Bachelor Party

Even with a recession, my buddies still stepped up and threw me a great bachelor party in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. We stayed at the Monte Carlo and had multiple adventures.


Here we are at our first blackjack table. For some of us, it should have been our last, but where's the fun in that? I think the big winner was Richard (all the way to the left). Even in this picture, he has 20 and the rest of us have 12, 13 & 15.






Here we are on our first adventure at "The Gun Store." It is a shooting range where you can shoot machine guns. Here we are picking out our guns.











We also had a friendly competition with hand guns. Here I am with my target. I won even though I decided to use my last bullet to shoot him in the head and lose 4 points.

They put a big red circle in the middle, so I don't see what's so hard.














Here is a picture of Ed and me with our machine guns. They are actually easier to handle than I thought they would be.










We even worked in a little educational trip to the Hover dam. On the left we are inside the dam at a vent on the back. On the right, we are on top of the dam and you can see the new bridge they are building in the background.

So you may be asking yourself, where is all the partying? Not to worry, there was plenty of that too. Here is the start of one of our nights at a Jimmy Buffet concert.

Memorial Day

Today Matthew and I, with a little help from our buddy Jason, tackled picking out new items for our bathroom remodel. It was actually more difficult then you might think, especially when you have certain tile in mind and a serious budget. We went to every home store known to man, even Ikea. Five hours after we left home this morning, we returned, the proud owners of a vanity, mirror, faucet, and light fixture. Now the only part left is to install them.

First Day of Summer

Summer vacation is finally here, and to celebrate we headed to the local dive bar for some drinks and laughs. After teaching 9th graders for 180 days, I needed to unwind, and Matthew was more then willing to go with me. However, Matthew complained to the bartender that there was not enough juice in his lime to sufficiently add taste to his beer. The result was a personalized lime animal with enough juice for multiple Corona's; I personally think it looked like a Muppet. I love my job, but summer sure is a blast! I have two months to just sit back, relax, and make home improvements! Oh yeah, and get married!

Painting with Pinot

While Matthew was working, I decided to sign up for an art class with some friends. It's not really an intense class, after all, they let you bring wine in while you paint, but it is a good time. There is one experienced artist who takes you through a famous painting step by step. Tonight's class was for beginners, as you'll be able to tell by my painting, but it was a ton of fun! We have already singed up for another class, and I am pushing for the "How to Paint the American Flag" class in July. This is what the final project looked like. Mine is on the far right.

Finally here!!

Even though Matthew is STILL out of town on his Vegas extravaganza with the boys, I still managed to pick up our engagement photos. To be honest, I was a little nervous because I usually do not do well when it comes to forced pictures, my senior photos are proof of this fact. However, I am very pleased with the result of our day at the park. Our photographer said she could see the happiness in our eyes, which is the God's honest truth because I am so happy to be marrying Matthew. These are just a few random pictures, the rest we'll force only on our family. However, if you want to see more, you can go the photographer's website. That's right, we made the website. I would like to think it is because we are so devastatingly handsome, but really I think it is because I kept asking if the pictures were good enough to go up there, and she felt sorry for me. Pity or not, we made the website! http://www.davidandmeisphotography.com/gallery/Atlanta-and-Alpharetta-Engagement-Photo-Session-4

While Matthew is away...

Since Matthew has been gone for a few days on his bachelor party, I decided to participate in Relay for Life. While there, I just simply had to bid on this birdhouse in the silent auction. Matthew doesn't know it yet, but it's going in the back yard! Hey, it was for a good cause and the money went towards cancer research. I love me some Elvis!

School Shower

Today after school my fabulous department, and a few brave souls who dare to venture into the world of special education, threw Matthew and I a shower. Let me tell you, when the Special Education Department gets together there is some seriously fabulous food, lots of laughs, and bizarre stories. They decorated everything in black and white, but the cake had to be the focal point! They somehow got a hold of a picture of us and had it scanned onto a cake; it was too beautiful to eat. I have to say, we looked pretty darn good in icing. It was a wonderful time, and I am very lucky to have such great people to work with. Now if we can only survive the next two weeks until summer, we'll be good to go! (Please take note of my attempt to match the text to the picture)

Prom...A Night Among the Gods

So this past weekend Matthew and I attended South Forsyth High School's prom. Matthew was actually forced to attend because I was co-chair and spent countless hours on the stinking event. Nonetheless, there was good food, 80s musics, and more sequins then you could shake a stick at. Matthew pretends not to enjoy it, but deep down he loves it. We both even received matching prom t-shirts. Look for a picture of those in the future.

Meet the Bridesmaids

Hey all. When you look back it's just amazing that God puts people into your life at just the right time, even when you didn't know you needed them. With that said, I thought everyone might enjoy learning a little bit about the ladies in the wedding party. They have helped shape my life and mean more to me then they will ever know. Here are a few fun facts and a few deep thoughts I'd like to share.

First, meet the fabulous Monica Hinden.

Monica lives in New York City with her wonderful husband Josh, where she owns her own advertising firm. Monica and I were sorority sisters in college, though we try not to claim that now, and have been friends ever since. We caused lots of trouble at IU, specializing in fraternity parties, black pants, and fake IDs. Monica is one of the few people that can continuously make me laugh for no reason. A certain incident on my 20th birthday comes to mind. It involves a bar called Bears, karaoke, and a bicycle cop. Good times. Anywho, when you meet her please avoid the topic of "what was Holly like in college"; she could rat me out.

Meet Eve Robertson.
Eve and I grew up in the bustling metropolis of Fort Wayne Indiana. I have known Eve since kindergarten, and can claim that she may be the only person attending the wedding to have seen me in "hammer pants". True story, my grandma bought them for me when she came to visit. Eve and I have done it all, from Brownies to co-chairing high school Christmas Dances. I still smile every time I think about Eve and I practicing for months to play a piano duet together at the Lutheran Grade Schools talent show. We bombed big time and were not allowed to play on the big stage. Just one of the many stupid things we did as kids. Eve currently lives in Indy with her husband Sam, love him, where she teaches youngsters.

Meet Katie O'Brien.
I met Katie while at IU as well; however, I actually met her in class. (that's right, I did go on occasion) Katie is loving refereed to as one of my special education buddies. We used to go directly from class to happy hour where the margaritas were 32oz and buy one get one free, enough said. There were also many nights spent at Upstairs with the infamous AMFs. My favorite memories of Katie though are walking the mile and half to class every morning and just talking about whatever. She was my counselor then, and still is to this date. Katie currently lives in Boston with her husband John, who is adorable as well.

Meet Kimberly Terry.
Kimberly is my future sister-in-law, which sounds menacing, but she is absolutely lovely. I look forward to years of family vacations where we can gang up on the boys. I am also counting on her to be my ally against tailgating till one in the morning. Kimberly currently lives in Augusta, GA with brother-in-law to be Richard and Kamdyn.

Meet Heidi Elseroad (my sister). What can you say about someone who really has been there form the beginning? It's difficult to sum a a lifelong relationship in a small blurb, but Heidi is a wonderful sister. However, I do feel compelled to share one particular memory. She gave me a bloody nose from jamming an icicle up it. True story; I can laugh through the pain now : ) Heidi lives here in Atlanta, and we even teach at the same high school. She is a fabulous mother to my two nephews Jackson and Reese.

Play that Funky Music

Matthew and I are currently attempting fill out the DJ information sheet for the reception. Who knew there were so many decisions to be made? First dance, last dance, dinner music, the list goes on and on. Sadly, the hardest decision is what song Matthew and I will be introduced to. One choice was easy though, and that was what the wedding party would be introduced to. We expect them to look like Carlton and Will. You all better get your dancin' shoes ready because Matthew and I are already practicing!



We're serious. This is what you are walking in to, so jump on it.

Matthew's Wedding Preparation

I just thought you might all get a kick out of watching what Matthew is doing to get ready for the wedding. He was hard at work destroying our guest bathroom so that new tile and a window can be in place before all the company arrives in June/July. The upstairs hallway looks like a war zone, but it sure will look nice when all is said and done. Please notice the pea green tile; I can't say that I will miss that.