The whole weekend was really wonderful. Instead of writing a lot of specifics, I am just going to caption all of the pictures and it will hopefully provide an accurate portrayal of the outstanding weekend.
Connor in the carseat on the way to Hilton Head Island, SC. He was very happy to have me and my mom as company in the back seat!
It took us a little over 3 and a half hours to get there from Macon and he was either smiling or sleeping the whole way!
Once we got settled into our little condo (not the best place, but it was cheap and provided shelter...) I headed to a bridesmaids lunch that Kristin hosted for us. We all met up at Truffles Cafe for a great meal and a chance for all of us to get to know each other a little better.
Kristin had 6 bridesmaids. Starting on the back row of this picture: me, Tricia (Kristin's cousin, wedding reader, and cosmetologist extraordinaire), Stefanie Henderson, Kelly Hamilton (sister & matron of honor), Allie Schellhammer (growing up friend), Alex Nathan (sister), Jess Laux (cousin), and Sarah Morgan (new sister-in-law).
Because I am a moron and have zero sense of direction, Stefanie an I barely had any time between the lunch and the beginning of the rehearsal. It turns out we were very close, but drove up and down 248 for WAY too long. God bless GPS, I just wish I wasn't so dependent!
Anyway, I don't have any pictures from the rehearsal, but Allie was kind enough to send me a few. We were escorted by the same guy, Dave. It turns out we have a TON of things in common. We are both "Allison", we got engaged on the same day (Sweetest Day) 6 years ago (Kristin got married on Sweetest Day too!), our babies are 2 weeks apart, she was born in Fairview Park, Ohio and my father-in-law is the police chief there! They have also managed to move even more times in their 5 year marriage than we have...including an overseas move to England! Anyway, it was lots of fun getting to know the Schellhammers....Allie, Joel, & baby Cate!
The rehearsal dinner tasted fantastic. Our table was lots of fun. I think everyone had a good time because I'm surprised I wasn't hoarse the next day from a night of talking pretty loud in order to be heard. :) Maybe I should have taken that as a sign to shut up?? Following the dinner, other guests were invited to join in for dessert and drinks. We were joined by other college sorority sisters, Nikki, Kelly, Meg, and Meg(an) and their significant others. It is events like these that remind me how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends. It makes living so far away a lot more difficult, but I also appreciate friendships and the time that we do have together even more. Oh, and let me just say that Kristin looked smokin' hot. I don't know what kind of workout routine, facials, hair treatment, whatever she was doing, I've never seen her look more beautiful than she did the entire weekend!
Nikki, Kelly, Kristin, Me, Meg, Megan, Stefanie
The only downside to the social hour was that we couldn't have Kristin all to ourselves. Here we are toasting her upcoming marriage to Ryan! Cheers K!
After not drinking for about 11 months, I was such a lightweight. I think I had 3, maybe 4 glasses of wine and I was feeling no pain. I was happy that Brian made himself right at home and picked up with my friends and
their husbands even after not seeing them for a few years. I am so thankful for my friends, but also that each of them have found wonderful men to make them happy. I really think it is rare to have a group that all gets along so well. We just have to make a big effort to all get together. Blair, we missed you....it wasn't as great because you weren't there!
Me and Kristin...of course Brian had to make one of his signature faces. I have one sans-Brian, but I just think it is funny. (K, I'll send you the normal one.)
The evening was a blast, but of course we had to be ship-shape for the Big Day! I took Connor by the clubhouse before we started getting dressed so Kristin could meet him! I didn't want him getting too close since her hair was already perfect!
Kristin's dress was absolutely gorgeous. It fit her perfectly (pictured with her sisters, Kelly and Alex getting her all zipped up). Tricia did an amazing job on her makeup too. Kristin's attention to detail even went into having paisley shaped rhinestone hair pieces at the back of her hair!
The picture of me and Allie, with Dave is from Allie (thanks) and lots of these others are from Kelly's Facebook page...thanks for letting me steal! I obviously didn't get to take any since I was standing with K!
First, the beautiful bride and her dad, Drew.
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Morgan!
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and the wind made Kristin's veil just float! All of the bridesmaids were very thankful for the coordinating green pashminas (sp?) that Kristin gave us as part of our gift because they helped warm us up after the ceremony. We only had chicken skin arms for a short time. :)
Kristin upholding tradition: something old=
the green paisley ribbon that was wrapped around her bouquet and ours. something new=lots of stuff...dress, etc. something borrowed=she wore Kelly's veil from her wedding. something blue=ribbon in her wedding panties.....I better not post that picture...
As I mentioned before everything coordinated perfectly and fit within the green, brown and paisley theme.
Even the cake had paisleys on it and the groom & groomsmen had green on green paisley ties! The program, dinner menu and even the font on the cake topper all matched.
Even Kristin's mom's beautiful mother-of-the-bride dress was stunning and GREEN!
As expected, the reception was tons of fun. The sisters of Sigma Kappa that were in attendance serenaded Kristin (in Ryan's lap) with our rendition of "Today". I think we sounded pretty dang good, if I do say so myself. :)
Not to be outdone, the groomsmen had to let Kristin know "she'd lost that lovin' feelin". I snapped this picture toward the end of the song and I just love it.
Elisa looks stunning....especially considering this was after 36 hours of labor, 26 with no meds, followed by a C-section!
Trotter Boys
His cheeks are too big for the head piece to be comfortable, but he humored us anyway. I've been told that the big white plume on his head also makes him resemble a pony or a horse. I agree, so I've included a picture of his back...perhaps the funniest part! And the front shows a big white belly and a red bow tie. We snapped this one before my mom got him a black long sleeved onesie and black 
fleece pants for underneath his costume.....thanks mom!
2 Months
Connor in the carseat on the way to Hilton Head Island, SC. He was very happy to have me and my mom as company in the back seat!
It took us a little over 3 and a half hours to get there from Macon and he was either smiling or sleeping the whole way!
Once we got settled into our little condo (not the best place, but it was cheap and provided shelter...) I headed to a bridesmaids lunch that Kristin hosted for us. We all met up at Truffles Cafe for a great meal and a chance for all of us to get to know each other a little better.
Kristin had 6 bridesmaids. Starting on the back row of this picture: me, Tricia (Kristin's cousin, wedding reader, and cosmetologist extraordinaire), Stefanie Henderson, Kelly Hamilton (sister & matron of honor), Allie Schellhammer (growing up friend), Alex Nathan (sister), Jess Laux (cousin), and Sarah Morgan (new sister-in-law).
Anyway, I don't have any pictures from the rehearsal, but Allie was kind enough to send me a few. We were escorted by the same guy, Dave. It turns out we have a TON of things in common. We are both "Allison", we got engaged on the same day (Sweetest Day) 6 years ago (Kristin got married on Sweetest Day too!), our babies are 2 weeks apart, she was born in Fairview Park, Ohio and my father-in-law is the police chief there! They have also managed to move even more times in their 5 year marriage than we have...including an overseas move to England! Anyway, it was lots of fun getting to know the Schellhammers....Allie, Joel, & baby Cate!
The rehearsal dinner tasted fantastic. Our table was lots of fun. I think everyone had a good time because I'm surprised I wasn't hoarse the next day from a night of talking pretty loud in order to be heard. :) Maybe I should have taken that as a sign to shut up?? Following the dinner, other guests were invited to join in for dessert and drinks. We were joined by other college sorority sisters, Nikki, Kelly, Meg, and Meg(an) and their significant others. It is events like these that remind me how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends. It makes living so far away a lot more difficult, but I also appreciate friendships and the time that we do have together even more. Oh, and let me just say that Kristin looked smokin' hot. I don't know what kind of workout routine, facials, hair treatment, whatever she was doing, I've never seen her look more beautiful than she did the entire weekend!
Nikki, Kelly, Kristin, Me, Meg, Megan, Stefanie
The only downside to the social hour was that we couldn't have Kristin all to ourselves. Here we are toasting her upcoming marriage to Ryan! Cheers K!
After not drinking for about 11 months, I was such a lightweight. I think I had 3, maybe 4 glasses of wine and I was feeling no pain. I was happy that Brian made himself right at home and picked up with my friends and 
their husbands even after not seeing them for a few years. I am so thankful for my friends, but also that each of them have found wonderful men to make them happy. I really think it is rare to have a group that all gets along so well. We just have to make a big effort to all get together. Blair, we missed you....it wasn't as great because you weren't there!
Me and Kristin...of course Brian had to make one of his signature faces. I have one sans-Brian, but I just think it is funny. (K, I'll send you the normal one.)
The picture of me and Allie, with Dave is from Allie (thanks) and lots of these others are from Kelly's Facebook page...thanks for letting me steal! I obviously didn't get to take any since I was standing with K!
First, the beautiful bride and her dad, Drew.
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Morgan!
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and the wind made Kristin's veil just float! All of the bridesmaids were very thankful for the coordinating green pashminas (sp?) that Kristin gave us as part of our gift because they helped warm us up after the ceremony. We only had chicken skin arms for a short time. :)
the green paisley ribbon that was wrapped around her bouquet and ours. something new=lots of stuff...dress, etc. something borrowed=she wore Kelly's veil from her wedding. something blue=ribbon in her wedding panties.....I better not post that picture...
Even the cake had paisleys on it and the groom & groomsmen had green on green paisley ties! The program, dinner menu and even the font on the cake topper all matched. 
Even Kristin's mom's beautiful mother-of-the-bride dress was stunning and GREEN!
As expected, the reception was tons of fun. The sisters of Sigma Kappa that were in attendance serenaded Kristin (in Ryan's lap) with our rendition of "Today". I think we sounded pretty dang good, if I do say so myself. :)
Not to be outdone, the groomsmen had to let Kristin know "she'd lost that lovin' feelin". I snapped this picture toward the end of the song and I just love it.
The Crew. (minus Blair)
And they're off! CONGRATULATIONS!
Meanwhile......while we were having a good time with all the wedding stuff, our stud of a son was on his very first date with Cate! My mom and dad took care of both babies (Connor 8 weeks, Cate 10 weeks) during the reception. 
Thanks again for this big favor that allowed us to have a good time with other grown-ups! My mom and dad said they were both really good, but I don't think they will be opening a day care any time soon. :)
We drove back to Macon on Sunday morning and Grant and Carrie were there waiting for us! This was the first time the new aunt and uncle got to meet the little man and it was so fun getting to see them with him. Carrie started out hesitant (to feed him, etc.) and in about 30 seconds she looked like an old pro. I can't wait to be around them for an extended time at Christmas and by that time, Connor will get to meet Aunt Elisa, Uncle Christian and their new little boy that can come anytime now! Christmas should be lots of FUN!
Carrie was also a wonderful help with Connor and as photographer when we went to a baby shower for Julie Self. I was so lucky to happen to be in town for this event. Time was very limited, so we only got to stop by for a short time, but again, it was so great to catch up with childhood/high school friends. 
Julie looks absolutely amazing and she will welcome their little bundle of joy in about 5 weeks now. I absolutely love the picture I have of her with Connor. She is such a natural! I also got to see my good friend Ashley and meet her 6 month old, Shane for the first time! I still can't believe he has red hair, but what a cutie!
Meagin (Clark) Miller also came over and brought her new daugher, Baylee. She is about 3.5 weeks older than Connor and such a cutie! We didn't get to spend much time together, but it is always fun to be around someone that knows EXACTLY what you are going through! We did a little baby swap for this picture...me with Baylee and Meagin with Connor. :)
My mom was "sick" on Monday and Tuesday from school...hey, she would have been sick if she had gone to school! We had a fun time. I got to rest and relax quite a bit (YAY!). On Monday I got together with Aubrey and her daughter, Abigail and then we all went over to see Melissa and Ella. All of our parents are in the same neighborhood, so when we are lucky enough to be in town at the same time, meeting up is a blast. I know that Connor is still very little, but compared to his birth size, he is HUGE to me now. All of that was put into perspective when we got around Abigail (exactly 1 year older than Connor..14 months, and Ella - 18 months). They aren't even babies anymore....they are KIDS! What a hoot. I couldn't believe how Connor just laid on a little exercise mat at the Benson's and was entertained by the constant action of the girls. I feel bad because I really do think sometimes he just gets bored. Anyway, it was so cool to see my old friends and their babies too. I still feel like a kid myself, but being around all these fine people made me feel a little more like a grown-up. :)
Abigail (14 months) • Connor (2 months) • Ella (18 months)
The flight home last night wore me out. Of course when B was with us, he slept the entire time and didn't make a peep on the way south, but coming home our flight was delayed out of Atlanta (surprise surprise) and he was awake until the last 10 mintues of the flight! Pictures from Akron to Atlanta flight.....Connor's first plane ride! Of course I did not partake in the in-flight snack or beverage.....I was bouncing a baby around, swaying, leaning back and forth and trying to keep the kid entertained or fed the entire time. It is so hard because I couldn't stand up with him or lay him down or anything like that. 
If you have an "infant in arms" you are only allowed to sit on one side of the plane (extra gas mask) and not in an aisle seat. I guess I was successful in keeping him quiet because he only squealed..not screamed....about 3 times and the lady sitting directly in front of me confronted me at the baggage claim and said "wow, he slept the whole time, huh!"....WRONG, but at least no one else was disturbed. I am thankful that he was good for being awake and the pressure didn't bother him at all despite refusing to take a pacifier or drink anything during takeoff or landing!
Ok, so I still have pictures from Connor's first football game...Scott's Baldwin Wallace game a few weeks ago and some time we spent at the Nealon's. Leslie put him in his blue teddy bear suit
clothes were being washed....she just couldn't resist. He seemed to really like it too because he was smiling up a storm!
