We spent the weekend in Lexington, Virginia to celebrate the marriage of my college roommate, Meredith, to her new husband Scott! It was a gorgeous affair full of barns, great food, good beer, lots of dancing and cowgirl boots.
Our day started early on Friday with a pumpkin breakfast and final packing. Thursday may have been crazy, but Friday was calm thanks to all of the advance packing and planning.
I had a leftover portion of Coach’s Oats that I heated up in the microwave with about 1/3 a cup each of milk, pumpkin and cottage cheese. Honestly the microwave/stirring process took me longer than just making oats fresh on the stovetop, but at least there was no pot to wash : )
Served with blobs of pumpkin butter and Sarah’s Birthday Cake Nutty Butter! I LOVED this flavor (as I knew I would) because it was like cookie dough with sprinkles : )
So I added a bit more sprinkles on top to celebrate Mazen’s 4 week birthday!
Happy 4 Weeks Buddy!
We had a little time to twiddle our thumbs….er…eat and nap…before Matt came home from work and we set off on our journey. This is clearly our first time away from home (other than the hospital) and we were unsure how he would handle an hour car trip. Luckily we timed things perfectly and I fed him, we left, and he fell asleep in the car seat. LUCKILY!! Actually, it seems at 4 weeks his fussiness has calmed down – at least for the moment. Maybe he didn’t like his 3 week growth spurt? Or maybe we will be lucky.
In fact, we saw our first social smiles today! He knows his getting older <3
Matt brought home sandwiches for lunch that we could enjoy in the car
Curried Tuna for me!
Along with some chips and an apple.
And when we arrived at the hotel, our welcome bag included a cookie baked by Meredith’s mom! Yum.
We did some unpacking and tummy time before putting on our cowboy clothes and heading to the rehearsal.
A beautiful afternoon!
My boys and their matching outfits : )
We took 1,000 photos with Mazen today!
And we are in love with his pacifier – he is too!
I was able to feed him in the church nursery and then do my bridesmaid duties while the boys played….and then slept….outside.
When the rehearsal was over, we all headed to a family friend’s farm for a barn dance and pig pickin’!
The bride!!
There were shrimp and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers
Good beers for drankin’
Lots of BBQ
And a lovely buffet of Southern sides
Feast! Everything tasted amazing.
I was able to feed Mazen in the back of the room under a cover – no big deal!
We had a lot of fun!
Mazen was decked out in plaid and denim – just like his dad!
Yee haw.
{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
Barn wedding! Want. And that mac and cheese, too.
I love non-traditional weddings. This theme is so whimsical and wonderful. Congrats to your friend. M and M looked precious! And, girl, you work dem boots!
Everything about this wedding looks beautiful, including the 3 of you!
You look so beautiful! How is it you still get to glow AFTER the baby is born! lol Maze is really starting to look like his daddy. Love a barn wedding.
What a fun day! Those oats look fabulous!
This looks like a low (lower?) stress type of wedding. Smart!
Yaaaay Maze! Such a cute mini cowboy!
Ahhhhh . . . I did my RD internship at Meredith in NC and learn about pig pickins’ and cheerwine. This post is making me miss it so much!!
What a gorgeous wedding! Maze is just so adorable.
What a neat wedding. The rustic farm theme is really gaining popularity & I love it!
Also, Kath, you look so good!! You just look so fit & slim only 4 weeks out from having given birth! And from what I see on the blog, you are not dieting, just eating consciously. What a great role model for all of us! Also, you definitely have the new mommy glow!
You look so beautiful! I never comment, but I read every day, and i have to say that you look like such a natural and wonderful mom. I love your blog- and the balance you have in your life. As someone who wants kids and a career, I am truly inspired by you every day! Thanks for writing.
Thanks for your comment!
How fun! Was this the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception? It’s really lovely either way. And what exactly is pig pickin’?
Rehearsal dinner! Wedding post is tomorrow – a huge one loaded with photos!
Pig pickin’ means that the pig is roasted and people “pick” the meat off for their plates. Although here the cooks did the pickin’ for us. In college, though, we often picked ourselves
I’ve been to quite a few pig roasts and have never heard of pig pickin’. We either don’t say that in Ohio or I’ve never paid enough attention. Thanks for explaining it!
Happy 4 weeks b’day Maze!! You are growing cuter and cuter by the day! I celebrated my daughter’s b’day every week for the first few months and then every month until her first b’day!! Crazy! But could’nt get over that beautiful day for a long time! Actually won’t be able to get over it forever! Kath as always, you make everything seem very smooth and hassle-free! Congrats for making a successful first road trip. You all look amazing.
What a fun time! You look amazing! Maze looks adorable in his plaid!
Kath you look great! Love Mazen’s little outfit too!
Love all of the family pictures!
Have you ever done a blog post on skincare or makeup? Your complexion is so beautiful and I would love to know your secrets!
Thanks, no I haven’t. I use Bare Minerals and Alba Sea Minerals and don’t wash my face at night : )
You leave your makeup on to go to bed? Do you wear eye make-up? Just curious!
Yeah, but it’s pretty much all gone when I get in bed. If I wear heavy make up (like last night’s wedding) I take it off.
What’s the Alba Sea Minerals? I use their Coconut face wash and am in Love!!
Wow! What fun! I love a pig roast with all the fixins! Yum! Love the matching plaid of your boys! Fixin up a feast myself to celebrate our Canadian Thanksgiving and my husband’s birthday tomorrow…trying to get it all finshed so I can go watch my youngest son’s hockey game at 6pm. My hubbie is assistant coach this year…so far so good…1 win, 1 tie and no losses! I will finish up the meal when we get home…dinner will be worth the wait!! Enjoy the wedding!
Your baby looks adorable, I like the photo where he has one eye closed and is showing the tongue.
On another subject totally different, it surprises me that you use a cover to nurse your baby. Here (in western Europe) its something totally accepted to see women nursing babies everywhere! I’m not judging or giving an opinion, just telling.
It’s just me – I’m not totally comfortable showing because people here would probably stare (or so I would feel even if they weren’t)
You are absolutely glowing in these pictures!
gooooooodness these picture are precious.
You look amazing in these pictures. Happy 4 weeks to Mazen too! I hope you all have a great time and good luck juggling baby and bridesmaid duties tomorrow. If anyone can do it, it’s you… Looking forward to tomorrow’s post.
All of the photos are gorgeous! They came out so well. Perfect lighting, and everyone looks so happy and vibrant. The matching outfits are just adorable! It’s awesome that the first time away from home has gone off without a hitch. Yay!
I cannot believe you gave birth 4 weeks ago! You look awesome!
beautiful pictures, as usual! What awesome food- especially for the rehearsal dinner! I’m excited/curious to see what they served for the wedding meal.
Mazen is so cute!
Looks like a great time! Did you think about just having Mazen stay with Karen for the weekend? I feel bringing a newborn to a wedding would just be so hard! And sometimes those weekend get aways are nice as new parents
Just curious.
There’s no way I could be separated from him right now
First, emotionally, and second, I could never have pumped enough milk to supply him for a weekend. This was a laid back weekend – had it been really formal I don’t think we would have been able to go.
My “baby” is going on 3 (years!) and I still haven’t spent a night away from him. ???? just can’t do it yet.
My “baby” turns two this week and when she was 11 months old I left her with my spouse for a weekend to visit my brother in another state –it was too early. I decided there’s plenty of time to leave her later! Can’t imagine leaving a four week old! Seems like you managed with him very well at the wedding.
You look so beautiful Kath!
What a beautiful family!!! And I cannot get enough of Mazen’s button nose!! So so cute.
This looks like a really fun weekend! Mazen in plaid is adorable.
Looks like a beautiful weekend-what a unique wedding! Glad you had fun!
Kath, You look great! You can’t even tell that you just had a baby!!! Thanks for all the posts and updates. I love them!!!
Kath, you look radiant in the last few photos…and in some of the pics Mazen’s eye are so blue! Just like yours!
Love the pink boots as beer holder and the food pics and overall vibe of the barn dance. How fun!
So glad Maze enjoyed his first trip! Maybe he will come to Grammie’s next!
I love the pictures! You all look great and it looks like such a fun time. That nut butter sounds really good too and I have to order some for myself! By the way, I’ve loved reading your blog the past two days (I’ve been going through your old posts since I’m new to your blog) while I’ve been in the hospital for an appendectomy. Your mobile app was a lifesaver and saved me from so much boredom! Thank you
Welcome! And hope you’re feeling better!
Thanks Kath!
Oh my!! Little M in plaid is just too precious! I can’t wait to see photos of the wedding because the photos in that barn are just beautiful.
We have the exact same paci! My son is 11 weeks and likes it only sometimes! Other times he spits it out and makes a face.
Mazen looks So much like Matt!!!
Aw that beer coozie is ALMOST as cute as Mazen! I think barn weddings are the perfect combination of elegant yet rustic. Looks like you guys are having tons of fun!
On the subject of your breastfeeding with a cover, I say good for you for doing that even. Where I’m from (small town in Canada) people judge even for nursing, covered. An acquaintence nursed her baby (covered) at a fair (but still in a somewhat secluded area) and was talked about all evening! Ridiculous. That being said, I would be totally uncomfortable being exposed while nursing.
Also Mazen looks way too cute matching with Mattt!
What a GORGEOUS wedding! It looks like so much fun.
[Glad my Nutty Butter could help celebrate Maze's birthday!]
You look so wonderful, Kath! Maze looked soooooooooo darling.
What a cool setting for a rehearsal! Can’t wait to see the wedding photos.
I love some good southern bbq, yum!
Happy 4 weeks little one! I love the pic of you and Mazen (where he is half yawning) completely adorable
That looks like an awesome wedding – so fun!
Kath, you look amazing! And Mazen is so stinkin cute! Mommyhood looks good on you.
Awwww! The boys look adorable in their matching western gear! The rehearsal dinner looks like a lot of fun – is the wedding western/barn themed as well? Love your boots, by the way
Is the bride and/or groom a Texas expat? I spot a TX flag and shiner!
I think your blog is complete with mazen’s pics in it, so is your life for sure. While I must admit your eats are very well balanced, I find myself wondering if you actually fuel yourself adequately judging by the portion of your food. on top of tht you’re also breastfeeding! I’m rather curious than trying to make an issue here ‘cos I’d have expect more mini meals perhaps? Or is it that different bodies response differently?
My meals are quite large andI I just don’t like snacking very much. I’d rather eat more per meal than lots of snacks that don’t fill me up.
Mazen is such a doll!
And all of the pictures are just stunning. I love the idea of “barn weddings.” They’re so quaint and hold so much charm to them.
Looks like fun!! The baby looks so cute!
Beautiful pictures!
Such a unique rehearsal dinner. I love it!
A half a sandwich for lunch is not a large meal, especially for a nursing mother! I’d think you need lot more calories than that to produce enough milk for a growing baby!
On bread that is super dense? Along with a bag of chips and an apple? It was more than enough. I’m eating by hunger, and my supply seems fine. I don’t want to be rude, but I think I know more about my body’s needs than anyone else.
And what’s ironic is the half that doesn’t think I eat too little thinks I eat too much!
You can’t please ‘em all…you know your body – after all, it is yours!
Can’t believe he’s already four weeks–he’s just so cute. That looks like it was a lovely, laid back wedding. Hope you had lots of fun.
Cute wedding– what a fun idea! Love Great Harvest….mmmmmm! (yes, it is quite dense!)
The birthday cake nutty butter looks spectacular
Now THAT is my kind of wedding – laid-back, casual, no itchy-fussy-frilly dresses required! Mazen looked ridiculously adorable in his wedding outfit.
This was the rehearsal but the wedding was also in a barn : )
You have a beautiful family!
What beautiful photos! Love the guys in their western shirts. Maze is adorable!
What a gorgeous location for a wedding! I’ve been to a barn wedding before and I think they are just beautiful, especially with the countryside view!
You just got me motivated again! Plain black tee and jeans with boots is like a southern closet staple. I will have that in my closet ready for next fall! Timeless casual and beautiful!
The beer koozies are so fun!
BTW – have you seen Call the Midwife on PBS Sunday nights? I really think you would enjoy it – it’s only been on twice so you have time to catch up.
Yes, loved it!
Aww Mazen is PRESH~!!!!!!
I have a quick photography question, on pictures (such as the shot down the food table) where your forefront is in focus and then it blurs out would you say this has more to do with your lens or the setting? I have a Canon Rebel T3 and have been wanting to invest in a macro lens but also wonder if I need to do something different setting-wise to achieve that effect?
Which lens do you have? The effect is with a low aperature such as f/2.5. Most stock lenses will go to about f/3.5 and you do get some blur there. Try your camera on AV mode and change the aperature down as low as your lens goes and see what happens. If it doesn’t give you the effect, you probably want a prime lens that does – this one is cheap and a good lens: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU but if you don’t have a full frame camera (which you don’t!) I would really recommend investing in this one (which never leaves my camera): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009XVCU/?tag=hyprod-20&hvadid=15469392579&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2103478296664290086&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&ref=asc_df_B00009XVCU
My lens is the 18-55mm, macro .25m/.8ft. Mine is not a full frame either. I have actually been looking at that 35mm lens! I think a wide angle might be part of what I need to capture the shots I am looking for. My aperture is always in the mid-range (do you adjust yours per shot?) and so I took it down to 3.5 (my lowest) and it did produce a little bit more of what I want but I feel it may have lost a bit of quality? Guess it’s time to invest in a new lens…at least Christmas is around the corner…
Definitely get the 35!! It’s awesome! You shouldn’t have lost quality at all – just less of a focused area with the wider aperture.
The pictures of Matt and Mazen are absolutely precious!! And I can’t get over how beautiful this wedding/rehearsal is! The barn, the food, the people- it just looks like a dreamland
Looks like you all had a fun time!
Amazing array of foods!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Happy 4 weeks, Maze! And wow your weekend eats look delish, love the lil koozies, too!
Jess called me when she smiled and we both cried a little. Don’t you love it! ps You are a rock star nursing mom, love how you can always find a spot to snuggle up and get it done. I’m hoping your generation will make nursing in public a normal, everyday thing, not something to regulate or write about.
So how about a recipe for Matt’s pumpkin beer???
Sorry, here it is: http://www.katheats.com/drinkable-pumpkin
Great, thanks!
The food looks delish!
Mazen seems like such a happy & content baby!
Mazen in his plaid and jeans is just too stinkin’ adorable. Also love the pictures of him with one eye open/tongue out and then just completely conked out. Haha