Honeymoon Location!

Ok, so let's get real. Brice and I are very excited about getting married, BUT we are VERY excited about our honeymoon! We are excited about being on the beach for 7 days, and getting to eat, sleep and drink pina coladas. :) When we were deciding on where to go, there were a lot of places that were possibllities. The thing we loved about DR is that it is not somewhere that a lot of people have been. This could be a good or bad thing. We are staying at the Secrets Sanctuary at Cap Cana, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Here's a few pics of where we are staying!

Dear 52 days, PLEASE HURRY!

xoxo,.

Leslie

You can't take a napa in NAPA part 3

Sunday equals Funday!

Sunday we divided into groups and headed to the spa. BEST. MASSAGE. EVER. After we changed into our robes to wait, they gave us a glass a champagne to sip before. Who wouldn't have a glass of champagne at 9 am? The spa was in  what looked like a cave, which was super cool!

After, the spa we were all starving so we took showers and headed to Gott's. Let me tell you that if you,  if you enjoy a good burger and fries, this is your place! It was seriously the best!!! After we stuffed our faces, we went to the Oxbow Market. It was like an indoors farmers market. Since, it was rainy and nasty outside we decided to get some wine and goodies from the market and take this party in doors to the hotel room. BEST IDEA!  We ended up drinking wine, eating a spread of meat, cheese, and berries, and laughing our heads off. I believe that we even had a little bit of a dance party. It was sooo much fun to just sit in the room, talk about the past, present and future. Since, we danced our booty's off we worked up a little appetite, so we headed to the hotel bar to eat. It was so yummy, and so much fun! I was so sad for this trip to be over! I have never imagined this would be where I would have my bachelorette party, but it was AWESOME! I am so blessed with the best friends and girl could ask for.

Kristin, I know I have told you a million times, but thank you for planning such an amazing trip! I know you worked your butt off, and it was very obvious. Everyone had a great time! Thank you!!

xoxo,

Leslie

You can't take a napa in NAPA part 2

After we left the beautiful Alpha Omega, we headed to the AMAZING Sodaro Estate Winery. This winery is a family estate winery which was founded in 1998, but it seems like it has been there forever. They focus on two main wines: Felicity: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sodaro: 2005 Estate Blend. Let me tell  you they were fabulous! Since, it was kinda cold outside we didn't get to tour the vineyards, but we did get to have lunch in the wine cave.

Carrie Ann was an amazing guide and even let us sample wine that will not be bottled and sold until 2012! We were pretty special! I think I could have stayed there all day and been totally ok!

The third and final winery stop was Rutherford Hill Winery. Rutherford Hill Winery, is  a premier producer of Merlot, and it's location is breathtaking. When we walked around the area we could see 100 year old olive trees, old oak trees and wild turkeys! We got to go into the wine caves where they keep a TON of wine that is aging. Needless, to say we definitely got our wine fix that day! Every single winery was absolutely amazing and so nice! Thank you Kristin and Brooke for setting up an amazing day!!!!

Once, we made it back to the hotel is was time for surprise #2! Lingerie Shower! If you know me at all, you know I am a tee shirt and shorts kinda gal, but it was so fun. Sorry but no pics here! :)

After, a LONG day of wine tasting we got ready and headed to Iron Chef Morimoto restaurant! It was definitely different, but my bang bang shrimp was delicious!

I swear I have the prettiest group of friends!!!  After, dinner we had a drink then headed back to the hotel bar, where we had the most fun that night. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my laugh that night. Whenever, I start to think about it I can't help but giggle. :)

 Sunday Funday is coming later!
Leslie

You can't take a napa in NAPA!

Ok, so I am figuring out that I am not the best blogger in the world, but I am definitely trying!

Anyways, back to the trip....

On Saturday we got up and at em' and headed to the first winery of the day, Alpha Omega. It was absolutely amazing out there! When we pulled up 4 handsome men came and opened our car doors, then as we walked up to the enterence the person who gave us the tour handed us a glass of wine. Hello?? Is this normal??  Cute boys and a glass of wine at 11 am...yes please! :) It was amazing!!! Jessica's sister Brooke arranged all of the tasting for us which was so thoughful!! Thank you Brooke!!! We definitely had the VIP treatment, and the put us in our own room so we were able to get to have girl talk with a little education on some wine.  After we sampled some wonderful wine, we gathered up our purchases, and headed to the next winery!

Leslie

Hello Napa!!

After all of the preparation of this amazing trip, the day had finally come! Since there was 9 of us we all had to coordinate our flights to arrive around the same time. It ended up being perfect! We rented 2 little SUV's and headed down to Napa. Since we couldn't check into the hotel till 4 we made a little pit stop to the Domain Chandon winery. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! A couple of weeks before I had asked Kristin if we could go there, and she said she didn't know. So when I see the sign I got really excited!! We ordered some champagne and got the party started!!

After we had a few bottles of bubbly we headed to the hotel to check in and get ready for dinner. My maid of honor did a amazing job at planning this weekend. I have several surprises throughout the whole weekend!  One surprise was on Friday night before dinner....All of the girls on the trip and even 3 of them that couldn't make it gave me each a brooch for my wedding cake and wrote a sweet note of their favorite memory of us. That meant the world to me! It was so thoughtful!! Of course the first box I open was my dear friend Cara who couldn't make it. I couldn't even read the first line without crying like a baby! My wedding cake is going to be that much more special! Thank you all!!

After we got done with the brooch party, we headed to dinner at the Bounty Hunter. If you are ever in Napa you MUST go! It is delicious! The restaurant is BBQ/Southern Yumminess. My sister and I split the beer can chicken, and it was yummy!

 This first day made me even more excited for the next couple of days. I was so excited to have all my girls together again!!! I will be posting about day 2 tomorrow!!

Love you all!
Leslie

MY Bachelorette Party!!

 So, I am a little behind in the blog world and I have been VERY busy!

A couple of weeks ago me and 8 of my very best friends headed out to Napa Valley to celebrate my last days as a single woman! I know that I have the best friends a girl could ask for, but after this trip I realized I am so very blessed. It was by far the best trip of my whole entire life. When you get older it becomes harder, and harder for everyone to get together. After, day one we all made a promise we wouldn't wait that long again to see each other. I have never laughed so hard in 3 days! By the end of the trip my ribs and throat hurt so bad from laughing ALL weekend.

Instead of making a LONG post, I am going to break it down in the days to come! I hope you enjoy because I know I did!!! 


Thank you to all my girls for making this a trip I will NEVER forget!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Leslie

Let me introduce you to my bridesmaids...

If you are married or getting married, picking out your bridesmaids is one hardest things you will have to do. I have so many friends that I love dearly, and it was hard for me just to pick three. Without my friends (and Brice of course) I would be lost. I am truly grateful for all of them, but I narrowed it down to three. Without further ado, let me introduce you to my fabulous bridesmaids.... 

My Maid of Honor..

Kristin and I have met in the 6th grade, and have been best friends every since. After being friends for 16 + years there is nothing that I couldn't ask of her. She has been there through the thick and thin, and I am so grateful for our friendship. Thank you Kristin for always being there through the good, the bad, and the ugly!

My "little" sister Ashley is going to be one of my bridesmaids. Ashley and I have seriously been through it all. Since we are 5 years apart we haven't always been close, but now that we are getting older things are starting to change. I am glad that we are starting to share interest, and taste in many things. I am so honored that she is going to stand up next to me. I wouldn't have it any other way. Love you Ash!

Lil' G

I have known Grace for 4 years, and let me tell you I have learned so much from this little girl! Grace is HILARIOUS, smart, honest, and most importantly she let's God be a huge part in her life. The past 4 years have been a blessing. She has taught me to be very patient, and in the most serious situation it's ok to laugh. There is never a dull moment with her, so I am glad that she is going to be apart of our big day. 

My first shower!

 

A week ago last Saturday I had my first bridal shower! I was so excited to have all of my friends in town and together to celebrate! Mrs. Gordon,  Mrs. Silvestri, and my Mom hosted a beautful shower with lots of good food and good drinks. After, all the planning it is so nice to actually feel like a bride. I am so grateful for all of my friends and family that attended the shower. Brice and I got A LOT of fabulous goodies. One shower down, and three more to go! Yay!

I LOVE this plate! I have been wanting this for years! Thanks Jeane!

Some of my friends had already left at this point, but here is who was left. I pretty much have the best friends ever!! (From the right to left: Jeane, Jessica, Me, Leah, Kristin, & Sarah)

The Hostesses

2 More Months!

Two months from today, my amazing friends and fab sister will be sipping wine, and relaxing in Napa Valley, California  for my bachelorette party!  When we had first talked about bachelorette parties, it all seemed so far away. Now, that it is 2 months away it is becoming very real. I cannot wait to be there with all my closest friends and just hang out and catch up all weekend. My friends absolutely mean the world to me, so I know this will be a unforgettable trip. This is going to be the first time that we have all have all be together since college, so I am sure there will be A LOT of catching up to do. I might to take a vacation when I get back just to rest up. Ha!

To my girls: Kristin, Ashley, Jessica, Jeane, Jessica H, Allison, Leah, and Mandy,
You are all amazing, and I am so glad each and everyone of you are coming to celebrate with me. I couldn't imagine my life without any of you! This is definitely going to be a trip I will NEVER forget!!!

Love,
Leslie

And we're off!!

Hello Blog World!!
I have been wanting to start a blog since we got engaged, and I thought it was really difficult. Needless, to say this is really simple. :) As I get older, and time goes by faster and faster, I thought it would a good idea to start documenting all of the changes that are occurring so quickly. So here's to 2011! I know it will be a good one!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!
Leslie