My Christmas Epiphany (or Nick's Christmas Present)

I truly had an epiphany in November regarding Nick's gift. I'm not sure if I've talked about this before, but one of Nick's main hobbies is tabletop gaming. He plays one game called Blood Bowl, which is fantasy football in board game form. And when I say fantasy football, I mean it. His team is made up of dwarfs and there are also elves, orcs, giant rats, etc. (Hence "fantasy") Get it?

So I was watching football one Sunday (yes I watch football) and saw a commercial for NFLshop.com where you can customize any teams jersey. Nick's team is called Da Beards (dwarfs have long beards, get it?) and is Chicago Bears colours. I decided to get him a Bears jersey with his teams name on it.

Isn't it great!!?


I was so excited that I already gave it to him and he LOVED it!!! Yay!!

All right people, we now have 99 days, let's hustle!

That’s right, as of today we’re into double digits and there is so much left to do!!!



This month my goals are:
-Print, assemble, and address the invitations
-Reserve our tablecloths & candelabras
-Finishing etching our toasting pilsners (started months ago and I kept putting it off)
-Etch our sand vase
-Get the guys’ attire finalized and reserved
-Start planning our rehearsal dinner
-Confirm the cake design
-Figure out how we're getting to the ceremony, reception, and back home
*Finish Christmas shopping!!

There is so much to do and I am blessed with a wonderful fiance who doesn't mind helping and great MOH and bridesmaids to help too! I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas! Nick and I have been engaged for almost a year and it has FLOWN by!!

What have I done since the last time?
-We have finalized our invitation design, but you don't get to see it until they are all done and in the mail.
-We had our first counseling session last night. It was really interesting find out our strengths and weaknesses and now we know what to work on.
-Got together with my DOC and planned out the ceremony and reception layouts.
-I put in for time off from work.
-Our honeymoon is finally booked! Our we are officially going to (I know, there has been lots of discussion on where we're going) the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii.


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I am very excited, having never been to Hawaii, and this island looks absolutely gorgeous. *sigh* I'm so glad we only have 99 days left! I can't wait!!!

Have a happy weekend!

Getting pretty

Wednesday I had the day off for Veteran's Day so I had my hair and makeup trial and my sister (maid of honor) was gracious enough to come with me to take pictures to show you!

It took 1 1/2 hours to curl my hair and then about ten minutes to finish putting it up. Ha ha!! But it turned out absolutely gorgeous!!!






My makeup was interesting to do. It turned out great, but my eyes are sensitive so they watered a lot and didn't like the fake eyelashes, but I got used to them. The picture kind of looks funny, but I looked like a vixen (sister's words) with the hair and makeup.


It was so much fun and I can't wait for Nick to see me in hair, makeup, and dress on our wedding day!!!!

Hair today

After trying on my dress a couple of weeks ago (check out that post, the dress is AMAZING!!) Mom and I decided on a whim to go to Vancouver to lunch and the mall.

Let me just say that Golden Tent is the best Mongolian restaurant around and I would gladly drive the 35-45 minutes everyday for it's goodies (if you've never had Mongolian, you MUST try it!!! That is your homework). After lunch, we walked the Vancouver mall (I'm sorry, Westfield Shopping Center) and I found my girls' hair accessories.

MOH and bridesmaids will be wearing these lovelies in their hair. They are not perfectly white, but very cute and I couldn't resist the feathers.


My two junior bridesmaids will be wearing these headbands that tie in to the others with the flowers.


And my adorable flower girl will be wearing this headband. There is not flower on it, but her dress will have red bows on it, so I think it will be a good match.


I haven't decided what to do with my hair yet. I'm going for a half-up do like these:




I will have a waltz length veil for the ceremony and pictures, but I want some sort of red flower for my hair for the reception. We'll see what I can find.

I love costumes!!

Last night was my mom's work Halloween party and I went all out on my costume. I was originally going to be a Victorian era vampire, with Christopher's outfit from Project Runway.


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But ended up looking like a saloon girl because my teeth weren't working for me, so I didn't wear them. So this is me and let me know which you think I am.


This is my mom (on the right) and her friend. They went as Evil Things 1 & 2 (my idea).


My sister and her boyfriend went to the party as professional thieves.


We also had a dead Billy Mayes at the party. It was a lot of fun, I love dressing up and I even won best costume!! Yay me!

Now I just have to decide what to wear on Halloween to go to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Hmm....

Save our date!!!

Well we officially mailed (most of) our save the dates last saturday and I can't wait to hear what people think of them!! We have a few stragglers that haven't gone out because of lack of address, but hopefully they will be going out soon. I am really pleased with how they turned out!! I made them through Zazzle and it was super easy and a great price (so if you are looking to make postcards, T-shirts, etc. check them out).





The only problem I have is that I have 400 of them!! I ordered 200 (and only really needed to order 150), but Zazzle sent me two orders of 200 so I got to keep the extra without being billed for it. Now I just have to figure out what to do with 250 extra save the dates. Wallpaper maybe? :)

149 days from today!! Whoopee!!!!

Registry fun

Nick and I spent last Sunday registering at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. We had already pre-registered at a bridal expo back in January so all we needed to do was go in and scan items. They were very helpful, explaining everything, providing bottles of water, and giving us a new gun when ours ran out of batteries. They also provided us with those lovely registry cards that we can include with the bridal shower invitations (and only the bridal shower invitations).

Registering of actually a lot of fun. I kind of felt overwhelmed at the beginning because we don't have a place to live so we didn't really know what we would need. Bed, Bath, and Beyond provides a great checklist, which really helped (even if it did have a lot of stuff we don't need).

Being a naughty blogger (and not having a charged battery for my camera) I didn't take any pictures, but I do have to show you what Nick was most excited to register for.


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That, my friends, is a motion sensing soap dispenser. Haha!! Nick was so excited to put that on the registry and it's really funny because when we got home and I checked out the registry online, it hadn't scanned! So I had to add it in, but I thought that was rather ironic.

Did anyone else have as good of an experience registering as we did?

On a side note: I have 28 followers!!! How exciting! Thank you all and I hope you enjoy reading because I enjoy writing. :)

I just got the call part II...she fits!!

She fits! She fits! She fits!! I can't tell you how relieved I was when my dress zipped up all the way. Not that I had put on any weight or anything, but it's been four months since I ordered her and even longer since I had tried her on. Another thing I was so happy about was that she isn't yellow. I ordered ivory because white made me look like a ghost, but since I hadn't seen my dress in months (I think I tried her on in March) I couldn't remember what the ivory looked like. It's very subtle, but still looks amazing.

So without further ado...


I brought an ivory veil with me that I bought on eBay for $15, but it was too yellow and too long we decided. So I tried on a few different lengths and styles and we decided on a waltz length (54") with red trim to match the red in my dress (isn't she gorgeous!!).


Here is a shot of the beautiful detail on the bodice and the cute sleeves.


Showing off my beautiful shoes that I am not going to wear. They were a tad high and made me look like a floating bell. So I ordered a pair of shoes that were surprisingly comfortable and could be dyed to match my dress. The fun part about the shoes is that they will be two-toned like my dress with the ankle strap being white (since no one will notice that it isn't ivory).


Ah, the reason I fell in love with her in the first place. Look how gorgeous that train is. I spent most of my appointment trying to turn around to look at it. :D I love the detail and the shape of the red going down to the train.

There you have it, my lovely, lovely dress that I can't wait to wear.

On tuesday it will be five months to go!!

I just got the call...

My dress is in!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!

Table mock up

Friday night my bridesmaid, MOH, & I had a party to celebrate the wedding being in six months (I know, we’ll do anything for a party). And by party, I mean we went to dinner and then made a guest table mock up to see how it will look. Here is the diagram I made in Excel:



And here is how our table turned out.




(Note: These pictures were taken with my cell phone because I STILL have not bought a charger for my camera battery.)

Now before you go dogging on my table, that is NOT going to be the centerpiece. That was a random vase and plastic flowers I had lying around to simulate our fruit centerpiece. Also, I would like to note that the two lilies in the vases will be orange, not white (and they won't look ridiculous staring straight up in the air). Let’s see, what else? Our candy dishes will have M&Ms in them, not Dove’s chocolates; and I think we will have red and clear marbles in the votive holders instead of only red. An LED candle (or throwie, haven’t decided) will be buried in the marbles so it will glow through the marbles.

So here is what is going on our tables:
-Red or orange table cloths (alternating)
-White table runners
-fruit and chocolate centerpiece
-Under centerpiece will be a piece of glass with our engagement pictures underneath
-2 bud vases with a single, orange Asiatic lily in each
-4 votive holders with red and clear marbles and an LED candle/throwie
-2 candy dishes with red, orange, and white M&Ms
-Information cards with a website where people can upload their pictures

What do you all think of our table? Any suggestions?

Oh, before I forget SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE WEDDING!!! I couldn't help but throw that in here. :)

And another little note, we received our save the dates in the mail and they are beautiful if I do say so myself (and I do). I will show you when they have been sent out. I'm so excited!!!

Friday fun

I figured as a friday special, I would post the wedding dress I wanted when I was in high school. I don't remember where I found it or who the designer is, but I doubt it's still in production.

So without further ado:

17 followers!!

I don't know what to say!

I love reading other bride's blogs, but I didn't imagine mine would be interesting to anyone else. I feel so loved, thank you all!! :D

What another giveaway!?

You got that right! Geezees is celebrating its one year anniversary with a giveaway! Check it out here!

The winner will receive a 9x12 Geezees or 10x10 canvas of your choice. You have until September 15th to enter so chop chop!!

Postcard giveaway!!

Head on over to Sweets and Life and check out their giveaway!

200 postcards to two people from My Postcard Printing! That sounds like an awesome deal to me!!! I would totally use them for my save the dates that I've designed, but they could be used for anything.

Wedding website!!

So we're six 1/2 months out, according to The Knot ticker.



And we finally have our wedding website up!!! So go check it out!!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/NicholasThompson&SamanthaPedersen/

Tomorrow is 200 days to go!!!!!!!!!! Whoopee!

What have we done in the last few weeks?
-Designed STDs (save the dates) - they will be ordered with my next paycheck and after sent out, you get to see them.
-Decided we're not going to Fiji for our honeymoon, so now it is a surprise to me. But I am totally fine with that decision. All I require for a honeymoon is Nick (and a little sun would be nice).
-And we booked our DJ, but I already told you that.

What needs done soon:
-Get the Preparedness survey from our officiant so we can start counseling
-Order, address, & mail STDs (already said that)
-Nick needs to design our invitations
-Buy a pattern and fabric so Granny can take it with her to Arkansas to make the flower girl dress.

I love planning my wedding!!

I can't wait to show you!!

I received our engagement pictures today from our photographer, Jessica Lemmons!! Yay!!!! I am so excited to be able to show them to you all!

The shoot was so much fun even if it was a little windy and cold. Jessica found some really amazing places to shoot that I would have never even thought of.

Warning: There are a lot of them. :)











































And this one is my absolute favorite:


Hope you all enjoyed them as much as I do. I love Love LOVE them all!!!

The check is in the mail!!

The deposit for the reception DJ that is, since Nick finally chose one. His excuse for waiting so long? He was waiting for me to have a meltdown and demand that we elope. Ha!! Like that's going to happen! As romantic as eloping would be, I want my family to be in attendance when I get married. Sure I may have the occasional meltdown (what bride doesn't?), but I'm not going to call off the wedding.

ANYWAY, so he decided on Kelcema Productions out of Portland and Seattle (two branches). The head of the company (I think?) has been in contact with me since January so I forwarded all of the information to Nick. I guess persistence pays off huh? They have all sorts of music and seem very reliable and prepared for big events. Still looking for your DJ? Check them out!!

So that is one more checkmark I can make on my to do list!! One down and I don't know how many more to go.

I love our engagement pictures!!

Nick and I had out engagement pictures taken last sunday with the photographer that will be doing our wedding, Jessica Lemmons. Well today she posted her favorites on her blog and they are amazing!!!! Go check them out now!!!

http://jessicalemmonsphotography.com/blog/2009/07/weddings-and-engagements/promised/

If you are a bride in southwest Washington, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend her!

When I receive the pictures, I'll post them, but for now GO CHECK OUT HER SITE!!!!

Ring A Ding Ding

I'm ordering Nick's ring this weekend! Yay!! I know it's early, but he will wear it as an engagement ring until the wedding. I'll get it engraved at some point before then with the wedding date, but that doesn't need to be done right away.

The ring he has picked out is tungsten and blue carbon fiber. He and I really like the style of it, very modern and very affordable. Wanna see?


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Two awards! I don't know what to say!!

Thank you very much, I feel loved!!

My first came from august15bride, whom I am an avid reader of.



Let's see, who will I nominate?

1. Kiss the Groom
2. Polka Dot Bride
3. Two Kids and a Wedding
4. A Boardwalk to Remember
5. Bridal Bliss
6. Boots & Lace


And the other one is from The Snowflake Wedding and I love, love, LOVE that blog as well!!



Another six? Oh dear.

1. The World Around Her
2. Sweet Lorraine
3. We Shall Wed!
4. The Roddy Bride
5. A Practical Wedding
6. Marrying the Navy

There are so many blogs I could name and I'd love to name all 190 (yes really) that I am subscribed too!

Thank you both for the lovely awards. Have a happy weekend!

30 Day Shred?

More Like 20 minutes in hell for me.

That's right, I've jumped on the Jillian bandwagon and I have the 30 Day Shred DVD at home that I am agonizing over. The first two days were absolute torture and I could barely move afterwards (I am not fit at all). The third day wasn't as bad, but I know it will get better (at least I hope so).


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After doing it for three days (with a break in between two and three) I actually feel good and I'm getting used to it (read: less sore). I'm kind of excited to see the difference at the end of the 30 days.

Now before you lecture me for taking a day off, I'll have you know I walked three sections of the lake with Nick that day so it wasn't a total break.

Anyone use this video and notice a difference in how you look and feel?

What does my dress look like?

Well I'll show you!!!

Here's me in the dress:


And here's the detail:


And this isn't me, but I don't have a good picture of the back:

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I am getting the color that I am wearing, ivory and cherry and then the bridesmaid dresses are cherry.

Yay for checking it off the list!!

Ordering my dress that is! I am so excited that I got to order my dress this weekend and on the 13th too, which means nine months until the wedding!!!

Side note (but not a small one): My dress was about $200 less than I thought it was going to be and that is just awesome! And my two girls that ordered their dresses were also less expensive than we were figuring. I am so glad I stayed local and bought at the boutique in town and she honored my coupon which came from the dealer and not her shop. Now I just have to wait the six months to get my dress in. *sigh*

I was naughty and only took one picture with my phone (sorry if it's blurry or grainy) because I was not going to take a picture while we were being measured.

Here are my MOH and one of my bridesmaids paying for their dresses, Shannon & Kristen (is behind Shannon and kinda hard to see).


My third bridesmaid, Megan, was there for a while, but wasn't buying a dress because her crafty mother is making it!! Wish I was that talented, but oh well. :)

What a week

So let me give you the run down. Tuesday I took my car into the shop because one of the rear brakes was grinding. I got a call later that day telling me I needed new brakes on all four wheels. Yikes!! There goes my savings account, but it needed to be done. Then yesterday I got my tattoo and it's AMAZING (as well as expensive, so my funds have depleted even farther!!!! But...


I get to order my dress tomorrow and am SO excited!!! I can hardly wait even though I know I won't get it for about six months. And my cousin is coming tonight that I haven't seen since March (I think, maybe February)!

Happy weekend! I know mine will be :-)

Friday fun

Happy friday yet again. I thought I'd post pictures of animal weddings since I love dressed up animals (yeah, I'm one of those, but my dog doesn't wear clothes very often).








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Happy friday!!