Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show & Wedding Package giveaway!

Well, another Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show is over. I had a great time yesterday, and it was so much fun to meet so many new brides! Some of my brides from the last show stopped by to say hello. It was such an honor to have them there, and to see how excited they were! I took some pictures of the brides who stopped by, but unfortunately, the point and shoot camera I brought along was on it's last leg, and the images were too blurry to post. Don't worry, this is not the camera I bring to weddings :)

I did manage to get two decent shots before the show began of me with my parents. They drove six hours to be with me and help out and support my dream. I love them so much, and feel so lucky to have them as my parents!

My sister-in-law, Denna, helped me out again. I am so happy to have her in my life! I know she supports and believes in me, and it was such an honor to have her by my side!

Well, once again, I had a drawing for a free wedding package. I drew 5 names today, and this weekend, after the brides submit their reason why they think they should win, I will pick one bride to win a free wedding package. Check out my POST on my last winner. She was super excited, and I can hardly wait for her day to get here!

Here are my five finalists!

I can't wait to get their submissions. Best of luck to all of you!

Family, Cake, and Sunshine...

This past weekend, Paul and I headed down to southeast Missouri to spend some time with my family, and to celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday. I know I've said it before, but I love going back home... no matter where I end up in life, it will always be home for me.

I can't believe this little guy is 2yrs old already.

Paul enjoyed playing with Joah's blocks. He's convinced he's turning into an old man, but here's proof that he's still a kid at heart :)

Joah LOVES his trains! So cute!

T-ball with Daddy!

My Dad still has some youth left in him. He looks so natural with the football :)

Here's the reason I don't like photographing my subjects with them facing into the sun.

Paul had to show off his football skills and his new ability to do the crane thanks to P90X.

I snapped these two as Joah was talking with Grammie... not quite sure what he thought about their talk

I thought the weekend was all about Joah, but my family surprised me with an early birthday party that Saturday evening. I had no idea and felt so loved!

CAKE!

My cake was absolutely fabulous!

Dad apparently likes to stock up on wood. I don't think they'll have any wood shortages anytime soon :)

I also created a little short video for Joah's birthday on facebook that can be viewed by CLICKING HERE

CCVI :: The Missing Ingredient

This past Wednesday, brought another opportunity for me to visit CCVI again, and to meet the 3rd chef involved in their fundraiser coming this April. As I mentioned in my earlier post, the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired serves children with visual impairments, and on April 12th, they will be hosting the CCVI Food Fight, where three of Kansas City's finest chefs will battle it out to raise money for this incredible school. This will be an "Iron Chef" inspired event. For more information on this fundraiser, and how you can get involved, CLICK HERE. You can also visit their facebook page to learn more http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=328157183628&ref=mf

Debbie Gold, is the third chef in the battle for CCVI. She is the executive chef at The American Restaurant in Hallmark's Crown Center complex. Her bio alone, is definately worth checking out! http://www.theamericankc.com/bio_debbie.html I also just found out that Debbie has been chosen for Bravo's Top Chef's Masters show. CLICK HERE for the local story on that. What an opportunity! Congrats, Debbie!

The kids enjoyed Debbie's visit. Especially the preschool 4 class. They kept her on her toes!

This will be a wonderful event! Above all, the children will be the ones to greatly benefit from this wonderful evening. I highly recommend checking it out. I, for one, am very excited, and honored to be a part of this!

Somethings cooking at CCVI

This past Wednesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired in midtown Kansas City. I worked as a teachers aide there from the summer of 2002 to the summer of 2005. It was such a life changing experience, and one I will never forget! CCVI will forever hold a very special place in my heart!

The mission of the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, is to prepare children with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities, to reach their highest potential in the sighted world. CCVI is a place where disabilities become abilities. It's a place of acceptance and love, and gives children and their families a hope for their future.

Every year, CCVI is faced with the challenge to raise a large portion of their budget. Some of this is done through contracts with state and local school districts. Most of this is done through fundraisers such as the Sabates Eye Centers Trolley Run and other special events.

This spring, CCVI is planning a very special event, and while all the details are yet to be finalized, I can share this with you...

It will be delicious!

A few of the area's local chefs have agreed to help out with this event, and this past Wednesday, they came to visit CCVI and meet some of the children the schools serves.

Here are the Chefs who visited:

Ted Habiger from Room 39 http://www.rm39.com

Colby Garrelts from BlueStem http://www.bluestemkc.com

Lon Lane of Lon Lane's Inspired Occasions http://www.inspiredoccasionskc.com

Stay tuned for more information on this event, or contact the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired for more information. www.ccvi.org

Letting Go...

A few weeks ago, Paul and I decided to clean up our diet, and adapt to a more active lifestyle. We brought an incline trainer into our lives, and let me tell you.... it kicks my butt! And now, we're adding another addition to our workouts... P90x... yikes! To some, it may seem we're going a bit hardcore, but with the age of 30 approaching me in just a few weeks, I know that it's now or never.

We've had a month of eating clean, and tonight my sweet tooth surfaced, but we've planned for such events, and not allowed any junk into our house. So, no matter how many times I open the refrigerator, all I will find are pieces of baked chicken and loads of green veggies. Thus, I have spent the evening watching The Biggest Loser for encouragement, and have drank tons of water to drown out the cravings.

In the midst of dreaming of brownies smothered in gooey chocolate, I ran across some images I took for my friend, Jayne awhile back.... These images did nothing to help me out! How unbelievable do these desserts look?!!!