Super heros!

Next weekend is Daxtons 4th birthday so we celebrated a week early when it was our turn to have him. He is really into batman right now so we did a super hero themed party with batman being the main man. We turned by dads garage into the bat cave, hung bats form the ceiling, and had everyone come dressed as super heros. It was a blast! I made Matt, Dax and I capes and tshirts but our get up was by far under par compared to the others. Gretchen made capes and masks for her family, and Garrett and Kristi got creative with duct tape. I was totally impressed the adults were such good sports about dressing up. Garretts costume was so funny I had tears rolling down my checks when I saw him. We ate bbq hot dogs, had bat jello jigglers, a pinata, had a race of who could eat a doughnut on a string the fastest with no hands, and had a 3 layer batman birthday cake. Daxton got spoiled and loved every minute of it. Big thanks to my dad for letting us transform the garage, and to the rest of my fam...thanks for making the party so much fun!

Life...

Matt and I have now almost been married for 2 months, and man has the time flown by. Our schedules are crazy, allowing us to see eachother on lunch breaks and when I get off in the mornings before Matt goes off to school or work. We really enjoy Sundays because we both have the day off, and Mondays are great because Matt only has school until 4. We have found little ways to be with eachother, and we can't wait to life settles down. Some things we have done the past few months are: go camping at Patricks Point over Labor Day weekend, have campouts in Dad's backyard with Daxton, go to a Sacramento Rivercats game, rent lots of Redbox movies, make our apartment feel a little more like home, enjoy getting to know eachother better as a married couple, finding ways to see eachother even for 15 min, and just LOVE being married!

Mexico

We spent our honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta Mexico for an amazing 4 days. Our trip started off early the 8th, which was great because that marked 1 year of when we met in Folsom. We had a 4 hour
layover in Texas that I think we managed 3 hours of sleep. We stayed at the Barcelo all inclusive resort and spa, which was so nice because we could eat and drink all we wanted without having to pay.
The days were spent swimming in the 5 pools,
on the beach, kayaking, sleeping,
and eating.
One day we went downtown and I really got to see Matt's spanish in action.
I'm really not sure how people that don't speak spanish can go there. I would be totally lost. Another day we did zip line tours through the jungle where the old Predator was filmed. So much fun! It rained with thunder and lightening every night, but we didn't care it just made it more romantic. We came home on Thursday and we were sad to leave, but excited to come home and just be us. On the return we had a 5 hour lay over in Texas, that really wasn't too bad, but we were getting anxious. We arrived home at 1 am and Matt let me open a wedding present. We had invited the fam over to open gifts Friday but I couldn't wait. The weekend after we got home we stayed busy trying to arrange the apartment to fit all the great gifts we received. Let's just say our next place we for sure need more cupboard space, but it's fun taking everything out to get the one item you need that is of course way in the back.

We Did It!

Matt and I were married Thursday August 5 in the Oakland CA LDS temple for time and all eternity! The weather was perfect, the temple was perfect, and over all the entire day was perfect.
Wednesday my friend Rachael took me for a day of pampering at a spa in Walnut Creek, while Matt and Daxton met up with his family for a day of fun at Marine World in Vallejo. Rachael and I got full body massages, facials, and foot treatments. It was amazing, and I was totally spoiled by her. After we went back to the hotel and tried to take a little nap, which didn't happen. One by one family members arrived to the hotel and then it was time for dinner. There was a large group for dinner that included all of my family, Matt's Mom, Dad, 2 of his sisters, his brother Mitch, nephew Mason, my aunt Karen, Kira and Andrea, all of the Richin's, except Eric, and Rachael. We had reservations for 7 and we didn't end up getting out of there until 10:30. Let's just say we won't be going back to Cheesecake Factory for any large party. The service was very slow. After dinner everyone went back to their hotel rooms, and Matt and I spent a little time alone talking about what was to happen the next day. We both couldn't believe this day was finally here.
Thursday I woke up and had to refrain myself from calling Matt. We had decided that we wouldn't speak or see each other until the temple, and it was killing me. My family came to my room for a family prayer and then it was go time for all to get ready. Gretchen did m makeup, Rachael my hair, and before we knew it it was 8:35. We were to leave at 8:30. Rachel drove Gretchen, Kristi, and I to the temple in record time. We made it in less than 20 min. I was a little worried about the overcast, windy weather, but was very thankful for it when we were taking pictures and I was baking. The ceremony was wonderful, and I will never forget the amazing feelings that were felt that day. The way Matt looked at me gave me butterflies and melted my heart.
Uncle Randy and my cousins husband Justin, were kind enough to take pictures for us on the temple grounds. Which turned out amazing. I think they should do photography as a side job. After all the pictures were taken my parents good friends Jan and Don Preston had graciously offered their home for our luncheon. We had Johnny Corinos cater it, and everyone seemed very happy. After lunch the pool was invaded and Matt and I were whisked away to Sonoma in a car he had come pick us up. It was so sweet, a huge surprise, and very romantic.
We stayed the night at the Renaissance Lodge of Sonoma, which was way more than I had expected. We ordered room service for dinner and sat out on our little balcony and then ate at the restaurant for breakfast. We made our way up to Redding to join everyone at Brandy Creek, but due to a semi roll over we sat on I-5 for over a hour and showed up a little late to the lake. We made it though and everyone had a great time. That night Adam, my dad, the Richin's, Matt and I, and Matt's Mom, Dad, and sis Sonja went bowling. Let's just say it's not easy with fake nails on.
Saturday was our reception, and all the planning paid off tremendously. The decorations were perfect and the whole place was beautiful. Gretchen was the main person in charge, and if anyone needs a wedding decorator she does amazing work. The night was a blast with yummy desserts and lots of dancing. Poor Daxton after on the way home just kept saying "can I go to bed now?" Then early Sunday morning at 4 am Matt and I were off to Sacramento to catch our flight to Puerto Vallarta for our honeymoon.

4 more days!

The time seems like it is going so slow but now that the "big" day is only 4 days away, it has seemed to fly by. I have been thinking a lot lately about when Matt and I met almost a year ago. We were so crazy in love just that first time we met. We have had our fair share of ups and downs, but all has been worth it. I love him so much, and can't picture my life without him. Lately I have been the biggest cry baby over any little lovey thing. The other day I was at Target reading cards, and was in tears. Today Matt told me how excited he is, and again tears. My dad asked me today if I was scared and ready. I said at times I'm scared and at times I feel ready. I'm not scared that I"m making the wrong choice, just scared/nervous of all the changes that will be happening. On Thursday I started packing up my room, and it slowly started sinking in. Everytime now that I drive out to my house I can't believe that these are the last few days that the house I have lived in my entire life will no longer be where I come to after work, or anytime. Also on Thursday Rachel, Gretchen, and Olivia met me at the MAC makeup counter to learn how to do my makeup for the wedding. It was so fun to have them there with me, and not really having to stress for that time we were together. After Rachel, Livi and I went shopping. We were trying to find new dresses to wear. Well none of us had luck. After Matt got off work we took some gifts back to Bed Bath and Beyond and then went to dinner. It was fun cause I still had my makeup all done up, and just being out alone with Matt is a treat. We stopped by Gretchen's and grabbed her vaccum and started cleaning "the place." I always call it Matt's place, and it drives him crazy cause he says that although I don't live there it's mine too. We vaccumed, dusted, organized, and after all of that there still seems to be so much more that needs to be done. I really don't know how all my stuff is going to fit in the apartment, or all of our wonderful gifts we have been receiving. If nothing else maybe Dad will let us rent out a corner of the garage.
Friday we woke up and hit the gym. Matt and I have a goal to work out as much as possible before the wedding. It's a good goal, but with work and little last minute things we will see how well we stick to it. Matt had to work 1-9:30 so I spent the day running errands, and doing more cleaning. Today the floors were done. It's so nice now to walk barefoot at the place. For Mother's Day Matt and Daxton bought me a certificate for a 1 hour massage, and I kept it uil now. It was amazing. It was just enough pressure to kind of hurt, but I found myself falling asleep towards the end. I really think they should offer 2 hour massages. Thanks boys for a great treat! Once Matt got off of work I was dead. From cleaning, running errands, and then a massage I was ready for bed but Matt wasn't. He wanted to go out and play. Well we settled for going to the store, and making brownies out at my house. It wasn't the night out I'm sure he wanted, but it was perfect.
So now I'm back to work for 2 nights, and it's so hard to be here. I want to be home with my family and Matt. He has to work everyday til the wedding so the night's I have to work we only see eachother for the 15 mins comes to visit on my breaks. I'm hoping when we're married and he's going to school and working full time we'll see eachother more.
So the final countdown has begun, and we can't wait!

Too short!

Camping was a blast, and we officially have hooked 2 more people into our annual family camping trip. It was so much fun to see Dax and Matt get excited about things that I have seen my entire life. It helped me to realize how thankful I am for such an amazing family and all of our traditions. It was so much fun to be able to share this with my future family, and Matt even said we need to stay longer next time. Matt, Dax and I came back a day earlier than the rest of the fam because I had to work. Time just goes by way too fast when we're camping. I was very sad on the drive home thinking we have to wait a year to be able to do this again. I'm trying to talk Matt into going camping one more time before the weather turns cold. Things we did while camping included bike rides, climbing trees, going on hikes, playing in the creek bed, crabbing, building sand castles, roasting marshmallows, celebrating Livi's end of chemo, staying up late and playing card games, playing in tide pools, and enjoying being together as an entire family with no "real world" distractions. There was only very little talk of the wedding, which was very nice for Matt and I. We are trying to not count down the days, but it's so hard not to do. We have a lot of little things left to do, but our main goal is to just stay busy the next coming week. We know it will come and us wishing it to be here faster will only be torture. But it is only 12 more days!!!

So Many Happenings!

On Thursday my sisters threw me a fantastic bridal shower. Dan and Jill Huang were gracious enough to host it at their home, and Dan offered to do all the food. Which all turned out fantastic. The majority of people that showed up were women from the 5th ward but there were also family friends, and women from my future ward. My good friend Rachael even was able to get the night off of work and came up from Chico. The turn out was much more than what I had expected. How blessed Matt and I are to have so many great friends who love and support us. We received to many nice things, which helps a lot because we both have nothing. After the shower we took everything over to Matt's to unload and we ended up putting everything away. It's so much fun putting the house together. I'm jealous of Matt though because he gets to be there with all the new fun things, but only 18 more days!!! AHHH! So excited.
Friday started off getting things ready for camping. Next week it is my family's annual camping trip to Crescent City, and with all the family going there is much to get done. This year Matt and Dax are coming and I am so excited to share this part of my family with them. I can't wait to see Daxton's face when he sees the redwoods, an elk, a crab, or just sleeping in a tent. Matt has never seen the redwoods either. It's going to be so much fun.
Last night Matt and I drove down to Sac to pick up Dax. He was so excited to see us, and the first thing he said was "we get to go camping now?" I felt so bad telling him we had to wait a few more days. He was ok with it because we told him we're going to Papa's to pack for camping and all the cousins will be there. We got to my house around 10:30 and everyone was just finishing packing the trailer. Rachel and Bill drove in Friday but stayed at Bill's mom's so it was fun to see them and the kids. Livi's last chemo pill is Thursday, so it was fun to see her excitement about almost being finished.
Since working night shift my sleep is all screwed up. The night before last I got one hour, so last night I was excited to get some more. But with a house full of family that didn't happen. Daxton first wanted to sleep with Aaron, then with Matt, then back with Aaron, then my bed, back with Aaron, and finally ended up in my bed with Livi so I got the couch. I slept well until 6 this morning when my dad woke up to finish packing. Adam, my dad, Sue, Garrett's family and the Ellisons all drove up today so they were up bright and early. It's a 5 hour drive to the campground and with the excitement of going no one ever really wants to delay the trip. Well maybe the parents I guess. So as I sit at work right now, I am totally jealous of those of my family sleeping outside under the redwoods but as soon as 6:30 am comes around I am headed to Matt's and we are off!!! 55 degree weather here we come...110 degree goodbye!