Party All The Time!

This weekend I helped my brother and sister celebrate their birthdays. My brother, Brian, turned the big *30* and my sister, Brenda, turned 26. I think my mom planned it that way so it would be easier on her, less dates to remember. Really it was just a coincidence! We went out for Chinese food and then went back to my mom and her fiance, John's, house for dessert. My mom doesn't make them cakes, neither one eats it, so we had birthday apple pie and Boston cream pie. Yummy! Jason was working and my mom's dog, Sugar, doesn't like Gizmo,
so I had to go alone, but I did bring home dessert for them. We had a great time and got to hear the yearly story of each of their births and how time has flown by and my mom can't believe she has a 30 year old son. My brother was very sick when he was born, they didn't think he was going to make it and he had a hard time eating for the first year. He has sure made up for it, he's 6'7" now and very healthy. When I was younger I used to get a small present on their birthdays because I didn't understand why they got something and I didn't. I miss those days! Tuesday night we went to my dad's house for further celebration and tacos. I did get to bring Gizmo with me this time and my dad, Bruce, had a blast with him. They played ball and ran around outside, they were both pooped! There is no picture of June, my dad's wife here, she doesn't like to have her picture taken, but I'll try again. I also got to see my grandmother, Betty, who is one of my favorite people in the world. She always wears her apron and she loves to cook. She is the one who started the tradition of getting me the Happy Holidays Barbie for Christmas every year. I now have a collection of about 35-40 Barbies, all still in their boxes. It was a very busy week!

Wedding Update!!

I know that most of you are wondering what plans we've made for the wedding and how much we still have to do. So far I think we've made pretty good progress. The date, if anyone isn't sure of, is April 22, 2006. Only 4 1/2 months away, I can't believe how time has flown by! We are getting married at St. Peter and Paul basilica in Lewiston and the having the reception just across the river at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. The church is beautiful and Jason's family is quite involved there so it was a natural choice. We had pretty much decided on the Hilton anyway before we even looked at it and once we saw the hall we knew it would be the perfect place. One end of the room overlooks the falls and the manager told us that if it rained even a day before the wedding the falls would be flowing heavily. I think we have a pretty good chance of that in April. The guest list is mostly done. I did some research online and found a photographer just outside of Augusta who has a wonderful website and beautiful pictures. My mom and I went to see her in Sept. and she is the nicest woman. She was very enthusiastic and showed us lots of her photos. She even photographed her own wedding with timers! Jason's mom was very worried that I hadn't found my dress yet, so at the beginning of Nov. I went to David's Bridal in Portland to look for one. I could not believe the selection they had there. A lot of people had warned me that I might have to order my dress to get the right size and not to be disappointed that the size of the dress was larger than what I'm used to wearing, as sizes run small. I think that was part of the reason I put it off. I got to my appointment and Sarah (godsend), the consultant asked if I had anything specific I wanted to try on. I showed her 5 or 6 in the catalog and then she found another 6 or 7 for me to try, just to get started. The 1st dress I tried on was way too big, she ended up getting dresses 4 sizes smaller! I was liking this a lot. My mom and I had sooo much fun. Every dress was gorgeous and Sarah got jewelry and matching tiaras for each one. I felt like such a princess! The sixth dress I tried on fit perfectly, and when my mom was done zipping and buttoning it up, I turned around to show her. I was pretty sure it would be the one, but when she gasped and tears started to well up in her eyes, that was when I knew it was the dress. When I went to see if any alterations were needed, the women were amazed, they had never seen a dress fit someone so well that wasn't made for them. All I had to have done was the bustle, so they pinned the dress up and said that I could pick it up in a few weeks. I have to say that was the easiest and most expensive shopping excursion I have ever been on. The dress and all of the coordinating gear are safetly in the closet in our office awaiting the big day. Two weeks ago my sister, Brenda (maid of honor), Abbie (bridesmaid), my mom and I, went to look for the bridesmaid dresses, Christine and my cousin Jennifer couldn't make it. We went back to David's Bridal and met with Sarah. I picked out several dresses for them to try on and the third one was the charm! The best part was as Sarah rang up the dresses we found out they were on sale and were 15 % off on top of that as I had gotten my dress there too. The only problem was that because they were on sale it meant they were going to be discontinued very soon. We had to rush to get the other 2 girls in, but everyone got their dress ordered and they will be in by the beginning of Jan. My mom is making the cake, she used to make and sell cakes when I was younger. She is very talented. We have to decide on the design pretty soon, she is going to New Zealand for 3 months : ( . We still have to get a DJ and a florist, haven't decided if we want a limo yet, have to make a final choice on the centerpieces for the tables, and make the invitations. Just a small list. I'll keep you updated!

As I promised

I got a new USB cable for the digital camera! Now I can post our pictures! This is very unusual for me to be so promt, but I really think the pictures add a lot. We had a very nice day, slept in late and just bummed around until Jason went to work. Then I met my mom at her house and we went to Portland to do some shopping. The stores were crazy, but we fought the crowds and each found several presents. We went to Best Buy to get the USB cable and were dismayed to see at least 20 people in line at the checkout by the door leading back into the mall. I had a feeling we might be there for quite some time. I found the cable and went to the registers on the other side of the store and was out in less than 5 min! Most of the same people were still waiting in the ever growing line as we sailed by. We also went to the Christmas Tree Store and Target which weren't quite as busy, but still crowded. I love the All for One section at Target! I found a very cute purse to go with the new dress I bought when Barb, Christine and I went shopping. You would never guess I only spent a buck on it. I got some decorations for outside and will take a picture after I put them up tomorrow. Gizmo was eagerly waiting by the door for me, I had been gone for a few hours. As soon as I opened the door he ran past me and squatted on the first patch of grass he saw. Our apartment is just a few feet from the street so he isn't allowed out by himself, but he finished his business and came right back in. Ok, I had to yell and go get him, but he did stop in his tracks as soon as I told him to stop running. He is sitting here next to me growling because I haven't thrown his ball for him. He is grumpy, it's way past his bedtime!