Trash The Dress at Crystal Cove ~ First Date Revisit....

Tim and I had our first date at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, California.  It's the location of our engagement photos and, if money were no object, we would have loved to have had our wedding reception there too!  So when I got the crazy idea to take my dress into the ocean (and Tim in a replica wedding ensemble) and have Melvin photograph the event, Crystal Cove is where we headed!

A heavy photo post, but I couldn't narrow it down to our top few! 

What an awesome experience.  Oh, and by the way, my dress did not get trashed!  The staines (rose petal staines, In-N-Out Burger, dirt...) all were washed clean in the ocean's salt water!  I popped it in the washing machine when I got home and let it air dry.  Other than some sand here and there it's pretty restored!  I saved the $150+ "preservation" fee by packing it in a rubber bin.  Someday our little girls can play dress up.  I won't worry one bit if it gets a little dirty!

Bridal Shower #2 ~ Blessed

What a blessed bride to be I am!  My friends and family hosted a bridal shower for me.  Two parties in my honor in two weeks.  I'm loving this and am so very grateful!  

The Shower was at The Morettas house.  I have known them my entire life.  My dad went to Junior High and High School with Pat, the officiant of our wedding!  I'm excited for my future children (God willing) to meet the friends that I've had since childhood.

Amy made these yummy dipped pretzels and did the flower arrangements.  So pretty.  My bridesmaids and sister Janice helped out with yummy food and fun games.

And the presents.  Oh em gee.  So unexpected.  Tim and I were not expecting gifts to this magnitude.  We will put everything to good use and are excited to host our loved ones in our home.

Rachel, my maid of honor was the game planner.  So much fun!!

Our youngest guest, my second cousin, sweet Amelia Jean.

Carly (who sometimes likes to be called Balto) my second cousin with her mom, Michele.  Carly is going to be a greeter at The Wedding.

My "Hughie" girl cousins

It was awesome to have women who have loved and supported me through many different phases of life.  My cousins and sister who have I have grown up with, friends from elementary school, Church, work and life.  What an honor to know these souls!

The Blessed Beaming Bride to be

The guests drew me in my wedding gown on their heads.

Rachel got it on tape

I picked the winner.  Janice, my sister, took the honor.

We played, How well do you know Timinda (with different questions from last week's game!) and I got a kick out of some of the answers.  Rachel and Makailynn asked Timothy and I questions individually, so we didn't know each other's answers.  I laughed at some of their guesses to the answers!

Amelia, Megan, Maureen and Me

I loved all of our gifts.  We are all set now!

 

We were given several of our place setting to our china.  We're excited to USE our China for more than just special occasions... because every day to is to be celebrated!  Timothy and I picked out the pattern together.  It's Kate Spade Library Lane Platinum.  I think it will be timeless and look forward to decades from now when are home is full of Blalocks and Hughies and we can think back to this special time when we were given these place settings.  I'm nostalgic and sappy... and grateful!

We were given THREE popcorn poppers.  (And a snow cone maker too... wanna' have a carnival at our place?)  I love how people know how much we love popcorn.  It's a nightly ritual.  Popcorn, Pajamas and a bit of TV.  We'll put ONE of them to good use.  The other two will be transformed into other kitchen gadgets.  Timothy wants a cotton candy maker.  Should be fun to find space in our 750 sq feet cottage!



The cake was amazing.  Amy was disappointed in the artistic freedom that the Mexican Bakery used with the decorations.  But I loved it!! It's fits our Spanish Mission Themed wedding, AND it tasted amazing.  It was a Tres Leches cake.  YUM!!!

Thank you to my girls for helping me celebrate my upcoming wedding.  My cup runeth over!!!

In one month...

...we will become Mr. and Mrs. Timothy and Melinda Blalock

We will marry the one

...we laugh with

...live for

...and love

***Photo along McKenzie River in Oregon***



Bridal Shower #1 With My Oregon Peeps

 

My bridesmaids and little sister Dana hosted my first bridal shower.  We got to have it at Dana's house.  Everything was just perfect.

 Olivia, Lindsey, The Future Mrs. Blalock and Tirza.  Tirza has to stay behind in Oregon due to being seven months pregnant so she' s become an honorary bridesmaid.  We've been planing my wedding since we were in Junior High... so it won't be the same without her.  But taking care of herself and baby to be Silas is important, so we'll just have to celebrate another time!

Dana, her hubby Nick and Elle moved into their new house a few weeks ago.  My parents helped them to bust their buns to get everything unpacked, put away, "upgraded" and ready to host my shower.  I'm so grateful!!

Lindsey made so many sweet things.  I love the favors ~ black and white bags with Tiffany box blue bows filled with my favorite candy, and a favorite engagement photo for our guests.  

Flowers from Tirza's garden and color coordinated plates, napkins and silverware.

My family friend, Pam, made delicious cupcakes.  She even made gluten free ones for me.  YUM!

 

 

I got some great marital advice courtesy of my friends and family.

And I got so excited to see presents with my new name adorning cards and presents!

Tirza and me

With Lin ~ a family friend who has known me since my family moved to Oregon in the early 90's.

My sweet Lindsey and me

Tirza and Olivia ~ friends since Junior High

My friend Misty came from work to help me celebrate.

Sonia, Nicolas, Michael and JulieAnna.  JulieAnna and my sister Dana have been friends since they were 18 months old.

JulieAnna and MPG

Elle and Nicolas were right in the middle of all the action!

Everyone was so generous and thoughtful.  Timothy and I will have many fun things to fill our home with.

YAY!  Gluten free cake and pancake mix.  I can't wait to try them! Thanks, Pam!!

Everyone gave me a hard time with how incredibly LOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG our wedding registry is.  I blame the Fiestaware for the length.  Every color of cup, bowl, plate, serving piece gets its own dedicated entry!

The game How well do you know Timinda?  revealed how well our friends and family know us.  (And if they pay attention!)

Thank you so much to my friends and family!  We are so grateful for your generosity!

Look at that beautiful ring, Olivia!!!  She tried my ring on for kicks.  Good thing, because I just know she's going to be the next bride!!!!!