22 days and counting!

Somehow my to-do list isn't getting any shorter... When exactly is that supposed to happen??

Thank you to everyone who RSVP-ed either verbally or by sending back the card. We now have a better idea of how many to plan for! We are so excited that we have so many friends and family members that want to share this special day with us!

I hope everyone has booked their hotel room. The last day to get the reservation in under the Black-Hymel block is today - Friday, October 22nd!

I have posted the limo schedule on the Hotel Information page. The limos will be available all night for anyone staying at the Holiday Inn who does not want to drive. I have also updated the registry link for Dillard's to take you directly to our registry rather than having to enter all the information.

I had another bridal shower on October 10th in Lake Charles. This one was given by 2 of my aunts that live in Lake Charles. We had a great time and the food was excellent. I also got some awesome gifts! Lots of cooking stuff... think its a hint ;) ??? Sadly, I don't have pictures since my camera is on strike that day. I hope to get some soon from some of the friends/ family that attended the shower. As soon as I do I'll post them! Thanks to my Aunt Ann and Aunt Becky for throwing the shower! It was so much fun!

Patrick and I took pictures on October 2nd, here in Houston with our photographer Jason Hardesty. Our plan was to start at the Waterwall Park then head to the volleyball courts and take pictures. Well in true brittany-black-blackcloud-luck the waterwall was being worked on that week. Of course right? I mean its too easy for things to go as planned! Anyways, we decided to venture downtown to take pictures at Houston City Hall (anyone else since the irony there?) and Tranquility Park. Then we headed to the volleyball courts where we took more pictures and drank some much needed beer! We of course had an entourage with us! Along with Patrick and I, we brought my mom, Melissa - the wedding planner, and Rian - made of honor, and our beast Coal!! I'm so excited about the pictures and can't wait to share them with you at and after the wedding...

Ok, ok... Here's your sneak peak:

In family/ post-surgical news: I'm doing so much better these days. The pain in the leg has finally started to go away next I just have to wait on the numbness to go away. I'm up walking every day and starting to get out and around the town. Of course, its in small spurts... I have to work up to a whole day of standing/ being around town.

I want to say Happy Birthday to my sister, BriAnne, and my niece, Anna! BriAnne is 4 years younger than me (so forever 21) and Anna is 1!!!

45 days to go...

We have been busy little bees the past few months!

Its is all finally coming together! All those small little details are being finalized and things are shaping up quite nicely. We have picked out the tuxes for the guys - they will be looking super handsome come November 13th! We also, decided on a honeymoon. We'll be vactioning in Antigua at the Sandal's resort!

I was extremely impressed with the invitations done by Desgins for Life. They should be arriving any day now, and I hope you love them just as much as we did! Cristy did an amazing job!

We are taking engagement/ bridal portraits this weekend! Fingers crossed its not 100+ degrees and we don't run into any rain! For pictures, my hair and makeup will be doen by Andrea Schutter of Fabulous and Flawless Hair and Makeup. We did a trial run a few weeks ago and she's amazing, I'm so excited about having her fix me up for pictures!

Speaking of a few weeks ago... For my bachelorette party, all the bridesmaids and I went to New Branfels, TX. We rented a house right on the Guadalupe River! We all went tubing on Saturday, it was a lot of fun. We all made it back in one piece, with very few bruises and gashes! The guys had their bachelor party the same weekend in Austin. I don't know much about it other than there was lots of drinking! I'm sure all evidence was burned at some point before they headed back home!

This past weekend was one of my bridal showers/ luncheon given by a few of my aunts. It was amazing. We drank lots of wine and laughed a lot! It was catered by Berryhill, which has amazing food. I also got some pretty cool gifts. I'm so glad all my friends go to come! Here are a few pictures from the shower:

<--Aunt Vicki

Aunt Karen -->

2 of the 3 Hostesses. I didn't get a picture with my Aunt Jennie. The shower was at her house!

A HUGE thank you to all 3 of these ladies!!

<-- Rian (maid of honor) and I at the shower!

Wedding things still to come... Of course pictures are this coming weekend. Next weekend is my bridal shower in Lake Charles! That should be tons of fun with lots of family and friends from my home town!

In non-wedding news. Patrick's brother and family have officially moved to Houston! They moved into their new house at the end of July! We also celebrated Patrick's birthday in August. We went to the Astros/ Braves game! We had a blast! I got to spend 2 and a half weeks in Anchorage, Alaska! Mom and BriAnne came up with me and spent a few days. Although it was coldy and rainy most of the time, it was a wonderful experience. I'm hoping to go back after the first of the year! Also, on september 15th, I had back surgery. I had pins put into my L2 and L3 vertebra to finally fix a problem I've been fighting since high school. I'm slowly but surely recoverying! Every day I get a little stronger and seem to be in less pain. By the wedding, I hope to be 100+%!

4 Months to go...

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!!! All of the Hotel details have been finalized and you can now make reservations at your convenience before October 22! We will be staying at the Holiday Inn on Lake Street in Lake Charles. All the details are on the Hotel Information page!

In other wedding news, I have picked out invitations and am waiting on the samples! We added a registry to our list from Target. We still want to register at Kohl's but have not quite had a chance for that, check out the Registries page for the links thus far. Mom came and spent a weekend in June to shop for wedding stuff and we finished ordering my dress accessories, I'm almost a complete bride! Guess we should start looking at tuxes for Pat and the guys...

Patrick and I had a very busy month! We attended a wedding down in League City in June, dog sat for a week, had a visit from Pat's parents, and spent 4th of July in Austin. We had a great time in Austin and loved spending time with Matt, Mandy, Rian, and Clayton. Rian's birthday is July 4th so we got to celebrate another year of Rian with fireworks!!

5 Months to go...

I know I'm a little late this month with the update, but can you believe we're only 145 days out?!?!?!? These days seem to be flying by!

After taking the month of May off, we hit the floor running come June 1st. We are very excited to announce that we have picked a hotel! We will be blocking out rooms at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Lake Street in Lake Charles. See the Hotel Information page for more details!

We also have decided to have our rehearsal dinner at Mazen's. I am so excited about our decision. It is by far, my favorite restaurant in Lake Charles. Every other special occasion in my life has been celebrated here so it seems only fitting that our rehearsal dinner also be here!

Also, all rentals have been picked out and secured! YEAH!!! All the girls dresses came in and are beautiful! I've been slowly delivering them to the girls, but so far everyone is excited about them! My dress is also in, it fits, and it's beautiful! While I'm still keeping it a secret, I can't wait for you all to see it!

The boys have finally set a date for their big shin-dig. They're going to be partying it up in Austin, TX the same weekend the girls are relaxing ;) in New Braunfels, TX. Wonder if we'll run into each other??

Exciting things to come: Finalize hotel details so you can begin booking, picking out invitations, decide on a honeymoon. We have been working with a travel agent who has sent us several possibilities for honeymoons, we just haven't quite decided where to go...

Patrick and I had the opportunity to spend some time up at Lake Travis in May with some friends. It is beautiful up there and we had a great time! Here's a picture of us our last morning there...

6 Months to Go...

Patrick and I took the entire month of May off from planning. We are very grateful to have such wonderful families and friends and were very glad to get to spend lots of time with them throughout May.

7 months to go!!!

We're getting closer!!!

First and foremost: HAPPY EASTER!!

We actually made a lot of progress this month! This month we booked a caterer with a wait staff, a DJ, 2 limos, started a registry at Dillard's, and some other fun extras you'll see when you come! I must admit, I am feeling much better about everything.

Getting the caterer booked was a HUGE step! We are about 95% decided on linens and the rest of the rentals we will need, so hopefully by this time next month we'll be even closer to finished!

Many thanks to my mom for helping me get the save-the-date cards out this week! I know its way past time for them to go out, but we've had some communication and technical glitches with them... Anyways, they came in, they were perfect (the 2nd time), and are now on their way to you! THANKS MOM!!!



This was a very busy month for us. We've had lots of company and have taken a few trips to Lake Charles to see family and take care of wedding to-do items. We did stay close to home Easter weekend. We spent most of it shopping at IKEA and the Oakley store. We both ended up with new furniture and new sunglasses! There's so much stuff in IKEA, its unbelievable! We also spent some of our shopping weekend at Dillard's starting our registry! There is a link on the Registries page that should take you right to ours!

Other exciting news this month: I bought a new car! I got a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg2. LOVE IT! Patrick has already upgraded my stereo. It now has navigation, controls my ipod, and has Sirius!

Patrick's brother Derek and his family are officially moving to Houston! Derek started his new job here in Houston this week. He's staying with Patrick and me until they buy a house. Leah and the kids will be moving here this summer when school is out. We are super excited that they are going to be close!!!

On the horizon: Secure Linens and other rentals, finish our registry, work out the kinks in a few other special surprises,and block off hotel rooms, finalize rehearsal dinner plans! (big sigh of relief) Its all starting to come together!! Also, girls trip to Destin at the end of April!!!

Check out the other pages for more updated information!

8 months to go...

The ninth month came and went quickly and with little progress. For Valentines day, Pat and I went to the movies and saw Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. We both enjoyed it! He had to explain some of it to me since I have not read the books, but that was expected.

In wedding news, I spent and afternoon with Mom and Melissa looking at linens at Occasions in Nederland, TX. They have so much fun stuff! It was long afternoon, but we entertained ourselves with all the combinations we put together. Still no decision since I've changed my mind since then, but progress!

The last weekend in February all the girls came to Houston and we went to pick out their dresses! I think they all got one they liked and feel comfortable in! Here's are group shot at the end of dress shopping!



Once the dresses were taken care of, we went to lunch and then I took the girls to my favorite nail shop and they all got pedicures with a side of martini! We had a lot of fun laughing at everyone getting tickled!





I think we all had a fun day!!

In personal news, volleyball has started back up!!! So I have been spending a lot of time at the courts trying to play as much as possible! Pat has been working a lot lately but spends a few days playing volleyball too!

9 Months To Go...

Time is flying by! Can you believe February is almost gone?? It has been a very busy month for Patrick and me. I had another set of back injections done in January and am loving the fact that I can stand without pain!! I'm taking full advantage of being pain free! Our friends Matt and Mandy we married on January 29th! It was a lovely wedding and we all had a great time!! We were able to spend time with lots of friends that we do not get to see very often.

<-Derek & Leah Hymel

Brian & Natalie McKinney->

<- Gus & Elizabeth Fabrega

Jay & Kaite White ->

Oh course I never got a picture with the Bride and Groom... so typical of me!

Coal turned 3 on January 31st!! For his birthday, every year, we grill steaks. Its the only time he really gets "people" food! He loved it, as if there was any doubt!!

Patrick and I spent the first weekend in February in Lake Charles. We took my mom and sister to dinner for Mom's birthday on Friday night and Saturday we spent the day doing more wedding planning. We toured the Isle of Capri hotels and the brand new Holiday Inn on Lake Street. We were also told the bar in the vault at the bank had been completed so we went to check in out and ended up spending hours at the Bank discussing table colors, flowers, and a whole load of other things Patrick couldn't have cared less about!! He was a trooper though!! Besides, he did get a Darrell's special out of the deal!!

All the bridesmaids are coming to Houston at the end of the month to go dress shopping! Lots of things still on the To-Do list, but we're finally making some great progress!!

Check out all the new pages I've posted for more wedding details!

10 Months to go...

Happy 2010!

I hope everyone had a very wonderful holiday!!

We spent Christmas Eve and New Years in Lake Charles and Christmas plus a few days in Baton Rouge. Our niece, Anna, is getting very big!













Leah and I left the guys home to babysit while we went to check out bridesmaid dresses!! They survived and we found some great possibilities! We are going with Alfred Angelo dresses. After final input from my mom, we also finalized colors: Wine, Gold, & Ivory. The girls and I are planning to go shopping in late February to get their dresses! That will be exciting! Mom and I went to the Houston Bridal Extravaganza on January 9th. We got a ton of great ideas for decor, flowers, entertainment! All in all it was a very fun day!

In other news: Patrick and I bought a new washer and dryer. They were our Christmas present to each other! I absolutely love them! I notice such a big difference in our clothes.





Also, my Mac bit the dust, so Patrick built me a new computer!! And it's PINK!!!