Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Girls Getting Ready – Part 2

 

Happy Wednesday everyone! You have no idea how badly I want to write “ya’ll” sometimes! I can’t though because then I’d be worried ya’ll you all would think I have a southern accent. Which I most certainly do not. But I can speak a mean “small town”. That’s another post for another day though.

Getting back into the swing of wedding things on this beautiful Wednesday with the finale to the girls getting ready to go to the chapel!

As I mentioned last week, the morning that I got ready for my wedding will always be one of my greatest memories. It was such a relaxed, fun and stress free time. Exactly the opposite of what I expected.

When we were all done getting our hair and makeup done we had to wait around a while and snack on food before getting dressed.

The girls started with their bridesmaids dresses. After a little mix up between Amanda and Rebekka’s dresses (since they were the exact same size) I helped zipper them all in and clasp necklaces/bracelets.

0075

0077

0079

0081 

Finally, with about an hour left until ceremony time, it was time for me to put on my wedding dress. I couldn’t believe it was time and I had a few butterflies knowing that I was putting on my wedding dress….weird!

0093

0097

0102

The girls were great at helping me into my dress. It was so great to have them all there.

0105

0107

A few adjustments.

0111

The garter.

0118

And shoes.

I thought I was all done until Mom brought me out a wrapped present. As soon as I saw the writing on the envelope of the card I lost it. It was from my groom.

0126

0127

He wrote me the sweetest note. One that is tucked away for safe keeping forever. It was so special to “hear” from him before the big moment.

0131

Inside the gift was a beautiful pearl necklace and matching earrings. My very first string of pearls. So special.

0134

Of course I had to put them of right away to wear for the wedding!

0135

0137

0138

All dolled up and ready to head out of my parent’s bedroom and into the living room where my dad was waiting. Again more butterflies and tears started to well in my eyes as I looked on at his face. I knew just from the way he looked at me how loved I was. I am eternally a Daddy’s girl.

0155 

My youngest flower and niece wanted to take a closer look! :-)

0140

0139

Another gift awaited me, this time from my parents. It was a beautiful pearl bracelet. I guess my parents and Ryan had coordinated together! :-)

0150

0152

0156

After waiting for a little while to head to the church (which was a 5 minutes drive away) I did a final check in the mirror, grabbed my bouquet and left my parents house for the last time as an unmarried women.

Getting ready for the wedding was not at all like I expected it to be. I was never stressed or anxious. I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. It was almost like I was in a dream like state. A big part of this was that I was able to get ready (from head to toe) in the comfort of my parents home. The other reason was that I was so confident and excited about getting married to the man of my dreams. Our lives were about to start and this was the first step towards that.

I wanted to embrace the moment. Drink it in and remember it. Thankfully, I was able to do that.

I have to again thank my parents for having all of us crazy girls get beautified in their home.

I would also like to thank my bridesmaids, Bev (mother of the groom), flower girls and mother of the flower girls for being there so early in order to start getting ready for the wedding! Not to mention being there with me during that exciting morning. It meant the world to me to have you all there.

Happy Wednesday!

xo

Monday, July 9, 2012

Wow! What A Weekend!

 

Happy Monday! I have to say, this has been one of the best weekends (thus far) this summer! It didn’t go by too quickly but it was so full of fun with friends!

Friday afternoon started out with a little more work. With all the drought we need to constantly look after our irrigation system. Days, nights or weekends. It doesn’t matter, this farm has got to keep the crop alive! Of course I was still wearing my office clothes (aka a skirt) and threw on a pair of crocs! True farm girl fashion! ha ha!

irrigation 2

irrigation

Saturday morning we were up with the birds to get things done for the afternoon. We wanted to give ourselves enough time to run up and visit a precious new baby boy!

Daniel and pool parties 009

It was great seeing the new family! Big sister Charlotte was especially “hamming” it up.

Daniel and pool parties 011

Daniel and pool parties 015

Congrats guys on your new extended family!

Ryan and I quickly stopped in at his parents place to wish his Aunt Shirley a very happy 40th birthday!

At home, we got the last minute preparations done for the Canada Day Committee party! After Canada Day being such a big success it was time to celebrate the accomplishments with a big pool party!

There was great food and drinks (yummy Wayne Caesars!).

Daniel and pool parties 018

Fun in and by the pool.

Daniel and pool parties 020

Not to mention a few riveting games of Texas Horseshoes!

Daniel and pool parties 027

Towards the end of the evening it was time to get off some fireworks! It was a great show, like Canada Day part 2!

Daniel and pool parties 039

I have the best husband in the world! At 6:30 AM he was up early and got to cleaning up from the night before. He told me to sleep in and he would take care of the mess. By the time it was time for me to get up at 8 AM, everything was done and the place was sparkling like new again! Thanks Hun!

Mid-day Ryan’s Aunt Lynn and family (Hi Michelle, Dean, Charlotte and Amelia!) came for a visit! We had a blast driving around the farm, especially through the sprinklers, and visiting with them! After a quick lunch at Mae’s they loaded up to head back home but we can’t for the next time we see them!

After relaxing for a bit in the afternoon I did some supper prep because we were having some VERY special guests over for a swim, visit and supper!

Ryan has been a close friend of the families for a long time and one of my best guy friends, he is practically my second brother! Ryan has been promising a visit for years! Finally, I insisted that he FINALLY comes over and Sunday was the day.

Ryan, his wife Natasha and baby boy Brayden arrived in the afternoon for some fun. Joined by myself, Ryan and my brother and his family we had an amazing time visiting, swimming, and catching up!

Daniel and pool parties 053

Faith had so much fun playing with Brayden and showing off her big sister skills!

Daniel and pool parties 084

Daniel and pool parties 057

She is such a ham!

Daniel and pool parties 050

So is Clark! ha ha!

Daniel and pool parties 071

Daniel and pool parties 063

Daniel and pool parties 074

Showing off the irrigation in the back yard!

It was so great to have the Schieber family over (finally) and we can’t wait for the next visit!

How was your weekend?

xo

Friday, July 6, 2012

Babies

 

Happy Friday everyone! Thank goodness this short week is finally over. I don’t think I could stand one more day away from the weekend! I am so excited for the fun activities that are to come this weekend that sometimes I think I’m going to bust!

With the arrival of two new beautiful babies in my little bubble that I like to call my life, I can’t help but think of all things baby!

Graham, Sara and big sister Charlotte welcome baby boy Daniel Curtis on July 3rd.

My BF Jilly has a new baby niece as friends Luke and Amanda welcomed baby Neve Stephanie on June 21st.

With all the new and adorable babies around one can’t help but get caught up in the baby fever.

This girl however, quickly snaps out of it.

Since getting married Ryan and I have been asked multiple times about when we are going to start a family. Honestly, this question doesn’t bother me at all. I know the people who are asking are just curious and excited for the next stage in our lives. I know I would ask as well.

I keep answering that baby question the same way, we’re not ready yet.

I should clarify though. I’m not ready yet.

There is a 5 year age difference between Ryan and I. Being that I am 24 (25 in October) I feel as though I am not ready to start a family just yet. I still feel young and like I have things to do and places to see.

Ryan on the other hand is happy either way. If I said I was ready he would be overjoyed but he respects (yes, I have an amazing husband) the way that I feel and knows I’m not ready for that big stage in our lives yet.

Ryan and I LOVE to travel and save like crazy to be able to do so. We’re planning on a few more trips before we are ready to settle down.

Do we want children? Abso-friggin-lutely! I’m looking forward to that stage in our lives together but it can wait.

For now, I am more then elated to hold and cuddle with my niece/nephew and all the new little adorable babies that are around!

2009 020

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!

xo

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Girls Getting Ready – Part 1

 

Happy Wednesday guys! It really doesn’t feel like Wednesday today which is another reason why I love long weekends, the following week goes by in a blink! Last night I was in the organization mood. I took EVERYTHING out of my linen closet so that I could properly store wedding presents such as towels, bedding and blankets.

I thought a while ago that wedding things were going to quiet down. I thought the excitement was over. Boy, was I ever wrong. Between going through all the lovely gifts, ordering thank you cards, writing thank you cards, getting wedding pictures and the wedding video! The excitement isn’t over and I’ve been enjoying reliving the day again.

Throughout the whole morning of the wedding I was so calm. Never did I panic or feel overwhelmed. I was so excited and very sure of what I was about to do. One thing that really added to my calm was the fact that all the girls and I got ready at my parent’s house. Everything from hair, makeup and getting dressed was all done in the comfort of my parent’s place.

0030

I was up early (of course) and was sipping on a coffee when the first bridesmaid arrived! I was so excited to for someone (non family) to get there so that it could REALLY feel like it was wedding prep time!

The morning felt slow, relaxed and fun. We snacked on lots of food, drank coffee and juice and just sat around chatting. It was like a big slumber party.

0007

As all the girls got their hair done I had so much fun watching them.

0001

The flower girls were both so good and sat quickly to get their hair done! They looked so adorable.

0017

0064

When it was finally my time to get ready it started to get real.

0036

When they were done with my hair and makeup it was veil time. I started getting butterflies but mostly because I had my girls around me watching. I get a little shy with all the attention.

0024

When they put the veil on my head and adjusted it all I couldn’t help but smirk into the mirror. It was perfect. Just as I had imagine. I looked like myself and not over done.

0058

0060

All of us girls were gussied up in record time and AHEAD of schedule so we all chatted and laughed over a few slices of pizza. It was the perfect morning.

0067

Finally, it was time for the final step….

Getting dressed!

Happy Wednesday

xo

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Canada Day Weekend 2012

 

Happy Monday Tuesday everyone! It was a glorious long weekend up North here to celebrate Canada’s birthday! And celebrate we did!

Friday afternoon started out getting home from work and making 300 jello shooters in preparation for Saturday’s Canada day party in Quyon.

After the jello shooters were complete we had a super yummy supper at the local chipstand, Mae’s. We then proceeded to the local hall, The Beachbarn, to get it all decorated for the Canada Day party!

Saturday morning Ryan was up early to head into work to deliver sod. I felt bad for him so I decided to go with him. We ended up having a fun morning together.

saturday work

After a quick nap, we got decked out in our red and white, packed up the Jello shooters and headed into Quyon for the best party of the year!

canada day 7

It started with a BBQ supper before all heading down to get ready for the big parade! One of the best yet!

canada day 6

Lots of old cars

canada day 3

and little cars.

canada day 5 

Bag pipers

canada day 4

And the Canada day committee ready to end the parade carrying our new flag! The new flag being the second largest flag size available in Canada!

After raising the flag and the band playing one set of music everyone headed out side for the beautiful firework’s display.

canada day 1

Then, the party got started and went well into the night! It was so much fun, as usual.

Unfortunately, for Ryan and I, after heading home at 3 AM we proceeded to leave for work in Ottawa at 5 AM.

gemma

It’s a good thing it’s so pretty that time of day so at least I’m not in a horrible mood!

It was a rough day considering we were going on no sleep at all but we made it through. Sunday afternoon/evening we slept!

Monday morning Ryan headed to go for a round of golf and Jill and I decided to end our long week right with taking in the movie, Magic Mike.

Magic Mike

Perfect way to end the long weekend!

How was your weekend?

xo