off right with a Couples Shower in our honor at Kody's Uncle Dwain & Aunt Susan Hahs's home in Jackson. What a party. Soooo much fun. Kody's sister Kaci, sister-in-law Erica, and his Aunt Barb also helped host. It was a great shower and they outdid themselves with the food, cakes, decorations, etc. Lots of fun!
We also got to go visit Kody's grandad in the nursing home.
We were so excited for the next week in August because Teresa, Grandma, Erica, and Drew came to visit us in West Plains! Drew had a blast, he swam on our deck and LOVED Uncle Kody's tractor!!!!! He even fell asleep he wouldn't get off. Erica even took a turn driving it. We had a blast with them and hope they all visit again very soon!
My 23rd birthday was August 8th and I had a great day...except Kody had to work late and didn't get to go to dinner with us at Gaston's. I was upset, but didn't let it ruin my fun night at Gaston's...it's a place, similar to Rockbridge on the river with phenomenal food!!
We did however celebrate the next day in Springfield, MO...shopping, eating, and engagement pictures! I loved our pictures and our wedding pictures are even better!
The rest of August was spent preparing my brother to move, or him preparing us, bridal portraits, hanging with friends, and working on invitations for the wedding.
September came just as fast as teh other months...I was mostly excited about my Bachelorette Party. Kaci & Erica (sister-in-laws) hosted in Jackson. My mom, Susan (Mom's bff), Ashley, Courtney, Jessica, Jess Ladd, Kaci Wright, Kelli, etc all came for the occasion! SO MUCH FUN! We started with a little shower at Erica's house, then went to eat at Bella Italia, and finished the night at Bel Air. We planned on going to different places, but we had so much fun with the band at Bel Air, we didn't leave!
I had my last shower on September 26th at Cup O' Joe in West Plains...my friend Ashley hosted for me. It was VERY nice! She outdid herself, but usually does!!
Besides a few other little things, September was very busy preparing for October 24th...the big wedding day!
Once October 1st hit, I panicked a little, although now there was no reason to. We had our stuff together and did well with the planning ahead and everything came together perfectly. Homecoming was October 9-10 and always one of my favorite days. This year I went to the rainy parade and was a little sad because for the 1st time in soooooooo many years, I wasn't in it, nor was my brother. We are growing up! It was fun to see other kids though, like Sam York, our family friend. I went to the game (Kody worked late) and then hung out with friends after he got off. I love to see people when they come home for Homecoming. You've gotta be from a small town that loves football to get it. I took a trip to Lake of the Ozarks for the Missouri Municipal League Annual Meeting in October and that was good on the ole' mind...2 nights alone in a hotel!
Our wedding was October 24, 2009. Quite possibly the most beautiful day ALL YEAR. We were blessed with perfect weather and people to be involved. Our rehearsal & dinner was October 23rd, and after rehearsal (which went oh so smoothly) we headed to the Country Club for dinner. It was a lot of fun and at that point I was so relaxed. Our decorating was done within 3 hours Friday morning and I couldn't have been more calm. I went home to my parents' house and slept like a rock. I was ready for the best day of my life!
Our honeymoon to Couples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica was pure heaven and just what we needed after the wedding. We didn't want to come home....
After we returned home from Jamaica it was like Christmas and Thanksgiving were right around the corner. We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year and I actually don't have any pictures...too busy in the kitchen! December was spent between Christmas parties and family and so mcuh fun as our 1st Married Christmas...you can look back at the Christmas posts to see updates on that.
Hard to believe we are about to finish a decade! WOW! 2000-2009 has been incredible...I went from Middle School to High School, graduated High School, moved away to college, Graduated & moved home...got a job, met Kody, got engaged, got married...did about everything but have a baby. I will save something for the next decade! ;)
Happy New Year. Count your blessings!
