Rod and Jess’ Blog

a September Wedding? 

Yesterday was my shower in Peoria, IL thrown by Rod’s Aunt Connie.  My mom had come into town for the weekend and drove Katie, Erin, Rod and I all out west for the shower.  We had a blast during the road trip, listening to alternative hits of the 90’s and just getting to talk for the first time in a while with all of us there.

It was really nice to get to know some of Rod’s family better during the shower.  We played a few games (which it was a great touch getting everyone to introduce themselves and give us marital advice - I’ll be keeping those for the future); had a delicious meal of turkey sandwiches, a few salads (the caprese - tomato, mozzarella and olive was delicious!) veggies and dip; and opened gifts.  They really showered me with love and made me feel welcome in their family.  It was really special and you could really tell that Connie put a lot into the shower!

A few pictures of the day:

Erin and I as the shower started

Me with my great Crate & Barrel wine glasses

Rod’s cousin, his sister-in-law, my mom, Katie and Rod’s mom

Opening our new kitchen aid blender - I’m so ready for a milkshake!

So excited for our new serving bowl from Crate and Barrel

The delicious dessert - yogurt, granola and fruit with shortbread cookies.  Yum!

Erin, Katie and I infront of the pictures of Rod and I as kids.
I’m up on NYE in my picture (with my Dee Dee in the background) and Rod looked like Dennis the Menace in his!

Rod and I after the shower when I was showing him all the wonderful gifts, with Mario trying to give me kisses.  I think Rod was most excited for the blender since we’ve been without one for so long (our old one broke when we were in the old apartment)!

I really appreciate everything that has been done for me with showers, and I can’t believe we’re now at less than five weeks for the wedding!  Where did the last 17 months go? 

Last weekend was my first “big” bridal event, my shower in Cincinnati, thrown by my Matron of Honor, Mary.  Erin and my mom also worked really hard on the shower making it a truly wonderful experience for me.

Mary, Me and Erin before the festivities began

My wonderful mother and I joking around.

The lodge all set up for lunch

The afternoon was kicked off with a wonderful lunch of finger sandwiches, fruit salad, greek pasta salad, macaroni salad and chips.  There were pitchers of iced tea, lemonade, limeade and a 100% fruit juice punch.

Me with a glass of the wonderful party punch that Mary put together.

They followed lunch with a few games, including one where they had e-mailed Rod ahead of time to get his answers to sixteen different questions.  I ended up getting 12 of sixteen correct!  I think Mary was beginning to think we had collaborated on them, but Rod and I just “get” each other! 

After the games we cut the cake.  My mom had gotten two cakes, one was a sugar free raspberry cheesecake and the other was a regular key lime cheesecake with icing.

There’s a view of the iced one and you can see a little of the sugar free one.

While everyone was eating their cake it was time for me to open gifts!

The table of all the gifts.  Also note the yellow recipe box on the corner of the gift table, each guest brought a family recipe for us and extra cards for Rod & Jess’s kitchen!

Me opening presents.  Probably my most unique gift was where someone had framed our invitation so we could display it in our home!

Some of the beautiful flowers decorating the lodge.

It was a wonderful experience for my first bridal shower and I really felt special on that Sunday.  Mary, Erin and my mom put a lot of effort into my shower and I feel honored that they would work so hard to make me feel special.  It was so nice to have all of the women who are important in my life surround me and shower me with attention.  Thank you to everyone who came out, I feel so honored to have you all in my life!