Some Time In Huntsville (Gerrit) (Archive)

So after a few weeks in Huntsville, it is time to go back to school (at least for me...Gerrit doesn't start summer classes until next week).

We certainly got a lot done while we were in town though! Here are some updates.

1) We attended two weddings, one of which I was a bridesmaid in. We still have two more to go to this summer as well! It's just that time of year and that point in our lives.

2) We went to Six Flags (see previous post)

3) We met with several photographers, and after lots of debate we made a decision. We have booked Simply Bloom Photography! They do amazing work! Their style is very artistic and unique, and at the same they assured us that they take the traditional wedding pictures as well, so we should have a good mix. We are looking forward to having them photograph our wedding, as well as our engagement pictures and my bridal portraits. Check out some of their work at www.simplybloomphotography.com.

4) We met with many caterers and are yet to make a decision on that front. But we are making progress.

5) Both of our brothers graduated high school and we had a great time being with each other's families. Not so great a time sitting and listening to hundreds of names being called out.

6) I bought my wedding dress! I went back to the Something Blue Shoppe with my mom, dad, and Gerrit's parents. I tried on the dress for them, everyone loved it, and we placed an order for it! Since we ordered it the store let us take pictures and I have looked at them so many times! I can't wait for everyone (especially Gerrit) to see my dress!

We had a great time in Huntsville! But now, unfortunately, it is time for the start of what looks to be an extrememly busy summer semester.

Mothers Day at Six Flags (Gerrit) (Archive)

I have a wonderful mother!

In lieu of traditional mother's day activities, she announced several weeks ago that she wanted to go to six flags as a celebration. Rumor had it that the park was practically empty on Mother's day, which made perfect sense! Who else has a mom that cool?

I can't give all the props to my mother though... I've got to give some cool points to Erin's as well. My mom extended the invitation to include Erin as well and her mom agreed to let her not only forsake the traditional mother's day activities, but to spend mother's day far away from her! I was pretty pumped... not that I don't love my family, but it's just nice to have Erin around...

We were a little apprehensive about the weather as we saw varying forecasts all predicting storms and rain, but we loaded up the cars and Philip, Tucker, Erin, and Myself followed My mom and dad in a separate car (not enough room for all of us in one...). Erin had to get up super super early, because we left our house at six and she lives thirty minutes across town in the opposite direction.

After driving there (and seeing some very entertaining police activity on the way), we got to six flags just as it was opening. Despite the protests of Erin, my mom, and philip, Tucker led us first to the newest roller coaster in the park, the aptly named "Goliath". So we hopped on board the 17 story roller coaster with a first drop that accelerates you to speeds upwards of 70 mph to kick off a day of fun.

Though the park was far from empty (we came to find out that since the park had been so deserted the year before there was some ridiculous promo to get more people to come) it really was not over crowded at all. The most we ever waited in line was an hour and a half, but 45 minutes of that was a rain delay. Most of the line waits were about 15 - 20 minutes... which is not bad at all!

All in all it was a great day... and a great mother's day. Mom really enjoyed herself and we all enjoyed having mothers as awesome as ours...

Wedding Dress Shopping (Erin) (Archive)

So after a very busy week I am finally finished with exams and am hanging out in Huntsville for about two weeks. Except "hanging out" isn't exactly the correct phrase as Gerrit and I have many wedding things to do--planning for our own and going to other people's!

This morning I started it all off by going wedding dress shopping with my mom. We went to The Something Blue Shoppe in Hartselle. They were very helpful and my mom and I had a great time looking through the racks of dresses. When we pulled ones that we liked, the people at the store put them in a dressing room for us and when we got about 10 I went to try them on.

My goal for the day was to have a good time, make it enjoyable for my mom (she was almost more excited than I was to look at dresses), to get some ideas of what I wanted, and possibly to narrow it down to a few choices.

So I was very surprised when I put on the perfect dress. I had no idea that it would be so obvious! I love it so much and am so excited about it! I didn't want to take it off at all--I walked all around the store in it looking at other things until I finally had to take it off in order to leave

We're going back in a few weeks with my dad and Gerrit's parents to look at it one more time and then to hopefully order it! I had no idea I would find the perfect dress so soon!

Done With School!... At Least For a Short While (Gerrit) (Archive)

Thursday marked my last exam. I am officially done with classes for this semester. What a liberating feeling! Unfortunately I'm going to be taking summer classes in an effort to graduate early in my program, so my summer reprieve will be short lived.

However, wanting to start it off right, I've headed to auburn and have spent the last few days here spending time with Erin and our good friends. We've had a great time so far watching movies, going to the pool, throwing football, and even heading to Birmingham on Saturday night for an engagement party for some friends who go to UAB and Samford.

It's really been a wonderful way to start off the Summer. I've been able to relax and work on some projects while Erin studies for exams. It's been nice to know that we'll see each other for so long as we don't start summer school until late may (for erin) and june (for me).

We're here in Auburn until wednesday evening, when we'll head back up to Huntsville for the remainder of may and the 13 billion weddings we'll be attending.

Hope all is well for all of you!