Alaskan Honeymoon

The morning after the wedding Mike and I headed to DFW airport to catch our flight to Vancouver, Canada. The first leg of the flight was on time and went well, but the flight from Seattle to Vancouver was a different story. We were on the flight with about 30 girl soccer players (most who didn't speak English) and these girls must have been on a 4 month trip because they each had about 4 bags. While settling into our seats on the small plane we noticed the flight attendant wasn't in the best mood. She kept huffing and puffing and being very short with people. Maybe it was because we were running late or maybe it was because she couldn't get answers out of the soccer players or maybe it was because she knew that the plane was too heavy and either people or bags needed to get off. It just so happens that they took bags off. To be exact, they took our bags off. The honeymooners. The love birds. The people leaving for a 7 day cruise. So after Mike and I landed and figured out our bags were still in Seattle we talked to the airline and gave them our hotel address (thankfully we decided to get to Vancouver early and stay a couple days before the cruise left). We headed to the hotel with our carry on bags that had a couple change of clothes. It was a very nice hotel right in the middle of Vancouver. We had a blast walking around town exploring book stores, Chinatown and Granville Island. 

We ate some great dim sum at a restaurant where we were the only white people (so you know it's good!). While relaxing in our hotel room we heard a knock and found out our bags had arrived! Perfect timing since we were getting up the next morning and heading to the ship. The ship was a good size. Not a Carnival ship size, but still big enough to be able to explore and not feel like you are trapped. We were so excited that we didn't notice the only people getting on board were people in their 60's and older. Honestly, we didn't care. We weren't there to get to know people or talk to people, we were there to spend time together and enjoy each other. The cruise ship had a library, casino, pools, hot tubs, dining rooms, exercise room and so much more! 

We played trivia, went to the casino and played some Blackjack, and one night we decided to go watch The Newlyweds Game. The host ask for volunteers that had been married for 20-30 years, 10-15 years and newlyweds. I immediately raised my hand because who doesn't love free prizes when you win (and of course we would win!). We were one of two couples that were on their honeymoon and the host picked us!!! The game had 10 questions and the couple with the most answers that were the same won! The women went back stage so the men could be asked questions and answer them without us hearing them and then they brought the women back on stage. We got asked the same exact questions as the men. Some examples of the questions: When/where was your first kiss? Where is the craziest place you have done the dirty? Where was your first date? What does your spouse do that annoys you? Questions like that. Mike and I got EVERY SINGLE one correct! I wasn't surprised one bit. We won a bottle of champagne and bragging rights. I think it would be fun to do another Newlyweds Game in 10-20 years and see how our answers match up then. :) 

The cruise was awesome. We stopped in 3 different ports: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. In Ketchikan we decided to do the Mountain Point snorkeling excursion! I know what you are thinking, "Alaska? Snorkeling? Won't it be cold?!" Well yes, it was cold BUT they put you in a thick wet suit that actually keeps you fairly warm. The only really cold part is your face. The water was so clear and there was so much wildlife there. We saw sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers and all sorts of fish! I'm so glad we did it even if it was a bit chilly. :) In Juneau we decided to take it easy and just walk around town. It was a beautiful day there and we had fun going into little shops and exploring town. We found a park nearby that we walked around in for a little bit too.

 We also found the last Blockbuster still in business. :) 

I decided I wanted something to remind me of all the fun we had in Alaska so while we were shopping I found a necklace that had a polar bear on it. It has a little bit of jade in the middle of the polar bear since Alaska has huge deposits of jade and it is also their state stone. In Skagway we decided to ride the White Pass Railroad (22 miles) to the Denver Valley (in the Tongass National Forest) and jump off and go on a 6 mile hike before the next train came to pick us back up. 

The train ride was beautiful. We went through tunnels, saw waterfalls and got to go up beautiful mountains. The train stopped to let the hikers off and then continued on. There were 7 of us including the guide that chose this excursion. It was the perfect amount. We got to explore and hike beautiful trails. We stopped at a beautiful river to have a snack and take a breather. 

We didn't see any wildlife, but saw huge trees, waterfalls and lots of different plants. Once we headed back our guide said we HAVE to make it back to the railroad at a certain time because the train won't wait for us if we weren't there. Apparently she was a little optimistic on how far our group could go and with the last mile left she told us all to run! Haha. We were all jogging along not getting to look at anything besides where our next step would be. It wasn't ideal, but it sure was memorable. :) Thankfully we made it back just in time for the train. The excursions and time on land were fun, but we enjoyed being on the boat too. I wouldn't have done our honeymoon any other way. It will be fun to go back years from now and see the same sights we saw the first couple of days of being married. 

Best Day Ever!!! 6-1-14

June 1st, 2014. A day to remember. At least I hope I do. I guess that is why I am writing this blog. I didn't sleep too well last night because I was so excited. I woke up this morning a little groggy and then remembered what day it was and got very excited and that made me wide awake. It's weird thinking that was the last night I would sleep in a bed by myself (unless Mike does something stupid and gets put on the couch, which is a possibility...). First thing first, hair and makeup. My mom and I went to the hair salon around 11 am to get my hair and makeup done. It took about 1 1/2 hours and then we headed to the hotel across the street from the wedding venue. Mike and I chose to get married in the Brazos Cotton Exchange in downtown Bryan, TX.

It is a room on the second story of an old building with windows all throughout it. It lets tons of sunlight in and since we are getting married at 2:30 pm it will be bright and airy. When I got to the hotel Kelley, Katelyn, Riley, Lindsey and the wedding coordinator were getting things decorated at the venue.

I just sat on the bed with my feet propped up without a care in the world while mom was trying to force mimosas down my throat. When it got closer to wedding time mom and my bridesmaids (Kate, Kel, Ruth and Xianne) helped me into my dress. The photographer got some great pictures while we were getting ready.

Mike and I decided that he couldn't see me until I walked down the aisle, but I looked out the window and I saw Mike in his suit getting some pictures taken outside. That made me really excited! It started to kick in that I was getting married then and I started to get nervous. Thankfully I wasn't stressed at all the entire day. I had my trust in my sisters and friends that helped decorate and put the flower arrangements together. I wanted everything to be perfect, but I knew if something didn't go as planned it would be okay because at the end of it i would be MARRIED! I wrote my future husband a letter when I was in 8th or 9th grade and somehow found it before the wedding and I gave it to Mike to read. He got a kick out of it. It basically said that I was so excited to be married and that I was praying for him and saving myself for him.

I'm so glad it is Mike that I am marrying! After he read it he, Elijah, Juni, Isaac and Brian got lined up to walk in the ceremony. We had a friend of ours, Kevin, play the piano for the music and I loved it! He is so talented. Anyways, I got the cue to walk over to the venue and dad was waiting for me so he could walk me in. I am glad I got to spend the last minutes of being single with the first guy I ever loved. :)

We got the cue and walked in to Cannon in D (I wanted to walk in to something traditional). I locked eyes with Mike and we both smiled ear to ear!!!

I was so excited to get married, but mainly excited to get this wedding business over with so it could just be me and him. The ceremony was short and sweet and went smoothly with no issues.

We kissed and walked out to Bruno Mars' Marry You song.

After the ceremony the guests went over to the La Salle Hotel and had drinks and appetizers while the wedding party took a few pictures. The room we got married in got flipped into a reception room during this time also. It was a bright warm sunny Sunday afternoon and was perfect for pictures (minus the squinting).

After all the pictures were taken, Mike and I walked in the reception hall and had our first dance to The Luckiest by Ben Folds. After that was father/daughter dance and mother/son dance.

We ate a few appetizers and then cut the cake (no cake smashed in face, I told Mike I paid good money for my makeup) and listened to the toasts by Katelyn, Kelley and Elijah.

Mike and I had ONE bite of our cake (which is what today was all about, the CAKE) and we got a tap on our backs and it was a couple (who will not be named) telling us that they were heading out and that the wedding was great. Then more people came up to talk and congratulate us and the cake was getting further and further away from us. Finally I decided it was a lost cause and that talking to our guests was probably more important than a piece of rich, moist french vanilla cake with thick, perfectly whipped cream cheese frosting. Anyways, we would get to save the top of the cake for our 1 year anniversary, right? (Wrong!)

After chatting and thanking the guests for coming we noticed that people were starting to head out so we decided to cut things short and make our grand exit. We had the guests line up outside with streamers that mom and I hot glued and I think it made for a great picture!

We were finally alone together and it felt so good! We decided to drive to a park nearby (Brison Park) to get some bride and groom pictures after the reception. They turned out great!

After that we drove back to my house and changed and then headed to Dallas. We stopped on the way at Wendy's to get some dinner and got to Dallas two hours later. 

The day went by so fast especially the ceremony and reception. All together they lasted about 3 hours, but it seemed like 15 minutes. I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. It was casual, fun and us.