Thats right, if you missed the news, we are officially planning our wedding! Hooray. I have joked how does a guy surprise his girlfriend with a ring when she constantly suspects that he is up to something and going to ask at any moment? He asks while opening Christmas presents. The one time I should have actually been suspicious he managed to sneak it in on me and totally surprise me. I blame my dad. He came to visit the day after Christmas and I thought for sure that Justin would wait to talk to him before asking me, how dare me underestimate the usefulness of a phone.
With the official ring and excitement I set out to plan a wedding, and oh my how I underestimated the many moving parts that go into planning an event like this. If only I was just planning what I want and like it would be so much easier, but with all the expectations that come with a wedding I constantly find myself explaining why I am or am not doing any number of said traditions. In the end it is all going to be fun and filled with people we love and care about sharing a special day with us.
So why was this years holiday hangover any worse than a normal year? Well for starters this was the first time we celebrated Christmas alone together. Being so far away from our families really encouraged us to stay home and do things together this year. My work this year stayed open over the whole break, and I used that as an opportunity to get some extra hours. We cooked our dinner for 2 on Christmas and actually really enjoyed having that time together.
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| The magical foil gift. It contained the planner and address book that created the link to the ring. So thoughtful. |
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| Our goofy dogs are so different Zimmie literally terrified of her new toys sat on the stocking not moving for a good while. |
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| Cricket tore into both of the stockings and choose which she liked better before Zimmie moved from her catatonic state. |
The day after Christmas we had an Oklahoma caravan (well just one van) head our direction. My family minus mom and one brother all piled into a van and started the long trek east. We were so happy to have them here to see our place, the Biltmore, and just hang out. I know that we both enjoyed their trip and the effort that went into them coming this far with 3 kids.
And finally the last day they were here some friends of ours from Brimingham made the trip north to visit for NYE. We were also so excited to spend some time with them and listen to "the band". If only choosing a wedding band was as easy as sitting on the couch listening to friends play and have fun.
Maren really liked my cowboy boots. I had to take some pics of this cutie girl. I though I took pics of the boys, but clearly the evidence does not support that. |
| The Band, never mind that this is a terrible picture. We were being entertained. Hooray for music participation time! |
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| Another terrible picture, but I had to have some sparkles. I should have taken a picture in my all sparkles outfit. If you know my mom you know I have an all sparkles outfit that goes head to toe with accessories included. |
So between trying to find a venue for our reception, working every day, getting sick, and trying to catch up on sleep from the week of company I have just noticed that all of the boxes had not made an exit to the basement just yet. On my way back up I remembered that the sheets have not all been washed from the guests. I can happily say now that the last load with sheeps is in the dryer, soon to be folded and put in the closet ready for our next wave of company!
I also blame Cricket and Zimmie, getting new toys is so much fun that they have shredded everything in their path. The living room is thankfully back to "normal" and hopefully the new toys are all out of stuffing!
