Cape May Photo Dump

So I took a bunch of really awesome pictures of Butler over 4th of July and never posted them anywhere.  And then I took more pictures over Labor Day and failed to post them as well.  So let's just do a little better late than never beach photo dump, ok?

 

Till next year, Cape May!

Checking In!

Hello!  Just wanted to check in since the blog has been so quiet lately.  Obviously things have been busy since I was in Disney last week for Nationals and Christmas is rapidly approaching (and I'm not ready at all)!  I seriously can't believe it's almost 2015.

I want to write a full Disney recap with a bunch of pictures from different parts of the trip and post a ton of updated house photos, but ain't nobody got time fo dat... so how about some safari animals from Animal Kingdom?!

  

 

I think I got some pretty great shots with my little point and shoot if I do say so myself.  More updates soon!  Good luck shopping, wrapping, and prepping!  Happy Hanukkah!

Are you ready for Christmas?!

Our Wedding Recap Part 5: The Ceremony

Slow and steady wins the race for these recaps!  I've had the text for this post written for a while, but never got the chance to add the pictures.  Life is so crazy right now with cheerleading and the house.  My squad had it's first competition last weekend and we're officially moving this Saturday!

Obligatory shout out to our favorite duo from Fuller Photography!

Catching up?
- Part 1: The Day Before
- Part 2: The Ladies Get Dolled Up
- Part 3: The Guys & Our First Look
- Part 4: Photos in Valley Forge Park

Walking into the church may have been my favorite part of the whole day.

To be honest, I'm no stranger to being the center of attention.  I coach a group of 35 girls, I lead meetings full of men (some 40 years my senior), I adore singing on a stage... but in this moment, I was completely overwhelmed!  Having so many of our loved ones all in one room looking at me filled my heart up to the brim and I found myself grinning ear to ear while simultaneously trying to hold back tears.
 

I glanced around the room trying to take it all in and see as many people as I could and then I saw my groom.  One of the things about Dave that has always caught my eye is his amazing smile.  He has beautiful teeth and his smile always just looks so genuine.  Seeing him smiling back at me made me so excited, but also sent a wave of calm over me.

When we first started talking about our wedding, one of the few things Dave was set on was getting married at his church, Green Tree Church of the Brethren.  We had both recently taken more active rolls within the church (church board chairman for him, member of the choir for me) and combined with our premarital counseling, weekly volleyball games, and Sunday worship, we were there a lot.  It was really special to be married in a place that we feel so connected to.  We were lucky enough to have both of our pastors officiate our ceremony, which was great since we have a strong relationship with each of them.

Our ceremony was a perfect blend of serious & lighthearted, love & religion, family & friends.
 

The sun danced on the snow with a sparkling smile,
As two lovers sat quietly, alone for a while.

Then he turned and said, with a casual air
(Though he blushed from his chin to the tips of his hair),
"I think I might like to get married to you."

"Well then, she said, "Well there's a thought,
But what if we can't promise to be all that we ought?
Can you promise me, say, that you won’t grumble and shout,
If I'm late yet again, when we plan to go out.
For I know I can't promise, I'll learn to ignore
Dirty socks and damp towels strewn all over the floor.
So if we can't vow to be all that we should
I'm not sure what to do, though the idea's quite good".

But he gently smiled and tilted his head
Till his lips met her ear and softly he said
"I promise, to weave my dreams into your own,
That wherever you breathe will be my hearts home.
I promise, that whether with rags or with gold I am blessed
Your smile is the jewel I will treasure the best.
Do you think then, my love, we should marry - do you?"

"Yes" she said smiling "I do".

His hello was the end of her endings
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle
His hand would be hers to hold forever
His forever was as simple as her smile
He said she was what was missing
She said instantly she knew
She had a question to be answered
And his answer was I do

What greater thing is there for two human souls
Than to feel that they are joined for life
To strengthen each other in all labor,
To rest on each other in all sorrow,
To minster to each other in all pain,
To be one with each other in the silent unspoken memories?
 

And then... we were husband and wife!

 

To be continued... Part 6


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Our Wedding Recap Part 4: Photos in Valley Forge Park

I'm so sorry I made you guys wait over a month, but all that Whole30 nonsense was keeping me a little preoccupied ;)  Anyway, these posts only feature a fraction of the amazing shots we got from Fuller Photography!  I cannot say enough about them and I am in love with our photos.

Want a second look?
- Part 1: The Day Before
- Part 2: The Ladies Get Dolled Up
- Part 3: The Guys & Our First Look

Summer shandys and ciders were passed around the trolley and the hip hop road trip Pandora station was cranked up!  We cruised around Valley Forge National Park for two and half hours and the photographers captured the most amazing shots.  I felt so relaxed during photos.  The weather was perfect.  The trolley was so much fun.  The park locations we picked out were picturesque.  Our wedding party was amazing.

We actually finished pictures a little early and good thing, because we didn't realize the trolley couldn't fit under the railroad bridge on the way to the church!  We had to turn around and take the long way, but we had plenty of time.  When we arrived at the church, all the girls went into a private room and Megan came to touch us up!  A few of us really needed a little refreshing and soon we were all looking our best.

While we were waiting, I had a first look with my dad (and Tom)!

He came in and told me he had a special gift for me.  It was a picture of him holding me right after I was born.  It was so precious and had quite a few people in the room wiping away tears!

I also had another visitor.  Dave's grandmother Mimi "accidentally" came in while looking for the bathroom.  In typically Mimi fashion, she went on about how beautiful I looked and how happy she was that I was joining the family!  She is really just one of those people that always the nicest things to say.

Dave's grandmother Edythe sadly passed away earlier in the year, so I wrapped her handkerchief around my bouquet to make sure she was with us on our big day.

Soon, we were lining up in the hallway for our big entrance!  This was actually the first time I was nervous all day!  My stomach was doing flips, this was it.  We were getting married!!!!!

To be continued... Part 5