wonderful weekend of family
The weekend was amazing, as I knew it would be. I regret that I have so little time left for my paper, but I do not regret that I enjoyed myself all weekend and spent such great quality time with my extended family. This summer has been full of weekends and events and time with Casey and friends that I don't regret, even though they've taken me away from my academics. I just need to work really hard in the next few days. Too bad I haven't been able to do that yet today... though I did all my budgeting! It's nice to just have an organized, clear record of where your money's going out and coming in. And because my parents and the Bolands have each chipped in for my dental bills and the car battery respectively, and to help with life's little unexpected expenses in general, we didn't do as bad this summer without my SLU paycheck as I thought we might! The few little paychecks and tips from Pasta House have also made more of a difference than I expected. I'm glad I did have this summer job, but I certainly am looking forward to quitting!
I love my huge loud family and I'm glad Susie, Margie, Rosemary, and Laurie each made the trips into LZ so all the aunts were in one place! I don't know how to really update about the whole weekend with them, but Jamie's shower, Luke's birthday, Grammie's 75 birthday dinner, and my engagement party made for a great weekend of celebrating. I think one of my favorite moments was when Grammie was reading through the 75 hearts with memories of Grammie or reasons we love her, and one of Papa's was "I love that you nag me loud enough for me to hear." Many of those hearts were hilarious, and many were just really sweet. I was also really glad to see the little cousins as they're growing up, especially Luke and Brady, who always seem to have grown SO much each time I see them.
The engagement party was also wonderful. Grandma had the cutest decorations and party favors - I ate M&Ms that said "Amy and Casey" on them, and my silverware was held in engagement ring napkin holders - so cute. And the spread of food was just outstanding. Grandma and all who brought stuff really outdid themselves. I didn't realize the party was going to be such a big 'to-do' with presents and stuff but I'm glad it was! It made the whole event of us getting engaged feel very special and exciting. Casey said the night before that he always wants to really feel the significance of big events in life, and was glad the party really made us feel the excitement and significance of getting engaged all over again. I loved that. My favorite parts of the party were the big family photo that Grandma and Mike organized that included Casey's parents and brother in with ALL my big extended family (minus Dad, DB and a few others not in attendance) which is so nice to have, Laurie's "official wedding kit" where she hilariously and cleverly provided us with ALL we needed for the wedding including the cake and the $10.40 cash we'd need for our CO marriage certificate (I guess my planning is done!), and doing Jamie's wedding mad libs - "She thought he was fuzzy and a little sexy." All the presents were so so great, and all things we'll totally use, which is always a bonus. I'm already using the new cute summer placemats and dishes my sister got me!
ok. to my paper now I suppose...
I love my huge loud family and I'm glad Susie, Margie, Rosemary, and Laurie each made the trips into LZ so all the aunts were in one place! I don't know how to really update about the whole weekend with them, but Jamie's shower, Luke's birthday, Grammie's 75 birthday dinner, and my engagement party made for a great weekend of celebrating. I think one of my favorite moments was when Grammie was reading through the 75 hearts with memories of Grammie or reasons we love her, and one of Papa's was "I love that you nag me loud enough for me to hear." Many of those hearts were hilarious, and many were just really sweet. I was also really glad to see the little cousins as they're growing up, especially Luke and Brady, who always seem to have grown SO much each time I see them.
The engagement party was also wonderful. Grandma had the cutest decorations and party favors - I ate M&Ms that said "Amy and Casey" on them, and my silverware was held in engagement ring napkin holders - so cute. And the spread of food was just outstanding. Grandma and all who brought stuff really outdid themselves. I didn't realize the party was going to be such a big 'to-do' with presents and stuff but I'm glad it was! It made the whole event of us getting engaged feel very special and exciting. Casey said the night before that he always wants to really feel the significance of big events in life, and was glad the party really made us feel the excitement and significance of getting engaged all over again. I loved that. My favorite parts of the party were the big family photo that Grandma and Mike organized that included Casey's parents and brother in with ALL my big extended family (minus Dad, DB and a few others not in attendance) which is so nice to have, Laurie's "official wedding kit" where she hilariously and cleverly provided us with ALL we needed for the wedding including the cake and the $10.40 cash we'd need for our CO marriage certificate (I guess my planning is done!), and doing Jamie's wedding mad libs - "She thought he was fuzzy and a little sexy." All the presents were so so great, and all things we'll totally use, which is always a bonus. I'm already using the new cute summer placemats and dishes my sister got me!
ok. to my paper now I suppose...