Hawaii Here We Come!

We leave for Hawaii on Sunday at 6 am. We are so grateful to Mike's parents for bringing us to the OIA at such an awful hour. Hopefully, Mike's ear infection will clear up soon and the flight will be comfortable for him. We will spend 5 days in Oahu and 4 days in Maui. These are some of the places we want to visit.

I am looking forward to visiting Chinatown in Honolulu. We can do some shopping and visit religious temples. Since Mike teaches Comparative Religions and I have a short section on World Religions, hopefully we can get some nice pictures and maybe right off the admission. We can't wait to snorkel and Mike bought an underwater camera. We practiced using it in my mom's pool. I included some pictures at the bottom. These are a few of the sights we hope to see in Oahu, Shark's Cove and Turtle Beach We booked this snorkeling excursion on Maui, Molokini Snorkel Mike is really looking forward to hiking Diamondhead. I am hoping to rest afterwards at the pool with a tropical drink and my feet in the water. Even more exciting to my husband is the luau on Maui! We are foodies and this 3 hour dinner and show extravaganza will be so cool! I am looking forward to trying poi, despite its reputation. I love to shop more than hike. I know this looks like Oahu's glorified flea market, but I don't care! I can't wait to haggle! This is a temple in honor of the Japanese population of Hawaii. Listen for us ringing the bell. When we visit Maui, Mike wants to go on a road trip over the Hana Highway. On this road is the Seven Sacred Pools.

Pictures to follow! Say a prayer for safe travel on our 14 hour day of travel beginning Sunday.

The Pictures Are Here!

http://www.printroom.com/pro/newconceptphoto

Go to this link to see the raw pictures. He posted everything, not just some, but the entire rolls.

Wedding Day!

It was a beautiful day, and everyone was so kind. We were so happy to see everyone and thinking of those who could not make it. We want to give a lot of thanks to our families and bridal parties, they helped to make the day wonderful. We are thankful for our guests, too. They kept the good times rollin'!
Break Dancers

Cutting the Cake

We had no idea how to go about it. It was such a beautiful cake, mmmm... the white chocolate shells.....

Here I am dancing with my other favorite man in a tux that day. He cut a rug with many a guest that night, as you can see at the end of the second video below.

Jen Caught the Bouquet!

Michael's father and Aunt Mary gave us an Irish Lullaby.

This was one of our last dances of the night.

Mike's on TV!

Michael's school won the Cool School of the week. He was filmed teaching. It was a very positive push for the school, and Mike helped. It is nice to be part of the community of Catholic schools in Orlando. It feels like a family with the same goals; parents, teachers, administrators, staff, and students working together in a positive, kind manner. I feel very blessed to have both of us employed by the Diocese.

We are registered.

Michael and I set up a Wedding Registry at Target. A good thing about getting married a little later in life is that we have both had time to accrue things. Mike has a condo with nice furniture. (I helped him say goodbye his college furniture.) My parents offer hand me downs for his condo whenever they buy something new for the house. Between the two for us, we will have two households of stuff.

I help Mike install things at his condo, though, so I am really hoping for cordless drill. (He has a door that needs a new track.) A tool box with drawers to put all my tools in would nice, too. Mike really wants stuff for the kitchen. He has his heart set on a block knife set. A set of pots to cook in would make his day, too. I realize our lack of regard for gender rules may surprise some of you, but I would happily install a wall shelf while he makes a pot roast. :)

Our big hope is to have a Honeymoon Cruise to Alaska. It is a dream of Mike's and it sounds wonderful to me, too. If you would like to help us realize that dream, we would appreciate that, too.

Go here for the registry: http://www.target.com/registry/wedding/36JUDKP5OS51D

Lilies

We bought the flowers today. I chose (in accordance with Mike's preference) lilies since our wedding follows Easter.

Groomzilla

I guess I am just not girly enough. I am not concerned with all the tiny wedding details. I tried on 4 dresses before I found one I liked. I just want my bridesmaids to be comfortable in their gowns and to feel pretty, so whatever they like is what they will wear. I want music people can dance to and food that the guests enjoy. I want to see friends and family having a good, relaxed time. Anything other than those things, and I just am not worried. The perfect shade of blue for the napkins is just not registering on my mental radar.

Michael, on the other hand, has become a Groomzilla. He has definite opinions about the bridesmaids' gowns, invitations, groomsmen's tuxes, and cake. So I am going with the flow. We did pick out a beautiful cake, that Michael said was "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen... after you, Baby."

I tease, but it is his day, too, and I am glad to have help. (And I did put my foot down on one thing, Molly is not going to be a flower girl.)

Wedding Invitations

This is the wedding invitation we ordered. We will be sending them out in January.

Molly's Jacket

My mother got a Red Sox leash for Michael and Molly. The lady who sold it to her threw in this little jacket.

God Bless You, Molly.

Today was the blessing of the pets at the church of my school. Father Mark said a lovely prayer and reminded us of the kindness of St. Francis. There were so many animals! We saw a lot of dogs, a few cats, even a snake, hamster, and giant lizard that had to be carried like a baby! Molly was very well behaved when she was sprinkled with holy water and given a blessing.

Brian and Cathy's Reception

We had fun at the reception. We even took a few nice pictures.

Buzz buzz.....

Mike's high school mascot is the Hornet. So, when we went to the veterinarian (yes, I had to go because he refuses to hold her while she gets her shots) and he saw this, it was purchased immediately. He wants to install her as the new high school mascot. I think she would be kind of hard to see at a football game...

The puppy insanity continues...

Now he has a stroller thanks to my mother.

Sugar Mill

This is the country club where we will have our reception.

A Day Together in NSB

We met with the pre-marriage counselor today and she said we did quite well on our test! We actually high-fived each other from across the table. We made the deposit on the reception hall. We took pictures today of my beach town. Some pictures are hammy. We got haircuts today, so we felt pretty fabulous and photogenic. ;)

Next Step

Tomorrow, we go to the church together for our pre-marriage counseling. Our pre-wedding surveys were reviewed and now we just have to talk to the counselor. So, another step is completed.

Molly had a bath this afternoon. I washed her and Mike supervised. She did well for a first bath. It invigorated her and she ran around like a soggy maniac. (And I wonder why she runs when she sees me. I bathe her, clip her toenails, hold her when she gets her shots...Mike gets to snuggle, play and let her sleep at the foot of his bed. I am the Hygiene/Vet Lady.)

This is turning into a puppy blog...

I was at the Dollar Tree searching for things I need in the classroom. I saw this little raincoat. It was only a dollar. So, yes, I dressed up the dog. Mike took the pictures. We need to get back to work in our classrooms. Immediately. Summer's leisure time is taking its toll.

She dances!

Mike caught this picture of his puppy. It looks like she is doing the Thriller to me...

Michael turned 31!

I gave him a puppy and the game Rock Band for his birthday. Now he serenades his dog with the sounds of a rippin' guitar riff. She seems to like it. Her name is Molly Maguire. She is one half each pomeranian and chihuahua. She is so cute that it borders on being ridiculous.

It's a beach themed wedding. Let's hope this kid doesn't show up.