Showers of Love...and a Bachelorette

Nothing makes you feel loved and amazing like a few parties with wonderful people.

Party #1: St James Shower
My Mom and Dad live in this great neighborhood (where we happen to be getting married) and they are friends with about 89% of the folks in this neighborhood.  Well, Mom's friends wanted to do something for us for the wedding, so they put on a shower for me.  My best friend Lauren flew into Raleigh on Thursday night to go with me.  Reason #1 why she is my best friend.  We drove to Southport on Friday and spent the say showing her around where Dan and I will be getting married - and why we picked the place!  Saturday was the shower.  It was put on by three of Mom's friends; Mary, Mary and Susan.

They were so sweet to include our theme in the shower!!

Well, this next one isn't so much about our theme as it is about drinking.  Apparently someone tipped Mary (left center) about my new love - Prosecco.  She made us Prosecco Bellini's.  One word: Yum.

All of the ladies were way overly generous, I cannot even go on about it.  We were able to register at a store called Cat on a Whisk in Southport and most of our lovely gifts came from there.  So kind, generous and thoughtful of everyone there!!

Party #2: Shower with Friends and Family in Ohio

...and this one, Dan got to attend!  We drove up Saturday morning and spent Saturday evening with my cousins.  It was a nice relaxing time before the crazies on Sunday!  Sunday morning, we got up and took a quick trip (3 miles from our hotel) to Lake Erie.  

Our "we saw Lake Erie" picture....it was really sunny.  Yes, the sun was out in Cleveland!

Then, we made our way to my Aunt Patti and Uncle Glenn's house for our second awesome shower.  This one was full of family, friends and kids!  A lot of our family came in from Columbus and some of our friends came from Columbus, as well!! 

I have since been told that orange and blue are very difficult colors to work with for showers.  ;-)

Amanda and Phil's kids Max and AvaLee.  Love them.

My cousin Alyssa demonstrating the Top Model way of making your arms look skinny.

Post gift-opening family game time.  Requirement in the McQuaid household.  

Get used to it, Hopkins!!  You're marrying into this craziness!

And last but certainly not least, The Bachelorette Party.

That's right, that's all I'm posting.  All I can say is I have amazing friends.  Reasons #2 through #134 why Lauren Hudacik is the best best friend ever.  I was taken to Myrtle Beach for the weekend.  This was my view in the morning.  We were on the 21st floor and had a three bed/three bath condo.  5 of us spent 2 days enjoying each other, eating a lot of bad for us food, drinking a LOT and laughing even more.  It was well needed for all of us and no words can explain how much I appreciated it.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of my girlfriends (and Dan!!) who made this weekend so special.  

See you all on October 16th!!!