Monday, February 14, 2011

The Honeymoon!

I am so excited that we are moving toward planning the honeymoon! We have been talking about places to go, what to see - the world is your oyster, right? A resort vacation on a sandy beach (while it sounds absolutely lovely on this February morning) just doesn't seem like our style. A trip to Europe would be lovely, but is somewhat out of our price range. Plus, we're already flying to CA to attend our wedding - who wants to get on another plane and fly somewhere else? Because we live so far away from some of our family and friends, we don't get to see everyone as often as we'd like. We have friends and family coming in from, literally, all over the world, so we'd like some time to spend with you! We thought about a plane flight to Hawaii or something like that, but leaving after seeing everyone for just a few hours doesn't seem right. We want the opportunity to stick around Ventura, hang out with as many people as we can, and thank our families and friends for making our wedding a success. It made sense that we might drive somewhere a few days after the wedding, somewhere not too far away, but that would be a new experience for both of us. We kept coming back to a generous offer by a lovely couple we met on a tour last September....

So, this past September, my parents invited us on a Model T tour of Yellowstone and surrounding Wyoming and Montana. My Dad has a 1921 Ford Model T which he just loves to drive around and explore the countryside. We met my parents in Jackson Hole, WY and we set off on a tour around the area, including the Grand Tetons, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and several different towns around the edges of Yellowstone. It was a great time. We met some really fun people who all drive Model Ts, saw an area of the country neither one of us had been to, drove up and down some crazy mountains, and even witnessed a wedding! There is something completely lovely about seeing the country from an open top car, going about 35mph. We could smell the buffalo - and if they decided to come toward us? Eeeeeek! That area of the country is wonderfully amazing, and the scenery changes with every mile. We had a wonderful time and we met some great folks on this trip, including Lin and Judy, who offered us their cabin in Yosemite for our honeymoon! How amazing is that?

Now, if you know Alex, you know that he is really into camping, hiking, just being outdoors in general. I have been telling him since we first started dating that he has to see Yosemite, it's just the most amazing place. The granite rocks, the water falls, the giant redwood trees - all of it, I know he would love. So, this ends up being the perfect honeymoon for us! Alex is already checking maps and looking for places to backpack and hike. He's planning the different permits we'll need, what equipment he'll bring. And I can't think of a better honeymoon.

I'm beginning to understand the saying, "It takes a village". Wedding planning is not a solo project, and having people in our lives who help and support us, from the enthusiastic excitement for our upcoming wedding, to generous offerings of places to honeymoon or lodgings for our friends, I cannot begin to express how much it all means to us. We feel so blessed to have people in our lives who are willing to contribute, in whatever way, to our wedding and our marriage. It makes the planning of the wedding so meaningful for us, and it reminds us that we're not alone in this life, that we have so many people who love and support us. No matter who we've talked to, our friends and family have always said, "How can we help?"So, thank you, from two overworked grad students. Thank you for your love, support and generosity. It really means the world to us, we can't thank you enough!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Dancing Lessons!

We have been taking dancing lessons for about a year now and have finally earned a spot in a showcase at our dance studio! Here's a video of our Rhumba/Hustle dance routine!


Thursday, February 3, 2011

A random funny

My Dad sends me "funnies" all the time. This one was too perfect not to share :)

1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?   

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.  
-Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you  get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-Kristen, age 10  

2. WHAT IS  THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. 
-Camille, age 10  

3.  HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-Derrick, age 8  

4.  WHAT DO  YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?  

Both don't want any more kids.
-Lori, age 8  

5.  WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A  DATE?


Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. 
-Martin, age 10

6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?   

When  they're rich.
-Pam, age 7

The  law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to  mess with that.
-Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8  

7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?  

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-Anita, age 9

8.  HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?   

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-Kelvin, age 8  

9.  HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-Ricky, age 10