Through the Years

For the last week or so you have been reading about my favorite memories through the past 10 years of D's and my relationship. Vacations, wedding, honeymoon. Lots of memories that we have shared. As a surprise I created a slideshow for D with over 400 photos and clips from our wedding for us to relive the last 10 years in photo form. However since it takes a lot of time to put together a slideshow, D walked in on me int he middle of processing and I showed it to him a little early. It's ok though because I needed the help loading it into YouTube so that all you wonderful peeps could view it too. Its a little long and might not be for everyone as it's mostly photos of D and I, with a smattering of family and friends. It makes me cry tears of joy to watch and I smile at how much we have changed! Enjoy!

I included some of my favorite things about D within the slideshow, but here's the list so you don't have to watch the whole thing, I think you should, but I know that most wont!

1. His support in all my dreams
2. Always willing to dance with me, anywhere anytime!
3. His deep love for his friends
4. His sense of adventure
5. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty
6. His love of nature and anything outdoorsy
7. He's always willing to try new things
8. His sentimental nature
9. He can be silly when necessary and serious when the time calls for it
10. He always thinks I am beautiful, even with no make-up and sweats on
11. He is willing to do things together, including house work and laundry
12. He loves my family like his own
13. His beautiful baby blue eyes
14. His strange liking for trains, which I just recently found out
15. His love for our fur baby Shelby. She is his baby
16. His inner child and great love for Disneyland
17. He likes to work with his hands
18. He is willing to dress up and act a fool on Halloween.
19. His constant squinty eyes in photos!
20. He will sing Karaoke, all be it not very well. But he does it!
21. He gives the best kisses and warmest hugs
22. He loves to travel
23. His love for all children, but especially our goddaughter
24. His love of photography....those 400 photos were from 10K+ over the last 10 years
25. We share a language and we are silly together and make each other laugh
26. His love of being active; swimming, golf, water sports, the gym
27. He supports my oddities and strangeness!
28. His love for his own family
29. He makes me try new things, even when they scare me! (California Screamin')
30. Reminds me that it's ok to laugh at yourself
31. His love of cars
32. His love and support through the most difficult times
33. His handsome face
34. His wonderful laugh
35. He loves me for who I am, and that's the best thing a girl can ask for!

Half Moon Cay

So once the wedding is over and you have celebrated all you can, what is left to do? The honeymoon! Duh. We decided to go on a cruise, because it was the most economical way for us to be able to have our cake and eat it too so to speak. We didn't however get to leave until the week after, since this particular cruise left from Miami on Sunday, so we waited a week. It was weird to have our wedding, go back to work then leave again, but we made it work. We left Saturday morning, bright and early to fly to Miami. After an interesting flight and even more interesting visit to M.I.A airport. (that's the airport sign for Miami and it is now my new nickname for it too!!) We had a shuttle pick us up and take us to our hotel for the evening, by the time we arrived it was after 11PM and I hadn't eaten since 7AM local time. I was starving! We dropped our stuff in the room and booked it to the hotel restaurant. I don't know if it was the jet lag, or extreme hunger but when our server came to take our order, I could not help but giggle at his very strong resemblance to Hank Azaria's character in The Birdcage. "I don't wear the shoes, they make me fall down!" I had to explain the reference to D, and told him that we would watch the movie when we got back.

The next morning we awoke bright and early to take advantage of the continental breakfast and to see what the hotel had to offer before we had to depart to the ship. If you know anything about summer in Florida you know that it's almost always eternally overcast and ungodly muggy. As I peered out the windows we had this conversation.

Me: "It looks cold outside"
D: "It probably is"
Me: "It's not, trust me"
D: "I think it is"
Me: "Ok lets go outside and find out"

As we took a walk to the doors, double sliding doors with a pass through in the middle, when we passed through the first set of door I could already feel the humidity at 9AM. The second set opened and the wet heaviness hit us smack in the face and D exlaimed "Oh F&#K!" Now if you know anything about D, he rarely uses the F bomb. He was so surprised by the humitity and heat. I couldn't help but chuckle. We strolled around, took some photo's and went back to get our stuff together, check out of our room and prepare for the shuttle. We met a wonderful couple from Canada in the lobby and made quick friends with them. Once on board the ship, after a nightmare of a time (another blog post about that) we found our room and wandered around finding everything that there was to explore. We sat in a bar and enjoyed our first cocktail as the ship lurched away from shore. The next 5 days were a blur of food, beverages, excursions, massages and an all around great time spending time with one another. The best island was Half Moon Cay (pronounced "key") which was Carnival's private island. There we took a bike excursion around the island, saw some sharks and some people on horseback and took loads of photos. Lying on the white sand beaches and snorkeling in the crystal blue was a favorite past time as well. We even partook in all the on board experiences as well.....

This is a story that make D laugh everytime. We were in a blue vs red competition. Let just say our team was down by 1 or 2 points, I don't remember. We were playing this game where you had to slingshot a water baloon into a bullseye for points. I was last to go, so the pressure was on. I pulled back my first shot and missed, too short. So the second shot I pulled back a little farther. As I did I felt the back of my swimsuit top unsnap and the entire thing slingshot around my neck, so my girls were out for the entire deck to see. I took my shot quickly so I could cover up, of course I missed. D went to rehook it and saw that the stupid plastic clasp had broken in half. Crappy cheat suit. I put on my sweater and we bee-lined it out of there!

Everynight there was a *ahem* "Broadway" inspired show, and a comedy show. We went to each and also worked it on the dance floor at the clubs. We thouroughly enjoyed ourselves and met some wonderful people along the way. T and C are still people that we contact on a monthly to weekly basis, thanks to Facebook, and we enjoy seeing their lives change with their twins! We hope to soon go on another trip that was as exciting and memorable as this one! Please enjoy some of the photo's that we took!

Port of Miami

Safety first (remember Titanic)

The Ship

D acting Jamaican?!?

Us with the awards, no award for the girls though

Our dinner mates

Half Moon Cay

The Biggest Party of our Lives

Once the engagement happens, then comes the planning. A year and a half of location, photographers, food, flowers, dress, suits, music, parties etc. came and went (including my graduation with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences) and then was the day that we had planned for. Of course we still had the rehearsal to get through. The Thursday before, my father and step-mom had flown in. They had never met D only heard of things from my mom and I. I was nervous for them to meet. I also had not seen them in 5 years so things were all crazy in my head. After 10 minutes of talking they fell in love with him. Phew! Bullet dodged! We had lunch and then made plans for them to come over to our apartment for dinner.

Friday we awoke with much to do. Organization and packing for the night, since D wasn't staying at our apartment and neither was I, finishing and wrapping gifts for the bridal party and parents, and of course making sure we had everything together to drop off at the location. All while still needing to get ourselves ready and over to the site for rehearsal. It took me far longer to get ready than expected, thanks to the triple digit heat and my miles long hair. But we jumped into the car, and in the 1 mile drive to the location it hit me.....in my memory I haven't seen my parent's in the same room together. That made me so nervous. Nothing about the wedding and the fact that we were getting married, but that. We walk in and everyone is there waiting for us. Cheers and hugs and everything. It was wonderful and everything was great. We did the formal walk through, which D asked "Where do we go when we are done?" Nobody answered that question and it would be an issue later. After a smooth walk through, we all piled into the car to head to SCV and my in-laws home for dinner. Once we arrived, all the food and tables were set and the wine and good company was flowing. Gifts were distributed and the love was shared round. When the time came to say goodbye my fiance took me in his arms and gave me a wonderful hug and goodnight kiss.

Saturday. Wedding t-minus 11 hours (since I woke at 6am and could not go back to sleep) There was hair and makeup to be done. I wasn't a traditional bride and did not get ready with my bridal party. In fact I spent most of the day alone. My mom and I switched off between hair and makeup and at 3PM we arrived at the site to begin getting dressed. My girls were there ready to go, as was my M.I.L. and step-mom all waiting to help me get dressed. In the white gown I went, laced up without a hitch and out we went to get our photos taken. We did not do a first look and I was ok with that. Once my photo's were done we were rushed inside because D had arrived. He took his photos and mingled with the guests as they arrived. Around 5PM the coordinator came in to retrieve my mom and the girls to take their places. Due to the heat most of our guests did not want to go outside, so it took a little persuading. As I was alone in the room waiting for my turn, this was when I got a little nervous. I didn't know what was taking so long. Eventually I was whisked outside and into the waiting arm of my Stepdad. The long journey to the ceremony site and when I turned the corner and saw D, I was so happy. He looked so handsome and happy. We had a short and simple ceremony, I guess not short enough because I still get complaints about the heat. Then we had our recessional. Remember that question....yea we just kept on walking until someone called to us to stop. We had our photos with the family and then shipped everyone off to enjoy the cocktail hour. We enjoyed our alone time and had beautiful photos taken.

Things progressed in a usual manner, including the grand entrance, first dance, toasts, dinner, cake cutting, flower and garter toss. I spent most of the evening on the dance floor with my new husband and our wonderful family and friends....130 of them. It was big, it was loud, it was rocking. We enjoyed every moment of it! When it was time to pack up the night, D and I were whisked away in the limo to our hotel. We went to the room, put down some stuff and promptly went to the bar. While sitting there, we saw our limo pull into the parking lot and D's family and the bridal party get out to decorate his car with Just Married stickers and flags. D proceeds to call them and say "I see you!" It was hilarious. When we finished our drinks we headed out of the bar and bumped into my dad. He had gone to see what their was to do. The hotel had a club inside it, so he and the two of us went in; had another drink and danced and talked. In hindsight, this is one of the most important memories to us. There were so many, but this one stands out. The bonding that we shared means so much more now. (Tear) Once we said our good nights and parted ways in the hotel lobby.

The next morning we packed our stuff and D grabbed my dress. "You wore that heavy thing all day in that heat? I though my suit was bad!" The things that we do for a good party! :-) We entered our apartment to a pile of gifts strewn all over. Couch, chairs, floor! After opening the gifts we went to my grandmother's house for another party and to say goodbye to all those that made the long trip in. If I recall there was some jumping off the roof into the pool! We're a crazy bunch. It was one of the most eventful and wonderful weekends we have ever had! I would do it again tomorrow. Who knows, we just might! :-)

"Will You?" "I Will!"

When you fall in love and spend the time getting to know one another its natural to think about the next step. Over the course of our 3 year relationship Darin and I had the same discussion. I asked where our relationship was going and he answered with "I want to marry you." Of course that wasn't his proposal. Oh no, he made me wait. Every time we walked past those silly jewelry stores in the mall he would grab my hand and we would walk away. Only one time did he let me go in and peruse the styles, which was a shock to me.

Over the course of time I waited and my birthday came around. Me being the person that hates surprises I bugged D for weeks to know what was going on for it. He kept saying were going to Disneyland and left it as that. He did however let the cat out of the bag to the 2 worst people on the planet. His best friend J and my cousin B. J was overseas with the Army at the time and the ways that we all conversed was on instant messaging. I pressured him to tell me so much that when I said "It's an engagement ring isn't it" he said something to the effect of I plead the fifth. Which of course means yes in my book! A couple of days later I receive an instant message from B also stating "Your REALLY REALLY REALLY going to like your birthday present!!!!" So of course the anticipation was KILLING me.

The week of my birthday rolls around and D and I make plans for me to spend the night so we can get up bright and early to go to Disneyland. He went and purchased my ticket and then met me at his house. I was such a pain that I kept asking when I would receive my present. Yes I know, I am NOT PATIENT. He finally gave in stating he wanted to wait until tomorrow, but he would let me have it so I would stop bothering him. He retreats to his closet and pulls out a medium sized box. I had a quizzical look on my face. When I opened the box I saw a picture of a coffee mug with Sleeping Beauty on it. I was even more confused. Yes I love Sleeping Beauty, but I never drank coffee. So being slightly disappointed he said to open the box. When I opened the box inside the cup was my entrance ticket to the park and a black jewelry box. I opened the box to find a beautiful solitaire with channel set diamond ring. I looked up at him and he said the infamous words. Of course I said yes! Even though it wasn't the way D hoped to do it, I am glad that he and I had our intimate moment, alone so that we could take in each other and really understand what was going on. We then went to dinner to celebrate our engagement and the next day at Disneyland we celebrated my birthday in euphoria! I think it was the best birthday ever!

The Big Bear

My family vacation spot was always camping in Carpenteria or the mountian above Kern or a trip to Big Bear Lake. We never went in the summer or the winter when it was prime season, but in the fall for Oktober Fest, my parents anniversary and their best friends birthday. It was a yearly occurance. We stayed in this quaint "hotel" that each "room" was actually a little cabin all to yourself. In 2006 we went for all the same reasons and for Speedy's (my parents dear friend) 50th birthday. It was a short weekend trip, but everybody came from all around. Probably more than 30 people, I think we booked most of the teeny hotel. While the guys all went golfing, with the exception of D, we went to tool around a bit in the craft fair next to Oktoberfest and do a little shopping. To appease D and another boy that was with us, we went and did a little ski cart, go carting and if I recall mini golf too. We went for strolls around the lake and my mom took a couple of photos that were to be used as our table numbers for the wedding.

In the evening we all got together to celebrate the old man, hehe, and spent all night conversing and having a good ole time with everyone. The next morning, despite their hangovers, the men (this time including D) all went down to the lake to shore fish. After we all packed up and said our goodbyes to the lake. It was our first vacation together with my family and it was so fun!

Emerald Bay

As a child the hubbs and his family went to Lake Tahoe every year for summer vacation. The only time I had ever been was when my mom and step dad got married their when I was 8. So shortly after we started dating along came summer and the trip. D was so excited to bring me along and share his experiences with me. As he and I both had to work, we met the rest of his family up there. He awoke me at 5AM, ugh I am not a morning person, to make the 8 hour drive up to the lake. While discussing what we were going to do and admiring the scenery we made the drive quick. Once up and into the hotel, we quickly changed into our suits and made our way to the beach.

We spent the next three days lying and sunning (burning) on the white beaches on the California side. We took a drive around the lake, stopping for photos along the way in Emerald Bay. The photo to the left is one of my favorite of all time! We kayaked, in the blow up kayak one evening, made sand castle, rode jet ski's, and just all around had a wonderful time.

Soon the time came to head over to the Nevada side. We stayed at Harvey's and ate some great food and even went out on a boat and cruised around the entire lake, enjoying more sun. It was a wonderful way to get to know my future family and D a little better. Since then we have enjoyed many trips to the big blue lake and all have been just as fun! Looking forward to many more!

Guess Who

Last night in honor of St. Patrick's Day we went to a black and white themed masquerade birthday party for a friend. He said that makeup counted, and since the hubbs didn't want to wear a traditional mask I sent out with trusty Google to figure out something to do for his mask. However when I typed "masquerade makeup ideas for men" a lot of women ideas came up.

So with an idea in hand for me I still had a need for an idea for Darin. After much searching I finally found one. Once he approved I showed him my inspiration as well. Both were a different take on a traditional mask look. Whilst I was getting excited about doing our looks, I contacted my M.I.L. about borrowing a pair of feather earrings that she makes to complete the look. I sent her my inspiration and she set to work to create a custom pair just for me. Purple and green feathers. Perfect to coordinate with the purple eye shadow and a little bit of green to keep the leprechauns from pinching. While going through my fabrics I found a perfect fabric and make the hubbs a handkerchief for a pocket square so that he could avoid the pinching as well.

So we set out all the equipment and 2 hours later we were ready to head out. A great evening of laughing followed. Best St. Paddy's day in a long time!

Galway Girl

In honor of St. Patrick's Day we are attending a Masquerade birthday party. I am excited to make both of us up! But until then, please enjoy a little Irish song for you to make your day a little more joyous!

Well, I took a stroll on the old long walk 

Of a day -I-ay-I-ay 

I met a little girl and we stopped to talk 

Of a fine soft day -I-ay-I-ay 

And I ask you, friend, what's a fella to do 

'Cause her hair was black and her eyes were blue 

And I knew right then I'd be takin' a whirl 

'Round the Salthill Prom with a Galway girl

We were halfway there when the rain came down 

Of a day -I-ay-I-ay 

And she asked me up to her flat downtown 

Of a fine soft day -I-ay-I-ay 

And I ask you, friend, what's a fella to do 

'Cause her hair was black and her eyes were blue 

So I took her hand and I gave her a twirl 

And I lost my heart to a Galway girl 

When I woke up I was all alone 

With a broken heart and a ticket home 

And I ask you now, tell me what would you do 

If her hair was black and her eyes were blue 

I've traveled around I've been all over this world 

Boys I ain't never seen nothin' like a Galway girl

If Only We Were All So Lucky!

Happy St. Patties!

I shall call him squishy and he shall be mine

This post has nothing to do with Finding Nemo, but another creature of the earth. This past weekend I went up to Tehachapi to visit the rents. The hubbs was working all weekend and suggested that I do so. I think he wanted insight into their new house that they are going to reno and move into. Anywho, I packed up my stuff, including my handy dandy laser measure (my parents were having a disagreement on the square footage so they asked me to do a little measuring and investigating). Saturday morning mom and I tooled around for a bit before we got ready to head over to the house. I got a tour of the 3200 (verified) square foot house and gave my opinions on the interior finishes and agreed with the things that needed to be done. After we ate lunch I went to work and measured the house. I know it pretty well now. When I was done, we were sitting on the window sills and my dad points and states bobcat! We all just up to go get our cameras and take a peek. He was stalking something but got distracted by us. We all took some photos of our buddy until he got fed up with us and moseyed on up the mountain.

We went back to the current house and my mom made chicken catchatori! UM! YUM! I need to get her recipe! We started on a couple of projects, if you saw my flower's post from the other day. You see, I have two 1 year old bday parties to attend within a week of each other, and my mom, cousin and I are throwing a baby shower at the beginning of May. Lots to do. So whilst playing, we managed to plow through 36 tissue covers in roughly 3 hours on Sunday. Super simple. Three cuts, some pressing and a couple of lines to sew, turn and your done! Ding! Mom cut and pressed, I chain sewed and we both turned! My mom made thank you labels and all their is left to do is to stuff with tissues and wrap! One item off our list!



Ta Da!

I did not complete this next thing this past weekend, but the previous. We have fallen behind on our family quilt blocks, so as soon as I got my Uncle's and my cousin's I needed to put them together so they can be shipped off and assembled. So I completed those.


Uncle D



Uncle D

Cousin Shannon

I have many other things in process and am hoping to have them done soon to photograph and upload! (Some are done, just have been lazy to photograph!) I will catch up soon!