Gingerbread!!!!!!

David has never made a gingerbread house, and certainly, he has never made a gingerbread house quite like the way we make them in the Wiegel household. My mom introduced him to the history of gingerbread making my helping him cull through the years of Christmas photos, and then we dug in (beers in hand).


This year, I decided, as all of my gingerbread houses are literary themed, to do Satis house. Satis house, belonging to Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, lies dilapidated in the English countryside. We constructed the dark and dying home using licorice, trees my mom collects from our snow laden back yard, and gum drops shaped in to creeping ivy. David feels quite proud of his accomplishment.


Miss Havisham is the one coming out of the window; she's on fire. Pip and Estella walk through the ruined garden. I tried to figure out how to get the mists to rise, but, alas, there was no cotton candy available.

Another shot of the house.

The Snows' first snow!

We are at my parents house, finally, in Seattle. It's a white Christmas! Whoo Hoo!

Estella Gets Curious

Estella in Motion

Hey Family and Friends,
Here's some footage of Estella.

We added a member

Well, now we have added another member to the Snow clan! No, it is not the patter of little human feet, but instead the patter of our baby Morkie (Maltese-Yorkie). Her name is Estella, and I have already learned an immensity of life lessons.


Here are a few of my initial (one week into our first foray into parenting) observations:

1. Patience is a virtue, but it has to be developed.
2. There is a fine line between utter frustration and absolute love. It usually involves one look from a tiny face that's cocked to one side.
3. No matter what you say, puppies will still attempt to chew concrete.
4. The potty timer is your friend.
5. A little playing goes a long way.
6. Date nights are awesome!

Here she is!

4 Weeks

Hello all you lovely people! Dave and I are settling in, recovering from missing work, and trying to figure out life as a married couple.

We'll try to post more often. But for now, enjoy wedding pics.

Life live Exuberantly (Lisa's Photos)

Pictage: Professional Album

We loved our photographer....if anyone needs a reference.

Love you,
the Snows

Thanks for Being at our Wedding

Hey all,
I'll let you know when the professional pics are available, but, in the meantime, thanks for loving us and supporting us through our wedding!







We love you all!
The Snows

ONE MONTH!!!!

So as you will notice as you compare this entry with the other prior entries, this is not Lisa, this is the other half, yes Dave!! So, yes we have reached the one month mark!! Crazy huh? Its hard to believe that we are this close already, it feels like we just got engaged, but people were not kidding when they said that it goes fast! So with the one month mark comes all the small details that need to be finished, ceremony programs, menus, table cards, place card... etc...etc... So yes we are running errands getting all that we need so we can get everything ready!! We are so excited to be married and cannot wait till September 13th when we will be made one!! We can't wait to see you all!!! Keep us in prayer with all the details that still need to be taken care of as the weeks wind down.

Showers!

So, I don't normally cry, but the wedding is making me a cry baby. Crazy! I cry so much more frequently now. For example, today, in the process of getting my marriage license, I started crying about getting married and the reality of it all. (Don't worry, good tears) So, when my Aunt Janice gave me her antique Dickens books I lost it. But, wow, what an amazing gift! I love them!

It was nice to have a shower in LA, because my family and friends all congregated together. It was such a lovely mix of everyone. Rachel, Nance and Kath threw the best shower, complete with bridal Olympics, Greek Pasta Salad, Bridal Family Feud, and laughter galore. I feel so loved lately. Who knew that all these people loved me! How amazing!

The Party Divas and the Bride to be!

Definite Highlight: Mom and Aunt Janice dragging each other around attempting to dominate the Bridal Olympics.

Pam and I got a "bit" competitive. Actually, Joy and I started it. Libby and Jaime, in the back, ended up winning. I love this shot!

Thanks everyone for such a great shower.

Coming next: Pictures of the new house!

55 Days....

Hey all,

We're at 55 days and counting. Dave and I are excited, but we've entered the wedding season of stress, details, and constant to-do lists. Please keep us and our relationship in your prayers as we:

1. Move
2. Get the details together
3. Coordinate Timelines
4. Look for a job for Dave
5. Get the payment schedules completed
6. Try to maintain a healthy relationship with each other
7. Lisa goes back to work
8. Get married

We love you all and appreciate your prayers and support!

8 Weeks....So, according to Emily Post

Hey all!

Just to let you all know, we sent out the invitations. You should be getting them. Let us know if you don't!

Love you
The Snows (almost :) )

Prayer

Hi all.

I am not sure how many of you check this regularly, but I wanted to ask for some prayer. Dave is looking for a full time job in the LA area, and, let's face it, the market is horrible. It's an uphill battle trying to get into a job. We just need a lot of prayer that we can rely on God, that God would guide to the right place, and that something would happen sooner, rather than later.

Just thought the more people praying, the better.

Thanks
Love you!

NYC (forgot to show photos!)

Hey everyone, I totally realized today that I forgot to upload pictures for our trip to NYC in March. Here's some of the fun; we wish we could afford to fly again soon. We're saving up. Hopefully, ticket prices will come down.....

Near Dave's house there is this great beach front park. It's called Sunken Meadow. We could see Conn. across the water!

We also trekked up Fire Island Lighthouse with Dave's mom, Chris. It was such a fun tour with lot's of history and facts. What a beautiful view.

We went wine tasting in Long Island. They have all of these wineries out on the forks. This is Pindar, but we also went Duckwalk and Pellegrini. This was such a fun day!

We went to Denny's roller hockey game. They won! (from Left to Right Kelly, Dave's sister, Denny, Dave's brother in law, Tom, Dave's Dad, Lisa)

The Shower Season has begun!

Hello all my dear friends and family.

That's right, we are (almost) at three months and counting, which means that shower season has begun. This week I have been far away from my Davy, but amidst loads of friends and family celebrating our upcoming nuptials. I feel so blessed and gifted to have so many people come support and love me and Dave. We are amazed at how many people love us, pray for us, and support us.

Truly, blessings are overflowing! Thanks to all who are in Seattle! I had such a wonderful time at my shower. Marilyn, Molly and Molly did such a great job with all their contributions to the shower. Thank you so much! Here's some pictures for those of you who couldn't make it (or are coming to round 2: Los Angeles!)

Love you all!

Yes, I am hugging the Ice-tea maker. I am that enthusiastic. I can't help it.

Dave got his bbq fork! Whoo Hoo!

Molly did such a lovely job on my bouquet! She's a wonderful friend and bridesmaid! Yeah Molly!

Molly and Marilyn hosted the shower. Here we are showing off our bling! I have bling now too!

CEE

Dave and I went to the Catholic Engaged Encounter this weekend. Its a marriage preparation retreat run by a non-profit organization. Basically, it is 6 months of pre-marital counseling in one weekend. Whew! (i just wiped sweat from my forehead)
We are so exhausted as we return to the real world. (In fact, I was so exhausted that I am just now, June 10th, finishing this post)

It was a great opportunity for us to go on this weekend. It is structured like an intense one-on-one retreat, but with 59 other couples. Despite being surrounded by people we spent most of the weekend together, but not alone. It was strange to be surrounded by people, but, at the same time, totally focused on Dave. I suppose that is how we will journey through life. Although, both of us will be focused on God.

The weekend challenged us to explore issues that emerge in marriage--goals, family planning, communication, decision making, prayer, etc. etc.--and learn where we stood together now. Most people call it a make or break weekend. Well, we are pleased to report that it only confirmed for us how God has made us for each other. We were able to communicate, grow closer, and deepen our love for each other. I am so pleased that God brought us to a church that requires us to participate in this kind of preparation. We are ready for marriage (as ready as anyone can be) and we feel confident that we can grow in our relationship, communicate well, and show the love of Christ to each other and the world!

Flowers

Hey all,
We saw our sample from the florist! Whoo Hoo! 4 1/2 months!!!!!!



PS. We're up on all our registries! Links on the side.

Heading to NY

Hi everyone,

We are heading for NY tonight, which is really exciting! I've only been to the city once, and I have never met Dave's family. This is going to be a wonderful week to get to know each other, see some great sights (and theatre!), and spend quality time as a new family (official in 173 days!).

I was thinking a lot about family today; Dave had his confirmation last night, and it was amazing. I felt so proud and happy for him as he took the next step in his journey with God and the community of Christian fellowship. He looked at me beaming, face dripping with oil, filled with the Spirit, and, I have to say, I almost lost it. I'm not a crier, but bring on the water works. He's such an amazing man to have in my life, and what an amazing gift to share one's joys and triumphs with such a wonderful person! I know we will face the opposite face of that coin, but I am reveling in the joy at this point!

Love you all!
L

STDs

That's right, we sent them out to everyone! Whoo Hoo! Save the Date cards have been mailed. We're saving it...are you?

Sept 13th!

Its the Other Half!!

Yes its me Dave writing for once.. I have meant to write on this blog for a while but have been so busy that I just never had the time. I am soooo excited for September and so excited for all of you to keep up with everything going on by reading our blog! Ill write more later when I have time again!!

Checklists...of fun!

Hey all, as we near the 7 months to go mark, Dave and I are slowly making headway on our checklists.... I'm told we are the most organized of all! A credit to my mother. :)

The latest checklists included Save the Date Cards, planning the ceremony and meeting with Fr. Edwin, and, finally, the start of our wedding registry. Yes, that's right folks, we have started our registry. We decided to register at both Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. We have most of our house stuff at Bed, Bath and Beyond, but Target is the best place for general camping, etc. So, the two registries. Once we have figured out the final price on our cruise, I'll explain the honeymoon registry stuff. But, we are doing it at Honeyfund.com.

It was weird to shop for our future house. To think through how we want to decorate, what kind of Crock-pot is best, which pan sets are both economical and quality, what sheets we want to sleep on, if we need a shampooer, if we want dishes, or what? There are so many details that seem overwhelming, frivolous, but exciting at the same time. How wonderful to build a life with the person you love; to build a home that speaks to both of us. We could not be happier.

Thank you for sharing in our joy.

The Future Mrs. Snow

Engagment Photos....

So Dave and I wandered around the Huntington the other day with our friend Sam. He snapped some engagement photos for us, which was really fun....

7 1/2 months to go.....

8 months to the day!

So, we've been engaged now for exactly one month; we have eight months to go!

Dave didn't think about what he was doing when he proposed; who would have we've changed the date so many times. Nonetheless, he officially proposed nine months before the day we become man and wife. (or woman and husband).

It's been a whirlwind month, with Christmas, travel, being apart for two weeks, buying my dress, booking the church, the reception, the photographer, the florist, and the cake vendors. Yes, we have done all that. We are excited to breathe a little, enjoy life together, and look forward to the day when we can live together, building the same life, and a family. (please don't read grandchildren into that just yet mom.)

Dave is still working hard at apple, and I am teaching like crazy. We have engagement photos today with our friend Sam. I'll upload them as soon as we have them!

We love you all,
The Future Snows. (specifically the future Mrs. Snow)