25 Memories from the 25th Birthday Celebration

After a WONDERFUL 25th birthday celebration, I thought I would do something a little different and post 25 memories to recap the happy day!

1. Getting a wake-up phone call at 8:00am from Mom & Gracie. They sang "Happy Birthday" to me!
2. Christopher making me breakfast-in-bed...eggs, turkey sausage & apple juice.
3. Getting Dunkin' Donuts peppermint latte before hitting the road to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
4. Listening to Christmas music in the car & holding Christopher's hand the entire way to Orlando.
5. Getting in FREE to Hollywood Studios. Happy Birthday to me!
6. Receiving fast passes to Toy Story Mania. Later we found out that all the fast passes had been distributed by 12:00pm. Thank you to the stranger who gave us those fast passes; otherwise, we would not have been able to ride the new ride.
7. Riding Aerosmith's Rock-n-Roller Coaster.
8. Riding Toy Story Mania. It is one of my newest, favorite rides at Disney World.
9. Receiving text messages & voice mails throughout the entire day.
10. Eating free chocolate mousse at lunch for dessert.
11. Dancing in the middle of the street during the Block Party parade.
12. Being told "Happy Birthday" by complete strangers all day long.
13. Watching all the great and entertaining shows.
14. Seeing the true meaning of Christmas, a beautiful nativity, in the heart of Hollywood Studios.
15. Riding The Tower of Terror in the front row.
16. Eating free carrot cake at dinner for dessert.
17. Picking out a special ornament to commemorate my wonderful birthday.
18. Watching the opening ceremony of the Osbourne's Light Spectacular show.
19. Looking up at the night sky and seeing snow. Yes, it was fake!
20. Standing in the middle of 35 miles of Christmas lights.
21. Christopher twirling me and holding my hand while walking through the park.
22. Watching Fantasmic.
23. Kennedy reminding me that our wedding is only 1 month away.
24. Ending the evening with a wonderful rendition of "Happy Birthday" from Halie & Gracie.
25. Seeing all the Facebook messages when we got home.

Needless to say, the day was wonderful, beautiful, memorable, exciting, fun and so much more! Enjoy the photos and videos below of the magical day!

The Birthday Girl

Watching "Beauty and the Beast"

The Coolest Ride Ever

"Hi. My name is Mater."

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Absolutely Incredible

Merry Christmas from the Soon-to-be Carters

What a Week!

It has been quite some time since our last post, but here is an update of our busy month of November.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, Christopher's mom and aunt flew to Florida to visit us for their third annual "Turkey on the Beach" vacation. However, unlike in the past years, Gayle and Susan stayed with us at our home instead of renting a cottage on the beach. We were fortunate to spend a great deal of time with them in between work and school. We shopped at the outlets and ate good food. They ended their week long vacation in Orlando, where Christopher's brother lives. They enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday there.

I, on the other hand, spent Thanksgiving with my family in North Carolina. Christopher dropped me off at the airport on his way to Orlando with his mom and aunt. Thanksgiving in North Carolina was a fun-filled day. Mom and I spent the day decorating the front yard with Christmas decorations. My family joined us for dinner; we had quite the spread of food. It was delicious! We had so much food, we did it all over again the next day. Blair, Robin and I were part of the many crazy people who went shopping on Black Friday. We had great success!

Along with the Thanksgiving holiday, I was blessed to have two bridal showers while I was home. Saturday, Blair and Robin hosted a Christmas shower. Christopher and I received several pieces of our Christmas china, Christmas tree ornaments, decorative serving pieces and a Willow Tree nativity set. It was a shower filled with great company and good food. Sunday, my church hosted a shower. I was able to spend wonderful quality time with my church family who has watched me grow up over the past 20 years. Their gifts and words of wisdom were greatly appreciated!

While at home, I was able to accomplish more wedding tasks! Monday, Mom and I met with the wedding director at church. We were able to cover many of the details that will accompany the wedding weekend. I have great confidence in our wedding director as she is organized and will be very helpful on our big day. I also had my bridal portrait session. The day at the portrait studio was so fun. Unfortunately, I cannot share details. You will just have to wait until January 9 to see the beautiful picture. I will tell you this; the photographer loved the photograph so much she wants to put in on display in the studio. Now, that is exciting!

As the Christmas season approaches, I will continue to work until Christopher and I travel to North Carolina on December 19. Christopher begins final exams the week of December 14. We also plan to go to Disney's Hollywood Studios to celebrate my 25th birthday. Not to mention, we have just 36 days until our wedding day. What a busy, yet beautiful, time of year!

Thanksgiving with Kai and Gracie

Christmas Shower with Nanny

My Sweet & Beautiful Nieces

The Wonderful Hostesses - My Sister-in-Laws

Carolina Girls...Best in the World

Where to Put All of These Gifts?!