Showered with love

Months ago my MOH asked me what I wanted to do for my bridal shower and bachelorette party, I think I responded with "Chicago" and "wine".  The shower concept is kind of weird to me - I mean isn't the wedding enough of people showering us with gifts and attention?  Do I really deserve another entire day?  I was cautiously optimistic about the whole concept but it felt weird.  I like to be the one planning and executing, I like to do this stuff for others and the thought of others doing it for me made me frankly a little uncomfortable.  I obviously had zero idea of how absolutely amazing the weekend would be... be ready for some exclamation marks and gushing because it was one weekend I will never ever forget!

Mom, Crissy and Alice came to Chicago on Friday.  We started on the wedding seating chart, did a little shopping, watched a movie and went to dinner.  They surprised me with a book they made for me where my family/wedding party wrote letters to me and submitted pictures - Oh man was I a big pile of emotions reading that!  What a beautiful surprise!

 With my wonderful friend and Maid of Honor - Crissy.

 Mom and I.

With my sister in law, Alice.

Dinner was wonderful and we got to catch up and spend some time together.  Saturday morning we got ready, went for brunch and headed over to prepare for the shower.

My friend Allison offered to host the shower at her house.  Between the decorations and treats and food and wine, it was my kind of party!  Allison was even sweet enough to hire Cory, he was there to educate us about wine and keep our glasses full.  He was a wonderful surprise!  Every put in so much time and effort and made this day so special!  I know more people helped than I even know about - so thank you to you all!!

 My family traveled from Iowa and Missouri to be there.  I really appreciate them so much!

Aunt Shelley, Aunt Kelly, Grandma Rosie, Mom and Alice.

 Have I mentioned how much I love my momma?  Isn't she so pretty? 

 The wine set up... or as I like to call it... HEAVEN

 The family listening to Cory talk about wine... more heaven!

 Ok I LOVE LOVE LOVE me a monogram!!  Courtland made these cookies - so ADORABLE!

 Allison and Crissy - I think between these two girls - they could run the world!  I really appreciate you Crissy for all your planning and everything you did for the weekend - BEST MOH EVER!  Allison - thank you for making this such a memorable day!

 So for Crissy's shower I made her play a game where I asked Jeff 10 questions and then asked them to Crissy, for every one she got wrong she had to put a piece of bubble gum in and chew it - like not a stick of gum, those BIG chunks... well it was pay back!!  Thank GOD I only got 3 wrong! 

 Bart's cousin got me this hat - it says "I love my polish husband"!  It is so freaking cute!  I love that girl!  Oh and Bart loves this picture even though I look like a chunky monkey!!

 Stephanie, Elvin and Crystal.  I loved seeing friends who didn't know many people meeting new people and making new friends.  This is going to be even more fun for the wedding!

 Kristine and Cristie :-)

 My future MIL :-).  My soon to be aunt was also in attendance but I missed a photo op with her :-(.  They also traveled to be there!

 Sweet Chelsea!  I told the story at my shower but it's funny because Chelsea is one of Bart's friends and you never know when you meet your man's female friends - but Chelsea and her husband and babies have been so welcoming and great to us!

Nancy and Jenn - these are two of the funnest girls I know - both laugh and have so much fun all the time!  Just being around them makes me happy. 

As I was opening gifts, I kept thinking how lucky I was.  All of these people that I love in one room, here for me.  People traveled and took time away from their families just to make my day special.  I don't think you really realize the overwhelming feeling until you're in that situation.  I was not prepared for the emotion of it all but I will tell you it made me even 100x more excited for the wedding.  The shower went by so fast I don't know if I talked to everyone or got pictures with everyone but it's a good reminder for the wedding day and that it's going to go so fast and I need to take that same moment to just feel - feel the emotion, feel the love and just remember every second of it.

Next, a quick wardrobe change and off to the bachelorette party... (sappy time over)...

 Dinner at Mastros

 I think I drank the equivelant of all those bottles of champs combined :-( :-( :-(

 This pic is amazing

 Amazing pic of Elvin - terrible of yours truly 

 At red head piano bar - got the VP area - it was so so so fun!!  

And change your pose...

By far one of the best days of my life.  I cannot thank everyone enough for making the weekend so wonderful!  From the traveling to decorating to planning to baking to appetizer making to showering me with love - a weekend I will never forget.  

I love all you ladies so much - can't wait for the wedding!!!