Lots of Updates!

It seems like I may have lost my way in the whole blogging thing...it's been a long time since I've updated this and we've had plenty of fun "love story" things happen! We are closing in on the 6 month mark so I feel like the "real countdown" is about to begin!

Let's see...where do I begin.....

Mike and I decided to stay for an extra day at the BEGINNING of our wedding trip...We'll be arriving on Monday, January 18 and will head back to reality the following Wednesday. Mike is convinced that *I* will need the extra time to get comfortable with everything...I just nod and agree with him because I know it will be *he* who needs the extra time! This will actually work out great - we'll be there by Monday evening and will have all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday to make sure everything is in place before our guests arrive.

We also confirmed a Welcome Reception on the day when most guests will arrive - I am very excited about this - I really wanted to have an opportunity to get everyone together at the beginning of the trip so this worked out perfectly!

Mike finally got a copy of his birth certificate so we could submit his application for a passport! Wouldn't it be something if the groom couldn't attend the wedding?

Mike decided on his bachelor party plans...he and our friend Jason decided to do a joint bachelor party (Jason and Nicole are getting married on September 19). Mike and Jason have almost all of the same friends so it just made sense for them to do it together. They will be going to Grand Traverse Resort in Grand Traverse, Michigan, August 7-9. They'll have a couple of full days of golfing and I'm pretty certain they'll have a couple of full nights of "fun" too. Boys will be boys so I just try not to think about it!

I'm not having a traditional bachelorette party, but I am lucky to have Amber, Andra and Katie come to Chicago for the weekend with me while Mike is away for his party! I am really looking forward to spending time with them...we already have plans to have manicures and eat at one of our favorite places...Flattop Grill! I think we might have a little "fun" of our own, too!

We are having engagement pictures taken on Sunday! I am very excited about these...we're lucky to know the photographer - Lindsay (she's a dear friend of our friend, Nicole). She takes absolutely amazing pictures and we have some fun things in mind for our shoot! Of course, I had to twist Mike's arm to get him to agree ("but we're not having a TRADITIONAL wedding! Engagement pictures are TRADITIONAL!")...thankfully he realized this sorta' means a lot to me so he was quick to oblige... Check out Lindsay's website for her work - she really has an eye for capturing people and their expressions - http://www.bellajackson.com/. (The first couple you see when you enter her site is Jason and Nicole!)

And yes, I already have her on retainer for when we are lucky enough to have a maternity photo shoot!

And last but not least...we had an engagement party last Sunday! Andra, Lynne and Katie threw a great party for us and lots of family and friends were able to join us. I know how much work goes into "small little parties" and we are both so thankful for everything they did for us! I've posted all of our pictures on our wedding website: http://mikeandshelby.weddingwindow.com/index.cfm?fa=photo

Here are just a few!

We had a great time and it is truly starting to feel like the wedding date is closing in! Most nights I lay in bed and think about our wedding and how much fun we will have together and with so many people we care about. It's hard to believe sometimes, just how perfectly things work out.

Now...for my "Why I love Mike".... last week Mike went to a golf tournament for almost the whole week in Michigan. He knew he'd be gone for awhile so on Monday night he asked me if I would want to play hooky with him on Tuesday afternoon before he had to leave. I had to think about that for approximately a nano-second before saying, "I would love to!". So we went out for lunch, did a little shopping and then went home and relaxed before he had to go.

The best part was that before he left, he gave me a card with a little package attached. The card was very sweet...but not as sweet as the COOKIES HE MADE FOR ME that morning! Wow - if that isn't love I don't know what is.... My man can make a mean no-bake cookie.