Wilmington Was Wonderful!

We had a really wonderful time in Wilmington this weekend for a wedding. We got there around 3:00 Saturday afternoon and readied ourselves for the wedding quickly. Don't be alarmed or disappointed because I wore the same dress to this wedding as I wore to the one last weekend. (Good thing a few of you liked it!) Luckily only a small child of 17 months and I are the only ones to witness it live and in person! Oh, and all of you know now, too. Just don't tell anyone, OK?

We got to hang out with a bunch of friends that we don't see on a regular basis, and a few that we see frequently. I also got to meet some of the guys that were in Nicaragua with Nigel and can now put a face with a name with a funny story! Some of the friends were more intoxicated than usual and one in particular has been sober now for nearly a year and counting (Super proud of you, friend!). Oh, the laughs we had. I had forgotten how funny and entertaining these boys are!

Nigel, Kingston, Billy, Kyle (the groom), Matt, Jeff

Uncle Billy saying, "Kingston. Do as I say, not as I do." Kingston saying, "Mom, are you sure this isn't just some drunk homeless guy?" Love you Uncle Billy!

Kingston on one of our many jaunts around the reception. You see, kids weren't really invited to this wedding. In fact, other than the 3 kids that were in the wedding, Kingston was the only one who wasn't invited but was there. Oops. I may be a bit biased, but I think he behaved marvelously and hung tight until 10:00. I was quite proud.

Me and my date! I like to think that my arm isn't really that big, it is just the lighting. Or the angle. Or an optical illusion. Whatever. My date was hot.

Kingston and Dad checking out the girls on the dance floor.

Hilarious friends (and identical twins) Jason and John. Or is it John and Jason? Oh, crap. I can never get it right.

On Sunday morning we went to John's house to make sure everyone had survived the night hang out with the boys. When we arrived it was pouring rain. Crazy pouring rain. Nigel had some work to do with the boys on something coming up on the internet about his trip to Nicaragua (more on that at a later date) and Kingston's chirpy voice was not requested in the background of the audio. Since the rain had stopped we went outside. Where there is rain, there are puddles. And where there are puddles, Kingston gets in 'em! I stripped him down and let him have at it!













Later in the afternoon (it was raining AGAIN) we went for a swim in the indoor pool at our hotel. Kingston loved it! He is a little waterbug!

Take 1! Picture of some of the friends out to dinner with us at Tower 7 (yum!). Oh, wait. Two of the boys are making frog faces? And the baby isn't one of them? OK.

Take 2! Much better. Silly boys. Kingston, Nigel, Matt, John (I'm sure this one is John. Er, I think I'm sure. No, I'm definitely sure.), Justin.





This is Kingston after falling asleep in the car, being carried into the hotel, up to the 3rd floor, and plopped on the bed. I managed to fully undress him, put his PJ's on and get him in his Pack n' Play without waking him up. The dude was tired!




As a reward for being such a good boy, I actually put money in the truck in the mall this morning. He got his first real ride on one of the kiddie rides! From here on out I'm sure they will be "Out of Order" (right, Mom?) but I thought he deserved some fun!

So we are home now, safe and sound. Kingston was such a good traveller. He didn't even fuss a bit the entire ride home this afternoon. We made a pit stop at a Burger King and let him play in the indoor play area, which may have been his favorite part of the entire trip! We arrived home about 7:00, ate a quick dinner, gave Kingston a bath and put him to bed. Nige and I aren't too far behind! What is it about travelling that takes it out of you?

Back to work tomorrow. Good times with good friends. Really, really, really funny friends. Thanks for the laughs! (Who am I kidding! None of them read my blog!)

Oh, and congratulations Kyle and Lisa Jordan! Your wedding was beautiful and were are so glad we got to be a part of it. Good times, good times!

Mr. and Mrs. Prout

And I don't mean Chris' parents! I mean Lee and Chris Prout. They are married. It was awesome.

I was in charge of arranging the beautiful cup cakes that Lee made all by herself on the cake table. It was all I could do not to lick my fingers multiple times! They turned out so great and looked pretty darn good after I was done with them (toot, toot).




I made the "cake topper" birds for Lee as her shower gift and they looked so cute on the top tier.






The weather was amazing and Lee and Chris were married under the big oak tree next to the sunken garden at the Elizabethan Gardens. They looked so happy!



This is Lee's face when she spotted Kingston in the crowd. Priceless!




Kingston and Nana were my dates for the wedding. They stayed at the reception long enough to have a drink. Fizzy pink lemonade. Kingston LOVED it! Well, once he got used to the bubbles tickling his nose!






Don't worry. Kingston wasn't the only one guzzling beverages! His just happened to be non-alcoholic!

I'm a big sucker for a father/daughter dance. This one got me, too!

The High Cotton heirarchy was there. We sure will miss having Lee-Lee around! (Sorry, Matt. My big head is in the way of your big head!)

Congratulations, Lee and Chris! You looked so beautiful and your wedding was so perfect. We are so happy for you and look forward to sharing a part of your new lives together. We'll come visit when you move to Brooklyn. Just don't go all Yankee on us!!!



-----

And just because he is so cute, a few pictures of my silly little boy.

My Handsome Wedding Date

He Not Only Plays with the Door, He Now Crawls Right In!

I Think He Is the Blonde Ale!

Planet Pleasing Goods

Besides my friends who started the online boutique, MidgettGray.com, I have another friend who just opened an online store. (Does anyone else know 2 people in their town who have opened online stores in the last 6 months? I think it is sort of strange!)

But I am so excited about my friend Ivy's online store, PlanetPleasingGoods.com. She is selling fair trade, natural, organic, reusable, recycled goods for your home, family, pets, and garden. I really love the toys for kids. There is something so cool about simple, wooden toys for kids instead of the giant plastic numbers with a ton of lights and annoying sounds! I especially love the Dancing Alligator toy. He wiggles and click clacks when you pull him.

I think Kingston might see one of those for either his birthday or Christmas. But shhhhh! Don't tell him!

I even made a gift registery for Christmas so that I could show certain people (ahem, Nana) what we really like on the site. I try to support local businesses when I can and Ivy said that I could pick up or she would personally deliver any of the items I buy to save me shipping. And saving shipping, in turn, saves tons of gas, which goes along with the whole "green" thing. Check out the site and buy a few things! They seem reasonably priced and unique-the perfect combination. And let me know what you think or if you order something.

-----

We are off to start our busy day. Lee-Lee is getting married today!!!!! Kingston and I will be meeting Nana at the Elizabethan Gardens for the big event. After the wedding we have a birthday party for a little boy in our playgroup, Emerson, who is turning 1 tomorrow.

And having said all that, I gotta get a move on!!! I'll take pictures, don't worry!