Photo of the day - Missing you

Photo of the day - Would you like jelly on that?

From the Fort Fisher Aquarium in NC.

Photo of the Day - Kicking back beach style

Carolina Beach, May 23, 2009.

Rabbits rabbits rabbits

Did you remember to say it?

We did.

My holiday break was a nice, low-key one, exactly what I had hoped for. I enjoyed a lot of rich food, mostly sweets, and a lot of time with my loved ones. Though I'm happy to start a fresh new year, I look back and reflect (how can one not?) at 2008. In my 32 years alive, it was definitely the best and most eventful so far.

We bought a house and moved into a fantastic family and dog-oriented neighborhood with a huge park and a dog park.

I married the man of my dreams, barefoot, on a beautiful day on an empty beach in the presence of 3 friends.

I jumped out of a plane at 13,000 feet and got to free fall for 60 seconds and then enjoy a 10 minute parachute ride on a gorgeous day in May.

I got to spend a week alone with my new husband, swimming, and sipping tropical drinks in a pool while overlooking beautiful volcanic hills and ocean scenery in warm St. Lucia.

I watched the sea lions at Pier 39 for at least an hour and I ate fantastic fresh seafood with my oldest, bestest girlfriend.

Later, that September, I got to spend her 30th birthday with her and her new husband!

I became pregnant with our first child. I had no morning sickness and an easy, breezy first two trimesters.

On a sunny day in late June, I got to splash around with, and throw my squealing nieces and nephews in Lake Gaston.

I also got to jet ski!

Alongside my mother, I watched my sister win a gold medal in the Special Olympics for swimming.

I took my sister to her first concert.

I had dinner with my little brother in his first place (and boy, is it nice)!

I had the pleasure of tracking down and meeting two of my husbands oldest and dearest friends from when he was in the service, for his 30th birthday.

I got to watch my husband relive his youthful early 20s for 4 days :)

My family and friends had a healthy year, which as I get older, I've learned is a blessing in itself.

Though I had my share of flops , I enjoyed much success in my cooking and even learned that I like to bake a little too!

What more could a gal ask for, really?

I indeed found happy and I managed to keep it.

I wish everyone a great start to a truly happy new year.

Photo of the Day - Gateway

Our gateway to a peaceful, fun weekend at Carolina beach.

Photo of the Day - Crooked

The beach seems to be on my mind a lot these days...

I'm back

Sigh. How quickly a week goes by when you're actually savoring every moment. We got back late friday. We spent yesterday taking down some trees (well M did) and doing housework (me). I uploaded a bunch of photos to picasa from the honeymoon and I fully intend on writing a nice long blog about St. Lucia some time this week. I promise.

I finished reading The Kite Runner while on vacation. It was excellent. I was curious about the movie so we picked it up last night. The book was far better. The movie skipped over a lot and left out a lot of things that made the book so emotional. Pick it up when you get a chance. It's a pretty quick read.

Sunday dinner will consist of some sirloin steaks, grilled no doubt and some zucchini and mushrooms and whatever else looks good. I'll photograph and post back tomorrow my results. Until then, here's a photo from the honeymoon. It's Fort Rodney, taken at Pigeon Point National Park near Gros Islet in St. Lucia.

Life's a beach...

I figured I'd leave you with some lovely beach photos taken by Mrs. Melanie Busbee.

Lovey

A week from now we'll be beginning our honeymoon. Love is on the brain.

American Gothic - Topsail style

Something about this reminded me of that painting hahaha.

Love this...

Gorgeous roses!

They smelled INCREDIBLE!!

Photos by Melanie Busbee

Wedding Day Top 10

Our wedding day was absolute perfection for us. I'll elaborate later perhaps, but for now, my top 10 favorite things about our wedding day:

10. My hair was perfect and it didn't budge in the wind, not even a little. Thanks to Angeline at "A Beautiful New You".
9. The cake was not only beautiful, it was damn tasty and I even got to enjoy for breakfast the next day. Thank you Michelle!
8. Our very small wedding party. We had the perfect couple as our witnesses! Thanks Mel and Jed!!!
7. Location and weather - PERFECT!!!!
6. My homemade bouquet of free trade roses from Whole Foods. They smelled unlike any other rose I've ever smelled. Heavenly!!!! And at $20 bucks it felt like a steal!
5. The photos that Melanie took. Looking at them transports me. I am speechless.
4. Dancing with the ocean as our backdrop to "At Last" by Etta James.
3. His non-stop smile.
2. The kiss (and all the many that followed), the ceremony and finally getting to wear our rings!
1. Knowing that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams.

Wedding weather

Think happy dry thoughts. Weather for the wedding is looking good! 80° and partly cloudy.

Edit> Scratch that, apparently now it is 78 with scattered storms. Bah either way, we're getting married on SATURDAY!!!!!!