Mmm...

Sooooo I don't have a whole lot to say today...Well...I do...I just don't have photo's here at work to add to the posts so I'm waiting til I get home.

But I feel like I need to post something since I have been slacking on the posting lately.

Sorry. I'm working on it.

But as I was reading my previous post-while jamming out to BSB again, I realized something.

Hanson was on Dancing with the Stars last night.

Yes.

Hanson.

This all began when MOH Cassie called Friday night to tell me. Here is how the 45 second phone call went:

Cassie:  "Haley..."
Haley: "Cassie..."
Cassie: "Have you been watching Dancing with the Stars? "
Haley: "No"
Cassie: "Hanson. BSB. New Kids on the Block. Next week.
Haley: "Shut. Up."
Cassie:"I know!-Gotta go Ephram's crying"

With that I hung up the phone laughing while Tony starred at me with a "What now?" look.

Unfortunately due to myself getting into a fight with my computer last night, I didn't realize what time it was.

I MISSED HANSON!!!!!!!!!

But have no fear!!! It's already onYouTube!!

So for todays viewing pleasure I present to you Hanson. Please, everyone hold in your screams I don't want you to get in trouble at work....But feel free to silently sing along like I will be doing so...along with maybe a little drum roll against your desk...oooh Zac....

***Addition****

Tuesday nights show featured New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys...I couldn't contain myself on this one.

----

Hey Mr. DJ

...Oh the memories...

So we met with our DJ last night. I have to say it's starting to really sink in that this is really happening.

Oh goodness. 

I am soooo excited about the DJ, Greg, from Showtime Entertainment. He is one of Tony's old high school friends so it'll be nice to have him running things. We gave him the option of having someone else run it for the night since he was already invited to the wedding but he wanted to do it. I think I'm more comfortable with that anyhow because I have a feeling he'll be great, plus he'll know how to keep the crowd going since he'll know half of them.

I can't wait for the day to be here so we can party into the night. The ideas he gave us and discussing song choices is what really made it sink in. Talking about our wedding song, along with our parents songs makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Then throw in a little Cupid Shuffle and Hoedown Throwdown and we'll be set for the night!

In case none of you know the Hoedown Throwdown I've attached a link so you have time to practice. Feel free to join me on the dance floor!!

Weekend Update

Where to begin?!

This last weekend was amazing. After a few stressful weeks at work I was ready to take a few days off and headed to Arizona. I found my new home. I'm pretty sure Raina (my travel buddy) and I would move there in a heartbeat. It's such a beautiful place. But of course the love of my life hates the heat. And since it was 100 degrees the day I left, well, I don't think he'll be going there anytime soon. Boo.

Let's start off at the beginning of the weekend-or end of the week, however you'd like to look at it. We flew in Thursday morning and begin our little adventure. Our first stop was to meet John to get his and Rachael's mariage certificate. That was a weird few moments, at that point I was still in awe that the whole ceremony was happening. Long story short-a year ago, Rachael and John weren't the best of friends-more like two co-workers annoyed with each other. Amazing how things can change in a year. I honestly haven't met a couple more in love than these two. Oh, did I mention that John's base was three hours south of the airport-yep, 3 hours. Did I also mention we had to drive back to that same airport later that night to pick up another guest? Let's just say it was a long first day. Friday however made up for it. We woke up bright and early (still MN time for us apparently) and headed 2 hours north to Sedona. Raina and I were ooohh and aaahing over the scenery and Rachael kept saying "just wait, just wait-it gets better"

Once we got into Sedona, Rachael asked us to turn off onto a road so she could show us the whole reason she wanted the wedding there. She had always been talking about this little church they had visited and she loved it so much. After going up a winding road we all realized why she loved it. The Chapel of the Holy Cross. Google it. Enough said.

Saturday was a busy day but was also pretty relaxed. The wedding took place in the late afternoon and we celebrated into the night. I'll explain the day in more detail once I can post pictures. :)

Sunday we woke up and started our trip back into Phoenix. It didn't start off on a "good" foot only because we had to say goodbye to John. This would be the last time we'd see him before he leaves for Afganistan. I of course was an emotional wreck and could hardly say goodbye to him. That was the second time I'd cried over him in the last 24 hours. Saturday night his friends gave him and Rachael a very special gift. John recieved a pendant of St. Michael that he will wear and Rachael received a frame with the same prayer. "That way they would both have someone watching over the two of them." This is where Raina, Kelly and I exit the area as we can't hold back our tears any longer. Watching those boys and the way they care about each other is an amazing thing. I'm glad I was able to meet them and know that John will be in good hands while he is gone.

As some of you know Sunday was my birthday. Whoop whoop. Big 24. I was pretty sure it was going to be just like any other day. No big deal. Right? Wrong. I have to admit, it probably was one of the more exciting birthday's I have had in a long time. I guess it really started Saturday night in the parking lot of our hotel. It's always fun when you are serenaded by a bunch of intoxicated strangers :) About 10:30 Arizona time is when the Facebook messages started...that didn't stop til Sunday night. Sunday afternoon I was treated to lunch at In N' Out Burger-one of Britney Spears' favorites. Raina and I had planned on reinacting the famous shake scene from Britney. Raina would be the photographer and I would be Britney throwing the shake in her face. Raina insisted we did it but at last minute I chickened out since the parking lot was packed and the windows were right by us with everyone watching. Maybe next time. Rachael and Raina also insisted that I have a birthday cake. Apparently, it's not a birthday without cake. So we typed in Coldstone into the GPS and went on the hunt for one. Well, the first one was no longer so we had to type it in again. After probably 30 minutes of driving around in search of a silly birthday cake we finally found a Coldstone. We checked into the last hotel for the weekend and I got my cake (cupcake). But not without all 24 candles-23 in the cupcake and 1 that Rach used to light them all-she gave up on sticking that one in. Another round of Happy Birthday and I blew the candles out. Even though I was away from home I wouldn't have changed a minute of it.

1 2 3 BREAK

Alright Alright I try and try to update this as much as possible but sometimes it just doesn't work out. Sorry.

This past weekend I was able to get a lot done. Friday I had taken the day off to spend some good quality time with my little lovebug Presley. She is such a little ham right now I can't get over it.

Her mother bought her this shirt a few days ago. :) Starting out young...

And this one just makes me laugh. I know it's blurry but you can see her personality come out a little. I love her.

While P was down for a nap, mom and I worked on the boys boutonnieres. We were able to finish half of them as that was the only amount of roses I had available. Mom had already started and finished one of the bridesmaid's bouquet. Again, PICTURES DO NOT DO IT JUSTICE.

Saturday we spent the day going through the woods at Jeff and Cheri's house. We were on the hunt for branches for our centerpieces. Cheri came up with a great idea of using the sumac branches. Perfect. I think we cut about 40 different branches all different sizes. Next step will be to paint them, this step will probably have to wait til next week.

This coming weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to witness two dear friends get married. I met Rachael and John while working at IGH at the branch. John has recently enlisted into the Army and is currently in Arizona. Originally a wedding was planned, and still is, for next summer. But unfortunately John will be moving to Korea soon. About three weeks ago we got the word that the wedding would be moved up. Rachael and John asked if I would photograph their wedding. I am super excited and feel honored that they would ask. I can't wait to try something new, in a new place all while being a part their big day. The wedding will take place at Big Rock so I am sure the scene will be perfect.

So with that being said I am off for a weekend vacation. I will sign back in Monday when I get home. Hope you all have a great weekend!



Video Amazingness

So I stumbled upon this little video when I was surfing weddingbee. We've been debating a lot lately about whether or not we should do a videographer. I want one. Tony doesn't. He doesn't think we'll ever watch it more than once. I want it mainly for the reception and our guests. Since we are only having family at the ceremony and dinner, I really want to make our friends invited to the reception feel important too.

I started watching this video and I was completely sucked in. It is beautiful. There are no other words to describe it. You don't need words to capture the moment and the feelings from that day. I watched it once. Then twice. Then three times. I find myself going back to it. I've tried finding videographers with similar styles around here but I haven't seen one yet that is even close. Unfortunately these brothers are from California. If I had it my way I'd fly them here. If only I had an endless supply of money...A girl can dream can't she?

So take a few minutes out of your day and watch this video. It's amazing. The end always gives me chills. I can't wait for my wedding day when I can say those words.


Dennis & Patricia (Wedding Trailer) from Winston Tao on Vimeo.

George

And you guys probably thought I forgot about this post.

Who could forget George!?

In case you've forgotten lets do a little recap shall we?

Oh man, that's a great song. I wish I could find the full video, it's a shame we can't listen to the whole thing.

So you are probably thinking why on earth is Haley playing this classic George Straight song. Well, for one person. My sister. 

Yes, you read correctly, my darling sister. See, when we were younger-and as we got older-she would sing her dear little heart out all the time. To anything. And everything. It was...um...well...good. *cough*  I remember cutting out a picture that was on the front page of the pioneer press of two little girls on a sidewalk. One girl you could tell was singing her heart out while the other little girl stood there with her hands over her ears and a priceless look on her face. I had that hanging in my room til the day I moved out. I bet if I went home and dug through my old stuff I'd find it.

 

But luckily there's more to my sister than her amazing singing skills. The girl can always put a smile on my face. I can't tell you how many times I've had to wipe tears from my eyes because she'd just made some random comment that had me laughing hysterically. That's her specialty. 

I could sit here and tell you all about our relationship and the crazy things we've done together and the number of things shes taught me throughout life but I don't have enough time in the world to do that. Plus, I'd like to keep those memories to myself for right now. I'll save them for when Presley's a little older. I have a feeling I'll have to do a lot of reteaching when it comes to my lovebug. Especially when it comes to music.

Of course, we have our ups and downs like all sisters. But when it comes down to it, we are still sisters and we always will be. We will always have our differences, I would think something was wrong if we didn't. But we always come back to each other. And that's the only thing that matters. 

Bridesmaid Dress-CHECK!

Ok, everyone can pick their mouths back up from the floor. I know I know. It's hard to believe, I made another decision. GASP!

Let's just say it wasn't an easy one. And after much debate, numerous emails exchanged between MOH and Cole, and a phone call from my mother did I finally say it's the one and the color was the final color choice.

It was touch and go there for awhile.

Trust me.

I had asked Cole awhile back that if I ever get out of line or start to become the dreaded Bridezilla to knock me out of it. She had to put on her boxing gloves for a split second but she knocked me back to reality. She of course followed up with a "I do this out of love" and "You told me to do this"

The decision was made that this was the dress. Next step color. I originally feel in love with this dress when I saw it in red. I decided to go for the red color but after a day or two went by I was second guessing myself. Is it too bold? Too red? Not me? Finally, after I was venting to my mom, she made the comment that I needed to just stop thinking about it, this was the dress I wanted and what originally drew me to it was the color. So I needed to just snap out of it and do it.

So I hope my girls are ready to parade around in flame red for my wedding :)