Italy- all I can say is WOW!

We are home, and we loved it! There is so much to write about and tell about, luckily I have a travel journal that I filled.

I really really enjoyed my time there. E soaked up Italian like a sponge, and he's so cute when he speaks it.

We had beautiful weather, incredible food, awesome gelato, and saw some of the most spectacular pieces of art in the world.

Our favorite thing though was the Italian Alps. I want to type more about this region and share a lot of photos, just wanted to say that we are in amore with Italy!

Here is a sneak peak of some of the things we saw (note, I took all these pictures!):

Italy!

Our honeymoon that I booked so long ago is finally upon us! E and I leave tomorrow for 16 days in Italy. Needless to say, I’m quite excited! Venice, Verona, Bolzano, and the Italian Riviera including Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence and Rome here I come!

Bryce National Park

Sunset on the ridge of the canyon in Bryce National Park

Sunrise at "Sunrise Point" on Labor Day in Bryce.

Another shot from Sunrise Point at 7:00 am.

When E and I left the park on Monday we decided to count the National Parks we've been to in the last year. Here's the count:
1. Arches- October ‘05
2. Grand Teton- January ‘06
3. Zion- March ‘06
4. Arches (again)- May ‘06
5. Yosemite- July ‘06
6. Bryce- September ‘06

That’s a lot in one year! We are such National Park junkies.

Oww! My butt hurts!

So yesterday my group of friends and I decided we wanted to go biking in Deer Valley. We could buy a lift pass and ride up and down the mountain all day, plus it’s been rated some of the best mountain biking in the nation.

We were jazzed, it was a beautiful clear day, and a perfect 70 degrees! We got up there, bought our lift tickets, and headed up the mountain to rip up the terrain.

It was awesome! The trails were easily marked, the air was cool, and we all had a blast. We rode all day, and never had to ride uphill, because the lift did all the work for us.

By the end of the day I had decided that I NEED a new bike, the one I got for my 12th birthday just isn’t cutting it anymore. A ridged frame made all my guy friends think I was “really hardcore” because they all admitted they couldn’t have biked the mountain without their shocks.

And today I barley can move. My hands hurt, my butt really hurts and my legs are so sore! But I’m not the only one, all the guys can’t move either!

Deer Creek

My house on Deer Creek is beautiful, a two story and a full basement. There are seven bedrooms, four baths, a huge living room, sun room, and dining room. Also there’s a large kitchen, beautiful front port, gorgeous patio, and a trampoline in back where E and I fell in love.

I remember the first time I saw this house, I was 12 and my brother B and I drove up in our realtor’s sports car, after getting a Slurpy and 7-11. I loved the house, even when I first saw it. It was huge (at least that’s what I thought when I was 12), and very beautiful.

We bought the house, and moved in quickly. I chose a beautiful upstairs room with three windows, more windows than any other room. It was always light and warm in that room. I picked a blue and white stripped wallpaper and my mom, dad, and I fixed it up, along with decorating the rest of the house.

The house grew and changed with us. We redecorated, switched rooms around, and redid the entire master bathroom. The house was more beautiful than ever. My parents always dreamed about having climbing roses on the front of the house, so one summer we reworked all of the gardens, and when we were done, the house shone.

At Christmas B and I always loved to decorate the front of the house with lights. My dad let us be in charge and we always did as we wished. I remember one year, when I must have been 14 and B 10, when we edged all the windows and doors in lights. We spend hours on it, and it's one of my favorite Christmas memories.

When I was 15 I wanted a more “grown up” room, so my parents helped me move to the basement. We converted the huge playroom into my bedroom and painted the entire thing in one weekend. I choose to have the walls a yummy butter yellow, the ceiling blue, and all the woodwork white. It was spectacular, and huge!

Christmases and Thanksgivings came and went. My siblings grew up, M and Ch went from tiny children to preteens. I was a senior in high school before I ever got a boyfriend, (E) and we fell in love at the house, on the trampoline in the backyard.

E and I spent every summer night on the trampoline, and really got to know each other.

The next fall I left for college, but Deer Creek was still home. I still ate Sunday dinners with my family, and still had my room. After I moved out of the dorms I moved back home, and it was still the same beautiful house that seemed so big to me when I was 12.

Last Christmas was a tense one. My mom and dad weren’t doing well, but I would have never guessed it was my last Christmas at the house. New Years came and went, and when I made my predictions for the next year, I predicted that my parents wouldn’t stay together.

My mom moved out in May and never seemed to look back. My dad held onto the house, but decided in the last month that he needed to sell it. He’s completely moved out, and B is finishing moving out today.

The house will be painted and scrubbed, and then sold. The house will not be ours anymore. I will never have my family under one roof ever again, and I will never have Christmas as I did my entire life ever again.

E and I went up to the house last night to say goodbye. It is hard to say goodbye to a house you love. I’ve had many wonderful memories there, and grew from a child to a woman in the house. I had my first kiss on the front porch, and Ch spoke his first word inside its walls.

I walked all around and said goodbye to each and every room. I went into “stinky storage” and said goodbye to our storage room with the silly name. I went up to my old bedroom and looked around at a room I hardly recognized anymore. I said goodbye to the graves of our family pets Smudge and Henry. And then before I left I laid down on the trampoline with E to look at the summer sky one last time and I cried.

I cried for my family, who will never be a “family” again. I cried for my kitty Boo who had died so innocently in the dryer less six months before. I cried for my siblings who will never have a “perfect” childhood like I did, and I cried for my house, which will never be mine again. And I cried for all the loss I’ve experienced this past year.

Things in life-

They are still stressful. My dad is doing cuzy cuzy (so-so in Italian). He has his ups and downs, but he has moved out of the house. I can’t believe the house I called home will belong to someone else soon. I moved into that house when I was 12. I have a lot of wonderful memories there.

My Grandpa is doing okay also. Last week they had to cut out a day of his chemo because his kidneys were acting up. But by the end of the week he was in good sprits and feeling a lot better (and more awake than he’s felt in a month).

My brother is stressed about everything going on, so I hope to see him tonight and just enjoy our time together. He moved into that house when he was 8, so it’s been his home almost his entire life. Plus, B is never hip to change, and all this change at once is really taking a toll.

Other than that I am fine! I hope that sounded sarcastic enough. I’m having a really hard time with this stress. This morning I woke up with a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach, and I just felt pretty depressed about everything going on.

E and I went to the farmhouse this weekend, and instead of enjoying myself like I usually do, I worried a lot about my dad.

One thing that I am really happy about is my upcoming honeymoon in Italy! We leave on September 13th for NYC, and then leave the 14th for Venice. We’ll spend 16 days exploring everything Italian (especially the food).

E and I have been listening to “Learn Italian” on our iPods, and we are getting to be cuzy cuzy. I know how to count to 6, say hello, and a few other small things. I want to learn “I love you more than anything” and “the food was delicious”, both would sound so cool in Italian!

What a summer

I swear, just when things feel like they are setting down, and I can finally relax, things ramp up again. Just last night as I was staring at my computer monitor I realized that this summer has been really tough.

Just in the last week a lot has happened, here is a quick list:
1. My dad went from being really depressed to motivated to sell the house literally overnight. He put it on the market, found a new one, and began to pack. It is all moving really quickly, and I’m going to miss what I’ve called “home” for the last 13 years. I was thinking the other day that I’ll never climb the tree out front, sleep on the tramp under the starts out back, or have Christmases in the family room again.

2. My mom is longing for someone special more than ever. She feels like she has found that person, but many people (including E) disagree with her decision. I am torn, I really want her to be happy, but it will be a really difficult choice for her because some people will never accept her choice, and she will loose even more people in her life. This saddens me a great deal.

3. My brother went into surgery after breaking his foot in 6 places. They say he’ll always have pain there, and it will never be as good as new. The doctors put a 2” screw in there to hold together a shattered bone. After the surgery mom wanted to go up to my Dad’s and see Ch, but my dad had a date over- and it wasn’t just a date, it was my mom’s best friend for 20 years that is now getting close to my dad (they are not best friends anymore). Needless to say, my mom was pissed and Ch felt really uncomfortable.

4. My grandpa is getting more and more tired. His chemo and radiation are going well, and he isn’t nauseous or anything, but he barley can stay awake for more than two hours at a time. Because of it, my grandma is really lonely and hoping for a speedy recovery.

5. My other brother is really having a hard time with my dad’s decision to sell the house. He doesn’t want to move out yet, and he doesn’t want to move to the new place. He is really having a hard time with the decision.

6. Then to get away from it all E and I went down to the farmhouse this last weekend and we had a problem with his sister. She and I both love American Girl items (dolls stuff) and we found a piece used in a little shop down there. I spotted it first, and therefore bought it. She wasn’t happy with me and therefore wasn’t happy for most of the weekend. The stress really built up, and I felt really hurt.

7. Another thing that I am hurt over is that two of my four (and only) girlfriends were unable to make my wedding. I'm not hurt about that, more that I haven't even heard from them for months. I understand that they each have busy lives, but I didn't get a card, a phone call, nada. I guess friends come and go, my mom sure knows that...

So I hope things get back into the groove, because all this stress is taking a toll.

On a good note, I took some really cute pictures of my dolls down at the farmhouse. Here is my favorite of Rachel and Molly:

My husband is very sexy!

I truly believe that my new husband is one of the most good-looking men on this planet, so how did I become so lucky to land him? Also, he is the most kind, generous, wonderful person I have ever met.

Here is a picture of us in Yosemite the day before the wedding:

A picture today

This is my grandparents and I on my wedding day. These are the grandparents that did all my flowers for my wedding and also hosting the most beautiful tea party in their garden for my shower. This is my Grandpa that is sick with bladder cancer. He will start chemo and radiation this week, and we are all hoping for the best, he is a very special person.

The wedding week:

For the next couple of days I'm going to post a few photos here of our time in Yosemite. These are not wedding pictures, instead just the photos of our hikes and things we saw.

First up: a great photo E took of me descending the Mist Trial. The Mist Trial runs along side the base of Vernal Falls and is named adequately.

The wedding...

On my wedding day I carefully waked downstairs after getting dressed in my gown to finally see my soon to be husband all dressed up, and him to see me. E looked so handsome, more handsome than I had ever seen him. He smiled as I walked towards him, and the photographer (my work buddy) snapped photos. I kept thinking that these would be the best photos of E he’ll ever own, I’ve never seen him look so great. I walked towards him and we kissed. I think that might be a good photo too!

So, the plan was, was to get most of the formal photographs out of the way before the wedding started, so we could enjoy cocktail hour with our guests. We posed for lots of pictures, inside and out. I kissed E on the cheek and we held hands. Soon it was time for the group shots, one with his family, one with mine, one with the bridesmaids, one with the groomsmen, one with my siblings, one with his, and so on! We did this for over an hour, but it was so fun! Everybody was so excited for the wedding ahead, and everyone looked wonderful all dressed up. My flowers were done just in time to be in my photos, and they were splendid. I couldn’t have hoped for anything better.

It was finally time, and guests were beginning to arrive. We wanted my dress to be a surprise to everyone but the wedding party, so E and I went upstairs to rest and relax while our groomsmen acted as ushers. I was hot, and my dress was tight, but I was happy. E and I talked about how we would never forget this moment, and how it seemed weird that we would soon be husband and wife.

After what seemed like ages BH and D came and got us, saying the guests were seated, and E needed to head outside and take his place in the front. A moment after he left I walked downstairs to meet my dad and my bridesmaids and groomsmen in the woods behind the meadow. Everyone was so excited. My Dad looked sad and happy all at once, and the weather was fantastic. As I waited for my bridal party to walk down the aisle I watched squirrels on the lawn, and told my Dad not to be nervous.

Finally it was my turn, the music changed and my Dad and I began to walk. I thought about my family, my soon to be husband, and how happy I was. I also concentrated on not stepping on my dress. Before I knew it I was at the front of the aisle. I kissed my Dad on the cheek and E shook his hand. I handed my flowers to my sister, and took E’s arm. This was it!

The judge that was acting as our officiant was cute, and really sweet. The ceremony went perfectly, and I felt like the words really captured what E and I were all about. Right before we were to repeat our vows a little breeze floated through, and I closed my eyes and was truly happy. I chocked up a bit when I said “to have and to hold as long as we both shall live” but all in all, I did pretty well with not crying. We exchanged rings and kissed and were pronounced husband and wife.

Here is a picture that was taken right after the ceremony before we walked down the aisle (notice Yosemite Falls in the background):


E and I headed to the back lawn to sign our marriage license and our guests joined us. Everyone told us how beautiful Yosemite was, and how beautiful we both looked.

We stood from a couple more quick group photos (large family photos) and then we headed towards the Solarium for the reception.

E and I walked slower than most of our guests. We held hands the entire way back to the hotel, and talked about how perfect everything went. I knew this moment would never be forgotten.

Once back to the Solarium, the party was already in full swing. E and I stood in line at the bar to get a drink and were informed to get to the appetizer table quickly, before everything was gone! Well neither of us made it, most things were gone by the time we got there, but what we did try was so good!

Neither E nor I were sad, or in the least bit hungry, we were happy the appetizers went to the guests. We chatted with our guests for the better part of an hour and I got to finally hold SF, who thought I looked “so marry” in my wedding dress (she’s only 2!)

Everyone was so kind, and every one of my guests told us what a spectacular location we had decided on. E and I were truly beaming with pride.

Soon it was time for us to head inside for dinner, but first the DJ was going to introduce us all to the guests. First came the groomsmen and bridesmaids, and then E and I. We got a standing ovation. I’ve always wanted a standing ovation, and I think my own wedding counts.

E and I had the best spots in the house, center table facing all of our guests. I sat between him and Ch, and it was just perfect. The salads were served (spinach with blue cheese, figs, and candied walnuts) and wine was poured. E and I got up periodically to visit with our guests at other tables; everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves so much.

Soon dinner was brought out. E got the steak, I got the salmon and both were to die for!!! This was honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever had, and we weren’t the only ones impressed, everyone was raving. D said he had never had a steak as good.


Before we knew it, dinner was over. We made another round to visit all our guests while the staff poured everyone champagne for the toast. We didn’t know what to expect, other than BH and my sister had put some serious thought into this. BH’s was so kind, and he said we were the perfect example of “happily ever after.” My sister’s was heartwarming and very sweet. Then the floor opened to other toasters, and we had a lot of guest toasts. Each was so beautiful and heartfelt. I got teary on more than one. My little flower girl KY really wanted to sit on my lap for all the toasts, which made it that much more special.

All too quickly the toasts were over, and it was time for us to cut the cake. I knew there was a special way to hold the knife, but I had no clue. My photographer filled us in, and we cut a small piece of the bottom layer of the carrot cake. After cutting it into two, we fed the cake to each other, and didn’t spill a single crumb (and didn’t smear it in each other’s faces).

The cake was so good! The staff whisked it away to cut it, and it seemed like as soon as I got back to my seat there was cake waiting for me. I had a slice of carrot and a slice of lemon and both were amazing. I heard my cousin from the other table say this was the best carrot cake he had ever had, and I smiled at E.

The DJ invited us into the Winter Club room for dancing and I suddenly became nervous. We had taken 9 weeks of dance class for this moment, and I really felt the pressure was on. The music started, and E started the fox trot. I started on time (which is good, I’m always trying to dance too fast with fox trot) and we spun and glided around the room. I lip synced the words to our first song Come what May. “I will love you, until the end of time, come what may, come what may!”

Pretty soon it was time for the entire party to start dancing. My dad and I danced together, and all our guests joined in. The dance mix was perfect, and very few people left the dance floor. E danced with our flower girl to I love the Flower Girl and we all boogied to Thriller.

All too soon it was over, and our guests started to say goodbye. We hugged and kissed each of them and finally it was just E and I. I took his hand, and we walked outside. I looked up at the moon and the stars and the granite cliffs and told him I loved him, and I would never forget this night.

The Wedding Day

I woke up early on July 9th to find my Grandma and Aunt already up. E was in the bathroom with a sick stomach, nerves no doubt. I helped E back to bed, got him a cool rag for his head, and went outside to enjoy the Yosemite morning with my Grandma. Today was a big day, and the reason we were all here in Yosemite, and there was still so much to do!

I wanted to eat a small breakfast so I could fit into my dress later that day so I grabbed a yogurt and started to talk about the wedding day to the ever growing party of family members that began to rise. We had to get iron our dresses, do our hair, take showers, and get all the flowers ready.

After a quick shower I headed off to my Dad’s family’s house as people started to scurry around the kitchen. I had not yet said hello to most of my New York Family. I found their house easily enough and was welcomed my hugs and kisses from my Dad’s mom. We chatted about the day ahead and I remembered I had not yet dropped off favors to this side of my family. I decided to run back to my house, pick up the favors (red water bottles), and see if E was feeling any better.

He was feeling fine, and we decided to dash back up to the other house with the bottles. Everyone thought the bottles were really cute, and couldn’t believe we got them personalized. My cousins all gave me hugs and I was finally able to meet SF, my cousin H’s first child. She was so cute!

After E and I got back to the house the ordeal began… My Grandma and Grandpa left to the Ahwahnee to begin on the flowers. I got my dress out and began to steam it, and my mom started doing my hair. I got really grouchy because my hair was being a bitch so finally E just decided to make me some lunch (good thinking!).


We finished my dress, got my nails done (thanks CH!), got my Mom’s dress steamed, and I put on makeup. E and BH started getting dressed into tuxes. E looked so handsome!

I left the house with my Mom about 15 minutes before E and BH because I was going to get dressed at the hotel. The drive down to the Ahwahnee was uneventful, and I got more and more excited for the night ahead.

Once at the hotel my Mom and I ran up to a private room to get changed. My dress fit beautifully- I was so happy! We placed my vial in my hair, and put on some lipstick. My Mom went to find E and the photographer, so we could have photos of E when he first saw me.

My Mom returned and told me to head downstairs, my future husband was anxiously awaiting…
(tomorrow I’ll write up the full account of the wedding!)