Indiana Trip

Well, we are back in Washington. Our trip to Indiana went great. Nothing better than hanging with family and friends. It was a fun-filled all about Amanda trip,in a way, and I am not going to complain about that. Here is everything that went on.

We arrived Wednesday night to eat a great meal,with Mom and Dad, but then mom and I scurried off to hang out with the ladies for a bridal shower. My BF Daish, planned a last minute shower that was perfect. I got to see my closest friends and have some girl time with food and gifts.

Thursday, I was up bright and early to do a practice run with my hair. One of my closest friends Sheila practiced an updo before my dress fitting. After we were done with my hair, mom, Sheila, Daisha, and I met at the boutique. All I can say is, I LOVE MY DRESS. It's perfect. Mom and I met up with Paolo and Dad, since they were feeling neglected. Then we had a shopping spree at Macy's. After the shopping spree we had a fabulous lunch at 800 Degrees Fired Pizza.

That evening Paolo, Ty (bro), Amber (sis-in-law), and I went to El Azteca. It's my favorite restaurant and I always eat there when I am home. This time I only made it there once;(

Friday, we hung out and had a great early-brithday meal cooked by my Mom.

Saturday, I had another bridal shower. This time it was with my family. They bought me gifts from Indiana to remember my roots, plus gifts on my registry.

After the shower we went Christmas Tree hunting with the Green's (my Godparents). This is a yearly tradition that's been going on for 30+ years.
After we hunted down the perfect tree, per Paolo's request, we went to the Nolt Family Dinner Haus. This is an Amish home that is used as a restaurant and it's the best country home cooking.
You can visit Paolo and Amber's blog for pictures.

My best friend Jenny was in and out of the hospital, but eventually gave birth to a little tiny baby. He was 28 weeks gestation and he is a little fighter. He weighs 2 lbs. 9 oz. and he is 15 inches long. They will be visiting the hospital daily until they can take that little guy home with them. His name is Henry:) You can find more about Henry here.

Thanks, to all my friends and family for making our trip home wonderful.

The funny thing about registering

In my mind, gift registry was supposed to be a free-for-all shopping spree. In a sense it is. You get to run around and scan your heart out. The funny thing is that it's a lot tougher than you'd think. Registering was nearly (gasp!) a chore.

Last Monday, Amanda was eager to get to registering and so we went to the Tacoma Mall Macy's, which was short on selection. We set up the registry but weren't able to get much further than that. Monday's just aren't ideal shopping nights either. We had a bit more success when we went home and registered more gifts online because we weren't feeling the pressure of store closing hours. We also opened up a registry at Target.

With a better idea of what we were in for, we ventured out to Seattle to register at Crate and Barrel, REI and Macy's again. This was definitely a more relaxed adventure because we started early and spread out registering over two days. We still had some stress points when we simply ran out of gas, but overall we were really happy with everything. Of course, we cleaned up the registries online when we got home and added items that we forgot about on the road.

Here are some photos of our registering trips. (Please note that the items in the photos are not necessarily the items we registered for!)

New Wardrobe

On Saturday Paolo Jr. and I went shopping. I was in desperate need of a new wardrobe. The past 8 months almost every dollar was going into the house in some way. I guess that's what happens being a home-owner. Of course I had a few times when I splurged on something nice and well-needed, but Saturday there was no limit (I like to think) and we had to purchase new work clothes.

Our first stop was Burlington Coat Factory and we both found two things that were needed. I bought a pair of Seven jeans (flare and for dress) and a cute flannel. Junior, bought a pair of work out shorts and a work out jacket to help motivate him to work out more. My total was $40.00 and Paolo's total was $42.00.

Next stop was Target. My total for 9 shirts and a pair of rain boots was $97.49 and it should have totalled $151.41, so I felt good about these purchases.
Paolo's total was $89.46 for 3 things. It's true that the ladies selection has more of a selection when it comes to the sale rack.

You're A Grand Old Flag

Have a great Veteran's Day and thanks to all of our soldiers of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Almost 30

Everyday I am excited to see what comes in the mail. As you know, I have been getting bridal magazines to help with ideas and pump me up for the big day. But something strange is happening. I am getting other magazines that I've never received before.

Whatever happened to Alloy, YM, Seventeen, Elle and Cat Fancy Magazine (I was a subscriber in college and, just so you know, you can be a subscriber eternally). Those have all disappeared. I am now getting Eddie Bauer, Lands End, This Old House(thanks Mom),and Williams Sonoma. I think all of them, minus the Williams Sonoma are out of my realm. Does this mean I am supposed to start shopping at these places?

I am starting to wonder if turning 29 has anything to do with this. I am 3 weeks away from the last year before turning 30, and this is all I can think about. I have enough grey hair already, so I don't need anymore. Please over-30 stores, I am trying to enjoy this last phase of life before I turn treinta.

Winter Tears

Blahh... It's winter.

The sun is teasing me when it comes out for an hour or two and then goes away and hides for a week. I keep wondering how many days will we be without a sun this season. I have read that 226 days of gray is pretty common, but I shouldn't complain too much because we had an amazing summer, right?

I am now driving to work in the dark and getting home in the dark and that's what stinks. Paolo and I make sure to take a walk before work and exercise in the evening. It is much needed and amazing.

On a positive note, winter brings a lot of great things too. I am excited to be attending a social wine event for 20-somethings (I will be out of that realm due to my age, so I have this year and hopefully next years will be before my birthday) in Seattle later this month.

We will celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in Tacoma this year, so I won't be with my family in Indiana. Still, I am excited to decorate our house and make the Holiday meals this year, since last year was so much fun. The added bonus is we will be traveling home over my birthday, which is sandwiched in between the two big holidays, and I am sure I can talk my mom into making me a holiday meal for my birthday. But I will admit last years videos, from our trip home, I will miss making.

We will be finishing the planning for our big wedding that will be happening in the spring. I can't wait. Fingers are crossed hoping my dress will make it by early December when we're in Indiana. If it doesn't I will be ticked. Need to kick up the workouts a notch to make sure I can fit in my dress. :)

I have been fighting back my tears a lot lately and I am realizing that this winter and future holidays will be bitter sweet having family here in Seattle and back at home.

Bachelor/ette party?

I know that Scott is already planning a bachelor party excursion to Vancouver B.C. sometime early next year, but I saw an article on MSN today called "How to Throw a Coed Bachelor/ette Party" that I found interesting.

The idea: "These days, to-be-weds are more likely to opt to do something adventurous (think a white-water rafting trip for the guys) or posh (a full day of pampering at the spa for the ladies) than risqué. And if you'd rather have a full-on fiesta with all of your friends -- and your fiancé -- instead of the outdated "last night of freedom," you can."

The article suggest renting a bar or a softball game. These sort of sound like rehearsal dinner events, but I get the idea - Do something different with everyone.

I don't want to take away Scott's thunder and won't, but I think a Bachelor/ette party might be a good thing a couple of days before the wedding when we're all in Indiana. Because of the distance, half of our wedding party will be meeting the other half for the first time, and some fun ahead of the wedding couldn't hurt anybody.