Leaving on a Jet Plane

Late but worth the wait....

We finally left Sacramento significantly later than we originally anticipated. Thankfully, we were able to push back our dinner reservation in San Francisco.

Our trip started with a four course dinner at the Four Season San Francisco. As we were walking into the elevator to head up to the restaurant, Dave Chapelle walked out. Cool, yes, however, to Jeff, this was the biggest thing to happen to him in a long time...it completely made his night.

Champagne toast to start our adventure!

They customized our dessert

Heading to the airport. Beach bag in tow, ready to go!

Hanging out in the Presidents Club at SFO. Jeff, of course, is checking Fantasy Baseball stats.

Wedding Crafts

As most of you know, I'm not a very crafty person. I don't scrapbook, I don't decorate...you get the picture. For some reason, our wedding has brought out a side of me that I didn't know existed. I decided that I wanted to make and design everything. Take a look:

Wedding/St. John Activity Guide (shaped like boarding passes)

Rehersal Dinner Menu

Ceremony Program Fan (It may be hot)

Reception Dinner Menu

This was really a fun part of the wedding planning that Jeff and I did together. Well, I made it all, he cut paper and glued - but mostly supported me and told me how fantastic it all came out.

Next stop scrapbooking?!? Probably not.

Bridal Shower

The first weekend in April marked both my bridal shower and Jeff’s bachelor party. It was one GREAT weekend!!! My Maid of Honor, Danielle threw me a Bridal Shower at her childhood home in Tiburon. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My closest friends and family made the trip to San Francisco to help me prepare for being a wife. Everyone was so generous – between the kitchen gadgets and the lingerie, I will be the perfect 1950s wife. Who said stereotypes are dead?


My bow and ribbon bouquet made by Danielle
Me and my best friends in the world: Lisa, Danielle, Kacey and Holly
The Moms

Jeff's Bachelor Party

The first weekend in April, Jeff and 8 of his friends made Chicago their playground. They braved the cold, wind and rain to sit in the bleacher seats at the 2011 home opener for the Cubs. While the weather prevented them from enjoying the entire game in the stadium, they made the few innings they were in the stadium worth their while. They also saw a performance of The Second City, ate copious amounts of Portillo’s hot dogs and deep dish pizza and hit up all the bars they could. Overall, they had a great time.

Opening Day at Wrigley Field.

Guys being guys

Wedding Season 2011

Wedding Season, Class of 2011, is upon us and we couldn’t be more excited. Not only because we’re next, but because we get to share wedding days with such a great group of our friends.

2011 was kicked off on Saturday, March 19th at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton. Nate and Stef showed each one of their guest an amazing time – they sure know how to throw a party. A few highlights:

Jeff broke out the bow tie. It was a HIT!

Fun Photo Booth Action.

It's official - we are NEXT. 34 Days to go...

NYC

I admit it, I’m not very good at this whole blog thing. In fact, one can argue I’m just bad at it. I recognize my faults and have made a commitment to update regularly, especially since the wedding is less than a month away!!!

In early February, I went to NYC to visit Danielle. We had some wedding items to take care of, but mostly, we had some us items to take care of – eating, drinking, shopping, gossiping. The trip was so short but we took advantage of every minute. Here are some photos from the trip:

First stop - Standard Hotel for celebratory mimosas and a people watching brunch.

Saturday night on the town - bar hopping.

At the NY Public Library - getting in touch with our inner Carrie Bradshaw.

Super Bowl Sunday at the Corner Bistro. $2.75 beers and cheeseburgers? Yes please.

May - February

Exactly three months from today, Jeff and I, surrounded by our family and friends, will take those sacred vows and officially become the Wyly Family.

Our engagement has been both the longest and fastest 11 months. During the planning process we have both, at times, decided to elope or postpone the date. Naturally, the times we've wished to postpone have been surrounded by incoming wedding bills...

Below are some of the major highlights:


We were engaged on Friday, May 7, 2010 in Bodega Bay.



We spent the entire weekend with our dogs and later my parents celebrating!!!



On August 21st, Jim and Pele Wyly threw us an engagement party at their home in Thousand Oaks. We were grateful to be joined by Jeff's extended family as well as our Southern California based friends. It was a mini Kappa Sigma reunion.



The extended Kappa Sigma Family


Jeff and I laughing at Miles who jumped on the table to eat!


On October 9th, Keith and Stephanie Thomas threw us an engagement party at their clubhouse in Verdi, NV. Many of my parents friends made the trip from Salinas to celebrate. We were alos joined by our Sacramento friends and teh extended Calistoga family.

The best surprise was both of our brothers were able to make it. Mike flew in from Phoenix and as an extra special treat, Scott flew in from the middle east!!!




Of course, Mike got everyone to play flip cup. We Thomas' keep it classy.