Celebrating 22 years in Park City

Bryan and I celebrated 22 years of marriage this summer. Realizing that our kids were clearly old enough to hold down the fort on their own without the aid of a grandma or aunt babysitter, we decided to book an overnighter in Park City for some alone time.

We headed up the canyon on Thursday evening after work and checked into the Torchlight Inn, an awesome little bed and breakfast across the street from Park City's historic Main Street. It was such a charming and homey little place...we were delighted! Bryan and I both decided we'd like to stay there again on repeat visits in the future. I especially loved the history behind it. An excerpt from their welcome letter in our room:

"The Torchlight Inn was once the site of a very famous brothel during the Silver Rush. When mining was no longer lucrative, miners left in droves leaving abandoned properties everywhere. Many of the ladies of the evening could not afford to leave Park City and so remained here. One night a major fire destroyed many buildings on what is now Deer Valley Drive, including the building that was on this current site. The madam was one of the souls who perished in the fire. Some say she still walks the halls so we leave a torchlight on for her."

The view from our balcony looking over towards historic Main Street.

This ornate and colorful wooden door stood up on the hill just off our balcony. I climbed up and inspected it a bit. As we checked out the next day I asked the owner of the place what the story was behind it. He said he liked to tell people that the door was left from the site's brothel days....rather than the true story, that when they took over ownership the door was just stuck up there in a mound of cement from the previous occupants...no idea why. I told him I liked his first story best and he should just stick with that.


After checking getting settled into the Torchlight Thursday night, we headed over to Main Street in search of some dinner and sightseeing. We ate so much BBQ that we practically had to waddle back to our room....but it sure was yummy.

The next morning after a fabulous homemade breakfast at the Torchlight, we headed over to the Park City Mountain Resort and took a ski lift way up the mountain side. The ride itself took quite awhile and it was really nice to have so much time to enjoy the views. We could literally feel the change in temperature the higher we got. Once at the top we followed a winding trail through the trees for a few hours. Eventually we had hiked our way over to a different chair lift that we took back down.

My original plans had us riding the alpine slides or coaster at that point. But dark clouds had gathered and we barely made it to our car in time before the rain came pouring down. Plan B had us heading to the Park City library instead where we spent the next few hours reading. Kind of nice, actually...to have some uninterrupted reading time seeing as both of us were in the middle of good books. When the weather perked back up we made our way back over to Main Street to try out a different restaurant for dinner...we had found quite a few the night before that sounded yummy. This time we hit an Irish pub which usually I quite enjoy. This one was only so-so...but the atmosphere was fun.

After dinner we headed up to Deer Valley to find ourselves a spot on the lawn for the Utah Symphony concert. They were playing the music from Disney's "Fantasia" that night. I was worried it would rain on us again, but the evening stayed dry even if it did get really chilly after the sun went down. We've been to multiple Utah Symphony concerts over the years but always in the grand Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City. It was fun to experience the more casual atmosphere of the Deer Valley amphitheater. Kind of hard to beat the combination of gorgeous scenery and gorgeous music all under the starts cuddled up under a blanket with my sweetheart.

We headed home right after the concert and while I wished we could've stayed one more night, it sure was a great anniversary celebration. Happy 22nd to us!

Twenty

A lot can change in 20 years. Bryan and I were just 21 and 19 when we got married. He just home from his mission as I graduated with an associates degree from Snow College. Two years of living somewhat independently on our own, we certainly felt old enough and ready to get married. Hindsight (and wedding pictures) show just what babies we still were. So sometimes I like to joke that we raised each other. Because we certainly have done a lot of growing up in these past 20 years. And though in the fundamentals we haven't changed much, moving into and through our adult years we've changed quite a lot as we've discovered what kind of individuals we were each becoming. I'm more emotional than I used to be, but much more confident, independent and outgoing. Who would've guessed that I'd become a brunette, drive a truck, and be passionate about yoga and biking? And Bryan...heavens, the man is a chicken farmer, is fascinated by any all things relating to guns and has a garage full of power tools! None of which I envisioned when the two of us said "I do" all those many years ago.

People change as they grow, as they learn, as they experience life. I'm glad that Bryan and I have grown together...even when growing up sometimes pushes our interests and opinions even further apart. The two of us are very different individuals, indeed. The past 20 years has definitely shed light on that time and time again. But as the time passes we cling fast to the things we have in common. Which, thankfully, are the most important things. We are in complete sync when it comes to our values and morals and the things we hold most dear. So clinging together for the past 20 years, helping each other grow, sticking tight through both the ups and downs has been something that we are not only willing to do, but have found even deeper love because of.

A perfect example of how we've changed....take a look at our rings on our wedding day. The traditional wedding ring picture shows my small solitaire surrounded 8 little diamonds, set in gold. Bryan's band also in gold with diagonal grooves running all around the ring. They were exactly what we wanted, perfect for us...at the time. Our tastes have changed over the years. So when 8 years ago, I lost the solitaire from my ring, rather than replace the diamond, we decided to replace the entire ring...because though I do tend to be quite sentimental about things, in this case it wasn't the exact ring that was important to me, but the symbol behind it. My ring now is white gold, a square diamond solitaire accompanied by a band with 10 small diamond chips....8 of them taken from my original ring. Two separate rings rather than soldered together. And though Bryan's tastes had also changed, he continued to wear his original ring until this past December when he picked out a tungsten band.

They say that in today's world making it to 20 years of marriage is quite an accomplishment. And I don't doubt that is true. But I smiled when after being congratulated on our impressive feat, Bryan let out some sort of noise...a cross between a laugh and a psahw, maybe? And said, "You think this is something? You just wait till we hit our 40th. You can congratulate us then."   

A perfect marriage

I always used to think that I knew what the "perfect marriage" was. And I could point it out in various couples that I knew. Because somehow I guess I thought I was the best judge of who had it all together? I took cues from their behavior...little details to make my own marriage that much better. And while I will be forever thankful for those wonderful little hints that have indeed strengthened my own relationship, I've since come to learn that what shows on the outside is not what is always on the inside. And that actually, a "perfect marriage" is nothing like I thought it to be.

Last Valentines Day was emotionally tough. And before you jump to any conclusion that Bryan and I were struggling, let me assure you that as a couple, we were just fine and enjoyed a sweet holiday together. But at that same time, we were being rocked to our core as we watched many of our close friends struggling in their marriages. It seemed like every few weeks we'd hear another shocking story... many from those same couples who I had labeled as having that ideal "perfect marriage." I was stunned and I was heartbroken and I shed countless tears....tears for them, tears for myself. How could this be, I wondered over and over again.

And as I put in a lot of prayer and thought, I came to realize that a "perfect marriage" is not all flowers, butterflies and rainbows. And lest you think I was too idealistic or naive...I was fully aware that love and good marriages didn't always run smooth. But a perfect marriage also isn't always holding hands or flirty and sweet comments, romantic weekends without kids, sharing the same hobbies. While those are things that will certainly strengthen a relationship, a "perfect marriage" is more real and raw than that. It's the marriage that goes through serious ups and downs...the couple that comes out bruised and bloodied on the other side of a trial meant to break you up, still stubbornly determined to cling to each other. A "perfect marriage" is not shiny storybook. It's gritty real life.

I've never doubted in all our nearly 20 years of marriage that Bryan loves me. But when I look deep into his eyes and see just how much he truly adores me...I know it comes from a long life together of determinedly clinging together through not only the good times but also and especially during our fair share of the really hard.

Is our marriage perfect? A few years ago my answer may have been no. Good and satisfying with a lot of love and happiness, yes. But "perfect"...according to my unrealistic criteria at the time, I'm not sure we completely measured up. "Perfect" was a pretty high level to attain. How ignorant I was. Marriage is hard. And unlike other goals, you don't really ever get to a place where you can lean back and say with pride, "There! I did it....mission accomplished!" A "perfect marriage" is always going to be a work in progress. Real and raw alongside of the butterflies and flowers, ups and downs working in tandem in our every day life. But with that criteria in mind...I would humbly say yes.

Nineteen

It's our 19th wedding anniversary today.
To celebrate we had dinner last night at The Roof restaurant in Salt Lake City.  It's on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and has floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows that overlook the Salt Lake Temple.  The view is phenomenal.  We were witness to two separate marriage proposals while we were there.  Is it strange if I admit that I got a little teary?  The sweetness of it all, yes.  But watching it all while we were there to celebrate our own marriage of course brought back a flood of memories for me.  Of our own proposal and then the wedding a few months later.  But mostly just the overwhelming feeling of goodness and happiness of the 19 years that followed.  

Left brain or Right brain?

“I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.”

“I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.”

Sometimes I feel like this is us.  Bryan, the left brain...Sarah, the right.  When we argue about something we tend to talk around and around in circles, having a hard time coming to a satisfactory conclusion because Bryan argues with logic and facts while I argue with emotion and feelings.  We are very different, the two of us.  Differences in likes and dislikes, entertainment and hobbies.  We come together on the important things, of course.  But beyond that, I'm discovering that I rather like the fact that we are so different.  Somehow it feels like we balance each other out.  Honestly, I think it makes life more interesting...a little more full.  And while we definitely have learned to support and be happy for each other in our various endeavors we also find ourselves doing things together maybe we wouldn't choose to do singly.  For an example...during one week, Bryan came to watch me perform in a musical, "Power in His Touch," at the Rose Wagner Theatre in Salt Lake City...and then two days later I accompanied him to Pahrump, Nevada where we participated in a two day defensive handgun course.   

Looking at it another way I suppose you could say that I am the yin to Bryan's yang.  Yin and Yang.  Right brain and left brain.  However you want to define it....it's us and it is a good thing.
   
 

Date Night at the Movies

 Tonight was date night.  We had dinner at Thaifoon where I ordered the Evil Jungle Princess Shrimp.  Though the description on the menu had not just one, but two chili pepper symbols indicating some serious heat, I was less than impressed with the spiciness of my dish.  It was still really yummy though.

But the real noteworthy event of date night was the near miracle that allowed us to find a movie Bryan and I BOTH were interested in seeing.  This so very rarely happens.  Realistically, neither one of us tends to see movies in the theater very often.  But maybe that is because we have such different tastes in film that it usually necessitates seeing movies individually or not at all.

Bryan likes action flicks, science fiction and sometimes even horror.  And if there are aliens or superheros thrown in the mix, all the better.  Usually the movies he wants to see I can't handle.  Lack of interest, yes...but mostly, it's about being a first class chicken.  I WILL have nightmares.  No maybes about it.  Remember "The Sixth Sense?"  I didn't watch it when it came out, despite the rave reviews.  Bryan, even, loved it because it so took him by surprise which is rare.  People told me I should see the movie.  It wasn't scary, just intense, they said.  But I had two little toddlers at the time who frequently cried in the night and needed Mama.  There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that I would "see dead people" as I wandered down the hall at night to comfort my children.  Because my mind just works that way.  I didn't see "The Sixth Sense" until just a few months ago...and even then I didn't see the whole thing.  But I had nightmares all the same.  See?  First class chicken.

Me, on the other hand?  I love rom-coms and chick flicks that make me laugh and my heart go pitter-pat.  I am a sucker for Jane Austen, Henry James or any other classic book made into a movie (what would you call those, Period Classics?) and also historical films like "The Kings Speech."  I love musicals...although I have to admit, my neighbors and I mocked "Mamma Mia" mercilessly when we went as a big group to see it.  But Bryan has no interest, really, in any of these types of films.  So what does that leave us with?

Well...in the past couple of years we have found commonality in movies like "Star Trek," "Knight and Day," "Inception" and "Harry Potter."  But one genre of movie can usually always satisfy us both and that is your traditional thief caper.  You know...stuff like "Oceans 11," "The Italian Job"...even "National Treasure."  Bryan will complain about probability and I'll give a little spiel on suspending disbelief...but we usually both come out smiling.  Tonight we found ourselves all wrapped up in "Tower Heist."  (Side note:  Alan Alda and Mathew Broderick in the same movie = awesome in my book!)  Maybe because it's a rare and special treat, I find myself so completely happy and content when sitting with Bryan in a theater.  Leaning up against each other, fingers laced together or resting on each other's leg, laughing or gasping in the same places.  Okay...maybe it's more me that laughs out loud and audibly gasps during movies.  All the same, we had a great time.  How long will it be this time, do you suppose, before we find another movie we can both agree on?

Favorite Photo(s) Friday: Anniversary edition

18 years ago today....






We've had our ups and downs, our triumphs and trials...but overall, it has been an amazing 18 years filled with love and happiness. I'm looking forward to the next 18 years....

Too well?

I was watching a movie recently. "Date Night." You know the one...that comedy with Tina Fey and Steve Carell? The whole premise: Feeling that they are a boring married couple...efforts to spice up their marriage with a fancy date in the city end up going terribly awry. Hilarity ensues and the shared experience of this nightmare of a date ends up bringing them closer together.

ANYHOW...what stuck out at me was a scene near the beginning of the movie. Some friends of theirs have decided to divorce. One of the reasons behind the demise of their marriage, according to the wife, was that they knew each other "too well." That she knew all her husband's habits and quirks...as did he of her. I'm guessing this means that, according to her, there was no spice or mystery in their marriage anymore and she felt that things were flat and boring. And yes, I get that it takes work to keep that marriage relationship fresh and alive so as not to become only "excellent roommates."

But honestly, when I watched that interaction between the two wife characters, I thought to myself, "They've got it all wrong!" Having someone know me that well...all my habits and quirks, and me knowing the same about him? Well, that sounds rather heavenly to me.

I love that Bryan knows my favorite song is "Forever Young" and that I crave sushi any time of the day or night. He knows that I don't deal with heat well and if I'm mowing the lawn on a hot July day, I'm going to come in grumpy. He knows that if I'm talking on the phone with my Dad that I'm going to be a LONG time cause I get my chattiness from him. He knows that I will get irrationally upset when we don't get snow in winter. He knows my dreams of someday singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and he knows that I'm absolutely terrified of snakes.

And I know that when he has a headache, if I rub his head it helps. I know that he is determined...if he has a hankering to learn something, he WILL learn it....from wood working and guns to music theory, juggling, magic and cooking. I know that one of his favorite foods is garlic...just plain fried garlic. I know that he loves mixed martial arts fights and horror movies...but also that he will always laugh at Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day." I can tell when he is stressed. I can tell when the noisy chaos of 4 kids is getting to him and he is trying to hide it. I know his silly side that very few other people ever get to see.

Personally, I think getting THAT close to someone, knowing someone THAT well, feeling THAT comfortable together...is one of the very best parts of being married. I feel very thankful that I have that kind of relationship with Bryan.

Looking fancy for church...

That's one good looking couple, if I do say so myself. (I'm especially enamored of that sweet pocket square...and the man sporting it, of course!)

Anniversary Weekend

Seventeen years married. That's a big accomplishment. Bryan and I decided a celebration was in order. We dropped the kids off at my parents house for a sleepover and then headed up to Cache Valley. Our first year of marriage was spent in Logan so we (I) decided a little reminiscing was in order. We stayed at the Sherwood Hills Resort in Sardine Canyon. We'd passed it many times driving to and from Logan but had never driven up the little road that led to it. Friday we finally did. We drove through the gates and immediately noticed a little prarie dog in the road. Twitching. It had been hit. We decided to put it out of it's misery and roll over it again. Smashed flat. But before we had gone even a few hundred yards further...SQUISH. Another one had run out in front of our car. We backed up over it again to make sure it was good and dead and not suffering. And then noticed that these little prarie dogs were EVERYWHERE! Bryan was wishing mightily for his .22 and a silencer. I must've looked at him strangely because he defended his stance quickly by saying he would be doing the resort a service...surely these prarie dogs were eating up the golf course! :) The road up to the resort was pretty. Uphill through the trees, lined with lamp posts. It was a pretty little hotel. We quite enjoyed our stay there.
Friday night we went to the Iron Gate Grill in Logan. Remember that place I ate at while getting ready for my Little Red Riding Hood bike ride? The one with the best chocolate cake EVER? Yeah, that place. And yeah, we got more cake. Yum.
Saturday we slept in till 11:00. Talk about decadence. We checked out and zipped back to Logan to visit The Book Table....the site of my very favorite job ever. I was practically giddy, I was so excited to see the place again. I knew that there wouldn't be anyone there still that I used to work with. I knew that surely there would be changes. But oh! The CHANGES! Much more extreme than I had expected. And overall, it was a little depressing. I much preferred the way it had been...though it could be just because I'm more sentimentally attached to my memories of the place.

We headed south and decided to stop for lunch in Brigham City. My mom grew up in Brigham. We used to visit fairly regularly when I was a kid, especially during Peach Days. A few weeks ago when I visited my Grandma Adele she recommended that the next time I was up that way I should eat at Peach City...an old high school hangout that had great burgers and fries but especially yummy homemade peach shakes. Grandma Adele has cancer. Friday when I was dropping the kids off at my parents house, my mom told me that Grandma has only 3-5 days left to live. So going to Peach City...for me, it seemed like it was in honor of her. We sat down at the counter, and after ordering I told Bryan all the things my Grandma had told me about this place. And all of the sudden I realized I was going to cry. I put my hands over my face, leaned my elbows onto the counter, and with Bryan rubbing my back, I did exactly that. The reality of the fact that in less than a week my sweet Grandma Adele will be gone...it just didn't really hit me until right then. So I cried. And I ate my yummy peach shake and cried a little more. Thoughtful, sweet Bryan decided that it would be a good idea to get a picture of the two of us there. I'm glad he thought of that. And I'm grateful he was willing to eat at some fast food burger place and humor my sentimentality.
We had a great weekend. Thank you to my wonderful parents for watching our children. My sister Mary and her family were in town, staying there also, and the kids had SO much fun with their cousins that Lilian wanted nothing to do with me when we got back. Told me to go home, in fact! I'm glad they were happy and cared for. And I'm glad that Bryan and I were able to get away for the weekend to celebrate 17 years together. Bryan's mom called while we were driving into Logan Saturday afternoon. He told her where we were and why. And then told her that this was just the beginning. Seventeen years? It's nothing compared to how many we will eventually share. I'm looking forward to it.

Seventeen Years

Seventeen years ago today Bryan walked me inside the Jordan River Temple and married me for time and all eternity. Within those 17 years there has been...
2 apartments, 3 houses
5 towns lived in
9 cars owned or leased
10 jobs between the 2 of us
4 pregnancies
4 beautiful babies
3 girls, 1 boy
Many family vacations
Even more business trips
Countless meals around the kitchen table
Numerous family prayers
An indescribable amount of love

(Thanks to Melissa for the photo.)

Favorite Photo(s) Friday: K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Two little lovebirds sitting in a tree

K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
First comes love, then comes marriage,
then comes the baby in the baby carriage.

Sweet Bryan

Last night. Lilian was asleep. The other kids watching TV downstairs. Bryan and I were working side by side on our respective computers in the den. Peaceful. Bryan cued up a playlist from the music he had on his computer. First song. "Oh! I really like this song!" I said. "Yeah," Bryan replied, "I know." Next song. "Hey..this is one of my favorites too!" Again, "yep, I remember." Song after song. All songs that I like. All the sudden I realized that this playlist Bryan has created...he's gone out of his way to make sure it's stuff I really like. Stuff we haven't listened to in years, some of it, but he's remembered what my favorites on each album are. Remembered my random comments of my likes and dislikes...even after all this time. He knows me well, that man. I was really touched by his sweetness. And something as silly as a music playlist had me smiling like a giddy teenager in love and fighting back tears like a sentimental sap.

Favorite Photo Friday: Snuggling

Christmas morning 2002. There's no real story behind this picture but it's always been one of my favorites. Probably because it represents cozy, happy feelings.... the two of us sprawled together on the floor contentedly watching the kids play with their new Christmas toys. It was a good day.

Depeche Mode

Bryan and I (belatedly) celebrated our anniversary last night by going to the Depeche Mode concert. Neither one of us are big concert goers but this was a group that both of us really enjoyed in high school so we thought it might be fun to get tickets. And wow! We had great seats! Row 14 on the floor...just left of center. We were so excited that we'd be able to see so incredibly well. And then Depeche Mode took the stage...and everyone jumped out of their seats to dance...and stayed that way for the ENTIRE concert. So I still found myself craning my neck and peeking around heads. And I started thinking that those people up in the bowl with the stadium seating could see better than we could! Honestly, though. With a beat like that, a beat that you can feel literally thumping in your chest, how can you not get up and dance? I could not stand still. Actually tried, but could not stand still. And being that near the stage meant that I saw up-close and personal details of the singers. They weren't just little figures bouncing around on stage. They were real people with sweat and eye liner and body glitter.But just as much as I enjoyed watching the band, I watched the audience. I've never seen so many "thirty-somethings" in one place before! A few people in their twenties...no teenagers at all. And they were all singing these songs word for word, hands in the air, heads bopping in rhythm. Bryan and I shared quite a few humorous smiles as we watched the people around us.
And now I'm wondering if my kids, who probably see us as old and out of it, think we're cool for going to a rock concert? Or if they think we're foggies for going to a rock concert of a group that they've never even heard of before.

It's been a crazy, busy week...

* Went on two early morning bike rides with a friend...one of which rendered me sore and pretty much wasted for the rest of the day. Bribed my girls to watch Lilian while I took a much needed nap.
* Picked up Brandon from cousin camp and happily listened to his stories of all the fabulous things they did....camping, river rafting, laser tag, etc. The kid was practically glowing, he had so much fun.
* Did a bunch of babysitting for my sisters. One day saw 5 extra kids here aged 7 and down...two of which were under the age of 1. Cute kids, all of them, but thank heavens for Rebekah and Julianne's help.
* Celebrated mine and Bryan's 16th wedding anniversary. Have I mentioned lately how much I love this husband of mine?
* Spent a day at Lagoon for the first time in 4 years. Still don't like the Wild Mouse. Love the feeling in my stomach I get from the Tidal Wave. Got a sore throat from the screams that were unintentionally ripped out of me while riding Wicked. And got drenched riding the Cliff Hanger over and over and over again with a huge grin on my face. Oh. The kids had fun too. :)
* Went to 4 rehearsals for "Pirates of Penzance".
* Went to lunch with some sweet choir friends.
* Went to "Hello Dolly" at Hale Centre Theatre with my sisters.
* Spent a day at Cherry Hill and let the kids talk me into riding the Cardiac Canyon waterslide.
* Dealt with Lilian's 2 days worth of 104 degree fever.
* Became the schedule keeper for Rebekah and Julianne as they tried to juggle numerous babysitting jobs for various neighbors.
* Watched the laundry go undone, the dishes pile up and the grass go uncut....
Tomorrow starts a new week. Fresh, uncluttered and open. Looking forward to seeing what we can make of it.

16 Years!

Bryan and I have been married 16 years today! And honestly, it has been a wonderful 16 years! I couldn't have married a better man. He is an amazing husband and father and I am SO lucky...so blessed, really, to be the girl that gets to have him and hold him for this life and eternity. I love him...oh, how I love him!!

I loved my dress. It felt romantic and sweet to my 19 year old self. Bryan was with me when I tried it on. Apparently I didn't put too much stock in that whole superstition that the groom isn't supposed to see the bride in her dress till the actual wedding. I tried the dress on and marched right out to show him. As soon as I saw his mouth drop open and the look that came over his face I knew I had my dress! In hindsight I'm guessing it might not have been the particular dress but more the picture of ME IN a WEDDING DRESS that did it.


I had always dreamed of getting married in the Salt Lake Temple but it was closed for cleaning on our wedding day. We chose the Jordan River Temple instead. And I'm really glad we did. There were only two brides getting married that day. No rush, lots of attention from those sweet ladies helping me get ready in the brides room, no waiting for picture spots. And the uniqueness of being married somewhere other than the Salt Lake Temple where just about everyone else is married!! It makes the Jordan River Temple extra special for us.


My Uncle Ron took this candid picture as we were coming out of the temple after the marriage ceremony. I didn't even know he was taking the shot...but it has ended up being my very favorite picture of all the ones we got that day, candid or professional.



We had a REALLY long reception. We debated two different times for the reception... either 6:00-8:30 or 7:00-9:30. When we sent the announcement to the printers we accidentally combined the two and ended up from 6:00-9:30! But my parents will always say that it was a happy accident. The reception was in the Lion House garden and it was so cool and shady there that people came, sat and just stayed since the reception was so long. No one felt rushed or hurried.


We honneymooned in Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. I'd never been on a plane, I'd never been to Disneyland/World so it was quite an adventure for me on a whole bunch of different levels! We had such a wonderful time! Julianne looked at this picture yesterday and said, "Mom, you and Dad look happy but you sure wore weird clothes!" :)