426 days

In 426 days this will be my first view as a married woman! This is where our wedding ceremony will be looking over.....northern michigan's great west bay :)

This is where Justin and I will be standing saying our vows infront of a couple hundred people (give or take). We requested the lawn because it's so much prettier than cement! This is the Great Lakes Campus. A building my mom helped raise money for, for a long time. It is home to the Maritime Academy AND to the Great Lakes Culinary Institute.

This photo is looking back on the lawn, where a big white tent will be on July 31st, 2010!

The building has great architecture. The balconies are ideal for good photos, and the huge windows are perfect for a summertime wedding.

This is where our Rehearsal dinner will be held (second floor of this section). Lobdell's restaurant! This is also where we held my sisters bridesmaid luncheon 3 years ago (almost). This restaurant overlooks the water and is surrounded by windows.

This originally is where wedding ceremonies are held....but there is something more classy about grass. It fits us as a couple to be outside, looking at the water. We have many great memories on the water, so what better way to say "i do"? We are very excited to count down the days (though it seems it will take forever!). We will be having our Rehearsal dinner, ceremony AND reception all in this building. It's beautiful and simple....just what we wanted :) We can't wait to share it with you all!

A Week Well Spent!

Picnics, Shopping, planning, eating, drinking, laughing....just a few things we did while the Knapp's were in town! The day before they left we spent the day at the red school house in Cedar. A family friend owns the place and kindly opened it up to us for a day of sun and grilling out! The weather was perfect, and the friends were great!

Barb is lucky enough to have a very tight-knit group of girlfriends (which someday I hope to have!). They get together whenever Barb is in town and just have a ball together. It's great fun and contagious laughter! From the left is Tami, Janna, me, and Barb. We had a great time during the week getting together with the "girls". It was so good to get to know them better.

You may think "oh hanging out with parents and their friends=boring" but it NEVER is the case with the Knapp's. They have great friends and you may find yourself winded before they do! Justin and I are usually the first ones "down for the count" while Bruce and Barb are still going strong! We have such a blast with them. I am lucky to have such wonderful "in-laws" :)

Ah yes...another "ring picture". We attempted to catch the diamond in direct sunlight to show the "sparkle" but it didn't work out as planned.....but it's still a cute photo! And I am having so much fun being a fiancee!

Moomers! Yes we made the trek all the way accross town to grab a cone from Moomer's one evening. The line was out the door and up the parking lot....if you live in TC you know that the wait is well worth it! I got Lemon Biscotti :) The cows were even out of the barn on this evening! It's fun to watch them chew their "cud" Mmmmm fresh milk from the cow...straight to the cone!

On a couple occasions we went Morel Mushrooming! Something I have not done in a VERY long time. It was so much fun hunting for the rare fungi. I found the very first one! Only two were found on this outing. But the hunt is the fun part!

This is a picture of Glen Lake Schools (where Justin went). I couldn't get over how amazing the sunset was. Splashing over the fresh cut grass and casting long shadows. This is the football field where Justin played his entire high school career (sigh).

This was the path we took to hunt for the mushrooms. It's so beautiful behind the school grounds.

Here we are at Moomer's again! Cones in hand.

The Knapp's left on Memorial day morning....to make the long trip back to Idaho, by car! We hope to see them again in August- and do some more wedding planning! I couldn't have done all that I did without Barb's help. She was such a trooper and a "go getter" when it came to booking the venue and setting the date! We will miss them! I can already tell this wedding is going to be a simple one to plan. With all my ideas set in my head, and the help from BOTH sides of our family....it's going to be a piece of cake (no pun intended). Cake? Oh it will be lemon, chocolate, almond, and strawberry :)

We have a date!!

This week has been one crazy/busy/productive week! We have eaten more meals out than I can ever remember, and have probably gained some extra poundage. We have tried on Mother of the Groom dresses (not much luck in that department), looked at venues for the wedding, began our guest list (which is looking very long right now), thumbed through Bridal magazines for ideas, I bought a wedding scrapbook to document this BIG event :) The mom's have gone through food ideas for the wedding, and how things should be. It's been great!

I even took Thursday off to spend it with Barb (Justin went fishing with his dad). We really got a lot accomplished. WE EVEN HAVE A DATE AND VENUE! I am quite proud of us. We went to the Hagerty Center (Maritime Academy) and asked the event coordinator if July 31st or August 7th were available for a wedding and reception. She told us July 31st was booked but that she would call them and ask if they still wanted the date. Low and behold that couple had moved on and we were put down for July 31st!! And we also booked the Hagerty Center and Lobdell's restaurant upstairs (it overlooks West Bay) for the Rehearsal Dinner!! So exciting!!!! Also, the ceremony spot (cement slab) is being moved to the GRASS which looks onto the bay---alot classier. I'd rather get married on the grass than a huge cement block. This is all starting to come together!

After setting the date and venue site, Barb and I went to Border's to check out wedding planning guides. We spent a good hour going through all the wedding books and organizers. It was fun to ACTUALLY plan things from the books---I used to look at bridal magazines and books when I was younger and dream about this moment. It's actually happening now!!

Come to think of it...we have alot of ideas already set! We have a cake lady, I know what I want the cake to look like, we have a guest list started (over 175 already), I have a hair stylist, we have a reception/ceremony/rehearsal dinner site, we know what food we want and what appetizers/displays, we have a photographer in mind, I already know what types of flowers I want, and what the centerpieces will look like, we know where to rent the huge tent for the ceremony, Justin and I have a good idea of a wedding party set, I have a color theme-yellow! We know the cake flavors already, and have a possible honeymoon planned too! For being engaged only 12 days I would say we are WELL on our way :) Good thing we have this whole year to plan- oh and lose some weight!!! I plan to either hire a personal trainer or really step up my regimen. I don't plan on wearing a girdle on my wedding day.

Here's to more wedding planning!!

First Engagement Celebration!

Three days after Justin proposed to me, his parents arrived into town. The Knapp's arrived Friday afternoon and that evening we all went to dinner- as you can imagine (from my past posts) we are loud, laugh alot, and just have a great time together. Dinner was at Pearl's in Elk Rapids. One of our most favorite places! The night was super special simply because both families were together again....and we were celebrating our engagement!!

My "mom's" and I! We enjoyed fresh margaritas and spicy entrees! Of course we talked ALOT about the wedding and what plans were in order for the week ahead! It was so exciting to actually be talking about a WEDDING! There is so much to do, but it's going to be so great since our families really click :)

Here are the men of the hour! All in blue! I really like this photo...everyone is so happy. All the tables were staring at us....wonder why!? We usually make a scene everywhere we go. But we have MANY reasons to celebrate!!!

First group family shot since the engagement! We truly are so lucky to have such great families. When Justin and I first started dating, having our parents meet and spend time together was something that was a high priority on our list. We wanted family gatherings, we wanted everyone to get along and LIKE being with each other. Our wish came true the first time our families met....over 6 years ago!

This sums up how are mom's are :) Giddy, blushing, and adorable! I love them! Here's to a wonderful week!!!

ITS OFFICIAL!!

It's officialy everyone....Justin and I are ENGAGED!!! After 6 1/2 years of dating, he finally popped the question on May 12th 2009! It started by Justin picking me up after work and taking me to the dunes in Glen Arbor...where he asked me. We first at dinner at Boone Docks, where our friendship/relationship began about 8 years ago. This is a picture of Justin right before our dinner was served....does he lookg nervous?!

This picture is special because literally 30 seconds after we took this....Justin got on his knee and proposed :)

The dunes are our special spot. We make it a point to come here at least once every summer to bask in the sun, watch the sunset, and take lots of pictures! Little did I know I was already documenting my engagement taking place! Justin is carrying a pink beach bag....he would NOT let me carry it up the dunes (the ring was in it, along with the champagne) Haha.

This was taken immediately after dinner....making our way up to the dune area.

This is our first photo as an engaged couple!! There was no sunset, but the ring on my finger sufficed :)

This was taken a few minutes after Justin proposed. We wrote our initials and date of engagement in the sand! I was SO excited!!

This is my ring! I picked it out back in February-when Justin took me for the first time to look at rings together. He did a VERY nice job....don't you think? Sooooo beautiful!!!

This was one of my favorite pictures along the dunes. It was completely untouched...until Justin walked through. But it was amazing...the wind lines through the sand and how barren and deserted everything looked. It was as if we were the first people to discover it! Love it.

I love Michigan for this reason alone. The incredible color of the lake, the sun shining through it and spilling over the landscape. It was windy on this night- you can even see the wind whipping the lake surface. This was definitely a night I will never forget. I am very glad I love taking pictures, and could document my own engagement!! Justin and I are so excited to plan our wedding together..... and enjoy being engaged <3 5-12-09

2 years ago today.....

Two years ago today I was begining a very exciting day of my life. My family was in Bozeman....and I had just found out I had PASSED STATS! Another very exciting moment!! I was lining up in line to march into the gymnasium for our graduation from the Health and Human Development department. It was 80* and sunny. I was finished with my 3 1/2 years in Montana. I was an MSU alum!

Megan and I were thrilled we had passed stats (both with B-'s). We couldn't believe this was the end of our undergraduate career....

Since this day, much has happened! Chelsy (on left) now has a baby boy and is living in bozeman. Kami is now a workaholic (working 3 jobs) and owns a condo (which she rents out).
As for me, I applied to graduate school WHILE still in college and wouldn't find out my acceptance until 2 months later :) I've completed two years of graduate school and have worked in two different jobs. My sister and brother in law moved to London, I moved back home with my parents, Justin moved back to Michigan (6 mos ago now!) and I've experienced many friends having babies! I am so thankful I had this day. I think of it often and am so proud I succeeded and knew I could always call Montana....home. I love the friends I met, and the things I saw while in Bozeman. It's hard to believe two years have already passed....but the years have been so great since leaving Montana. My graduation will always be in my memory....until my next one!! Here's to the class of 2007! Love you girls!

Diez de Mayo!

I realize it's been a while since I last posted! There hasn't been many photo ops lately. However, Justin and I have been talking walks at the Open Space, playing frisbee, and enjoying the spring air. Lindsey has requested pictures from the open space so here they are! These were taken May 5th 2009. The sun was hazy but the air was warm. Clouds were coming in, but it didn't stop people from walking, biking, playing frisbee, or sitting in the grass. When the temp rises above 50*...people in TC come out of their holes. The city is alive again!

I was peeking over the edge of the walkway to see the ducks! I am usually the one on the lookout for wildlife....especially baby ducklings!

I love our marina! It usually doesn't matter what the weather is doing because pictures from this angle always are great. The boats are slowly making their comback to their designated slots! Only sailboats so far...

On my tippy-toes so I could get in the picture! I recently have been teasing Justin that I cannot update my blog unless we have more pictures together :) We're working on that....

First trip on the boat! Well....my first trip, Justins 2nd. We took the boat out Friday night on West Bay. I didn't get a shot of the lake unfortunately...it was glistening and beautiful. But you can tell by Justin's layering, it was NOT warm. But the evening was great and dad and Justin picked me up by the docks after I got out of class. Pizza, pop, and an evening boat ride- can't beat it!

Update: May has been especially busy for us. Justin and I both have finished our Spring semesters of school!!! Justin finished strong at NMC and is in the process of transfering credits to Davenport so he can attend in July! He is very eager to finish up his degree and get to making some good cash! He is still working 3 days a week...and with his spare days he's begining to roof our house! No easy task...but Justin loves roofing and after owning his own roofing company- he's got it down to a science. I began my summer classes last week- with little break between semesters. I'm spending weekends in class which is not ideal but earning 3 credits in less than a month is pretty sweet. With one more class in July, i'm looking forward to finishing up my "course work" and starting REAL counseling in Grand Rapids in the fall!

May also brings exciting things: Justin's parents are due to arrive next friday!!! They live in Idaho and are making a trip back to see friends and family (and do some fishing as well). We are SO excited to see them! They last were here in July so it's been a while. A fun-filled week is appraoching! The NMC BBQ is also happening next Sunday-I (of course) am working it along with Mrs. Knapp! We will be selling tickets to all the games at the bbq. It's a fun event every year, and the food is GREAT! Who doesn't like a big buffalo burger? I have yet to miss a year.

Springtime is amazing. Everything is exciting all over again, there is life in the air. Things become green again after long, dead winters. The streets are buzzing with people, shops are full of customers, people are out exercising again. May has always been an exciting month for me. It's when most people graduate from high school and college. Prom's, semester's ending, first warm days of the year. It's an ending to a long winter but a start to an exciting summer :) Oh AND it's also Mother's Day today! Happy Mom's Day!

(i promise to update more often...for those of you who read this)