Bridal Shower

Hello friends, I am back and ready to share my bridal shower with you! I finally got the pictures back, sorry they weren't taken with a fancy camera, but they're pictures nonetheless!

Let me tell you, my friends and family know how to make a bride feel loved/blessed/special... Like I'm overwhelmed by the love these ladies showered me with last Saturday. We made memories that I will cherish!

The day went something like this...Everyone arrived between 2 and 2:30. We munched on yummy chips, veggies, dips, taquitos, nuts and wraps oh and I can't forget the sweet bundtini's (pictured below). We played a few games, one of them being "Guess how many" and the other "How well do you know the bride" quiz. Some of the answers were hysterical. My MOH scored the highest with 10/15 right. Needless to say, it was pretty tough! We then went on to opening gifts, my bridesmaids being first. They scored custom hangers for the day of, and coach purses...They were upset they didn't get two piece velour suits, but a purse would suffice. Then it was my turn to ascend the mountains of gifts set aside for me. It took quite a bit of time, but I'm oh so grateful for them. Our house is starting to look more and more adult with all of our new matching goodies! Matching silverware, dishes, drinking glasses, wine glasses, and list goes on. SO MUCH FUN!

Ok, now are you ready for a boat load of pictures? Here you go!

Me and my bridesmaids with our dress of hangers. Isn't it funny how Bailey and Anne are wearing pretty much the same thing?! Down below is me and my mom and my two grandmas, maw maw and mee maw! I love those ladies.

Pictures of my bridesmaids opening their gift from me and some other shower guests... Love baby Elliott!

Some highlights: hot plate, "Scott & Brooke Hamilton" wall hanging, white wavy bowl, "Austin" apron, Butter dish!, "Hamilton" tote!, and antique bracelet. 

 

My rehearsal dinner dress, a new bathing suit for the honeymoon and a VS gift card ;) and much much more!

Last but certainly not least, pictures of me with the shower hosts.

My mom, Aunt Sally and Aunt Kim put this shower together for me and I couldn't have been happier with how it turned out. From all the little details, to the special gifts I received. Speaking of which, I wanted to share two special things I got, that I will be wearing on my big day.

First being diamond stud earrings. Let me give you some back story. I chose my date to be April 20th, because I wanted April, and a Saturday, and it also my Aunt and Uncles Anniversary. I thought it would be special to share our Anniversaries. This was the note I got with the earrings:

"I am so happy you have found such a wonderful man to share the rest of your life with. As we go forward and share our 'Anniversary Day' I'm sharing with you a gift that I received from Uncle Jeff many years ago on one of our Anniversaries. I hope you love them as much as I do. I wish you health and happiness and a little 'sparkle' for the future!" 

I can't come up with the words for how thankful I am. I was completely shocked when I opened these up. and yes, there were tears shed when I read this to everyone...It made me quite emotional!

That's not the only piece of jewelry I opened up... My mom passes her 150 year old antique bracelet down to me. It was given to my grandma from her cousin when she was little girl. It was then given to my mom for her wedding and my Aunt Kim used it for hers. I adore this heirloom bracelet, and will wear it as my something old on my wedding day.

Wow, sorry for such a long winded post. If you stuck around, I thank you! It was oh so fun reliving that day!

Weekend Rundown

Who else agrees that Super Bowl weekend needs to be a minimum of three days?!

Despite the lack of three days, I made two work just fine. Today is definitely a Monday though, whew!

Some friends and I started with weekend off early with Happy Hour right after work on Friday. We headed over to Serranos for their HH. $2.50 margs and nacho bar, score! I told Scott before we started that I wasn't going to be out late and his response was "sure." Haha Needless to say, we were out until 12(that's late for me). Lots of laughing, dancing and singing for us.

Excuse my extremely red face, I was a little toasty on account of alcohol. oops!

Courtney and I got in on some impromtu karaoke fun. We saw an open mic and knew what we had to do.

After such a fun night Friday, I took it easy on Saturday. So did Melvin. That silly dog LOVES his kennel.

 While Scott was out running errands, he came home with some pink boxing gloves! Can't wait to try them out later this week.

Scott and I did some major house cleaning and finally "remodeled" our bathroom. I put it in quotes because all we did was change out the mirror/medicine cabinets and change out the light fixtures. $200 well spent, I tell you! I posted before pictures in this post, but sadly forgot to take another picture before swapping them out. But here is the finished product. SO happy with these improvements.

Sunday was spent doing lots and lots of errands and prepping for our Super Bowl get together party. A small get together, turned party. I was happy though, there was a great turn out. But maybe next year we will attend one instead?!

Super Bowl means good eat, treats and football! Wasn't that game awesome?! I really wasn't sure who the winner was going to be. Glad it was in the Ravens favor :)

 Happy Monday!

Meetup Connections

In this post, I told you that I joined a meetup group.

Well, I got my first invite to a wheaten meetup! Melvin and I have a date to West Austin dog park tomorrow. I'm excited to meet more wheatens and their parents. I'm curious if Melvin will act any differently.

And although that's going to be fun, I have even more exciting news!

I was browsing the group and looking at the other wheaten parents and ended up coming across Nicole(and Claire, her puppy). I commented on how cute she was, and Nicole emailed me back and we got to talking. She said they wouldn't be at the meet up on Saturday because Claire was getting spade that day. I told her Melvin just got neutered a few weeks ago and to not worry, they get over it quickly. It occurred to me that they were around the same age. I replied back to her asking where Claire came from... Turns out they came from the same breeder at Kaven ranch.

They are not only from the same breeder, but they have the same parents and they are the same age. We discovered that Melvin and Claire are brother and sister!

You best believe I was freaking out when I found that out!!! Ok, I know there aren't a ton of breeders in Texas, but for them to be the same age and have same parents, just makes my heart happy!!!

Claire is among Melvin in these pictures. Can you believe it?! I can't wait for them to meet. I wonder if Melvin will even know? I wonder what their reactions will be.... I'm excited to find out!

Christmas Spirit

I am beyond excited that it's beginning to look and FEEL like Christmas in Austin! I've been having fun and spending time with friends and family doing Christmas type things.

We went to a gingerbread house making party. One word: FUN! Some people showed up with their A game and made some incredible houses! Scott and I had fun building our "starter home," compared to all the other mansions. I had fun with eating the accessories..."One for me, one for the house."

Some houses were complete with solar panels(top left), and a car port(bottom left). Thanks to Thane and Amy for hosting such a fun party!

Last weekend we Scott hung the Christmas lights, and we put up all of our Christmas decorations, which is not very many. I plan on buying up deals after Christmas to add to our collection. We did get some stockings as a gift from my aunt, which I'm very happy about! She said it was against the law to not have stockings.

I'm on the look out for some cutesy doggy stockings, so if you know of any, let your girl know!

Last week, Scott joined me and some of my work friends for our Holiday Happy Hour. I had a great time, minus overcoming my sickness. (I was so sick last week!! Sorry for the lack of posts).

I love my co-workers, and I'm glad we get along so well! We need to have another outing pronto!

Continuing our Christmas outings, last night I went with my future mother in law and my mom to the Austin Symphony Christmas Sing-along! I LOVE this Christmas tradition. This was my third time going to this concert. It puts me in the Christmas spirit, and gets me pumped up for the season. I love that the whole auditorium sings along and all the joyous kiddos excited to see Santa, Rodolph, and Frosty.

 Happy Wednesday friends!

Linking up with Shanna for some randomness Wednesday!!!

Ornament swap!

I had the pleasure of linking up with Rachel at Life as Mrs. and Christina at My Life, Laughs and Love for their Ornament Swap. This was my first ever ornament swap and I am very pleased with how it turned out. I had a blast getting to know my partner that I was paired up with!


I got partnered up with Tausha, the author behind Taush.0. Isn't that a clever title? I'm only assuming that's it's a play on words with the show Tosh.0, which I am a fan. So automatically, I was intrigued. As I began to read her blog, I learned that she has an adorable family that's expanding in the next month or maybe even sooner!!! She's going to be a mom y'all, to a precious baby girl! I've enjoyed reading her mommy updates, her love story with her husband Chad, and researching her adorable etsy shop where she sells cute burlap banners! Just a little info to keep in your back pocket!

I didn't get just one, but two ornaments from sweet Tausha!

About the swap... She must have read my blog for 2.5 seconds and noticed my love for my dog because her ornaments were spot on! My new puppy Melvin has literally become my best freind, so when I received these ornaments, I was thrilled.

Check out what I got her at this post!

I'm off to read what everyone else got from their swap partner! 

Happy Halloween!

Halloween got started a little bit early this year with a party on Friday! This is the first year in probably four years that I've gotten to dress up. I've forgotten how much fun it is!!! My friends Ruthie and Jon, some of you may know her through her blog, threw their first Halloween Hootenanny and Scott and I were thrilled to join them!

zoo keeper and panda

I also got to see some girls I hadn't seen in ages! Cassie being number one! I got to meet her hubby and introduce them to Scott. It was super great getting to chat with them, especially Cassie! So fun!
Next, I saw Sam! Sam and I used to live down the street from each other, but lost touch throughout high school. I'm so happy we've reconnected! They also have blogs as well so it's fun to keep up with their life, even if I don't get to see them often.

Me and Sam

I also got to meet two more Austin bloggers, Nikol and Shanna!

As for today, you'll see me in a different black and white costume. I persuaded some of my office friends to dress up as dominos with me! This costume is such a great idea for an office. It's quick, cheap, easy and super cute!

Soctt and I are looking forward to handing out candy to our little trick-or-treaters tonight and carving pumpkins in between!

What was your costume for Halloween? Send me a link or comment below!

Bailey meets Melvin

I had soooo much fun introducing Melvin to my BFF, Bailey! Her and Ed came over for a short bit last night in honor of meeting my new little pup. I think I have now convinced Bailey that she needs a Melvin of her own!(Sorry Ed!) But sadly, for us, Bailey and Ed will be moving in just two short weeks :( Not too much longer until they are off to the magical land of Orlando... Can somebody say Disney World?!?! Don't worry, it won't be long until we're heading East to visit them. :)

I'm getting ready

To Believe

I find myself singing this song all day long. It really hits home with everything going on in my life lately.

                 "But if I hold on tight, is it true?
                                     Would You take care of all that I do?
                          Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe."


Life
Stress has overcome my life at the moment. Family drama is happening all around me. So-and-so not getting along with whats-her-face, disagreements on decisions we've made about the wedding, costs of the wedding (Eeeeks), the guest list... it's overwhelming.
Friendships
Within the months of August through October, I will have lost two friends to two different states, and one friend to a different city... What's wrong with this picture?...I know people grow up and life happens, but it still makes me sad. Of course I won't be losing them forever, they just won't be here physically. I'm actually VERY excited for all three of them. They are following their hearts and goals in life. I definitely support their decisions. Oh, remember this girl, yeah, she's one of them. :'(
Health/Body
I have always had the worst teeth as a child and now as an adult. I can brush and brush and brush, but they just don't get stronger. I am one of the few people that still has their wisdom teeth too :( and now they are finally deciding to grow in and cause me pain. Hair loss is another issue, blaming stress for that. I've also been experiencing tummy aches and pains too, to where alka seltzer has become a close friend.

Just received these as a gift.
I have viewed all these things as negative, but God knew what he was doing when he decided to bombard me with these things all at once. He wouldn't throw something at me if I couldn't handle it, right? He's already made a clear difference in my life... All of those bad things have had something good come out of it. I prayed about them and he listened.

• People have started respecting our decisions corresponding to the wedding.
• I've reconnected with some old friends. I've joined a book club with one group, and a small group with another. Such a huge blessing to be connecting with new and old faces. Where there is loss, there is gain. This was part of the plan.
• My dental insurance just kicked in at a perfect time. I'm grateful to have such great coverage and affordable co-pays, if any at all.
• I've started developing a relationship with God. I've been praying on my own. Spent time alone, just Him and I. I'm currently working on being still and listening to what He's telling me. 

I believe that there is good in everything, you just have to ask for it sometimes. The song helps me realize this. It's easy to walk away and give up. The way I see "I'm getting ready" is a way to keep going, and believing no matter what is put in front of you, good or bad.

I'm putting all my faith in God, and he's listening to me. It's a great feeling to get a reaction, and so quickly. The timing on everything is just unbelievable. It's definitely a #Godthing.... ;)

and for your listening pleasure

A song that I hear and makes me think about my friends that are moving/have moved.


p.s. It's hard writing about your struggles.

Blessed Birthday: Part I

Yesterday, I celebrated my Birthday. This year I made ZERO plans for my actual Birthday day, we just decided to go with the flow. I knew we would get some Round Rock donuts, lounge around and watch football.

It was a rainy Sunday, which couldn't have been more perfect for being lazy.

We headed out in the pouring rain to go get a special treat. The best donuts in the world. No joke. Everyone, new or old to the Austin area, knows about Round Rock donuts.

We ate them in the car on the way back home.

We watched Bernie, which was a true story, filmed in Carthage Texas. It was really neat because besides about 3 actors, the rest of the "actors" were real people from the town. So cool!

We went to my parents house around 3 to watch the Cowboys lose. I fully expected to walk in to see my parents, brother and SIL, but instead I was awed with some of my closest friends and family and a house full of decorations. They were all there to celebrate me, and I had no idea about it! I can honestly say that has never happened. Nothing ever gets past me, Scott can tell you that ;)

I walked in with tears in my eyes, shocked! I was so surprised :) I felt so special seeing my friends there to celebrate my Birthday! My mom had my favorite restaurant in Georgetown delivered for the party. Dos Salsas if your curious. It was perfect!

It was such a humbling experience. I couldn't believe my mom put this together and managed to pull this off with out me knowing about it. I was overwhelmed with all the love that was around me. My heart was so happy and I couldn't stop smiling. It is a memory I will never forget.



BTW I think Birthdays=eat what ever you want. I can't wait to tell you what I ate this weekend. I'll post it in my next Birthday recap.

aka I will be hitting the gym hard today...

Happy Birthday to my BFF!!!

I wanted to give a shout out to my very bestest friend Bailstar!!! She's turning 24 years old today... old woman! Don't worry, I'll be right there with you in 17 days :) But you knew that. You knew when my Birthday was even before me...

 Brooke and Bailey, best buds since the age of 2!

22 years of friendship really can't be beat. We've served each other well over the years. Here are some of my favorite memories with you....

Skating, '91-present. And, yes we have our own roller skates because we're that cool!

  Senior year spring break at South Padre...we had a good time.

Many summer days spent at the lake.

Helping you out in times of need.

Our first Vegas trip together!

Being with you at your UT graduation this year! Grad lunch at jardin, only the best!

and soooo many other fun times.

Bailey,
I'm so happy to have you in my life and be a part of yours. You moving in two houses down from me when we were two, was a blessing. So grateful to have grown up with you and to see how far our friendship has come. In just a few months, you'll be standing next to me at my wedding*tear*  No one is more perfect for the part. I love you sweet friend! I can't wait to celebrate with you tonight and spend many more Birthdays together!

Love,
Brooke

Happy Monday!

Good morning friends and Happy Monday!

I'm actually not upset that it's Monday because it's really like Wednesday for me. I have a short week this week because I'm leaving town on Thursday. I'll let you know where I'm going in a different post ;)

This weekend was pretty eventful! It was spent with some friends, some family, the couch, and olymipic games. 

Friday started off right when I received the rest of my Engagement pictures! I posted about our teaser pictures in this post,  but if you'd like to see all of our pictures, click here to view the full gallery.  

Disclaimer: Some of them are ...uh...funny. You'll see for yourself. They aren't 100% but they'll make you laugh and say "aww". We aren't always the most photogenic or graceful people. :)

Shortly after I got home, we were off to the movies. We went to flix-brew house which is a lot like Alamo Drafthouse, where they serve food and drinks during the movie. I prefer Alamo, but our friends live so close to flix that it's really convenient. We saw The Watch. It was a funny movie, but I don't know if I'd recommend it...

Saturday morning I slept in until 7:30, which is two hours later than when I normally wake up. It was niiiiiice! Of course I couldn't let Scott sleep in, so we both woke up, ate cinnamon rolls and watched some Olympic games. I gave Mac a bath then got ready for my dress appointment. 

L:Macdroogles after his bath! He get SO crazy and charges the towel like he's a bull. Cracks me up!

R: All tuckered out laying in Scott's lap being a cuddle bug.

My future SIL met me for lunch before joining up with my dad and his family for the "buying of the dress". Ok, is it just me, or do wedding dresses run small?! They took my measurements for bust, waist, and hips and OMG I had to buy a dress 5 times my regular pants size because of my hips... talk about depressing!!! haha 

Saturday night I met up with some girlfriends from Texas State. We ate at Z Tejas on 6th. I was so happy to see them, especially our preggers friend Courtney! She's due in October and look how small she still is. I can't wait to meet her baby boy!

me, Maegan, Courtney, and Rachel

Maegan, Rachel and I headed down to W. 6th for some after dinner drinks that turned into a night of partying. I'm not one to go downtown very often so when I do, I make the best of it. W. 6th is the place to go to see people dressed like they are going to a slutty prom, and douch-bag guys... too harsh? But really, it's pretty bad! We had a great time people watching ;)

Sunday I took it easy. I was super tired and dehydrated from staying out until 1am. I was pretty worthless until about noon. While I cleaned house, Scott chopped down the rest of the tree(s). The plan was to cut down 1 dead tree in the backyard. 

 

L: 1 dead tree

R: What I came home to. 3. 3 trees gone! It looked like a war zone. 

Scott was very busy cleaning out all the branches and tree stumps. We've still got a lot of work ahead of us! We hope to plant an oak tree in the dead trees place.

As sad as I was to see our roommate move out, I was so happy to clean the bathroom and get it prepared for upgrading. Here's a picture of it currently. We aren't going to do a huge remodel, but we plan on getting a new medicine cabinet/mirror, repaint, and put up my bathroom set. It will make our guest bathroom look SO MUCH BETTER! The color in there is so dark, and the paint is starting to peel. I can't wait to get a fresh coat of paint in there.

Stay tuned for the "remodel" and have a great week!