Good Ol' Wedding Planning

Everything seems to be fitting in place.  We just got back from a wonderful trip to Chicago.  We stayed with Mike's sister, Kim, and her family.  We ate Lou's pizza and Portillo's hot dogs (yummy!), visited Mike's grandparents, his aunt, uncle and cousin, and went to a Cubs game!  It's always a blast there...I always have a hard time leaving and always want to move there asap when I'm there.  Who knows where we will end up...that's another discussion for another day!  *sigh*  I hate the unknown sometimes!

While we were in Chicago we went to Maggie and Josh Barta's wedding.  It was SO nice!  I was a reader (for the 3rd time...I'm finally getting good at it, I think!) we Paige Mosher.  I was sick to my stomach I was so nervous.  I literally had to tell myself to breathe to calm myself down.  My heart rate increases just thinking about it.  Who knows why we were so nervous.  Maggie looked beautiful...ah it was amazing being there for her big day!  She also chose green and her dresses were pretty and tied in perfect with everything.  Their slide show was amazing and, of course, I cried!  So many fun memories with college friends.  It's exciting to think about this next phase of life for everyone and still stay close along the way.  

We met with a florist and a DJ...it seems odd that we love the first people we meet.  It helps we have recommendations to these people, but they seem to fit us and our wedding style per se.  The DJ is great...his name is Mike and he wasn't the cheesy, in your face type of DJ.  He was actually really calm and collected...very professional.   It was nice.  No costumes for the chicken dance kind of deal!  The florist is widely known I guess...this was news to me.  I just picked them off a recommendation list at one of the hotels.  But it was cool seeing my visions make sense to the professional.  Who knew flowers, an aisle runner, and just a few decorations could be so pricey!  Future wedding planners out there...flowers aren't cheap.  'Nuff said.  Venue, photographer, florist, and DJ down...only 2,000 other checklist items to go : )

I promise we will send out save-the-dates soon.  It's been a busy summer and we are officially done traveling (well, till October for Homecoming and maybe a 60th wedding anniversary party).  Next up, is my wedding dress!!!!!  Eeeeekkkkk!  I am SO stinkin' excited.  And I am a lucky bride...my mom and all 3 sisters are flying out to be with me.  August 15th is the date and I already have ants in my pants.  Invitations are next...yippee!

Whew, I'm exhausted.  All is well in other parts of life.  Gracie is good...still 45 pounds and spoiled rotten.  She has calmed down a little, but continues to goose everyone that comes into our house.  She isn't too cool with 'strangers.'  Gracie enjoys chasing lizards, sunbathing in our rock backyard, and going for rides.  She still digs whenever she can and dare you say the 'w' word (walk) she will be waiting at the door for you to do as you say.  She's great.  

Cheers!

Is This For Real?

Well, it looks like I will be blogging on here once a month!  Sorry guys.  I will get better at this process, I promise.

Wedding planning is still in full swing.  We have decide on The Met Club, which just so happens to be the 66th floor of The Sears Tower.  I know it has a new name now, but I won't use it b/c nobody will know what I am talking about : )  We are starting to finalize more of the big things and will be in Chicago next week.  Maggie and Josh are getting married- and I am so excited.  It has been too long since I have seen everyone and I cannot wait to celebrate with Mag on her big day!!  We also hope to see the Cubs play and will get some quality time with Mike's family.  Plus, it will be a good break from work, so I can start fresh when I return.

After Long Beach on the 4th, we were in Santa Cruz for the CrossFit games, which were amazing.  Those athletes are so intense- Mike and I were awestruck.  It was, however, a longgggg trip out there for us since we drove the boss's cars.  12 hours each way- killer.  Last weekend we were in L.A. and San Diego.  We decided we will never live in L.A. b/c the traffic was insane...we honestly spent half our time sitting in it.  Just frustrating.  On a happy note, we did get to see Paige and meet her boyfriend, Zane.  It was a great reunion and she accepted my invitation to be a bridesmaid in my wedding!  Yayyy!  We got to see a Dodgers game in the most ghetto stadium I have ever been to...and promise I will NEVER return.  I got 'booed' by the fans b/c the second after we sat down a beach ball came to me...and I whacked it like you are supposed to.  Unfortunate for me, it landed on the field.  Whoops!  Anyways, Saturday we enjoyed a long breakfast with mimosas and headed to Temecula for wine tasting!  After only one winery we headed for S.D.  We had to catch the 'coaster,' as they call it, to the Padres game.  A beautiful stadium and we sat in the 2nd row in right field.  It was spectacular!  A great trip all in all.  And Ryan Andrade will be standing in our wedding as well.  

My good friend Katie Wallace is coming in for an AZ visit today!  I am excited.  We will have a busy, fun filled weekend ahead.  I am ecstatic Mike and I are not traveling.  I don't have to pack a suitcase or leave my puppy (till Tuesday)!  Poor Gracie.  Hopefully, she doesn't realize how long we are actually gone for or how many times we leave her b/c we always come back for her : )  

Nannying is getting busier as the boys get older and the girls get more jealous.  However, I still love those kids like crazy!  I also love the added help with the two new nannies.  They make everyday of life more bearable.  I am extremely thankful for them.  

Ok, I am off to the gym to do the 'Filthy Fifty.'  Wish me luck!

We're Non-Stop Folks

Life is so busy!  From wedding talk, venue, photographer, and DJ appointments, finding florists, staying in the budget, honeymoon options, save the dates, invitations, finalizing the guest list, favors, transportation, baseball games, dinners, airports, and work...I feel like we are little hamsters in a plastic ball.  Ha ha.  

Nannying is going good.  The twins will be a month old this week.  Seems like time is just flying by.  They are getting bigger everyday.  When I get back to work on Mondays, they always seem bigger, more alert, and a little different.  Colleen and Caitlin are adjusting fairly well to their new siblings.  They have jealous rages, but have learned to play together nicely and share their mommy and 'nanny.'  Our next trip will be with the big girls only the 2nd weekend in July to the CrossFit games : )  It should be a good time.  

Mike and I are looking forward to another Long Beach trip over the 4th w/Jimmy, Ashley, Mike, Nichole, and Patrick!  And until then we will enjoy not having too busy of a schedule for a whole two weekends.  

Wedding planning is going, more so now, after a Chicago trip, than ever before.  Looks like the date is going to be June 19, 2010.  However, the venue and further details will just have to wait.  Mike's current groomsmen list is Matt Lyons, Doug Dickey, Ian Wright, and Kyle Mays.  My girls thus far are Caitlin Chalfant, Emily Chalfant, Hannah Chalfant, and Nichole Cassidy.   I am still in limbo with our wedding color...something bright, fun, and summery!  Other than that, I don't know what else to tell you.  I have two books that I would go insane without.  Anyone who is planning a wedding or knows someone planning a wedding, these would make a great gift.  Megan Andrade gave me "The I Have a Life Bride's Guide" by Andrea Mattei.  And my big green binder is "The Bride's Essential Wedding PLanner- Deluxe Edition" by Amy Nebens.   These books tell you everything and more...they give you the rules of true wedding etiquette, tips/advice, and how to save a little extra money.  There were so many things I didn't know!

Ok, all I do is 'wedding' everyday- oh, and work.  But now that we are about a year out, let the real craziness begin!  I still can't believe we are getting married.  Aaahhhh...exciting!

Welcome!

Yayyy- we started a blog.  Well, in all honesty, it's my blog and Mike is along for the ride : )  Our friend, Doug, and computer genius, told us to start one awhile ago and I finally caved.  

I think I've graduated from facebook, but will keep everyone up to date from our website!  

We are still in the early months on wedding planning, but hope to have a final date mid-June...after a trip out to Chicago to see all the venues and meet with photographers, DJs, florists, and day of coordinators.  

Alright, that's my short and sweet first post.  

Cheers!