Omaha

Somewhere in the middle of America...

My mom and I took a quick trip up to Omaha to celebrate Callie, my soon to be cousin.  She is marrying my youngest cousin, Scott, on October 1.  Since we are unable to attend due to Baby A's arrival the next month, I wanted to go to her bridal shower. 

We left STL early on a Friday and made it to Kansas City for an early lunch.  Then on to Omaha by 3:45.  It was nice to leave the rainy STL weather for low 80s and sun. 

Friday night we hung out at my aunt's house, while other aunts and uncles and my only other girl cousin came over for dinner and catching up.  It had been 3 years since I've last seen everyone.  We needed this upcoming wedding to catch up. 

On Saturday morning we had the bridal shower.  It was a beautiful shower at my Aunt Denise's house.  I was able to meet some more second cousins that have been born since my last trip to Omaha.  I love seeing all the new babies and hated that my boys did not get to meet their cousins.  Maybe in our next trip up.  We managed to get some Husker gear shopping in.  This was an essential stop for me.  My boys, all 3, did not have anything to wear for the upcoming season.  We're good now! 

Saturday night we all hung out at my Aunt Denise's for dinner and chatting.  We hung out on her beautiful deck, enjoying the lake and the boaters.  A great end to a very relaxing weekend.  On Sunday morning, my mom and 2 of my aunts had a casual breakfast and then we were on the road.  It was so nice to be home and see my boys again.  As much as I needed a break, I needed to get home to see them too.

A big, HUGE, thanks to Scott, who held down the fort for the weekend.  I'm still hearing about how much fun the boys had swimming at the Y.

Birth-a-versary 2016

Scott and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary and our birthdays a little early this year.  My mom is in town to go to a bridal shower in Omaha over our actual wedding anniversary. 

This year my mom was in town and Scott and I were able to have a night child-free.  We stayed at the same hotel we did on our wedding night, then Mayfair, now Magnolia.  It's a historical hotel in downtown.  I did not remember the hotel at all, we were only there for about 6 hours the last time.  This time we got checked in and were able to causally relax/nap before our dinner reservations.

I had made reservations at Kemoll's.  I had only heard of the restaurant and never been.  It did not disappoint.  It was only a short walk from our hotel to the Metropolitan building, then up to the 40th floor.  The views all around were amazing.  We were able to watch the sun set as we ate dinner.  It was a peaceful and not-rushed dinner, things we are not used to. 

Sunday morning we took our time leaving the hotel.  Again, it was so nice to not rush to get ready and out the door.  We had a great Sunday breakfast and Benton Park Café and then ran a few errands on the way home.  It was a great night out, that was sorely needed for both of us.

Big THANK YOU to Grammie who stayed overnight with the boys!

3 down

Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband.  These past 3 years have flown by and they keep getting better as the days go by.  I can't wait for our "surprise" to arrive in November.  I couldn't think of a better thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

 

I love every day that I get to hear you make Gabe laugh with delight.  Gabe and I truly look forward to seeing you drive into the driveway every day.

 

Can't wait for forever more years to come.  Happy 3rd Anniversary!

 

 

Anniversary

Today we celebrate our second wedding anniversary.  It has been a wonderful 2 years.  Lots have changed since we said "I do" and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's an amazing ride and I'm so happy you are by my side for it all!

Kinkos Forever!



1 year

I actually can't believe it's been 1 year since we go married!  It's been a great year with some surprises along the way.  Can't wait to see what the future has in store for us.

We celebrated our anniversary with dinner on Main St., St. Charles at Little Hills and a walk down Main St.  Once we got home we enjoyed 1-year-old wedding cake.  It really wasn't that bad.

6 months

I would like to wish my husband a Happy 6 Month Anniversary.  They have been a wonderful 6 months!

Mexican Honeymoon

A week of relaxing on the beaches of the Mayan Riviera was just what was needed after months of planning our wedding and Scott's crazy work schedule.

We made it to the Cancun airport around 2:30 and then waited in customs line for an hour.  We made light of it by talking to the couple in front of us and laughing at everyone's reaction as they came down the escalator.  After customs and Scott's random bag check, we headed out to meet our ride to the hotel.  Then we waited about 20 minutes for the van, with the world's worst driver to show up.

[caption id="attachment_1393" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Waiting for the van"][/caption]

After dropping off a people at their resorts and the crazy driving I was starting to feel car sick, I'm never car sick and then our driver completely missed a speed bump and ran it full force.  Needless to say, he did not get much of a tip from us.

Once at our resort we checked and were taken around and had a quick tour of the grounds and restaurant.  Then we raced to find food.  We were sat at a corner table that had a front row view of the ocean.  It was the most peaceful dinner I had had in a long time.  I think at that moment, my headache disappeared, I was full and starting to relax.  We then went for a walk on the beach and found some chairs to sit on and watch the waves.

On Monday we decided that it was a full on beach day.  We still had to meet with our on resort travel guide.  We met with Ariel and were given lots of off resort excursions to think about.  We headed back after lunch and beach time and picked out the Ek Balam tour and snorkeling.  Plus we found out there were buses leaving from the resort going to Cancun and Playa del Carmen.  We had our week planned out for us with plenty of relaxing time included.  So we headed to the beach to chill out.



On Tuesday we decided that we would head into Cancun to see the city.  Little did we know that shopping there would be like shopping at home, in a mall.

[caption id="attachment_1403" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lunch in Cancun"][/caption]

We did walk down the road to another mall and found a few shops that were worth getting some souvenirs.

[caption id="attachment_1395" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View from the Cancun Mall"][/caption]

We headed back to the resort for some more beach time and then dinner at the Italian restaurant at the resort and then a walk on the beach and lounging under the stars.

On Wednesday we  had our first excursion.  An all day trip to Ek Balam, a Mayan ruin, and then to a Mayan village to see a sink hole.

[caption id="attachment_1397" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ek Balam"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1398" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View from half way up"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1399" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="We just finished walking down"][/caption]

We returned to the resort exhausted.  We cleaned up and headed to the fondue restaurant to relax.  The food there was much better than the Melting Pot.

On Thursday, we had a 1/2 day excursion lined up.  After a delay and mix up with the buses we were finally able to get to Puerto Morelas for some snorkeling.  We went out in the second largest barrier reef in the world.  Our tour guides were great!  They would go down and find sealife and bring it up for us to touch.  We saw lobsters, sting ray, sea crab, eels and countless fish.  We had a quick lunch and almost missed our bus ride back to the resort.

[caption id="attachment_1400" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Our lunch view"][/caption]

Once we returned we headed straight to the beach until it was time for our couples massage.  The massage was outside over the ocean and extremely relaxing.  After a quick shower it was time for our candle light dinner on the beach.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dinner on the beach"][/caption]



On Friday, our last full day in paradise we decided to make it a beach day.  We found a great spot on the beach and hung out for most of the day.



Friday night we took a bus into Playa del Carmen.  The shopping was much better and people watching was great.  We were able to buy a few more things and then find a nice Mexican food restaurant for dinner.  We were sat right on the street and had great entertainment for the night.

[caption id="attachment_1406" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dinner in Playa"][/caption]


On Saturday it was time to leave and head back to reality.  Of course we did have some issues with our ride to the airport showing up on time.  Those Mexican Minutes did not sit well with us, especially when we had a huge line at the airport to get through.  We made it and had time to spare waiting at our gate.

It was a great honeymoon, and now to start spending the rest of our lives together!

Reception

I think our reception went off without a problem.  We arrived at the venue a little early after getting all our pictures taken around the city.  It was seriously time to cool down and try to get more pictures around the venue done before the guests arrive.

We managed to get some great pictures in the basement and had fun with all the artwork.

[caption id="attachment_1416" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="©2011 davidjstudios photography"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1417" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="©2011 davidjstudios photography"][/caption]

Once guests started to arrive we had another receiving line so we could officially great everyone.  It allowed us time to actually sit and eat dinner.  After dinner the DJ officially announced us with Nelly's Country Grammar playing in the background.  We had to represent STL!  After that we had our dances and then it was time for everyone to come out and dance.

[caption id="attachment_1419" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bachelorette Girls!"][/caption]

Scott and I were able to sneak away have a few more pictures taken before the night was through.  After the official reception was over, our friend Nick had a VIP section reserved for us at the new 360 club.  Our view was the Arch!  And to top off our wedding night we had fireworks over the Arch for us to watch.

[caption id="attachment_1418" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Watching the fireworks"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1420" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Fireworks!"][/caption]

It truly was the perfect end to a perfect day!

Our Wedding!

Our wedding was great and went off with out a problem, at least that I know about.  It was an extremely long day but the best day of my life!

Jean and Laura, our hair and make up, came to the hotel at 6:30am to get started.  It was really early and I was not awake at all, espically going on very little sleep the night before.  Oh and we had a nice thunder storm around 3am that had me worrying about what to do with outside pictures!  Jean and Laura did an awesome job on everyone's hair and makeup and they finished up around 9:45.  We had some time to spare before leaving for the church, of course we were later than others arriving at the church.

We arrived and started getting me dressed.  The "dressing room" was crazy hot and putting on layers of a dress was not fun.  We quickly got all the guys out of the church so we could do the girls only pictures, once the flowers arrived.  Not much sooner than that we rushed out of the church os the guests could start arriving.

[caption id="attachment_1413" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Prepping with some G2"][/caption]

Scott did get me a present, a new camera for our honeymoon!  I was completely shocked and didn't expect it at all.  Riley, Scott's neice, was getting on my last nerves and was sent out of the bridal room.  Otherwise I was completely calm before the wedding.

The ceremony went by in a flash.  I remember telling Scott to stop staring at me and trying to get him to stop shaking and unlock his knees.  My attempts all failed and he had a very sore knee the next day.  I'm sure the ceremony wasn't as fast for the guests, but it went by extremely fast.

After the ceremony, we made an impromtu receiving line as everyone left and then there were more pictures.  After we finished the church pictures we loaded up the limo, at some Amighetti's and headed to get more pictures around St. Louis.

 

 

Rehearsal and Dinner

The Friday before the wedding was a little crazy.  Sam and Jerry came into town at 10am and once they arrived at the house we were out the door for the rest of the week.    Andrew, Kyle and Jerry went on a tour of Andrew's life in St. Louis.  While the girls went to get our nails done and then lunch.  Scott was out the door by 8:30 to give a presentation at 10:30.

Lunch was a lot of fun, my mom, Aunt Debbie and all my bridesmaid hung out and relaxed.  After lunch the sky opened up and a major downpour started.  I wasn't sure we would still be able to have the dinner outside as planned.  With a made dash to the cars, we made our way downtown to the hotel and started getting dressed for the rehearsal.

Of course, with the rain and wet roads we were late getting to the rehearsal and Scott was a little worried.  I did manage to forget the marriage license at the hotel.  Thankfully, one of my cousins was able to bring that to the dinner and all was good.

[caption id="attachment_1408" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The family at Molly's"][/caption]

Molly's was able to set up a tent for us and we were still able to have the party outside.  It was great to catch up with my Omaha family and see my newest cousin, Jackson.  Everyone seemed to have a great time getting to know each other.  The entire wedding party throughly enjoyed the gifts that they were given.

After everyone left Molly's a few of us decided to go to Llywelyn's.  It was after a quick switch to flip flops and a short walk that we all arrived.  It was nice to chat with my cousin Jeff, who got married last year.

[caption id="attachment_1409" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="My MOH and I"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1410" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kyle and I"][/caption]

He was able to give some advice and remind me to relax while on our honeymoon.  Around 11, the girls and Jerry left and headed back to the hotel, as we had a busy morning ahead of us.

Last pre-wedding weekend

It was our last pre-wedding weekend, finally!  I think I've been counting down to this since March.  Not only because I'm excited to be getting married but the planning will be over!

This weekend was extremely productive yet fun.  Friday night I met up with the Birch's to watch the girls in Oklahoma at Crestwood pool.  Catherine was in the chorus and Elizabeth was a dancer and in the chorus.  Both did an excellent job and Benton held his own with the spotlights.  It was extremely hot and Mathew and I enjoy snow cones at intermission.  Scott ended up working till 4am Saturday morning and missed out on the fun.

On Saturday Zipf made her way out to the house to help wrap almonds.  We did have to do a Wal-Mart run for more ribbon and some extra goodies but we managed to get all the almonds done.  And a few things were sent to the florist in between.  I even had plenty of time to go to Kinkos/FedEx to get the programs dropped off.  Scott then worked till 2am Sunday morning and Reily and I watched movies Saturday night.

[caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="All the almonds"][/caption]

By Sunday, all we had to do was get the frames for the seating chart and pick up the programs from Kinkos/FedEx.  We stopped at Michael's for more ribbon and baskets.  Then headed to Scott's parents house.  We managed to get all the programs tied together in record time with a little help from his parents!  The baskets have the ribbon on them as well.  After a quick game of Dirty Neighbor we were off to the Cards/Cubs game.  Although the Cardinals didn't win, but won the series, it was still a fun game to go to.

[caption id="attachment_1379" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Programs!"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1380" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cards/Cubs game"][/caption]

Now, I just need to print the formal seating chart at Kinkos/FedEx and we are officially just waiting till Saturday to get here!  How nice is that?!

Holy Crap!

Three more weeks till the wedding!  It's scary when you actually just look at a calendar and see the lack of weekends that are left and the things that are on the To Do List dwindle down.



I'm so happy to say that I think I'm right on track of what is left to do (programs) and that is the only major thing left.  And still it's coming of with in the reasonable cost range that my parents gave us.  It's not over the top and it's not looking cheap.

However, three weeks and the stress of it all will be over and I will be happily sitting on a beach!

Bachelorette Party Weekend

It's official, I've had my bachelorette party and now it seems like the wedding is just around the corner.  Kelly had done such a great job of planning some of the party, along with help from Sam and Zipf it all went off without a hitch.

[caption id="attachment_1343" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The invitation"][/caption]

Kelly and Sam arrived on Friday afternoon and we quickly started to have fun.  We headed down to my cousin, Debbie's restaurant for lunch.  It had been a while since I've had her pizza's and it was great!  I love taking people to try her food.  Then we headed down to Soulard to get some food for dinner and show off the farmers market.  And then back out to pick from Reily from the groomer's, she needed to get pretty for her guests.  And a quick stop at the Birch's to get the t-shirts for Saturday night and then Ted Drews.

On Saturday we managed to get some good shopping in at the Mills.  I finally found shorts that fit, a HUGE accomplishment for me.  Then we quickly ate some lunch and went jewelry shopping for the wedding.  We found everyone's jewelry in one stop!  And then headed downtown to the the hotel.

After a not so quick check in we started to get ready for the Cards game and changed into our shirts.  Before we headed over to the game we took a couple pictures in the lobby.

[caption id="attachment_1346" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The wedding date"][/caption]



After the photo op, we started our walk over to the stadium.



I was not very happy with the homemade hat Sammy made.  I do see the point of why it was needed, however, I did not want all the attention brought to me.  I just wanted a night out with all my friends.  But I did get a new Cardinals hat!



Our seats were awesome!  Thank you Kelly for finding the Bank of America Club seats section!  It had all you can eat buffet and all you can drink until the 8 and 1/2 inning.  We even made friends with an usher, Bill, the nicest man ever!

[caption id="attachment_1350" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bill!"][/caption]

The actual game wasn't too bad either.  The Cards came from behind to win against the Diamondback.  Pujols tied the game with a 2 run homerun.



[caption id="attachment_1352" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Celebrating Pujols Homer"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1353" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Girls in our seats"][/caption]

Afterwards we headed over to Paddy O's to celebrate the victory with other Cardinal fans.  We quickly ran into Nick Lograsso!  I was surprised to run into him there, but we hung out with him and his friends and then we made friends too.  There was dancing and shots and making new friends at Paddy O's.

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Zipf and I at Paddy O's"][/caption]

There are more pictures but I haven't seen them yet, they are on Brooke's camera.  Hopefully more later.

Wedding Hair

I have officially had my hair trial for the wedding.  I think it turned out pretty good and I made some decisions about veil or no veil.  I'm happy to have this major hurdle taken care of now.  I'm having a girl who went to grade school and high school with me do all the hair and makeup for the bridesmaids and I'm pretty excited for the days events.







I believe I have decided to have her come to the hotel to do all the hair and makeup.  One less trip for me on the day of the wedding is the best thing and then we only have to get to the church and get dressed there.  Hopefully the rest of the wedding planning will be this smooth.

Pre-Cana Class

Since we are having a Catholic wedding there are certain things you have to do in order to be married by the Church.  You must meet with a priest and take a FOCUS test, go to Planned Parenting Class and complete 10 hours of Pre-Cana Class.  We have completed everything but our Pre-Cana class. 

We signed up for the last possible Saturday classes that we could because of Scott's work schedule and our shower schedule.  And so our classes are June 18 & 15 from 9am to 2pm with 25 other couples.  The class is pretty much watching videos and talking about communication and family planning.  Most of the "issues" that they bring up are things that Scott and I have talked about already and have worked out since we've lived together.  There were a couple things that were brought up that we have talked about but nothing has been a big shock.  Although, I don't feel it's a waste of time, I do feel that it is good for us to go to these things and hear what other couples have experienced. 

 

Wedding Frustrations

  Whoever said planning a wedding was fun was truly crazy.  I don't see how any of this is fun to anyone.  There are deadlines and other people to make happy and it just is one big mess until, I'm sure, the actual day.  You try to do things to make others happy, because you want them included in your day, and you cannot make them happy.  Things cost too much, deadlines need to be met, people need to see the schedule, and the to do lists.  Not to mention you have a list going in your head that once it's written down will change. 

Isn't the key word in this whole thing is that it's our wedding?  I love the help that I'm getting from everyone but sometimes I don't want to talk wedding, to anyone.  I just cannot wait till the count down is over and I can get a good night's sleep for the first time in months.  And to not have to harp at someone to be somewhere, call this person, get this picked up, pay for this, schedule this.

50 days and I can sleep, peacefully, and relax on a beach!