Wedding Planning Weekend

 All day Sunday was spent doing various errands and attending meetings and making decisions. I got my hair did, we met with the caterer and we met with the event coordinator at Hartley Botanica. It was a crazy busy day but it all made me feel super accomplished.

 Nothing says "organized" like tank tops telling people who you are in rhinestones. "Maid of Honor," "Bride," and "Mother of the Bride."

 At Hartley. This truck lives in the parking lot. It's pretty cool.

 

I talk with my hands. This is where I get it from. 

 Looking regal and stuff.

 Big arms! Everyone do big arms!

 On the way home, we found a little Swedish? town for Sophie. Look how happy she is!

Bridal Shower 2-15-14

Two weekends ago Chris, Marsha, Sophie, and I ventured down to LA for my bridal shower and to take care of some wedding related errands. We had a great time and had beautiful weather. Here are the pictures from one of the cameras at my bridal shower.

  My Momma is so awesome! If it weren't for her, there would have been no bridal shower. She put the whole thing together and did all the pretty decorations! So great! Wedding planning with my Mom has been really great because we're both goal-oriented, organized people so things are going smoothly. Thank you for everything, Mom!

Sophie did a fantastic job planning fun games for everyone to play. The first game was the timeless game Toilet Paper Bride in which five teams adorned one lucky team-member with a couture toilet paper dress that is so ready for the runway.

 The next game took some skill, balance and willingness to laugh at one's self. Teams were given an orange in a stocking to tie around their waist which was then used as a mallet to push a wiffle ball across the backyard. Apparently doing this game on grass is HARD.

 One of my very favorite things about this weekend was getting to have all my friends and family in one spot for the afternoon. While a lot of these women came from different social groups and had never met before, you never would have been able to tell. Everyone got along great. I love the awesome women in my life!

 This guy.... Huge amount of thanks goes to Sophie for all her hard work in helping me plan this thing.

 My cousin and Flower Girl, Corryn.

 Fact: Donut holes are better than cake.

 My Grandma and I.

 My Aunt Beki and I.

 The wedding party ladies. Megan, Sophie, Ashley and amazing photographer Angela!

 Ashley helped me unwrap presents which a lot of consisted of letting me put paper shreds in her hair. I love you, Ashley!

 This is Angela giving me the speech about how she will EFFING KILL ME if I hold my bouquet up by my boobs. Bouquets belong at your HIP! Pretend that they are a fig leaf and cover yourself thusly!

Even the toilet paper was festive...

Best (wo)Man: Corrine Marston

 How long have you known Chris?How did you meet? Corrine and Chris met in 2000 when they were next door neighbors in the Redwood Apartments. "We had the best spot with an ocean view! His first night next door he came over to introduce himself by asking if his TV and stereo system were too loud and showed me his TV the size of the entire apartment wall! It was awesome!"
What's your favorite color? Green
What is a fun fact about you that not many people know? "I love to fire dance for anyone who ever asked."
What is your life motto? "Live life to it's fullest! You only got one shot at it!"
What person from history do you most identify with and why? "I identify with a Roman princess that was taught to fight by her secret warrior lover."
Where is your favorite place to be? Among the Redwoods
If you could be any superhero, who would you be? "I am Rainbow Bright!" I cannot argue with that. :)

Meet the Groomsmen: Erika Sanchez

 How long have you known Chris? "Since 2004....I don't feel like doing the math."

How did you meet? "We met through the band over an email after he felt inclined to name me pointing out that I had committed a rookie act." (The nickname being Armpit Goatcheese. Never ask for a nickname.)

What's your favorite color? "GREEN!!!! There is no other color, just green and...well...not."

What is a fun fact about you that not many people know? Erika didn't have a fun fact about herself but I'm pretty sure I saw her lick her elbow once...

What is your life motto? "To live as if this is the only life."

What person from history do you most identify with and why? "I would identify with John Muir the most. He saw the gem that is nature and became its voice and was the main force in setting aside federal land that would be preserved for following generations to enjoy as he did."

Where is your favorite place to be? "My favorite place is among friends."

 If you could be any superhero, who would you be? "Willow from Buffy."

Meet the Groomsmen: Wesley "Buttercup" Hale

I first met Buttercup about 6.5 years ago when I joined the HSU Marching Lumberjacks in 2007 he was on the short list of people that I knew I wanted to hang out with right off the bat. This dude is smart and funny and a super loyal friend. Now, he's moved away to Boston to pursue his dreams of becoming an amazing historian and I don't get to pester him in person much anymore. That doesn't make him any less important to us though. Thank goodness for the internet so we can still pester each other across the miles.

What's your favorite color? blue 

What is a fun fact about you that not many people know? "I tend to get Civil War era hymns stuck in my head for days and will get weird looks from people who hear me humming and singing them." 

What is your life motto? "My life motto is "sic parvis magna" which means great things from small beginnings. I came from a small little town and moved across country to follow a dream. If that's not the essence of Sic Parvis Magna, then I don't know what is." 

What person from history do you most identify with and why? "As far as an historical figure I identify most with, I'd say it's a toss up between Nathan Hale and JFK. Hale gave up a teaching career and the chance to start a family in order to serve his country and stick to his convictions. He volunteered as a spy in an era when espionage was considered dishonorable and ungentlemanly conduct, because it was what his Commander in Chief needed. "Any action necessary to the well being of one's country becomes honorable by being necessary." He sacrificed everything for the future of a nation that was at tremendous risk of failure. And in that spirit, JFK followed. He was a maritime historian, held a deep love and appreciation for the ocean, and though he wanted to teach and write, he too sacrificed his own desires for the greater good. The sacrifices of these men are what make America great, despite our flaws. I only hope that one day I can measure up.

Where is your favorite place to be? "My favorite place to be is Boston. Either on my campus or in the Boston Public Gardens, this is my favorite city and I love it when my friends come to visit and I get to show them my life and why I love it here."

If you could be any superhero, who would you be? "And as for a superhero, that's a no brainer. I'm Batman."