Christmas 2007

On December 22, Brent and I headed south for Christmas in McGehee and Wells Bayou. Sarah and Josh were there too, and we tried to introduce everyone to the fun of fondue. It was a completely hilarious and disastrous at the same time. Dad was not interested in cooking one piece of food at a time, so Mom had to fix him a sandwich about half way through our adventure. On Sunday, we went to church and then had lunch at Nannie's (YUM!) That night we drove to Monticello to see National Treasure:Book of Secrets at the movies (it was pretty good), and had dinner at Huddle House. On Christmas Eve morning, we got up and had the Norris traditional brunch and presents. While we told everyone we didn't need anything for Christmas, we were all still surprised with a cruise! We'll have to work out the schedules, but sometime in 2008 we'll all be going on a Caribbean cruise! It'll be so much fun!
Christmas Eve night we went to the candlelight service, and then headed out to Ma and Pa's house in Wells Bayou. This year was bittersweet because it will probably be Pa's last Christmas with us. He is in the advance stages of Alzheimer's, and just this week is now at the Star City Nursing Home. But God's grade is sufficient, and we had a regular Norris Christmas Eve full of steak, shrimp, reading the Christmas story, opening presents, and laughing. Aunt Snooks surprised us all with DVDs of our home videos, and we watched those for a while. Ma and Pa got the video camera when I was about 10, so they didn't not catch me in my cute little girl phase like they did with my sister and younger cousins. Brent did get a kick out of my hair bows, braces, and glasses though.
On Tuesday we left McGehee and came back to Cabot. Brent's family gathers on Christmas Eve night for dinner and the traditional "Fireball" throwing. I didn't understand this until I saw it, but the fireball is an 80-year old tradition from the Gardners from Marianna. They soak a ball of old rags in kerosene for several months, and on Christmas night they light it and throw it around to each other. It's like playing Extreme Hot Potato. And yes - I participated this year! It was a lot of fun, and while it doesn't hurt it does take the hair off of your hands. I wish I had a picture of this, but I couldn't play and take pictures at the same time. Maybe I can a copy of one from Brent's cousin Whitney.
Our first Christmas together was very relaxing and we are very blessed with wonderful friends and family!

Honeymoon at Big Cedar Lodge

Last Sunday, we left Little Rock headed north for Big Cedar Lodge, which is on Table Rock Lake about 10 miles outside of Branson. It was this cozy village that has beautiful scenery. We had a cabin, which was really nice. It had a huge flatscreen TV and a beautiful Christmas tree, so we felt right at home. Unfortunately on Sunday and Monday I was still pretty sick, but we made the most of our Christmas Branson experience. You would think a week before Christmas the Ozark Vegas would be jumping, but it was just the opposite. Branson was so desserted that it was creepy. Everything was shut down, except for the Shephard of the Hills Trail of Lights, which was a lot of fun. At Big Cedar, we made a gingerbread house, went on a Holiday Trail Light ride (with horses), and walked down to the Marina. I think Big Cedar would be more fun in the summer with lake/boat activities, but after three days, we were ready to come home. Here are a few pictures from our adventure in the Ozarks.

Wedding Day Fun!

Pre-Wedding Activities

Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the Pre-Wedding. We had so much fun on Friday and Saturday, and the pictures prove it. Friday for lunch, I met the girls at Scallions for a Bridesmaids luncheon. The place was perfect, and the crab bisque was so good. I went to the hotel with my family after that, and later that night, we met up with our entire wedding party (plus a few extras) for the rehearsal. It went so smooth, and I couldn't have been happier. Everyone behaved, and we were done in time to head to Whole Hog Cafe for dinner. It was SO good, and we had a great time hanging out with all of our friends and family.

What you can't tell is that I was actually sick with probably what could have been bronchitis, but God answered prayers once again. Dad and I met up with Dr. and Mrs. Young on Friday afternoon and I received a steroid and antibiotic shot in the bathroom of the Parker Lexus dealership in LR. I called it the "Honduras Special" because they have done it for so many others on our many trips south. Fortunately on Saturday I felt just fine, and enjoyed the wonderful day.

We're back!

Saturday was fabulous and we're back from our trip to Big Cedar Lodge. I've got to download pictures tonight, but for now, you can check some out at www.mattterry.biz.

Just Waiting on Saturday

So I find myself at the point of the week where the activities (and time) have seemed to stall. There's a ton of stuff going starting Thursday, but right now, I'm stuck at work, not really wanting to do any actual work. To say the least I am very distracted, but at least it's not too busy right now. I'm at a stopping point, and don't want to start anything new. (We've all been there, right?)
I can't believe that the big day is just four days away. It seems like time has just snowballed, but then again, it seems every second of the eight months since our engagement. Brent and I met two years ago on a blind date (thanks Match.com), and we haven't been apart since. I know it was God answering a prayer, just like He has answered so many other prayers.
OK - enough of that. Other good news - I can finally see some sun! After four days of fog, I am glad for it to be gone (even though there its 75 degrees outside). Just pray that it doesn't rain on Saturday!

From the Outside

Here's what the house looks like from the outside during the day and then at night.

Christmas Has Arrived at 18 Matthews Lane!

I've had my Christmas tree up since Thanksgiving, but put the final touches together last night. I couldn't use all the Christmas stuff I got at the shower, but I have big plans for it when we get a bigger house. I think I've done pretty good with what I've got right now though. I don't have outside pictures just yet - we've got some electrical rigging to do.
Enjoy!

Christmas Shower at the Miles Compound

Today I had a Christmas shower in McGehee at the Miles Compound. The Miles's are long-time family friends who we used to go to church with many years ago. While we don't see them that often, they're still great friends who you just fall right back into step with each time you see them.
Anyway, Mona hosted a Christmas shower for me, along with her daughters Monica and Melissa and daughter-in-law Adrienne. I got so many cute Christmas things to decorate the house with, and I can't wait to get home and put it all out. Brent's going to be so surprised when he comes home from the bachelor party weekend to find that the Christmas elf has done some more decorating!
I'm so lucky to have my grandmother (Nannie) there with us - and as you can tell from the picture, we looked like we were going to sing in the Festival of Christmas program at OBU afterwards with our colorful sweaters.

Here's Sarah, me and Melissa...

Me and Mona....


It's TWO WEEKS until the wedding, and we are very very excited. I can't wait until it gets here and we can enjoy the fun. Last week was stressful for me, so for the rest of the weekend, I'm going to relax at the parents house. I'm hoping to finish up some stuff this coming week, and then we'll be counting down the days until December 15th. If you haven't RSVPed yet - don't forget to go to www.brentandlaura.com to do it.

Moving Up...but really down

Today I'm at my new cube, and it's so much better. When I started at SPP, I was on the 12th floor in a corner cube that was a good size. The problem with it was that it was right by the main door, and so often times I felt like the Walmart door greeter. It was also by the kitchen and conference room, and people liked to hang out in the hallway to visit and have mini-meetings. While I loved people, it was often times distracting. Now, the communications has moved to the 6th floor with training and customer service. We're spread out, but when I turn around, I have a wonderful view of the west part of Little Rock. I'm also glad that it will be a quieter cube. It is a little smaller, but I don't need much.
Anyway - here's my view.
















We had a good Thanksgiving, and visit with Brent's mom's family in Cabot for lunch. Every year Brent would buy a cheesecake from Sam's, but this year I felt like I should pay tribute to my mom and grandmothers by making something special. I made Nannie's Pinapple cake, and it turned out perfect. Unfortunately nobody lunch didn't know how fabulous it was, so I took most of it back and gave it to Steve and Rob (who did find out how fabulous it was).

Bridal Portraits

Today, I met my photographer, Matt Terry, and his wife\assistant Amber for my bridal portraits at Trapnall Hall. We are having the reception there, and I thought it was the perfect spot for the bridal portraits. We were so afraid of it raining, and God blessed us with two hours of cloudy, but rain-free, weather. It was a little warm, but not unbearable. My mom and grandmother did a great job of wrapping my dress in plastic (just in case), and my sister was also there to help. The rain passed through as we were wrapping up inside shots, and the temp dropped about 12 degrees in 10 minutes.

I got to take a sneak peek of a few, and I'm so excited. He should post them after Thanksgiving sometime, but won't be available for public viewing. You can send me a comment, and I'll sent you the password. Check out Matt's work at www.mattterry.biz.

Bachelorette Party Night

This past Saturday my girlfriends and I gathered at Vieux Carre in Hillcrest to celebrate my final days of single life. The restaurant was excellent. We had a private room, and an awesome waitress. It was a tad warm, but that may have been just me and the things I was pulling out of the bags! We enjoyed appetizers,drinks, and the great entres. (I had the beef and it really was tasty). My sister, with some help from Lovely Linda, planned the evening, and she did a great job, especially given that the past few weeks have been stressful with her dental school stuff going on. I am so glad everybody came, and I love all of the goodies!
After dinner, a few of us went to the Rivermarket to continue the celebration. Let's just say it was a lot of fun. Thanks to all of the photographers for the great shots.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day, so I thought I would say "Thanks" to my Pa. He served at the end of World War II in the European Theater. In fact, he was a pre-med student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on a football scholarship when Uncle Sam drew his draft number. The pictures that he has are pretty amazing, and this is one of my favorites. The back of the jacket says "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas."
Fast forward almost 60 years, and he is in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease. Even though it has robbed him of his memory, the pictures remind the rest of us what a sacrifice he paid for freedom.

McGehee Shower

This weekend, Brent and I went to McGehee to have a shower at the church, and also celebrate an early Thanksgiving. The shower was great, and we received many nice things. I want to say a big "Thank you" to the hostesses of the shower. All of them have been long-time friends of my parents, and they did an awesome job with everything - especially the food! I've made a slide show of the pictures (thanks Paula!)for those who weren't able to attend.

This coming weekend is my bachelorette party, and I'm so excited! It's going to be a lot of fun, and I can't wait to hang out with all of the girls.

Barefoot in the Park

Last night, Brent and I went to The Rep to see Barefoot in the Park, a Neil Simon production staring Brent's cousin, Whitney Kirk. The entire ensemble was very entertaining, especially from our second-row seats. The play centers around Corie and Paul, newlyweds in New York City. Whitney and Christian were so funny as Corie and Paul, and the storyline was good for us - since we're about to be newlyweds ourselves. The evening went from date night to family night when we ran into several of Brent's family. His aunt and uncle brought Granny (Dianne's mother), and then Uncle Junior, Aunt Deloris, Priscilla, and Bobby were also there. Funny thing was that we ended up sitting with everybody, and it wasn't even planned.

So now it's finally Friday, and we're all packed and ready to head to McGehee for the weekend. It's the big FBC shower, and I'm excited to see all of our friends down there. Sarah and Josh will also be there, so it'll be a fun, family weekend (plus presents!) ha!

Enjoy the pictures from last night.....

Pampered Chef Party

This weekend, my college/PCI friend Deanna hosted a Pampered Chef shower at her house, and we enjoyed the tasty treats made by Suzette Smith, who is a fellow Alltel employee with Brent. Even though the attendance wasn't large, we did love visiting with Janery, her mom Anita, and her girls - Jenna and Jodie. Jenna is our flower girl and tried on her dress, which is absolutely beautiful on her. We also got to play with baby Miles, who decided to spit up ALL over the front of my shirt. (It's not the first time he's done that). He is too cute though, so it was alright.
Thanks Deanna for opening your home and having a lovely shower!

As for the rest of the weekend, I spent it at the house finishing unpacking the rest of the boxes and organizing things. I think I have a touch of OCD because it makes me feel so much better to have things put up and neat. My last big project this week at home is the straighten up the office so I can make sure that we've paid all of our bills. I do have a tendency to stack piles of papers around (in a hidden spot), but I guess when I organize it I get that euphoric-release of accomplishment. I think they make medicine for that. ha!

Picture of Caitlin

Here's a picture of our new niece Caitlin. She and Kelly (Brent's sister) are home from the hospital and are doing great. They say she's sleeping really well for a premie.