Our First Christmas

This year we were both really in the Christmas spirit. We got our first Christmas tree together and decorated the house for the season. We put up lights and stockings and a wreath. While putting up our tree we had a special little helper. Ne-J was so curious about the tree that she was right there making sure that we did everything right! We had such a wonderful Christmas spending it with family and friends.

Louisburg Cider Mill

On my birthday Neal took me to the Louisburg Cider Mill. It was such a great day. First we went and looked at the cider mill that had been making cider since the '70s. They have hay rides, a corn maze and a pumpkin patch that we did while we were there. 

We had such a great time doing the corn maze, then searching for our pumpkins and and going on the hay ride. Once we were done with that we stopped by the General Store where we had some hot apple cider and cider doughnuts. It was a great fall day to spend at the cider mill and a wonderful birthday!

Our Disney Honeymoon

Day 1: The Start of Our Disney Honeymoon!

Mostly travel, we flew to Orlando, FL to go to Disney World. Once arriving we got to the Disney Magical Express that would take us to our resort, the Port Orleans Resort. The Port Orleans is designed after Louisiana plantation homes. Once there we check in and then went to our room and did some exploring. We decided that  the got some food, I got a turkey sandwich and Neal got pasta and we each got a dessert. and explored the Port Orleans Resort.


We got there great buttons since we had just got married and we wore the the whole time we were at Disney World!






Day 2: Animal Kingdom here we come!

 Here we went to Mt. Everest and made it past the Abominable Snowman

Then we went on an African Safari and saw giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos and a tons of other animals on the African plans. After all our adventures we decided that we needed some sustenance so we got some ice cream.
For dinner that night we went to a restaurant called Sanana which served African food.









I had lamb and rice with jasmine and Neal had a sirloin steak. Then for dessert we had a trio of chocolate cake, the best chai mouse and a mango sorbet.

 Everything was so yummy!

Day 3: Magic Kingdom
Our day at Magic Kingdom was so much fun! Our first stop was Tomorrow Land where we went to Space Mountain and Monster's Inc Laugh Factory. Then on our way out we saw this trash can that was talking to different people. The trash can started talking to us and was asking us where we were from and asked us if we had just got married and we sure did! We also saw so many different Princesses and Princes and we fit right in! Next we saw Pirates and Buz Light Year, and went on a boat jungle tour. Then off to Splash Mountain. At first I did not want to go because I did not want to get wet, but Neal said 'Oh you wont get wet' but he was wrong I got soaked. But I do have to say that even though I got totally soaked Splash Mountain was a fun ride.

Once the sun went down we went to the Haunted Mansion where Neal was shaking in his shoes since he was a bit scared. Then we went and watched the Electrical Parade while we were waiting to have our dinner at Tony's Italian Restaurant which was from the movie Lady and the Tramp. We had awesome Italian food and for dessert we a yummy had tiramisu.

Day 4: Hollywood Studios

First stop the Rockin' Roller Coaster which I think was one of Neal's favorite rides.

Then we and watched the Indiana Jones stunt show again that was super cool. We walked around and saw a ton more shows and road some more rides and then we had to hit the road and head over to the Polynesian Resort for our luau show and dinner.

Once there we went to the beach and enjoyed the sand where Neal wrote our names with our anniversary then we went over to the show where we got flower leis. The we had dinner which included a wonderful salad and pineapple bread. For the main course we had chicken and veggies and for dessert we had chocolate lava ice cream caked with a pineapple drizzle and while we ate we watched the Spirit of Aloha Show. During the show we saw Hawaiian dances and a guy eating fire. All I have to say the the show was way cool!

                                       

After the Polynesian show was done we headed back over to Hollywood Studios and watched another show called Fantasmic. It was an awesome light show with all the Disney characters.

Day 5: Epcot

Welcome to Epcot. Today we went around the world. First we went on all the rides. There were so many of them. Since it was not peak season at Disney we were able to go on all of them that we wanted.  We saw Nemo, Dinosaurs, and went on this ride through this experimental plant nursery where they were looking into new ways to grow plants. We also went on the GM Test Track where you got to ride in a car that was going through a whole bunch of safety tests.

Then we went on a ride called Mission to Mars. It was so cool, when we got in the ride each person had a 'job' I was the Navigator and Neal was the Pilot. During the ride it actually felt like you were in space with no gravity. It was such a cool experience!




For lunch we went to the Finding Nemo restaurant called the Coral Reef. There I had lobster ravioli and Neal had chicken with risotto, then for dessert Neal had almond ice cream and I had chocolate lava cake. Inside it there was a huge aquarium where there were a ton of different fish, and if you wanted to and had your dive license you could go diving in the aquarium.




During the second part of the day we went through the 'World' part of Epcot. We went to Germany, China, Norway, Mexico, Italy, and France. That night we decided to stay in France and have dinner at this French restaurant called Bistro de Paris. There we had such an amazing and romantic dinner it was so very nice. That night for starters we had a pea soup, then for the main course I had chicken and Neal had a steak and last but not lease for dessert Neal had creme brulee and flan and I had chocolate cake and sorbet. Yum!


Then that night through the windows of the restaurant we saw the Epcot fire works that were amazing!

Day 6: Headed Home

On our final day we did not get to do too much so we checked in out luggage for the flight then explored the ground of our hotel some more before we had to go and wait for Disney's magical Express to take us back to reality. We were sad to leave but we had such a wonderful time!

Then we got to the Orlando Airport to wait for our flight back to Kansas City

  

We had such an amazing Honeymoon it was a wonderful way to start out life as a married couple!

A Year in Review, First stop Our Wedding!

There have been a ton of awesome changes in my life in the last year. So lets start in October 2010 and move towards the present....

Our Wedding
On October 10th 2010 I married the man that I love, Neal. We have an amazing wedding and got to share our special day with our family and friends. On that morning I woke up and started packing the car and getting everything that I needed for the day. Rings, marriage license, unity sand, flowers and of course the dress. When we got to the venue where both the ceremony and reception was to take place we started setting up. I was so very blessed to have friends and family help me with all of this it was a really stress free beginning of the day. Getting hair done make- up on and finally the dress I was finally ready to start taking some pictures. Neal and I did not see each other until the ceremony so these pictures were of the myself and Neal with bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Finally, the ceremony was about to start, everyone was seated. The wedding party and Neal were up at the front and I was waiting with my dad for the doors to open. I was so excited to see my future husband on our wedding day. Then the instrumental version of Unforgettable started to play and the doors swung open. It was a amazing experience walking down with aisle with my dad. The ceremony went so fast but at the same time it was like time was standing still watching it from the outside. The next time I walked down the aisle was with my husband!

We went and did more pictures with our awesome wedding party, from left to right Nathaniel, Mallory, Kelly (Maid of Honor), Me, Neal (my new husband), Mike (Best man), Ethan (ring bearer), Corinna, Luke and Thomas. And up to the reception where we ate amazing barbecue, a magnificent cake that my aunt Sandy made for us.

Then it was time for dancing and then mingling with our guests. After an amazing evening we headed out to start our married life together.

Next stop our Honeymoon to Disney World...