Paper lanterns and twinkling lights

I can't believe this wedding madness is over in one week. One week! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was standing on the beach in Hawaii with Kendrick, being given the most beautiful ring and agreeing to spend forever with him. Where has the time gone? Honestly, I couldn't handle the time going slower- neither of us could. Because honestly, we are done being engaged. Don't get me wrong, it's fun and giddy.. at first, but it gets old reeeeal fast. Lately, it feels like Kendrick and I are already married. We have a joined Google calendar where we keep up on eachother's schedules, he's been taking me to work a few mornings each week, and sometimes I feel like I know a little too much about his bowel movements. But then, why are we going to different houses each night? And why am I still marking "single" on the Panda Express survey to get my one free entre? Like I said, reeeeal old.

While I've been sitting here thinking about the past couple of months of being engaged, I can't help but think about the amazing showers that have been thrown for Kendrick and I. The support and love is overwhelming, and I'm so lucky to have such sweet people in my life.

On September 6th, Kendrick's family threw us a wedding shower in Richfield. There was amazing food, darling decorations, and the best company around. My parents were sweet enough to drive down for it, and I was so happy that they got to meet more people from Kendrick's life.

My favorite part of this shower was Kendrick's aunt Jen surprising me with one of my favorite pictures from our engagement session, blown up onto a HUGE canvas. I almost started crying I was so excited about it! Ever since I saw that picture from our engagement proofs, I kept telling Kendrick that I would love to have it printed on a canvas for our home. So, proving that he does listen to my from time to time, he coordinated with his aunt, and she got it done! I can't wait to stick that bad boy on the wall of our future, nonexistent home.

Jolene, one of Kendrick's aunts, put together a fun game where she asked a set of questions to me, my mom, and Kendrick's mom and had Kendrick, my dad, and his dad write what they thought our answer would be on a piece of paper. Then, she'd read the questions out loud, have the girls answer, and then have the guys show what they wrote on the paper. It was so much fun, and surprisingly everyone did really good with their answers! After that, she had the girls switch spots with the boys to guess what their answers would be for the same questions.

As the night started getting darker, they turned on the little lights that were strung around the backyard, lighting up the colorful paper lanterns that were hanging from deck and the tree. It was the perfect night and the perfect shower.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this post, featuring the gorgeous bridal shower that Harmony and Nicole threw for me last weekend! I'm still thinking about it...