I seriously have the most wonderful family and friends! I don’t know what I did to deserve them but GOSH, they treat me like a queen!! My mom and sister threw this INCREDIBLE shower for me at the facility that they own and run, the Palomino Ballroom….along with help from my mother in law, sister in law and several great friends! They went overboard and created the most amazing shower ever!! It was just awesome and I felt sooo special! It was complete with incredible decor, butler passed hors d’oeuvres, custom martini’s (non-alcoholic, of course!), an awesome pasta bar for lunch, games, loads of great gifts and MUCH more!!! Soo many of my dearest friends and family came to be with me and made it truly mean soo much! I am soo grateful to have such incredible people in my life!! THANK YOU Mom, Jenny, Linda, Hannah, Lindsay, Erika & Kelly!! I love you all and I truly can’t thank you enough for EVERYTHING that you have done for me and little little baby girl!!!! (photo credit to my wonderful friend & studio manager, Erika!!)

OH…and a quick baby update! Even though she isn’t due until March 13th, my Doctor discovered that this baby might be making an early appearance because I’m “ready” (dilated, effaced, contractions, etc) a bit earlier than they expected! Although, it’s anyone’s guess when she will actually arrive (knowing my luck, she will make me deal with this for several more weeks, show up late and have fooled us all!), everything is in place for it to be any time! So, wish me luck!! I’ll certainly do a baby update when the little one arrives!!

Mark made an appearance which was FUN and special! And my Momma and I!

One of my dearest and oldest friends, Lindsay, who did soo much to help make the shower possible! And my awesome Mom and Sis…the hosts who pulled the whole thing off!

My niece, Charli!! Can you believe how big she is getting!!! 20 Months already!!

My Mom, Sis and I with Mark’s wonderful Mom and Sister, Linda & Hannah..

We made a BIG announcement that my SISTER IS EXPECTING AGAIN!!!!!! YAY!!!!! She is due in September with her 2nd child and we are SOO excited!!

This was NOT my idea and no, i’m not telling you how big I measured!!!!

Generations…My sis and I, Mom, Grandma and my niece Charli!

My college roommates, who all came from out of city, state or country to be with me! Thanks girls!!! You are the best and I love you!

And Erika…my awesome studio manager! THANK YOU for taking the pictures, E! You are the best!:)

Wow, what an incredible wedding Diane & Hunter had!! Within 10 minutes of meetings Diane, I knew several things were for sure….one, this would be an incredible wedding…two, it would ooooze with style…and three, we would have the kind of relationship that just clicked and was awesome!! I was totally right….and I can’t tell you how much I loved being a part of this wedding!! Combine downtown Chicago, New Years Eve, One stunning and incredible couple and fun wedding party, a stellar, uber stylish venue and top it off with one crazy awesome wedding dress…and you have a recipe for magic. We had such a fun day….starting off with the rehearsal, through a fun day of pictures with the bride & groom and wedding party, to a beautifully sweet ceremony and into one heck of an awesome party that brought in the New Year! It was all just terrific and truly a special thing to be a part of!!! Diane & Hunter…I just adore you both soo much!! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your amazing wedding!! XO!

VENDORS:

Ceremony & Reception: Fairmont Hotel Chicago
Design & Florals: www.kehoedesigns.com
Dress: Ultimate Bride Chicago
Hair: Alison Haiduke
Makeup: Faces by Suzanna, Suzanna Ishoo
Quartet: Parkwest Strings
DJ: DJ Sye Young

In the Presidential Suite….in the President’s hometown…

Another very sweet first meeting…

I ADORE this series soooo much!!! Couldn’t decide on the black and white or sepia…loved them both…so you get them both!


And we were off to the Train Station because it was a windy, take your breath away 12 degrees outside in Chicago…and had to be in the double negatives with the windchill! Yikes!

I can’t believe Diane endured this….she’s such a trooper! I was totally scared I would have my first bride with frostbite!

One amazing cocktail hour…complete with incredible food and LOTS of it…which continued through the end of the night with meals, snacks and desserts galore! Oh soo tempting for a pregnant chick!

And then the stunning reception…

Hunter and Diane did the countdown! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!!!!!!

After the incredible cocktail hour, then salad and a full dinner, then cake, then a full dessert and fruit bar, they had a late night snack to complete the night!