Our Mini-Moon

Because Miles has been been doing so well this summer with Pinnacle, it would have been a shame to leave for a week. We decided to stay in San Francisco for the weekend of our wedding for a little mini-moon and to postpone our honeymoon for a little while to complete the summer here in Sacramento. Thanks to Mike and Cindy, we were very pampered in San Francisco at the Hyatt Regency on Embarcadero. The view from our hotel balcony was amazing! We got to enjoy a Giants game with a special surprise and a couple of days in the city. We went to the Aquarium, on the Bay Tour, to Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, Vista Point, and to the Farmers Markets on Embarcadero. It was so nice to enjoy my husband for more than a few hours in the morning and night. Here are highlights of our mini-moon...

And as a special treat, we got to spend part of Saturday afternoon in the city with my family. It was their first time in San Francisco. Miles later told me it was his second favorite part of our wedding weekend. I'm glad we got to show them around San Fran and share with them some of our favorite things. It's been so fun being so close to San Francisco this summer. My first time here was in November of last year with my traveling art class. I fell in love with the city. Our love for San Francisco was something that bonded Miles and I when we were getting to know one another. We're excited to get to Rexburg, but it will be sad saying goodbye the one of the cities we love.

The Forgotten Thank You's

I already feel like an inadequate blogger. I forgot to thank a few of the people that I really wanted to mention most. So I’m hoping that this will make up for my mistake somehow. First and foremost, the two people that have made me feel like a pretty princess my entire life, and not just on my wedding day. How could I fail to mention my parents that not only planned a wedding that was 3,500 miles away but they wanted nothing more than to make this day perfect for Miles and me. My mom rewrapped the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, stuffed and tied bows on 125 guest gift boxes, dry cleaned and carried my dress across the country, mended my sister’s bridesmaid dresses, called numerous vendors, caterers, flower shops, cake places, photographers, and everything in between, as well as countless other little details. My dad not only shopped for plane tickets and car rentals for hours and days, but also provided the projector and speakers for our reception, and no doubt tons of loving support for my mom and paid entirely too much money to ensure that our wedding day was what I had always dreamed. Thank you so much mom and dad for making my wedding a fairytale.

I’d like to quickly thank my Aunt Jackie that not only made my sash, my flowergirl’s sash, and altered one of my bridesmaid dresses, but she also spent so much time searching for and picking out the perfect fabric to match my wedding color. I really appreciate the time you took. It pulled everything together perfectly.

How could I forget the two best friends and sisters, Jen and Nikki, thank you so much for the surprise bridal shower, the bachelorette party (even if it was ever so slightly embarrassing) the shower gifts, the wedding gifts, for all the pampering and details, for going with the flow, making my wedding experience as flawless and smooth as possible. Jen, I know I said it before, but thank you so much for the beautiful quilt that you spent hours and months making for Miles and I. It is a treasured gift that we will hang proudly in our new home. Nikki, thank you so much for the time and preparation you put in to so many things and especially for the speech you gave at our reception. Miles really appreciated the things that you said, and has told me numerous times how special it was. It’s so fun to look back and realize that you were there with us from the beginning.

I also want to thank Sammy and Cassidy for being so helpful. You no doubt spent several hours the night before our wedding helping your mom, Todd and Aunt Dee prepare the food at the reception, and then turned around and were so helpful at the reception. Your service did not go unnoticed, and Miles and I appreciate you both so much. We can’t wait to help at your wedding!

I know I already mentioned Mike and Cindy, Sue, Todd, and Aunt Dee, but I am so grateful for how our wedding came together seamlessly. It was breathtaking, and we really appreciate your help.

I am officially a Pinnacle wife.

WE'RE MARRIED!

I'm a happy little wifey loving married life! What better way to kick off married life than start a blog! Our wedding day was such a whirlwind and went by way too quickly. It started out at 3:00am with one of the worst leg cramps I have ever had! I woke up in tears and my dad ran to my side and massaged my leg until the pain went away. Thanks dad! We got to the Oakland temple at 11am. As soon as I stepped out of the car and saw Miles my nervous excitement set in and butterflies took over my stomach. The temple sealing was beautiful. There is nothing in the world like kneeling across the alter from the man of my dreams and being sealed. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Miles and I have already seen the blessings that come from bringing our hearts to the Lord. From the temple we went to the gorgeous Claremont Hotel in Berkeley for our luncheon, provided by Mike and Cindy Heidorn. I loved all the sweet and sentimental things that they came up with, including our table centerpieces of Miles and I when we were little, the big Miles and Chelsey cardboard cutout, and the personalized M&M's in the cute little brides dress and grooms tux bags. The service was great, the food was delicious, and the company was even better. Following the luncheon we went to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens for our reception. The setting was beautiful, but Aunt Dee, Sue and Todd Erickson, and all of their helpers made it immaculate. All the little flowers and colors and table linens, champagne flutes, the lights... it all added up to be perfect. My sister Jen spent months working on a beautiful quilt of pictures of Miles and I. It was the perfect backdrop behind the wedding party. I'm not kidding, she's a professional. If ever you want a quilt made, you should hire her! Todd prepared a video of Miles and I with pictures from when we were little and when we were dating, video footage from our engagement photo session, as well as interviews of each of us on our first impressions, first date, and the proposal. It brought such a sweet spirit into our reception. As the video begins to show pictures of us together, our song started and Miles and I shared our first dance. My husband is such a romantic. He whispered sweet nothings both in English and Italian. It was the perfect moment. Thank you for all those that shared in the planning, preparation, funding, and production of our wedding. It was my fairytale wedding come true.

8/8/08