Pre-Christmas Shopping

It seems like every year Christmas starts earlier and earlier. This past Christmas season (November 10, 2012) I was able to participate in the tradition with Jackie as she searched for all of her Christmas goodies. 

I quickly learned Home Goods is a store Jackie loves. This store is very unique, because you can go there twice in the same week and find something different. It is not uncommon to go twice in the same weekend either. During busy times this store can become like Costco or Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon. Make sure you have a cart so you can block other carts. This allows your shopper to examine merchandise. Without this blocking technique it could be very dangerous. Only the strong survive! 

Ikea is another store that has seasonal goodies Jackie loves to buy. Although similar to Home Goods, Ikea's larger store spreads out the shoppers for safer shopping. The stick-man was my idea and a great addition to our office. Scroll down to see what the stick man is doing today!

No he didn't fall over. He is just getting his push-ups in.

Gary and Joey introduced Jackie to Crate & Barrel. She had never been there before and we left with lots of things. 

Getting a Head Start on Wishing

Last night after work Will and I were trying to figure out how to spend our evening when I gave the suggestion to go start our gift registry.  I threw the idea out there thinking Will would shoot it down and not want to send his Friday night in a store.  However, Will was in on the idea.  So after a nice dinner with my parents we headed out to Target.  We decided Target might be a convenient place for our guests to shop and they do have some cute home stuff that is affordable.  We scanned a ton of kitchen items and we even added a few fun things that Will was interested in so that he could get excited about "manly" presents.  We also registered at Bed Bath & Beyond this morning.  We picked out plates, glasses, and other exciting things.  It ended up being a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be and Will was super helpful.  He gave his opinion on a lot of things which I was thinking he wasn't going to be too interested in.  We had a lot of fun talking about what our future house is going to be like, it made us wish we already had one. But the awesome thing is that we are saving a lot of money right now so that we can afford our dream place sometime soon! Now I can't wait for my bridal shower in the summer :)  Here is a sneak peak at our registry:

Sadly, I was excited about this new food processor because it also will chop/slice food and if you have ever tried cooking with me then you would know this slicing option is good for me because I can't use a knife to cut a thing in the kitchen :(

This clock made me think of all the Pottery Barn catalogs that come in the mail :)

I love ANYTHING monogrammed! If I can add a "W" to it, then I want it! I even interested Will in some beer glasses (even though he isn't a big beer fan) just because we could add "Wheeler" to them!  

Together

Will and I received our first engagement gift (if you don't include the gift from my class and Aunt Donna's finds).  My neighbor, Linda, gave us one of the beautiful Willow Tree statues.  It is beautiful! I love the meaning behind the statue :)

"Together"

For those who have found their true partner

in love and life 

The Wedding Gifts Begin :)

I forgot to mention that right after the proposal my amazing mother had a "going away Will/ congratulation Will & Jackie" brunch with my family and some of my extended family on February 27th! Aunt Donna came over with a Outback take out bag full of discounted goodies.  Donna is the only person in the world who could pull this off gracefully/tastefully and she did an outstanding job!  Please admire some of her tacky yet fabulous gifts bellow...

A heart for Will to take my heart to New Mexico and my future wedding dress

Donna passing out the gifts like she was Santa :) Here is a cake topper...for the engagement party!

Joey was included in the gift giving it says "Thank God I'm Fabulous" this was PERFECT!!

Thank goodness for my fun family for always making others laugh!