Fishies, Fiestas and Fun(ds)!

Saturday was Kids Free Fishing Day at the Maritime Academy (also where we're getting married in 396 days!). Dad and Justin volunteered for the day cleaning fish for hundreds of kids catching small Rainbow trout that were "planted" in the harbor :) They are both members of our local "fishing club", which were the sponsers of this event.

Justin cleaned fish for a few hours. Kids of all ages came up to the counter and either A: wanted to see the heads cut off and guts go everywhere, or B: did NOT want anything cut on the fish because they wanted to take it home "whole" to show their parents. Some watched in horror as the fish were sliced 'n' diced, and some were in awe of the entire process and wanted to go catch more fish. It was quite comical.

About 500 kids gathered around the harbor where 1500 trout were "planted". Anything the kids didn't catch were released into the lake :) Kids got free food, backpacks, crafts, bait, and prizes all day. It was quite the event and the kids had a blast! This is the 3rd year they have done the kids fishing day- and it seems to get bigger each year!

It was a hot muggy day (about 80) so you can BET those fish guts smelled reeeeeally good after a while. Justin had a good time seeing all the little kids get excited about something he loves doing! Many fisherman were born on this day.

The weekend was a great one- as you see we had good weather and fun activities! Friday night Justin and I went to see The Hangover....it was GREAT! A must-see for sure! Any stupid-humor is good humor to me. Saturday we spent the day basking in the sun and swimming in the lake! We later went to our good friends Chris and Marissa's house for a family BBQ! It was good food, lots of family, bonfires, and fun. You couldn't ask for a better summer night. Sunday we had another hot day in the sun (dad and Justin attempted to fish in Frankfort but the wind sent them home early). Justin and I rode the bikes down to the boat launch to play in the waves for a good "cool down". It was great! These are true Michigan summer days :)

There have been some recent EXCITING developments!!! Justin and I booked our Mexico trip!! Our friends Adam and Christina are having a destination wedding next April in Mexico! We decided to take a week's vacation and see them married away! We are thrilled to be going somewhere warm to break up the COLDNESS of our Michigan springs. We still had snow this past April if that tells you anything. The countdown begins!!

Another EXCITING thing is- we're going to Northwestern Bank tomorrow to meet with someone about mortgages! We have officially begun the process of (attempting) to purchase a house! Are we really grown up now? I am excited, yet nervous to meet with this woman. I am affraid she will tell us "no" in so many words and we will be "houseless" once again. I am relying on Justin's savvy knowledge about homes, and economics to get us through the meeting. Let the games begin! Since Obama....there has been a "tax incentive" for first-time homebuyers of $8,000! That alone would be amazing to have. Three bedrooms please!

The week has begun a chilly streak accross Northern Michigan. Today the high was 60!! One week ago it was 95. So unreliable! It has been raining ALOT this week already, and won't lift until Thursday. Excited for a 3-day weekend and warmer weather for the 4th!

Heat break

Happy Saturday! Yes, I am up way too early on a Saturday (6am) but I peered out my bedroom window to see a gorgeous sunrise and HAD to get a photo! I ran outside to get the paper and got the tail-end of it...but it was still pretty beautiful! Orange and blue skies. Time to crank out the coffee...

News updates: 399 days until wedded bliss :) Yes that's right. We still have YET to sign any contract with the venue "coordinators". Getting slightly irritated about that. Let's just hope they don't go giving away our date or anything! No more planning has been done since my last posting. Magazines are stacking up, so I might need to actually begin ripping out pages to use as ideas.

The heat wave is officially over...for now. Last week's temperatures broke records! Monday we reached 95*! The humidity made it unbearable to be outside. My lunch hours usually consist of walking to the marina to bask in the sun while eating my lunch....not this week! The mugginess, and pure heat was too much to handle for most folk. Justin and I have been biking down to the boat launch located about a mile from home, and swimming in East Bay to cool off. It has been so refreshing! Unfortunately the heat ends this weekend. Next week we are due for rain and high 60's all week. Go figure.

I have to mention Michael Jackson's death. I will admit, I was shocked and a little sad when I heard the news. MJ was my very first crush (i think) when i was really young. Maybe not so much "crush" as "inspiration" and pure "coolness". There was something about him people liked, and his music was the most amazing an artist could ever hope for. He got very weird towards the end, and I didn't support many things about his life (Nerverland, and little kids as friends) but nonetheless....he was probably the most iconic figure in my generation. It's sad to see him go. The first CD I ever bought was his. While I do think the media has taken his death to new extremes (there are other news stories), I can understand why people are so interested. Like Elvis, I think he will live forever.

Last night Justin and I had "date night". We went to go see The Hangover! Everyone had been raving about it.....so we bit the bullet, paid the $17.50 (for two) and witnessed hilarity for ourselves. It's a must see! I will not give anything away but....it's amazing! So many things in the movie could ACTUALLY happen to someone (which makes it a guilty pleasure). We don't see movies often (hence, the price) but this was great. And a great way to spend time in air-conditioning :) Though we DID have to tell the theatre attendants to turn the volume UP 20 minutes into the movie...it was worth it. Go see it!

Summer is here!

Sunday June 21st marked the very first day of summer! Boy was it HOT! Justin and I spent our first beach day at West End beach (one of the most popular beaches in TC) with Kim and Adam!

Before the swarm of tourists came, I was able to campture a shot of the lake!

Each summer, hundreds of boaters anchor their crafts here. It's a popular "hang out" in the summer. With walking distance to downtown and being RIGHT on the water to beat the heat, you can see why.

Much sunscreen was needed at the beach! Unfortunately the sun got the best of me.... Temperatures reached around 80*, and the water was surprisingly warm for how early it is. We were able to swim around to cool down!

I was SO excited to be at the beach! Previous summers (when I didn't have a job) I would spent everyday at the beach with friends, and only leave when the sun began to go down.....that was the life! Now I am more mature and responsible, but I find I enjoy the beach a lot more when the opportunity isn't always there. We are truly lucky to live SO close to the water!

Kim and Adam joined us at the beach! We ended the day with a visit to Moomer's for some locally made ice cream! It was an absolutely perfect summer day! Let the season begin!

A little news update!

According to my "knot ticker" Justin and I have 405 days left til the wedding! I can't help but feel its almost too far away right now. I know one year can fly by in a flash...but 405 days!? We have a lot to do before then such as....getting a house!!! We have begun the search. My uncle thankfully is a realtor and know his stuff. The first thing we need to do is get to a bank and discuss loans....eeeks! This could be a stressful process, yet a really fun one too!

In other news....Justin has officially been accepted to Davenport University!! This is a big thing for us since DU is located at the University Center (where I go to school). No big traveling is required for him to receive his Business Finance degree! They advisors told him he has about one year of classes, and then hes done!!! Luckily DU took almost 75 of Justins hard-earned MSU credits! A very good thing. He is ready to hit the books and get started. Classes begin again July 6th- so he can opt for the two offered online or begin full time in the fall. The nice thing is they offer 7-week sessions. So you get double the classes in one year!

Justin and I have spent some time hanging out with friends recently. On Wednesday of last week my good friend Matt from high school let me know he'd be in town with his girlfriend and wanted to get together! Matt just graduated from Medical School and is moving on to 5 years of residency in a hospital in California! He and I have been staying in touch since high school (though living so far apart) so we manage to meet up once or twice a year. The four of us grabbed a coffee and hung out. Caught up with each other and laughed a lot. We always have a good time with them. (sorry no pics this time)

Friday night we went over to my friend Rachelle's house for an official "summer" bonfire! We had hot dogs and s'mores over the fire! It had been a while since we had all gotten together. It was fun mingling with friends and being able to sit outside all night! Rachelle just got engaged yesterday to her boyfriend Jeremy! Now the two of us will be planning summer weddings!

My grandparents were here for a few days last week. It was good spending time with them since it had been so long since we last saw them. My grandma was raving about my ring and reading me all my wedding planning books :) Such fun. It's nice to be around people who are genuinely happy for us and want to see us achieve great things. I think once we have our own place, I will feel we are truly an engaged couple. Who knows though, it may not happen until we're married! I've just been feeling this itch to do more planning...or house hunting. Perhaps the fact we're living with my parents still makes me feel "too young". We are lucky, and grateful to be here....yet feel the need to be on our own.

Yesterday was Ellie Clous' 1st birthday!! Ellie is my good friend Kaytlyn's daughter. She had a big birthday bash for her yesterday out by Arbutus Lake. The weather was perfect! Justin and I had a good time talking with my good friend Amy and her Husband. She now has two little ones....which is always fun to see. I got to hold her 3 month old boy, Lucas! I've never seen so much hair on a baby in my life!! It was a good day to relax in the sun and watch babies rip into gifts, and cake :) No pictures again....I need to do a better job of this!

Baby Teopas Shower

My cousin Allison (on my mom's side) is pregnant!! 26 weeks to be exact. My mom and I decided it would only be right to throw her a baby shower! Not knowing the gender of the baby...we went with a neutral theme of browns, pinks, and lime green! Allison invited us to have the shower at her home in Lowell, Mi. It was tricky transporting EVERYHING in one car but we managed and it was great! Allison requested chicken salad and "lunch" type foods. We went with fruit kabobs and dip, veggies, and pink lemonade punch (one spiked...one not).

We kept the games to a minimum since nobody likes playing "baby bingo" for hours on end. The baby food game (where you guess whats in the jars) and the "cotton ball" game were good standbys....and it was hilarious! Above is Allisons sister-in-law Alison playing the cotton ball game (its funny because you cant feel the weight of the balls and therefore are trying way too hard to transport them).

Allsion received MANY gifts for her first shower. It was so much fun watching her open cute little things! I personally loved the diaper cake and baby moccasins!! I'm sure she will get even more good stuff at shower #2 and #3! Yay for babies!

The shower cake...made to resemble the shower invitations! Milk chocolate and almond flavored cake with buttercream frosting! This cake is the best you will ever have. We have a cake lady here in TC....she makes the cakes for all our events. We even MAKE UP events so she can bake us a cake! Yes....that good. She made Lindsey's wedding cake, and will be making mine next year!

Here is mommy-to-be! This was a warm mist gadget. It looks and sounds very soothing....I wish they had adult ones! Allison was grateful to receive many "practical" gifts from her mom-friends. They know what the good stuff really is! Medicines, snot suckers, ear swabs....the whole nine yards. I'm sure Allison will come to appreciate these smaller items ALOT. Tylenol....now. It was fun seeing my favorite cousin do all this "baby stuff".....she looks great, and well on her way to baby's arrival. September comes fast! Can't wait to meet you Baby Teopas :)

80's Flashback!

The recent weeks have been very busy for Justin and I. It's amazing how many things there are to do once the chilly weather has passed. People to see, places to go, things to do, and as always....pictures to be taken! This past weekend was my friend Kim's birthday. She had an 80's themed party at her house! As you can tell, everyone was dressed for the occasion. The above picture is of our "C9" cohort group (those who live close enough to attend). Jackie, Me, Kim, Stacey, and Mike.

Stacey's outfit was GREAT! She had all the right accessories: teased hair, blue eye shaddow, glow necclaces, and layered clothing! I did alright myself I must say....crimped hair (which I used to do in high school!) neon colors, blue eye shaddow, and bangles.

Justin got some big laughs with his outfit! I took pride knowing I picked almost all of it out at good old Salvation Army! He was in character all night....it was a blast!

Kim and Adam (the hosts) are seen here enjoying some Jello :) Adam had quite the outfit himself...complete with a fanny-pack that matched Justin's. I love the 80's style (just for a night) even though I don't remember much of it growing up!

Kim threw a great birthday party. Everyone had a super fun time enjoying 80's music, playing games, and hanging out together. This night was our FIRST warm night of the "summer" so it was nice having windows and doors open for the evening. It finally feels like summer might be here to stay! Happy Birthday Kim!

The Knot!

Justin and I have officially made out wedding web site! It is slowly being completed but please feel free to view it! The Knot has recently become my best friend in wedding planning. It's free, and so easily accessible! Enjoy!


http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JustinKnapp&EmilyGuy

The calm before the storm

Happy June everyone! I can't believe how fast May has gone by. Usually when June hits, the weather really starts warming up into summer-ish weather. NOT so much this year. I have no idea why, but it has not been past 70 degrees YET. Luckily for Justin and his roofing expertise, this is a good thing. Hot tar shingles and bending over all day in hot sun doesn't make for plesant roofing. Justin officially began re-roofing the house!! The shingles are 20+ years old, and look it too. The new "roof-lift" will be wonderful!

Nail gun in hand and carharts on. He means business!

I got on the roof a couple days to help Justin. My job was to hand him shingles as he needed them and to toss him a re-load coil of nails for the gun. I also got to admire the beauty of our neighborhood that I had never really appreciated until I saw it from this angle. It's so pretty! I also tried soaking up some rays while sitting on the shingle bundles :) BIG HELP I am!

I was amazed while watching Justin do this. How he knows when to make a "pattern" and when to just roof straigh accross is beyond me...but he was so good at it! All without measuring! I guess roofing multimillion dollar houses up in the Yellowstone Club in MT, AND having his own roofing company for 3 years TRULY helped with his skill. He's got it down to a science. I'm very thankful for his skill of "handiwork".

In other happenings.....we decided to break up our daily routine of work-home-work-home to enjoy a night out with our friends Kim and Adam! We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Scott's Harbor Grill (right on the water) and then moved over to North Peak for a drink and more socializing!

These photos are OUT OF ORDER but I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Justin and I were invited out to the Pirates Pub Crawl-8 bars, all night, walk to each bar as a massive group...you get the picture. We bought the "crawling" shirts to be festive! We ended up only going to 2 bars since the Red Wings Playoff's were on and we had big screen tv's to watch them! The crowds went wild each time we scored! It was a really fun way to watch Game 5! Of course it helped that we won 5-0!!

My friend Jessa came up for the weekend!! She lives in Ann Arbor- we chat daily so this was awesome to actually hang out! She also was sporting the t-shirt :) Arrrgh matey!

Justin and Adam enjoyed their "boy time" together. We love hanging out with Kim and Adam.

Here is a photo from North Peak that was out of order. Kim and I enjoyed a delicious peach cobbler with a drink :) We later went to Kim's and the boys played video games....not much fun for the girls BUT we did research bridesmaid dresses online.

Group shot! A fun evening had by all.

In other news: Rob (brother in law) just flew in on Wednesday from London! He is here for 2 months this summer working for Upward Bound while my sister is in London working there. She was unable to get time off work so she will be here in July. This weekend we are preparing for my grandparents arrival on Monday from Arizona. There's a lot of cleaning to do!! The house is filling up fast (as it does every summer) but it feels good having family here. The house is more alive than it previously was in the DEAD of winter. I am also preparing for my cousin Allison's baby shower that is next weekend! I am taking 3 whole days off at work this coming week!!! This has never happened. I don't take days off. But we hired a new person at work and she is great! So I can leave knowing things are being taken care of. Lots of food will be prepared this week, balloons, decorations, cake pick-up, gifts wrapped etc. Exciting!! Allison's baby is due at the end of September! I'm guessing it's a boy :)

News on the wedding front: Mom bought me a wedding book planner to organize all my ideas and get things started. We also got a few magazines for ideas as well. Our guest list has passed the 250 count! I am narrowing in on my bridal party ladies. My ring is still SO gorgeous and I can't stop staring.....still. We are still very happy with our venue decision, and drive past it everyday on the way to work :) Justin has been researching honeymoon destinations- Bahamas is our current choice. The girls (mom, me, Lindsey, Barb) are tentatively planning a shopping trip to SEATTLE at some point to look for wedding dresses, mother of the groom, and bridesmaid dresses! FUN!! I am very glad we have this whole year to enjoy the process and have fun planning this huge party!

News on the school front: Emily is finished with another class! Justin has applied to Davenport University! His transcripts are being evaluated along with his application- yay!! Emily has one more ACTUAL sit-down class in July and then is done!! SO EXCITING! She will then only have 15 weeks of real-life counseling in Grand Rapids and her 600 hour internship before she graduates!! This summer is going to be crazy....but also a lot of fun!