Our Blissful Wedding Weekend

Where do I even begin!  The weekend was perfect.  Of course there were a couple (maybe just 1) hiccups along the way - but that was to be expected... I'll start at the beginning

Thursday night.  
Driving from Minneapolis to Decorah - my excitement was over the top.  Of course to eat good food, be with great people, and look forward to the beautiful saturday it was supposed to be - BUT THIS EXCITEMENT was to see the 7 NIECES AND NEPHEWS!  The first one I saw was Mya (who ran clear across the backyard into my arms) and soon to follow her big sis -- Ivy.  Tony also shared in in this love and both girls ran to him with their arms out, as well.  From this point on, I knew how blessed we were and how great the weekend was going to turn out.  The bbq was delicious.. my mom was her true entertaining self - which is quite incredible as you all know.  What I'll always remember about this night?  The people mingling, the kids running around, neighbors stopping by, music playing, and staring at my soon-to-be husband all night long.

Friday.
Pretty worthless sleep the night before - but again, to be expected.  The guys went out golfing while the ladies came to the barn to help decorate.  I LOVED this part.  I was floored by the help from everyone.  Maureen & Molly Beyer from Colorado came to help, my friend, Sam from California, and of course my incredible family.  Between the Beyers steaming the burlap, Amanda irnoning, and my mom and other mom, Merlene, taking control of the seating arrangements - I was taking it all in and letting my control sit on the back burner (that might have been the best part)
All in all, it was such a fun day. 
12:00pm - had to make the call on the tent.  radar for Saturday: 10% chance of rain, high of 81.  No brainer.  Tent CANCELLED.
And then rehearsal!  Rehearsal started at 4:30 and I started getting ready at 4:10!  How did the day slip by that fast?  Pastor Matt was great and everything ran well.

Saturday.
Woke up with the greatest night of sleep in a long while.  I told you I let my control down!  Mother nature on the other hand wasn't too sure.  "She" obviously woke with a bitter taste in her mouth because it was raining ALL morning.  Not pouring, but a steady, WHAT THE HECK WEATHER.COM, type of rain.  the forecast didn't look promising, but there was a chance it would clear up!  I'm guessing Grandma Grady had a few not-so-pleasant words with the weather gods - because it turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL afternoon and evening for the ceremony and reception.  So blessed.  
The wedding was all I ever dreamed of and more.  Once the rain stopped and the sun was peaking, my whole body went into relax mode.  And like my sister, I finally got hungry.  Pictures were great.  With the temperature being 68 degrees, the guys didn't complain and the wedding party was so patient and fun to take pictures with!  I didn't even get that tired of pictures all night, which isn't like me at all!  When people warned me that the day would go by so fast, I guess I didn't really take them seriously or think that it would.  IT SURE DID!

Sunday.
The perfect cap to a perfect weekend.  Brown's had a great brunch at their house!  It was fun to see everyone again and talk about things from the night before.  I was so hungry and all the food was wonderful.  Leave it to my brother-in-law to have a great bloody mary bar, too.  
That afternoon Tony and I opened the cards and presents and then began organizing for Japan.  This was a task.  Couple hours Sunday night and a few on Monday - we finally feel somewhat "put together" and now ready for the move!  Well, just about :)

Thanks to all of you who made this wedding weekend such a joy.  We are so blessed and fortunate to have all of you!

The first day of a month I'll never forget!

When I woke this morning, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.  I've been waking up at all hours of the night lately, which for the first time ever - DOESN'T UPSET ME!  Sure, I think about all the things that need to be done..but mostly my head is just spinning with exciting thoughts!!
Here is a bullet point list of the fun things right now!

• I leave for Cara's wedding (that I'm in) tomorrow
• Tony gets back from NC Wednesday and will pick me up from the wedding in Rochester!
• Friday we leave for WI to spend time with Tony's fam
• Saturday we have our bachelor/ette party in WI as well!
• Next Tuesday our dearest friends from CA fly in to Minneapolis
• Next Thursday morning we pack up and head home
• NEXT SATURDAY WE GET MARRIED!!!!!!!
• and for the following 13 days -there is no plan :)
• Tony leaves for CA on July 26th (not that i'm excited about that)
• I leave for Okinawa on August 22nd! (less than a month apart!!!!)

I won't even begin to label all those with how many haircuts ;)

Sam & Garret Aceto - our friends from CA