Trip to Northern California, start of new semester....

Hello again.... Sorry it's been so long.

Danny and I had our annual trip to Northern California - Redding area - to visit his friends and family there. We went fishing, camping and took a trip to the Shasta Caverns while we were there. It's so nice to get away from the busy life of San Diego for a week! The only I would have to say was hard to deal with was the temperature! 116 degrees is hard to get used to.

We spent a good deal of time with Danny's best friend, Benny and his wife Erika - who I've grown to love dearly over the last couple of years. We spent a day at Whiskey Town Lake and even did a little dirt bike ridding in Unlce Jimmy's back yard. We had a great time hanging out with cousin, Eryn, and her daughter, Kady - who has grown so attached to Danny! We also got to visit with Benny's brother, Adam, who also a good friend of Danny's.

We also attended Danny's brothers, Chris, wedding. Danny is very happy to have a sister - finally! Plus he enjoyed his "best man" duties! : ) The wedding was a beach theme, so the boys wore kaki colored shorts with Tommy Bahama shirts (which were awesome), and the girls wore a wonderful aqua colored dresses. The wedding was georgous and so was the Bride! I can't wait until she and I are finally sisters! I couldn't have asked for a better person to add to my extending family!

I had my bridal shower on Saturday, August 25th. My sister and maid of honor, Sarah, did a wonderful job. I'll include a picture of the cake she made which was AMAZING! The theme was Orange, because when I took the girls to try on their dresses, the only color the shop had in the styles we wanted to try was this ugly Orange! It turned out great and I loved every minute of it.

Bidesmaids! (Kaitlin & cousin Amanda)

The presents! I had fun opening!!

The awesome cake my sister made.

The dress up like a bride game with Toilet paper

cousin Amanda & I with the rehearsal bouquet!

Next we are onto finishing the wedding plans. We are only 5 weeks away and counting down the days.... I am more excited about our Disneyland honeymoon!!! Just FYI - we are registered at the following places...

Crate & Barrel

thehoneymoon.com

Target

Macy's

Please DON'T feel obligated to get us something! We just want blessings and prayers from everyone. : )

Well, I think that's all my finger's can handle for today.... Take care all and we hope to hear from / see you all soon!!! Love ya!

I almost forgot! The pictures of the rings!

Hello All!

I am back! I survived the crazy school and work schedule I had to endure the last few months. I apologize about not keeping up to date with you all.

Ok, so lets see what's new..... Danny and I purchased our wedding bands yesterday. I am really excited about the new rings! See the pictures! : ) Let's see - we went to Men's Warehouse and picked out the guys tuxedo's. Of course, Danny chose one fo the most expensive ones, but I love it. It's Ralph Lauren and it's pin stripped. I can't wait to see him try it on! We have also ordered out invitations and they will be ready to be mailed out around September. Next we get to focus on our song list for the ceremony and reception, and meet with our officiant to discuss any readings, traditions, etc.

Just this last weekend, I spent with mom at a Princess House party. It was fun, but quite pricy. I am excited that I will getting a few "things" from the catalog!

I am starting up with my Accounting class tomorrow... I can't wait to get this one over with.... I need to get an A in the class in oder to get into my business program for the Fall semester at Cal. State.

Next weekend, I have two bridal showers! My soon-to-be sister-in-law is having her bridal shower on Saturday, then Cyndy's is on Sunday.... It will be another busy weekend. The following weekend after that, Danny and I will be making our annual trip up to Redding, CA, to visit his friends and family.

Well, I'd better get back to work. Hope all is well with everyone! Miss you all and love you all!

Engagement Pictures!

Hello All:

Our photographer posted our engagement pictures on her website. Please go and check them out and let me know which one's you like best! We are trying to narrow down which one's we want to use for the newspaper announcement, and for on the tables at the reception, etc. so I need some opinions on which one's you like the best! I have asked all my friends and faimly for opinions, so let me know. Here's the link:

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=0F07001N

Let's see.... I finally ordered our guest book, toasting flutes and cake serving set. They are from the Vera Wang Love Knots collection. I love them! They are simple, but elegant. I like that they can go with any theme. Here's some pictures:

Danny received his first evaluation at his new job with Harrah's Casino a few weeks ago. His manager said he was very impressed with him and gave him a promotion, since one of the team members left last month and also gave him a pay increase! He was very excited about it. He's even been toying with the idea of going back to school to get additional certifications in other software and operating programs for computers, since the company pays for it. We also just joined 24 Hour Fitness so we can both get in shape and look good for the wedding! : )

That's about it so far. We are still looking and shopping around for a baker, but I'm not in a hurry. I met with my mom's friend, Lori, last weekend, so we might go with her to make the cake....not sure yet. I'll keep you all posted!

Take care! Hugs and kisses!

We needed a break....

This week was the usual running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I did ok...at least that what I like to think.... I am trying to stay on top of my homework as best as possible. It always seems like there's more and more everytime I turn around!

This past weekend was another busy one. I went over to mom's on Saturday and we helped Matt move his stuff out of the old apartment and rented a storage unit. That was eventful! LOL We had a good time. We had lunch together and chit chatted. It was nice to catch up with those two. I really know how much I love my family when we can sit and conversate and have a good time without even trying!

I then grabbed David and we went to dinner at Applebee's on Saturday night. We also ran some errands at Target and the grocery store... The next morning, David, Danny and I loaded my car full of snowboarding gear and headed for Big Bear in the San Bernadino Mountains!!! The drive up was nice, but once we got on the mountain it was quite foggy and a little nerve racking for me. I hate fog! Once we made it up to the top, we headed for Motel 6 where we made reservations for the night. We dropped our stuff off in the room, put on our snowboarding clothes and headed for the slopes!!! David was extremely excited. He's been waiting all season to go with someone and now he was finally there. He's REALLY good at snowboarding. He spent the last thee years going up to Big Bear with his best friend, Kevin, and speding weekends at a time snowboarding.

This was Danny's first time snowboarding, so David gave him a run down of what to do once he was on the board and in the snow. David was nice enough to go on a couple of runs down the slopes with Danny and I until Danny felt comfortable enough to make it on his own. He was a little frustrated at first, but by the end of the day, Danny was doing tricks on a thing called a box. David was very impressed! : ) It even started to snow and rain after about an hour of us arriving. We were all exhausted and sore by about 1:30 pm, so we headed back to the motel for a nap. We got back up again and decided to explore Big Bear. We went over to the lake and took some pictures - it was freezing out there! We decided to go back to the Motel and watch some T.V. and hang out for a bit. Then we decided on a place for dinner. It was awesome food, but the service wasn't so nice... Oh well.

The next moring we packed up our stuff, dropped our room keys off at the fron desk and headed back to the slopes one more time. We snowboarded for about 4 hours, then decided to start heading home. We first stopped off at McDonald's for lunch! We dropped David off, battle through 5 o'clock traffic, and finally made it home. We unloaded all of our stuff, took quick showers, and jumped in our pj's. All in all, we had a great time, and it was a nice break for a weekend. I hope we get to do it again before this season is over...

Last night Danny and I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day, since he will be working tonight and I will be at school, we won't get to see each other today. We had dinner at the Karl Strauss Restaurant and Brewery. I had the Ginger Salmon and Danny had the Porthouse steak. Both were delicious! We even discussed having our rehearsal dinner there... Danny gave me a box with massage oil, bath gel, and lotion from Bath and Body Works. It smells awesome! I got him his box of gormet chocolate covered strawberries like the one's I got him last year. He liked them so much, I thought it would be easy.... I think I'll have to do something different next year though!

Well, I think that's enough of an update for now! Above are some pictures we took at Big Bear...

Take care all and Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

That's not all folks!

Hello All:

Well, I started off the week last week dropping one of my four classes. The professor was not very good and probably shouldn't be teaching at a University. I figured it was best to drop the class, since I am sure I would not have had a chance to get a decent grade from him. Hopefully there will be a different professor teaching next semester.....

Friday night, I went to dinner with Danny's family and invited my brother Matt and his girlfriend Cassie to come along. It was lots of fun and about half way through the meal, Danny's aunt Kim and uncle Jimmy from Northern California (Redding to be exact - about a 10 hour drive away from San Diego) came walking in the door of the restaurant! We were all shocked and surprised! They had flown down to surprise Danny's parents for the weekend.

We spent the next day having lunch at one of the casino's - I don't gamble, just watch. While we were there, I ran into a couple that has known my parents for years! Uncle Albert and Aunt Bobbi! I was so excited to see them and introduce them to Danny. They looked really good, so I was happy about that. We caught up on the happenings of both families and hugged for minute and parted ways. I was really great to see them.

After lunch with Danny's family, Danny ran off to work at Harrah's and we walked around the casino. I usually just go and watch Danny's parents play all the games. I get a kick out of people watching while we are there! Some of those people do some weird things to those slot machines! I guess they think it makes them pay them more money. Danny said it doesn't, the machines are calebrated to hit at random times. They just look silly. : )

Saturday night we stayed home and went to bed early. Sunday was the last football game of the season - Super Bowl. We were rooting for the Colts, since the Chargers didn't make it. David, my youngest brother, came over and had some food and chatted with everyone. He said he had a good time and I was glad he came. I invited Mom about three weeks ago, but she didn't want to go.... : - P

Sunday night Danny and I stopped by Mom's house to drop off the school parking pass Sarah and I share, and Danny looked at one of David's old snowboards. The three of us are making a trip up to Big Bear - a mountain close by for snowboarding and skiing - next weekend on Sunday. I will have to get some pictures and post them for you guys! This will be interesting since this is Danny's first time snowboarding!

Well, that's it for now. Chat will you all soon!

Hi again - it's me....

Well, I made it through my first full week of school and work. I am exhausted! This busy stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be. Between the driving to school, driving to work, and driving to Mom's house to drop off the school parking pass Sarah and I are sharing (because $248.00 per car is ridiculous), I'm tired and out of gas! Literally! But, I know it's all worth it... In the end I will have a marvelous career, a loving husband that I know will support me through anything, and be ready to face the corporate world. I hope all works out and I get to graduate in 2 years.... I estimated I have 5 semesters left after this one... That's including Summer semesters. Those will probably be just as busy.

We finally decided what to do for our honeymoon!!! Yippie! We are going to Disneyland!!! I know, it's a "kids" thing, but it's totally a "Danny and me" thing to do. We don't really get to go that often, maybe once a year if we are lucky, which is kind of a bummer since we live so close. It was really Danny's idea. I was going for Vegas, but we decided that might be too expensive. Then I got to thinking about what my mom and dad did for their honeymoon, and Disneyland was one of them. When my mom and dad got married, they were 19, and decided to drive up and down the cost of California visiting all the museums and theme parks. They had the "Trip to California" honeymoon. I thought how cute would it be that my soon-to-be husband and I follow in their footsteps...sort of. : ) I can't wait. It will be so exciting. We are going all out too! Only 8 months to go... Is it normal to be getting nervous already???

Dany and I are meeting with a DJ we met a few months ago this afternoon. His prices are quite reasonable, but I want to know if he's got the personality to carry the party! DJ's will make or break the show! Hopefully it will all work out.

Next I get to start shopping for bakery's. I really need to meet with my mom's friend to see what her prices are. So far I have visited one bakery and their price for a cake that would be big enough is $260.00.... Is that too much for a wedding cake??? One other place, down in San Diego, sent me a packet in the mail saying their price for a big enough cake was $312.00. Now the $260.00 isn't looking so bad. How the heck does this stuff get so pricy??? Oh well...guess I still need a cake, huh?

Anywho...that's the scoop for the week... I hope to post again next Friday! Love to the peeps! LOL Love to all!

Hello again:

My mom is urging me to continue my entries into the blogger. I know a few of you family memebers read it, so I agree it's a good place to keep in touch.

Well, school is starting this week, and we should be in full swing of the Spring semester shortly. I can say I am not really looking forward to the craziness of a busy schedule again, but I only have 2 more years of this and I am done! Yippie!

I spent this last weekend (my last "free" weekend) running around with my soon-to-be sister in-law, Kaitlin. She's a wonderful, down-to-earth person, and I love getting to know her. I am glad she will be and addition to my now extended family! : )We went out to dinner on Friday night with Danny's parents at a local restaurant. They are always so generous in buying us girls dinner every once in awhile. On Saturday, Kaitlin and some of her past high school friends meet up at the Mall and we went shopping for dresses... Yes mom, dresses! Can you believe it? LOL I found a bright pink one to wear out that night.

We then went home, took showers and changed for the night. We meet up with the gilrs again, and went to dinner at Bella Luna in the famous Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. It was awesome italian food, but a bit pricy. That's usually what you get when you eat in that area. We then walked two blocks to a dance club. I haven't been to one of those in years. Just being there on Saturday night reaffirmed why I don't like to go to them. They are crowed, noisy, and the people really aren't that pleasant. But, I did enjoy haven't a night out with the girls. It was nice not to have any boys around. Of course, by midnight, the spell on my "such cute shoes" had worn off, so we made a break for the door. I dropped Kaitlin off at home and told her we needed to do this again some time soon! Just no more dance clubs in San Diego - not my thing.

On Sunday, Danny and I met up with his brother, Chris, and Kaitlin. We drove to Robbin's Brothers, the engagement ring store that Danny bought my ring from, to look at wedding bands. We found a couple that we both liked, and Chris and Kaitlin found a few too. I wasn't crazy about the prices, but they were beautiful! We then went to a Tommy Bahama store to have Danny try on a dress shirt that he and the other groomsmen will be wearing at Chris and Kaitlin's wedding in August. But the store didn't have the size. We then made our way to a sports restaurant owed by one of the former San Diego Chargers, Seau's. It is really a sports lovers type of place, but quite nice. We ended up waiting an hour and a half for a table (not worth it) because the hostesses didn't not call our name and it was "game day" for football playoffs. It was a complete error on their part because they changed shifts while we were there and did not communicate to each other who was still waiting for a table. The food was good, but not fantastic, and I personally will not be back anytime soon. It is a place that I think everyone should visit once, just not on "game" day's. : )

We got back home after stopping at Best Buy to visit some of Danny's old co-workers, and finished some laundry and plotted into bed. I figured I wouldn't be doing stuff like this again for a while, since weekends will now be dedicated to homework at Mom's office... I can say I am looking forward to my Saturdays with mom at the office. I do miss those days!

Well, I think that's enough to digest for now! I'll be back in a week, or maybe a few days!