Rehearsal Dinner & Bleeding Armadillos

So they say getting married is easy, at least the act of actually walking down the isle and saying "I do." I would agree with that, to a point. With 11 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen our wedding was a little more complicated than most. But, we had a great wedding coordinator at the church who really go us in line. The day before the wedding we had the rehearsal and then the rehearsal dinner. Bobby's parents were gracious enough to host the Rehearsal Dinner for us the night before the big day at the Museum of Art in Marietta. What a great venue. The history of the building is amazing, once the post office, then the library and now the museum. Bobby and I fell in love with the idea of having the event there one night at a Martini's and Art event they have there showcasing their new exhibits. This month's exhibit is a bit different than the norm. The exhibit is Tindel Michi: Relics, a collection of art by two guys who are supposedly influenced by the South. It was all nice work, but some was a little different. Specially the bee hive that was hung strategically in the middle of the room where the buffet for dinner was to be:

Along with the venue choice I originally had a few things planned. But as anyone who has planned a wedding knows, not everything goes as you plan it. Bobby loves Southern inspired things, art, music and specially movies. One of these movies is Steel Magnolias. In the movie at the wedding of Shelby and Jackson, the groomsman cake is a bleeding armadillo. Whenever Bobby can he quotes that movie and loves to say "Jackson wants a bleeding Armadillo Cake." So I thought I would surprise him with a bleeding armadillo. It took a lot of maneuvering and few back and fourths, but we got the cake and it was perfect. Gabriels put it together for us and we couldn't have asked for a better cake. Bobby LOVED it. Over all the night was wonderful. Everyone got into town, we rehearsed, got to catch up, heard some wonderful toasts (more to come on that) and had a chance to spend our last night as single people with our closest friends and family.

I didn't get too many pictures at the rehearsal dinner because I didn't have my camera and I was a bit distracted with family and friends. But, I got a few, see below:

Snow, Ice, More Snow and The Start of Forever

It's official, I'm Mrs. Johnson. In the last week and a half we had the biggest snow storm since 1993 hit Atlanta, we got married, spent a week in the Bahamas and are now back to work. What a whirlwind of events. I've been going back and forth about starting a new married blog since I changed my last name and will no longer be using the email connected to this blog, but I haven't gotten there yet. So for now we're keeping the Adventures of Gus and will be using this blog jointly as the Johnsons. I just love how that sounds "The Johnsons." There is a lot to blog about and to catch up on, so work with me and I hope to have everything posted by this weekend.

Where to start... How about the Bridesmaid Luncheon:

The snow hit Marietta/Atlanta the Sunday before our wedding and it was cold, icy and a mess for our city. I wasn't worried because I figured it would clear out in plenty of time to get everyone in town and warmed up. However, I didn't even think about the delivery of flowers, food, beverages and the mess the airports would be. On a whole we only had a few small glitches and a few people who had to rearrange their flights, but for the most part everything went as planned even in the snow and ice.

We held the Bridesmaid Luncheon (hosted by my sweet mom and sister!) at a small cafe on the Marietta Square, Vineyard Cafe. It is a cute little tea room that has the best Chicken Salad and wonderful dessert. I was just happy to see all the girls as they got into town. We also included the MOB, flower girls, greeters and a few aunts and cousins who came in early. Overall it was a great lunch and a wonderful way to kick off the wedding festivities.

Wedding Week

It's officially wedding week and also Winter Storm 2011. I can not believe the snow we got. Several inches of the fluffy stuff and ice on top. I love the snow, but just for a day or two, after that I'd like it all to melt and go home. Lets just hope it does melt by this weekend and that we can get everyone safely into town for the wedding. This past weekend was a mad dash to get things done, but I think we're set. Recap below:

Little Mia Claire Phillips was born Friday at Northside and is happy and healthy. She came with a full head of hair and looks just like her older sister Jolie. Bobby and I made the trip by to see her and took a few shots. Mom and Dad are both doing well too and Mia is going to be a great addition to the Phillips Family.

We had the house painted this past week and have put it on the market. We weren't really planning to do this until after the wedding, but we thought now or never. We're hoping it sells quickly and we can either start building or get moved by early Spring. We love this house, but really just need a little more space. It's a great 3 bedroom, 1 bath (shameless plug) if anyone is interested.

Wedding in 4 days! Rings are sized, tuxes ordered and ready, dress fits , bridesmaids are set and I think we really are just waiting for the 15th to come. We'll be Mr. & Mrs. Johnson very soon.

Sorry for the random post but on this snow day I'm just getting it all out while also entertaining the pups, who love the snow by the way, its adorable. I'll get pictures and post soon.

Happy Snow Day #2.

Giggy Style - More Wedding Distractions

In an effort to keep myself distracted from being stressed about the wedding, I have been catching up on my reality TV. Last night I watched a few episodes of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills while I worked on my scrapbook. I decided I was going to get caught up on my scrapbook this week - of all weeks right?? But, I want to have everything up to the wedding done, before the wedding.

Then while watching the lovely ladies of Beverly Hills I realized that if I died and came back as a dog I'd like to be Giggy. Giggy is Lisa VanderPump's dog on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. He looks like a little stuffed animal that Lisa takes everywhere she goes. He is a very spoiled dog, which would be ok with me if I was him. In the season premiere I think believe she even fed him breakfast on a tray in bed. He even has his own cabana. While they have other dogs, Giggy is the main man. At the end of the day if Sadie was smaller I'd take her everywhere too!

Wedding Distractions

10 Days and Counting! We get married in 10 days. I hope that I don't become that crazy bride that can't stop talking about her wedding, but if that does happen, you guys only have to put up with it for 10 more days. Then I'll be Mrs. Johnson!! Not that I want to rub it in, but he's great and he's all mine, woohoo! In the latest distraction from the wedding the new season of the Bachelor started. Bobby wasn't too happy about it, but I did convince him to let me watch the last 15 minutes. I caught up on the rest online the day after in my blog reading. From what I can tell, after three years of therapy, Brad Womack is returning to "The Bachelor" to show he's a changed man and is ready to love again. Therapy, really? Not sure they needed to highlight that so often, but who knows. I personally think everyone could use a little therapy here and there. If you didn't watch his season, which somehow I missed, you should know he's been the Bachelor before and when it got down to the last rose he didn't pick either of the woman. They were both really upset and apparently so were a lot of the woman in America. I think its just a TV show, but then again it is the rest of your life. (Yes, I have figured that out recently, woohoo)

The first rose ceremony this week eliminated ten ladies who just couldn't impress the pants off him. I personally think he chose well, but then again there are always a few you have to question. Its always easier looking in. Now 20 women remain in the competition for reality TV love, and of course host Chris Harrison is ready to regulate this drama infused love fest. I can't wait and of course have added this to TiVo. When we get back from our honeymoon we'll have a lot to catch up on.

10 days 10 days, 10 days, 10 days, 10 days!!!

Memphis for the Ribs

So our Memphis trip for New Years turned out to be a great trip minus the football game. The Liberty Bowl was fun and everything surrounding "a bowl" was fun, but the outcome was not so fun. We took the shuttle from the hotel to the game and went to the bowl tailgate where we saw a great band, the UGA cheerleaders, the Red Coat Band, Hairy Dawg, and lots of Georgia Fans. The rain even held off until the last few minutes of the game, which was nice. After the game Bobby was so bummer we just went back to the hotel for sushi and Sakai and went to bed early. I missed the count down, which was sad, but according to friends of ours we really didn't miss much on Beal Street. Then Saturday morning we got up, saw the Ducks @ the Peabody, had some of the best Ribs ever at Rendezvous and headed home. Overall it was a great trip to Memphis and we'd love to go back. After all we went for the Ribs and they were fabulous.