T-Minus 6 days

We leave for Hawaii on Saturday!! I can't wait to be on vacation! Hopefully the weather is gorgeous and we have tons of fun. I know that I want to go snorkling, see Pearl Harbor, hike Diamond's Head and eat dinner on the beach at sunset/evening. And of course, go swimming in the ocean!  It's the first vacation that Matthew and I have taken together that isn't for a family function, wedding or going home to EC. So basically, our first vacation together.

Hopefully this week flies by:)

Congratulations Meg and David!

                               Watching Meg come up the aisle. So pretty!

                                       Myself and the beautiful bride!

                                         Monday Night Beer Club crew

                                     Congratulations Meg and David!

I'm so happy to have been able to share in your special day! It was a truly beautiful day and you two deserve all the happiness in the world!

A great loss

My best friend Emma's mom passed away on the morning of Saturday September 8th. This past weekend I went home for the visitation and memorial service. I've know Dianne for as long as I can remember; she's my second mom. At the memorial service people were invited to get up and share memories of Dianne. Hearing people's stories and memories made me realize how little I actually knew about Dianne. Her work life, her life in Ohio remain a mystery to me. One thing I did notice was all of the people present had been touched by this wonderful woman. She was always caring, always supportive, always believed in people no matter what the situation, and was passionate about everything she did (even having cancer)!

I wanted to get up and speak at the memorial service but I didn't know where to start. I've known Dianne for 25 years and shared numerous holidays, birthdays and other important events with Emma, Sally, Bruce and Dianne. I just didn't know where to begin. We lived far away from our extended family and so we always celebrated holidays together. Usually Thanksgiving and Easter. It was wonderful to have a slice of family in Eau Claire since most of my extended family lives in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. I don't always remember specifics about those holidays but I do remember they were always full of music, delicious homemade food and  laughter.

Dianne's life may be over, but her memory will last forever. I'm proud to know her and have been part of her and her family's life for all of these years! Rest easy, Dianne. I love you!

Travelin'

On Thursday, Matthew and I are off to Minnesota to celebrate our friends Meg and David's wedding! I'm in the wedding and Matthew is using his downtime in the Twin Cities to do some Wayne and Layne work. We are packing in a lot into our four day trip. Thursday afternoon we arrive and my friend Vanessa is picking us up at the airport. Friday I'm relaxing all day, getting my nails done and going out to dinner with bandos (Matthew will be working all day). Saturday is the wedding! Sunday we are having breakfast/lunch with both sets of parents before we fly back. The four days are going to fly but I'm so excited to be in Minnesota for a few days!

In early October we are going to Hawaii for a week for our honeymoon!

At the end of October, we're going to Green Bay for the weekend for a Packer game. The tickets were a wedding gift from my friend Brea, who understands my love for the Pack. We also get to see Jake, Kayla and Rowan while we are in town! Double YAY!

In November, Matthew is presenting at a conference in California and so I've decided to tag along too! Hopefully I can keep myself entertained:) It should be a blast, especially since I haven't ever been to California.


So, the next few months are crazy busy with travelling. I'm excited to be going so many places and seeing new things! What a wonderful way to spend fall:)

Rowan

While we were home in Wisconsin for the wedding, Auntie Anna and Uncle Matthew got to meet our nephew Rowan! The photos I took of him at the end of July don't even do him justice now since he's grown so much! The one above is from July 21

And this one is from August 27! He's getting so big. I regret living so far away because I'm missing out on so much of him growing up. Thankfully my brother sends me pictures about once a week:)  I'm so in love him Rowan, from the first minute Jake called and told me he was born!

Wedding Photos

Sorry blog readers for the lack of updates over the last two months. Summer always gets away from me because summer camp consumes my life. Now that I'm in my second summer camp-free week, I've got a little more time on my hands to do a life update.

We got married on July 28. It was the perfect day! It still blows my mind when I think about all of our friends and family who travelled from near and far to celebrate our wedding day with us. My cousin Carlos came all the way from Mexico!

 Here I am walking up the aisle with my parents.

Matthew and I after the ceremony.

I had an absolute blast! Our wedding party was amazing and everyone said that the reception was one of the best they'd been too. Thank you to all of our family and friends who came! It was wonderful to see you all!