the honeymoon post

The last time I blogged I wrote as a Reis.  I'm now a Riddle and am one day away from meeting my husband in Reno!  Today is probably the calm before the storm, thus, my quick blog post.

The professional pictures from the wedding aren't quite done so in the meantime I will update you on our honeymoon! 

We arrived in Antigua to 85 degree temperatures, humidity and lush vegetation ALL around us.  It takes quite a while to get there from the western half of the US but after escaping snow and single digit temps. we sure as heck didn't care.  We stayed at an all-inclusive resort through Sandals and it was honestly the best vacation of our lives.  Our room was a honeymoon suite that walked out to the beach, but we could also use one of the 5 on-site pools, 1 of which had a swim-up bar and pop music bumpin'.  We had a mini bar that was re-stocked each day and I about peed my pants when I saw 5 cans of Diet Coke!  Truly paradise.  There were 10 restaurants onsite (Hibachi-style, Italian, Fine Caribbean fare, British pub, Tex Mex, and more) and we never ate the same meal twice.  Also included was any drink you could think of from one of many bars or restaurants and I drank between 2-5 banana sipsops (fresh banana squeezed into a blender with coconut cream, rum, grenadine, and a splash of milk)/day before Thursday when I found it impossible to take another sip of anything containing alcohol. 

We were entertained with: salsa lessons, snorkeling, scuba, sea kayaking, sailing, ziplining, a couples massage, dancing, a talent show, local beach vendors, the sunshine, and... well, each other.  It's a honeymoon.  Get over it. 

Aron and I had an AMAZING week, but were ready to come home and get a 'move' on with life.  :)  In fact, the movers showed up 8 hours after we got back to Salt Lake.  Many more posts to come from Nevada.

Here are some pictures from the trip.  Enjoy!

four.days.

If I don't blog tonight I won't for about two weeks.  So, here goes...

Shanna arrived on Saturday and we had a night of bachelorette festivities.  It was wonderful!  Shanna, Britt, Dani, and Cat did a wonderful job making me feel special and planning a super fun evening. 

We finished welcome bags for the out of town guests staying at the Hyatt Place and are just about knee deep in tissue paper, boxes, decorative items, mason jars, and sparkles.  :)

This week has been mildly stressful as I'm trying to organize everything for not only the wedding, but also our move.  The moving company will be at Aron's the morning after we return from Antigua, therefore, everything that needs to be moved from my place has to be to his by this Sunday.  Thank GOD for Shanna.  I would have been lost without her this week.  We've taken numerous trips up to his place to unload my stuff and she's been such a trooper.  World's best Maid of Honor.  We took a mini break last night for some Thai food and "Bachelor" with mom, Deb, Andrea, and Garrett.  It was wonderful to laugh and not think about logistics for two hours. 

Today, we met with Britt for lunch at Cucina and I treated Shanna to high tea at the Grand America--sooo lovely.  I'm hoping to finish packing for Friday night, Saturday night and the honeymoon tonight.  I'm a goal-setter.  ha.  We'll see if I can accomplish them...

Aron will be here TOMORROW!!  I have missed him like crazy and know that my stress level will come down about 10 notches once he's here.  He's my calm and voice of reason most of the time.  I can't wait to be his wife, take a nice Caribbean vacation to escape this torturously cold weather and live with him in NV. 

Let's Begin Another Decade!

Happy New Year!! 

 This is what happens when I'm alone w/the camera waiting for fiance to arrive!

 To those who were with us on Friday:  my apologies.

Our holiday weekend consisted of friend time, wedding details, more friend time, details, friends, and mas details.  It was so wonderful to have Aron here one last time before the festivities begin!

We're 12 days shy of being wed and I couldn't be more excited right now. I just sent out the weekend timeline to family and out-of-town attendees and will be finishing up our "photo ops" for the photographer and family members tomorrow.  I've also been overcome with thankfulness for our friends who have volunteered their time for wedding coordination/set-up/clean-up next weekend.  So many people have offered their hands and creativity and we would be lost without them. 

Slowly, but surely, we're getting everything crossed off our massive to-do list. 

Shanna, my bff since 2nd grade and Maid of Honor, will be arriving in Salt Lake City on SATURDAY... 5 days from now!!  We always have a magnificent time together, but in the meantime I've put together a prediction of what my 2011 schedule will look like this year:

January- we get married and spend a week in Antigua before moving to Reno for good on the 28th.

February- we head to ID for an open house and make some pit stops in SLC to spend time with friends.  I find a job.

March- we head to LA to visit the Whites (and G MONEY...and ELLEN??)  We host some newlywed (ish) visitors in Reno.

April- trip back to SLC for Dani's shower and some quality friend time!  Weekend trips to Napa, Sacramento, San Fran, and Redwoods begin.

May- hiking and outdoor exploration of the greater Tahoe area.

June- FRIBERG WEDDING!!!  Salt Lake, here we come!

July- warm weather= more visitors... come see us!

August- We host a group of groupies for a long weekend!!!

September- it's my birthday...I want Vegas.  Maybe we can find some friends to meet up with us. 

October- At some point we will be heading to PA for the SIEMINSKI WEDDING... I'm predicting this month.  This is also Aron's birthday month.  hrm... dirty 30.  This is big.

November- Thanksgiving in Reno w/Riddles & Mama! 

December- OH for Christmas w/my dad's family for the first time!

This year is going to be amazing and we are open to as many visitors as humanly possible!  Perhaps we can delay in making friends if all of our friends from UT fill up our time?  :)

Perma-smile has set in...