Chicago Weekend

I got back late Monday night from a long weekend in Chicago. I met my mom there, but flew in by myself. Grancie came in and watched Crew on Thursday and Friday. He had so much fun playing her! What a sweetie she was so spend her birthday watching Crew. (I'm sure she had a good nap that day, ha.) But- Happy Birthday Grancie, we LOVE you! Here's to many many more celebrations together. Brett watched him over the weekend, and then my dad came in and watched him on Monday. Thanks everyone for all the help!

I went to Chicago for my cousin Erin's bridal shower. Erin has since moved to California so she flew in for weekend as well. Erin is one of my closest cousins, I have so many wonderful memories of growing up together. We were those cousins who wanted to grow up and live in houses that stuck together, we cried every time we had to leave. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding and I am lucky enough to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in December. So, she had NO idea I was coming in for the weekend. On Friday afternoon, I rang the doorbell and her face just froze and she broke out into tears.

We had a great weekend! It was wonderful visiting and catching up with our family. Her finance's family threw a beautiful "fall" themed shower on Friday night. Saturday morning I went with Erin and my Aunt Mary to her dress fitting. Our family (my mom's side), threw her a "Irish" themed shower at an Irish pub that Saturday afternoon. Everything at both showers was so creative- such attention to detail. We spent Saturday night reminiscing and telling stories with our other cousins and aunts.

On Sunday, we had a very "special" meal. My mom's family is Italian, and their grandma always served "spaghetti on the board" as they were growing up. This tradition has since been passed down through the years. My aunt had the boards sanded and re stained and few years ago, so spaghetti on the board it was! Basically you just poor a large helping on spaghetti in the middle, and everyone takes their fork and scoots a portion over to eat. Easy enough!! It was so much fun!

Thanks everyone for a wonderful weekend. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful family.

Love you all!=)

Happy Birthday Grancie!

The "Fall" themed shower.

All the guests received the pashmina's that were tied around their chair-such a cute idea!

Beautiful placesetting.

Centerpieces

All the bridesmaids with our pashmina's.

Erin and I

Kelley (Erin's Sister), Erin, and their mom- my Aunt Mary

Adorable bride and groom arrangements

Waterford frame with baby pics of her fiance

The happy couple!

Tom's aunt gave him an ornament every year for Christmas.

They saved all the ornaments in a box and gave them all to Erin.

SATURDAY - GRACEFFA SHOWER

Family Prayer- Irish blessing

Table/Placesetting

My Aunt Marianne cross-stiched all the towels.

They were each wrapped with a loaf of handmade soda bread (made by all the aunts).

Erin had a "special" towel for her bread.

Close-up of the beautiful work.

Yummy Irish food!

Handmade Irish Creme Cupcakes

They even had pics of the happy couple on each cupcake.

My grandma collected glass "shoes".

Each girl in our family receives one at their wedding shower- what a neat remembrance.

Katie and sweet baby Harper

All the Graceffa Aunts who threw the shower

Girl cousin pic

Bridesmaids

Now time for a silly one...

The Happy Couple!

PASTA ON THE BOARD

Cookin all the yummy food

Erin and her best friend Dana preparing the garlic bread.

My mom and Aunt Mary dumping the pasta on the boards.

Yummmy... time to EAT!