Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bridals

Who doesn't love to dress up in their wedding gown, get their hair and make up all beautiful to take gorgeous photos? If you don't, then we need to have a talk! Not only was it a special day because I got to feel beautiful, but my soon-to-be handsome husband got to get all spiffed up in his hot tux and join in on the fun!
We drove to Utah to have our Bridals done by the very talented Sara Boulter Photography! I hope you enjoy!



































Road trip to California

After our fun get together in Vegas, T and I decided we would go visit the soon-to-be in-laws in southern California. His family welcomed us with open arms. Mom, Dad and sister T were all there! We had a very eventful weekend planned.

This is what it's like coming home to the P family.


Lots of excitement and tons of pictures documenting every second! Thanks to Mom P.

Quickly did I learn that Mom P makes sure to have TONS of food waiting for us upon arrival.But who doesn't love some 7-layer bean dip and chips?!
Excuse me for the closed eyes. You'll see plenty of pictures with my eyes closed! I can't help it!

After some delicious food and many hugs and excitement, we all went to the family room to discuss some more wedding plans, we talked about what food we wanted served, who would be invited to the night-before family party. Of course, we included many of these comments, "I just can't believe that YOU TWO are getting married. I would never have guessed in a million years that my son would marry my best friends daughter!" Dad P. sure was/is thrilled about that. Still, to this day, does he mention it at least once during our visits. I sure love my in-laws!

T and I were exhausted, one by one we fell asleep during our late conversations with the family.



The next morning we had breakfast all ready and all who was missing was T. So sister T and I ran upstairs to wake up the sleepy head! (All kids in the P family begin with T, so it's a bit confusing!) He is not an easy person to wake up!



That morning we had the missionaries from the church over to eat breakfast because one of the Elders was leaving for their home. 2 years finished!


Because we had decided to have an open house in southern California for those that couldn't make it to the one in Utah, we had a lot of yard work to do to get it looking pretty! So T, Mom and I had a lot of work to do while Dad and sister T had work to attend to.

I worked on the gardening while T worked on trimming the bushes.




Also during this trip it happened to be my birthday. There is a family tradition in the P family. Birthday person gets a birthday breakfast, everyone gets a hostess cupcake and we all hold our hands/fingers up displaying just how many years old they are!

Oh T and his many faces! It sure was a blast and the best 23rd birthday!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

I'll never live in Vegas.



Upon returning home from my mission, I was unsure of the plan I needed to make for my life. I didn't know whether to stay in Austin, move back to Utah, or move somewhere else and start an adventure.
I remember talking with T about this one day on the phone.I was so confused and just wanted to be in the right place. T had mentioned I could move to Vegas. I laughed. I told him, "Look, I think it would be fabulous to be close to you and we could hang out etc. But, I have been to Vegas, and well, I'm not really fond of it. Perhaps I'll move to Utah and we could just visit each other?"

Like I'd EVER move to Vegas, I thought. T and I were just friends who talked on the phone daily. We weren't dating. Nor did I think we WOULD (at that time). I did however, think it was cute that he'd mention it a few times. I knew he liked me. So, I began making plans to move to Utah. I started looking at apartments, jobs etc. I found great places! But, nothing seemed to feel "right". I would find perfect roommates, but it didn't settle. I talked with T about this and he was understanding and just assisted me in the process. I knew though, that I would be moved by the 1st of March. It just felt "right".

Oh how I love those feelings. I did move that last weekend in February. Not to my own place in Austin, not in Utah, but it was, however, a location I had never lived before and I would be starting my very own new adventure.

I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Known as "Sin City", "hot and windy summers" and a very touristy city. That's all I knew of it.

My Dad and I packed my Scion Xb up with anything I'd possibly need. On the road we went. 1,300 miles. 24 hours on the road. I was determined to make the drive so I could see my baby.

My Mom and younger brother J, had flown into Vegas and made it before we did. THEY got to see T before I did! I was totally jealous! haha T had been working nights and had to work that night we got in. So we pulled up to the hotel and I ran in, finding him asleep on the bed taking a nap. I was finally in HIS city. We had 6 weeks to go before the wedding. Things started settling in now. I was getting married to one of the most incredible men. I felt so blessed.

That weekend we told T's parents about us driving in and they hopped in their car from LA, California and headed on their merry way to see us. We not only discussed wedding plans, but had many laughs as we were able to reunite from so many years.

The boys didn't seem to be having too much fun as we discussed plans. Well, they tried.
Our parents were so excited to reunite, especially for the happy occasion!


T and I, were happier than anything to be in the same city!

After many hours of planning the wedding, we decided to all go out to dinner and celebrate. Down on the strip at an Italian Restaurant named Maggianos.

Apparently being on your phone was the popular thing to do!

As the Dad's caught up on life together, R laughed at some jokes and Mom pondered. Probably wondering how we were going to afford everything at the wedding!


It was a lovely time together. It was joyful and exciting! No one would have ever guessed that the two families would ever be brought back together for such a wonderful adventure!