Pizza, Beer, and Cake. Oh my

My loyal readers (ok, so I don't think that anyone reads this), but I am back. I went home to the midwest to visit my family and go to my future sister-in-laws bridal showers. So, here is the run down:

Day 1: I arrived the evening before (Thursday) very late. My planes were on time, woo whoo!, that totally never happens. My mom picked me up and we headed back to the house where I grew up. Woke up in the morning and went to the local hair salon to get my hair did. They do a great job, plus my mom pays for it. After getting all beautified, we headed out to my grandparents to say hello and see my Uncle D. My Uncle D was leaving to go back to Iraq where he is a civilian contractor on a army base in Bagdade. After eating about 6 of my Grandma's chocolate chip cookies (they are SO good), my mom and I headed out to the mall! Ahh suburban life. We were both in search of dresses for the upcoming nuptials of my brother and his fiance. I was also in need of some new jeans and over new wardrobe. Most everything I have is a size too big! Long story short, I ended up getting an Antonia Melani dress. Size 14 thank you very much! Its really cute and very comfortable. I also got some new jeans and said goodbye Lane Bryant. I am now too SMALL to fit into their clothes. It feels great! Amazing right? After the mall we headed to Panera Bread, a calorie landmine if you ask me, but whatevs I'm on vaca. We then went to Target, my favorite store in the whole world. You can find everything there, and its pretty cheap too! After shopping away the day we headed back to my small town and met up with my Uncle D, his friend P, and my Uncle A at the local bar. The joint was jumping as the sand volleyball tournaments had started. Pitcher after pitcher of Miller Light, we drank away the evening. We also polished off a plate of the best nachos ever..mmm. I headed back home, drunk, and passed out cause I had only slept for a few hours the night before and had shopped all day.

Day 2: Bridal Shower #1. My mom, grandma, and I were heading up an hour north to go to the first bridal shower being put on by my future sister-in-laws side. We had some time in the morning, so we headed out to the outlet mall (yay, mall!) to go get me some new bras. I hadn't been fitted in a long time, so I tried on a bunch of them. 36D! Crazy, back in September I was a 38DD. I'm hoping that I don't lose any more weight in my chest, it probably will :( After the outlet mall we went to Grandma's for supper (or as most people call it lunch, don't ask me why they call it supper!) , as my Uncle D's last meal before going back to Iraq. My grandma made roast, mash potatoes, corn, green beans, and homemade rolls. So freakin good. I then had a piece of her homemade chocolate cake with fudge icing. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. After eating, my mom and I went and filled communion cups for church and then she dropped me off at a high school friends house. I had been invited over to catch up with her and bunch of girls I went to school with. All I have to say is wow, it was weird. Ok, just for awhile. You see, 3 of them are married, 1 has a serious boyfriend, and one of the married girls is pregnant. None of them have ever left the midwest and ventured out. Hell, one teaches at the high school we went to! Anyways, it was really good catching up with them. They all seem really happy and I am happy for them.
Ok, shower time! We drove up the scenic route an hour away and was greated by the brides family. The normal bridal shower things happen. Cake and presents. This one, however, had wine! Yay. Totally made it better to attend. After drinking half of a bottle, we headed home, ordered chinese, and fell asleep at 9:30. Yeah, totally exciting.

Day 3: Another Bridal Shower! Ahhh. But first, my mom and I went to visit Margret. The coolest 94 year old I know. She is somewhat losing her hearing, but she is still very with it. Always asks about my job and living in NYC. She is awesome. We chatted and then went back to get ready for the final shower. My grandma and I drove into town to get my Great Aunt (also a kick ass chick). Shower time! Walmart cake (not as good as my grandma's, but was amazing still), mixed nuts, some slushy drink thingy that was like a Flinestone push pop, and mints. But not just plain mints, these bad boys are homemade cream cheese mints. Its a tradition in my family that we make these for special occasions. Needless to say that I have made hundreds. After all the present opening, the family headed back to my grandparents for pizza and beer. All my cousins came with their significant others and we had a grand time. It was great catching up with them.

I headed back to NYC today and I am exhausted! Boy that was a jam packed weekend full of family, old friends, lots of food, no time at the gym, and lots of drinks. Oh well, back on the bandwagon today.