Well, it's finally the end of the year. I'm currently in Belize and I've scheduled this to post on December 31, so hopefully it worked. Truth be told, I'm pretty sad to see 2009 go...it really was a great year for us!! So many big birhdays and 2 gorgeous weddings. We were SO busy!! Here's a little recap of some of the good times.
January 1, 2009 - We hosted a New Year's Open House for the McCarty family. It was like a "Welcome to the Family" party for me and Christine. I think we passed.
February 6-8, 2009 - Ryan and I make our first trip out to Jackson Hole together. We spend the weekend skiing, eating, shopping and taking care of all the wedding stuff. It was one of my favorite weekend getaways ever!
February 14, 2009 - I make a romantic Valentine's dinner for Ryan and I. First live lobster I've killed by boiling it alive. I cried...again It was delicious, but I have bittersweet feelings about this day. Please pray for my soul.
February 27-March 1, 2009 - While Ryan is fishing in Arkansas, I travel to Naples, Florida for some sunshine (and a little fishing of my own) and a nice visit with Mike and Erica. Mike arranged for my first ever helicopter ride over the city and up and down the coast. It was so amazing! And, this was the first time I had stone crab...I cannot wait to go back!
March 14, 2009 - Ryan and I attend the St. Patrick's Day parade downtown St. Louis with friends. I'm really looking forward to celebrating St. Patty's next year since I'm now officially Irish.
April 5, 2009 - My great friend Brooke threw me my very first bridal shower! I loved every single second of it! I'm pretty sure I cried when I left (I did have a lot of champagne).
April 11, 2009 - Mally turned 8 years old. And we celebrated the 30th birthday of my amazing friend Kirsten in Columbia with a pub crawl. So much fun!
April 18, 2009 - We celebrated Ryan's 29th birthday with a mexican fiesta! Margaritas, nachos, and a taco bar. It was a blast. And even though I wasn't feeling well (I threw my back out doing something...and cried), we still had a fun night.
April 21, 2009 - We mailed out the invitations to our wedding! It was a pretty exciting day at our house. Until 1 day later when we hear that they were crushed in the mail and arrived in pieces in people's mailboxes. More crying.
April 30, 2009 - Ryan was inducted into the MICDS Hall of Fame for being the most bad-ass water polo player in the history of the world. You know you're jealous.
May 30 - June 2, 2009 - Ryan and I vacation in Location X. Not a lot of tarpon luck this year, but fun in the sun nonetheless.
June 6, 2009 - Celebrated Stuart's 30th birthday aboard the Pamela.
June 16, 2009 - We get a surprise visit from Ryan's college roommate Nick and his wife Anna. They're driving across the country (from Connecticut to New Mexico, to Alaska and back). We took them to a Cardinals game.
June 26-28, 2009 - The girls travel to the Lake of the Ozarks to celebrate Jacquie, Alison and Heather's birthdays! We rented a condo with a pool and hot-tub.
July 3, 2009 - I had my final dress fitting at Saks. I didn't want to take her off. Tears of happiness that it fit.
July 7, 2009 - Ryan and I left for Jackson Hole. First thing we did upon arriving...get our marriage license. Woo hoo!
July 10, 2009 - Bridal luncheon and rehearsal dinner.
July 11, 2009 - Ryan and I got married. Yay! This was defiinitely the biggest hightlight of the year. We got married in the mountains, surrounded by 60 of our closest friends and family members. Talk about blessed. Tears of joy.
July 18, 2009 - Had to say goodbye to good friends Amanda and Greg as they began a new adventure in San Antonio, Texas. More tears.
August 22, 2009 - Spent the evening with the crew at Fast Eddie's Bon Aire, celebrating Kasey's 30th birthday (a little early).
August 28-30, 2009 - Ryan and I drive up to Chicago to attend Justin and Christine's sangria party. We made it to a Cub's game while we were there.
September 12, 2009 - Family reunion weekend at the Farm. I can't seem to find any pictures of this...
September 18-20, 2009 - While Ryan heads off to Vegas for Justin's bachelor party, the girls head to Miami for a weekend of fun in the sun for Christine's bachelorette!
September 26, 2009 - Team Pretty in Pink kicks some ass in the Annual Charter Golf Tourney. I win the trophy for Longest Drive and Julie wins for Closest to the Pin!
October 3-4, 2009 - Ryan, Mally and I head down to the Current River for a weekend of floating and fishing.
October 10, 2009 - Celebrate Iris's birthday at the very last Cardinal game of the year. Followed by dinner of tapas at Barcelona. Seriously, where are all my pictures?
October 24, 2009 - We all celebrate Billy's 30th birthday. Michelle cooked an amazing meal.
October 31, 2009 - Ryan and I were part of the wedding party when Justin and Christine took the plunge. They tied the knot at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago.
November 7, 2009 - MU v. Baylor football game.
November 13-15, 2009 - Kasey and I spent the weekend living it up in New York City!
November 20-22, 2009 - While Ryan was with my family at Deer Camp, I spent the weekend in San Antonio with my friend Lindsey visiting Amanda.
November 26, 2009 - Ryan and I spent our first major holiday as newlyweds with his family in St. Louis.
December 2, 2009 - I got my first pair of Christian Louboutins. Oh, holy day. Love these babies.
December 12, 2009 - Attended my MIL's surprise 60th birthday party! Dinner that evening with family and friends.
December 19, 2009 - Celebrated Christmas early with the family.
December 23, 2009 - Left for our honeymoon in Belize!!