Summer vaca up the east coast

A week before we left for South Carolina for Grace and Ashton's wedding, Cam and I decided we wanted to keep on going! I wish I had taken at least one picture in each place, but alas I didn't.

Stops:
1. Savannah, GA to visit Soren and Emma
2. Charleston, SC to visit Tim and Jannalyn -- adorable new house
3. Surfside beach, SC for Grace and Ashton's wedding -- such a fun celebration

4. Blacksburg, VA to visit Andrew and Kelly -- no pictures with Andrew and Kelly unfortunately

We spent a day walking around Virginia Tech and the next day canoeing down the river (probably a story we'll be telling for a long time)

5. Washington DC to visit Kristy and the Tukes

6. Philly for a quick visit to see Jeff and Sarah -- thankful for this time both expecting our first! Sarah is due October 11th and we're due December 25th

7. We're wrapping the trip up with a week in State College with the in-laws.

Loving this time to see so many friends from different parts of our lives. We've been incredibly thankful for the hospitality that each one of them have shown us. 

Pregnancy thus far

Yay! We're pregnant!

12 Weeks

13 Weeks

14 Weeks

15 Weeks

16 Weeks

17 Weeks -- She's a GIRL

Although taking profile pictures of my growing body isn't my favorite thing right now, I know I'll be thankful for these pictures down the road. 

There are plenty of incredible things to look forward to in pregnancy. And things we've already loved like seeing the heartbeat for the first time, celebrating with our family at the announcement, the first time our baby looked like a baby on the screen, the first person to ask if I was expecting, my husband thinking I'm sexy BECAUSE I'm pregnant not just in spite of being pregnant, the small belly that started to arise, the humbling realization that God is entrusting another one of His children to us, friends and family around the country celebrating the life of our little girl with pink cupcakes -- so many things I hope to remember for a life time.

One of my favorite memories thus far -- asking Cam if my belly button looks farther out. For some strange reason my belly button poking out has been one of the things I'm eagerly anticipating. (Weird I know) Cam's measuring solution -- sticking a Q-tip in my belly button and seeing how far down the pen mark is on the Q-tip. We've surprisingly enough only done this once, but as soon as we finished measuring we both could not stop laughing at my ridiculousness and his compliance. (This measuring strategy will more than likely happen again -- haha)

We are to the moon excited!

Our best friends got married

A couple of weekends ago now, Cam and I had the honor of standing up front with our best friends as they said "I do". The weekend was full of festivities and sweet moments shared by all those who were involved.

By Thursday night most, if not all of the wedding party had pulled into Columbia, SC. The boys had a cook out/pool party, while the girls went to a paint and wine party.

Cat and her sister Libby

Two St. Louis girls (Ally and Abby) and an Erskine girl (Bekah)

(my most honoring moment of the weekend -- someone asking if Cat and I were twins haha)

Bekah, Cat, Katie (wife of groomsman) and Kate (sister of the groom)

I would highly recommend these types of places to anyone! We brought our own wine, pizza, and beer while they walked us through step by step on how to leave with something that looks kind of like a professional painting. The other part of our package was etching mason jars.

It was pretty amazing how different they all turned out even though we all followed the same instructions. Libby, thanks for organizing this -- it was so perfectly Cat. 

Friday morning the boys had another cook out/pool party and the girls went to fancy bridal luncheon. The food was delicious and cat gifted her bridal party with unique hand made baskets with local favorites.

At the rehearsal I snagged these two for a few quick pictures. Their excitement only built as the weekend went on and these smiles were ones I want them to remember for years to come. 

Bek and Cameron should start a business with how many weddings they've sang in now.

Cat's nephews were a riot the whole weekend.

I know how proud this papa was just practicing the walk down the aisle. 

The rehearsal dinner was at a place named Hudson's. Excellent choice Gordon's -- I have been craving good  'ol South Carolina BBQ every since we moved west. This place did not disappoint. 

  

What a memorable and sweet time rehearsal dinners are. Friends and family from all stages of life stood on behalf of this wonderful couple to share the impact they've made on many separately and now together. 

The very next day, June 22nd, 2013, Cat and Taylor declared their vows to each other and to the Lord before their friends and family. The wedding was such a beautiful picture of the love these two have for each other and for their God. The reception followed with great celebration and a sending off of these two crazy birds. (No pictures of the wedding day, but you will NOT be disappointed by Davey Morgan's photography!!!)

Part of why I waited a couple weeks to post this is because I'm lazy, but the other part that I'm more unwilling to admit is that it took time for me to process what the wedding meant. College was such a definitive time in my life with Cat and Tay playing vital roles.

That girl in these pictures is my sister -- she lived with me for basically 4 years and ended up out in St. Louis the same time as us. She's watched me become a believer, a member of the local church, an engaged woman, a married woman, and a mom now to two different babies. She has taught me how to listen, how to feel, how to care, how to cry out the Lord, how to ask for help, and what means to feel dignity as a child of God. She's walked through life with me and I was honored to stand as Matron of Honor on her wedding day.

And Taylor was honestly my other best friend in college. He modeled so much of what to look for in a husband and prepared both Cam and me well for marriage. I couldn't believe it the day he showed up in St. Louis to ask Cat to marry him. I was unexpectedly surprised by the fact that all I could do was hug him and sob -- I could not have stood in front of a better man for my best friend and I knew it.

And now this dynamic duo has become one -- I know they will be a part of the Smith family for years to come. Cam and I are humbled to be called best friends of Team Gordon and we can't wait to share life with you!

A Day of Food Celebration

I LOVE food. So much so that this year it's what I asked for as my birthday present. That's right -- I asked for a day of food where Cam would join me in eating every single food I wanted for the entire day. 

The morning started out at Cracker Barrel -- the home of comfort food and delicious sweet tea.

I special ordered just to make things difficult -- two sausage biscuits with hashbrown casserole.

Lunch came before I knew it and we drove to another favorite -- Chick-fil-a. Cam usually is not crazy about eating here, but today he ate chicken gladly! Kid's meal 6 count chicken nugget with water since I had so much sweet tea for breakfast.

And finally for dinner I wanted picnic foods. I used to be set on breakfast foods as my all time favorite, but since we lived in St. Louis picnic foods are definitely up there. As you can see publix sweet tea, grapes, cheese and crackers, cantaloupe, and double bubble in the background. 

We ended the day by seeing Monster's University at the local movie theater. I LOVED it -- and Cam loved it I think because I loved it so much. 

All in all I would do again next year for my birthday present -- it was totally worth it!