Melissa's Christmas Shower

This weekend, we headed west to Birmingham where we had a fun-packed weekend. Saturday we celebrated the upcoming nuptials between my dear friend Melissa and her fiance, Rhyan, with a Christmas shower. I think these are always so much fun, because you get to shower the bride with everything Christmas!

She even had a "signature cocktail" featured, which if you know Melissa, that is soooo her. And it was delicious!

Ryan is currently serving our country in Iraq as a medivac pilot, and this was a gift from his aunt. I thought it was so accurate!

 They also had a coffee bar with all of these wonderful accessories. What a great idea for a cold December day!

The shower was held at the Hoover Country Club, and this beautiful tree was the first thing you saw when you walked in the door. Amazing!

Two of my best friends in the whole entire world- Brittanie and Danielle. Britt's boyfriend Kris, actually asked for her hand in marriage the very next morning (Sunday morning) while he was flying her in a helicopter. (She's marrying a pilot too!) She thought the purpose of the flight was for him to finish some required flight hours, but he surprised her with a beautiful ring while they were in the air. At one point, he asked her to get a map out of the glove compartment, and her ring box fell into her lap when she opened the map. He then landed her in Huntsville, where her family was waiting to congratulate the newly engaged couple. I couldn't be more thrilled for her!! Looks like 2011 is going to be a busy year with this group of girls. :)

 Melissa's gorgeous hardware.

 A (blurry) picture of most of the bridesmaids.

 All the phi mu girls!

She is going to make such a beautiful bride!

 I thought this was such a great idea. There were red ornaments and gold paint pens on the tables where we were sitting. Before Melissa started opening her gifts, we were instructed to decorate an ornament for Melissa and Rhyan's tree next year with a sentimental and/or funny phrase. Danielle's "sponsor 4 life" ornament cracked us all up- definitely an inside joke, but Melissa said if they have daughters, one of her top priorities is to teach her how to find her own "sponsor."

 Melissa, we are so happy for you and Rhyan! We are praying for Rhyan's safety daily, and we are so thankful for his selfless service. Can't wait for the fun year ahead of us!