tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60435825572428664192024-03-14T04:50:27.294-07:00Life between Donut World and Real WorldAlicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-56647359602257288262012-03-08T11:00:00.001-08:002012-03-08T11:00:04.381-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : Seattle Day 3After our pig out yesterday, we decided to take it a lil easy today on the food front and do more sightseeing. However, they say breakfast is the most important of the day so we had to oblige. Savory was on our minds, and we decided to have a waffle at <a href="http://sweetironwaffles.com/">Sweet Iron</a>. Upon viewing the menu, it seemed we were in for a treat not quite what we had in mind. Sweet Iron was known for their liege waffles. We assumed it was fluffy Belgian waffles. Oops! Since we were already there, why not! We proceed to order a nutella waffle dusted with powdered sugar for me<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgQ3Xfkvxot-yLzhiRAljn8KdHpYY1umP9Ztz5F25ydkmDrcG9nQe5BU8PsJfGnAZgyaTehbUbUIBoTdnoJhqgmsYarSaDNnV_YFDRNLAV52ylOt7qg-_EJJy-9_TKB1DXRkNo1y3EyCJ/s1600/P1000195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgQ3Xfkvxot-yLzhiRAljn8KdHpYY1umP9Ztz5F25ydkmDrcG9nQe5BU8PsJfGnAZgyaTehbUbUIBoTdnoJhqgmsYarSaDNnV_YFDRNLAV52ylOt7qg-_EJJy-9_TKB1DXRkNo1y3EyCJ/s640/P1000195.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a><br />
and a bacon with pure maple syrup for the hubby. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpZnLVkGLREvdjyM6BFtaXJNy2Zmfj7IxYna5kPMetvk4_Lc1IJ_5OzwqBU1NnugK187VVJmGg-D4Frch1bDS0ffvEMiDCQPd03iyXq6AwNjor5yfSxzL9i9r-UKyNgVrwr-eXAhSBiSd/s1600/P1000193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpZnLVkGLREvdjyM6BFtaXJNy2Zmfj7IxYna5kPMetvk4_Lc1IJ_5OzwqBU1NnugK187VVJmGg-D4Frch1bDS0ffvEMiDCQPd03iyXq6AwNjor5yfSxzL9i9r-UKyNgVrwr-eXAhSBiSd/s640/P1000193.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
The waffles are made with proofed balls of dough inserted into one quarter of a traditional waffle maker for a few minutes to make it all toasty and flavorful. While delicious, it was much too sweet as a (liege) waffle for me, and much too dense. At least it was filling, and we got to sample our first liege waffle!<br />
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Already starting the day on a full belly, we drove to White Center, WA to visit family friends of the hubby's from Shreveport, LA. They own a grocery store and several other small business operations, and it was great to see how well they were doing! We observed the relationship they had with their customer, and it made the hubby and I feel like jumping into the swing of things. It reminded us of our relationship with our customers back home. Jamie, the youngest son, hollered at one of their frequent woman shoppers (age: mid-40's?) that he <em>loved </em>her new haircut and that it was sexy! Yow! Talk about an awesome relationship, no? It cracked us up!<br />
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The father showed us around the complex he owns, discussed a few business things, and reminisced about the old days back in Shreveport with the hubby while we waited for their eldest son, Billy, to take us to lunch.<br />
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Once Billy arrived, we hoped into his car and took off to Tukwila for (in Billy's terms) some fly Thai food at <a href="http://malithaicuisine.com/menu.asp">Mali Thai</a>. We gave Billy the honor of ordering since he knew the menu well and what were some of the most have's. Unfortunately, that was a bad idea because he ordered us a 7 course meal. For lunch. For 3 people. So much for taking it easy on the food front, eh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDB5r89QDUTk7IxVJoo2QPdhQscQBZ31gfCB3fgsc8GGno5B2BLwIqaNSf19oXaFHQomq9yDkHAWLXmtnd5m95P207bjzutOYP-X-7-wQji6bLBp7Eh-cjXVCimzptHOvsqqJuishhxrZ/s640/iPhone+Pix+175.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We had Angel Wings, Crab Delight, Tom Yum soup, Papaya Salad, Thai Teas, and Pad See Iew just to name a few!</span></div><br />
By the time the 3rd item arrived at our table, we were already full. Aicarumba!! Somehow, we managed to sample all 7 items, but packed a togo fit for a king (and all his village too)! Once we got back to the grocery store, I handed the hubby the togo bag of food so that I could crawl out of the back seat of Billy's CLK550 AMG.<br />
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Y'all, I'm not sure what happened, but the next thing i know, I fell flat on my face between the curb of the sidewalk and the car. My purse caught my hand on the curb, which in turn saved my face because my chin ended up grazing the pavement, but my left knee hit the curb pretty hard. Shaken up, I excused myself to the bathroom to assess the damage. Yup, busted the crap out of my left knee (thank goodness I keep bandaids in my purse), and scuffed up my chin and palms of both hands. Didn't break enough skin to bleed on the exterior but little pin needle points of blood could be seen. Lovely, just lovely! I was more embarrassed than anything really. Tripping is bad enough, but to face plant and bust yourself up from head to toe. In front of your hubby's childhood friends. OMG! I could die. I was still shaken so no pictures to document the damage.<br />
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We hung around the store for a bit longer before parting ways and headed off to another grocery store that our friends said we <em>had </em>to check out, <a href="http://www.uwajimaya.com/">Uwajimaya</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSm4tRcz24a32bfLkjQkKWvaqSjL_fWgxXPpOyO-Wf0patfOXT5lfgplhbRsCHho2cOz8IMdBCvRTvfNBrOVZGoCpFBkaj1WGZ5cGi1_IA1pTsyYrlt-WIx9LjeQWhku0eg9th2LjS-Jll/s640/uwajimaya-in-seattle.jpg" width="640" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.theseattletraveler.com/2008/05/asian-shopping-at-uwajimaya-village/">source</a>}</div><br />
The Japanese grocery store was HUGE with tons to offer including sushi grade filets, fresh fish, and they even pack and ship anything you want to wherever you want! They also have tons of already made food for you to take with you or to eat in their food court, which in itself had a large variety of vendors. It was here we saw an Executive Chef purchase ramen noodle (read about it <a href="http://7daysaweek-alice.blogspot.com/2012/01/random-mondays_16.html">here</a>)!<br />
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</div>We didn't purchase anything, but browsing and taking in the magnitude of the store was eye opening enough. <strike>We</strike> I, however, did purchase a cream puff from Beard Papa's in the food court. Just can't pass up the delicious cream no matter how full I am!! YUM!!<br />
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Limping around (and in some pain), we decided to relax for the rest of the afternoon back at the hotel prior to dinner. Upon our return to our room, we realized the room wasn't made up yet. Um, I know we are checking out in the morning, but shouldn't we still get house keeping? Confused, we called house keeping and they said we had the "Do Not Disturb" placard hanging, therefore, they didn't clean. Just between you and I, we didn't hang the placard out. They said they'd come up and clean so the hubby and I went downstairs to wait in the lobby. We inquired of places to eat and places to check out the fireworks tonight in celebration of concluding 2011 and ringing in 2012. 15 minutes later, we returned to our room only discover, it still wasn't made up! What the crap?! Back downstairs we went. This time, I checked us in on our flights and printed our boarding pass, and made dinner reservations at <a href="http://www.sushiwhore.com/">Mashiko</a> for 9pm! <br />
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Extremely late dinner time for us, we decided to grab a quick snack to tie us over till dinner time. On the menu, Pike Place Chowder. Round two! While we weren't particularly hungry (hello, 7-course lunch!), we mentioned we wanted to have the chowder one last time prior to our departure from Seattle. If not now, then we'd never get the chance.<br />
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When we returned to our room this time, it was clean and we were provided fresh towels. Yay! Exhausted,<br />
a nap was much needed. Unfortunately, it was a bad idea because when the hubby woke me up to head out for our dinner reservation, my knee was stiff solid. I couldn't bend it nor walk on it without limping and wincing in pain. Oh man... What a way to end our vacation! Not even <a href="http://7daysaweek-alice.blogspot.com/2012/01/christmas-20-1-1-whistler.html"><span id="goog_761892989"></span>2 days</a> <span id="goog_761892990"></span>at <a href="http://7daysaweek-alice.blogspot.com/2012/01/christmas-20-1-1-whistler-day-2.html">Whistler</a> did this much damage on me!<br />
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Determined not to let it bother me, I wobbled out and took off to dinner. Finding parking was slightly difficult and we ended up parking about half a mile down from the restaurant. With our 9pm reservation now chiming at 9:05pm, we walked up to the restaurant just as they were calling our names. Phew! Just in time. I mean, we were here the whole time! =D <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiownwJJ8jTM5HDbEE2VTVvR5HuQJZbLV9-LJBLsjdPAuS9MQdyprv-Vz75PNhPWXO4R3bxaBD1Of53Ss_L2BeQYvSVKzJ4wjRlHEzGa-WpaiQdouB6dOKAjrqIutYhEzT5UpCsKobdzLoN/s1600/iPhone+Pix+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiownwJJ8jTM5HDbEE2VTVvR5HuQJZbLV9-LJBLsjdPAuS9MQdyprv-Vz75PNhPWXO4R3bxaBD1Of53Ss_L2BeQYvSVKzJ4wjRlHEzGa-WpaiQdouB6dOKAjrqIutYhEzT5UpCsKobdzLoN/s640/iPhone+Pix+180.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mashiko is known for serving <a href="http://sushiwhore.com/sustainablesushibar.html">sustainable food and utensils</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We were sat right behind the bar, which means if you're watching Mashiko's live cam on their website, you could see us! We texted our friend, Van, to get online as I waved feverishly at the camera. She saw us. Sweet! Since it was New Year's Eve, we decided on the Chef's Choice Course Menu.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe8325Wx_RXwuMMK-aEktA4q9VZ_dxyyIXsa50EaEf8uOnWOIlyUphsMZ1U6OBHzN_8EL95AkAOmDpROhlnbdu_Dsn3IC7XxJmmWIsQWqD595PIyiXDLtal1PerXiKnCLeHbWxwH9D9Xf/s640/iPhone+Pix+178.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First up was the chuka (seaweed) salad - sweet and tangy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGoSWcj1iORm7BAe2svy-lKJxjdhxKg2FGQBccUJjGerklcWxYcXy03zTG1VqGUse1v041fKr2XdWdmLWZRIet7cv3lmn2L6rHWQ58-2FcdNWAv7CootMxGEzIFUO1XWO4Wm1dG4W6QiE/s640/iPhone+Pix+179.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Followed by poached oysters on a bed of cucumbers</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGwS5l0FhvKxKNAD0qwrNk_psTD8DT8K7dxWm2BVsQT1PR_7R26xP6aPx4uklpJDjk7SSbXX7_WU9lQm4nquTOWDbcTYmwHwn3pjhKj_VNjhM-yRgmeapPM_0YivKv07mWhEdvFV0Sn6-/s640/iPhone+Pix+181.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Assorted sashimi and two rolls</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaY5yQMakDtekXVbDmL4fegrN_JrKevDtAlfvQkIpRJ3Ko58qnzViSxqXwfjssh4sPoUjR7Sc6dIjk0f_Jq4gUimLM8yG71jaC2pGIdvHksUT4hY6qsWIHI1A9O9Ko73Wx-BJ-ti1ixuz/s640/iPhone+Pix+183.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bento box with assorted tempura, noodles, fish with bok choy, and meatballs</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBaGhMkiEedIBMTo62YIX8QxEn_KUvgBApkVJvS7rKpMR1lsL_sFhrdwuvx5pAl4zh8cbdMnDKq4aZPYK6s_jgUyMrFMTAedLCwbcdrOWwiZnJ8q5U3a1BR0opDicvHvB8nPxzG8j3Hqb/s640/iPhone+Pix+184.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And for dessert, ginger ice cream with red beans</span></div><br />
Despite the small portions, the hubby and I noticed how stuffed we were! Guess the pacing of the meal allowed us to fully enjoy each course!<br />
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At the conclusion of dinner, we drove back to our hotel and walked over to a restuarant the hotel concierge mentioned was a killer spot to catch the fireworks off of the Space Needle. We needn't go in, just stand in front. After walking a few blocks and locating the restaurant, we realized the hotel concierge was totally wrong. All we saw were tall buildings with no space needle in sight! Frustrated, we took started walking in the direction of the space needle in hopes of catching an opening that enabled us a small view of the fireworks. Time was a ticking though!<br />
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We found ourselves at the steps of the Seattle Courthouse which provided a killer open view of the space needle. Another bonus, very few people were at this location so it was quiet and romantic! As we situated ourselves on one of the stomps in front of the courthouse, the countdown to ringing 2012 began. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh8RVmCiq1caIngPUApivtMvTyyQ78o7wB0oG8Aj5eW_6jjwQ-NaCqZhHeyX5Ng8OJtH5-hCnNAfWuAzcKuAvF9Tst0qjWtMHQzgop6bknlbDFY14RLhZaQzoh18yIlZfjMXa5R5u_wDQ/s1600/Space+needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh8RVmCiq1caIngPUApivtMvTyyQ78o7wB0oG8Aj5eW_6jjwQ-NaCqZhHeyX5Ng8OJtH5-hCnNAfWuAzcKuAvF9Tst0qjWtMHQzgop6bknlbDFY14RLhZaQzoh18yIlZfjMXa5R5u_wDQ/s400/Space+needle.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://westseattleblog.com/2011/01/happy-2011-space-needle-fireworks-view-from-west-seattle">source</a>}</div><br />
The hubby and I welcomed 2012 with a quick kiss and an adoring exchange of I Love You. We enjoyed the firework show till the grand finale before heading back, and officially closing the book on our 2011 Annual Christmas Vacation. Surprisingly, the walk back was calm with very few drunkards hooting and hollering disturbing the peace. Guess we really lucked out in finding our odd, but quaint firework spot!<br />
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2011 was a rough year for us (in regards to work), but we are totally looking forward to 2012. It's promising new adventures and some major changes in our life!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*It wasn't until the end of February 2012 that the bruise on my knee finally started disappearing. Slowly, but surely. Sigh...</span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-84504299250834226832012-03-07T10:35:00.000-08:002012-03-07T10:35:27.400-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : Seattle Day 2Today was an eating bonanza day for us so please grab some towels to wipe up potential drool marks that may occur while reading this post. Just warning you! <br />
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In good ole vacation tradition, we got up bright and early to start our adventures. First order of business - breakfast! Our good friend, Van, told us about a lil pastry joint in Queen Anne that was to die for (<a href="http://nielsenspastries.com/">Nielsen's Pastry</a>), and <strike>inhaling</strike> sampling their "potato" was a must. She also mentioned these delectables sell out quite early, so our early start on the day was perfect!<br />
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A brief 5 minute drive later, we found the shop. We carefully approached it as there wasn't a line out of the shop as we had anticipated. There wasn't even another person in sight! We double checked the address and the name of the shop just to make sure we were at the right place. Yup and yup. Hm! Nonchalantly, we entered the pastry shop and perused their display case of danishes and pastries (wish I had taken a picture of all their deliciousness). Unfortunately, their cooler display case was out of commission so all pastries requiring refrigeration remained hidden in the back. Since we couldn't locate the "potato", we told the employee behind the register we wanted 2 of them with a cup of latte. He gave us a concerned look and slowly announced that it was much too early for <em>potatoes</em>. We questioned the time they would be ready, and he responded with "10am". Current time - 8am. Well, damn!<br />
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We told him we came to the shop due to raving reviews from our friends and that sampling the <em>potato</em> was a must! Upon hearing this, the gentleman told us to hang tight while he talked to someone in the back. He returned seconds later and said they would make them for us! Yay!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjry7Mlp63V89h2L6d5Lf7hAxYPSU5bL6d1wvN9ig3m0V2Kb_AVTGZ-I5IYP9ynCnTsqrkBdFHih7WW4flBax6WRWAzdiAwM39XSZqp-oFLp9ogblmyC4y78EL4f7TbWnOcMYC2ApZlFUsQ/s640/iPhone+Pix+161.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nielsenspastries.com/index.php/dessert_pastry/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Potato</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (A custard and whipped cream filled pastry puff covered with a layer of marzipan, and dipped in dutch cocoa powder)</span></div><br />
I'm a HUGE fan of whipped cream and theirs did not disappoint! However, I did occasionally choke on the cocoa powder due to inhaling while consuming. Oops! While enjoying our potato, numerous customers came through and ordered eclairs. One gentleman even ordered a dozen to go! Intrigued, I told the hubby to go order us one also. Yes, we were already stuffed from our potatoes, but I wanted to sample this raving eclair that everyone was ordering!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrGiC5CZupoDUw-nY8m6w1oZ_IjPqumyWOagZlHGEp_NsOH2ACVYM0o2fY5CVtj4OW_Wgv_NAMSlopUzbuncQ7Heqf-WvTlxJXJ3msMCW_VmKx5n_vpLu1nufPicW6nwPgoKHnF62V6i9/s640/iPhone+Pix+162.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Once again the cream was divine, but after a rich breakfast already, it proved to be a bit too much for us!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>With breakfast and sweet tooth satisified, we took off to Trader Joe's to walk off some of those calories! Being a fan of Whole Foods and heard raving reviews of Trader Joe's, I made the hubby take us there just so that I can say I've been to one. Childish? Yes, but totally awesome! We perused the aisles and I was excited of all the bread and snack varieties they had! We could totally use one in Dallas*. After purchasing a few coffee tins for our friend, Van and a couple snack items for us, we made our way to the <em>biggest</em> REI store ever.<br />
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With nothing in mind to purchase since the activity part of our vacation already over, we decided to pit stop to add the location to our "been there, done that" bucket list. Plus, we have a thing for perusing outdoor gear and clothing places. We checked out the place and left there within an hour (to ensure we got free parking!). <br />
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Next stop - back to Pike's Market to throw down some seafood! Since we were still a lil full from breakfast, we did some sightseeing first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlAtIJJXAK0uhvfRKKu0HsuK1RSbFUVVY7DHKKc-hgY-CZNjbY6T-wlAKuOVfddDmZfU3iccrH1jEhQdyF60cWSLAsDXw4STV1rdLVcb-6T0aPom-gDhdBF_4TyATUP2zIHDTlLI31rY2/s1600/P1000171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlAtIJJXAK0uhvfRKKu0HsuK1RSbFUVVY7DHKKc-hgY-CZNjbY6T-wlAKuOVfddDmZfU3iccrH1jEhQdyF60cWSLAsDXw4STV1rdLVcb-6T0aPom-gDhdBF_4TyATUP2zIHDTlLI31rY2/s640/P1000171.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The famous bubble gum wall - ew! We didn't contribute if you're wondering...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cbTHoTsOslFttgV_DuOUkq0o6CSGOWaWOx8_9GwCt6VrEltj41NuDpVSCw1aSonxUn0M1ADSTFWHNC_ju-KUGFPSv61JZyF2cgsa8BAgzS0vSHMigiMZXbjJxU4g70zwhdr93U7CwnQv/s640/P1000176.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-mEwwhy7mnvGnIyBN4kKdYoJAwxay2_DFOpAWrALCy19VsTdr7-82oOkfP5WWZenHje3Cum6f4OHkH8qEyrD8UVOEr6JWeVn-4Cup35zq624Apyjy6qHC3I9twGJYb6B_8Y5PWuzwy8f/s640/P1000177.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Obligatory picture with Rachel the Pig (Pike Market's unofficial mascot) while touching her nose with our Dallas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> hats </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">gifted to us by our customer friends, Dale and Shirley.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYWaIELRwr3hINWvLv36CNZYSctO79dPcbRUNLcf8NQLBoJZ4HZ9Ou6FNWKsv_3EvlnMGKzWz5TwDaNORdSX_XOjMBUUFPMcHZx4qk9drrDKtdAM5sH2oBDtcqnL8v89wA1ydCdrj6br7/s1600/P1000191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYWaIELRwr3hINWvLv36CNZYSctO79dPcbRUNLcf8NQLBoJZ4HZ9Ou6FNWKsv_3EvlnMGKzWz5TwDaNORdSX_XOjMBUUFPMcHZx4qk9drrDKtdAM5sH2oBDtcqnL8v89wA1ydCdrj6br7/s640/P1000191.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Ie-35ZU4rGVQ0MgVWlpwRGFvHRCsPlHCF8YTJOXs1SHkV7AfhzD1DzXwWG674dLcEe6krQKcNiNKp5f7d9PZo1OzR95t9biXlVrPltijxd_18bwSEEvMOy5-4mjTDP-faJcQCLVvZFd/s1600/P1000192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Ie-35ZU4rGVQ0MgVWlpwRGFvHRCsPlHCF8YTJOXs1SHkV7AfhzD1DzXwWG674dLcEe6krQKcNiNKp5f7d9PZo1OzR95t9biXlVrPltijxd_18bwSEEvMOy5-4mjTDP-faJcQCLVvZFd/s640/P1000192.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. The line at this place was <em>ridiculous!</em> Made fresh right then and there, it's no wonder</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">there's always a line! However, the hubby and I think their batter might be made partly from funnel cake batter due to its</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">consistency. Regardless, this little joint was hopping and making some dough! HAHA! Get it? Okay, moving on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaPR1xUZPB2LQQFnuAUIJ5oiG-oUASPytRA8rqZ4o0FmTRaI42eFpDkxBBIfDGLY4IETOw5jRCQ0UIr2kNnJshxtnBIcSty02_hDztIiOInhMNV0h1nRoAYPW10s95I7knu3dUuFQusIK/s640/P1000168.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_yWER4FnW6CNvPFIDTuvfkCtWLxiqSXYmw2_Q1gkWifZqfCkUu-t5kfKiyYmGCueqJuCGYz7X4cHmezNFZxYPaJg0U5mmPNbAe4BKE2ecj6OFI_9a1yVvpBd7Cx-HsSjqN-rqlpUM-zL/s640/P1000170.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These dried flowers were gorgeously made and for so cheap! $10 for a LARGE bouquet a</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd only $15 for an XL bouquet?? G</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">et out of here!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2pSsnnsYCyUsyMYf-ZXftHK6wY7OgsAn3jrhHNFhTIdpM9TlYpLTBS-EqfR3bPVV6lfyMYr1f8u8DZWwMHxHAzquG2Q6GxPz0lR3tWbCOKaWyNCALV3iVe-rrj06T-NDFGGqpqQOaygr/s640/P1000167.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's the original Starbucks!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINWu_8Bn5CdULzwO60FfvR38upcEM_aisBOybwb6gGMsDDw1QmsSYePJDG2Hf2-6srOLwhlMoYojX97M8KcI2wAVO9ZSzLZrOo4Wz0vpuw_1-Mn8R22PZcyF8ZXMOMmr0aV1jDUJ964b/s1600/P1000180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINWu_8Bn5CdULzwO60FfvR38upcEM_aisBOybwb6gGMsDDw1QmsSYePJDG2Hf2-6srOLwhlMoYojX97M8KcI2wAVO9ZSzLZrOo4Wz0vpuw_1-Mn8R22PZcyF8ZXMOMmr0aV1jDUJ964b/s640/P1000180.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt9UV3C2P1fueRLXo6rXJ9y84noB6uXvce8daH73qHNTxKAK2Brdrc11YL3YA_-rjouy0ZlsalGB8r0oYcpQEn6mAzWz8KP74AjaXMgJ-lrXNg9tfoMRHniGyXIiNJFgahtfSno2-A9bv/s640/P1000181.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBefOFl7Ug-zemu9XIEHAg_pz5jhz0gUfotmFsAxmaVQYSuBXa59xHZAL0anmy2Go7-oejgG5ummiHzX1HshQVv6IBqUaHiTaAkS5OaC195_S8DIWVoboJ2PEWx2s51rDE8ezDBeEOq9k9/s1600/P1000182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBefOFl7Ug-zemu9XIEHAg_pz5jhz0gUfotmFsAxmaVQYSuBXa59xHZAL0anmy2Go7-oejgG5ummiHzX1HshQVv6IBqUaHiTaAkS5OaC195_S8DIWVoboJ2PEWx2s51rDE8ezDBeEOq9k9/s640/P1000182.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipl_OXwTxQZk5sH6otga8Ca6Tjf4EFwEVSPYcNAnFFUujqXgVqgKSQ4GTBSkF26HOUb0yde_6o218g1LbQnKP_1M1xmZGUDe4XemehfhpMslKuHYD556bm8-XTcWhClCcdapIh8mXKlAu/s640/P1000183.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NrQXfz3ELuommhwbq1Rj93hox1oG_7uI8xM9VSwKqz2Z1A-UfWtoj9TVyUxyODiT1S3L-LLqYqyRimmiLIIW4ZdDMiIdcq-eibAwC6s2IWRaWcWDEB0vNn-MrTG0lbu8r4efyykBKaNZ/s640/P1000184.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS9iUi9T-Za0b39OckEGRdWq2OhZr_Uq1iMitPBn1cvxK7F16OWVkhPrEdYy8x0iPOqirXCgq4fCvopUjzM2bu0hYzdxh_48VxVAPsiWAQiWP8RC_VHhWH-aPLLju8wueB4IPNNETO4mB/s640/P1000185.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jumbo sized everything at the market. Oh man... to have this in Dallas!</span></div><br />
All the perusing got our appetites churning which means it's time to kick off the eating fest! First stop, Beecher's Handmade Cheese. Here, we observed them churning and making cheese while also sampling a variety of other cheeses. On the menu, World's Best/Oprah Winfrey's most favorite mac-n-cheese. I'm generally not a fan of mac-n-cheese, but I'm willing to try if it's the World's Best!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugvx6lgGrUIXmn1HEo_6s70hmXIfuMQ6ILFBciJgakPOD8x1v_uh-6fFGnDFuQ-wI4r7W6_2fhWd68p4P41uSX1wAh_Hc8VfPWhocJ8ssDKYx-Y-dhtD4bOyL6w3_GteetQUqvK6JBvD8/s640/P1000186.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Extremely creamy. Delicious, but got overwhelming after a couple bites.</span></div><br />
Next, we stopped at Emmet Watson's Oyster Bar for some shrimp n chips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzA0ezYbjPMkO3DfNkSpqN7VRp7IQVWLBE5F0-PDPHiJUQJMRccww7hqwffM-p9iAViza5MgmDy-mZ64iUoVf2G4cnemhLL7u_Jp8MTnGAdpmv7ifvve6HU9rRw5fQcKfgjBLkCjQpVw3/s640/iPhone+Pix+164.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Battered and golden fried to deliciousness. Their tartare sauce was the bomb yo! Totally</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">thought about taking some home with us, but hubby said, "No." Sad face.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then it was time for jumbo shrimp cocktails at City Fish Company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGXPRls5yBM7xyDmk3zPIwn219mrr02KY2ldrWjBHc9ecDttkufXusokZ1ajb5S68CY6kWyI8G7nmlgia8ZWwd-0PN3CZa7M6HcDubcodUIXoQFsD3TdA2xFHU6kIbURMOMctqX43r0vP/s640/P1000178.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These were by far the <em>largest</em> and most delicious shrimp cocktails I have ever had. I almost</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">wanted seconds, but with a big menu still ahead, I refrained.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Stuffed to the gills, we walked around the market some more to explore the boutiques distributed throughout the massive market and towards the waterfront. We thought about catching a boat tour of the harbor prior to our happy hour rendevous at 3pm, but decided against it. Why? It was awfully windy, and when we saw an earlier boat depart the port, all the decks were crammed with people like sardines in a can. No, thank you! We decided to poke our heads into some souvenir shops on the waterfront to see if we found anything for our friends and family back home, and stop by Starbucks for a quick drink. We even stopped by a little candy store where I purchased a few gummies. Gummies by the cold waterfront = hard gummies. No bueno!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimtgpDAg-r7I-bQIU8a3hrPiowMbv7-iGi8SasGTBjlixXydgV6LiO2PKjK4lqwBHpY9fBlXJ6NHPC2k23YKmkrirhklTXQH62Pq2fugFbahAdZWg1zAyiaECMkJMgQEMY1qEjkGcmrZR/s640/P1000188.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elliott the Otter outside of the candy shop</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWV_xFGaZlWIhfxkIMvY7V3exYnLDk6Rro_C7WUo7AUbEknyHeSBprecvSF5_NALeE4QtJRaTbv7RCs_jeCiIq7NZoOA7oz6CLrfRQVrKg4ayc3xTSOvz2BILGCC1tKweeONy7paPGtlM/s1600/P1000189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWV_xFGaZlWIhfxkIMvY7V3exYnLDk6Rro_C7WUo7AUbEknyHeSBprecvSF5_NALeE4QtJRaTbv7RCs_jeCiIq7NZoOA7oz6CLrfRQVrKg4ayc3xTSOvz2BILGCC1tKweeONy7paPGtlM/s640/P1000189.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Self timer portrait near the Seattle Aquarium</span></div><br />
3pm rolled around and we decided to hit up our first happy hour joint, Elliott's Oyster House, for $0.75 chef's choice oysters and half price appetizers. Yup, you read that right 75 CENTS an oyster starting at 3pm!! They go up $0.50 each hour until 6pm. Apparently, we were late to the party because there was already a line out the door. Well, crap! We decided against putting our names on a waiting list for a tabletop and hovered at the bar area for an open seat. A little less than an hour later, we snagged a pair of seats! Sweet! We made it for $0.75 oysters still! Let's grub!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8dfyVW0KJgw1PP1lrfH-NyN5Qq5_yVv1ECgmqqvpIGE_i5Va8Vrm16C5NJIqY3Hhuv9ncQPd-9ojkvQjgcgdkAZtH0nKFQCy7wo4Gy4S0hrJ-r7b8D-FF5K65-uGQ4G2ILahDU_BQ_MV/s640/iPhone+Pix+167.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 dozen oysters (because that was the limit you could order. ha!) with champagne dipping sauce, fried</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> calamari, and tequila lime mussels</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The oysters were a little small, but was delicious none the less. As for the champagne sauce, it was a little different at first, but I really liked it! Satisified, we went on to our next happy hour joint, Ivar's Acres of Clams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While this was pretty much our dinner time now, we decided to pick off the happy hour menu instead to get more variety for more bang for our buck. It was a great decision by the way! While we'd love to try their full menu, after munching/eating all day, we decided not to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-ch3BpcJr5A_p8tsIbPH83uBX2YODxjM-6pZqV9oWXaKq_M3jErQvwO5JZiipxElFaPWGu8m6vF_OcfDIZUmDRkbK5Y5RRGZEEfyzS6y4P-IFBmdauaglrFbMMtG4SD0NO1uYCVxAASS/s640/iPhone+Pix+169.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oyster shooters - these were the best oysters yet!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3YAm9eUs47Bmlj8ekV3JcWRKJxbWLcCxcrgwkF8lRh-XoxlYQ6BQw1tkRQdNYPCq-W13VvLSLjPJjSjwi26cwhJDzLplqDtFmaahQJrlctUp6p-izWF8skiIwg2iRwE7BrKqqBRiQHgY/s1600/iPhone+Pix+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3YAm9eUs47Bmlj8ekV3JcWRKJxbWLcCxcrgwkF8lRh-XoxlYQ6BQw1tkRQdNYPCq-W13VvLSLjPJjSjwi26cwhJDzLplqDtFmaahQJrlctUp6p-izWF8skiIwg2iRwE7BrKqqBRiQHgY/s640/iPhone+Pix+170.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ahi Tuna Duo with taro chips</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37lkI8RAHDByxuLn4aYDAqEEr3bn0wLJmMDQj9or9nsei_bZh9_VcetP3V8Q-drO6p08l5LywdJ6tQJRi5CFxZ3SNr-_vcTxqjYqKX6QA3LB1BmGuBShSoMbHiRo7Vh_dAgkB13AltjyJ/s640/iPhone+Pix+171.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dungeness crab cake sandwich - sadly, the sandwich was too overwhelming for the crab cakes</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JR6H7PL6wvA5erbGeuS-iggvOPR4lrrpsp2d3bIKm9IC8UnTGeKmuZh9ozJYMHHW_K9B6tVTla9YIZSB-SBl-Rvy_e7YroZa2EgAof_m_MbO0jLaNp-Vae_rZ9UFlB_BYGgOtETdkyqJ/s640/iPhone+Pix+172.JPG" width="478" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fish and chips - delightful batter and the fries were delish!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ivar's also boasted a famous clam chowder, but the hubby and I were so in love with Pike Place's Chowder, that we were afraid to disturb the blissful taste we have captured and locked away in our mind. Therefore, we decided against ordering their clam chowder. Overall, the food at Ivar's was amazing! We would love to come back and try their full on menu (and maybe their chowder too). We also heard their brunch is to die for, but it's only hosted on Sunday. Bummer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point, we were well beyond unbuttoning the top button of our jeans and looking about 5 months pregnant. However, it was well worth it. All 10lbs of seafood on our waistline and all. Fortunately, the walk back to the hotel was somewhat lengthy and hilly. Time to jiggle the food down and get ready for our last day in Seattle tomorrow, which also happens to be New Year's Eve!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*On Dec 29, 2011 on </span><a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/shopping/Trader-Joes-Opening-in-Dallas--Plano-136372493.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NBC DFW</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, it was announced that Dallas is receiving 3(!) TJ, one of which is a block from my house!! WOOHOO!</span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-33172811275417374632012-03-05T09:42:00.000-08:002012-03-05T09:42:45.188-08:00Random Mondays<strong>Today's Random Monday Emoticon:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxYfRKpr-hUS1Bhe_jTC5Izn8quv-bt12FLiUSQt8A7z9IoyfmH6qN3EZM-b8UWzC6_myKdeqMh1dWTVkI5Mr96VNOm8pUiU_5hN0jf3mO7e9Z82h9mlTGbNFk9mbCTYFBJiWYtqPSTIl/s1600/giggling+emoticon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxYfRKpr-hUS1Bhe_jTC5Izn8quv-bt12FLiUSQt8A7z9IoyfmH6qN3EZM-b8UWzC6_myKdeqMh1dWTVkI5Mr96VNOm8pUiU_5hN0jf3mO7e9Z82h9mlTGbNFk9mbCTYFBJiWYtqPSTIl/s1600/giggling+emoticon.png" uda="true" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Item in question:</strong><br />
The hubby and I recently attended the Dallas Bridal Show with our friends, future bride and groom, Vandrew. Mission - find Vandrew a photographer and eat as much cake as possible. The hubby and I glanced at eye candy various vendors brought to display while Andrew... Well, home boy was on a mission to find a photographer y'all!! He stopped at <strong>every</strong> booth and discussed pricing, likes and dislikes, etc. Talk about an involved groom, eh?<br />
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After snaking in and out of aisles for 2.5 hours, we called it a day and Vandrew made an appointment with one of the vendors to further discuss options. And if you think I was kidding about an involved groom, check out who came out with more loot from the show!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgdKEpkx5LbxC5jVjOqC16YnAB53nWZH_9-jNcazVyeQ3Qc9QmbawhmtdTA85KyESGskNad90JBhpwibxXI3r4P4fbskE59CkPoI3MUCdwCa_SGReaXax4toXIFMNSdFjL0ApavrAkauC/s640/iPhone+Pix+013.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anybody else see what's wrong with this picture?! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Van - nada, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Andrew -<strong> <u>two</u></strong> extremely loaded/expanded bags!!</span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-8140120365085817742012-03-01T08:29:00.000-08:002012-03-01T08:29:55.187-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : Seattle Day 1We woke up early and headed downstairs to Sweet Carrie's to pick up some additional treats for our ride to Seattle. We bought a pecan tart, minced pie, strawberry rhubarb tart, buttermilk tart, white chocolate chip macademia cookie, chocolate chip cookie, and a peanut butter cookie. Which half was consumed within 10 minutes into our drive to Seattle. Don't judge. And it's totally acceptable to eat dessert for breakfast while on vacation.<br />
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Thinking our drive would take us no more than 3 hours, we started debating on where would lunch once we got to Seattle. That was until we started approaching the border check and signs politely notified us that lunch was not feasible. Current wait time? 90 minutes. Wah wah wahhh.<br />
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Well folks, it took more than 90 minutes to go through border check, and we still had a 2 hour drive to Seattle. Current time, high noon. Good thing about coming back to the U.S., we can text and use our phones 3G for maps and locating addresses!! WOOHOO!! Who knew something so simple could make us so happy. Ha!<br />
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At 2pm, we were finally starting to see bits and pieces of Seattle as signage for Bellevue began to appear. I was getting pretty darn cranky at this point due to tiredness and fear of starvation. Y'all, I was getting HUNGRY. I ate half of my protein bar when we were in line at the border, but the hubby said it stank so me being the courteous wife, wrapped up my bar and put it away.<br />
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We decided to check into our hotel real quick and throw down some Pike Place Chowder. It was a little bit of a challenge to find since it was tucked away in Post Alley, but once we ordered and found a place to sit (at the bar), we couldn't wait to reward our taste buds and belly with world famous chowder.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Mcn2fDY68JBV3NLTA27CKRLvoL-YhEar56OaSdGztU-NEX5DpqYYyQOTU6VttkU3nz_Hepk9NIxtmwqFeZE5PVGrUIZpQJZOKvgQdZUMnPUZpwnGKX50KdxnxekDHHrFk5fl-HJAZxc/s1600/P1000166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Mcn2fDY68JBV3NLTA27CKRLvoL-YhEar56OaSdGztU-NEX5DpqYYyQOTU6VttkU3nz_Hepk9NIxtmwqFeZE5PVGrUIZpQJZOKvgQdZUMnPUZpwnGKX50KdxnxekDHHrFk5fl-HJAZxc/s640/P1000166.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I ordered a cup of New England Chowder and the hubby ordered Combo #1 (your choice of cup of chowder (New England) and half a sandwich (dungeness crab)</span></div><br />
Oh. My. Goodness. Y'all, THIS. is clam chowder. It was soooooooooo good. It was a little thick/creamy for me, but I couldn't stop shoveling spoonfuls of chowder into my mouth. It was just too good*. We didn't care much for the sandwich or sourdough bread, but totally could have gone for seconds (and maybe thirds) of the chowder. With our taste buds and belly completely content, we casually walked through the market to walk off the heavy dosage of cream. We observed a few things and kept mental notes of what we wanted to come back to see more of.<br />
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Exhausted, we made the short 4 block walk back to our hotel (wasn't a fan of our hotel, but the location can't be beat) to get some relaxation in prior to dinner at <a href="http://www.thecrabpotseattle.com/">The Crab Pot</a>. Sounds familiar? It's because it was one of Adam's Man vs Food places to eat! <br />
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We decided to walk to dinner to help build up our appetites (we walked EVERYWHERE actually, and loved it!). Although I could have done without the killer 75 steps steep stairway to the ocean front. More room/justification for the food, right? Yea! <br />
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After a 30 minute wait at the restaurant, our names were called and we were seated with menus promptly placed in front of us. However, we knew exactly what we wanted - The SeaFeast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErLCN0VwcDx_q1QZVFmR2nYIaL6En3GJSz_r_n0p9Q7tIiRiC8Xt_T4PIIpnceQQ2XM9UU1IEcXhA87-9iTeYT5RVHXLSMJcOzZ6A3wMH1s8I0DM0rsa_5KQ8btEzru4tdhqWzXdowJWs/s1600/iPhone+Pix+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErLCN0VwcDx_q1QZVFmR2nYIaL6En3GJSz_r_n0p9Q7tIiRiC8Xt_T4PIIpnceQQ2XM9UU1IEcXhA87-9iTeYT5RVHXLSMJcOzZ6A3wMH1s8I0DM0rsa_5KQ8btEzru4tdhqWzXdowJWs/s640/iPhone+Pix+154.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mallet - check</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bib - check</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BRING ON THE SEAFOOD!</span></div><br />
After a brief 10 minute wait, seafood was poured in between us onto the butcher paper, and surprisingly, we managed to compose ourselves for a quick photo op WITH the food...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszgXMyFjAFn0v8ptDsvyZE5lV5Y7pGKbCDjPqD2ye38OBVU1zTYRfqXKStW_aMiDH5YPKfTfQZBABYA7M1wYf3Kkx5BfDKq7vP_FbkmDMyel88bIac_bvAfHrHm-bp7cJ8vtCChyphenhyphen5x5go/s1600/iPhone+Pix+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszgXMyFjAFn0v8ptDsvyZE5lV5Y7pGKbCDjPqD2ye38OBVU1zTYRfqXKStW_aMiDH5YPKfTfQZBABYA7M1wYf3Kkx5BfDKq7vP_FbkmDMyel88bIac_bvAfHrHm-bp7cJ8vtCChyphenhyphen5x5go/s640/iPhone+Pix+155.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></a></div>...before devouring it all...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJawgD8yVfbHfw59fa8ljWMfzz1_vHpra7ISLTSL28QtcmOllK7SNcuMPADuMorrqUXXKsj1VPLXghhTqnqCf_mEqd4-FrgdnI_MsXL7HjlZqbdjM0pPDEFvZN8zBS84OVlty7CHqEus-/s1600/iPhone+Pix+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJawgD8yVfbHfw59fa8ljWMfzz1_vHpra7ISLTSL28QtcmOllK7SNcuMPADuMorrqUXXKsj1VPLXghhTqnqCf_mEqd4-FrgdnI_MsXL7HjlZqbdjM0pPDEFvZN8zBS84OVlty7CHqEus-/s640/iPhone+Pix+156.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></a></div>...20 minutes later.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNC6E2cVqWyqG8v4LlfsX3-q0IhGVo-FTnQ-xYder8WtYxwLbHS083OK-H258Gb3f9kmBGg26u8xLeuOc3rlBJUabppZGjQEkQYZ7TPPZRB8Fy5ceQnpRQwbBEegY0KUhANVWGxOMMhMn/s1600/iPhone+Pix+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNC6E2cVqWyqG8v4LlfsX3-q0IhGVo-FTnQ-xYder8WtYxwLbHS083OK-H258Gb3f9kmBGg26u8xLeuOc3rlBJUabppZGjQEkQYZ7TPPZRB8Fy5ceQnpRQwbBEegY0KUhANVWGxOMMhMn/s640/iPhone+Pix+158.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></a></div><br />
I'll let you decide if the food was good or not. Bellies full meant it was to time to trek back up those steep 75 steps and a few blocks walk to our hotel on 5th. We can't wait to see what Pike's Market has to offer us (to eat) tomorrow! Can you tell Seattle is going to be ALL about the food?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*The hubby later told me when he was finished eating his chowder, he was <em>extremely</em> tempted to take a few spoonfuls out of my cup. Normally, I'm all for him finishing my meal, but I told him good thing he didn't this time because a fight might have occurred... Just saying.</span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-56552397523063227492012-02-29T12:19:00.000-08:002012-02-29T12:19:29.288-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : Vancouver Day 2Happy Leap Day! I know March is right around the corner (as in mañana), and I'm still (slowly) recapping our Christmas 2011 vaca. Slow and steady wins the race right? Right! <br />
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All the walking the previous night had our tummy's growling for food. As with tradition on this trip, we jumped on Yelp to guide to us a delicious breakfast joint. Lo and behold, the two most recommended places in North Vancouver were right under our noses. To the market down under our hotel we went!<br />
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First up, Sweet Carrie's Dessert Shop. <em>Everybody</em> was raving about their pavlova so we promptly put in our request for one. Since we were there so darn early, we had the opportunity to observe them make one for us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EO02BAig2v6DivUzr3StAgr9LVIjwZjFEfecL7hrrxL_Stkaydf2KZ8W1PHnAxUPGw6jOrpMtrc6FKoR63V35C_fRSNbkOCwYecR_IGjbqJ_bXohBKsuOYT1YjnM91W9oTIdDWgoWjEw/s640/P1000127.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This thing was <em>amazing</em>. So fresh and delicate. Too sugary for </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">my kind of breakfast, but something I would totally order again.</span></div><br />
We took the pavlova to the bay side to enjoy while overseeing the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrcYP_cpf6zJcDc7PI6gE-4dzBJfypUJ1r11cICFLsFrWyZ-SpW_klF_dYAyCYOGGfMVSw1NrEHUCGP5Ust_6D4RLhg2qatUAwb3i2N6y9cpjknAL0XF_pjV6EDuptzo47T72NnZ5f9aQ/s1600/P1000129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrcYP_cpf6zJcDc7PI6gE-4dzBJfypUJ1r11cICFLsFrWyZ-SpW_klF_dYAyCYOGGfMVSw1NrEHUCGP5Ust_6D4RLhg2qatUAwb3i2N6y9cpjknAL0XF_pjV6EDuptzo47T72NnZ5f9aQ/s640/P1000129.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
While the pavlova was drool worthy, we were craving something more filling and comforting for breakfast. We walked back into <a href="http://www.lonsdalequay.com/">Lonsdale Quay's Market</a> and ordered one of the most delicious ham sandwiches from <a href="http://thealldaycafe.com/">All Day Cafe</a>. Check out this buffet of fresh fruit at the market though! Drool!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIaWK_27BXTgQiN2UMJPpIT5Amr__wrzjY1OR5kZPd5SAdH6rMsXXEpWajtTbR8FhlxkmBr4EnLkC5Sj75vlNbg8hI11zYCd6-ZWHsWwAYWow2CNDjL2_Cq-ve0EKKpbVn48sSGiS30a4/s1600/P1000131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIaWK_27BXTgQiN2UMJPpIT5Amr__wrzjY1OR5kZPd5SAdH6rMsXXEpWajtTbR8FhlxkmBr4EnLkC5Sj75vlNbg8hI11zYCd6-ZWHsWwAYWow2CNDjL2_Cq-ve0EKKpbVn48sSGiS30a4/s640/P1000131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
A little more satisfied, we went back upstairs to our room to have a couple more <em>oranges </em>and plug in our coordinates for today's outing. First up, Stanley Park!<br />
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Stanley Park was absolutely gorgeous with numerous entrances and running/hiking trails. You could spend all day here and never walk the same trail (starting to think this is a re-occurring theme in our trip since Whistler was like this)!! The scenery was also breathtaking despite the winter chill!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3Cg6l-iddqUo9Uy03qu0rgk_y_4JKliV0sSP_pQ6Z2YjhGMQowl9-Fok3_gNPOPJR6v0Jv-Bqb394musceAydAKYovffzbtzDads5Iq8DgjkjmIkE7C7UXvhWbClAqIyNak0kcTQ5liB/s640/P1000133.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGXCcvbir9sACju6rfcsu1VnSL395ADot9wMLXLwvfz_Y1VYYZjmy8eTYDAFEgXWYT44DLjx_CeB27gxU27RmuDmV5nT0YK2yMvo-Jy61_o9TaNsBqTtFAMXDIuX03vledvogP8KYS_Ay/s640/P1000135.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzsCyVc_iJFN9E7vtTGR3haBFYxv3qI_qWEeIyK2kCzuad9vojgvPXxPq-o6MsJRUflTZsSMHPsXe4wTZ_T8bUmGWUyx8bFrD-5GkvK4ubFI-fweNEbHLINNl5YzQJw7Z_wI2o9NAPq61/s1600/P1000137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzsCyVc_iJFN9E7vtTGR3haBFYxv3qI_qWEeIyK2kCzuad9vojgvPXxPq-o6MsJRUflTZsSMHPsXe4wTZ_T8bUmGWUyx8bFrD-5GkvK4ubFI-fweNEbHLINNl5YzQJw7Z_wI2o9NAPq61/s640/P1000137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After driving around for a good hour (every time you park somewhere, you have to pay!), we drove to Chinatown to have lunch at Phnom Penh. You know this is the place to check out if Anthony Bourdain made a personal visit. We got there right as they were opening up at 11:30am. Thank goodness we did because not even 10 minutes later, this quaint lil place was packed to the gills with people and a line out the door was forming!! We ordered the Phnom Penh noodle soup, a rice flour pancake with eggs and green onions, and a half order of their famous chicken wings. Y'all even a half order of chicken wings was a ridiculous amount! We don't even want to know what a full order might look like... And because we're ravenous people, I totally forgot to take pictures of our meal. So just use your imagination mkay? Cool!<br />
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As usual standard of vacation time, we ate way too much so it was time to burn off those calories by visiting Robson Street. Robson Street is famous for shopping and home of the <a href="http://www.japadog.com/">JapaDog</a>. While I'm not a huge fan of shopping, we decided to partake to add the adventure to our "been there, done that" bucket list. I picked up a shirt at FCUK and the hubby picked up a track jacket for cheap. <br />
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Once we reached the end of the mile of shopping, we hopped into JapaDog to try out the <em>interesting </em>hot dogs! The place was tiny and overflowing with people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="476" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxIGGjOcoiVCvYOx76AKzU1aTD7FfWReMBYmuRH-6FZ7M1FkXrcYGM0rwMhwlgMaDEDbEyVV623GOd_TBoc-ITRsg5JjDlQHXzzpADTqKnVpFv2oQ_3lh7dId5raYbRNmFr3rw30Qyu1Y/s640/iPhone+Pix+143.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry for the blurry iPhone pic</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ordered the Terimayo (right) and the hubby ordered the meatlovers (left). He also ordered butter and shoyu shaked fries and boy were they <em>buttery!!</em> I wasn't a fan of them, but the hubby wolfed them down. I'm guessing that means he enjoyed them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPWsYybEYnc-dWgO4nu1nLqRyAIWxDZUp3xF5W7JelixneDC3RdktiexKIKleryf6iMgaFM0DuYew8GKD7jEPZncR-X1YYyn5-cyslKY4upJ-S4H0_FMDK1yZJnzXaJOawLQKzJQgjuw2/s640/iPhone+Pix+145.JPG" width="476" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right next to JapaDog was Beard Papa's!! Beard Papa's has <strong>THE </strong>best cream puffs ever. Their strawberry one is to die for. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Unfortunately, today's flavor at this location was Mango and the everyday flavor, Vanilla. Undecided, I ordered one of each to take back with us to consume at the hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA6kd0yqEw_HIo0k45IqNQh0RajebpwuOUXGbVx7oSsk1Sso558eOlrxYpdmOUkUhqI0EzSfIFrkkFHu7a9NoED8h_aeVgUVzlq_tLHk6Yr9WTx9drQ93X-aJChzypu8e2NqtS04EKbk2/s640/P1000165.JPG" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After pigging out and putting in quite a few miles on our shoes, a quick nap was needed. After a brief nap, we headed out to Van Dusen Botanical Garden. Most of the trees and flowers were dead, but we still had a great time walking around the park. We spent <strong><u>2</u></strong> hours at the park if that tells you anything. Plus, this garden was GINORMOUS! Paved pathways led to unpaved walkways which led to open fields and various slopes. We got "lost" so many times! It was kind of fun actually. Enter re-occurring theme of endless pathways yada yada yada.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25CJ8m9lj4FFAlATGufLgp1Ts6tXDL06LGmAiacyc43N29CH8BCMuSDKvI_vpbZjSBLctgAyIr4fUVlPYWkppmneJlcmWLwg-2s_coLbjTTILypyCiICTPN8U_Gu7dj1iob2X6n7DNOx2/s640/P1000143.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UB82SetymGwY3cxp6QPBNS67KAT8ERgDn17ONUopzlNjk2B4GseWD5oRChcz_nEjp2-Y549qhhyTj-358b9M6fIRkGzv9uHbXpnqTup6H6SsG3ST1SjYE5quDTtc1OK8TdlC430CdQIf/s640/P1000145.JPG" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-LS0Aqda4gZdmu_xBTg7whMPNw8sf_lstrM3Aq6t2JwJAE9sxhlIRfN8_zAUmBPz7uErN7lGFyLMWHL8xWWR2dYrqpwC2cPCqJgRaapUwCAFqEOngE8_eRcQ2MwbDtx8RRBhiupqibb-/s640/P1000148.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCMwDoHB3Hj2DG6EbsHSDREspXh2FLupRendtcAmXfur-sjIBzdY3V_fSSQs6TjKU2tmXSMrcQ5iXbP3dEAlIheHIp6W8bFnsIiBE5rbeDKu1CExnlL4sP_VhwNDfmuBHgo6UYARIDGq-/s640/P1000150.JPG" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It rained on and off during our visit, and I was being totally </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">goofy here. Hubby's idea - promise!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I REALLY wanted to do the maze, but it was closed. Sad face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_vloB0-cXK9k-hQ-sYIvH4MLPlsGn2jMLELyW0DOcP3r7J0aG2sXWt4TI9vpxZtSzMS0E2g6tvWdAtscfgWfjyfhf5l8qN9uE8V13Wbb78vh0Q1vlDoSz6rI5RriPNJip8VFKNWjDp6U/s1600/P1000152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_vloB0-cXK9k-hQ-sYIvH4MLPlsGn2jMLELyW0DOcP3r7J0aG2sXWt4TI9vpxZtSzMS0E2g6tvWdAtscfgWfjyfhf5l8qN9uE8V13Wbb78vh0Q1vlDoSz6rI5RriPNJip8VFKNWjDp6U/s640/P1000152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The hubby decided we would visit the water park to cheer me up. Well, the water park didn't have any water in it and three lonely rocks left little to the imagination. Sad face again. The park was still decked out in Christmas gear and we are total 2 year olds at heart so we concluded the gardens with a silly picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHDB708u6GT4mn1EMkBsjT83uWVzlITBGXAGy1F3b7hVUM_SvdcJKz5IXIGk1SVW6VBg1LFIZ7yQ4RP4la6s9jQFWmvanStzkpL9S4gbWGMgyerNSXBtI0YX6rCHb2kxcbsM7rjtOytDR/s1600/P1000153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHDB708u6GT4mn1EMkBsjT83uWVzlITBGXAGy1F3b7hVUM_SvdcJKz5IXIGk1SVW6VBg1LFIZ7yQ4RP4la6s9jQFWmvanStzkpL9S4gbWGMgyerNSXBtI0YX6rCHb2kxcbsM7rjtOytDR/s640/P1000153.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
The garden was super informative with various explanation plaques and I can totally see this place being a great picnic location. Even in the middle of dreary winter, the garden boasted a romantic aura. I can only imagine what it looks and feels like when everything has blossomed in the Spring!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">While we spent two hours at the garden, it sure didn't feel like it. We could have easily spent more time there. It's definitely a place you get a membership at so you can fully basque in the beauty and fully enjoy what all it has to offer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For dinner, we Yelped it up prior to leaving our hotel after our nap and found a sushi joint everyone was raving about - Sushi Town. The place is connected to McDonald's, which was interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROanQHJRb0LinU6yc2jdPWolGHE9Gz0j-u2LmpUi8JHPq60oXlte5w7NuS4foeg57dP_y_k7Rzkzvl9qehyphenhyphenAGFW9T-NI-N1Sj4AW1mIisnNlSCXYYXwabqADZn4lMHkt64aCsFWYtIPMj/s1600/iPhone+Pix+147.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROanQHJRb0LinU6yc2jdPWolGHE9Gz0j-u2LmpUi8JHPq60oXlte5w7NuS4foeg57dP_y_k7Rzkzvl9qehyphenhyphenAGFW9T-NI-N1Sj4AW1mIisnNlSCXYYXwabqADZn4lMHkt64aCsFWYtIPMj/s640/iPhone+Pix+147.PNG" uda="true" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sushi Town serves complimentary barley tea upon seating. Yum! We ordered a sashimi platter, ebi and tamago sushi, and 2 rolls (spider and shrimp tempura).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vUOcaNr9BuByML6P3CjqiR3pk0MUIQM-2dHh-jftqNy0yvEODvdB0x9-sKO5apDDGfwKzMz-ytNAdLqFcSlB6pLjLg1WwFxwD38d_1pmmyY7F84dQrpElLR5PqTfaLXHQgy5ntxPG8q_/s640/iPhone+Pix+148.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhO0VurMKIQjQSctUGSTGOpX4hPkmT1QVuun1XuFpO1TcofY9IQKZQTnOrrJucsFYp5fcHfPSxhU3svUClDdBiB9iG7SFt_veV4fpa4j4UVHxmZAL1HuWQ4WpOniR9HrpkxkCXJq12Ikk/s640/iPhone+Pix+149.JPG" uda="true" width="476" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyJD3TS-0mGMtbZIYeZNms-njjwbmBkQjCDY2lxkPHKlZ4QVQdMBTrhoCfvcMDpNqqliHaij-aUnZp8qIZ1KCry60WfUN0HY9CmpwAJ_8UG_WfFl28d_oMmZzaTiOYw14eH4BIt2pnPLz/s1600/iPhone+Pix+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyJD3TS-0mGMtbZIYeZNms-njjwbmBkQjCDY2lxkPHKlZ4QVQdMBTrhoCfvcMDpNqqliHaij-aUnZp8qIZ1KCry60WfUN0HY9CmpwAJ_8UG_WfFl28d_oMmZzaTiOYw14eH4BIt2pnPLz/s640/iPhone+Pix+151.JPG" uda="true" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Something NONE of the Yelp reviewers mentioned was the size of the sushi and rolls. Y'all, they were the size of my palm. No exaggeration. Check out the Canadian coin in the above photo as a point of reference. Still don't believe me? Here's additional evidence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvdQXbh3X1e1ypyTOsoBq1kntfQ-ZpavBEHAAvZGbXmOUsYyeRXqemDdAkzmdYflV357XKZJa282ldTjD0tTPqypPdUZ0UfgSm56XRSn5pNJhinJjHoouh5YhAJSMApUoj2vSYashRzG-/s640/iPhone+Pix+150.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That my friend, is my hubby's hand. Next to the </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ebi sushi. The tamago was even larger than</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ebi!! </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">And my hubby definitely has man </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">hands </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">so go check out your significant other's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">hand </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">to get a personal evaluation of this sushi!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZNqgsOdSHNbJ3-JzbEL4KTfqSAizUthcnOQRenTv0AwD8rtIr5wTqghMuXrIffGDIqYrSIKgAMBFnWbKKc9qmFg_L63Pv5sXBC79152URupT_dw4fmCvGrXsMV67BgebampZ34iewAKk/s640/iPhone+Pix+152.JPG" uda="true" width="478" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And here's proof that the rolls were the size of </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">my palm. I told you I wasn't exaggerating!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">TOLD YOU SO!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unaware of the size of the rolls (the hubby and I estimated a 1/4 cup of rice per piece), we were struggling to finish our dinner. Once the challenge was completed, we paid the ridiculously cheap bill (sushi was $1/piece and the ginormous rolls were $5.95 each!) and attempted to walk it off. Beyond stuffed, we went back to the hotel to pack up and reminisce about today's adventures. We were also starting to drool about our Seattle adventure which promised <em>the </em>freshest and largest seafood of our lives!</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-25308760052545567932012-02-27T13:52:00.000-08:002012-02-27T13:52:39.832-08:00Random Mondays<strong>Today's Random Monday Emoticon:</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tTv_hPvT0ewBObyCkLkK27u5UnB31q64eKr1NS4zhXitRzt7w3BxhhPeQWNW0rwgbg3oKjZgY3OVdLSbLktZRPiaYSCr5DvK51YNMsQ1VuSjpIFlnOfwH4n7fXMcbZUQLYiXYqAGqqwD/s1600/Happy+emoticon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tTv_hPvT0ewBObyCkLkK27u5UnB31q64eKr1NS4zhXitRzt7w3BxhhPeQWNW0rwgbg3oKjZgY3OVdLSbLktZRPiaYSCr5DvK51YNMsQ1VuSjpIFlnOfwH4n7fXMcbZUQLYiXYqAGqqwD/s200/Happy+emoticon2.jpg" uda="true" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://crunkish.com/top-ten-weirdest-smileys/">source</a>}</div><strong>Item in question:</strong><br />
My cousin from the land down under is taking a 6 week(!) vacation to tour the U.S. Last weekend, he made a pit stop in his itinerary to stop in Dallas to visit family. The last time I saw him was in 2005 (with a family entourage of 17 travelled down under), and barely got to see him. Now that we're all a lil older and a lil more mature, I couldn't wait to reconnect with him. Him and his girlfriend, Lisa, are travelers extraordinaire. They've been to Fiji, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand just to name a few, and I wanted the low down of their adventures!<br />
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They landed in DFW on Thursday evening (Feb 16), and took them out to eat a <a href="http://www.chuys.com/">Chuy's</a>. Unfortunately, our 9pm bedtime came much too fast and we had to part ways. They were driving up to OK the next morning to meet up with the rest of the family and catch a Thunder game. Excited that they would get to spend time with more family in my hometown, I was sad that our time together was so short. And I totally forgot to take pictures with them. Super sad face.<br />
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Fortunately, my cousin that would be driving my Aussie cousin and his girlfriend took a detour South to have lunch with me prior to them heading to OK. You see, my cousin lives in Frisco, so for her to drive to downtown Dallas just so that I could have lunch with them totally made my Friday. I <em>almost</em> cried happy tears for a few more hours with them. The hubby even closed up shop a lil early to haul ass to have lunch with us at <a href="http://www.perryssteakhouse.com/">Perry's Steakhouse</a>. Y'all need to have their pork chops. All 16oz of it. For lunch. Dinner is 32oz. Just saying.<br />
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On an extremely full belly and happier mood, I returned to work and they headed up North. Again, forgetting to take a group picture even though I mentioned I wanted one. Picture fail.<br />
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Sunday afternoon came with a quickness, and my parents along with my Aussie cousins came back down to Dallas in order for them to catch their flight out to Atlanta. We met up with them for lunch at a sushi buffet, and since they had a lil more time to burn prior to their flight, we took them to the Galleria. They were interested in checking out the All American Girl store, and were flabbergasted by the magnitude of the store and all that it had to offer to little girls. We chit chatted as we strolled around, and for the first time, I felt like my cousin and I really connected. Winning!<br />
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As we bid our final good byes at the Galleria rooftop parking garage (it was hella busy, darn President's Day sales going on. Ha!), the hubby reminded me I<em> really, really, really</em>, need to get a picture with my cousins as this was the final opportunity. Thank goodness for the reminder because I totally would have bid adieu with yet again, no picture!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4F1KL3uJle0u_k7pKBpPakbryGMwFHC68fWsyvEYnmlW8jYWymi9PUVMVPumMaZl8iOHepRA726oknccE5Rmc3c0wsQrc4Lk3uc1HDH9xYC8UhUR8frw5bH5yMaZ-ecr7cBEi8wwkHtK/s1600/iPhone+Pix+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4F1KL3uJle0u_k7pKBpPakbryGMwFHC68fWsyvEYnmlW8jYWymi9PUVMVPumMaZl8iOHepRA726oknccE5Rmc3c0wsQrc4Lk3uc1HDH9xYC8UhUR8frw5bH5yMaZ-ecr7cBEi8wwkHtK/s640/iPhone+Pix+006.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just the "kiddos"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghipm2I8IlWjBQsP8SPP6e6eZQUBvN-vI-tkL_1jZQIHnV9HFHYDeqx57ApoAKQnx7B7-cdxAKvLqSWrEKO0lB53liSeaNMyuB4zz8FidztSf5_7NaT1LZManoeFYEVHHnotWtMyCwa8XB/s1600/iPhone+Pix+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghipm2I8IlWjBQsP8SPP6e6eZQUBvN-vI-tkL_1jZQIHnV9HFHYDeqx57ApoAKQnx7B7-cdxAKvLqSWrEKO0lB53liSeaNMyuB4zz8FidztSf5_7NaT1LZManoeFYEVHHnotWtMyCwa8XB/s640/iPhone+Pix+007.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With my parents</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left">The hubby and I wanted to travel to Australia for our Christmas vaca in 2011, but flights at $2,000 per person deterred us away pretty quickly. Ouch on the pocket book!! With my cousins recent visit, the hubby and I once again have the itch travel down under this Christmas. Here's to hoping we find a killer deal on flights!</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-63395844327876450292012-02-16T11:50:00.000-08:002012-02-16T11:50:55.530-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : Vancouver Day 1Ooooo. Ughhhh. Ouch. Eeeeek. Pass the pain killers - stat because we are <em>sore</em>. You know the pain that comes the morning after a workout that you haven't done in ages. The OMG! I can't lift my legs or bend down without feeling like 102? Yeaaaa. We were so there. <br />
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We decided to hold off packing until after breakfast. If we could even get to breakfast, that is. Surprisingly, there were even more people today at breakfast then yesterday! So many more that we decided to take our breakfast back to our room. Put our dining table to use as a eating utility instead of a drying rack. Ha!<br />
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After a breakfast for champions, we packed up all our gear and checked out of our hotel. The drive leaving Whistler was bittersweet, but we were looking forward to what Vancouver had to offer.<br />
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2.5 hours later - hello, Vancouver! First order of business - FOOD! More specifically, dim sum. Yes, again. Told y'all we LOVE dim sum. It's one that we wouldn't get tired of eating every. single. day. Thanks to some reviewers, we decided to try out <a href="http://www.kirinrestaurants.com/">Kirin Seafood</a> on 12th. After some difficulty finding the restaurant (it's on the second level on top of the mall), we were ready to get our grub on. Only to realize the restaurant was booked for the day. Next opening was until well after 2pm. WHAT?! Completely lost, we walked downstairs into the mall to re-plan. Thankfully, there was a Starbucks so free wifi for the win! Back on Yelp I went in search for another dim sum joint.<br />
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Back on the slopes in Whistler, one of the girls in my class, Carmen, is a Vancouver native and told me to check out Dai Tung for cheap, family style dim sum. I input the address into my phone's GPS and we were set. But first, we needed to get our parking validated. We stopped in at the grocery store in front of Starbucks within the mall and sampled a slice of some type of orange (wish I could remember!). It was so sweet! Even the hubby loved it, so I knew I had to purchase a few. Well, they only came in bags and the smallest was 4lbs! Yikes! Looks like we're eating these bad boys at every meal.<br />
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Oranges - purchased. Parking - validated. GPS - set. We were finally on our way to lunch. Navigating to the place was a breeze, but the parking lot was so small. We found a sign that directed us to more parking in the rear. The sign led us down a sketchy road when we came upon another sign that directed us to a sketchy parking garage designated for Dai Tung. Unsure, but with no where else to park, we reluctantly parked and hid everything out of site. (Note: What's up with Canadian parking being so darn small and tight? We rented an Impala, but parking made us feel like we rented a tank!).<br />
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The restaurant was packed to the gills, but I approached the hostess to give them my name in exchange for a number. 20 minutes later, we got a table and we got a grub on! I've never seen dim sum carts stacked so full and high with food before! Lunch was uber cheap - $20! Sweet! For the same amount of food that we order in Dallas runs us almost $40.<br />
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With our bellies were satisfied, we decided to hunt down our hotel in Vancouver and figure out how we wanted to plan the remainder of our Vancouver trip. We stayed at the <a href="http://lonsdalequayhotel.com/">Lonsdale Quay</a> hotel in North Vancouver. The place was quaint and unique, but we had an uber difficult time finding it. We drove around in circles for a good 20 minutes prior to locating the hotel and its parking.<br />
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Checked in and settled into our hotel room, we ate a few of our 4lbs worth of <em>oranges</em> and decided a quick nap prior to the evening was needed.<br />
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After the refreshing nap, we decided to visit <a href="http://www.capbridge.com/">Capilano Suspension Bridge</a>. Since it's during the holiday season, Capilano has lined their entire park and bridge in Christmas lights. Being a huge fan of Christmas lights, we decided tonight would be perfect. We plugged in the coordinates in my phone and off we went. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUvgZwO9S1y6IfZfWtlTAFBxXhB5gmge8HiK6ZC2TTvKXJ7iitddd4ffoolGp2IdS7eqWFqWFgT8vmTZf5wwWJ5A7tcA6_KzSEYnjRf0yndx28MLckbagtBXDnbhMCgZUhJO-WTdOqgIg/s400/P1000092.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Only to drive into a steady rainfall. We parked and got out, but decided an umbrella was most definitely needed prior to proceeding so we got back into the car and located the nearest grocery store in hunt of an umbrella. We plopped down $16 at SaveMore and walked out with a HUGE umbrella. It easily stood 4 feet in height! More prepared, we navigated back to Capilano Bridge, paid our dues, and entered the park.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtwoufAl-BfQi3w1MITREh-eB23m1Tm8FpYZyCDfpp3jsVPolIIa0VO5FjuSMtYx28Y359gbfa_te33GLHmqXsH_dhXiWAI9CW8NbhkSkNIAUd9X7s2vYekNeer2jrZL6urs59SB3KtVS/s400/P1000093.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Horrible picture taken by the courteous employee. Check out the size of our </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">umbrella. Is that not ginormous?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Capilano Bridge had a challenge for its visitors to locate certain locations throughout the park and obtain a stamp. If you collect all the destination stamps, you received a completion certificate upon exiting the park. You can bet I was gung ho about completing the challenge. Yes, I am 5 years old. First up, crossing the suspension bridge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzxu6XIX9ViYZWDskLQZkGvEnoB8YkGqKxcjeFifwK3eIOBCDV5_FmUMd57jQPMQO0fPHUKdq1jKUxZ75Qd_avn6gyzeREkblNXOymeB1Iv4NNvyBifEWWi2chnSC3Yvv3gyxKpvy3ozX/s320/P1000096.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkplksdSgQWb_dipOrxx_p7jiOb1mk1W7oZQLvTDcBPTmrjW0no1LM4-wdXKu6DeLfdnnwpwvoN-ToMWxCDbC45m79EXOvN9E-cZlcg3gLpFxxxocX_GUyudJPafFdVf8gRKrj9o8QuGZ/s1600/P1000098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkplksdSgQWb_dipOrxx_p7jiOb1mk1W7oZQLvTDcBPTmrjW0no1LM4-wdXKu6DeLfdnnwpwvoN-ToMWxCDbC45m79EXOvN9E-cZlcg3gLpFxxxocX_GUyudJPafFdVf8gRKrj9o8QuGZ/s320/P1000098.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we reached the other side*, we began navigating the park and collecting those stamps! First up, the animal wilderness area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBwlooJeHCBgbeFTvFyq_5A6NStlPCXKh7DQ04EBL0WSpItbYVyADRHSJehEeVKDkw3sa9ijggIZQXGuHksGsNU3YJSvtZ-S4jHyfQhbDoN186BtZ3OxR3wNCLpRRr0eZ33YBD24SRKu5/s320/P1000105.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hubby couldn't resist <em>fresh </em>fish!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we learned about the technical things about the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVnLpNBxuXK-PggXyr5yiYeJOHVd7nHOYIxVv6437N248B4dqFbKPhkSpCYS1REU0wMN-doKCB-58DmthOewIMneizty3Pelk12W8dSb0uEB4OFUUCsnqJhN5LldR5Lr4A321EFrDHzuy/s1600/P1000111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVnLpNBxuXK-PggXyr5yiYeJOHVd7nHOYIxVv6437N248B4dqFbKPhkSpCYS1REU0wMN-doKCB-58DmthOewIMneizty3Pelk12W8dSb0uEB4OFUUCsnqJhN5LldR5Lr4A321EFrDHzuy/s320/P1000111.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We even got to navigate the treetops of this beautiful rain forest guided by Christmas lights. Again, missing out on spectacular views due to the darkness. Super sad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p_dh2v77Vc_32HRoFxaxte-Q7PZ8WhMpQ2uuxnU8689hjjZor2_GV8iihWwEIODjlWy_lP12K36wGRNmUpMt4LlYdDk8z00kggZ0n5t6f8vgMoN1Ae8qZ9LpKPnIdC8Os1RSvullLwon/s1600/P1000117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p_dh2v77Vc_32HRoFxaxte-Q7PZ8WhMpQ2uuxnU8689hjjZor2_GV8iihWwEIODjlWy_lP12K36wGRNmUpMt4LlYdDk8z00kggZ0n5t6f8vgMoN1Ae8qZ9LpKPnIdC8Os1RSvullLwon/s320/P1000117.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we were over the hills, through the woods we would go! But first, we had to cross back over the suspension bridge. The hubby and I may or may not have stomped relatively hard while crossing causing the bridge to sway threateningly....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <a href="http://www.capbridge.com/cliffhanger.php">cliffwalk</a> was absolutely AMAZING!! Being thrill seekers, the rush of being suspended hundreds and hundreds of feet in the air by a narrow walkway through the mountains was unbelievable. This was by far the coolest thing about visiting the park in the dark! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8DTG_1s_h9UBAskCihck_ZldEL0zL0QLXclhHqxztq8WOZR83eDbiblENhkE2ILBGAwy3KCuhg49EBm5dSoww_kNB5suyhwCYXDmP0eCknffg6r0gw6F3Ejlt5MZf5mo5oMKoOOBGl7r/s320/P1000123.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The only thing the hubby kept repeating was,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"how do people not just jump off these things</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and plumet to their deaths?" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAMaIFGRmt7FTzMEeJ87wiP4oYWTxaeJR_A-schgfylkmARiIv0lB73R7mgrMK-Q8YlHAGrZRlGIJCn8NjaTXXpNQtw0uRDcBqx7SptdIY1xYr_W7jlp3cDOFA28UPG5sDK2cWscO9HcL/s1600/P1000126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAMaIFGRmt7FTzMEeJ87wiP4oYWTxaeJR_A-schgfylkmARiIv0lB73R7mgrMK-Q8YlHAGrZRlGIJCn8NjaTXXpNQtw0uRDcBqx7SptdIY1xYr_W7jlp3cDOFA28UPG5sDK2cWscO9HcL/s320/P1000126.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You could touch the rocks and read about all the fun facts regarding the mountains. The uplighting bouncing off the rocks illuminated the adjacent rain forest and you could see the rushing river below and the taller than skyscraper trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As our cliffwalk concluded, it also signified our time spent at the park was coming to an end. With all challenge stamps collected, we signed off in the guestbook and exited the park to obtain my completion certificate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4rM_KMk5-p-9KPTzqIqCkQp7blusbFC5JMagFzOMpVMn43YtDlgwIlVh8Q3xveb21E62pd6e9YuYgkDgdehqmNFOPvFD2CqMzWgxPXDe9baaVuQwM5IomnPdVIG9SdCC3OPu5-yNsbmZ/s1600/P1000120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4rM_KMk5-p-9KPTzqIqCkQp7blusbFC5JMagFzOMpVMn43YtDlgwIlVh8Q3xveb21E62pd6e9YuYgkDgdehqmNFOPvFD2CqMzWgxPXDe9baaVuQwM5IomnPdVIG9SdCC3OPu5-yNsbmZ/s320/P1000120.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We contemplated on dinner as we drove back to the hotel. Since our hotel is in North Vancouver, we decided against driving into downtown Vancouver and just park our car at the hotel and walk up the street to a sushi joint for a quick bite. Tomorrow will be another exploration day of Vancouver!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*The bridge is suspended over a <em>gorgeous</em> gorge, but we couldn't see it at night. I've been here before, but I felt terrible that the hubby wasn't able to fully enjoy the experience because I chose to see the park dressed in Christmas lights. Result - visit the park in daylight to fully get the experience and enjoy the views. It wasn't worth the extra dollars to view the lights. Sorry hubby!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There also aren't any pics of me at the bridge because every time the flash went off, my eyes went completely shut. Without the flash, the pictures were completely dark. </span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-2552454262315058722012-02-15T08:13:00.000-08:002012-02-15T08:13:54.154-08:00Valentine's 2012Valentine's day (along with many other holidays) are now super commericalized, and is one of the holidays the hubby and I don't really<em> </em>"celebrate". I get him a card to acknowledge the occasion, but that's about it. Do you <em>really</em> need a holiday to remind you not to take your loved ones for granted to and to show them that? For some, maybe they do. For us, that display of gratitude and affection happens every day starting with a kiss and I Love You good bye as we start off our day, as we greet each other welcome home, and good night as we close our eyes in the arms of one another in place we call <em>our </em>home.<br />
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While Valentine's day is just another day for us, my sweet hubby decided to drive 50 minutes after a 9 hour work shift at the shop to surprise me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers* and to have lunch with me at Blue Fish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5sLjgtmBTHTGQirfdTneZWPeEkRtEVPJmK-tgTPnU7Ha0VpXqyTNzKVQrvY6oJsltTjSntc0Mmvn5vXIAVHjS8RtWQetNtVxK-1xjO0Djqo0FL6Z99eKdLyvv2nyRZlmw7Qc90ndpCyR/s400/iPhone+Pix+029.JPG" width="298" yda="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please pardon the background <em>noise</em> and just focus on </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the flowers mkay? Thanks! </span></div><br />
On a last minute decision, we met up with our close friends Vandrew, Sopie, and Ly for dinner a Kobe Steaks. This place has by far the most tender filet mignon's for a hibachi joint. Delish! Romantic one on one dinners are a thing of the past. A fabulous dinner with your closest friends are so in!<br />
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How was your Valentine's day?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*According to the hubby, the original bouquet he ordered had lots of calla lilies (my fave!), but when he went go pick it up, the florist couldn't find it and said someone else must have taken it. Really?! What's up with people jacking <em><strong>my</strong></em> floral arrangements?? FYI - someone took my wedding bouquet during our reception. Lame!</span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-36919820789529755132012-02-13T10:00:00.000-08:002012-02-13T10:00:04.563-08:00Random Mondays<strong>Today's Random Monday Emoticon:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDAg0pvidzOqckvDp5b29cZ_TnnVqbRc8s3Xd1KvgOi3ZrnudM8xl_8a-p9mgoyfbq2Tzly-GwnHzvLlDgdx83mNjZDQgOiB_Vib6os1U1wv9lUd-Jy1FznmPPgRlFiywFMXsklcJ4Mwd/s1600/Impressed+Emoticon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDAg0pvidzOqckvDp5b29cZ_TnnVqbRc8s3Xd1KvgOi3ZrnudM8xl_8a-p9mgoyfbq2Tzly-GwnHzvLlDgdx83mNjZDQgOiB_Vib6os1U1wv9lUd-Jy1FznmPPgRlFiywFMXsklcJ4Mwd/s1600/Impressed+Emoticon.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&biw=1280&bih=883&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=aMGm9rWbk23pwM:&imgrefurl=http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/if-barack-obama-was-a-totally-white-man-would-alot-of-you-with-so-mny-negitive-things-to-say-think/question-241163/&docid=PxQ71OM77R8L5M&imgurl=http://images.zaazu.com/img/clap-animated-animation-clap-smiley-emoticon-000340-design.gif&w=62&h=57&ei=V5I1T7XIMOXV0QG1w-TkAg&zoom=1">source</a>}</div><br />
<strong>Item in Question:</strong><br />
I'm a HUGE advocate of reading reviews prior to making reservations at a location or purchasing an item. I toss out the OMG! This is the best... and OMG! This is *&$%@^ reviews then revel in everything else. The amount of time I spend researching and reviewing things prior to committing might be a bit excessive. Excessive meaning, hours spent one day only to continue contemplating the next two, three, four days. Then re-reviewing the following day. And maybe the following, following day also. Yea. That kind of excessive. Total Type A over here - duh!<br />
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Any how, while I read tons of reviews, I've never been the one to actually write a review. Why? Probably laziness with a side of eh, I don't really care to. Who am I kidding. It's definitely laziness. <br />
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During our Christmas 2011 trip (which I still need to finish re-capping. Oops!), the hubby and I utilized Yelp and various other reviewing sources like crazy. Boy, were they helpful!! It helped decide our daily meals and adventures. When we came back from our trip, I decided that I would start writing reviews on TripAdvisor for everything we did and everywhere we stayed, and on Yelp for everywhere we ate. Check out this report TripAdvisor emailed me the other day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHSmfJ-Y02P8XT4v_aw1r6X7q3UWeMedCPjE0H2kXi6Vu3svRpKwFLBR11eA0l5wjvWIKIwdsR51QtWhh9czwvDvq_3kDQBIyXwcSidRd0a097qopnZHMf3iOJiIHjBdLNSYtpQ99RYTp/s1600/TripAdvisor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHSmfJ-Y02P8XT4v_aw1r6X7q3UWeMedCPjE0H2kXi6Vu3svRpKwFLBR11eA0l5wjvWIKIwdsR51QtWhh9czwvDvq_3kDQBIyXwcSidRd0a097qopnZHMf3iOJiIHjBdLNSYtpQ99RYTp/s640/TripAdvisor.JPG" width="529" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I only have done 14 reviews, but have reached 1,696 readers?! Get out of here!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seriously, how freaking cool is that?! I'm definitely going to continue writing reviews, but for <em>everything</em>. Bought something - review! Ate somewhere - review! Stayed somewhere - review! Did an adventure - review! Now, I'm a read AND write review go crazy kind of gal. Yikes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Are you an advocate for reading review prior to committing something? What about writing them?</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-37759753214405754842012-01-23T12:09:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:09:26.980-08:00Random Mondays: Happy Chinese (Lunar) New Year!!<strong>Today's Random Monday Emoticon:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfSTDh5lhTAYhCWaWhp_sxEINV2ggjx0KTpBQRPDl9TVmt7eS9j396GKjyplVD2UU_upOakIlkIddScYiOTDNAvNTpJskYd2de03lW3AftQRmdtJ95C3ArpUwPZBTbso9c7xUMdNXiOvw/s1600/Emoticon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfSTDh5lhTAYhCWaWhp_sxEINV2ggjx0KTpBQRPDl9TVmt7eS9j396GKjyplVD2UU_upOakIlkIddScYiOTDNAvNTpJskYd2de03lW3AftQRmdtJ95C3ArpUwPZBTbso9c7xUMdNXiOvw/s1600/Emoticon.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://wallpaperholic.blogspot.com/2011/01/free-emoticon.html">source</a>}</div><strong>Item in <strike>question</strike> fact:</strong><br />
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Today is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year">Chinese/Lunar New Year</a>!!! This Asian holiday is HUGE and is well celebrated with abundance in <a href="http://www.chow.com/food-news/54874/10-good-luck-foods-for-chinese-new-year/">food</a> and games with all family members returning home. Every year, my family closes my aunt's restaurant a little early to utilize the space and the ginormous woks for cooking to put on a celebratory dinner fit for a king. Seriously. This year's menu consisted of 20 items of food (e.g. duck, quail, noodles, veggies, pork, beef, tofu, 3 types of rice, soup) and 3 desserts. The food was prepped and displayed in the buffet line.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2W_mYWuiK8rNX6JfBlxugeNDp5DseOAPYYdiixKQ9Tmr7Y5FNqcJhGm3DvPawwWeaqxCZNZ7XJXUl4fI09eXSVo0cVXmMeUrxmYC2Qb-BlBS-uLX98TNF8jozcHJmctI1XV_GmED5Gk-/s320/iPhone+Pix+003.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxQZmNDK-ddnYI1AI7xQyB9qhqh50UVuQ5sumOcQsJov4tKiOKzzW5I3g7HcaXbQIKHiiho4dEHmHPfPFdZRqNf9ahSwiYSm5_T-KUeg2LKfUtLIzhJPG2snve1YaY3t2NHGkpzMP0cfp/s320/iPhone+Pix+004.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX-kRRH2Yp78f8ty5-_8juGUBYbkA-bXmm5GKbIfNYNZoI43k3XjZVYWzVID6YAUphvi7kE_XIwwYnB93mqWwESm9QL0Xcrd2cq8YQnbHQsgKxpp01vbgoP6_N04v-DrNFcr8v9pxHqcH/s320/iPhone+Pix+005.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry the pictures are so blurry! iPhone didn't like the</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">horrible buffet lighting.</span></div><br />
With over 50 people in attendance, laughter and joy from story telling could be heard miles away I'm sure. We were LOUD!<br />
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And to think I <em>almost</em> missed out on it this year because of the shop. An hour prior to closing, the hubby decided we were going to Oklahoma (3.5 hour drive) to enjoy the new year dinner with my family. He knew how BIG my family does it and was determined not to miss out on it. Meanwhile, I was set on not going. Not that I don't miss or love my family, but after a 12 hour shift (2am till 2pm) at the shop and a 3.5 hour drive immediately following (got to OK at 5pm) just to have dinner (dinner was at 8:30pm) then immediately drive back (left dinner at 10:45pm) another 3.5 hours to get back <em>just</em> in time to open up the shop again (got back to TX at 2:30am. Shop opens up at 3am), didn't sound appealing. Talk about extremely tiring. Plus, the hubby was driving and I was concerned if he had the energy to do it.<br />
<br />
He even called my parents and jokingly tattled on me because I was being a bad daughter since I was refusing to go and that he might be arriving there by himself. He's too funny. My dad reasoned the same logic as I did. However, the hubby knew how much this annual dinner meant to my family and wasn't missing out. So the hubby took on the challenge and drove me to OK after a long work day so that I could spend New Year's with my family. Y'all, I have THE BEST hubby. Ever. Seriously. There's only 24 hours in a day, and we expended it all.<br />
<br />
As if my hubby wasn't already awesomeness to the max. THEN, oh then... once we got back into town in the nick of time, the hubby let me sleep in till 7:30am while he proceeded to setup and prep the shop. Talk about love y'all. Le sigh... This has been by far<em> </em><strong>the </strong>BEST Chinese New Year ever!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKVO_DJExdEziap5YOqfKtlgK2gB-_-M6UaK3f2FVuLq1Hz2Q1sisbzgVMN7R2uVl9HVhMdsxFUS0H722rDJ5NKZ7RgIuGqnD8XT_noUoBKLl4jW3PdsuRlBQ8TbUogLRusbz7rBJRQcI/s1600/chinesedragon_thl.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the year of the dragon!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/2022/03267/index.html">source</a>}</div><br />
<br />
From the hubby and I<span style="font-size: large;">: 祝你新年快樂!恭喜發財!身體健康!萬事如意!!</span><br />
(Wishing you a happy new year! To Happiness and Prosperity! To Health! To accomplishing 10,000 things of your heart's desire!)Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-83533145269405528712012-01-18T09:16:00.000-08:002012-01-18T09:16:31.751-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : Whistler Day 2After failing to pick up our ski/snowboarding gear the previous day, we woke up at 7:30am to catch the complimentary breakfast (make yourself cinnamon waffles and PB&J sandwiches - breakfast of champions!). At 8am sharp, we headed down the slope to grab our gear and purchase our lift tickets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIlAp369Xv_trwUVAWb_LJPHjEmHyhEhclqov3N3Xrn4rcomY8nCPGHD2jyX91PNjvfVEuTtxIb_OL7Rbmp4gMZt0UOKPhWDOMoMFn4UocqCmgTg3U2w-kGqSkpdEHFT6kpLu0-5puDHw/s320/iPhone+Pix+120.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The mountain extends <em>well </em>beyond the cloud covering the</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">mountain in the background</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdhFsHdNia05-d5IQYze-zqsvCp-hErhr_B9pciPm3-Mphww23vZuTY5DTKDbPRZO1tNLsQr73TH52IZSZaMzFCjCx2pivwHmhMGmGhyRS5b7Q__yJxNXBt4X-D4o0DD4zcM9i6V4uZhI/s320/iPhone+Pix+122.JPG" width="239" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a <a href="http://7daysaweek-alice.blogspot.com/2009/01/proposal.html">few years</a> since either of us hit the slopes so warm ups on the greens were a must. Plus, just looking for the mountain peak was intimidating. Why? Because constant fresh powder promised the time of our lives and the clouds were mysteriously hiding its greatest and tallest Whistler treasure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="224" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMgdfBU5NnUys4I7hAVEGjUo5e7QGNtoLTQUMUZ2VrBn-Y64I7qaa-q2M3IgD29UD7vIZevu1BnUw7ntNppPTtpPN1ziUF84m_mjeXCb_PRPuy8cHQ3BO7lncqKUt-lMk1sPkxFax7rJh/s320/p2p_map_lg.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See the clouds in our first picture? That's only halfway up on</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the Wizard Express chair lifts. Just to give you a point of</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">reference on how BIG this mountain is. Just saying.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've only officially snowboarded 3 times in my entire life. The very first time was with now hubby during our first trip together during Spring Break 2007 to Breckenridge. He was a proud recipient of a new snowboard and bindings from his pharmacy friends a few months prior. Since he's normally an avid skier, we figured this new adventure together would be a great bonding experience. Cue unanimous awe - aw..... Okay, enough cheesiness. Final verdict - eh eh on the boards for the hubby and two thumbs up for me! I attempted skiing back in grade school and that was an epic fail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a few runs down the easiest greens, I became frustrated. We learned to board in less than a day more than 4 years ago, and while I totally rock on the heel side of the board, I totally suck on the toe edge. In order to take on the steeper routes, it was vital I gained comfort on my toe side. (*Note - with the hubby being such an awesome skier (blues ain't no thing for him), I felt like I was holding him back from truly enjoying the mountain). The hubby could see that I was no longer enjoying the runs and suggested I enroll in a 2 hour course to ride out my toe side. Unwillingly, but through the hubby's logical reasoning, I enrolled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With an hour till "class time", we rode the gondola up to the peak of Blackcomb to ride the Peak2Peak gondola to Whistler.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrSE6HzKi3rO6s-j6F0cqI8eMp4cG00vQRCUYBNrOi0h785XLoE4VZkUGdVb04X3TXGTYxlNMc972IDIyL_N8H-JaoMfumrxIle3xV4RKkLobEB95K2d2zW5fSuaeLmXYtUlu9uGQHxNy/s1600/iPhone+Pix+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrSE6HzKi3rO6s-j6F0cqI8eMp4cG00vQRCUYBNrOi0h785XLoE4VZkUGdVb04X3TXGTYxlNMc972IDIyL_N8H-JaoMfumrxIle3xV4RKkLobEB95K2d2zW5fSuaeLmXYtUlu9uGQHxNy/s320/iPhone+Pix+134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 different ski lifts and 20 degrees <em>cooler </em>later, we reached the peak of Blackcomb. After some stomping and waddling through a foot deep of snow, we entered the boarding platform for the <a href="http://www.peak2peakgondola.com/">Peak2Peak</a> bottom glass Gondola. This gondola is the longest in the world and gets you from one mountain to the other in 11 minutes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYwlNbShIsgakpgIcB815WoxUsq8kh5bJl69UNq6kIARwqobgD_OJwX1yRlCG-1pzQW_X7WQaUq1X1TzFftApaolc2dY4IlRqAW4i1-uV9JYDMiVvIvyTxZDBA6O0Pra6GFiv1KxlhjYq/s320/iPhone+Pix+126.JPG" width="239" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLTyj43l55eWFlILzgqska0NoarNa83UaPrVHDbPOoB7ZQcIRPoM7JHqHX6xdjSdtry5-uliV6TKFBL0ke8SkvF0DqGFE6Tjc1ypyrvDF4Vl6OP-5KE3FP3aHN_RP7VAG1PppCiGb9dol/s320/iPhone+Pix+128.JPG" width="239" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsfE-1ifqlQJlldFfquDOzNlejFfoXgWrL_w3KgO9wHwjogntufTFOyePliNnk5UlWyC6dr3e8SMLobqvSHO7o83en6BPCeL0YrtU3L3kMRWvCtAqx6cCbAThaJfJ-rmoN_jnlMjbnC5M/s1600/iPhone+Pix+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsfE-1ifqlQJlldFfquDOzNlejFfoXgWrL_w3KgO9wHwjogntufTFOyePliNnk5UlWyC6dr3e8SMLobqvSHO7o83en6BPCeL0YrtU3L3kMRWvCtAqx6cCbAThaJfJ-rmoN_jnlMjbnC5M/s320/iPhone+Pix+131.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we reached Whistler, we had the option to ride the gondola back to Blackcomb or take another gondola down to the base of Whistler. We chose the latter. Total time down to the base of Whistler - 30 minutes. And if you look back up at the map, we weren't even really at <em>the </em>peak and it still took 30 minutes. You getting a better picture at this beast of a mountain yet???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we reached the base, we took the brief 5 minute walk back over to the base of Blackcomb to start my class. While I attempted to master the toe side, the hubby hit rode up the lifts to take on Whistler like an Olympian.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3JcSy8dx_hLiI9dlkcp95VOgT00EscFGr6813EnhffRrl5nHX8_mFcmhgfRKswLIlrb0AQps1W3y8MAdOmeNK8_oG0HpMoFbVTIPG6zTfTVvC7KXrgtt-IgYwuXUKM7SsI5PIjwvHPCZ/s320/iPhone+Pix+132.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVu5z-Tz3VxrU4ywWGTq2s8E5FnDoVADV8B2LUzXYEx1Vughw05aCsvTMux-wvsiW4Pp8Fg-5ke1XNhoBG9OjpXSMXaq94ZHWLNbZDByjVG1g8jrHW9e2Gs-TYXHmqIS-44q9_-hrKYYg/s320/iPhone+Pix+133.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I successfully gained confidence on my toe side and the hubby took on the mountain. Twice. He said it's by far, THE best mountain he has ever skied at. It's also the most tiring one. haha! The numerous trails available is ridiculous. While you depart from the same gates each time, the trail you take can be totally different each and every time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3pm rolled around before we knew it and the chair lifts were being shut down. We promptly walked up the slope to return our gear rentals. Genius me suggested we walk the road back to our hotel instead of back up the mountain. Bad idea. It took us twice as long to reach our hotel. Oops!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMfHkA9jZBE2RdI5sdvX_G-2uEwyUKhxm7kidN_DQc-mRTjRu2jVnKNMiBUxKJUfMF6bVjjFjXVhPflom8Tu3ol2CBv8QprMvKNw9rsNb7In7WMJwWKvrvlYGFkmuzhZLCwa9Q7MuaTxG/s320/iPhone+Pix+135.JPG" width="239" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My fake smile after a tiring day on the slopes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we reached our hotel, we hit the hot, hot showers to get ready to head to Whistler Village to watch the <a href="http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/welcome_nights/index.htm">Fire and Ice Show</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IvHY9m1a2WegNYLJILaxrR3k0WOo2uwsHNZPqYwpvuc0WtLTEiS-YO1JJPZbn-OPstagtoOPiLwPPnnCW8UQr4SjUuLggNPNkLwwXEK06m1JfyIzCevjTSstHXmkhXkcdaSCCiGIOYRq/s320/P1000079.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They build the slopes from scratch every weekend! The dozer</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">utilized is intense and can handle the steepness.</span></div><br />
The show evidenced trick jumps and aerials performed by the ski and snowboard instructors at Whistler. The performers are whisked up the super steep slope by holding onto a rope tied to a snowmobile. And no show is complete without ending in a bang (fireworks)!<br />
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Since the show started late, we officially have been standing out in the cold, but beautiful heavy drifting snow for more than an hour. Freezing at the conclusion of the show, the hubby and I still had one must visit place prior to concluding our visit to Whistler - the Olympic Village.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HYDJZYy-hR4c1Ubb-iIb2c5rK619U9CV-45mtn-hkuLf4kGOvA5oGuEUt7EepGHJaKMIlCsncbxOt3a2YA6XDHjFLAwRxnsEOr39Cr6P6Jn6Tk9bDv38e2uyziOnpW_lRLkj5ZEPFS60/s320/P1000087.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Quarter mile walk later. You can see the snowflakes! Loved that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">about Whistler. None stop snow!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRbUjYAVMIESFZbxR18GYkdTDb55DepiULqBKifUefUbyb9LIhDvBLVZknbLCHz3R6uEepEt_gCz8N-Qq4iE97QW3Q8ItvjWsXLWPHumncurN9NIzOnZb_x5qKChN4-mowdc2AnCbBgl4/s1600/P1000089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRbUjYAVMIESFZbxR18GYkdTDb55DepiULqBKifUefUbyb9LIhDvBLVZknbLCHz3R6uEepEt_gCz8N-Qq4iE97QW3Q8ItvjWsXLWPHumncurN9NIzOnZb_x5qKChN4-mowdc2AnCbBgl4/s320/P1000089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
After visiting the Olympic Village, we stopped by <a href="http://www.21steps.ca/">21 Steps</a> to sample their small plates while we reminisced our trip. As we say au revoir to Whistler, Vancouver was whispering bonjour.<br />
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Gas to Whistler: $60<br />
Lift tickets: $218<br />
Re-enroll in snowboarding school: $150<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Experiencing an Olympic Mountain: Priceless.</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-29777520584883565632012-01-16T10:00:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:00:01.742-08:00Random Mondays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Today's Random Monday emoticon:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6MVm1MWLK0_OaaRti1CujvXE5XcMXdXEa2BJqvNXYDwKPa-vBu9r-kWTMGdhoLaG0CdCtY41GbQ1jwZoA4pJj-8oppKOQ3kmNFAIN1WVlc0BzJ46UJoiVjaANJ6GGeTAvZPo1Udr4y0/s1600/Contemplating+emoticon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6MVm1MWLK0_OaaRti1CujvXE5XcMXdXEa2BJqvNXYDwKPa-vBu9r-kWTMGdhoLaG0CdCtY41GbQ1jwZoA4pJj-8oppKOQ3kmNFAIN1WVlc0BzJ46UJoiVjaANJ6GGeTAvZPo1Udr4y0/s1600/Contemplating+emoticon.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.smileyvault.com/thumbnails.php?album=269">source</a>}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Item in question:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What does an Executive Chef at a nice restaurant buy at the grocery store?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB9jFT0poIZHubrX3B2yWV1MwhfFLoUo7zxTY1Ft3raZFDqyfhfLk-ZKqE2f8bLQfA9d5tNZL2S70hfZ6TL33GPG8NJzrREZUHvmR3PoEkfuJpqY3ylOKt2Y-Nbs-kCjtM3VLwFqjbVo/s400/iPhone+Pix+177.JPG" width="297" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry the pic is grainy. It was taken with an iPhone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ramen noodles!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were at the <a href="http://www.uwajimaya.com/">Uwajimaya Supermarket</a> in Seattle when the hubby noticed this chef standing in the checkout line embracing a few packages of ramen noodles and a grocery list? As the chef spun around to people watch, we noticed his jacket was labeled with his name with the title Executive Chef underneath it. Interesting! Maybe chefs get tired of cooking nice meals so an easy, simple "home cooked" meal is preferred?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's your take on the Executive Chef's purchase?</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-58405592485333429452012-01-13T10:08:00.000-08:002012-01-13T10:15:53.810-08:00Christmas 20 1 1 : WhistlerAnnually, the hubby and I close the donut shop down from Christmas Day till New Year's day to take our Christmas vacation. While our customers are a little bitter about the week long donut hiatus, they know we<em> really </em>need this vaca since we're open <em>every day</em> of the year! This year's locale: Seattle, Whistler, and Vancouver!<br />
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We flew into Seattle late Christmas Eve. Upon arrival and locating our <a href="http://www.hotelvintagepark.com/">hotel</a> at 8pm, we were ravenous for some food! Long and behold, everyone else shut their businesses down early to spend time relaxing and consuming Christmas cheer. After 10 minutes of walking around downtown Seattle, we found two restaurants open - Benihana's and P.F. Chang's. We chose...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivsAsOpri0mI0_NPwdldH-dULVzazmsHLVJtYDe6VQFkJhJdEijkqri5sg8WtH8viHCyl6vpex6fZOF3oGHPZ3Jf0E9WYVRR-XXWcOLo9DyN-QRWIsGsL4Vz51kz6vvfkObl0BbR0las/s1600/PF+Chang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivsAsOpri0mI0_NPwdldH-dULVzazmsHLVJtYDe6VQFkJhJdEijkqri5sg8WtH8viHCyl6vpex6fZOF3oGHPZ3Jf0E9WYVRR-XXWcOLo9DyN-QRWIsGsL4Vz51kz6vvfkObl0BbR0las/s320/PF+Chang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
They were surprisingly busy! Too tired and with nothing else open, we turned in for the evening to gear up for our 4 hour drive up to Whistler the next day.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas!! *chirp chirp* The various breakfast joints we marched up and down the San Francisco like hills in search of a good breakfast joint were closed. Bah humbug! Not even Starbucks was open!! Really?! The one place that was? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/default.aspx"><img border="0" height="91" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YLVDyqz8ZpmEwVkHn6ndyJJc5jAe0IvCdntEdyHHxbbHecpf6m7mrNCC_25-3yWBrPhrfL2_mQTl9Q0GK-nYDlhMB5rfXTA36gvAZ4r0_o_HdxWhWwJYPCc9luOys-LtUyaASCLnGcA/s320/Subway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aren't you jealous of our Christmas vacation already?? Yea, didn't think so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1LPgHLfI7MHDmn_hQMxrTWhmHDDTPRhEh6VTRNDLTp0okinFLK0JTfWnRjLGPM-FpdbSxqs0ty-ZzzhJO6W7BsV6LAlFmg7l8N5QiI-a4x07G0cjRRUIR7wHsDTFf6qUSJy4IBe9ZpU/s320/iPhone+Pix+108.JPG" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Us outside of Subway with the waterfront in the back</span></div><br />
The hubby and I ordered a foot long flat bread ham, egg, and cheese for $5 and took it back to our hotel room for consumption. We washed it down with the hotel's complimentary tea/coffee/hot chocolate.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>*~*~*~*<br />
Our 2011 Christmas card.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="290" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0R8rx0PSshsm-NSkxqXrXn81CfjVKU8Vdgsrrq05X7ywZ5jtwkIb-qbctF_Z2w97-pNm2qsYzFtwi91fzPDU_46b-9v6ZmbsnHgTe0X3x3BVaenTG91cjozOnjuXVnG31O02R27-iaY/s400/Christmas+Card2.PNG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Card from </span><a href="http://cardstore.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">cardstore.com</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture by </span><a href="http://www.dcampbellphotography.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DCampbell Photography</span></a></div>*~*~*~*<br />
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As we were packing up to head out, the hubby and I decided to have dim sum in Richmond, Canada en route to Whistler. It'd help break out the 4 hour drive and give us some fuel for the belly. Plus, we're total dim sum fiends. Ask our friends. It's ridiculous. Being Christmas day, we weren't sure if the restaurant would be open or not. Then again, Asian restaurants are <strong>always</strong> open. Always. Have you not seen the movie A Christmas Story? Proof right there! So the odds were in our favor. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQVfZ4Y3Cd2whNYv9k3Y_jpS-f_SVB2W8v_SLPgkajIXyPnWM6gaJ5jA-M0Xv3_SC-heSu3xtppaq9rprE37gz4NpFbufCZBqsHDY1w0gl8Dzfs2XJ_smiBm2MamwEi1zUrmbBi9zwtY/s400/P1000017.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beautiful Seattle scenery en route to Canada</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgQnmMz7xGvmW7YYbyAfhKGxWw5uaRym9dffBeVi7jQPEOeYnvqfsdj5HyIDZQKweZYDdOKKTgLGup_i4HvxKiJLWbgnXJKbG6kCPM9JCGUljgu3t4bxIMBzNyTvoKkEvuEOM-Pm3xxU/s400/P1000019.JPG" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Welcome to Canada!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG25olF6VlsELi3KdZLvhiLnS3PXaTglXyjZFXRejYWhNsOKQfqyfmpxIEb-QGukXfcM6ZZantpnWI0YL2PvNLDye4nMWDwOdQ-3dTUqefIMWEYTjdfvyS7GAOLs3Af2MlzULIUEFghOs/s400/P1000020.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And this is how Canada welcomed us, lots and lots of rain</span></div><br />
Sure enough, as we exited into Richmond, all the Asian restaurants had beaming OPEN signs. Looks like we're having dim sum for lunch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI57gRdfeOe-mx-g5iYGlR0B6gr9GMFzNGMxBFEFMrwqlVe3UQj42BTfo4kJJJdl3kaNN9lkDJnVyZa7gpC9Ku_mGj_Z0Z0hsdjtUi4t1jdggcCYzDayEyOe6lT4Pb1a0D7jEE8PAJ0c/s400/iPhone+Pix+112.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Did you know Canadians consume their dim sum without soy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sauce, red vinegar, and chili oil?! We </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">thought it was the norm!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDoZrjwT4D2fG-BSZXsu5NG5s9f_PcsD3GwFHTf-6P5hXP6gJVRA-OGV2F0C3qGXm1wjEoCGFZz1Bpwe22R_MzVU5xMg384_WZiovebzTCGVGdABeoNL_9bgz5e49DT-qrqEI7098NXw/s400/iPhone+Pix+114.JPG" width="298" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The most petite egg tarts I have ever seen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They were the size of my siu mai!</span></div><br />
With our bellies full, our journey to Whistler continued.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioqVJOGjxfKwes-DSDLn2rrAN_nzU8MHrRWyXC2ZXjdR0X7C18U4mTXsox49Zz6WPJN2vd3C7Q2emYJQ61x9rLdsBJO8fepyEw2pJOvz142CXy5g6_UIvgwb16KVVA5gYE0S0Z2ji96A/s400/P1000025.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While Richmond welcomed us with rain, Whistler welcomed us with snow! Hello white Christmas!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR12pC8I4AR3csE0o2QKkmP_2On0rZyj4qo-aTErVPN6zCME_J0yMooucaiMo6m24_FAIF5a_GcTGsCviepy0Qs7pIfFD-bwYTmM7ltjTVUTUGwW9gHYTlp3JOgLqmg9T7CylO-haFoJ4/s400/P1000047.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPT77YBVUW4zDXaFZlpTw873mDf1MdKACaSyyZO7HemyQYE-ZEq6eLzWTVzTTATQZUmY1GvkUCoy7NoZaTL-Ue04rgj6wC5UrBI_GBLz92nXnoNf_o9iIr7p-ukycuTEWOzYKJuKHNrxc/s400/P1000040.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4aCcYSakDMa6LHvSnPkuxJjj2Dd1cVvWsAkuAY6t2jDg_Gge9_fr24Wh7CXYEruFHLJJYGGwFW6E1Apf-FUtVdhNSN7bkQsMBHNfsCSHXjCV6a68VazFTxcMsnRDACo5JRgCsTyh_lY/s1600/P1000041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4aCcYSakDMa6LHvSnPkuxJjj2Dd1cVvWsAkuAY6t2jDg_Gge9_fr24Wh7CXYEruFHLJJYGGwFW6E1Apf-FUtVdhNSN7bkQsMBHNfsCSHXjCV6a68VazFTxcMsnRDACo5JRgCsTyh_lY/s400/P1000041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We stayed at <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CGYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coastblackcombsuites.com%2F&ei=9GcQT4G4I-iisQLivY3NAw&usg=AFQjCNFb7mjChIJNrGQNe0mNngu5DlvZyQ&sig2=NTL_PbCpo2ONsFVDmtKqmg">The Coast Blackcomb Suites</a> which was a ski-in/ski-out resort! It also meant every room had a fully equipped kitchen, dining/living area with a (non functional) fireplace, and balcony!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz9rResN6PEuyz_MuTAwPVI0GegoZBWt-jX_civnVpKU4gtCUlHS-3TsWp8QYsnkfX4pwG9oOGfbyuqncM6yGR4rlXHKkO29MyVy6QPovWPNkO8o_ImE5aY1rCMwNbFdV1vap5eoNXrM/s400/P1000058.JPG" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-X6PD50vjmBiGuo9BBuT2oWf8DteavH4__P5ISQAyE-NAEpID1G6vu4to3MJcPRWWdKvFi_tu66QXtNw5PwzGiCAXeJa-flAuHYfpfRIJu3ou8lRbhltyc-jfdA0MCNM5wUSiKZGy2Y/s400/P1000059.JPG" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJwsnf10VB8ALVyP_qYL0cWkvDQoZ38trQ09msIPmOV5OGta_u7Cey06P5qfqL7oH_HnqI1bQfgJYaTliEcSCql9T8F1zFwv2Fu3V6pdwanw9b4y4r59vswDa7VV09VdGjUhZ9BF8Ck4/s1600/P1000057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJwsnf10VB8ALVyP_qYL0cWkvDQoZ38trQ09msIPmOV5OGta_u7Cey06P5qfqL7oH_HnqI1bQfgJYaTliEcSCql9T8F1zFwv2Fu3V6pdwanw9b4y4r59vswDa7VV09VdGjUhZ9BF8Ck4/s400/P1000057.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a few hours of relaxing and enjoying the beautiful white snow, we decided to pick up our skis and snowboard so we could fully utilize our ski-in/ski-out privilege early next morning. Unfortunately, the ski rental place was at the bottom of the slope.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBN8bBrOFFZyfcpC9qyK5OEmtN0p-RMyVl2PlYfEPOfcA7zF5d7n0CycjAxxjSHEyGHGRtCtCnZNRiJr6dSUP4Pdb5ZIig2H4Vo-RAwQJJPENJhKMwmq6-mEQ7LoFTusD9_9_7xHFv3s/s400/P1000064.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A very long, and somewhat steep slope.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proud that we managed to get down the mountain without falling, we had one more issue to tackle. Where in the world was the rental shop?! Even after asking 2 people of its location, we still wandered aimlessly. After a good 30 minutes of cardio walking (you try not slipping on ice and walking effortlessly in a foot of fresh powder!), we found it. YAY! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While elated at the sight of our "lost treasure", it was celebrated much too soon. The shop was closed. *$&@%#+~^! Nooooo! Defeated, we started our trek back up the moonlit path on the mountain. Cardio workout #2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, not all was lost as we had a nice fancy dinner to get ready for! After a quick change in clothes, we took the complimentary shuttle to Whistler Village. The village was lined with numerous shops and decked with plenty of holiday cheer. After watching the 2010 Winter Olympics on NBC for its 2 week duration, I felt like I was living the experience!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtPloS5Iu71s-X_JsY57EXd5fByT_J4nJjCXoRxoNLmZU_4RouHDlTWjB4bz5hvabileUBkSvm15hGBqHhBKFdToAC3fA5nGuTBriPh4XFVqT5jW1z_kfMH7eiw-brA_P1umLnqr7sTM/s400/P1000074.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArsx1D6qZDZEes3UnbtLuO6JHggPKTulkmrBwT_hyd4X8MuUgWYYbHGBX2wT_azwVvOStIV_TuDgIjDg6UMGmYbmMeNWDMmTPDBjKBIjuLr_k7VRSjPyDdvyiN-HFmVbFxzwywICknR0/s1600/P1000083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArsx1D6qZDZEes3UnbtLuO6JHggPKTulkmrBwT_hyd4X8MuUgWYYbHGBX2wT_azwVvOStIV_TuDgIjDg6UMGmYbmMeNWDMmTPDBjKBIjuLr_k7VRSjPyDdvyiN-HFmVbFxzwywICknR0/s400/P1000083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As our reservation at <a href="http://www.hyssteakhouse.com/gallery/">Hy's Steakhouse</a> was rapidly approaching, we stopped in at one of the shops to inquire directions. They even provided us a short cut. Sweet! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hy's welcomed us into their warm and cozy abode by offering a coat check prior to escorting us to our table. The restaurant was bumbling with stories and laughter as friends and family enjoy Christmas dinner. Not needing much contemplation of menu choices, we ordered the roasted prime rib of beef and a Caesar salad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsmA6dnvY48UxS4FLAABHJx7EGHzkeBRcEu_7sLOTxUD4Ow9mS5sjthg2ZUB5GVPPFcHH3CQDzULPT4JFa4eZGZLhLkpGZrpfGonynmLKwnBjm9n7DAdAhhSSIZXgo_CI9OFxnh4itGc/s1600/P1000067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsmA6dnvY48UxS4FLAABHJx7EGHzkeBRcEu_7sLOTxUD4Ow9mS5sjthg2ZUB5GVPPFcHH3CQDzULPT4JFa4eZGZLhLkpGZrpfGonynmLKwnBjm9n7DAdAhhSSIZXgo_CI9OFxnh4itGc/s400/P1000067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hy's even provided us complimentary dessert to celebrate our engage-aversary! What a great way to end Christmas day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykVwsc_0WNu43EKY3hHnmatJ-y0-Z95YMm8ANz2NIDx2tTRx55S8noKqBqnjvFdn2UyWTeoELPm-Kg4sDwVtrVsNKEfYPiyTctm4SY_fXtrRHvnHRR7PFlPFCkfllz7_QyOuiYqBzIjk/s1600/P1000068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykVwsc_0WNu43EKY3hHnmatJ-y0-Z95YMm8ANz2NIDx2tTRx55S8noKqBqnjvFdn2UyWTeoELPm-Kg4sDwVtrVsNKEfYPiyTctm4SY_fXtrRHvnHRR7PFlPFCkfllz7_QyOuiYqBzIjk/s400/P1000068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, we will dominate the mountains and ski like we're going for the Gold! Or so we thought...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcrjpRaFCRysCewVxv9nYDpLNePRxiSmEau2RfknkD5goWtBcEm994qDjdsJNiMlZ2Crvu27VlS8Tp7-jEgr8EWoj12SY-awOni1loIzwMggdLh5dQQOxQ2zdQUEbUGFM0KSroayM-w0/s400/P1000073.JPG" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The 2010 Winter Olympic logo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. If you're wondering what's going on with our family since Christmas is usually spent with family. The hubby's family went to Cambodia for the month of December and my family <em>always</em> spend Christmas in Vegas. Always. Don't worry! We spent time with our loved ones in the weeks prior to everyone's departure to their Christmas destinations!</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-51225139711426298572012-01-10T14:04:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:04:55.699-08:00Pinterest Christmas CardPinterest - who's <em>not </em>addicted to this love/hate relationship with yet another online social media?? I'm definitely guilty of it. The numerous drool worthy pictures of recipes that promise to deliver succulent results, motivational pictures to make our yearly resolution of getting fit last just a <em>tad</em> bit longer, inspirational pictures to document your pregnancy journey, and the list could go on for miles on inspiration for everything under the moon.<br />
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While I may pin away and delve into more details later, the one that kept tapping me on the shoulder was this one: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAaykq7De9d8yU5V19DpEJLFZAUUS81lIDmAX0oxCVtc6dw-4k8Z8q3Ryi6j6ulJDaBWgShM4QqKTT6fuRGj7Nke2BHQx8Kmjk_dHWVO6Grw46a3yyzcKOLgyd4bsUBAl38egNFy4Rbs/s1600/Christmas+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAaykq7De9d8yU5V19DpEJLFZAUUS81lIDmAX0oxCVtc6dw-4k8Z8q3Ryi6j6ulJDaBWgShM4QqKTT6fuRGj7Nke2BHQx8Kmjk_dHWVO6Grw46a3yyzcKOLgyd4bsUBAl38egNFy4Rbs/s400/Christmas+Card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.abryanphoto.com/blog/category/camera/rolleiflex/page/2/">Source</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/alicevl/">Alice</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>}</div><br />
*swoon* How freakin adorable! My heart totally melted upon sight and I forwarded the link to the hubby via email. Stat. Time of discovery: Thanksgiving-ish? The hubby said it was cute and that we should totally replicate it. The hunt for the garland was on. Via the couple in the picture, the garland was a product of Anthropologie many years ago. Aka no longer available. Well crap.<br />
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While I sourced local craft stores (e.g. Hobby Lobby, Michaels, JoAnn's, etc.), that garland just wasn't available. Sigh. Hopes and dreams for the photo came crashing down and got brushed under the rug. Why don't I just re-create it you say? I totally would except I can't even cut a straight line that's drawn out for me (how embarrassing). How in the world do you expect me to cut straight AND make sure all the letters are the same size?! Ha! Puhleez!<br />
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On December 14, during a casual convo with the hubby's cousin's wife (does that make her my cousin-in-law??), the above picture was brought up. Her response, "That's easy to replicate! Just use my Cricut!!". Cue record player scratch. Home girl say whaaaa?? And that was how my hopes and dreams for the photo was brought to life again. Great, but who's going to photograph us?! Enter friend we've gotten to known via the donut shop - <a href="http://www.dcampbellphotography.com/">Mrs. Deanna Campbell</a>! She said she could squeeze us in that Saturday afternoon. Yay, but holy mackerel, that means I gotta make the garland pronto! Would we get the photos back in time to get the cards printed and mailed before Christmas???<br />
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The next day, the hubby was awesome and accompanied me to Hobby Lobby to source the paper to re-create the garland. 1.5 hours for 10 sheets of paper later, we had our paper! 1.5 hours for 10 sheets of paper??? Really?? Major props to the hubby for being uber patient and providing insight the whole time. Paper in hand, let the crafting begin!<br />
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First up, cutting the backing for our garland. Paper used - leftover card stock from our wedding programs. Booyah! 10 minutes later...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SrNjiQYtm7ZJaj3T4nCHObEB-Rv4wRv7Tb7Z4iZrYz27ec0gpw2QS9XNR8diTNDhxizS9wlA3cHBAz1yRyXW-H_6xYvxcS4V8jlAsoCFDQAEwHMjd_0R2hLYDNhCfctoXarfSWNLago/s400/iPhone+Pix+047.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ta da! Easy peasy! How freaking awesome is the </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cricut man! Perfectly cut letters. Nice!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And to make sure the size was appropriate for our use, I had the hubby lay down next to it and pretend he was holding it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbmdd8qB80EogpnDuwl4aL4p1ljkkUZCdLXdNf6Sb3Pp57XhSpodvf2LkTvDrUp3obstvQyVy2QXDpOgDQQmn5D0nUVHmQnhwP_mMr9PoFmJPFjCBYUE-PV1neCKM9kFIFSmXhNtLHGc/s400/iPhone+Pix+048-2.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Looks good right? P.S. we won't be using the exclamation</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">point. The cricut cut 3 letters per page and I had extra space</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">on the paper left so I figured why not utilize the void. Ha!</span></div><br />
Next step, cut the front piece of the garland!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbCD6bRghfcEO9JYbjQzwL_0hp5Vq9XsdBAM1ENVFIXupa8sYLpL5RX-2mXe9ZqwhxjLxyXMmiFPwbf3Kl8C8cqE0SIP8p8oi2dPWRSaD0Tw6uC1dMh1XTGrChLvpRM5eL3TBRuDC4vs/s400/iPhone+Pix+049.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The cricut didn't like the paper we selected for the Y,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">S, and H. It totally <em>hated</em> the paper we selected for T </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and promptly ate it up, hence the missing T.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The final step was to put it all together with some yarn as our string. We decided we would "sandwich" the yarn between the card stock backing and the front pretty letters via double sided stickers. Tape the top together, place string underneath tape position, then tape right below the string. Easy enough right? Fail. Obviously, no craft is ever complete without a road block. The sticker just wasn't strong enough to bind the two different types of paper together. I knew I couldn't use glue as this would cause "bubbles" to appear in the paper. What to do, what to do? Super frustrated, the hubby said use staples! Say whaaa? That's definitely not going to be pretty! Tacky even! He reasoned the camera would be far enough away and the staples would blend in with the paper we chose, it wouldn't be noticeable. With the photo shoot being the next day, I had no other choice but agree and proceed. I cringed each time the hubby stapled as I imagined the hideous staples making its debut in our photo.<br />
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Saturday afternoon came much too quick. After closing up shop and running our errands, I had less than 30 minutes to get showered up and look somewhat decent for the photo shoot. With just concealer on, I went sans makeup to the shoot. Ew! Here's how the shoot went. Beware: loads of pictures ahead!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0AcpG4PC0LPsiyUesKqeFe_M45ZIaNs0uZWq3Vz632PxuqVP_gLrxZx1Db5ZAFCxQvAzLBomtYQyGTdKl7SjEridVGO-s0HWLn4y83zEDdY5Jba5bemn1ytXvfuAi21NmiToQeg_X2I/s400/Leang+%25283%2529.jpg" width="265" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfOL0xNX76y23tSx4VFCREE3gG9LFu5TNqKDQBVUFvq0LKiCotQ9OlO5Wh7p_TX8-5Y7CwEYNWMgaEjCSeX6ue-tzO3kSrfdu5xNhweCakXfrNjD6mWzhjDJDnUWG1n_uvk6ShyphenhyphendxUA0/s400/Leang+%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnsPIcuuJ9vCZW3ewDd-IU_dq-upUTFHRBtdjLGLVceU6arSwMf8EfKhLw1gnRCwCq_M7KwOA9hM45BFYDghSjmkjQcrA1Ijxsc7b5x2ijMqp3PhHwcPx8gVlXocSPJUPOjZpdRzVZuc/s400/Leang+%252813%2529.jpg" width="266" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x_Di4gnZC4Mxpoyz2hwPC70T9gS8IENfTaaPj8V4KbaLUNNETvmsYcXY3KuZnFOtNyj-xOt6GGjU8Z5oGFJEdTlG0C_THY4-_G68ginSioKc70ThHalN1_RyU3xDNVCL3zKCejx5CUQ/s400/Leang+%252816%2529.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQefxjuCijCFK5ynHWsGCMtfOx7_ltvV2G10cqa8cGAzOQDaxuRnl3Is-i0Jhyphenhyphenj8me-bntvUn11fEH1T9u1SR2YebOS4oPrDBCEMvJPteggNMAxpTtAWxYc9mCJDcmGRorYQdW28fmoM/s400/Leang+%252820%2529.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcJifYoQMovLd-wmuvKkvUseff0jFjhBbkX67qkM8QcSpF4LWFJPuLu7tQu_rItF0u8hGs2oO5FJqcQRpa2iBPrUE-6dOM8gxi3hBvPBWykOAtI6FnjOcc-x0aPhmlGjcTzBsdcnF5qw/s400/Leang+%252821%2529.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mSxaly8Z-vpO94cQrP4NZ4k9QWw2o0zAShUnlGRWXGsGyFJ5Dy03XF9WQU3pWkFj3Nkp47YD8HtJLom_JqZKiB-_z23dG4HpwzWQrjx3scwMpo_nb7_SU2084CaEU0PhYFt-34RlUDM/s1600/Leang+%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mSxaly8Z-vpO94cQrP4NZ4k9QWw2o0zAShUnlGRWXGsGyFJ5Dy03XF9WQU3pWkFj3Nkp47YD8HtJLom_JqZKiB-_z23dG4HpwzWQrjx3scwMpo_nb7_SU2084CaEU0PhYFt-34RlUDM/s400/Leang+%252822%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmeQmWepkMpIv0rhK_7SYix-x_lQyM5hbFJvCsC_usphYbL3Zr6LqMDavHRsy5JaGTQ8TBuugWTPp59z25XX_WNe0Avt-Dd_icmZOjKY-bCKfDeX1Ck3EMIU4LWPIHZOoi8dhejbnh6s/s400/Leang+%252817%2529.jpg" width="265" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QNoMg13nB9CuMSM2XDrzYT9uQwLJXU3QpoexcylpKOUme-icmbMP6b2wqX6NefX4sT_lhz0V_ZjLB5R5ytP-qFSPhjJwhT8aNzPyYcMZOjJ3U0OavjMKQlPry1CXgX4AMWT9Lffvb8c/s400/Leang+%252828%2529.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g2QJTekYi_RTg0pM9xTrmmD5LLxiEF43nT866Zf2jtA0he1l6Ax95IEZ3aqwLW6dgUTixsCIezFcYZmN0JaNMDX5IOMiDF4lXzJG-YXo6I9ZX99RDFNDTZl_MeE-dDkJRJkW-4ztGBw/s400/Leang+%252833%2529.jpg" width="265" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkEaxqmAdJdM3bIAmJ0pnkABIUcRsUOK1iZ4cqOgOnpHMu1DOQ4RQN-nKntCj33POKCG9FcwBL8Ry8tQPlQhijGB_0gLA3WXyP2kM6ULRTzFT2KrT912WApxVX-BnNPlBUZZBdIFm8Ao/s400/Leang+%252837%2529.jpg" width="266" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjY0jL1LTXdlV3L_49ccg5mD2pw7WWYg-nlebd298L8yVgamn7wcOp576mAx-DAg4B8IhA4Ds80hyKowNvItxPXpqwNnDKzTu_-hYglzAHxFX6mXQhrA8Uriuigm887UOh4quyutsGr0/s400/Leang+%252874%2529.jpg" width="265" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5hpwn0g-qmwKHfA4v3QpahWoPxIEacK7PtyvO5OnuUpQjisLkhAI3-1_fhJvsXt8kXhryUJSK7bbMRrOX2JEGFR1aN_ALzC4VlHbdthAbhDwSjS8n3PAI9UTXrZeB4wTCED763yniLw/s400/Leang+%252861%2529.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXanQ0i_mH_SMgsT5nx_uI3JxOYRhp1cml7LrsPmp4y2Ya6U2h0luxzeWWb0f0lvdCsVC4IWpLEf0r9F-oehEyBdXHl7UUqYcKZbtmC5UK8C6hWPZEH3AMOwW4oM0XE5q81-A_K1EL6Ts/s1600/Leang+%252884%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXanQ0i_mH_SMgsT5nx_uI3JxOYRhp1cml7LrsPmp4y2Ya6U2h0luxzeWWb0f0lvdCsVC4IWpLEf0r9F-oehEyBdXHl7UUqYcKZbtmC5UK8C6hWPZEH3AMOwW4oM0XE5q81-A_K1EL6Ts/s400/Leang+%252884%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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What do you think of our garland? Guess the hubby was right about the staples. Hate it when he's right! Ha! <br />
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Not sure if you noticed or not, but our "replica" picture failed also. The white walls of the building washed out the few last letters of our garland. Mrs. Deanna made a valiant effort to "fix" the problem, but no can do. However, Mrs. Deanna turned these pictures around to us in <strong><u><em>2</em></u></strong> days!! That's just unheard of! Thanks, Mrs. Deanna!<br />
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Which picture do you think we chose for our Christmas Card? By the way, they were mailed and received by our friends and family prior to Christmas. Score!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*all pictures above were taken by </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.dcampbellphotography.com/">Deanna Campbell Photography</a></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-5570311754914774002012-01-09T12:16:00.000-08:002012-01-09T12:16:39.244-08:00Random MondaysSince I'm (sort of) resuming normal programming now, what better way to resume it with an oldie, but a goodie series - Random Mondays!<br />
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Today's Random Monday Emoticon:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxmesKyRK7eZjH5gYJ2hwXTWIwPEe3I-zeKaStbjoBMCqk8MlgjqGP7Ug410TVe-7z5x3LYhKvoP_tnE3B_f-0tVBB0dBz_-dBgA-Agp8NH1VUpLzBXqf2B1KB0_3gRQRMMJ2bk1Om-o/s1600/WT+emoticon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxmesKyRK7eZjH5gYJ2hwXTWIwPEe3I-zeKaStbjoBMCqk8MlgjqGP7Ug410TVe-7z5x3LYhKvoP_tnE3B_f-0tVBB0dBz_-dBgA-Agp8NH1VUpLzBXqf2B1KB0_3gRQRMMJ2bk1Om-o/s200/WT+emoticon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.telfed.org.il/content/coping-stress-aliya">source</a>}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><strong>Item in question:</strong><br />
The little town that our donut shop resides in just recently opened up a Second Hand Retail Store. They have quite a bit of few neat little things in there! Collectibles like these along with a huge assortment of vases for example:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1MlwEa-3zGopbhcKgM9fRddK9928PukqzOmT4WwljW5MRUa7N8-seS_nb5cLR415Ca1Y3EbKbuyPKDMVQj-fg2cGMa0YHufRgz2UZEJx5frF2ZUEAPH5zN2xvBVT6COAraJauphCx5k/s320/iPhone+Pix+215.JPG" width="238" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SE_pOGJ1iHTvJ2S9nRvsUxKsOwkh4-qJWW7u9SxcgvBXTbRgM6dk-U3Q7AQ2WeyCGmgajlzMASYnogwalNAA9ZAecxXby_JGVz2FPQuLKWnELASiBel85epiyt6vAgxKV2EVs2EmMvc/s1600/iPhone+Pix+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SE_pOGJ1iHTvJ2S9nRvsUxKsOwkh4-qJWW7u9SxcgvBXTbRgM6dk-U3Q7AQ2WeyCGmgajlzMASYnogwalNAA9ZAecxXby_JGVz2FPQuLKWnELASiBel85epiyt6vAgxKV2EVs2EmMvc/s320/iPhone+Pix+216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The hubby even bought the town's authentic football helmet for a steal of $7.99. Go Fighting Farmers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F0PmWjyPfj42AvztyHv3dn0TLaT2HY9Nm-BGj38a6QDVVmzhK7lA9fR0NgEoxnsPPF2K7aoKutpBsvHUTA6_045AEAdj_WWXSDXvH7sCd1zi-anspFxqIJf-X8tuxGiivvMUbH64lZI/s1600/iPhone+Pix+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F0PmWjyPfj42AvztyHv3dn0TLaT2HY9Nm-BGj38a6QDVVmzhK7lA9fR0NgEoxnsPPF2K7aoKutpBsvHUTA6_045AEAdj_WWXSDXvH7sCd1zi-anspFxqIJf-X8tuxGiivvMUbH64lZI/s320/iPhone+Pix+213.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this neat lil tennis memorabilia of how the tennis racket has evolved. The hubby is an avid tennis player and loves the sport:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnpzWuJ6TD22IbdMAfIwZ8zj5qXAxJwEU3ndTmWoYzUQpIxU1TALn6m9mOF4bkSLbXyHG1exJRSWZ8_Iqeg5ZdVFBJDKnxnOBU62hmnjggxX1DMzAAakAfWuAiKhPJkcuWTMce8YgWds/s1600/iPhone+Pix+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnpzWuJ6TD22IbdMAfIwZ8zj5qXAxJwEU3ndTmWoYzUQpIxU1TALn6m9mOF4bkSLbXyHG1exJRSWZ8_Iqeg5ZdVFBJDKnxnOBU62hmnjggxX1DMzAAakAfWuAiKhPJkcuWTMce8YgWds/s320/iPhone+Pix+214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Each week, the store posts up their specials to bring in business. This one week's special:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh2DlBKRH7VLd8VyMkyuaBD_XtMs9WGbMqxvGjB8sQTrMoausp-XHh3GuGkCAaMhr38I-yaNml-kKKMB17jGeaI7LQ26cRyDYqi2kvRyyJ3gKpzUR_r2imlawXszESHC2PpXw8yf5bpA/s1600/iPhone+Pix+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh2DlBKRH7VLd8VyMkyuaBD_XtMs9WGbMqxvGjB8sQTrMoausp-XHh3GuGkCAaMhr38I-yaNml-kKKMB17jGeaI7LQ26cRyDYqi2kvRyyJ3gKpzUR_r2imlawXszESHC2PpXw8yf5bpA/s320/iPhone+Pix+082.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yikes!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Oh. my. word. I couldn't even begin to tell you what exactly they were offering this week! What do you think they <em>meant</em> to say?</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-87122171563508468232012-01-04T10:39:00.000-08:002012-01-04T10:39:16.739-08:00Happy New Year!I know, I know, I know, I know! I'm 4 days late, but due to my (sadly) lack of posts recently, what's another 4 days right??? Lots has happened so I'll try to do a quick recap soon and get you up to speed on what's on around here. Like the craziness of work, a small purchase of 20.5 acres(!), and our recent annual Christmas trip where tonss of good food was eaten somewhere in the NW!<br />
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Work is lightening up just a smidge so I have a teeny tiny bit of availability to blog! Yay!<br />
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In the meantime, what's new with y'all?Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-26193112764111954232011-10-05T13:44:00.000-07:002011-10-05T14:45:34.564-07:00Diarrhea of the brain<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today's post is just a brain dump/whiny waa waa poor me blurb so feel free to move along to other happier and well thought out posts! I just need to vent. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.... Are we clear now? Cool. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Firstly, I had a pretty crappy 1 year wedding anniversary and am coming to terms with it. 3 weeks after the fact. Yea, I have a slight thing for holding grudges so sue me. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Secondly, work is overwhelmingly busy/stressful. As in 12+ hours a day busy. Where I come home and plop on the bed without changing out of work clothes and pass the eff out busy. And will continue to be so until January 2012. One of our managers quit and while I was originally hired on for IT stuff, I've inherited all international financial stuff also. That's what you get for double majoring in MIS and Accounting in college. While I don't mind helping out a lil, this is overload galore on my plate for being the low man on the totem pole. Aka I'm super under paid for what I'm doing. Optimistically, at least I have a job and am glad my managers trust me to handle it all. However, I hope my other managers see what I'm doing and how hard I'm working so maybe there will be light at the end of the tunnel?? Oh here's another bonus! I've lost 3 lbs and am at my go happy ideal weight! Yay me!!</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thirdly, we recently bought 21.55 acres that came with a 2000 sq ft manufactured home, a barn, and three sheds. Fun stuff. The place was neglected so it's a mess and we're cleaning it up. However, we have interested parties in renting the place already. Which is great but hello! Place is not ready for renters. Hubby is a social butterfly so we pretty much have a family standing in our doorway ready to sign lease papers. Um. I have never done this before so on top of 12+ hour work days, I'm researching on being landlords and drafting up tenant applications and lease agreements. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fourthly (is that a word??), our pool sprung a leak (somehow two holes decided to make my pool their home) so add finding a reputable but cheap contractor to my to do list. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5) yea I totally just changed up the sequential format. Any who, we have a potential buyer for our shop. While it means I get my weekends back (whoa! Weekends? Free time?? What's that?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm also frightened. I absolutely LOVE our shop and I'm not sure I'm quite ready to part with it just yet. The shop has enabled us to be financially sound. Heck, our un-conceived kids have more money than we do right now! It was also the hubby's job. I'm worried about what his next steps will be. It's a long story so just pray for him. For the both of us. Meanwhile, no donut shop means we can start thinking about kids. And EVERYONE knows the hubster has baby fever. Bad! But are we mentally ready? Let's reconvene late 2012 mmmk? k!</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6) laundry and dishes are always clean,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but the house is never guest ready. I'm uber embarrassed but just don't have the energy to clean. Any recommendations on house cleaners in North Dallas or how to hire a trustworthy one?? I'm skeptical on hiring anybody. It is my home after all. Messy or not!</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">7) all this stress is making my face break out like I'm going through puberty again. I'm so embarrassed and it's not cute in corporate world or in life. Talk about low self esteem. Sigh. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Major props to people/parents that do it all. In style. Without complaints. Like a pro. Teach this grasshopper how you do it please? Seriously.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-51731410559691731272011-09-26T17:32:00.000-07:002011-09-26T17:32:35.086-07:00Random MondaysWork has officially blocked all things social so I can no longer log into blogger during my lunch breaks to catch up on awesome blogs or update my own. Lame! You're probably wondering why don't I just update when I get home in the evenings. Well, once I shut my laptop off at work, it stays shut and I don't get back on the internet bc I'm always so darn tired after work. As in I get home and sometimes don't get undressed from work clothes and pass out on the bed until tomorrow tired. Maybe exhausted would have been a better word? Yea. Flipping exhausted!<br />
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So guess I'll be updating on my phone on my train ride to/from work. We'll see how this turns out. <br />
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Onto today's random thought. Are you on Pinterest? If not, I suggest you go check it out. Now. It's so damn addicting. At least work hasn't found out about Pinterest yet so I can pin my little heart away. Hehe. What was I getting at again? Oh. Right. Pinterest. I'm following a complete stranger's (sounds stalkerish doesn't it? Creepy!) <i>Work it!</i> Board and am totally inspired to lose weight and be fit! Well after a week of following her board, I managed to lose 2lbs! Hoorah!!! No exercise. Just plain watching what I eat. Then the weekend rolled around and that means working at the shop 24/7 and no Internet. No internet means no Pinterest! No Pinterest means no motivation to be slim and mean. Well, I hopped on the scale this morning and hello +2lbs. Not cool. Who knew Pinterest could be so darn empowering?!<br />
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Are you Pinteresting it up like it's going out of style? You can find me <a href="http://pinterest.com/alicevl/">here</a>!Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-28216860245102583422011-09-17T17:00:00.000-07:002011-09-17T17:00:00.977-07:00Always & Forever: Dancing the Night AwayWhile I was planning on just the MOH and the Best Man giving a toast, these two lovebirds manage to coax the rest of the bridal party into giving one also!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHgjpBUfZ6xRid7bUvrGV1fgtrmfpkueBnH05WaMxIarebcjqoMiT8i42RTkYF9lkAY5i6pJatlGE5O1C58Jp6jGrORpaw9aghAlDNdAmPv79Ml-d6OKq3oM_pP2DgR56lYel9v7Lskg/s320/I_2671.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmlSMl4bN7P_ctPM1nFfMKOoT8GDrQM4wV9judck8q3L5x4dOIct0VtQdEXz3SucRQnHZTJFzI_YTWzTC14Ky8gKvAKuT_0wum5aF_r_9uvLgCtM_JKCw2i3U8jYF50kCDJa6Fc-EyCs/s320/I_2689.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Poor lil bro was so nervous, he shook the entire time!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DL9uGeAY8VTs412RoZokmHIvuqQqn63nncB28x-sLgBS9Gt6rQ_EIkIFToGPgHiyugpa76mdyhtvwjPizHvF7tPfQVvXO2FXiObGhA_DCuQYFBoVOAHBiMhzi5f0JFqkYErtRnBYOvQ/s320/I_2697.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w897VD7p8q7BbrCGNcNr2E-mLiAa0cpPSGpjAS44oYSNdTLHTLGTCQ1i_suyfExK3cmM5g8psxuNzfkDouZuHOvMF3DE2HveYWKEtPBxJ2lDJv9xmXCPBWmW9WODL3XCwfgVC_MwA7k/s320/I_2730.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GM Leang's speech included a reference to the movie "Yes Man"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiCv0bBOBO1YATY92wGnRJy-VdF5J3q-aJWO_ZVLR5bGfj8j8DoNQ6ENEYZ_wduQ50rdXl9xaPxiu-nE8cpA4XzPQe-8ly-as-qu6UOSRZKGhM-Vnr3-9WwiZO4Z3BZh14zOWT0WxTTY/s320/I_2731.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Which the hubby didn't think was <em>right</em>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWnUFXoVC3u_jyuZp_TIyx9Az1itwc-G8FS9n01aK-kufjpObIAYc4RZbChIN9R9hgKIr2DcVhBKzPh9GYyJGjTdzkmuXgkADmla8ZsX8XH4HDMFoW-p9zv9QiQgpIqI8-_83cFeRgBo/s320/I_2733.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But GM Leang let him know what's up!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuLSp1q14mO0bOGb9A5iYbz1LuuPMhULdCxEqN1AGg3voQR2uiqcGmDMUS461zpZx2dUdxnbmtSvPi-jojygzLpjXwpe53Ce9BUL9XjDw1v8QhY_m2kNrKgfNckCLdSrlkRH03luJNRg/s320/I_2745.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Best Man Lydar's speech was hilarious! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YXU9zlV3DBRD8RmPKIWzsu6GsUJlxBRY2SwRGJC9uw3lXzx2Elae62L8SS9EYQqnNL3iwHZAFhGbtylwyB5baUQEBO2Mk0flxP3E7YQ2lNL5qEfDR2yfhmxX1J3DRwPwuN9O86qTK1Q/s320/I_2748.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And everyone agreed!</span></div><br />
With heartfelt speeches given, it was time to cut into our <a href="http://www.deliciouscakes.com/">Delicious Cake</a>! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mYkMfVT-dt2ue7B7kDxhjPmYWne9GMpgW_hUDO05AozglLe7eR4nYjEkxGbURQDxK-Xc-8n6qFlDuHs2KKWuhnMzb6_aucxbt7rWgt4tn7BmpGUMm27isA2GnfNDOP93u4FXqvxfBM0/s1600/I_2770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mYkMfVT-dt2ue7B7kDxhjPmYWne9GMpgW_hUDO05AozglLe7eR4nYjEkxGbURQDxK-Xc-8n6qFlDuHs2KKWuhnMzb6_aucxbt7rWgt4tn7BmpGUMm27isA2GnfNDOP93u4FXqvxfBM0/s320/I_2770.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Alternate tiers of Princess Cake and Texas Turtle. Just thinking about it makes me drool!<br />
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With all formalities officially complete for the day, it was time to get loose!! There might or might not have been <strike>lots of</strike> some drinking<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rY9BPAiRe_PYDa9A1wggV0GBd8K4Z8lbciYRFzslGkQhjMkeBesdXo6ZZiBeVVs1aKMWFahreql0vYpXGW237lAsA1O1_yAJG4SPhMTFumsPWolk8gEeVayy8TrG8ZSWX21hxV-U4u8/s1600/I_2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_vhowx5="314" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rY9BPAiRe_PYDa9A1wggV0GBd8K4Z8lbciYRFzslGkQhjMkeBesdXo6ZZiBeVVs1aKMWFahreql0vYpXGW237lAsA1O1_yAJG4SPhMTFumsPWolk8gEeVayy8TrG8ZSWX21hxV-U4u8/s320/I_2031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>cheered on by crazy and fun friends.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photos above were taken by </span><a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Colorband PhotoArtisans</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-8457753460266862072011-09-17T08:00:00.000-07:002011-09-17T08:00:08.554-07:00Always & Forever: It's Going to be a Good Night!Thankfully, the wedding has been nothing but awesome so keeping my smile for all the pictures has been painless! When we retreated to the suite to get my dress bustled, a huge cloud of hot air escaped from under my dress. No, I didn't fart! Geez people!! It was all the hot Texas heat circulating underneath from the bride and groom pictures!<br />
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Once bustled, we climbed into the car and made the 20 minute drive to our reception site. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzJ9JUEbDevVBtVshr7mpB6fb8mBYCERlDvb8K2wOSDbNPtHz2MJHRO9Ft9_DflCDIEuVW5qvETPUnvgb5kYJqz_ENkqeJSffBXgHhqeyWvE_SPmZXKagqrUcLR1U4Pj4x5x99ZORcG4/s320/I_1665.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0uZVM5qIbkWpZpk_m75DJBctyZBq4d3qg2GaPIWYLNKI-yKUlEiNc6YrUmzMHlMNPpvRghwmFAjEZxErGwJ6axR6ZKLGpXV-KRRYGjX2r6zECDsxxZdDZa-FgWoPXDLhOkCFQZGqdq4/s320/I_1676.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJSx9lpL4_CSuPYsUyD1fWd5AgbtnTmOEsRt4Fg7QISgUuPRIkP9nfLndCyj6xXku2BH0zVFz0mchZxwcEFeX0NfA6-PhoEJyjN7YQW_ZEK1CrLapMZ157gEtLnFXESAfAcyyN7XaL2Q/s1600/I_1680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJSx9lpL4_CSuPYsUyD1fWd5AgbtnTmOEsRt4Fg7QISgUuPRIkP9nfLndCyj6xXku2BH0zVFz0mchZxwcEFeX0NfA6-PhoEJyjN7YQW_ZEK1CrLapMZ157gEtLnFXESAfAcyyN7XaL2Q/s320/I_1680.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
You see, while our parents are quite Americanized, they weren't quite ready to give up the informal Asian reception that hosted a 10 course meal for 300+ people easily. We had 320.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCMw1OJUdyvuoQudbDC6UsrssBRSd-ugUJREoE4jj-FMs5QuvAyVwrXYHFQnm2K88Y93iaJilWnQOFnStufdYq3C-LJh81pcogcwGNHBWoyqiFRP4FJUu-PHL-nxgSSMUJtkR07cznw4/s1600/I_1682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCMw1OJUdyvuoQudbDC6UsrssBRSd-ugUJREoE4jj-FMs5QuvAyVwrXYHFQnm2K88Y93iaJilWnQOFnStufdYq3C-LJh81pcogcwGNHBWoyqiFRP4FJUu-PHL-nxgSSMUJtkR07cznw4/s320/I_1682.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And while my draft of the reception site didn't include a head table, we got one any way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7Jt0snH2QFeYATTzbGH-ZULPl8tORHXHb1Dh8dQ7Dr2DCVkDYs1PtMrrYWqUjOWPAUPiQ1hN5Tba15sPzAfqPO07ll_AxWt-rN19do41sAMs9KP-vGzq6sWaTKQsTiISnkbGqzZdZk4/s1600/I_1687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7Jt0snH2QFeYATTzbGH-ZULPl8tORHXHb1Dh8dQ7Dr2DCVkDYs1PtMrrYWqUjOWPAUPiQ1hN5Tba15sPzAfqPO07ll_AxWt-rN19do41sAMs9KP-vGzq6sWaTKQsTiISnkbGqzZdZk4/s320/I_1687.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>During the car ride, my corset dress decided to start cutting off breathing rights. I couldn't have been more happy to hop out of the car upon arrival!<br />
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We intended on taking photos with each of our guests upon entrance to send with our thank you cards. However, with a majority of the people arriving at the reception prior to us (we were busy looking fabulous for the bride and groom pictures), the bridal party had to round up our seated guests.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1ibIgq-Rnti2Pa5QtIbYpG17lz5CD3Ko8PDM1gy3jot6ihlGVa1KwC7TAUBFjmnhumB1OL4s1gcl055wF7ctdXzHPTw91QXLYkZERbc4RdrI7Fo0cR4Vu69QUrCURliY629EU-n7Pj0/s320/I_1785.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They're getting married next!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrj3FRHSPIc34jfkrzn3sGbqtNHkE2lsGCxSv-n6Z2UstZ5VrQVNT4XdEyZaNQhf1qekK8LmczUi3Qdym_v2o69pwmSR59jkeSedn3_bJUwauSMBpQ-SJi9Kw1dpoO4Vx3SCP7ByK5a8/s320/I_1812.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our favorite people from the donut shop!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcP6y_lKu_TGrH-wHJ607tiErQapxCA097-yRaHVaqzCi5mrHln86DWti317fOwmbdEywndO5UBQ1QCwOIjFB7yZUAUoTxnY3PpT_AA6_H8645coKDuaiG73jJh_unq0m0hrg88Kg138/s1600/I_1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcP6y_lKu_TGrH-wHJ607tiErQapxCA097-yRaHVaqzCi5mrHln86DWti317fOwmbdEywndO5UBQ1QCwOIjFB7yZUAUoTxnY3PpT_AA6_H8645coKDuaiG73jJh_unq0m0hrg88Kg138/s320/I_1840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This family RSVP-ed 15!!! people and drove down 3 cars from</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">OK to attend my wedding. Talk about love!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Once we were caught up, the flow of things went swimmingly. Sign in guestbook, find escort card, take picture with the (gorgeous) bride and groom, find assigned table with assistance of the ushers, if needed! Oh and don't forget to grab a drink on the way! It's on us!<br />
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2 hours later of photo opps with guests (don't remind me. I'm not happy about the late start either. Especially since I wrote in our wedding memo we would be starting promptly. Non of this Asian time mambo jumbo, but I digress), it was time to announce our entrance and get the party started! With the assistance of the Black Eyed Peas, "I Gotta Feeling...", we let everyone know we were ready to have an <em>awesome</em> time!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaRi9YK_2fyJISvJmEMXrBjyZvZIBOTUDtvWEkojP8imKQyEyzJFDimA_HJ7fOPLwSzOozFmErZW_KT6dJd0aA_2PQGU5LmHkSO4MhU8UmJGxeqi2YRj4fTK3eOD2Dxiz0dHmwo2wFQY/s320/I_1925.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZaC0P-bKbkbW3_BzsgOCUYF2Ti-NgHmk0oD1rwC5dOSCu4laqsdqkk4a_D3eZf5flZAXiY36EP0pWGh0SR618D1Ga-_Mz6B8WTqmNi1O1TtaddMA44TFQgQ_OHNkdVhizi9yLsfJL_I/s320/I_1927.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNsKIHx9lYJYbICPPBSHDy9SSMZdCk64LUV0XuoYkt13JpxGT5zgM_Ck14x0rWsIhsvxQn1wv5R6GSKPKmeK4z2xf5csiTqkmjWFHvb6op8HvRc1GvR6hYbkvqX7ztChDKbBQgksD7zY/s320/I_1928.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqKrkK0vghssi0F3VedsPLrriBrVdUa3szLcG23gdAlG6FDKSGp_sVOi6FMT2kA9TLAZS0Ttx8gkuzImTftpLhD1M2Jcqdp8HHmzcjt3qjIEGtWaGoV1UqdxMkyBr53yZVZSFarLJLRQ/s320/I_1929.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sobMYSkMtW9oKJGiKLQ-a0JeCCOoStFUxkT3dHPsxH-lwY9aI_hWr0RZ0EQPL3zsrS-PtfwLsIXRxoH4Gztg91wSUmoYweZ8cBktrpoTFlRCQw1C8K3GHQN_AuMfSFdntpkGRz4AxVs/s320/I_1930.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIUUH4F4wA8Z_0zKiaaGprcGdj23GAuqDx-hqi4fdgbM7ro7S_G0FzNSod1ytWsDmxncFKExSaqri8fUr0DALaYYnzwEVaYwKV4xI6y6wVtKQez70diNHjgO_X2Nf7GdqE_7ixyzlLDY/s1600/I_1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIUUH4F4wA8Z_0zKiaaGprcGdj23GAuqDx-hqi4fdgbM7ro7S_G0FzNSod1ytWsDmxncFKExSaqri8fUr0DALaYYnzwEVaYwKV4xI6y6wVtKQez70diNHjgO_X2Nf7GdqE_7ixyzlLDY/s320/I_1935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
While we still had every one's attention, we had our first dance to Brad Paisley's "Then".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXVN2ux3isf_T18g1U7D4Mv28zDDHPsfc_OuB2oksbqpqKdzWGZqdvBjNuI0JyVTAEtBXBp4Lk0TzDmYlTGt5i8Ne9B7eR7CrjnavPw1kMGbTdyEMhyphenhyphenSV5H61dW0q18C3vHI7sSXl6Vk/s320/I_2300.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisULMEZWUV1Ocr8GkijCylwlF4iiV5F1ZZFIofKhfI1j0IiOp9sEpcPadjHBcieUPgiFgBJaUhceiNIYWOPim0vEBV24c6mvR9lyI1R8Lwo9rJsih4wk5gst-p1zBs-QyAhdgU3QWzJ9g/s320/I_2303.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2n81_YzrgyhW9h5-T-6mIPDdHYR187yjjdJbn5kR9UiK1zLZoS6mreRUT2Nj1QIwh-TxQDWii9OnqCLKwhB_HV5un7YrmPvZm9tkToE5HI9k8H1RHThfuXOQasbtli6Bo1z94GhOyh4/s320/I_2320.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEyokxfzadQszq2EbONq1Fq4-ypzUe9zRIWtpA_3mtoDKKh8tZ8Q2FzbBlxlB9km-qu6wlHX4Z6AgPp5zi6g953yQmoh64byxf1LZQWM49u4B8qmaHFIM4dJKOGqm6H4SVkd7twgyIpg/s1600/I_2325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEyokxfzadQszq2EbONq1Fq4-ypzUe9zRIWtpA_3mtoDKKh8tZ8Q2FzbBlxlB9km-qu6wlHX4Z6AgPp5zi6g953yQmoh64byxf1LZQWM49u4B8qmaHFIM4dJKOGqm6H4SVkd7twgyIpg/s320/I_2325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After a couple minutes of the 8th grade sway, we began giggling and commenting on how the song seemed longer than we remembered it! Then again, we never danced to the song...<br />
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At the conclusion of our (never ending) First Dance, my dad welcomed and thanked everyone for being a part of our wedding. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAno5Ue3uKKEsB86xw4Py7qguFLD5yW-uwJfZgx5X7ljAGqDRIik_1AI3BMUrVAhnQA7CqM4HX307GbfR1vpC7sdmP-lz8tU4vZKn9ecSDSmm7vmVED5RG3E794WWxvmT5SXJaW1oIxg4/s320/I_2380.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0MjZ1MDkFIEl1tFjI6OI8i8-jkAf_-GkGG6jBaVdGp7prr7tZIUbY_Q6sNyz7hjgSbWiUi-rF6H97EtU-K5J87MhmXG5iu5tyjsVXRP4sLTFo9pHEKppv9ZnYEMAMxLacBNX0QgyYGk/s1600/I_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0MjZ1MDkFIEl1tFjI6OI8i8-jkAf_-GkGG6jBaVdGp7prr7tZIUbY_Q6sNyz7hjgSbWiUi-rF6H97EtU-K5J87MhmXG5iu5tyjsVXRP4sLTFo9pHEKppv9ZnYEMAMxLacBNX0QgyYGk/s320/I_2385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then he told a little story about his little girl that was uber embarrassing. It involved Disney World, a tea cup ride, and mixture of H2O with ammonia. I'll leave it at that. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtJgJDLILm2ycDMBIlZGnE9FoZqemfDgsWqVZnxCUIHNeJ_LyEYRf2K_-S7H9edDNmpRWsMDh9gz-u-ryadY_5DQDeUl8uHeRFjoGETE81VSdFJyDTZXhjrCVN-xab3hjO8I3-jdrNgQ/s1600/I_2392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtJgJDLILm2ycDMBIlZGnE9FoZqemfDgsWqVZnxCUIHNeJ_LyEYRf2K_-S7H9edDNmpRWsMDh9gz-u-ryadY_5DQDeUl8uHeRFjoGETE81VSdFJyDTZXhjrCVN-xab3hjO8I3-jdrNgQ/s320/I_2392.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>After the laughter settled, my daddy gave a tear jerking toast, which our videographer later on matched beautifully to our video montage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDWB_Wf_GxE-uGiJDxAFVkrQtiQiSIFdD-sUNtmLsG-i0UXkR5xMhEjBCMJxND83tGXtrxvmvrOxRla7nk4H0mWm-jMLe902ph_KNCk5qNKaWWzrd22G7Z7ROe9tos9h6lygeLA9hT-E/s1600/I_2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDWB_Wf_GxE-uGiJDxAFVkrQtiQiSIFdD-sUNtmLsG-i0UXkR5xMhEjBCMJxND83tGXtrxvmvrOxRla7nk4H0mWm-jMLe902ph_KNCk5qNKaWWzrd22G7Z7ROe9tos9h6lygeLA9hT-E/s320/I_2401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The speech led us into our Father-Daughter dance to Edwin McCain's "Walk With You".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iqiZkOcKsDSSIZQuTPQ7W6uBAjJ7pgZpT7ukLMi5R9_ZIW51gXR2L7LkSXn5rtACx5ujp5pmLYjUqBErp3jiG40NCt-cRMmV866ViGuDvdsONKp6lsIao1thhemzjMq0ARMbEnKQr1o/s320/I_2350.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWR4kwtYVR7tguGzqOEPLOhDa9zUfdH75sI0ZO6XUhuB0Qjem7tv095KUy2_2OvgPAZhOKFS4Vi46KN3YGeOxFfjE_a8CCYgxE89OhImb7Cy1r-nHHuDtU_OB_9icyIW4hq9dOkzQY9V8/s320/I_2359.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YUAfP2WiVNjlpOmSIqzkYdd3gfzoji2lmlyetoqv_OmBZFyLVM4JseJ3SOlXIeAgg36G05xAK6z0nEJwXgvPXaHyLf6SuhCK4buxEj2S9I-vdbyl6Gbpp7RpmnbRBtLGIV5A3Chvlnc/s320/I_2367.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxWTHkoz-BlWyoyoWgj-eBSlTYq__DjihW5tVv5upSf0fmHy9XW8Paa059iidoNRyA1KSCrhzxqalynGkUDKUKy1-_ADLHIR7ZThS3rqLD-aeBmUnpOU25WDrTpsETplZjnTmN-w-mrw/s1600/I_2379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxWTHkoz-BlWyoyoWgj-eBSlTYq__DjihW5tVv5upSf0fmHy9XW8Paa059iidoNRyA1KSCrhzxqalynGkUDKUKy1-_ADLHIR7ZThS3rqLD-aeBmUnpOU25WDrTpsETplZjnTmN-w-mrw/s320/I_2379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With all the dances taken care of, it was time for something <em>everyone</em> has been looking forward to - FOOD!! The crab meat with fish mow soup started it all<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU2BOBlrybaFU8gvvbhPiud9ZS_NTiN8HHwOsRYStCFhH2dRhhY7-lInXl5ZZoORT0Da-_qjjW8SL1w6yDWQw9BiWX7rg9tok1OVhtwW0rhFolrxTazIBFs08hskRaMOe0FYpvmu1eg8/s1600/I_1711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU2BOBlrybaFU8gvvbhPiud9ZS_NTiN8HHwOsRYStCFhH2dRhhY7-lInXl5ZZoORT0Da-_qjjW8SL1w6yDWQw9BiWX7rg9tok1OVhtwW0rhFolrxTazIBFs08hskRaMOe0FYpvmu1eg8/s320/I_1711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>then the remaining 9 courses followed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn569I8jkrau5-8xtewveUUKYJ-1kMR5YJ0TSPM7SuOp3eEm7IrdSEPOmCsyiWXhegRBgQsfz_owEMhf2jyfvCZpLyEAbnQp9Xm7YoWNVBvdx5HfCntf1mIY3jHc3fmh2GcfjOCbfNMo8/s320/I_1713.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeOeVzEJuJHk9sp_LtCdx32RzV_O4xsZ4Sru6Q1NUXO0DVBMyV2NAAft3JWmEn3b7nuIX3qq29deFGPE6qL3lE44ge2RAc1trSPV4RaGbA8HmjW_L9sBEcM3_Eq6nD5NSNmb4Z4WDmnw/s320/I_1728.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIA5oM_tfsnr13wyWtGWGsmSvouvei257vWK1yIQmqsWQ8Pc2kl1_pG3pUp2QJVzjBCPXRCcpjEyE5-wRZqif5wYcb9mAPAkklnnxQTvOrDqcosb8_TG2GvFf2Mvwoleo1YPiLhzYbsY/s1600/I_1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIA5oM_tfsnr13wyWtGWGsmSvouvei257vWK1yIQmqsWQ8Pc2kl1_pG3pUp2QJVzjBCPXRCcpjEyE5-wRZqif5wYcb9mAPAkklnnxQTvOrDqcosb8_TG2GvFf2Mvwoleo1YPiLhzYbsY/s320/I_1731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
While everyone was busy filling their bellies with yummy food, the bridal party made table rounds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLkpehEiW5G8V1_mkFaXESPx_Ofrt3_7FDSaMb91Zmn9_3F-h810Mx7GY25H8HGms3SEm4H5L7_MU964U1ewtwhyphenhyphen0ERirqWhE8gfbUaXorkA3PPL8Vgi2GF-CBMpYubvoXpdPtEWyyMo/s320/I_2408.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkmuqvbQOfE8rvSryGMYKnR-3JYtRs_PVMLPJ2oW3w9nVmJ81Lp8iot-Uq4gsPmhWL9esbOvc_QmTBtXk9sNv4983Q7OkG7Ekazk9oxlSRaqhmN0sBlexL5NX8ZQFaZq5Wh_AGaxX-Dk/s320/I_2412.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dHjIVkxrzN8AV-LVK0ehyUhDT9R3XTNFaj5WCjV0NMcDdHfr1YhYNXCPLCwbmUzZ5rBpJu26IKdwNhgahVy4ZnuwGsKOC05QCXuQu-GTVv5j2r24JTjx_cVqkArczm6EwHanWys3lvA/s320/I_2421.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiTiGR87psc5EbjoglfFRwkpfKPZk-eh_a319Rxt4MTfFEhWG-FC0qGopUg-LaCO4Y10jzZ-laMn9qzT-wF_zvxEglg4uoTaI6SIA3x9eWvI7Xm9j_20GLa4wTvgL9MWrc8C2g3TpVAg/s320/I_2429.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And because I sat a bunch of Longhorn fans together...</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBq1aSJ4nogVCAz7iQlwXKIFuUDSKk5rcOi5816ge01B6F3p6OxwvUGfVqFN7QrQFt_-uf38Bndq0YFpLlEA3ri3fRdrs8P6MEluDRMusKPPKRS__rk8FsDH4mcQhxz9oYj_BikYkoN0/s320/I_2434.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They found the perfect present for me.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinshKSj-f_IIlkmUG0ILZQA6RDRzkNalYyHygLcGS1-nPhAICeM1ez9t8YsgSJl6X063Atu-35acWQ5hRF5M8BoHne5yhCkjyKCoICm5UyG7pzS1ncHfy9H4RasSeA-WqWEeggVI4hcFQ/s320/I_2436.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A bobble head of the Longhorns team mascot - Bevo.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcYSBpZbhXAnXV-9lnZmbYNuvOOtUh_YOj976cow5ffDJ-hRPbFG6aAC7lNARkxAuuNtkVFBva3yo2mWF9hZf-1oJ-vCRmHhw_c1D7Sx9DicLhBTYJmrN3of6faISyzPpjFUg4kWZxc0/s320/I_2461.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeSR_OmAePJehBV-7mrRfGBatgnnnP6ztWaZCwR5XGOvB40alM5psK8kffRIAfZxYjvAvD7KJO3MPfqLm4J9ZoTBHBvhHNR4JdRfgy297VEt7zVBqkd50w6VH7cA1j6LV-eVH3E62fzI/s320/I_2489.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuECtkMiPav4L0Vs6QLLS_JIaStWGJB8o5yAfi1-vx_zXcDY0eMoo7KvbrefKKqTOuGel4oyUFt8JjAqzBIEAOYDC_vriEi_nMBpxMc3Rl5oAiA-783CqOW0AV-60ysp5k9BnNxFqh7g/s1600/I_2528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuECtkMiPav4L0Vs6QLLS_JIaStWGJB8o5yAfi1-vx_zXcDY0eMoo7KvbrefKKqTOuGel4oyUFt8JjAqzBIEAOYDC_vriEi_nMBpxMc3Rl5oAiA-783CqOW0AV-60ysp5k9BnNxFqh7g/s320/I_2528.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doing table rounds is hard work yo! Major thanks to the</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">MOH for also being the hubby's towel girl too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbD-CcYnBdDS820Bg0VIq8Bv48NeOCPP_Lmx9aKrht-caSY-L4JQmg5o8bsGCru7ZVKuAXHDjlN0vFOQZZv7d6OQaEMSW6MAK6QpRcl31wJpBXUdpI29GPOasz_nunHaMmJYkUFOehmc/s1600/I_2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbD-CcYnBdDS820Bg0VIq8Bv48NeOCPP_Lmx9aKrht-caSY-L4JQmg5o8bsGCru7ZVKuAXHDjlN0vFOQZZv7d6OQaEMSW6MAK6QpRcl31wJpBXUdpI29GPOasz_nunHaMmJYkUFOehmc/s320/I_2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmtuRq3tGv7zgEiBZENL5Ij1ZTTJtsEqMdI6B0wGiSf904L96X7Zm1EIJ-UnKIvziOp1Q7g9Lj_4yhdOo8RyImF1xlrH6jgc9dwZZzvNJPvh6XeqTFTzuIIdPr7gsoKqntNe59tJdGYA/s320/I_2614.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpNShn1RnUIAscdaKoZ-DRsZmHa8ZSp63QrmM7hdtp2RbMcWTEU4qiL9kTXSN41zTcGJU5a2u_GuvSNHpxKMQPj5380pUUgDIy6-INsD0MGc8FZRFZ1ujb-yWielNVBdVynj1JpmRA0g/s320/I_2617.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP7Ng0plIcDcDoIPMsGMqeGGsLSVXqIUmiWOuwqQoY-TA1t4YQE8yYtZH0gxbwQ5IPTZ38TE8MxY65rKq-o5rJUbfqvHqRg-w5mgnujHkz76yg4sAUzIm-uKgSZGgN7_ytK0HSMLHOxk/s320/I_2549.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And to prove that I'm a good wife.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnCUZMwHLl9aGBjDXCxc97bN53D-U0ZItGoCtHR40Z5TXYF8rxeiwBtjYM7ZSaMVwqlr3nMy7xYCcaGL9NGfivCRJL6NdUt5nAzIzX4PEnEWa-CVZy3yBfjB3vs5JvsZjVwFjcmeM_ew/s1600/I_2639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnCUZMwHLl9aGBjDXCxc97bN53D-U0ZItGoCtHR40Z5TXYF8rxeiwBtjYM7ZSaMVwqlr3nMy7xYCcaGL9NGfivCRJL6NdUt5nAzIzX4PEnEWa-CVZy3yBfjB3vs5JvsZjVwFjcmeM_ew/s320/I_2639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
One last wedding formality left was the bridal party toasts and cut into our cake...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photo above were taken by </span><a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Colorband PhotoArtisans</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-43282466235555818702011-09-16T17:00:00.000-07:002011-09-16T17:00:01.624-07:00Always & Forever: SMILE! And Pose! And Pose! And Pose!Weddings are like high school proms, but cost a whole lot more money and require a heck of a lot more planning (and coordination)! One thing they're identical in is the amount of pictures you take. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for pictures. They are definitely one thing in my life where at times they seem tedious and annoying, but the more the merrier. Come 20 years from now, one reliable source to reminisce about that day at that particular moment are pictures.<br />
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Now flash those cameras - EVERYONE!<br />
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First, we took formal pictures with friends and family<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFJFb7dmqRaxezpyeSBGS9aom2hXP7zXNsDmRIJe2rwRj5IW7-qmzUE71WyHC15NxzwCSar_pDrhdArUP9PavFmWqUr5cfNGpIOSNYNIjTF7Pi6XPIpCfMbMb9zJfZDbJ9b9RNc1CjeY/s320/I_1297.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODri_BlISbDAX5FYv1TcU7YuIHfIzBkjtJwcx67dS3uXnuLJf-WbOpZLmBWDRiWveNhxCzh-3uXX_v6jIoJXJ1Bdv-lqn8OThFKzAgwOBBPSvAw842-CtCDsdDL1PjVEDEXQAjbygX58/s320/I_1284.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WNmiVv9OLK7s8sX1DEBZprZGeADvEDrd65i9ycxXnay_AtTYliSoXP4WPFjEkl2YKnLuJWsaNr-1n1wjJPmI2r0B0k6NmU-Jb6WEdV5Hdu6M6a0RYCqq85XmhUbd0ARo9qTBAjCco6U/s320/I_1290.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP6MQEblh1OtOQe28T9clVVhysjrE9nV6D6BDL4_M_xzG_B4Re768MCY18AyGEBaDmgBrdINnSHgwn1L8CPwC6pFPdUmfGwwV0BM4QO0L5-3xjqgAlGUr3OKhMqkIc2f4CvylUIYi-hA/s320/I_1293.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxNKbvu9b3CAGnMnk5ej07nNgViTJ3LA84aJc-bDeH-JZaD5Ki8Y1ivd3dIaiQIhQLfvvfvOx2P-4xZ9yZ7-hjZWTemn45Ft3Ci8X86PwAxZLCDmrgFMgpZNwGsiex02wQaWi_niMFq8/s1600/I_1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxNKbvu9b3CAGnMnk5ej07nNgViTJ3LA84aJc-bDeH-JZaD5Ki8Y1ivd3dIaiQIhQLfvvfvOx2P-4xZ9yZ7-hjZWTemn45Ft3Ci8X86PwAxZLCDmrgFMgpZNwGsiex02wQaWi_niMFq8/s320/I_1300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Constable of Collin County and his wife! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Apple fritter for the Constable and a cinnamon role for his bride,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">warmed up of course!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6KT6gZfIe6PrlCRBGOMKoRPxWjCBqH-WJ398RYpxVknAMQ225MAPctohUVeheOu-yXgXEen4ioTPKI85ZFytrCWQe2b-piWxHCgmANFu38GsR4c_X9-OwmrATlECb7pDWRwz0b8Dilc/s1600/I_1301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6KT6gZfIe6PrlCRBGOMKoRPxWjCBqH-WJ398RYpxVknAMQ225MAPctohUVeheOu-yXgXEen4ioTPKI85ZFytrCWQe2b-piWxHCgmANFu38GsR4c_X9-OwmrATlECb7pDWRwz0b8Dilc/s320/I_1301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">World travellers, Mr. & Mrs. B! We want to grow up to be like them!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhFO-FPkfbHEzstc-LJA5Ut00qhpuHyyTebEJbHrWgX3VJ2eXVrHTdCF77YR7R8BBXViHJpkqx7qAx1YFLM_6dm-1LTfJvNtw9MFwpNW4GP3nUA0Yz-IqZFTVn71WzKBhy8xYIPRn4qo/s1600/I_1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhFO-FPkfbHEzstc-LJA5Ut00qhpuHyyTebEJbHrWgX3VJ2eXVrHTdCF77YR7R8BBXViHJpkqx7qAx1YFLM_6dm-1LTfJvNtw9MFwpNW4GP3nUA0Yz-IqZFTVn71WzKBhy8xYIPRn4qo/s320/I_1303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. & Mrs. H - he still looks at his wife, everyday, with the same</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">dreamy eyes as when they first met and got married. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">We want to</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> grow old and be in love like them!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wGkoNRFknkKmCeeUapki1VOnKVbYMw2bgAW86jRJsYJQhP-reZpJAtCatM9fLR2J4sn8Ii55gEyCTtkbuT7PnmX7t19NgJTPoB8gTuj3EGhjd3SEReLniWabB5HA8rNao_VhEVKjyzo/s320/I_1307.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsr5vU6AfSd8exb8SZUkC4bjzb4rOL1No0Bm-hhkKICMlJTw5-XJNoKTMvVafOAqe_sZ0GTS_no4sG-3vG5dDPfOtKC5L20j9FeyMrnFTqfsx6pFTnW6Z6f8Cz9ddP72csXVy1FmNPeWE/s320/I_1313.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUAF8-JA3357v38Yge-9mPn2GTNycqwIDPLx3NknKCGfvLhaEEtxXI0hqmoqCANBEZGoJyaB4U_-pmcUTnOR-hlx98RapWlY3Ev-SZPG2BvQOrLsHBXWbbiAmDllB1UjPVXcwwwrD0DQ/s320/I_1316.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zdS6YOiEU_vAVUjEhWQwf2RPN3Zu83L1gklXIpgpQuu_AR1G9kXHU3Rof7gSH_dQHXSxaewMtGcDjgMk38bLX-QKrgOEzWVze1o5ets4Ov7NaXgrLKW-0zgR4rcwSU5RgoSNZR6t8BI/s320/I_1335.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaDV__3uwJ8M3hllh3Twlq8kcn0l2lQmxR1O6X4u8SWlR2dxlaqUBf_6JYYvmXR63pfgi-0_j2d-ihTgDTaVk2llu-gE2xjoEc3edpdOTlot6r39TDgE2Z6zuTg6N1dSxJX3GsXGnkgI/s1600/I_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaDV__3uwJ8M3hllh3Twlq8kcn0l2lQmxR1O6X4u8SWlR2dxlaqUBf_6JYYvmXR63pfgi-0_j2d-ihTgDTaVk2llu-gE2xjoEc3edpdOTlot6r39TDgE2Z6zuTg6N1dSxJX3GsXGnkgI/s320/I_1340.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Then we let loose with the bridal party.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMZziqoj7fPR7PuPTOh25DaWxlQo-71bkJ3BNbEJoXZWmlCDGRNr2QjmDgSUFprdAFVpNMnKdC23DT8yKxxuRJf6x9f0Xxgv3hVXYJe4HFe_fjYTCR3WScaIjXPfsJie4LAZVDuLEY4g/s320/I_1349.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6alM8258jHZbLLYy9ctaKjREBRTdpoiJNW6WC4N856Snbf-yxxM3dUtWjOaviJNAL04AI3Hg_pNUgLj9zx-XaLB76wMTmtG46A7LKx6lCYpyKgi962yTM8kNBLoDjLiLXDDa17rsFC9g/s320/I_1356.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpNznJd04lW40iavSboWz43y9IXZRhZzjTIWeT6oBDkHd6xkLpwoAz_iXAth8en_SexPX0onxgYknlRdnIG8LaufpvoDZxgrHT5hKGhy-wkXIiIlUs1lFEKjxM9D8Y2NyjrVDhdCUE54/s320/I_1359.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxx7JE8GMqnk0DKVtPm42O1qGVnl5n7dh_UvGkwZQh1VeMgLttaDFMphZQ25-zt9J7nsYNOWFihiwSUAXQDcRCM6J67-DO-6YQmiwg8FaLXMWYFD6EPAF2D7ctB4UIzG4PQhwTdtJdWI/s320/I_1361.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFfMYduGaUeb_CGXkiAWXd8mHPXXW02oHe91mABWu1ViKW9d2c8yhaFto3hdU_sjX38Ns9vdYneALUVy6tJ6_gCqJv_HVlN3HpXS4hFlpUsOX_Cxx8jP8ouC9aBqjUhhxgr4e8P8Lct8/s320/I_1362.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6o2XktzcppwG3CUUK5QymJ8FOG8Ht7NijvRa3jI4fHvC9MfLKYomiymflCA3qP1P19o7kJ3QahQ6n56b7smOGiocZuljes_BpIeRPjaOEjdghyPzCtvZNAYPZO_gAAFFxazGK7b2N-ts/s320/I_1363.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOFJA8eJ2pUWR36Guua1p29xVIjPZTLLj0AQCZlLyzLq1pH-pVFNqjXr7t82DuUPTIENm2WI20VdoIXMRPJRaEtBWnqlOrbjyrJ8JQz8Xj7r5CHmZko30EwShocguowPFS_z1XOvXWxc/s320/I_1364.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtAbrBTi4CEkFmSUwJhv0xf_n81YbqsYuT4Wj4BlZD8R2kPsO_2CgyhyicFAi2b2LIgSfHDsoRt8S0vVhfOSxd5o3ggT-ZtyU4ItpuQY6PiT_hd8EsEhNzV4NxkSrGJo8vLE2-peTd9M/s320/I_1366.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnXhCmKfayixXecn9CpK5vWF6tvFQJAxcCj8uJFdJf2n9yH6eBXd934URGyl12WUXLWnUuGWFXIy1Ng4Bd_oArbRZLfwDo1P2gVRlwzA-y0ZA0hVcal6e5GQ3PsI6CQaIEU7MqymUF1g/s320/I_1376.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmcdgukuL18LKYHzufXx4D7vbLaC4PI_N6lHxEZa12iTqWtaCNbPW18sbsKEIbgrOLp_rRkgx4IiAPu-urdhteBwiYkPSwCWD5mQWF7a-GTfedgJjqPdkIlFC1Z20PxSsI7nauQ67bkk/s320/I_1383.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf_NfSQRQa3mawfir2tk6m_3oJbNJL25q07rRD_1-eLDT2r8VDHAvRImAacenclvoWWTn8oJc2ZB9am0fzHkCt-YBIXsYdMEgSY2G3tXIG1uLOuB_PS2knAWE5_g98wxvagEzzhM6nL4/s320/I_1384.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgApltVyB5tkg4fhRSkPhMSHR5oOnl_rJxhILUJrACR8OaUH_-iNYREF5T0dtCldWHNjifzAlFj9aeYpJeQFHCDMY1PxuMpmz6D7gGVVR-u48SJMIQ8uAhUO8pdU7mqtTMnVvRzLmC5uA/s1600/I_1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgApltVyB5tkg4fhRSkPhMSHR5oOnl_rJxhILUJrACR8OaUH_-iNYREF5T0dtCldWHNjifzAlFj9aeYpJeQFHCDMY1PxuMpmz6D7gGVVR-u48SJMIQ8uAhUO8pdU7mqtTMnVvRzLmC5uA/s320/I_1390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When our photographers thought we had way too much fun and time was escaping with the reception calling us, they shoo-ed our bridal party away. It was just bride and groom time. Over 12 hours later, this was the first time we were alone and got to really revel in what all has happened.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqXVveBYAJ-IW8UG9qKvfzrSQOZuW4UvTuZ04oAEzUVHn6ZaLOuVNP_LBfLz5dD37uUWh4U_LO6VxZmBiSoOcHMALgoQm8dwHd9ZcFZ_NELQodjTkBAjT0cY30ueAzC1jGExhtYxuOGE/s320/I_1490.jpg" width="213" /><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJuMuDbXHa8Yo-0-wn37pDwQcTT7gHRIF6f8qGnViFy-pyFVW3QGPLPl8ZzFh77PI-Y7MNNrm_7P1ckyd-eWBIe2vbqkN_ai6qC8eYyyNQiBZIoNVva0rzIiYKCeRjRvaAEc7XDj2c0U/s320/I_1493.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf4lqZ4vxg48KGQ_OrHye83QsRXM2io6t8oCkFoDZJ00WRk15S8T7YiWOqg-Myw8Q_236-vdnBmhgxYO6-1rRz_660T_5vpfMcOdGmXmUXhkhtp4Vk4tgMPGGxXnOfgFt7XCH4igmP1E/s320/I_1501.jpg" width="213" /><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEyA_AYaIY3fjJiO12En8Vv2NUMrLp_t8yV5zpZeRuTUdivIgIXgaGHhyIePtmemVKVHUv-C0IpD0NwJ7FqiDhHa5E_gm4wFAvW9jn60Jne5k_vrKWMGqnO_dKNF7hT-i4e8g38lqI58/s320/I_1504.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZXvTl5c8PIvkAXBG5BMxIO78LlUMUVlhEzqG_6Syo-mB76QMKHNxoBeImqN8TiVNJiIKF8xd3RqY7i2C1dFu5RrJ2vH_cnY7zP_Enf9vkseJKEB6wfoMpIDnEtb2LaCAQeBZ-Xn5ET4/s320/I_1554.jpg" width="213" /><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMwyE2Q1IU4P7jXGDFNgfLxqUFET3uzErNnVAMWaomcz3SO3tV1fJDUR0GEQEh6DA_fqNjgectDBMZbsXYS8M5vatHOY9R8myk7Y8qFE016HwgAVR5RUThXNsb47jYcLT6DeFovm0erw/s320/I_1556.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWAd5wERMB5vHztRbLB-QYO9_JQufRRGSEjLpXo39PYIRaCKzRSNMBLnjKVUaVp_hQN5UgPub9RvXv0DpXMxNkxbYrvQwQnAeSwrA3GkV56aVGj0AV-vAPdqAE6oNoL056y0igZlwsi4/s320/I_1566.jpg" width="213" /><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivd83YIzvr6Sh01f-Da63ueDNkUaNfyrQVTKcLluiS1ASh74uX97VOPB3FgsDLHzfQMNmqMdbC_nrZN0jkN-Qr8aAgBZe0sC_rw81W6a0TKyuO5O0SRA6IdomFD2nLGEmybprW4ONEPOs/s320/I_1579.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-jELv_GtH2ZE1yy_dlkF8QRAazTg1zPDKWhlQR2MqiiufT50VvIl-Bqv8USEu5WHBgF2cjZmZZEwBfVXDZzRQk9MbVy1VQOaxM-MRqS2hvR-zzyjHl0fV0yKOt2w2_PlD_rdrwUZoNI/s320/I_1589.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXtRaa-n_FIZolvvtx_ICP5YpimjTXHidy_BAckn398kla1_fW-LMNg_77HSZ0-em5pp6AkHmwMXpfPLBzRilSizjzSMhUnWC7VdbPAtOLwzNEGJ9b6ryYMow5v0Md6nTgTsb161cpWE/s320/I_1596.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DjUeHeXyKy6w5FkO-PiX68TLo9yTp39hxEcPVGls-LyDGCRzVkyqEJ2X4bb003_laaNIMccySvUCSXO5LWSaoZvkvt_XxM_xS0VA_W_acApqFJIgBbru7TQ0tzZuQvYJBMgr1O_uvF8/s320/I_1601.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingQIjdZODETvEYljRlA07tEfwscn5SjLO0xjjDLK9N-tH-teLHv1NkGyv7N5uozJGmlDCO9vNC-wdfMxs0qVaLFdzhjO6v4eSBYrM8BX_FQH94LL0hy0zApX1cQGam1mhvmdO-swE4dc/s320/I_1603.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouuTA_N0iBNoHArW1Qjj8BVz2qb27_zGlJ2jXgDWdxjz4lwgORza-vo6OqRjcrzbpyTNE8mqU0Bbq83WdS0Vru77mf_7HnyiIWLqQvc6k2m4q-zQo3Vwan9zQaMoUh1EAC-CYqIWUpIw/s320/I_1613.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2YdW1ln3COKrXekd1WncUjvjXPL7wn_9QkUdJCgMSt-dAcb5KpgQzs0jsM_7lG2dZFet0xRbwI0gkn_MqtBSUwuoiyGcjufe3xOFqaSHzGiEyUtKI9UoDHC3hz8LwtUF1v19-V7Px2o/s320/I_1621.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl3JvUl6btG0TS-x6SSLaf4iSN5eeHbhzfvu0hAQf_uZ9YrVMMCFKpqG11MGVOsn8KaV3pDyNAPUsPB7Uezfivjh88XLIlCLOktuX-cbynohSoiAjEoqGg9B9xp7eelfIEWdQMmpUR2k/s320/I_1636.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbozGkShDtaeIdq804hrIfe81lcAq3B0LwNc4hZcR53Y6IV2R60U0KAN6W0aT2yP8rPJ2snCG21gQvcj4tiIfZgwdT38aJpZaUcSnXZrrmr_gSA6JhEAursuj8RAywshjbB5VAVpDzdvI/s1600/I_1639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbozGkShDtaeIdq804hrIfe81lcAq3B0LwNc4hZcR53Y6IV2R60U0KAN6W0aT2yP8rPJ2snCG21gQvcj4tiIfZgwdT38aJpZaUcSnXZrrmr_gSA6JhEAursuj8RAywshjbB5VAVpDzdvI/s320/I_1639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What seemed like just 30 minutes, our session was over. It was time to retreat to the suite to get me bustled up and head over to the reception site. I'm ready for food and dancing! Who's with me?<br />
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Side note: Our cell phones would not stop ringing during the bride and groom pictures due to logistical issues with seating arrangements, where the DJ booth was to be setup, etc. Note to future brides: hand your phone over to your best man and/or MOH or someone delegated to handle logistic issues!! It'll save you mucho headache and stress, and allow you to enjoy your day, uninterrupted!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photos above are courtesy of <a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/">Colorband PhotoArtisans</a>.</span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-87364642127509420682011-09-16T07:20:00.000-07:002011-09-16T07:30:33.248-07:00Always & Forever: All in the FamilyAs newly branded husband and wife, we tackled the next activity on our fun filled day of wedding bliss - tea ceremony for our elders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TKyAhAjOIcs2dhH2R5YQjDQcrmiyjVsQdpPBmTZm37vI-UzdjliPEvIm7-yWCLkVsVC4bxIimhUd1ajwMKD61ck834_T7LSGOSO-A0FBrhbK9aE3LnF-uDnJbBeOdzjb-AdARkdVuRk/s1600/I_0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TKyAhAjOIcs2dhH2R5YQjDQcrmiyjVsQdpPBmTZm37vI-UzdjliPEvIm7-yWCLkVsVC4bxIimhUd1ajwMKD61ck834_T7LSGOSO-A0FBrhbK9aE3LnF-uDnJbBeOdzjb-AdARkdVuRk/s320/I_0980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My father made an announcement that everyone was free to go and enjoy refreshments at the reception location, but if they wished to stay and observe the tea ceremony, they were more than welcome to. Amazingly, 75% of our guests hung around!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCiXYGuoxALlQwThyi1pwwIuH6fIRhKfk1ktVLAJ_hDzbs4o1ug_7pJzSPoPLPpL4czv1BuEvlqu0i02PLXstRNt8MQGg_EdrLhiL6yblLDk3iVRT1I5RcP96YTE5FNeuM3dX64a6L9g/s1600/I_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCiXYGuoxALlQwThyi1pwwIuH6fIRhKfk1ktVLAJ_hDzbs4o1ug_7pJzSPoPLPpL4czv1BuEvlqu0i02PLXstRNt8MQGg_EdrLhiL6yblLDk3iVRT1I5RcP96YTE5FNeuM3dX64a6L9g/s320/I_1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Not sure what it was, but the giggles never seemed to stop. Guess the saying "your wedding is one of the happiest days of your life" is true!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNji2THR_VUsUuH5CiVlmnIghqLckczoVoeAcbe0Uf_wcRvbySahiulaHTif2tRlowBM9HTiuVa9zxXXNoFmd7a3m_PPeFrO-QiezsH1AcyCaQdrRuHZMFu3RmvjOSzPaVcNv2dt-ZYvY/s1600/I_1002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNji2THR_VUsUuH5CiVlmnIghqLckczoVoeAcbe0Uf_wcRvbySahiulaHTif2tRlowBM9HTiuVa9zxXXNoFmd7a3m_PPeFrO-QiezsH1AcyCaQdrRuHZMFu3RmvjOSzPaVcNv2dt-ZYvY/s320/I_1002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My brother acted as the MC for announcing our side of the family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2ku-I55NoPjxJefPwQsf_B9juYqA0cA6MBRkbJdhn-L3QSy3mu6_Q2UGHl6Yp9Jkqn70708dvQiVtRaKWf08yr3yfZat2Lq65RF3iVPCkCGkt1CEmUJEfXKMOQm-1wZP1pNGuXsv3hA/s1600/I_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2ku-I55NoPjxJefPwQsf_B9juYqA0cA6MBRkbJdhn-L3QSy3mu6_Q2UGHl6Yp9Jkqn70708dvQiVtRaKWf08yr3yfZat2Lq65RF3iVPCkCGkt1CEmUJEfXKMOQm-1wZP1pNGuXsv3hA/s320/I_1003.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First up, were my aunts from Cali. These ladies came a week prior to the wedding and made me dinner every night! Yum for awesome home cooking! Oh, and the eldest of the 4 sisters has 8 kids so her house <em>always</em> has something cooking and readily available for consumption!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheanZNmRiZzv0BbqZC8E8q9be9Nb3VZua4lzEcWLpxue6qtrcfjP_jO_Zo8JIzmyslGpHIRPtPK1AW-aidvUfnK8GFyhwIRSfXT7uJPBfFQ6SV-rx_ktnQp5DTi2Q8fpAoG11n7-06nBM/s320/I_1013.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqihWv-w_Lrvex-fgsAM9FrxyGex4HO1SEECacKmFWgSRWWtEAQZizHrDO62Xw35ZRIlbXN09T85n2fW5S0zlmz0R7V0rAg0HSIq3nm12FZUZaHP95bIzniJS8HXyeMFxu3wmTSGA2vEw/s1600/I_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqihWv-w_Lrvex-fgsAM9FrxyGex4HO1SEECacKmFWgSRWWtEAQZizHrDO62Xw35ZRIlbXN09T85n2fW5S0zlmz0R7V0rAg0HSIq3nm12FZUZaHP95bIzniJS8HXyeMFxu3wmTSGA2vEw/s320/I_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Following was my uncles also from Cali proceeded by my uncle from the land down under!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEae20nMv5LTW_isb30RNejWnrO-ch8GG9Rr6ZvlkYFoXUxXThQ9DYv9QhbeKcccd2rvOvA7bGIb27LZpOYjWb95N-GTB_tVVIMSyY176bppaz0ye4GqNbiOcTCVYkeR35tevCshaPhNE/s1600/I_1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEae20nMv5LTW_isb30RNejWnrO-ch8GG9Rr6ZvlkYFoXUxXThQ9DYv9QhbeKcccd2rvOvA7bGIb27LZpOYjWb95N-GTB_tVVIMSyY176bppaz0ye4GqNbiOcTCVYkeR35tevCshaPhNE/s320/I_1034.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCaZvRyEwpi3xrUA3EHtuKGAQANhCFkdoTUIbeHM_pNGmp-m7nDGkQYr1V73XTtZHoewfz8iUaIXpHVYV22IkpA94c2UrEqOm1wEo-TQOT-a27aBOAf8XyRsNCQ38BFOq3Y3dmJ9H2DI/s1600/I_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCaZvRyEwpi3xrUA3EHtuKGAQANhCFkdoTUIbeHM_pNGmp-m7nDGkQYr1V73XTtZHoewfz8iUaIXpHVYV22IkpA94c2UrEqOm1wEo-TQOT-a27aBOAf8XyRsNCQ38BFOq3Y3dmJ9H2DI/s320/I_1005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwRmmQWpLa9fzi1E6DNRc4cLc8y3KHDwxOkqXxrA-bcNV6J-UsrCm8vdNqGiB1FjgMUUwNpAlW3y54JrlUE0UhtaMeyqefSLUYeDPAC3sz2q0g5YYMpRMbln64QhuofE1oTBqBIS6oqk/s1600/I_1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwRmmQWpLa9fzi1E6DNRc4cLc8y3KHDwxOkqXxrA-bcNV6J-UsrCm8vdNqGiB1FjgMUUwNpAlW3y54JrlUE0UhtaMeyqefSLUYeDPAC3sz2q0g5YYMpRMbln64QhuofE1oTBqBIS6oqk/s320/I_1027.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, my aunts and uncles from OK just couldn't wait for their turn!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1dcVytDHe3AyH-KnAlX-J8VNHKlA4mOFBWI4CVdUvY0pK3Z0yHuvUItt-i2h9aDVxrja-d9r3l8eTDDc0xZR1mTApYtTdMFN9IerJNqT4cAp8WZG44tPOLnbX4VCQVgiJUrDjgHt0tg/s1600/I_1035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1dcVytDHe3AyH-KnAlX-J8VNHKlA4mOFBWI4CVdUvY0pK3Z0yHuvUItt-i2h9aDVxrja-d9r3l8eTDDc0xZR1mTApYtTdMFN9IerJNqT4cAp8WZG44tPOLnbX4VCQVgiJUrDjgHt0tg/s320/I_1035.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Before they knew, it was their turn! You bet they hurried on up to their seats! haha!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtTiPk04ZixuQTtBoF9VLaJi7WDZzUJSjNjHhCkXX16IRg6kuJsgGTrjCJKTwhGGAO7g104lQhyphenhyphen7JA0H1sNvHn780z7qIjoQxo0-QcYMrHOLW14ygjYVNBSmHCOETSEZp8KY4lRTubNA/s1600/I_1040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtTiPk04ZixuQTtBoF9VLaJi7WDZzUJSjNjHhCkXX16IRg6kuJsgGTrjCJKTwhGGAO7g104lQhyphenhyphen7JA0H1sNvHn780z7qIjoQxo0-QcYMrHOLW14ygjYVNBSmHCOETSEZp8KY4lRTubNA/s320/I_1040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apparently, everyone else found it quite humorous as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksUMokesoloN86H1VnX4VQAV9x0UQsPJ7YzCxL223m1Vwvbi5NxEqEUfxzAnJ6Rm3txLk9Y49Ylb2_QCIschMmzfRg0VR3n9Zbnja5buwiqyafUGer258s4ssQzNg0Zzq76amkO-s8OM/s1600/I_1048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksUMokesoloN86H1VnX4VQAV9x0UQsPJ7YzCxL223m1Vwvbi5NxEqEUfxzAnJ6Rm3txLk9Y49Ylb2_QCIschMmzfRg0VR3n9Zbnja5buwiqyafUGer258s4ssQzNg0Zzq76amkO-s8OM/s320/I_1048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite aunt and uncle joined us next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N-VTZ7rs73Gbc3kzAzSX4WMPwh7pyK9MZLhlvwYmTukE4KKUlVphLXiDv7Lqz0jejgcPHWPfM_D7kBY9DnTmMTzFKehcYRfDan8Bn2W8lnaKMeDf7yz9pcJlxat8RZPzBgDu0Cg4Jbk/s1600/I_1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N-VTZ7rs73Gbc3kzAzSX4WMPwh7pyK9MZLhlvwYmTukE4KKUlVphLXiDv7Lqz0jejgcPHWPfM_D7kBY9DnTmMTzFKehcYRfDan8Bn2W8lnaKMeDf7yz9pcJlxat8RZPzBgDu0Cg4Jbk/s320/I_1050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What I didn't expect was what I felt when we embraced.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1RSE_PHRU1TNCHKRJz6M-K2YIu047OWkmG6kO2_IKEu_usCJ33aH87kvqjxwj2Exm_jGHw7ho7XWAhaSmK-0Bu4zaXhFup73cGefY9NJYasgZoEx6-6fCva5zWWtb3uYeU0P_JTWQR4/s1600/I_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1RSE_PHRU1TNCHKRJz6M-K2YIu047OWkmG6kO2_IKEu_usCJ33aH87kvqjxwj2Exm_jGHw7ho7XWAhaSmK-0Bu4zaXhFup73cGefY9NJYasgZoEx6-6fCva5zWWtb3uYeU0P_JTWQR4/s320/I_1053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was unlike any embrace I have ever felt. I could feel goosebumps crawling up my arms followed by an enormous surge of love. Tears of love and pride tumbled down her face. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvFNO8IpDadPeF_aEvoyQflMyJYr81hHl7MqTpUvaKH4nbaYFidQLdnnnjDYY2L4SZ9ytbIP58lE5yKeGHnY-5QE82coJYagullXrbcGLMz3u-6zegSJRa1tXwOR1MGUj8HYQrMzb-k0/s1600/I_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvFNO8IpDadPeF_aEvoyQflMyJYr81hHl7MqTpUvaKH4nbaYFidQLdnnnjDYY2L4SZ9ytbIP58lE5yKeGHnY-5QE82coJYagullXrbcGLMz3u-6zegSJRa1tXwOR1MGUj8HYQrMzb-k0/s320/I_1055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cue ugly cry face that was relentless about allowing me to regain my composure. I looked to the hubby, and he too was in tears. I was at a lost. I just wanted to run to where my aunt was sitting, hug and hold onto her while I cried a river, and no longer cared if it ruined my makeup.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkKzdGQ-8BiAgdfXZRIEd0-9KmA5vqnhclOjCRktXi6ps4dkw-yrnr6s3qQxZj2_F0n6cGRIDpVb1QPPd3U9MIMJTtaHLUXEGE_m3jBzDvNpIsOiAwpR1cJzgQqCHc2d0cfhFPiNCUKc/s1600/I_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkKzdGQ-8BiAgdfXZRIEd0-9KmA5vqnhclOjCRktXi6ps4dkw-yrnr6s3qQxZj2_F0n6cGRIDpVb1QPPd3U9MIMJTtaHLUXEGE_m3jBzDvNpIsOiAwpR1cJzgQqCHc2d0cfhFPiNCUKc/s320/I_1062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a few moments of subtle cry heaving and gasping, Hany looked at me and mouthed the words "Shake it like it's hot! Shake it like it's hot!" to get me to smile through my teary eyes and re-poise myself. Thanks Hany Bany! To round up my side of the family were the grandparents of my cousins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIMJedeNCuJZWqtLOF6C_Yq_N_HYk7ZeNZ31rcQ83aPktQa2lt1d0ir4QpUn6O71nSVSaEG104KXnYDeT1pqSBFZ_2msuAaL5T5URKNgZ5JCzUXARl-nzhoIg3IoW9VqpT3kCCAyhMo8/s1600/I_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIMJedeNCuJZWqtLOF6C_Yq_N_HYk7ZeNZ31rcQ83aPktQa2lt1d0ir4QpUn6O71nSVSaEG104KXnYDeT1pqSBFZ_2msuAaL5T5URKNgZ5JCzUXARl-nzhoIg3IoW9VqpT3kCCAyhMo8/s320/I_1069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not missing a beat, our Best Man, Lydar, took to the mic to be the MC for the groom's side of the family. Up first, Lydar's parents! Coincident? Nah. Uncle Bo is the eldest sibling on the hubby's mom side, therefore, he's up first!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlhQ51l_roq_jlKOt2nBrXnovb7t06utKf1iTIChJxhXCj7dim6cVdxj027YDys5PHXh76OjvKJRI5OR5gGAv_ufST_c_QMZzH9rPF2C2w6fRynr8zqTrUPOJGqk5xyEuW3TIOgExkU4/s1600/I_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlhQ51l_roq_jlKOt2nBrXnovb7t06utKf1iTIChJxhXCj7dim6cVdxj027YDys5PHXh76OjvKJRI5OR5gGAv_ufST_c_QMZzH9rPF2C2w6fRynr8zqTrUPOJGqk5xyEuW3TIOgExkU4/s320/I_1078.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Followed by Aunt Leigh and Uncle Mark. The hubby (I can say hubby now!) and I used to visit their kids all the time, and they adored us! They moved 2 hours away about 2 years ago and we miss seeing them around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0iOIl1u4cAof5xE6R6ARsrwmcxylQ137A7mmWLq3aOJ1IfAXPQ4BSN_VAQSt-mf0p3ftVuVvDcAqoq6FEPJUQBFTjk8v5icdwdDX9G_x__I0dn9WAF_9rxmGa93-4SLI7_m6EtBeiwA/s1600/I_1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0iOIl1u4cAof5xE6R6ARsrwmcxylQ137A7mmWLq3aOJ1IfAXPQ4BSN_VAQSt-mf0p3ftVuVvDcAqoq6FEPJUQBFTjk8v5icdwdDX9G_x__I0dn9WAF_9rxmGa93-4SLI7_m6EtBeiwA/s320/I_1087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aunt Ky and Uncle Bo with his wife followed in suit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_7o77TsPScR5kJ_KwKC1ytcqWagxAdMrcMQe7x7-GBw9d0gHkDmxTcq9EUcfuw3KsBjaVH6FAkhEihRKAPw6yLfNXx3Xe2p2hsW12vUKuiIxrueVHYpcpgYoBTAulitJUgCTxxeIwu0/s320/I_1093.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG2TfzL94um_ef6nZ1Cik3yrhpfh4qzp0cAChntZqaLoYs_mqZZwP4xn76j8aezOF8BB9jlKxJRCIEqa5ZZrchXJwJWx5dS-SXwmeOmQUTFF4V2hTRZGI0oE8u5hOOp3NBMOLUy0FF1E/s1600/I_1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG2TfzL94um_ef6nZ1Cik3yrhpfh4qzp0cAChntZqaLoYs_mqZZwP4xn76j8aezOF8BB9jlKxJRCIEqa5ZZrchXJwJWx5dS-SXwmeOmQUTFF4V2hTRZGI0oE8u5hOOp3NBMOLUy0FF1E/s320/I_1099.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Grandma Lay is one strong momma y'all! Mentally and physically! She still resides at home and cooks delicious meals. When she knows we're coming to visit, she ensures I walk home with 2lbs worth of leek dumplings, even though she knows her grandson doesn't eat a single one. Love her!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZz0uVJpnQ55PFBdU6jcY04eAe3YyHoYsx8JIRk_K3PTcE5UnPiJUh79YXhRLdRIKyErhfYXD6j-YhnpDpimLvpCy0MT4tlUJyfPvZILmOgguldV-Likwgs4JlSE05mG_4NHwLeDC1mQ/s1600/I_1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZz0uVJpnQ55PFBdU6jcY04eAe3YyHoYsx8JIRk_K3PTcE5UnPiJUh79YXhRLdRIKyErhfYXD6j-YhnpDpimLvpCy0MT4tlUJyfPvZILmOgguldV-Likwgs4JlSE05mG_4NHwLeDC1mQ/s320/I_1116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To wrap up the tea ceremony was the hubby's older brother and his wife. Our adorable nephew let us know he was in control of this bad boy and dictated the order of events!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFQ9PBPgSySf4mg6mYnP42fjOyY0jKJVEim9J3-CgzIdq5T3rFzamtBJR1H32P41rudaX0M9ZpoCH-fkXTD55h5mP3ejvqk9NWiY-PmWyO61IFbtq2HbdN9PRcGOlsGNbelX3A28unnw/s320/I_1121.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hubby and his nephew have a bond like no other. We live 2 hours away from our nephew also, therefore, our visits are far and few. It's amazing no matter how much time elapses between visits since William was a newborn, he <em>always</em> remembers Uncle Sothea. Aunt Alice is a different story...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI6ZXHCCgwVBm5veiKEWGQdDZrJUdZcnL036c7xxnqTpt6ZtKiWzDyi3knAZpqCs7dwI4SA19Cv00-UjaPMoT3PSv5G2ubckD5hoQQXcFltPmctg31o5QaW52d5swiuJB6_kOFG-fcJA/s1600/I_1128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI6ZXHCCgwVBm5veiKEWGQdDZrJUdZcnL036c7xxnqTpt6ZtKiWzDyi3knAZpqCs7dwI4SA19Cv00-UjaPMoT3PSv5G2ubckD5hoQQXcFltPmctg31o5QaW52d5swiuJB6_kOFG-fcJA/s320/I_1128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With all formalities of the wedding complete, it was papparazzi time with friends, family, and our bridal party to get the party started!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photos above were taken by <a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/">Colorband PhotoArtisans</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-58657982443706641102011-09-15T10:14:00.000-07:002011-09-15T10:14:18.834-07:00Always & Forever: The Show Must Go On!After the officiant welcomed our friends and family, it was time for my father to kiss his little girl and hand me over to Sothea. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VpY6zK46hiNFwOpXmhrutoAhw6BsS_-wi95gPjRr4cqzNnUtX-rsJVBtOsgf1F4otdwQrvo2IGrfZeQ0dQaUxHjtuAq6DQLMFT7Hn4HS1B7m6VCoMR9vAVzWwRE6IbjVjZ-mzc4orfU/s1600/I_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VpY6zK46hiNFwOpXmhrutoAhw6BsS_-wi95gPjRr4cqzNnUtX-rsJVBtOsgf1F4otdwQrvo2IGrfZeQ0dQaUxHjtuAq6DQLMFT7Hn4HS1B7m6VCoMR9vAVzWwRE6IbjVjZ-mzc4orfU/s320/I_0820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Daddy exchanged a few words with his soon to be son-in-law and confidently handed me over. As no other man could love or care for his daughter as much as Sothea did.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKqe5nUbQ_bFKbOv45_BJ-9X9hMqjXFzGzOB7UdEyhnKPj4jp5idbPGiW05Amx3-fWVQMl3-weBgMD3P5MnGZJ9GqpDTKYPJJ7JZ2-KZfPYG3Wnw1M-tAQZ1bEULCDM85Ru7qB_hX9P0/s320/I_0823.jpg" width="320" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1FnXysZO6FMJBuOXkq5kwyLANfETVF7tmpUO7LQ6Dgc70B9csIHgl5gmh-QoItU1Wzl_duKA-o3qz9R9O2Tdi7Ib0JtxIpQokefmp8YxxqGpttN53uxNQG_t9PhygMsbCP4BkPBKkxs/s1600/I_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1FnXysZO6FMJBuOXkq5kwyLANfETVF7tmpUO7LQ6Dgc70B9csIHgl5gmh-QoItU1Wzl_duKA-o3qz9R9O2Tdi7Ib0JtxIpQokefmp8YxxqGpttN53uxNQG_t9PhygMsbCP4BkPBKkxs/s320/I_0827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Completely in his hands, I handed my bouquet over to my MOH and made our way onto the stage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqoDh1wUH5Lvy6wkA2ngxqdx3c1PYXmkHjs9lV09Br5dGKHQarZlKNVVV920O0tTDuw8K9wahK_vLJMIVmmoB845g1zWmPOgBivhHvo3tgqrWjXUAnItVmxNjbbkmMdJ-rBLh1nLUlr0/s1600/I_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqoDh1wUH5Lvy6wkA2ngxqdx3c1PYXmkHjs9lV09Br5dGKHQarZlKNVVV920O0tTDuw8K9wahK_vLJMIVmmoB845g1zWmPOgBivhHvo3tgqrWjXUAnItVmxNjbbkmMdJ-rBLh1nLUlr0/s320/I_0836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Properly in place upon the stage, tears were quickly replaced with laughter. And lots of it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVAEjFfO52uMAMpLG7AInKhEH1TYjNoE5ujLtQBiInNwSr1Ijrn3-HULQmBQRPsN47yuoW2TQlpsK4V3TaFxL3tNMcINELz9Bk4WdVwn2seAZlMVBeYjhQSsBPevkSWibbHCYiGtRyOA/s1600/I_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVAEjFfO52uMAMpLG7AInKhEH1TYjNoE5ujLtQBiInNwSr1Ijrn3-HULQmBQRPsN47yuoW2TQlpsK4V3TaFxL3tNMcINELz9Bk4WdVwn2seAZlMVBeYjhQSsBPevkSWibbHCYiGtRyOA/s320/I_0828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a serious matter at hand. Marriage. So we re-composed ourselves like the mature adults we are and proceeded as rehearsed. The officiant first explained the foundation of marriage. Marriage is a chance to fulfill life long dreams and an opportunity for great personal and spiritual growth which will endure the aging of trends and fads. Marriage is bring sadness. Apprehension. And sometime pure relief! It is something to be nurtured and cared for, protected and cherished, challenged and strengthened - together.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLHUuN1LaWQ5QPI2W6plBCnWGMqpAKXR9NUYRH12JEHRaxr6JcgBhUL50ChYlApfC7hnq2pn7Ps1nA2RcS0FGVyRACIWRJgy51-0nM7wPKa1g6yi4HtvGAkOFi-f7T-Y0MLtL9XZX2k4/s1600/I_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLHUuN1LaWQ5QPI2W6plBCnWGMqpAKXR9NUYRH12JEHRaxr6JcgBhUL50ChYlApfC7hnq2pn7Ps1nA2RcS0FGVyRACIWRJgy51-0nM7wPKa1g6yi4HtvGAkOFi-f7T-Y0MLtL9XZX2k4/s320/I_0846.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Proceeding the Foundation of Marriage was the Hands Ceremony. With my hands on his with our palms up, the officiant read powerful words of so such love and devotion in something so simple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em> <span style="font-size: x-small;">"</span></em><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7srBVG160UmRWtBHG8fu3jT2kon4WWPanpKiBpC3qsEiv7-nS_DoxPniKYvILa1znogV9D08e_ijFJ67z9WOAwMEEXUALXTwTRmLqdO9shAOupK4LkA-htaOM4sNAXVCs8DiVuSkwbEA/s1600/I_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7srBVG160UmRWtBHG8fu3jT2kon4WWPanpKiBpC3qsEiv7-nS_DoxPniKYvILa1znogV9D08e_ijFJ67z9WOAwMEEXUALXTwTRmLqdO9shAOupK4LkA-htaOM4sNAXVCs8DiVuSkwbEA/s320/I_0856.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> Commence more tear wells building up in Sothea's eyes. Apparently, not everyone was as emotional as we were...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwC71c3ELL7IZLTCicRLjGE1kpLJjBSycGGjsd_6AQmi7bw2CG3aMMfq27tMXK5H_4KMMH-ozd62iS-zdlsSvxUC67bZIUQGRPiVDnAbmh3bU5EUEAiq7ipWUoNcahI_zUCuJMLRTqBbU/s1600/I_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwC71c3ELL7IZLTCicRLjGE1kpLJjBSycGGjsd_6AQmi7bw2CG3aMMfq27tMXK5H_4KMMH-ozd62iS-zdlsSvxUC67bZIUQGRPiVDnAbmh3bU5EUEAiq7ipWUoNcahI_zUCuJMLRTqBbU/s320/I_0864.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
During our ceremony, we also wanted to honor and thank our parents for all that they have done (and put up) for us. Without hesitation, we knew just exactly how to tell our parents everything our hearts wanted to say, yet no words would ever suffice. The tea ceremony. I knew my parents yearned for this moment and I wasn't going to deprive them of it. While we modernized this by not kneeling nor donning traditional Chinese outfits, my parents were grateful of this inclusion. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPM2SBQExPmvdbAeTxBEFMDYCurQB6ZrWTzoml6hpurW1xxAvXB2FxevYsisBmomhaFm-Uyc1yg9_LEM0pJdCCkUxyBVVM39E8ax2blPvQZFeNYOuKxT9EURasvPs3_-JRrNG2kz6d8g/s320/I_0877.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwB3hf_AqJUWNdTeL64ufWxgGg8ve_92cMXO58cRrSsh9w1Q703P-LrR7DadM9CJGmeqRWx2a1cIocPb1rFcpZ3Hn5JkXHIpcb7tKj5smvzeXws9U0yJMxwiSB5Z5naAG8cglhn6DwSA/s1600/I_0883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwB3hf_AqJUWNdTeL64ufWxgGg8ve_92cMXO58cRrSsh9w1Q703P-LrR7DadM9CJGmeqRWx2a1cIocPb1rFcpZ3Hn5JkXHIpcb7tKj5smvzeXws9U0yJMxwiSB5Z5naAG8cglhn6DwSA/s320/I_0883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To ensure we weren't disrespecting our other elders, the officiant announced that we would do another tea ceremony at the conclusion of this ceremony for the bride and groom's family members. After respectively and honorably serving our parents tea, we made our way back on stage to exchange vows and rings. And where more laughter ensued. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH8Un_c9wnpnhgYJocoxW7qo3BjpdxyFuFIRF1kyovUBpCFy2v7HGfFK0yNcirfO2-5infT52HrL5AOldHeeFJVhPxpstlxZhGAek429ZL9LjbqJlPxev40A9kW8Eak3n2JA87sag43w/s1600/I_0904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH8Un_c9wnpnhgYJocoxW7qo3BjpdxyFuFIRF1kyovUBpCFy2v7HGfFK0yNcirfO2-5infT52HrL5AOldHeeFJVhPxpstlxZhGAek429ZL9LjbqJlPxev40A9kW8Eak3n2JA87sag43w/s320/I_0904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And more re-composure was needed. The officiant continued without hesitation to explain the importance of our wedding rings. "<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em>Without beginning or end and with no point of weakness, the circle is a reminder of the eternal quality of God and of unending strength. Let the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of your endless love."</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sothea placed my wedding band half way up my ring finger to where my first knuckle resided and was told to listen intently. <em>"<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you promise God, Alice and all of us here that from this point forward, your arms may be her shelter and your heart may be her guide? Do you promise to support her and nourish her and to love and respect and honor her for the rest of your days on earth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so please answer “I do.”</span></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9F76lWgBZWLGTsIngV6UVoNUhR9tbeU84p_yqnERA0phs09A5a5zTdslDPlBXmy1myC5yvz5C_q1MOjH3hkjsIprC3gy0rV2ZoY4_qTahURQveNrYd3ZesRWLnXWb2RIJE4hjH3xkY7Y/s1600/I_0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9F76lWgBZWLGTsIngV6UVoNUhR9tbeU84p_yqnERA0phs09A5a5zTdslDPlBXmy1myC5yvz5C_q1MOjH3hkjsIprC3gy0rV2ZoY4_qTahURQveNrYd3ZesRWLnXWb2RIJE4hjH3xkY7Y/s320/I_0918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With his "I do", he slid the ring the rest of the way onto my finger. It was my turn to place his wedding band half way up his ring finger and to listen intently to the officiant's words. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52uO1XV69vgJ_oREn1sOQ8aOQmXhe5Oqj-zia8b362DJqneCpezeyvHAJzWR4ZxIISHXudrWoyTqAxyZgbVbibZNsez4TVfmzt8FJ5TaeMHoqLXsXMHs8_USC0qyIJO1LLfQnA4UiVCo/s1600/I_0920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52uO1XV69vgJ_oREn1sOQ8aOQmXhe5Oqj-zia8b362DJqneCpezeyvHAJzWR4ZxIISHXudrWoyTqAxyZgbVbibZNsez4TVfmzt8FJ5TaeMHoqLXsXMHs8_USC0qyIJO1LLfQnA4UiVCo/s320/I_0920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With my promise of "I Do", I too slid Sothea's wedding band the rest of the way onto his finger. He was officially <em>mine</em>. Someone else was just as excited as I was too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh471j-tzEcwf4kqBZMtRJzece5Um_njCUZ8nBAgSdhV5ubdsDoafGnAFxoyRZme9vCWUqIpSFaTReejGh3c4mi8nmSC38jgOezzpu2vjgbDn-cygk0blMQpKDkvCDn55VgVyA4mpe4RfI/s1600/I_0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh471j-tzEcwf4kqBZMtRJzece5Um_njCUZ8nBAgSdhV5ubdsDoafGnAFxoyRZme9vCWUqIpSFaTReejGh3c4mi8nmSC38jgOezzpu2vjgbDn-cygk0blMQpKDkvCDn55VgVyA4mpe4RfI/s320/I_0937.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>With the exchange of vows and rings complete, there was only one final important manner left in hand unfinished that <em>everybody </em>looks forward to at a wedding ceremony...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GeEp-LiuM3sCvDl-9Wbur_nOLObv3Lz2hMZXEglRhQ2qRsqc0aNf6nURsUO9UFgNy0Q6x3McrQeB_UsWYGUme676J0yYzD5yxmoybmRNctJ7N3F-jQT1PGh5v8lVu_aL3yjEZEISO3I/s1600/I_0944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GeEp-LiuM3sCvDl-9Wbur_nOLObv3Lz2hMZXEglRhQ2qRsqc0aNf6nURsUO9UFgNy0Q6x3McrQeB_UsWYGUme676J0yYzD5yxmoybmRNctJ7N3F-jQT1PGh5v8lVu_aL3yjEZEISO3I/s320/I_0944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>More laughter, of course! No?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4ABC9KTz4tPdIVDWwH7TY7IUDPKiARGVKez6Y9WpavJXKikSk-FVAsyUOVabaBcttwjfQKGk2hAiE0WkTQzkH6H3mdggFgK4yRzUDVdwbADz8IcUb1I_EMIkJpmlXXvkjjTxMVKIoeA/s1600/I_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4ABC9KTz4tPdIVDWwH7TY7IUDPKiARGVKez6Y9WpavJXKikSk-FVAsyUOVabaBcttwjfQKGk2hAiE0WkTQzkH6H3mdggFgK4yRzUDVdwbADz8IcUb1I_EMIkJpmlXXvkjjTxMVKIoeA/s320/I_0947.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Oh! You meant the action following the announcement of, "I now pronounce you, Man and Wife. You may kiss, the bride!" We did that too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAW9M6AIF0q0fJ5OB7GH52MAwh06E-906j5iaP6TGircQSQCBjPXYdqFaOLiCgJffqL1OrFGg8C_EieK4pcs1CWoi-UEu68zb8-dLkakZubef8UEU5ckYaMBBEwMtCLTLMWDwgil1pdg/s1600/I_0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAW9M6AIF0q0fJ5OB7GH52MAwh06E-906j5iaP6TGircQSQCBjPXYdqFaOLiCgJffqL1OrFGg8C_EieK4pcs1CWoi-UEu68zb8-dLkakZubef8UEU5ckYaMBBEwMtCLTLMWDwgil1pdg/s320/I_0948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With much enthusiasm, cheers and applause rounding up in the Peacock Terrace, the Officiant pronounced us Mr. & Mrs. L.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KRfWugJqbvRgamR2OqPALlmQ5g_fValYdEVUkBYJd8BeBY6LIPp-lZPnlE6fWxHXEfKwDz2BretfH4ZXHX-ywakGLjdMQSxDkKngC849gE3Xgv0BXiBQV1J3Bf-DSznhhsU5FzKgp88/s1600/I_0955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KRfWugJqbvRgamR2OqPALlmQ5g_fValYdEVUkBYJd8BeBY6LIPp-lZPnlE6fWxHXEfKwDz2BretfH4ZXHX-ywakGLjdMQSxDkKngC849gE3Xgv0BXiBQV1J3Bf-DSznhhsU5FzKgp88/s320/I_0955.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>During the recessional, all I could think about was "Eeeeep!! I'm a wifey and a Mrs!! I have a hubby!!!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiD6Bg9G4d9j8kmH9-RzX_8cnKFNgKbl8URSOe2mPMjFR0FPZpv-gWGTSEe6DZ18tXn7iJ6sinp2eiFqHhlkwtcqxPRbdDH_TDwNG6cjvBzd0DEkS8yi16GU0rDbI2dJGgRIA3IXHp_Q/s320/I_0961.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO19XSZ_Yu6AiyFZQ4Vm3RH_4aAHARds3cvcePZjMG4gAONwzib6Nxl0Ar0ZAu82m8staYsdP6DQrUigD-y7qnIR7-O_CRzrg13WQ9-Sr1eVifBGHPeXtR-64LS95j61Ne_wR6oUSyJIs/s320/I_0966.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLhexR8zHFmgk9Um83FyGzQDMY6GeLkjNiRGu9K-hAI6Y3uZ161oq_XFOHvE8ntHPgLs77PjSLSn1uOye8jKIoqM4GIZeWJnLcfUs_fZ3k28aS58fkuJzVZgVvHPOaWQOlwVm1ZfAL5c/s320/I_0972.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6-_C-BzQJngBVRlc1UKPv1q5AeZEpLxKIDq1jy-Fyn4HoW6gS69ZT4Raq-ZLftVXe9gcE9f84Kt_pD8g3Hp0-hL9-dDeMx6oKWl-SVToQ_93uIXKoJlkZCMFpNW7gg3t1b7PIAk9JcY/s1600/I_0973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6-_C-BzQJngBVRlc1UKPv1q5AeZEpLxKIDq1jy-Fyn4HoW6gS69ZT4Raq-ZLftVXe9gcE9f84Kt_pD8g3Hp0-hL9-dDeMx6oKWl-SVToQ_93uIXKoJlkZCMFpNW7gg3t1b7PIAk9JcY/s320/I_0973.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span> I'm a wedded woman!! WOO-HOO!!!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photos above were taken by <a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/">Colorband PhotoArtisan</a>.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> The ceremony was officiated by Marty Younkin of <a href="http://www.lovenotesweddings.com/">Love Notes Wedding</a>.</span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-4913076516743246942011-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:002011-09-14T08:00:00.457-07:00Always & Forever: The Walk of a LifetimeAs the final guests were signing our guestbook with love, advice, and funny messages<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7MkwAesbjF3lSylib26zcur4Ktuqs2ZF1yPVUnuK9JI-NWRjqMYZjaRSG4BMXw3i_MymFSAfCzx_ZNQdXQytTTcschRhkE6Vn_KvHnWGDH3IU-dJQdslDC9OA5u3Z-ukwcOttPcEB0s/s1600/I_0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7MkwAesbjF3lSylib26zcur4Ktuqs2ZF1yPVUnuK9JI-NWRjqMYZjaRSG4BMXw3i_MymFSAfCzx_ZNQdXQytTTcschRhkE6Vn_KvHnWGDH3IU-dJQdslDC9OA5u3Z-ukwcOttPcEB0s/s320/I_0703.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>and finding their seats,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-Wr6HxR7CNOyVOHSnYjts6YBpJMd0Au3QtiyQ_2Q_vr1In_Fc5n7MyXyqNj_i4IKm1kE4qKhzZkSwC3kbRYSj9zrcw7swpsQ8Qg0KKeR-jWFpmSB9GViQ8Kpl_sUiDA5Qsn8IBFX2Kw/s1600/I_0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-Wr6HxR7CNOyVOHSnYjts6YBpJMd0Au3QtiyQ_2Q_vr1In_Fc5n7MyXyqNj_i4IKm1kE4qKhzZkSwC3kbRYSj9zrcw7swpsQ8Qg0KKeR-jWFpmSB9GViQ8Kpl_sUiDA5Qsn8IBFX2Kw/s320/I_0711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
the ladies and I made the exciting trek to our hiding quarters to make me a married woman.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwhnSqPfpYi02NEDbQ1utpuSYM_4OPUKrg_3_ZJlQ1cHa3xlYCl5aCSE209OBd7EBfEGXIUt59tK3lzabzA_GWDkgK4d4PYU06Or9jI8bUndm-WxghUeDKGWjw8KYQ4JGwUVw2Qt6cP4/s1600/I_0729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwhnSqPfpYi02NEDbQ1utpuSYM_4OPUKrg_3_ZJlQ1cHa3xlYCl5aCSE209OBd7EBfEGXIUt59tK3lzabzA_GWDkgK4d4PYU06Or9jI8bUndm-WxghUeDKGWjw8KYQ4JGwUVw2Qt6cP4/s320/I_0729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My dad and I anxiously waited and secretly peered into the Peacock Terrace to get a glimpse of the ceremony site and all our friends and family since we have yet to see it all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkhm2TcY5_si30drYBPJNrco0h5xn5_jTHYfHfONj9R8V1sPmcK4am_pkq_mwlL_oPCE4uRGj_eyPQ2dDKcfBqy4f9If7duMkFi32x8QEZOSSC79TnIeAcPwFWfZ2mBIuUxR46u6kPYw/s320/I_0736.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeW0kHkkJWCBDXjRAoxcGm_Z6EzX8Ij9tc_n6Qh8Jjn43YCPFP6z0n591ZT7yhJL7iXIxecm40W8NdwTOAY8b_tmau349RTz66QfdCH-4pz5jy95GCYV2pddX174hf1xgNA_MtgiD_fI/s1600/I_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeW0kHkkJWCBDXjRAoxcGm_Z6EzX8Ij9tc_n6Qh8Jjn43YCPFP6z0n591ZT7yhJL7iXIxecm40W8NdwTOAY8b_tmau349RTz66QfdCH-4pz5jy95GCYV2pddX174hf1xgNA_MtgiD_fI/s320/I_0742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly thereafter, the pianist struck his first chord of Claire De Lune to announce that the ceremony was commencing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGF4l9wL1Re0tStzD9AHPLB6Mb7yyrADbmmYKRHK-Rd0kqdTq1s7BRKZnjlTypwsEAv7e3AMqkleXONwucqUggb-dDV7K5GnwDgx3cXzovyLxdm0aYFW019wgo3_nGlloYuGA_38tKoM/s1600/I_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGF4l9wL1Re0tStzD9AHPLB6Mb7yyrADbmmYKRHK-Rd0kqdTq1s7BRKZnjlTypwsEAv7e3AMqkleXONwucqUggb-dDV7K5GnwDgx3cXzovyLxdm0aYFW019wgo3_nGlloYuGA_38tKoM/s320/I_0744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First in the processional was the soon (like a few minutes away soon - eep!)-to-be hubby's grandmother escorted by a really close family friend that we consider as a cousin any way, Hak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-avy1roPpW1xggq_XS4Fg1due3rChYvkxtmyJQyqJQjk3VV7BBuMQXow84Yqu5yHQ4e_sysL1Tz6TykYsYl2gny-kZOmtJ-2B158Jg78NphLbIr_004xCCqht6obaSOvl23jwrm4yKB0/s1600/I_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-avy1roPpW1xggq_XS4Fg1due3rChYvkxtmyJQyqJQjk3VV7BBuMQXow84Yqu5yHQ4e_sysL1Tz6TykYsYl2gny-kZOmtJ-2B158Jg78NphLbIr_004xCCqht6obaSOvl23jwrm4yKB0/s320/I_0752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Followed by the groom's parents.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2j6r2wWieDj4KyDcN8f9UVM6nL0xoGG05a7zW40D_iBLLGb7igLRq8cfpy5ZMi9dz1ANvFBxJCNjm9rZ_TDRYfnkH6EkKIm6cvP7YeluWGLIrdl_jzG3iNzv1tOfNlBfn1jwY-AaZIg/s1600/I_0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2j6r2wWieDj4KyDcN8f9UVM6nL0xoGG05a7zW40D_iBLLGb7igLRq8cfpy5ZMi9dz1ANvFBxJCNjm9rZ_TDRYfnkH6EkKIm6cvP7YeluWGLIrdl_jzG3iNzv1tOfNlBfn1jwY-AaZIg/s320/I_0755.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then concluding the parental processional was my mother escorted by my cousin, Derek.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocmGAnDbMSZdqE-m0aYcSMArEH1MZSNFMVQNL-Nnu0_vfVWGApw8gJlcEfP4J_0j2t3K5MjhM2kjVNGte40B-g3i8fbsCYIy40P7aV9rTQZXj5-_MXcHOru2kD2abk9O1J2y1HaM1SXU/s1600/I_0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocmGAnDbMSZdqE-m0aYcSMArEH1MZSNFMVQNL-Nnu0_vfVWGApw8gJlcEfP4J_0j2t3K5MjhM2kjVNGte40B-g3i8fbsCYIy40P7aV9rTQZXj5-_MXcHOru2kD2abk9O1J2y1HaM1SXU/s320/I_0758.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The officiant took his place on stage as a brief pause in the processional allowing the parents to get situated in their seat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj5lG7J0fbGZ9_YCuaWWyXahpq_bTlkL-Ef7BbAQUANfq-PLigpFcygcERI4KYcuarXLI78TZFTohJZ42-XRu-JQENLbrr9kieBZ3Ef2thoUwPhDNQYmRZ4xcpotqye3-_yvGI_kDK6o/s320/I_0761.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNpTNulIrY-NZELX6K_LkJeLJ7Q156ZWiIBGKsRVHVx0-rbax6RkjT2KDDLZXtS1sRIfydpygGWnuN6Vss8tpInjHVUQsJ-LhCmU8-GCkaVSnjOCpzQWJ_stBBW36mbQVuTIdoyOkZIs/s1600/I_0763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNpTNulIrY-NZELX6K_LkJeLJ7Q156ZWiIBGKsRVHVx0-rbax6RkjT2KDDLZXtS1sRIfydpygGWnuN6Vss8tpInjHVUQsJ-LhCmU8-GCkaVSnjOCpzQWJ_stBBW36mbQVuTIdoyOkZIs/s320/I_0763.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Moments later, the groom and groomsmen promptly filed out to join the officiant and take their place at the stage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6fYnwxfysYquuanIprd77bRXMgljZom8lGY1BdSB4VC_9hrVgDVBCgqmlB8syBbNZyU3VaIljJyCD8HUMVBgk1gMWTNXVy0uaFt00tXZsEZ2lkjIWsR8nuRGrQEvycIL1ku9N8uJ_WY/s1600/I_0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6fYnwxfysYquuanIprd77bRXMgljZom8lGY1BdSB4VC_9hrVgDVBCgqmlB8syBbNZyU3VaIljJyCD8HUMVBgk1gMWTNXVy0uaFt00tXZsEZ2lkjIWsR8nuRGrQEvycIL1ku9N8uJ_WY/s320/I_0765.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A change in tune signified the bridesmaids were to be introduced followed by the ring bearer and the flower girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRYdZw9U37qfv1QO3XYcpz0PFK5DSJaG5vCbHeXKm0a3PcaDAZsw3BpEpznq_NS5beSYVJSsFp9Sk5YZ_ZIBBXBJEvgODkBw8oI5wQsc3sw0IfZLuA0n8q2mLPohTfzKY5L7qmpIhFfw/s320/I_0766.jpg" width="213" /> <img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ARZTIwQn7Ve4ZQ8mZuoHKuvMQfpIF1Ujx5GuzrdI-tMEPyB8EgE7SJZBFdSHqj3lY_ogtndCsRftS6q1v2dhuo9-d7SX5Vw_dLdOuf7KSKKIKon0hocrnXcPRcm3ddIlj1kNFlkhrJw/s320/I_0767.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48bEo8eiaOCXz3exHrdADUKtedIowDB5E21XEhX6EuW_jGQ4TyzfBj5hyphenhyphenl4rLV5jUiI7hGiFz-cUKbwuSn4fVqfgKBUaqQsZ7FC1-AWOpD6fJjuOL-wJyKwQbd1g8TTCTnLL_VUy0_6M/s320/I_0777.jpg" width="213" /> <img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bZR8MxC4aWx0ov7cPyjBk9k1OhqTeA8Z58k8q5lGY03OcOQ4fd5Bs2QxXpoYkONqQBZjt8LoRTX1Av8HHDRh-kXflgblssqpDZd0-i0JhzOPqbWr5w6GrKxqF9fwbAq3loioJ5aSSw4/s320/I_0784.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One final tune change to Canon in D meant I was up next. Another deep breath and a nervous comment to my dad, "Are you ready?" which was meant more for me, my father and his mini me linked arms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOygItum13S_bQJMCg5HqyfRHilljkOIsCvVlQsneqaHlnghL4vZLkd__M7EDwRc8IVu2-jP60jU7mKncVlvb9mhNHli9f_SlL0S2j3uZwi6EpXxBiemgc8K_zxfSDZOZd2sSrmzLrEng/s1600/I_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOygItum13S_bQJMCg5HqyfRHilljkOIsCvVlQsneqaHlnghL4vZLkd__M7EDwRc8IVu2-jP60jU7mKncVlvb9mhNHli9f_SlL0S2j3uZwi6EpXxBiemgc8K_zxfSDZOZd2sSrmzLrEng/s320/I_0792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">to take the first step towards the walk of our lifetime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pr-bmvEAaLk_etGzuz7WP0OVstDb9B2Eq8jrggUwSIrwvRqaa2bVzOqPJEM9hSPPn6JTahggLA4cQGTlA-ubfVLO8iCPM7FtpwFZSp582bprFDm8tL15gE_mrHwlFBKqN_WsM5D4kR0/s1600/I_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pr-bmvEAaLk_etGzuz7WP0OVstDb9B2Eq8jrggUwSIrwvRqaa2bVzOqPJEM9hSPPn6JTahggLA4cQGTlA-ubfVLO8iCPM7FtpwFZSp582bprFDm8tL15gE_mrHwlFBKqN_WsM5D4kR0/s320/I_0793.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Down a wedding aisle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKKYW_GfeqZdxBCY1TIwxoKS2pzOm2GCg7nxhDjhYcf8Q8UvijrvurTeYTggeE7HcL3IXQK44c7g4PprvBqZIWxth08HJdhhkC9BEp2Ad_tg4-5o1nHtbPN34KlbBS174F2sPdqcu2qk/s1600/I_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKKYW_GfeqZdxBCY1TIwxoKS2pzOm2GCg7nxhDjhYcf8Q8UvijrvurTeYTggeE7HcL3IXQK44c7g4PprvBqZIWxth08HJdhhkC9BEp2Ad_tg4-5o1nHtbPN34KlbBS174F2sPdqcu2qk/s320/I_0796.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adorned with all the people who have made and continue to make a lasting impression and impact on our lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-76_lQFEOHCCM4Y7ci3kp8K7zJIRjYH5pS8l7mD5bFmFsG-fo1de392Hhphw2Px9aZjP74Voav8FlDQOr1nK8s0QedqO7f11uCDmcUBRo8KaTgCQy1GcNzTKY0guhQD5DizAPlXSkSHI/s1600/I_0798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-76_lQFEOHCCM4Y7ci3kp8K7zJIRjYH5pS8l7mD5bFmFsG-fo1de392Hhphw2Px9aZjP74Voav8FlDQOr1nK8s0QedqO7f11uCDmcUBRo8KaTgCQy1GcNzTKY0guhQD5DizAPlXSkSHI/s320/I_0798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we reached the end of the aisle to join our officiant and bridal party,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DN7pk-9EeG7zK2ZZTe89UU7bVpa1tg-OVQFwCpk63N9YQywSFNGQ5q-PFd_ZBYnrBrnEuCdCKwqOcGe7dordxpKom3d5CYzLv2Blp9BIWAT1CyOTLuzA8tWv_i7mUBCCLe1KWbXHvCg/s1600/I_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DN7pk-9EeG7zK2ZZTe89UU7bVpa1tg-OVQFwCpk63N9YQywSFNGQ5q-PFd_ZBYnrBrnEuCdCKwqOcGe7dordxpKom3d5CYzLv2Blp9BIWAT1CyOTLuzA8tWv_i7mUBCCLe1KWbXHvCg/s320/I_0803.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I looked at my soon to hubby and saw this expression.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAWHrQwgM8NjMrYG-TFy4NNaoqT7yHTSus4JDG6uUu_fkh15JtJC_7I1wXwPRzvkVFdnPwY3FAc6POsVlffQBCslKFD4FC450rKm0GN49_8i5YdABNDV8vNNQBut5I7EMk1qZMK4IKQ0/s1600/I_0794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAWHrQwgM8NjMrYG-TFy4NNaoqT7yHTSus4JDG6uUu_fkh15JtJC_7I1wXwPRzvkVFdnPwY3FAc6POsVlffQBCslKFD4FC450rKm0GN49_8i5YdABNDV8vNNQBut5I7EMk1qZMK4IKQ0/s320/I_0794.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He had tears building up in his eyes that were promising to come streaming down his face on demand. I looked towards my bridesmaid for support to fight the ugly cry face, but was only greeted with more tears and sniffles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd8J_dWzhXEg3Ra0WexobFsjskFOAriceLQkMZt_Ok3x8N5woR9X2xdBrxYSx4t93vtjRCszwdoNHfU0WotjH8y-er9yIv9mDhOek272hQa3fWxRBYN66StfcBI3Zk9ztZP898YbTsqI/s1600/I_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd8J_dWzhXEg3Ra0WexobFsjskFOAriceLQkMZt_Ok3x8N5woR9X2xdBrxYSx4t93vtjRCszwdoNHfU0WotjH8y-er9yIv9mDhOek272hQa3fWxRBYN66StfcBI3Zk9ztZP898YbTsqI/s320/I_0812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to look away in hopes of gathering my composure and attempt not to ruin my makeup. Hey! I paid <em>good</em> money for it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwKQJGkvtIRpFoYBX_2hl4D9gdzSRTqWYyOcY_hiix_mj7Xv1pTcHJh1mV9uu2SVc9VGxfLCdvcfGePlVpGPus_uAlbVuMt5ieBt4BIV3o_IMq6-j7wEr3HVvVtmWLZML_5U9foJO5J8/s1600/I_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwKQJGkvtIRpFoYBX_2hl4D9gdzSRTqWYyOcY_hiix_mj7Xv1pTcHJh1mV9uu2SVc9VGxfLCdvcfGePlVpGPus_uAlbVuMt5ieBt4BIV3o_IMq6-j7wEr3HVvVtmWLZML_5U9foJO5J8/s320/I_0808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the contagious plague of love and tears spreading, our officiant welcomed everyone and was determined to add some humor and plenty of laughter to our ceremony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEAPs9gWiv0oISkv2lnc5xoZmpWARnHDMko7RuHXJ_lAt93DfJUwv_KhP-ud105bgkdhDoQutnHjVXO8KbMy6FAOSv6Bcaacq_glun_jtEqlebJbVCCdvpNKbUf4YbW-tCNtQW2oXlio/s1600/I_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEAPs9gWiv0oISkv2lnc5xoZmpWARnHDMko7RuHXJ_lAt93DfJUwv_KhP-ud105bgkdhDoQutnHjVXO8KbMy6FAOSv6Bcaacq_glun_jtEqlebJbVCCdvpNKbUf4YbW-tCNtQW2oXlio/s320/I_0818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Side note: There's not one picture of me and my dad walking down the aisle where I am looking straight on down the aisle because I was so thankful for the presence of everyone that I looked around and said "thank you" with my eyes to as many people as I could. These people took the time out of their busy lives to partake on my special day. I could feel the love radiating throughout the Peacock Terrace and I was truly overwhelmed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photos above were taken by </span><a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Colorband PhotoArtisans</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6043582557242866419.post-8790035947957119922011-09-12T16:37:00.000-07:002011-09-13T11:18:29.476-07:00Always & Forever: Warming upWith boutonnieres pinned<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xe72g2y27eh8ubs5q8em9QzFqIBkd7NqBzYeRHrpdjUILRHoa4vdsgCBFSP0VK3VkT-EvO6c9Fb5O4U3KarVHRfwH-GmP2qOsVS7L1S08UtzqnwCAt4CbbxC8Aip1Qp1ewJ2N2MPKFg/s1600/I_1424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xe72g2y27eh8ubs5q8em9QzFqIBkd7NqBzYeRHrpdjUILRHoa4vdsgCBFSP0VK3VkT-EvO6c9Fb5O4U3KarVHRfwH-GmP2qOsVS7L1S08UtzqnwCAt4CbbxC8Aip1Qp1ewJ2N2MPKFg/s320/I_1424.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>and bouquets in hand<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bpqjuwfTgtVoxu5KAh6ulPq3tICsvuaicHv8RjabMq_u4vjkIWidwHBZ4cajRYlpMrgIAUsrSdA9N9MqjYGQq4ojgdyG7RZGrLi51D-0r1sen6YF6Jg96CjhoqkWaCZft_ylfY1vcwY/s1600/I_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bpqjuwfTgtVoxu5KAh6ulPq3tICsvuaicHv8RjabMq_u4vjkIWidwHBZ4cajRYlpMrgIAUsrSdA9N9MqjYGQq4ojgdyG7RZGrLi51D-0r1sen6YF6Jg96CjhoqkWaCZft_ylfY1vcwY/s320/I_0514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>it was time to capture formal bridal portraits before the ceremony. I arranged for these to be done at the beginning so that we would have plenty of time for formal family portraits (there's tons of family) and fun bridal party portraits after the ceremony. But most importantly, tons of time to take bride and groom portraits! I wanted a variety of backdrops, poses, and fun, fun, fun photos!<br />
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First up, the groom struts his stuff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5NqkwwK6IIT5VvuB2VzabQCCyQOTA3v4pJIBNUII1JA9MNqbHi96wb0vmOfyWMDsvWyo475fuOKtTOXIIgycAn8YaxcDbB7TUswwzQps7ZkkhhscFBNmP6AkKuVVYQHhGfAQBg7jl0M/s320/I_1411.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8mMe0pLkU7ztAvWg5o7MWkmG4MTjmh-k9sjUa4uY2b6eMH6YtCZvO4B43lHjPh6tAmeWSPbqKLFm8sBiz9sl6qoID_BZO9HbZbKM2ZFOOm6fq7wdrJUXlGSAe6GUe7yhTLsqirgkCKA/s320/I_1426.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXUy-9yKUeDcLXHQwvD0xRWqsoMOCNzhbMUG7iFUXvSduIufRkwHzl_eFXnOiFTmPOFDMoOkyCQrui-uRaSKmIb_jWXxeAB_mT9jXT_gJ9xVXYbpScK2K7phkAiVsX57OxQfcXzeNiAM/s320/I_1439.jpg" width="320" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWpmt1Jyl52isTKRP4p5FzhFqzI0N8gV3eJgjid9pYagWXNskAoZynqaWpchXzm5kcPvNa3aLzwvrX45JqKPJvrdkzyFzZrmcQ2mAsCcCl5TNEb0Gyzc2ZVCZD3NdOCIeq9jQc_DXyEs/s1600/I_1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWpmt1Jyl52isTKRP4p5FzhFqzI0N8gV3eJgjid9pYagWXNskAoZynqaWpchXzm5kcPvNa3aLzwvrX45JqKPJvrdkzyFzZrmcQ2mAsCcCl5TNEb0Gyzc2ZVCZD3NdOCIeq9jQc_DXyEs/s320/I_1450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then the guys wanted join in on the fun by posing GQ and gangster<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjQByCBySXAx3ddP59CAGiT_9jDyj38WAtcQLlQeOI69gSz65VoF-NI4a21yjU9-p0LwoRpi2W0JDM3FRZQZmB8bS59xBz7Ey2JCPaVSgejry2dLLgOhIOZgXg4lvFIGbEK7U36xGoE8/s320/I_1138.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwVQR0V2EVuowaIo61y9N0ayronmYH5YM_W934ns_yMXzRz2aBDfPtMhIhGLaB9fPzqp2ZL8_wBAis1gnXpJH9qA5Oh35PzSr9Kvzo6Nf_y27f-WHSlw32shRwLmlWc2eM7A1H-5eg0I/s1600/I_1141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwVQR0V2EVuowaIo61y9N0ayronmYH5YM_W934ns_yMXzRz2aBDfPtMhIhGLaB9fPzqp2ZL8_wBAis1gnXpJH9qA5Oh35PzSr9Kvzo6Nf_y27f-WHSlw32shRwLmlWc2eM7A1H-5eg0I/s320/I_1141.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmth_HRCmmLW4RS5KJiXQfDgAvcQQTEDASEbAF7u2z_50svS1S0SCFpwrArN3E0rIHtSFkFuReJPS6YOHNkIrHU-S50WV32LnQ_OvBGELMxhqIlNn6IUR1IUgmSxs-jewya9b3t2SHTDk/s320/I_1157.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrgSW8NBPotCzexQiH8seBK_KBJuK9Ie2XZHpb2AomJmA7b_pC_3Q_hbmflYuAC5mlHJWHuFSDlEREXLYGR10QNtufRAxWtjLngbLQRd5PrjVRaCBBGpG6L7NZAvbEEz4LvtQQhAzDhs/s320/I_1165.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8ZLoh9EWApr5yLoXbKE5-Y_IcgE1yFOmS7lfgr4z4naIU6VUoc9BqL9fkECfmxIXso69is-VoLS9qwVCwPH9k0-IeSl7BKzkBj9EJMPpF9M0Uu4oo2c9P6HGq6MwDRCLoAAG_7GeeAM/s1600/I_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8ZLoh9EWApr5yLoXbKE5-Y_IcgE1yFOmS7lfgr4z4naIU6VUoc9BqL9fkECfmxIXso69is-VoLS9qwVCwPH9k0-IeSl7BKzkBj9EJMPpF9M0Uu4oo2c9P6HGq6MwDRCLoAAG_7GeeAM/s320/I_1200.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Follwed by the groom with the pretty bridesmaids.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDAQQsOqp38VwAxBMI7KMu92d7TjWrxr_-MoM16foaW83rUQGEdc5EGlDsFloEwjuQZGBQhllsOgYRCv5iPbqqjm4VHgmaJux_ezfkZl-HAQ2eK2GSWvaMJQNYDUYL5edzb8bXOr4TBw/s320/I_1198.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueoyFwygJkUyq5fDThO9f4IbMr8XOY5ygXUZkybB3H1Ci6Vo5U1VqLERHhLvI6Ws-o3jiLYnrMCWpQfKz3cuvpKXUO76oMZapGwC52e3B5Hwv8Qk0vyVgBrcEVweU3E6VdBxWnTBF_HM/s1600/I_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueoyFwygJkUyq5fDThO9f4IbMr8XOY5ygXUZkybB3H1Ci6Vo5U1VqLERHhLvI6Ws-o3jiLYnrMCWpQfKz3cuvpKXUO76oMZapGwC52e3B5Hwv8Qk0vyVgBrcEVweU3E6VdBxWnTBF_HM/s320/I_1195.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Since my soon to be hubby made it <em>very </em>clear he didn't want to see me until I walked down the aisle, I waited upstairs in our suite until my photographer gave me the thumbs up it was safe to head downstairs. Why not capture more photos while waiting right?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zn7-QGQSMdDX4DQnIru3InBjfaLRzugfAi59tknwGODpY4NXRe4KOtHBDRs_uPXPclcIuSCSyajgYChTVoYt5wLsQCC5tAdfxBL0riOCB_ey86qBxhILoJ7mERY7SWspokFaAfjHqF0/s320/I_1457.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6SfGszQaPjbh8iMD2UPAXvBWsN6YWG9LOm4fRuKxH4eJne62gR_0GoCsv32m4RPapnQ0D7OSgt2DBvyj2DPnTIaaXxyFPjPTN7kAEnvLD9ry0OOLp_rcyrWXe5s4R1fv5ZWIonwsgj0/s1600/I_1459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6SfGszQaPjbh8iMD2UPAXvBWsN6YWG9LOm4fRuKxH4eJne62gR_0GoCsv32m4RPapnQ0D7OSgt2DBvyj2DPnTIaaXxyFPjPTN7kAEnvLD9ry0OOLp_rcyrWXe5s4R1fv5ZWIonwsgj0/s320/I_1459.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVzEAc5Ms9_DuZTMDGWLOoRWXSRr4n89YJGNxDV2KJMoWqzX_To4aiERqeGMJkzz146caS1Il6zLGetKduDXr20Ma3S_IZfHX3CVLU6auARRxXGk6h5Ojc4vbnmh1f5WsCkGHw4HiMbQ/s1600/I_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVzEAc5Ms9_DuZTMDGWLOoRWXSRr4n89YJGNxDV2KJMoWqzX_To4aiERqeGMJkzz146caS1Il6zLGetKduDXr20Ma3S_IZfHX3CVLU6auARRxXGk6h5Ojc4vbnmh1f5WsCkGHw4HiMbQ/s320/I_1469.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xdAwjpAZI1o4WQCAXY-s5OExQOlev7bGwGtqylHwWRgMCOkaQdJrj0OWGzzks1-dDJiuQY9dVqHBd9fOGD0ChshcYQmbg4Xo3aJRXiXjnmX2V1JgcDFOwTpUAxVZyDzwOereIBq0qk8/s320/I_1171.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhyphenhyphen-eHyGls_muXR1G4Hh8aXNxsahTEdM9PJta3AKTWnvpol_0bhSfaKzoTKNCBOpRPICeZRrJKyyAG4lr4yiZC6oZtFnJKxl3Jw-txlxgWHv7_JVUFyNG_GpXMJgiyTqvMqJpou1AzGU/s320/I_1173.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSkQ25ibS86qTmjr3irAkY2KDCdBmvE9DlkvM6DrwSpi4RokoAlR9z_8IqJ1CNDUbT5dZg89RlpOxALdeBHLK8Nm6XumBaR5i6btDBKkkk289rhca0jkPNGQsg1Tw411ktFawY7gCW98/s320/I_1163.jpg" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soon to be Father-in-Law</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW9jd0JG8FjVDvSPHQOpSjhlxt69ubhoX5qIDkjKwK_Tt7pXt09gZ0_FLR172bih_0XHhL1d-X5J0jKLQ4RLvSI1SzOK-Ks9fpdjPd58qmIpMpGL7q9C4CDzmN8xOnjk_A3KZslkJNSY/s1600/I_1169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW9jd0JG8FjVDvSPHQOpSjhlxt69ubhoX5qIDkjKwK_Tt7pXt09gZ0_FLR172bih_0XHhL1d-X5J0jKLQ4RLvSI1SzOK-Ks9fpdjPd58qmIpMpGL7q9C4CDzmN8xOnjk_A3KZslkJNSY/s320/I_1169.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soon to be Mother-in-Law</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I also took advantage of the opportunity to take some pictures with the kiddos I love! Which apparently is uber difficult. Mainly, just my soon to be nephew/ring bearer. He's a hoot!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyebnP2FKNdkxHXK3ihGWsX8qbmnFZy9VeMIynbeR6fVeDX4BQLNQEP52UMh8Y28P15eLYC9oX9BycMR1D0Ck2A070JC9d4jBJJE3Msz7a3QsNENcGjjyC8qOFLCl9qeS8czrL3s3AGY/s320/I_1178.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj_kiSm8nWeveq8Od_o5id54TcKtepTkSfpaqJ9L_ypQgRMUsWFgtOXrrnghh2qy1n1qLWTEkZv7NnBncGqDfFIfSfa0lIfQfnfxbCMeNgzu_mx7F_Rmfj9Gz2edB4CceDDJJPCO3SdM/s320/I_1179.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbR8NSapDhJO3svWT_d2tSrkOgAtORquFZJd7sYpj4uWgkyjnO43mdonmD8JrBWPbLXrWc9QhTB-m0-v5nn5aMAjEAJycJ2SGJbZqfnwPTrv2-0Oyz2Gb0CKarA71o6AnAvWy0RA1C7E/s320/I_1180.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvcASSBN6lC9LijJYKopiKN3w51Q8eVaadqQAAEIV1nFnjTaKX1W5qIZSn8wSNHyKjfm2HXrlxSjBkT94KY8267CrPP7xKpMadmdfB70MgrtwxuYhwErAFL0vXxkX8xDcUeh0FhSmTLs/s320/I_1181.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X_wWJw-vidjTbYsZR-EmuVlAAl8J8ah5dMDDpOFnrabXrwBo2CMvMVRBjkdJQlpAXEGOt0-D7ZQHX0bqGAY7XUMAa_TXe4Dj4q2wT71dKJrw4JphkR-17M0B_VYhsKtOte2iKz7o4R8/s320/I_1182.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaweVgX9Rrv1YCCZq0jJPizu4CWiDU8z6mJclY-lmmJWLbihIpBF3vyF3WtA-Mk2vautUg4SbW9YkHy2g-yvXPy7_kDU4koidsvArla1fTbKUovdvygYWPNf5ZyakIfVtkD37oVYQY06Y/s320/I_1183.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22PWO125543V52F7eWB18HP3zG13Pzq7jKBsS4rliSRx2jtZGCbFpuHH16ViptGSyceOr9mEQ5zs-a5JXXzLC2iuCSVczKaVygVNcUsCHWjM3hfAfnijC6poYi9rKmoiaANP8-fI2J5w/s320/I_1185.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO4OPOqZVRtRQqBjzHKHSRHXVSMG_uhCgdvUWZQIjF-tczQD4kuuN6vT8KeDXCsY-CqE_cz5J262kbDGfOZ92vc6_8YDvRchbbCbMGkr6DhEN9xw5Po-h5DBj0_StKucvJwIWnzr7qgg/s1600/I_1187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO4OPOqZVRtRQqBjzHKHSRHXVSMG_uhCgdvUWZQIjF-tczQD4kuuN6vT8KeDXCsY-CqE_cz5J262kbDGfOZ92vc6_8YDvRchbbCbMGkr6DhEN9xw5Po-h5DBj0_StKucvJwIWnzr7qgg/s320/I_1187.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Sweet kisses from my flower girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFc9iQk-QO3As73wvVyyObnvPZfVwmy8JIfgkooucOt10h_wvh-SBerY7yWd5db-1Qfm2aQgUG3TN0OCQDalG0vhpGv_uaZZBoMqWvQ-5PUE4QLv7mEtyEMDg6xmz_I_0N_PD6ioDhEo/s320/I_1276.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawga3QvT7KwUNGvQAm-olndlgftlnlQfSG8iu6cvMemx8Aq7CLkonmn-kbWoYlT3JU1abmtCazEwbI5gyzztuxk-sNN8eX_gnfwunxWjVtqocEt3ygjf8FfdI8VUcFY6EmS7Rx_81EpI/s320/I_1277.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUGWccPJHUFeiVPGexkB85y0A0ulyxxBeAPH7UB_Q58WYTZMR2ULIY0frnNmbmeZdY72oWGR-l2ctQf-AjtTmBNiFxrJlHxm3ic_6rZRaOJ_wRqlUL0lquNlT1bAWb6uRzC3HOLSAGnI/s320/I_1278.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lRjyytnxEEoFU2EeLjMVlc74c906BFpbLLtLXh6HXK4Pbkeog3on0cbZfL0Cm6lyOFMgX1iYIJyWIywizkg7aHSNBCAYVP9DTgcS_OgPi4NNU6aKPTXSoX-opqdC5nejZn3sMT_rs0I/s1600/I_1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lRjyytnxEEoFU2EeLjMVlc74c906BFpbLLtLXh6HXK4Pbkeog3on0cbZfL0Cm6lyOFMgX1iYIJyWIywizkg7aHSNBCAYVP9DTgcS_OgPi4NNU6aKPTXSoX-opqdC5nejZn3sMT_rs0I/s320/I_1279.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Once we got clearance, it was my turn to head downstairs (with the assistance of my favorite lil kiddos)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPafFzw6SgQ7P7uh2oa-SVvMHuWXtCO7nvj2ANTP0U1ZJOVKKbM034BFIdDf54AK4Vnkp7sD9CjZP1g2ZJVhgUVyre9qvkDG4uCJGONS4apzGB5_HP_Qz4BiW5gcPetA6fS9vioziFQjg/s320/I_0525.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZZRoL_pyiMjJP7en-eC4dE9vNZnbk72NNLBcbN3h9hZUF8l0fahJfP5ocoRuJM5rjXU7JFtuGfPOSnmwSR5olpa2xDsQHRCL3TqRGo3wHlNWkP2jXwgAOQ3N-FUos1BffFPTF19nydk/s320/I_0526.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl8yAJb6_0pXxoj5rfnu7uv5Hj8X3SCU34aZX6y95djagJrIXCYJYwFheH8_12AEd6cGXFboOSFr3ahyphenhyphenw85doihnNqJckM2xLTGho51NX6fZj4z1vy7CYKmVRUXxhhyphenhyphenmRvlTBHamTRcY/s1600/I_0527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl8yAJb6_0pXxoj5rfnu7uv5Hj8X3SCU34aZX6y95djagJrIXCYJYwFheH8_12AEd6cGXFboOSFr3ahyphenhyphenw85doihnNqJckM2xLTGho51NX6fZj4z1vy7CYKmVRUXxhhyphenhyphenmRvlTBHamTRcY/s320/I_0527.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> to capture photos of me in my full bride regalia (I clean up all right eh?),<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DNLupU3fgAUs0t4q7ojK1qU85eF0K4d53Rz9R6JGEByCxqd2RGKxiKWJO2YPVe5hPII8_1yfuFjfjRtizxbZY3crdyBs5aHtPyxSWNDX-APRwCPrIrudP9UVMOykoyUsI85N4plJtGk/s320/I_1475.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fJkhU9UAAEWoNaiIE1Xoqq1MRiWclKWqpC6_j9KWEwuckNDnGQeWACLQV8UPMIgJbGUGeSu42OMBfVD-PLXyMUS7vEWzvFGcCDU223RcEd-BZVqJuLOknziJt03oJPGfVIxt2iK1BLg/s320/I_1480.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURdsbOjAxjSgMfGAc8Gt_6bhunxJzQkRXsagVhXSpmqoi1oFtgkfLfU1AJf1QwVRtHqwo_Cqo_MlqAmB2ddY1CTG0HJx_UWn4o734GxDOHhnANmmUlgVpX4wyXHa3_kBbN_vUKzblpE4/s1600/I_1481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURdsbOjAxjSgMfGAc8Gt_6bhunxJzQkRXsagVhXSpmqoi1oFtgkfLfU1AJf1QwVRtHqwo_Cqo_MlqAmB2ddY1CTG0HJx_UWn4o734GxDOHhnANmmUlgVpX4wyXHa3_kBbN_vUKzblpE4/s320/I_1481.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>with my ladies,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydpTbA_AJKl8NhrGdkHAGQD3RtfiZ0hjF5-OuZzr93JaC-f-P0fv5XlFw1CKbYXmsaFnIpFQW-099zIhWBP6UuC8RYLOozwTPQAfqsuloW1xckyx55uloY3dY1I052YQTwTSGULUtQlo/s320/I_1202.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga880wmChD9uKJsfPLaNAvdBp9VzcHIVQ903JzFo8DlwctXIa8gZfUXcdIpAS-6a7ymgeWCSFDPD3aljCnLT6_ETBv7lHWoEB_6LLigcD3rc_5-eY_shWEDTTFMMj1IZBUn2TefHjBQ8Y/s320/I_1214.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqEF-ZaflyzSA_xkI7U-cTQ6s-aoYXkls52OpU0gHxjh0fHEH55gkIS7yZixV8YmAEOzx01KW2dL-0RR4XS4JaTJowIlqJEwn0aP7ZwoCyqmJwJxxzX39zh-2yQBxR-r08Ute5YIqF2s/s320/I_1248.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsKHTMN4GXelhMjAIdrS-xZp_YbCJ3BTJnvsIPtg4YROqQDl4K3X3kEn4WZvyXUl-RKCCP8xWK5mrekkk65cDw3QNpKXDBQKppYeYvIo_KAMmbYY1-BHmL39ZSE0_d7rXqf0n3vF67ho/s1600/I_1254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsKHTMN4GXelhMjAIdrS-xZp_YbCJ3BTJnvsIPtg4YROqQDl4K3X3kEn4WZvyXUl-RKCCP8xWK5mrekkk65cDw3QNpKXDBQKppYeYvIo_KAMmbYY1-BHmL39ZSE0_d7rXqf0n3vF67ho/s320/I_1254.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>and with the guys.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFgqDh-KFpEDkEQ7iYe9cyIhtfrMWFXrUmwvA7e83aRY3W4IbTcA-ijzw1SFWfaZtuPDJWIMlZVUNUp44xr88wleZBL5s4Lz28vi15gVRz_iRX6Rrb9NH5GH3HtocCjFmkYYQQ61pY0A/s320/I_1259.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLf19TrqzCMq4anRlTXuRcuhUEAL-66Qsdq-fL4QeJwe-aK5ioNInrl7OXwFYRQ2_4cIJKzz5zxoNi3OPt-K8OaPSUOqZUjWnyP8i5i9OzOZylgg5IKSrsVsy6zjMGYnvALv43GBN7f0/s1600/I_1264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLf19TrqzCMq4anRlTXuRcuhUEAL-66Qsdq-fL4QeJwe-aK5ioNInrl7OXwFYRQ2_4cIJKzz5zxoNi3OPt-K8OaPSUOqZUjWnyP8i5i9OzOZylgg5IKSrsVsy6zjMGYnvALv43GBN7f0/s320/I_1264.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Time flew by so quick and it was time to head back up to the suite as guests were making their way to the Peacock Terrace,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYa0YiwJy5PjjTuatgh9qU5VZZbAGvf9dczcuCvL6vkblsTz8NCw-76RFSs0WruJYNrZX1lupZ-yAdcJJsxuQDC4ubUcGZuWRKDOnpoGxtbYNCXfPrfIRrDjjLLec5fummEGKmAi2EWTM/s320/I_0668.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1sxFp0In_9czv5CLR9pufA5mMGLk8nI_lZ8zi8LVOXho7mSZ6U8V8gm3WkwmwTYGjgO7V5Gvw3MXc4fX_melZlqB3yq4Juz8GOgzkRpzzdeWgtyUjeAKoRQO-rLStVdBkWLl7DEj8YQ/s1600/I_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1sxFp0In_9czv5CLR9pufA5mMGLk8nI_lZ8zi8LVOXho7mSZ6U8V8gm3WkwmwTYGjgO7V5Gvw3MXc4fX_melZlqB3yq4Juz8GOgzkRpzzdeWgtyUjeAKoRQO-rLStVdBkWLl7DEj8YQ/s320/I_0678.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDQDwQrt4hZDCSCNlHHS5fdejVK7ZsoD5SnKoSKJpqTHjFcC5DbroNTaoqjmMbvb6OWuHMo_yJ4AM9ruA1EcTzz_LcfL9rQGXaqZEInvW8olJVzSnOteVPgCF3zcqCCIG1ctTWJtVUPM/s320/I_0680.jpg" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_w-R1ztNAEcOF1V15iX3kEZNJEcyqjFKmN17aEj-lakOrq26WXdhRrEJ74FZNIedTo_dW_L8epf2iMMXrP6xsRhkD1GNGH3zQw4yNJzuAnnxORJ49tjrx11P5haxgNvaFa-Vua7wVTA/s320/I_0693.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
and it was time to put on my veil,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreceU4Q_Y_PJaOvKH5An0Zt6zqqYIZ6nkJ6ycmyDQswmbf7-7F8X7yMPFj05OaKAjKdOhcZWueS8i7hyphenhyphenNGElxwec9w6tXdhLnKwBCbbxZBV55V3FN7ZGguhX_mT1ZZb5AXHJZWioJJ6M/s320/I_0534.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kXzGd7YNSElYgGxMUC_a18iB9IxX2PHfO48O1xewbZ5CPtfjWXPIvrFLkuqAAxQ56ujgWsVkw5EvkHisSX8fjc1bo8ClTjjo4dBhcAnYP8YJPaH9iKWAlqhsWl01B57v_UdSB1MKOdM/s1600/I_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kXzGd7YNSElYgGxMUC_a18iB9IxX2PHfO48O1xewbZ5CPtfjWXPIvrFLkuqAAxQ56ujgWsVkw5EvkHisSX8fjc1bo8ClTjjo4dBhcAnYP8YJPaH9iKWAlqhsWl01B57v_UdSB1MKOdM/s320/I_0536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And make sure my ladies were still up high<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabbVnWj34UmXEulFTBMiuYZTwx5etnoqa8b_1fSNhYxjRWHPQTviQFxVxUobMrqH51bW2l2gpAMsTcElm6ljNOUJYJhHWT8pB9v8Q9aXCJ1D7rtBLTY3zRjdvMAa2nalGYvyCDFBEv-4/s1600/I_0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabbVnWj34UmXEulFTBMiuYZTwx5etnoqa8b_1fSNhYxjRWHPQTviQFxVxUobMrqH51bW2l2gpAMsTcElm6ljNOUJYJhHWT8pB9v8Q9aXCJ1D7rtBLTY3zRjdvMAa2nalGYvyCDFBEv-4/s320/I_0542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
One final deep sigh and it was go time. I was leaving the bridal suite for the last time as a single lady, a bachelorette, a girl friend. I was on my way to becoming a married woman and a wife. To my best friend in the whole wide word. My future husband.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHy4qcdZ_9y1h_kzaWtiDh4EWf0bX_ZbsFMaAWn8DSIlAeZUDMGiEM_kKgFekNlx1nSsu966oyaXZR0pN7_mCtJv3Dg8tyo4fIQitR0wfFqHI0aMTlzHXnV4mw1L3wdvjk12MZNztMZI/s1600/I_0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHy4qcdZ_9y1h_kzaWtiDh4EWf0bX_ZbsFMaAWn8DSIlAeZUDMGiEM_kKgFekNlx1nSsu966oyaXZR0pN7_mCtJv3Dg8tyo4fIQitR0wfFqHI0aMTlzHXnV4mw1L3wdvjk12MZNztMZI/s320/I_0718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photos above were taken by </span><a href="http://www.colorbandproductions.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Colorband PhotoArtisan</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Floral arrangements by <a href="http://www.expressionsofdecor.com/">Expressions of Decor</a>.</span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07646955835118966028noreply@blogger.com1