!i! The Neighbor & the Kareoke Machine !i!

There once was a newlywed couple who moved into an apartment complex. Occasionally they would hear their neighbor below them singing at the top of her lungs. It didn't bother them much because the sound was very faint as it passed through the floor and carpets. They would only really notice it when their spouse pointed it out to them. Then they would giggle and move on to something else.
AND THEN THEIR NEIGHBOR GOT A KAREOKE MACHINE!!
They could hear it in every room of their apartment. They could hear it outside. They could hear it when they got out of their cars. Eventually...the couple will move.

!i! F-F-Freezing !i!

This holiday season we went to see the lights at temple square as we always do. Isn't it funny how it's always a great idea to go see the lights until you are actually there and freezing your buns off wondering why in the world you are out in the 15 degree weather pretending to enjoy lights?! Well...I suppose it's tradition.
The original plan was to get dinner at Iggy's first and then go see the lights. Iggy's didn't want to seat us but begrudgingly tried. We kept our pride and stormed out!! We were making a stand! (But picture AJ complaining in the background of our noble walk out about his hungry belly). We ate somewhere else and by the time we got to temple square it was 9:45.
We walked around that place so fast "enjoying" the lights. Personally, I was snapping as many pictures as I could so that I could then enjoy them in a warmer place. (Most of which turned out blurry). We spent a total of 15 minutes looking at lights then made a beeline for the Trax train.
I would like to suggest that temple square turns the lights on in June, July, and August when viewing them doesn't involve extreme discomfort and chattering teeth.

!i! The Bliss of Apartment Dwelling !i!

Our first apartment is comfy/cozy. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. We use the second bedroom as an office/ exercise/ drum playing room. We like where we live. It's in a great location. It has a great view. It came with a washer and a dryer. And it's nice having an exercise facility where we live because AJ and I go running together frequently. Plus I have had a lot of fun decorating it! But we still plan on moving at the end of July. Possibly somewhere that doesn't allow pets! That would be great!! We live above a yappy chihuahua that likes to bark at all hours of the night. The owners have no problem with the barking at 11:00 pm. They just shut the dog in their bedroom. Problem is...their bedroom is under our bedroom which makes for a pair of tired and grumpy newlyweds!
Such is the bliss of apartment dwelling!

!i! Howie !i!

First of all, I gotta explain Howie. I pulled out my 3rd grade journal about two months before AJ and I got married. I was reading some random entries and I came across one entitled "Where would you like to go someday?" Of course I picked warm, sunny Hawaii ... only being a 3rd grade speller, it was "howie". And Howie was where we went on our honeymoon.

We caught our flight out of Salt Lake city going to L.A. where we had an hour and a half layover. From there, we flew straight into Honolulu. The flight to L.A. was okay. Packed with annoying people going to the dental convention, but we survived. The flight to Honolulu made us both sick. Sitting so long in a rocking aircraft did not sit very well on my stomach. We landed at 8:00 p.m. which was midnight Utah time and we were just exhausted.

Day 1: We drove the entire island. We did this just to get our barrings, but it turned out to be our favorite day on the island. We stopped at just about every beach we came across. We were staying on Waikiki and that beach is busy, but we found so many small quiet beaches with no people in sight. We stopped by the temple and took a tour of the visitor's center. And then we toured the pineapple plantation where we got pineapple ice cream. Yummy!

Day 2: We hiked the Diamond Head Volcano. Sounds exciting right? Ha ha boy would you be wrong! The itinerary for the hike is that you hike a part of the volcano and then you can look out and see a huge crater. Sounds great! The vegetation was dead. Someone had collapsed and the EMTs were trying to get to them. We had to climb through this old military prison that was made for tiny people. Finally we get to the top and look for the crater. Turns out the parking lot IS the crater! We could have parked and turned around because that was it! But there were pretty views of the ocean from the top so it was worth it.
After that, we visited the valley of the temples which is a Buddhist monastery. It was interesting to learn all the culture and the landscape surrounding this temple was gorgeous! We found a grove of bamboo trees that were miles high!
We finished the day by going to the beach and watching the sunset on Sunset Beach.

Day 3: We visited Pearl Harbor. We watched a show and then took the Ferryboat out to see the Sunken USS Arizona.
We spent the rest of the day at the Polynesian Cultural center. AJ especially loved the spear throw and won 4 necklaces to bring home. During the Luau, it was brought to their attention that we were on our honeymoon. We had to stand in front of everyone and dance together. Great fun being in the spotlight in front of a hundred people you don't know!

Day 4: We woke up and watched the sunrise on Sandy Beach. Then we found a beach where there were about 8 turtles swimming and one on the beach. Hawaiian sea turtles have just recently returned to Hawaii. Because they were gone for so long, there is an animal cop on the shore ready to arrest anyone who touches a turtle. Ok...maybe not quite like that, but it is illegal to touch or swim after a sea turtle.
Then we went snorkeling. Snorkeling was the highlight of our vacation! We saw so many fish. We snorkeled at Shark's cove which is a very shallow area of the ocean surrounded by rocks. Because it is so shallow, the water is warm and the bright colorful fish live here.
We decided to try snorkeling at Waimea bay. Immediately AJ spotted a sea turtle. We swam with the turtle for awhile until we could no longer keep up. They are surprisingly fast. Closer to shore, we got caught up in a school of fish. Thousands of fish! They completely surrounded me. I couldn't see past them. They were small white fish and their eyes were all on me. It was one of the neatest experiences I have ever had.
That night, we went on a date to Bubba Gump shrimp company restaurant where I had lobster for the first time. It was delicious. It's kinda risky going to a seafood restaurant when the one you're with is allergic to shellfish. But the night was a success with no allergic reaction!

Day 5: We went on a hike to some falls I can't remember what they were called. The hike was long and muddy. My shoe broke. We got eaten alive. And when we got to the top, the falls were uneventful. Pretty, but not worth the hike.
So...we turned around and went back to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Then went back to Sunset Beach to collect shells, play in the water, and watch the sun set.

Day 6: We drove the island again until we went to the airport to catch our red-eye flight home.

It was such a fun honeymoon. We want to go back to Hawaii very soon. Once you've been there, all you ever want to do is go back!

!i! Wedding Day !i!

So...We got married. It was fabulous. I have definitely become a fan of marriage. Living with your best friend is the absolute greatest. I laugh every single day!

We got married in the Salt Lake Temple at 10:20. Looking back, I wonder why? You'd think that was an acceptable time. It's not too early and leaves enough time to squish the pictures in, jam in the luncheon, and even fit that reception in there somewhere. But for the bride (who hardly sleeps the night before), waking up for a hair appointment at 6:00 a.m. is no picnic.

After we got married, we took pictures (which will be posted when we get them). Pictures took approximately two hours. Then we ran over to a church where the luncheon was held. Subway sandwiches!! Who would've guessed? AJ and I adore Subway and since they couldn't cater the reception, the luncheon worked out just great. Thanks Lokeys!

Our reception was held in the Joseph Smith Memorial building. There was a great view and great food. A cake bar. Who could ask for anything better?! After all, everyone always wants dessert! However, none of the line got the opportunity to eat any cake. The line extended out the door and down the hall. We greeted guests for two hours until the hostess frantically tells me they've run out of food and we need to cut the cake NOW!! (For a tiny lady, I was slightly afraid).

We cut the cake. I made AJ swear to me that he would not shove it in my face or else I was going home with my parents after the reception. That would have made for a lovely wedding night don't you think? He kept his promise (more for him I think). Then we had our first dance as husband and wife. Our string quartet played Unchained Melody and we felt silly being in the spotlight for so long.

Then I danced with my dad and AJ with his mom and of course I started bawling like a baby. My dad told me to stop crying because everyone would think he said something to make me cry...which made me laugh and then cry harder. My dad is the best!

I tossed my bouquet and AJ tossed the garter. Oddly enough, guess who caught it! His old mission companion that he originally set me up on that blind date. Must be fate... Anyway we ran out through the hall of bubbles and drove away happily ever after.

Ok...that's not how it went. We were running short on time so we "fake" ran through the hall of bubbles...just for photos and our video. I actually didn't even have any shoes on. But it looked good anyway. Then we changed and we didn't even leave until an hour and a half late.

We left for real this time and found AJ's car with children seran wrapped to the front bumper looking like they were dead. Fabulous start to the wedding night wouldn't you think?!