Hawaiian Bridal Luncheon


With my mom.


With my mom and dad. My dad gave me these flowers!


Festive Hawaiian Table


With Cousin Dawn


Cousin Kelly, Kelly’s daughter Margo, Mom, Mom’s friend Maureen


Cousin Kelly’s daughter Margo


Cousin Marla, Marla’s daughters Mya and Ella, Cousin Kelly and Kelly’s daughter Katie, Aunt Connie


With my niece Jessica and Cousin Kelly’s other daughters, Tessa and Charlotte


Aunt Connie and Charlotte


Mom & Cousin Dawn. I don’t know what they’re pointing at.


Aunt Connie, Mom & Cousin Dawn. I don’t know what they’re pointing at.


Ella


Aunt Deb, Cousin Erica and Erica’s daughter Ella


With Aunt Deb, Cousin Erica and Erica’s daughter Ella


Aunt Sue and My Mom’s Cousin Jane


Jane’s Daughter Jessica and Jessica’s Daughter, Abigail


With my sister-in-law Amanda


Cousins Skyonna and Katrina. I babysat for Katrina very regularly from her birth on!


Cousin Sky. I kept thinking she was older, but she is only 14!


Me!


Me and my mom.


Time for gifts.


Ella, My Niece Jessica, Abi


My Aunt Sue wrote a poem for me inside this card.


Ella helping out. Or something.


Jessica & Abi


Ella & Jessica.


Cousin Marla, her daughter Mya, Kelly’s daughter Kate, Aunt Connie, Cousin Kelly


Cousin Kelly & Aunt Sue made these coasters for us using our engagement photos.


Margo with a lei!


Everyone was so generous with the presents!


My mom gave us this sculpture that looks like two pieces but really is one.


Ella & Tessa helping out.


Maureen gave us these personalized towels.


Abi and Ella helping out.


Abi and Ella helping out.


My cousin Erica and her daughter Ella.


Ella drawing.


Abi and her drawing.


Chocolate macadamia nut brownies.


With Aunt Sue and mom.


With all of my mom’s sisters: Alice, Sue, Wanda & Connie


With all of my mom’s sisters: Alice, Sue, Wanda & Connie


Jane’s Husband Gene and my dad


My Aunt Ali


Tessa trying to see how many leis she can wear!


Cousin Skyonna


Charlotte


Charlotte


Margo


Jessica


Sister-in-Law Amanda and Niece Jessica


Dad


Mike came to pick up Katrina. They are engaged too!


Jessica being crazy!


With my Uncle Dave

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, my mom hosted a Hawaiian-themed bridal luncheon for me. My parents really went all out on this one with the food and drinks. We had

  • Salted Macademia Nuts
  • Chocolate-Covered Macademia Nuts
  • Taro Chips
  • Fresh Coconut Pieces
  • Fresh Pineapple Chunks
  • Fruit Salad
  • Lettuce Salad w/ Toasted Macademia Nuts, Toasted Coconut, Pineapple, Bacon and a homemade Pineapple Vinaigrette
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Sweet & Sour Meatballs
  • Kalua Pig on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple Skewers
  • Pistachio Pudding Salad
  • Orange Dreamsicle Puff
  • White Chocolate Macademia Nut Brownies
  • Hawaiian Party Punch (with or without Skyy Pineapple Vodka)

Amanda, Stephanie and Jessica were in charge of decorations and party supplies. They did such a great job with wall hangings, garland, plates, napkins, utensils, drink umbrellas and stir sticks, leis… so much fun Hawaiian/tropical party things.

Since my brother lives and hour and a half from us here in Chicago and my parents live about two or two and a half hours from my brother, many times we meet there and do things around the Milwaukee area. Or even just hang out at my brother’s house because it’s kind of a central location. This is great, but also means that I don’t see a ton of my family that lives farther away, farther north. It was so great to see so many of my aunts and cousins. I was so happy that many of them were able to make it to the party.

I did not want anyone to feel obligated to bring gifts, I just wanted to see everyone, but my family was so generous and brought gifts anyway. My aunt Sue even wrote a poem for Dallas and I. And she and my cousin Kelly handmade coasters for us with our engagement photos on them! And we received so many great things for the kitchen and bathroom. And new luggage. And a beautiful Kenyan wedding sculpture. And I could go on and on. A big thank you to everyone for being so generous!

Thanks so much to my parents, Amanda, and my nieces for planning everything. And to all of my aunts and cousins for coming out and making it a great day. We will be thinking of everyone while we are away in Hawaii and you will be there with us in spirit, I know!

Abigail Lauren

Abigail LaurenToday, at 4 a.m. Mark & Wendy welcomed Abigail Lauren into their family. I wish I’d moved one month later so I wouldn’t have missed the baby shower & the birth but I will be seeing everyone soon enough. I’m so excited for them and for their families. Congrats & good luck to everyone!