Bridesmaid Dresses

Bridesmaid dresses have been chosen!**

We went to David's Bridal. Looked around at the dresses & catalog. Talked to the sales lady. Rae & Erin tried some dresses & made a final choice.

I didn't take a picture of the one that looked very cute on the rack, but.. not so much on. It was the type of material that just ::clinged:: to the buttox. Rae & Erin have nice butts and all, but didn't think it was fair to show off their goodies at [my] wedding. haha.

The sizes available in our favorite dress just {happened} to be in Michigan colors. Rae did not seem to mind ;)

Then the decision had to be made, RED or BLACK dress.

Red dress with [black] shoes?

Black dress with [red] shoes?

We all agreed that buying red shoes would be {much more} fun to buy. The decision was made. Black dress it was with red shoes it is!

Now what about the hair!?!?

1st Christmas as a {family}

This is a [be-lated] picture time line of our month of December.

Our month began with a parade in Downtown Rochester. We bundled up, bought hot cocoa, and froze our bottoms for a few hours as we watched the parade.


My favorite part of the parade!! {DOGS!!}} We really should have brought Mozie with us!


Next was graduation. I completed college {{finally}}!! Afterward the ceremony, my mom & dad, Linda & Dave (MIL & FIL) & Chris went out to eat at Mongolian Barbeque. It was a new experience for our parents, but they LOVED it.


Then, the ::baking:: began. Not one or two days, but for four days I baked, baked, and baked some more. Mozie occasionally joined me in the kitchen to try to get any fallen goodies.


**Our Christmas Tree** We wrapped all of our gifts in newspaper- to be more earth friendly :)



First, we made hot cocoa (one of newly started traditions).


Then we opened our stockings! Mozie got chewnolas-- YUM!*


Our other tradition, is funny ornaments in each other stockings. Chris' was birds with "2009". Mine was "Bacon. Food of the Gods"

Then, there was Christmas day celebration between both families, presents, and **love**


AND THIS [WONDERFUL] PICTURE DEPICTS a *typical* night at our home. Chris tries to see me. Mozie intercepts. haha.

UpDaTe!!**

Wow! What a year it has been! I haven't updated this blog for {{quite}} a while. Instead, of writing a ridiculously long blog to update on all of the wedding plans... here is a [short] list of aspects that have been let's say "taken care of"/started:

• chair covers and table linens
• 1st deposit on the hall
• wedding dress ordered (YaaaY!)
• engagement portraits taken, ordered, and delivered
• one cake tasting
• initial meeting with the pastor [Matt's- Rachel's fiance- father]
  

And that's all I can think of now. haha.

We have a cake tasting ((yuuummmy!!)) with another bakery in January. Then we have EVERYTHING else to do. Now that, I do not have a job, may be wedding planning can be put on the front burner! haha. Let's hope I don't procrastinate with wedding plans like I do with everything else.

That is it for now. Next blog will discuss our December happiness! Then back on track with wedding planning.

OH! I almost forgot! We got a puppy! I think most people know this by now. Her name is Mozie. She was named after Mozart Amadeus. Yes, I know-- NERDY! Ah well. But look
{{{ how cute she is}}}--not how much wedding weight I am not losing....

Stand By Me

I love LOVE this song. I want this song at our wedding some how. Chris found this rendition. It was on ABC this morning. The guy who created this video was their "person of the week".

Amazing.

Daddy & Daughter

So, since my dad's name is Rocky, I find it only fitting that we somehow incorporate the song, Eye Of The Tiger into the wedding. While searching for the song, I came across this. Almost peed my pants laughing during the first minute or so.

Apartment Goodies

Right now, we're looking at Urbane Apartments in Royal Oak. They're very neat! They have newer appliances, earth friendly attributes ( YaY! ), and just are in a good area for the both of us!

Now with the details......

We went to IKEA today and spent.. let's just say a good amount of money. haha. It was money well spent though!

Here is a little preview of what we bought (all images from IKEA.com):
Our coffee table



Imagine this horizontal.. and it's our TV stand!



A lamp very similar to this X 2


We also bought some cute wicker baskets for our TV stand, cutting boards (two kinds to boot!), cooking knives, light bulbs (need them for our lamps), and a picture frame for the bathroom.

Last weekend we bought some stuff for our bathroom at Home Goods. We bought a soap dish, soap dispenser [yes, both], garbage can, and cup all made from recycled bamboo. Which makes me VERY happy! :)

And last but not least, I long for the day where I find a spot to use this in our apartment:


But in yellow! {{IKEA doesn't have a picture of the yellow one!}}

Weekend Update

I saw this picture and thought, "Hey! I like long rectangular tables. How can I incorporate this into MY wedding?"

My answer...

Make these the reserved tables for the immediate family! I just saw this picture today, so the idea is still fresh. It may change.

On another note, we might have found a DJ. We were researching the other night. Found one with a good deal. Had the DVD sent to us. It's a VERY VERY economical cost. AND ((my favorite part)), we can have a classical guitarist to play during dinner. LOVE it!

Another thing..

I JOINED A GYM!!!

I am so into working out right now.{It's kind of scary, actually} haha. I joined Fitness 19, which is right across the street from my work. I've been going every day after work. It's only been a week. My plan is to continue going every day after work and do arm and leg exercises at home afterwards. Then on the days I don't work, I will do videos or the elliptical at home. I even count calories! I never EVER thought I'd say that! haha. My goal is to lose at least 40 pounds for the wedding [hoping for more!] We'll see what happens.

Chris and I ran some... errands... today and were talking of wedding ideas. I love when we are both excited about the details! I think I mentioned before that we are not doing the traditional table numbers. We are going to be naming the tables by street names. We decided to make the street signs the same shape/look as they would be in their "natural country." I don't know how to explain it. I guess you'll have to wait and see!!! :)

A few things we want to complete this month:

1. Initial meeting with florist (friend's sister-in-law)
2. Initial meeting with ceremony musician (cousin)
3. Finalize choice for DJ and place deposit
4. Organize wedding photos/ideas
5. Follow-up meeting with parents [to finalize guest lists]
6. Continue working my ass out to lose more weight!!