We're back

For those of you still checking the blog, we are back from the honeymoon. Well, we have been back for awhile I guess. Our 10 days in paradise came to an end 9-10-09 when we arrive back in Minneapolis to a cold wet airport. We made it to our car and headed home.

Friday was back to reality at work and Sunday Randy and I opened gifts. The past week or so we have been going thru wedding stuff that needs to be returned to Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart and where ever else. We got our thank you cards ordered and are working to get those out to everyone soon.

But the HONEYMOON…

It was AWESOME! We left early, early Monday morning out of Minneapolis. We used Randy’s frequent flyer miles so were a little limited on where we could fly in and out of and when and what days we could actually fly. But early Monday morning put us in Cancun around 2:30 and we were to the hotel and in our suits by the pool by 4:00. The weather was hot and humid. Something we have been missing all summer at home! We stayed at an all inclusive resort so all of our food and drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic included. When in Rome…so we started in with the rest of the drunk idiots at the pool.

Not only did the resort have 7 different restaurants to pick from, but you could pick off of a room service menu 24 hours a day…all included. We hit that up more that we probably should have and decided by the end of the trip and we really shouldn’t have been eating for 4 at each meal! But the food was amazing…everywhere we went. Not only was it good, but it was all about presentation. Everything came out on a fancy plate decorated with swirls and stick things coming out the top of whatever you were eating. One place we ended up going to twice, had the best steak ever…in Mexico. Weird!

We laid by the pool most every day. Did some snorkeling, kayaking, and walking on the beach. We were also pretty close to 6th Ave, which was a huge market for anything and everything you either may have forgotten or wanted to buy while in Mexico. So we did some shopping and came back with t-shirts, picture fames, and the normal tourist crap!

One night we went to a fire show at the Blue Parrot. The fire show was at a hotel down the beach and the stage and performance was right on the beach. It was really good. The show didn’t start until about midnight, to make sure enough people had paid to get in, and the darker it gets, obviously the better the show looks. So they got started swirling fire around on everything imaginable and the more they performed, the bigger the crowd got. People walking along the beach would stop and watch and pretty soon, there wasn’t even a good place to stand to see the show.

Another evening we headed to a place called Coco Bongo. This place was a dance club disco, but had a large stage about 40’ in the air that performers lip synced to popular songs including Elvis, Queen, and of course Michael Jackson. There were backup dancers and a large video board behind the dancers playing a music video or concert clips that everyone danced and sang to. It the middle of it all were 2 sunk down bars – oh ya all you could drink after you paid the $50 cover – with people dancing on it and around it. The place was crazy. Not like your usual club where there are places to sit and then a designated dance floor. People just danced around in their spots and danced to whatever was being performed on stage. There was only 1 song that I had never heard and that was after the Michael Jackson performance, so we figured that was when the tourists should leave…and it was 3 am.

We met a bunch of different people from Canada, New York, Miami and England. People from everywhere seem to vacation in Mexico. It was interesting to talk to people that had been here before, others that were also on their honeymoon, and still others that found this place on trip advisor and were just on vacation.

All in all it was wonderful and we were not ready to come back to reality. Now that we are back in the swing of things, I plan to get some pictures uploaded online at http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterly.com/ and get something written up about the wedding day and posted on the blog. Also don’t forget to upload any pictures you may have taken at the wedding. Follow the link and either enter your Shutterfly login, create one, or use the one we set up. Login: schilling@hotmail.com, and the password is august29. My photographer is out, actually getting married herself this weekend, but she hopes to have photos uploaded soon. You can check her blog at http://lifeinpicturephoto.blogspot.com/ to get the first look at some wedding pictures!

Missing Veil

Please everyone think long and hard and check your trunks, my veil is no where to be found!

If anyone remembers seeing someone grab it off the head table or knows where it is, please leave me a comment or sent me an email at marydecker1@hotmail.com

I left it on the head table during the dance and when I went to grab it at the end of the dance all of the table cloths and skirting was pulled off and my veil was gone. I just assumed that someone had grabbed it and figured I would worry about it later. Well, I should have worried about it that night, because we can't find it anywhere.

Thanks everybody!!!

Ready to ROCK!!

Reception hall is decorated, everyone is paid...we are ready to go people!

The weather looks great for tomorrow. Not too hot, not too cold. Who would have guess that for August. We meet at the church tonight at 6 for the rehearsal and then dinner to follow at our place.

We start early tomorrow with hair, makeup and pictures. Everything is going to go great and we cant wait to see you all tomorrow!!

Oh my...tomorrow!!!!

7 DAYS!

I cannot believe our wedding is 7 days away. At this time next week we are going to be involved in getting dressed and ready for pictures...our wedding pictures!

All the hard work over the last has paid off. I am ready. I finished up the slide show for the reception this last week, paid the DJ, our wedding party gifts are in the mail. We do have a few things to finish up, but nothing major. Last night we picked up the beer for the rehearsal dinner and party bus...I think the people at the liquor store thought we were total alcoholics. We have a few other things to get for rehearsal, work on our speeches, and get the itinerary out to the wedding party.

Now that the big day is almost hear, and everything is pretty much done, our excitement is growing! We have 2 weddings to go to today which we have been waiting for, that seemed like forever away. I have been wanting to have all of our stuff done so we can enjoy the day with our friends. One, is a friend of mine from work at 3 and then back to Brookings for Brett & Meghan's at 5:00. Brett works with Randy and we have all shared in the wedding planning fun for the past year. Their reception is at the Days Inn and they have the same photographer as we do. They are going to have a beautiful day...I can only hope for a day like this next week! Holy crap...next week! Saturday looks like about 70 and cloudy. We can work with that!

Better get to it. Thanks everyone for checking in and we will see you all in 1 week!

Updates...

We are 17 days away people! Last night I officially freaked out. Not sure if it was the fact that the laptop computer fan went out and it going to have to be sent in to be fixed and my slide show isn’t really started or if I figured out that if I don’t order my programs by the end of this week I will be assembling them the week of the wedding or that I can go get my marriage license because we are 17 days away.

Holy crap! I still have some stuff to work on. I got to work this morning and emailed the last few people that I am waiting on to make stuff for me. We are waiting on wedding party gifts, parents gifts and the unity candle. I ordered everything with the thought that we had so much time for it all to arrive. We still do, but I just want the crap here now!

I also have a lead on the usage of a computer for the next couple weeks. My brother got back from Texas yesterday and is heading to Vegas for 4 days. He doesn’t need his computer. Best of all he has movie maker software on his computer and said you can put a slide show together in no time. Ok, that’s good news.

Last week I sent final payment to the photographer, still have to get her the final timeline for the day of and what pictures we want with who. Today I am sending final payment to the party bus guy along with a map of Brookings and place we want to hit up in between the church and reception. We need to get a hold of the DJ and get the first dance and wedding party entrance details figured out. He is probably going to want some money too!

Tomorrow I have my practice updo and a few of the groomsman and dads are coming to Brookings to get fitted for suits. Should be a busy rest of the week!

I apologize for not having more pictures on the blog or updated from the bachelorette party and shower that I had last week, but between everything else that is going on…I think you all understand! And with computer issues...we probably shouldn't be using it as much as we have!

Saturday's Shower

I had my last big event before the wedding on Saturday. Two of my bridesmaids thru me a wonderful shower in Brookings. I had college friends show up, Randy’s sisters all came, and a bunch of co-workers were also able to make it.

We grilled out back, ate way to much, and I got to open another slew of gifts. I received wonderful things yet again and we still have not doubled up on anything. I have all of this nice new kitchen and bathroom stuff and cant wait to put it all to use!

After we ate and opened presents we kicked back and had a few drinks. Some people left, others stuck around and we headed downtown Brookings around 10:30. We had a lot of fun. We hit up Cubby’s, Ray’s Corner, and the 9. Drank way too much and wasn’t feeling the absolute best Sunday morning.

We lived thru it and now back to wedding planning. I finished up all of my thank yous last night and put those in the mail. I figure that everyone was nice enough to pick me out a wonderful gift and come to my shower…they deserve a thank you as soon a possible.

More to come people…18 days to go!

Another busy weekend…

August 1st came and went and I may have freaked out a little bit. I as looking at my list of things that needed to get done and just didn’t think that there was any way we were going to be ready. Between a few kind word from my mom and bridesmaids, I figured it was better to freak out now and get stuff done, than freak out later and be totally out of time.

So this weekend, I made myself a list of all the things that I wanted to get done:Work out the details of the rehearsal dinner. Make up a guest list, finalize the programs and get them ordered. I also wanted to finish up the seating arrangement for family and the wedding party and finish getting the name cards made up. Update my flowers for Hy-Vee, work on center pieces..which turned out awesome! Put the wedding party gifts together and work on the program.

I pretty much got everything done that I wanted to. Betty found a dress and it is ordered. We finally figured out who will be walking up with who and made some changes to the program. Randy and Josh worked on the garage finishing up door and window trim. We added hooks in the garage to have a place for all of the boating stuff to hang to dry out, tubes, life jackets, wakeboard, etc.

Mom came up and worked like a dog. She helped clean, vacuum, do laundry, clean bathrooms, dust, sweep, dishes, everything I have completely neglected for the past couple weeks. It was wonderful to have someone there doing something all day and I was sitting at my kitchen table working on wedding stuff. An extra person there to help, made so much of a difference this weekend.

Even though we did get a lot done, we still have a list to work on…
Monday – Randy heads to Salt Lake City for work. I need to drop off a check at the Days Inn and work out the details of our flowers with Hy-Vee – over my lunch break. Return the samples from the party depot that we used this weekend to figure out our centerpieces and I have a haircut appointment at 5:30.
Tuesday – Randy still gone. I have to work the weight watchers meeting over lunch and meet with the church at 6 to get program approval and finalize music selections.
Wednesday – Randy home and I have nothing planned. Free Day!!
Thursday – Chiropractor appointment over lunch and meet with the church and Steve – my soloists – in the evening.
Friday – Is it Friday already? Another week down and only 23 days until the wedding.
Saturday – My shower in Brookings
Sunday – Recoup to start all over again

2nd Dress Fitting

Last week Tuesday I had my 2nd dress fitting. The bustle was done and my veil was in. We decided to have the veil shortened, a hook replaced on the back and a couple stitches added to the top part of the dress. My final dress fitting is scheduled for August 18th. That is crazy to think my final fitting is scheduled! I feel like I was just writing about my first dress fitting.

Kelly and Emily came down with me and had their dresses looked at for alterations. Shouldn’t take much on either of the dresses. Both of them are too big. Which is a plus. All of the bridesmaids dresses were too big on everyone! Easier to take in than let out.

My bachelorette party was awesome!!

I had the absolute best time over my bachelorette party weekend! It was one of those weekends that once it was over I was ready to relive it all over again!!

We all took off from our respective starting points around 1:00 on Friday. Road trips as they are, usually interesting. Between traffic and conversations that go on over a 5 hour drive, you are ready to get out of the car and have a drink when you arrive at your destination! Kelly and I left Brookings and had a pit stop in Mankato. I needed a couple things for my bridesmaid gifts and I had already bought out the Sioux Falls store. From there we headed north to Minneapolis to pick up Amy, my personal attendant. She had flown in earlier in the day and her mom had picked her up at the airport and they had spent the day together at the Mall of America.

We were on our way and only had about 20 miles to go. We all arrived in Hudson around 6:30 or so showered up, took the bachelorette party oath and headed out. We went out to eat and opened gifts. Not sure why, but I totally didn’t think too much about bachelorette party gifts, and what usually comes in them…lets just say it wasn’t fruit baskets! One of the most memorable gift was Willy…you will see him in the pictures!

We ate and took a recommendation from our waitress to hit up a little bar on the corner that sells all drinks, 2 for 1. EVERYTHING was 2 for 1. You ordered a $4 beer, you got 2. You ordered a red bull vodka for $7 you got 2. Shots, other mixed drinks, everything. We were all getting to feeling pretty good, played a few songs and started introducing Willy to the crowd. He was a dude magnet. More guys wanted to sign, touch, feel, and play with that thing than I would have ever imagined! We headed to bar #2…Ellie’s. This was more of a dance type bar so we kept drinking and started dancing…and dancing…and dancing. Willy was an exceptional dancer and made his way around the crowd making friends all over. The night ended around 2, and back to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow!

We woke up around 9 or so ready to go for the day. But as we looked outside expecting to see hot sunny weather for our day on the river, we were very disappointed to find clouds, rain showers, and very little sun. Temp was holding steady at 65. Ohh going to be a hot one! We ran around and did a couple things. Picked up beer, a few things at Wal-Mart and some pizza. No one was in too big of hurry to get to the river too soon. But once was all ate and got changed, we decided that we didn’t drive 5 hours to sit in a hotel room and we were floating down that river…RAIN OR SHINE!

We did it. The river was…refreshing. But the more we drank, it seemed like the water got warmer. Perfect. About ½ way down there was a large sandbar that we stopped and met some people. I took my first beer bong and we picked up 2 people who’s group had left them earlier. A little ways down another sandbar and yet another group of people parting…so we stopped. Here we met some really nice people yet again. I also received some good marriage advice from a gentleman that seemed to have the world figured out. Trust, communication, and honesty.

By the end of the river we had lost Bridget and Betty at one of the rapids, had ran out of beer, and we were all freezing cold! We got done, pick up the missing, and headed back to the hotel to sit in the hot tub. It was grrrrrreat! Hungry and still wanting to have some fun, we showered up and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for supper…at11:00 pm. We ate and Kelly, Amy, and I tried to head back downtown. We couldn’t do it, we were tired, hung-over, but still sobering up, and still a little drunk. It was time to call it a weekend. Made for an ok drive home. Wasn’t hung over…just tired.

To everyone that came with to celebrate: Thank you so much for taking a weekend out of your summer to hang out with me. I had the best time ever and would love to make it a yearly party. Hopefully we can pick a warmer weekend! But I really had so much fun. Thank you all for the gifts and begin troopers to float down that river on a 73 degree day! I love you all and cant wait to celebrate again at the wedding!!

Bachelor/Bachelorette Party – THIS WEEKEND!!!

Pack your bags everyone, it’s time to party!!!

Randy heads out tonight for lake Shakatan to camp for the next 3 days and my crew heads out tomorrow at noon for a weekend at Apple River WI.

Sounds like Randy will have a couple campers for people to crash in, several boats for some days in the sun, and a grilling competition for Saturday night. We plan to arrive in WI tomorrow evening, change clothes and head downtown for dinner and drinks. We are all dressing up, everyone wearing black dresses and I will be wearing white. Should be a fun night, but not too much fun because we want to start down the river around 11:00 Saturday morning. It is a 3 hour ride, so highly recommended to do it twice…OK!

I cant guarantee anything from Randy, but I plan on taking some pictures…check back next week!