Gender Reveal: Baby Dillon

ITS A BOY…..

Photography: Jodie Brim Photography / Instagram: @JodieBrimPhotography

We decided to wait until the 18-20 week mark to find out the gender of our baby and I’m so glad we waited. The gender reveal had SO MUCH suspense and excitement and I think its because we broke it all up. We didn’t announce until 3 months and did the reveal at 5 months. Next on the list is the baby shower and then it’ll be baby time. I feel like a lot of people rush everything and then you have a long waiting period rather than breaking up the excitement so the process doesn’t feel as long. I can’t believe I’m already HALF WAY and I do feel like the rest is going to fly by. 

So as you all know, WE’RE HAVING A BABY BOY!! I have dreamed of being a boy mom for as long as I can remember and I’ve NEVER seen Austin so happy in my life. The first night I met Austin (July 11, 2015), he talked about having a family one day. I knew from the get-go having a family was his biggest dream and I can’t believe we’re here! I remember when we got married, we started praying hard for all of this. Even throughout everything, we’ve continued to pray and pray and pray. There are so many risks involved in a pregnancy, all you can do is lean on God.

We’ve been looking forward to throwing a gender reveal party ever since they became popular. This adrenaline rush was the equivalent to winning a NASCAR race. We all felt like we were in victory lane celebrating a MASSIVE win.

We shot off the biggest cannons I could find. We choose the cannons that were FULL of smoke and confetti. We also had our friend fly over us and drop more smoke. I ordered 10 cannons that were 32 inches. We had 10 guys set them off because they were pretty powerful. We did a short countdown…. 3-2-1… and we also went “live” on instagram so everyone could see.

Also, thank you to my family and friends who drove all the way from Tennessee to be with us. I can’t thank you enough for making this day so special!

Needless to say. BEST. DAY. EVER!

I wanted to share some of the companies I used for the reveal. If you’re in the Charlotte area, I highly recommend any of these awesome people.

I also have to give a BIG thank you to my mother-in-law Tina. She did the entire set up. I don’t have my family here to help and she always comes in clutch. Thank you Tina! I love you!!

Cannons: PoofThereItIs.com 

Candy Bar: All candy was from PartyCity.com and Amazon.com

Balloon Backdrop: Confetti Castle - Instagram @ConfettiCastle

Baby Dillon Cake Topper: ETSY.com/AtomicKraftwork

Cakes: Deweys Bakery

Cupcakes: Deweys Bakery

Flowers: Homegoods and Reggie’s Flower Shop

Food: Served Fruit and finger foods

Beverages: Pink and Blue punch made by Childress Vineyards

Photography/Videography: Jodie Brim Photography

NASCAR Productions also filmed the event. It will air during the week of the Daytona 500

BABY BOY….. you are so loved already! We can't wait to hold you, meet you, and tell you all about the last 10 months. We are patiently waiting on your arrival!

All our love,

Dad and Mom

COSTA RICA

VACATION

Four Seasons Resort in Costa Rica

Our first annual family vacation was one for the books. Costa Rica is one of our new favorite spots to travel. It’s a quick and easy flight from North Carolina and its beyond beautiful. Flight Time: 3.5 hours.

We booked our vacation through Todd with Avenue Apart. You can check out his Instagram @speedofflight. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort and it was unreal. The staff were some of the sweetest and accommodating people.

The mix of ocean with forest is a sight to see.

ZIP LINING

Diamante Eco Adventure Park

Costa Rica is known for zip lining. They have some of the best in the world and I would say this is a must if you visit here. We rented a boat for a day and they took us to zip line. You can also go by car. We ate lunch there and snorkeled the rest of the time. Renting the boat was so nice to relax and see everything around the island. Zip lining is no joke so beware if you’re scared of heights. However, they have a cool hangout spot to watch and take pictures.

The Superman

FISHING

Mahi Mahi

90 pound Rooster Fish

You can’t come to Costa Rica and not do a little fishing. This was one of my favorite experiences of the week. We caught a 90 pound Rooster Fish and Mahi Mahi. They filleted the Mahi Mahi for us and we ate it for dinner. I recommend doing this activity early in the morning and with a big group of people. 

Whitney Dillon, Shawnee Ward, Rick Ward, Austin Dillon, Tina Dillon, and Mike Dillon

The resort offers complimentary paddle boarding, surfing, volleyball, and other activities. We had a lot of fun with these as well. This was also a kid friendly resort. They had a game room and a kid pool only. They also had fun activities on the beach at night like s’mores. 

SNORKELING

The day we went zip lining, we also went snorkeling. We rented a small boat for a private tour. This was really cool to experience and Austin’s favorite of the week. There are all kinds of spots around the island and will take you to as many as you want.

HIKING

Our resort had a hiking trail that wrapped around the island. They have tons of trails and this is where you see the best views. You also see monkeys along the trails which was wild to see.

Overall, this was the BEST trip we’ve ever been on. Costa Rica is amazing and we were blessed to share these experiences with our family. Now, on to Daytona!

XO,

Whit

Cheers to us: YEAR ONE

One year down… Forever to go

Today is DECEMBER 9th. Exactly one year ago I said ‘I do’ to my baby boo AD. I didn’t know what to get him so here is a gift from the heart.

Life is crazy and time flies. Y’all, it’s been a whole year since we got married! Where does the time go?

In the past year, our beautiful niece was born. We won the Daytona 500 and began filming Racing Wives with CMT.

In honor of our one year, I made AD do a photoshoot in the desert so shoutout to the best husband but also shoutout to the best wife because now I have to go hunting. LOL.

Photography by: @kygirlphoto

We found out real quick that a happy marriage involves doing things that makes the other one happiest. I don’t like the quote happy wife, happy life. We’re a team. I like to think its happy couple, happy life.

Marriage is the most beautiful thing in the world but it isn’t easy. It’s something you have to work at constantly. At the end of the day, were a team. If I fall short, so does he and vice versa. I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.

HAPPY ONE YEAR to my world! You challenge me. You drive me crazy and you always make me better. Your drive and ambition is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Your heart is pure and you genuinely love me so hard. I love you with every ounce of my being! I can’t wait to see where God takes us next.

We know that marriage isn’t always skittles and rainbows but perfection is boring. It’s about what we overcome that makes life worthwhile. We struggle, we win, we lose, we conquer, we fail, but throughout it all, we overcome. You are my angel and I love you more than life.

Like I always say, it’s about the person who will be sitting on the front porch with you at 90 years old thinking you’re the best decision they ever made.

Cheers to the next 50! LETS DO THIS THANG!

All my love,

Whit Whit

Engagement Photos

The Future Mr. and Mrs. Austin Dillon

I think it really hits you when you get your engagement photos back... WE'RE GETTING MARRIED! We had so much fun shooting our engagement photos at Middleton Place Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. I've always been a huge fan of 'The Notebook' so I wanted to shoot at one of the plantations. Here are a few of my favorite photos...

Charleston is incredibly romantic. I have to give AD props for shooting the day after his Darlington race which he placed 4th! YAYUH. He's not big into photos but he was a champ. 

Sometimes you have to get creative with outfits. I envisioned a romantic, bohemian style, white lace gown. I couldn't find what I was looking for so I made my own. This was a short white dress with long sleeves. I found it on clearance for $30 so I bought three of them and sewed it into a long gown. It ended up being around $90.00. Score!!

I wanted the theme to be bohemian. I'm in love with the look of boho brides. Effortless, timeless, and dreamy.

I have to give a big shout out to our incredible wedding photographers, Kristin and Aaron with Kristin Byrum Photography. I searched through tons of NC wedding photographers and their photos stuck out the most. They make you feel so comfortable right off the bat and they love Jesus. 

I can't wait to marry this man! I love you. I love you. I love you. 

XO

The Future Mrs. Whitney Ward Dillon

NASCAR Awards Banquet

Red Carpet Details

Photo by Harold Hinson

NASCAR goes to Vegas to celebrate the top 16 drivers. The top 16 are in the chase and compete for a championship. This year was Austin's first year and experiencing it together was really special. Mariel went on behalf of Monster Energy so having her there made it even better.

I have to brag on AD for his custom suit. He definitely wins the award for swaggiest suit game.

My gown is designed by one of my favorite designers, Michael Costello. Working with him and his team was a dream come true.

Mariel helped me style my look from top to bottom. At the last minute, we decided to throw the leapord clutch in for a little boom boom pow. 

Hair by Ashley with Miguel Julio Beauty/MUA by @makeupbymyia

Photo by Harold Hinson

Mariel wanted to go for a Golden Globes look. She got a chance to work with her favorite designer, Johnathan Kayne. We both adore Johnathan and can't wait to collaborate with him. Stay tuned!!

Mariel's Details:

Hair: @PrettyinMemphisHair

Styled: @haircandy_byanna

Make up: @makeupbymyia

XO

Whit + Mariel