Showering the future Mrs. Johnson

My family friend, Heather Johnson is having her dream wedding in Savannah, Georgia this June. She is marrying Mike Johnson. So her new name with be Heather (Johnson) Johnson! :O)

Her best friends, Beth and Shakira hosted a bridal shower for her in Seal Beach, California.

Walt's Wharf on Main Street had a wonderful luncheon for all of Heather's guests.

The cake was AMAZING (as were the monogrammed cookies).

Heather and I met almost 20 years ago when my family was living in Black Butte Ranch, Oregon. Her family bought a second home in Sisters and have become one of our closest family friends.

My mom and Pattie

This is a photo of Beth and Heather from elementary school. As most girls do, they were already planning their dream wedding! Beth will be Heather's matron of honor.

Heather received some awesome presents! My mom made her an apron.

Heather and her mom, Lin

Congratulations, Heather! Can't wait for your big day this June!

Bootcamp ~ AKA It sounded like a good thing at the time...

That's me... in the front. And I'm only smiling because we got to take a two minute break to pose for a photo. My friend Juliette convinced me that it would be fun to join an intense six week bootcamp. It. was. hell. I've never been yelled at more, felt more like a loser or envied the little skinny mini's who lapped me while running.

But, I did it! I may have missed a class here or there (and paid for it dearly) but I did see results from the pain and agony. I don't think that I'll be quick to sign up for another session, anytime soon... but if YOU want to jumpstart your fitness, I highly suggest signing up. But, don't say, I didn't warn you. It's pretty much hell. :)

Brittnee's Last Few Days in So Cal

Brittnee flys home to Memphis tomorrow. It's been a fun filled 2 weeks! Tonight we went to the movies with my sister Janice to see The Last Song. It was, surprisingly, a good flick. Go Miley Cyrus!

But we couldn't leave for the movies without a few photos. This girl loves to pose!!!

We left bright and early Monday morning for LAX.

Despite getting there 2 hours early, Brittnee barely made her flight! Thankfully, I was able to walk her to the gate (she flew as an unaccompanied minor) and begged security to let us come forward as they were calling the final boarding call. (Note to self, LAX on a Monday morning is never a good option).

We didn't have time for tears... Britt had just enough time to hop on board!

Good bye, sweet girl! Hope your trip to Cali was everything that you hoped it would be! See ya soon!

Super Nanny ~ a night with seven cuties!

Britt and Ellie

My high school friends Dena and Robbie are staying in Arcadia this weekend for their cousins wedding. Dena asked me months ago if I'd be willing to hang with the kiddos the night of the wedding. I knew that Brittnee wouldn't mind being my sidekick, so I signed on for the task of "supervising" 7 children, age 10, 7, 5, 5, 3, 2 and 8 months.

Other than briefly LOSING 2 year old Isaac (in the red striped shirt) just before our shift officially began, things ran very smoothly. In our defense, Isaac was quietly playing outside while we were talking to the parents. All of the sudden there was no Isaac. He ended up in a neighbor's room ~ and the police had already been called when Dena quickly went to retrieve her youngest son! Isaac is the most articulate 2 year old I have ever met. He told us, as clear as day, how he accidentally went to the wrong room, 'cuz the all look the same!

We ate pizza, played tag, watched movies with popcorn, did a little swimming and had a grand Saturday evening!

Ella and Mia ~ Sisters

Kellen and Tyler ~ cousins.

It was fun to spend an evening with the offspring of old friends. Genetics are strong and there was no mistaking which child belonged to which family!

Thanks, Dena and Robbie (and Josh and Karly) for sharing your kidlettes with us for the evening!

Monkey

My mom made Brittnee and I matching sock monkeys. (And she made Britt the cute pillow case that's she's sleeping on too!) Brittnee sleeps with hers every night. Awww...

Hello Kitty and Hairspray

Brittnee and I saw our last musical of her trip tonight. We loved singing along to Hairspray, The Musical at The Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Michael treated us to a yummy dinner at Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill and was a sport as we browsed all of the girly shops at South Coast Plaza. Brittnee was AMAZED to see all of the bling and upscale shops.

B and I both share a love for all things Hello Kitty. She picked out a HK necklace as a memento.

After dinner we walked the bridge to the Performing Arts Center. It's so great to have such an amazing theatre so close to home and a bonus to have free parking at the mall!

I had to snap this photo. Brittnee's been pointing out all of the male fashion around the OC. And Skinny jeans and boots with a tucked in shirt on a guy is pretty much the stereotype all rolled into one!

Don't cha' love her nerd glasses. She said that she feels so New York City with her scarf. I think that she looks like a little surfer girl.

I'm loving these special times with Brittnee. She starts HIGH SCHOOL in the Fall. And I know that my cool factor is diminishing quickly.

The Theatre girls!

Alicia Keys in Concert!

My favorite older sister, Janice scored tickets for The Alicia Keys Concert and invited Brittnee and I to tag along with her and my nephew Andrew!

Brittnee knows just about every single Alicia Keys song by heart AND is the biggest LAKERS fan. So going to see Alicia Keys in the STAPLES CENTER was just about the highlight of her fourteen years on earth. If only you could have seen the way she grinned from ear to ear for the entire evening!

With Andrew and Brittnee

I just realized that she's sticking her tongue out. Not sure what that's about.

We ate dinner at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. It was super fancy. Thankfully French Fries and a burger was on the menu to cater to Brittnee and Andrew's simple palate.

When we were walking to the concert we saw this sign... a benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital! Is it odd, or is it God!??? How cool is that!

We got to see the paparazzis in action. Way fun!

Not by MY influence, but Brittnee is a HUGE Kobe B. fan.

Standing next to the Grammy Awards poster. Notice the shoes? And, yes, she walked all funky to avoid the "creases." I lost it a time or two and threatened to throw them away and make her walk barefoot! Am I a mean Godmother or what???

I told you she was happy!

My too cool for school Justin Bieber look a like nephew actually posed for a photo. That NEVER happens! (He did make me promise to email me the photos so that he can upload them to his Facebook page. And do you think that I get to be his "facebook friend?" Um NEGATIVE!)

Andrew goes to take his drivers license test tomorrow. GOOD LUCK, ANDREW!

Poser

My amazing and generous sister, Janice. Thanks to her we had such an amazing and unforgettable night!

Alicia's concert was INCREDIBLE. She is a very intelligent, classy, talented and beautiful entertainer.

What a fun, fun, fun night!

Thank you Janice for dinner and the tickets and thank you Alicia for an unbelievable show!