photo-booths aren't just for the mall anymore

Last weekend My sisters and I along with one of Lacy's closest friends, Amy went to a Bridal Exbo at their college (CSU Pueblo)

I had never been to one, and thought it might be something I for sure needed to do before my big day.

Aside from the many "congratulations," "when's the big day? OH! thats coming fast!" and "How exciting!" comments I was given throughout the day... along with the many other brides walking about, I was disapointed with what a BRIDAL EXBO really is.

All vendors in the Pueblo area set up in the CSU ball room and try to get as many bookings as they can.

So in my case I had no real reason to attend, because I have all of my vendors booked at this point.

Thats when the comments turned sour. "Oh... well, good luck..." "Well we can do lunch-ins, tea parties..." "I'm doing a private shooting this weekend for Valentines day (then turns to my 16 year old sister) Do you have a boy friend that you want to take some sexy pictures for?"

But the BEST part was this

The photographer we are using for our wedding suggested a photo booth and told me how much fun they could be. I didn't believe him until us girls took our own photo booth pictures.

Now if any extra money pops up or if our super tight budget should magically explode a photo booth will happen at our wedding.

Other news: Jeb turned 22 yesterday Woop! woop! He is in Texas for three weeks getting ready for a show next week, so I called him at 9:00 last night to see how they were going to celebrate, only to wake him up from his nap.

Wedding plans are going great. I am headed to the local print shop tomorrow to get our Save the Dates and Invitations printed. All the Save the Date envelopes are addressed and ready to be filled.

My grandma is charging full speed ahead with the dresses. Shes just waiting on me to make some color decisions.

Oh the Places You'll Go

One of the best things about the careers that Jeb and I have both dreamed of is that there is not one state where either of us has to be.

OR continent

Jokingly Jeb and I have tossed around the idea of moving at least a few times before our future children are old enough to be in school.

There is NO WAY I am cut out to home-school & I (we) really want our kids to go to a school a lot like the one we went to. Maybe just a touch bigger, but still a small town school.

We also don’t want our kids to move from school to school after they have started, maybe once or twice but not every other year.

So, we play this game, sortof like would you rather, only with locations.

Florida or Northern California?

San Fran J or Ohio?

Mexico or Africa?

Alaska or the North Pole?

Okay so the last few are jokes

But what normally happens is, I am ready for some grand adventure outside of my native Colorado boarders and Jeb is ready to settle down, just down the road.

Don’t get me wrong I love Colorado, and if that’s what is best, I’d love to raise my kids here, but I’m a little ready to spread my wings.

Go on an adventure,

Live in a climate that only reaches 50 degrees F on a cold cold day.

Grow a palm tree, have a fresh fruit garden…

Obviously I am only thinking of warm places to liveJ.

I went to Alamosa this weekend to see my cowboy, and while we were riding horses at the end of the day in the bitter cold air he turns to me and says…

“What about New Zealand?”

Pretty sure he’s not kidding

The people in New Zealand are supposedly obsessed with American rodeo and horse shows, but no one knows what they are doing.

A friend from New Zealand is actually visiting Jeb’s boss and I guess has very entertaining stories to tell.

Jeb says he is making gobs of money running cow horse show, and isn’t close to a professional.

So what is Jeb’s plan?

To move to New Zealand to train rope horses and rodeo.

Me? I’m all for it. Not quite sure how the cosmetology industry is over there, but I’d be pretty stoaked to check it out!

I am just glad Jeb has no desire to sign a 2 year contract with a cattle ranch in Russia like his previous room-mate just did.

I’ve never been there, but I was told if I think Alamosa, Colorado is cold, I better pack another layer of clothes for Russia.

No Thanks!

I think I might like New Zealand though!

Jeb's Family

Jeb and I flew out to PA on the 24th to spend Christmas with his family. I absolutely loved it. I dearly missed my family; I only broke down once though, in my room with only Jeb present.

But we had the best time.

Besides the fact that I sent an elbow through the kitchen door window at Jeb’s grandparents’ house.

His Grandpa is the sweetest, most comforting man. I felt so stupid, but! Kept my tears in, until he kissed the top of my head. Then the water works started.

As soon as we got back to Jeb’s grandparents’ house (Gail’s parents) we started peeling shrimp & breading oysters, shrimp & mushrooms for a BIG Christmas Eve feast!

We had the 3 fried items listed above, shrimp scampi, crab stuffed mushrooms, steaks, & sautéed veggies, with peppermint ice cream for dessert. I was stuffed!

After dinner Gail gave me 2 packages for Jeb and me from my mom. (Every Christmas Eve my mom and dad let us open one present, new pajamas and a children’s book.) I insisted to Jeb that we open them in my room alone (I balled the whole time) Gail came in and read the book I was given to each of us, just like my mom would have done & I continued to ball. I’m pretty sure I have never been so home sick in my whole life. But it was short lived.

The next morning we all woke up and had long-johns topped with rich frosting and coffee, and we all just sat around the kitchen table to talk before presents were even mentioned. I loved that.

We spent Christmas day at Jeb’s Aunt and Uncle’s house (which is BEAUTIFUL) with a mound of delicious food!  I enjoyed watching this side of the family interact so much.

Sam (Jeb’s Dad), was raised Amish, but never joined the church. Sam’s parents (Mommy & Dautie) {Grandma & Grandpa} are still Amish as is Sam’s older brother Levi and his wonderful wife Anna. They have 3 kids 2 of which are married with kids and are no longer Amish. Sadie Lynn is their youngest (my age and has already joined the church & is dating a gym who will join the church this summer. (Suspicions are that they will be married in the Amish church soon after.) Lorraine and her Husband joined the Amish church and then left, they have 3 kids all older than me, the youngest Kerry is Jeb’s age. Also, Aunt Mary was present during all the festivities; she is Mommy’s younger sister who never married.

There is so much love in that family. I just loved being there. EVERYONE was at Christmas dinner & stayed at Ike and Lorraine’s house until after all the kiddo’s bed times.

 The next day Gail and I went into Lancaster City with Lorraine and Kerry. I had a lot of fun that day as well.

Tuesday we went to Central Market with Gail’s parents, it was quite a sight

In the afternoon Jeb took me to the restaurant where his parents met to split a burger and then drove me all over to take pictures of the rainy day.

Tuesday night we went over to Levi and Anna’s house for some yummy soup and sandwiches. I also enjoyed that night, lots of catching up, storytelling and laughter. I love just sitting and listening to all the “remember when…” stories.

Wednesday, Gail and I went to this little shopping place called Kitchen & Kettle with Lorraine, it was fun seeing different stores, most with some Amish influence. We stopped by Mommy and Dautie’s house to visit with them for a little while, then we met up with Gail’s dad to do some last minute shopping for the 50^th Wedding anniversary party we were putting together for Gail’s parents on Thursday night.

Thursday we got up and started working on the party right away. Gail and her brother Kurt made all the food for 60 plus people, and were trying to do it all by themselves as a gift to their parents.

We had gotten up early the day after Christmas to snag all the good deals on Christmas décor (Gold ball ornaments for the centerpieces)

Jeb and I spent Thursday decorating the dining room. I must say that my cowboy does have an eye for decorating. He had lots of great ideas.

By 6:00p.m. All the seats were filled and we were serving salads, prime rib, canned chicken, oven roasted potatoes and fresh green beans.

Kurt did an excellent job cooking; he sure has a gift in the kitchen.

Grandma Miller had make 3 cakes for dessert which we served with THE BEST store bought ice cream I have ever had.

I love the fact that both Jeb and my parents are still married. The even crazier thing is that 2 sets of our grandparents were married on September 2^nd and both celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary this year.

Later we found out that Mommy and Dautie have been married for 60 years!

Friday we had breakfast with Grandpa Miller’s brothers and sisters at a local buffet, later just the 5 of us drove around Gail, Sam, Jeb, Tyler and me. It was fun sight-seeing all the places that they remembered from living there. Sam every once in a while would say something like: “Me, Dad, and Levi built that… and that’s where Levi taught me how to chew!” We also visited Steve and Linda’s beautiful home; I was ready to move to PA right then and there if she would have said we could have her house.

For dinner we met all Grandpa Millers family again at a Pizza Hut and then headed over to Levi and Anna’s to say goodbye to Ike and Lorraine and Levi and Anna. The night ended too soon, but we had to pack because Sam wanted to be on the road pretty early the next morning.

We drove straight through and ended up back in Westcliffe about 10:30am New Year’s Day.

I was tired, dirty and cramped from sitting in the middle back seat too long, but I wouldn’t have changed a single thing about that trip.