I was so excited to go back to California, but it was a lot harder to leave than I thought it would be! This would be the longest that Ashkon and I would be apart in about the last 2 years!! But I knew I had to go to celebrate Bethany and Mike and it was totally a blessing that I even got to go in the first place and that Ashkon was being so gracious to let me go!
It was a long travel day by myself...My first flight left at 9:00 AM so we got to the airport at 7 just to be safe. It took about 7 minutes total to check in, check in my bags and walk to the one and only terminal. In the Maurice Bishop Airport, there were a few gift shops, a cafe and 4 doors that made up the "gates." When my flight got there, we were ushered out the American Airlines door and walked up to our plane! After getting everyone seated and settled, we left Grenada. Because the previous weekend had been family weekend, I was traveling with many family members of the students at SGU. Once we landed in Miami, we had to go through customs which took almost 2 hours. Luckily, I had time in between my flights- but I never really understand how it takes that long when it took me a about 25 seconds once I got up there. Then, I had to go find my bags, drop them at a different location, and find my next gate. At this point, I really just wanted to be home. But, my next flight got delayed...Finally, I was back in California!! :D
I was greeted with an amazing welcome crew right at the baggage claim- Mom, Bethany, and Bushby! They brought me dinner from my favorite Mediterranean place and I was so hungry since it was 10 PM Grenada time! Once I scarfed that down and got my bags, we headed to my next surprise- Yumi Yogurt!! YUM! Then, we made the drive home from San Fran. I got all updated on the wedding plans and Bushby's soon to be wedding, too! When we got home, Pop was waiting for us :) Then, we both decided that Bethany needed to cut us a watermelon (it's a running joke in our family that Bethany is the official watermelon cutter). IT WAS SO GOOD! I had really missed watermelon! :)
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| YUM!! |
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My room had been transformed! It was so nice and clean :)
It was so nice to be home! :) |
Tuesday was my first official wedding work day! But first, we had to go get our nails done, of course ;) Once we got home, I started my job- making boutonnieres! (which by the way is one of the hardest words to remember how to spell) I had never done it before but Bethany and I had done some research and found a design that she liked! So this is what I came up with :)
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| We also made a stop to Safeway- I was really excited about it! I was kind of overwhelmed, there were just so many options!! Haha |
Wednesday we were heading up to Placerville to start the wedding week!! First, I had to get everything ready and together for the bachelorette party and make sure that I had everything I needed for the wedding. Bethany and Bushby set off, and my mom, her friend, Betty, and I were a little behind them.
My first real diet coke HAD to be at the Sonic that we passed on the way to Placerville! ;) It was so good! I don't remember the last time I had been to Sonic- We love the ice ;) :) And the drinks and limeades aren't bad either!
Once we got up north, we met up with Bethany, Bushby, and Carissa! Bethany then took us to see her new house!! It was so nice! I picked out Ashkon and my "room" on the bottom floor next to their living room which is bigger than our whole place in Grenada lol. We keep joking with Bethany and Mike that we are going to live with them so we don't have to be nomads when we come back to the states in between terms :) That night, we headed over to Mike's soon-to-be old house for dinner. My mom and Betty brought over some salad and pizza and a few more of the bridesmaids showed up- Tracey, Emily, and Megan!! It was a fun night of catching up and many, many laughs. After grabbing some fro yo, having a quick chat with my hubby, we headed over to the Granny Flat at the wedding venue.
Thursday we woke up to a huge pot of oatmeal and all the toppings you could imagine! To say the least, we got totally taken care of and spoiled with breakfast, our dishes done for us, clean towels everyday and more!
We were having the bachelorette party on Thursday night but we had to wait for the rest of the girls to start the festivities (besides my other sisters who couldn't come until Friday). So, Bethany wanted to take us to Apple Hill! They have everything apple- all different types of apples, apple jam, apple butter, apple beer, caramel apples, apple pie, apple cider milkshakes- we weren't too sure about that...And they also had the fudge factory! YUM!
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| Chocolate-covered- everything you could imagine :) |
We went back to the Granny Flat to get ready for the bachelorette party and wait for the other girls! We got all dressed up (and dressed Bethany up too) and headed to Bethany & Mike's friend, Cesia's, house to open gifts and play some games! It was so fun! Because Mike loves dessert (actually all FOOD in general but especially dessert!), I had all the girls name their gift as a special dessert :) We got all kinds of variety! After Bethany opened all her gifts, she had to try to choose which name went with each gift- she actually did really well!! Previous to the party, I had Mike choose from the list of names which was his favorite. His choice and winner was THE FAMOUS WEISSER COOKIES haha He was then presented with a Menu with all his "choices" for the honeymoon ;)
We headed to Placerville for a scavenger hunt! My sister, Rach, and I created a list of things for Bethany to try to accomplish downtown- and who knows what you could find in Placerville :p
This list included: Start singing take me out to the ballgame and see how many people will join you, DANCE DARE- Dance behind three strangers WITHOUT THEM KNOWING :)
Find a redneck and ask him to tell you a joke
( Extra 3 points if it makes you laugh), Take a picture next to
an old vintage car
After the scavenger hunt, we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Cascada. It was so good! I had been a bit Mexican food deprived in Grenada so I was really excited :)
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| At Cascada |
When we arrived back at the Granny Flat, we had these booty cookies on the table (Thank you Pinterest and THANK YOU MOM for making them!) and ice cream in the freezer! Unfortunately, we were all so full from dinner that no one was really too hungry for dessert. Everyone loved the cookies and a few of us decided we did have room for dessert :D of course :D I had found another idea on Pinterest to do Bachelorette Party "mug shots". Some got more into this than others ;) but it was a lot of fun! We put our hair all crazy and some did their make-up even crazier and we took fake mugshots of the "repercussions" of the bachelorette party ;) But we'll keep the pictures to ourselves hehe :)
And then the fun times and FOOD just didn't stop. Friday morning we woke up to GIANT cinnamon rolls from Sweetie Pies, a local bakery in Placerville, and more oatmeal. There were also apple donuts from Apple Hill! Bethany and I went on a really great run on the trail near the wedding venue. It was so nice to run in non-humid air (ha!) and get away from some of wedding chaos just for a little bit and chat! When we got back everyone was up and ready for breakfast! We didn't have to start setting up until the afternoon so we got to have a relaxing day by the pool! Rachel, Ernie and Ellie showed up earlier in the afternoon :) We set up the table and chairs for the wedding but they were also going to used for the rehearsal dinner because that was also at the wedding venue. Jess and Jt arrived a little before the rehearsal began- they decided since it was going to be such a quick trip for them to leave the kiddos with Grami and Grampi (Jt's parents). It was really nice for them to get a little weekend trip without the kids but I really missed seeing them! The rehearsal ran quickly and smoothly and then it was dinner time :) The venue staff made a delicious tostada bar with homemade salsa and guacamole! Mike's sister-in-law put together a really nice photo slideshow of Bethany and Mike's lives growing up and their lives together! Then there were some great speeches and an ice cream sundae bar! It was so much fun to spend time with the girls, some of our family who had come early and Mike's family! And we were all ready for the next day to be here!! :D
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| Jorde had his first day of Preschool on Friday before the wedding. He couldn't come to the wedding but we got to see this incredibly adorable picture of him! I miss him so much! |
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| We were twins when Carissa came over from her house :D |
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| Rehearsal Dinner. Do my duties as matron of honor holding the bouquet! |
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Ellie was such a good girl for all of the festivities
The wedding was amazing!! Hot, but amazing! We got ready all morning - one of the bridesmaids Dani curled my hair to get it ready for my sister Rachel to do my up-do. Then a few of my old teammates came to help with hair and make-up. Mariah, who did my make-up for my wedding, did my make-up again! Once we were all ready, we put our dresses on and got ready for pictures! Bethany decided that she wanted the sisters/matrons of honor to wear the same yellow dresses and then the bridesmaids picked out a blue dress on their own. Then we all wore red shoes- my sisters and I wore the red ballet toms! :)
The ceremony was done by my friend/bridesmaid Carissa's grandpa. It was a really nice ceremony and Bethany and Mike looked so happy the entire time. And then they became Mr. & Mrs. Wilkes!!! It was so much fun to be a part of it! I was so blessed to be able to come back from Grenada to be there on their big day! |
The biggest surprise of the night came when it was time for my sisters and I to give our "speech". We thought that we would go out big for the last Weisser wedding! We got Rockford Peaches costumes (From one of our favorite movies A League of Their Own!) and did a little song and dance to the Sisters song from White Christmas (one of our favorite Christmas movies!). Bethany was shocked! But it didn't end there...As soon as our Sisters song was over, the bridesmaids jumped up as our next song started up! Yes, Rachel rewrote the words to N'sync's Bye, Bye, Bye and we sang it in front of everyone with the bridesmaids as our back up dancers! It was awesome! The lyrics are below- Rach is so creative!
Bye, Bye, Bye (revised) :D
We’re doing this tonight
Oh, Celebrating Bethany and Mike
So put your hands together
Everybody come on
You
love each other endlessly
And
now you’re really gonna see
That life will be much better
Now that you’re ONE
So excited to have one brother more
It ain’t no lie
Boys and girls now have an even four
Bethany and Mike
Think of all that God has done for you
Forever leading to this plan he made for two
Such a blessing on this perfect night
Bethany and Mike
From that first kiss you knew it’s true
Mike jumped in the pool in his clothes and shoes
Might sound crazy but it ain’t no lie
Bethany and Mike
Time to hit you with the truth
Mike can dance we all know it’s true
Now join us in some dance moves
Mikey come on
Take it from us sisters three
That now we’ve really come to see
Bethany’s life’s so much better, with you here
So excited to have one brother more
It ain’t no lie
Boys and girls now have an even four
Bethany and Mike
Think of all that God has done for you
Forever leading to this plan he made for two
Such a blessing on this perfect night
Bethany and Mike
From that first kiss you knew it’s true
Mike jumped in the pool in his clothes and shoes
Might sound crazy but it ain’t no lie
Bethany and Mike
Starting out and we know for sure
So many more adventures that you have in store
bye bye
So join us here and raise a glass
Cheers to Bethany and Mike and a love that lasts
So much God has done for you
In this plan for two
Now we’re leaving you, bye bye
Now your lives can really start
Never be apart
And it ain’t no lie
Think of what God’s done for you
Forever leading to this plan he made for two
Such a blessing on this perfect night
Bethany and Mike
From that first kiss you knew it’s true
Mike jumped in the pool in his clothes and shoes
Might sound crazy but it ain’t no lie
Bethany and Mike
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| Sisters |
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| Us with the rest of the bridesmaids! |
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| Haleigh and Ashleigh, my oldest friends from Danville (and Ash was one of my bridesmaids!) |
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| Two of my bridesmaids and closest friends- Natalie and Carissa! |
I had such an amazing time celebrating Bethany and Mike, being with my sisters, and seeing friends! We ate good food, had a lot of smiles and laughs, and danced the night away! I was exhausted by the end of the night!
The next day, we had a relaxing morning packing everything up and hanging out once all the girls left. Rach, Ernie and Ellie met us at the venue and we headed up to Apple Hill. We walked around, got some tasters of fudge and apple pie, and grabbed some lunch. After enjoying just sitting, relaxing, and chatting together, we headed home. Rach, Ernie and Ellie were flying out of Sacramento, so I got to ride with them until we did a swap of me and my dad so he could drop them at the airport. I jumped in the Pilot with my mom to head home. It was really nice to get to just chat on the way home- I think that is where some of our best conversations have occurred, just driving around in the car.
I had made a special request to go to Chick-fil-a for dinner on the way home because the closest one from our house (which is about 45 minutes away) was on the way home from Sacramento! This has been one of the places that Ashkon and I have missed the most so he wanted me to go there for us both! I couldn't wait! Except when we drove up and saw the empty parking lot I remembered IT'S SUNDAY!!! :( :/ :( I was really sad but we made a quick decision change to go to In-n-Out which was another place that Ashkon wanted me to go to for him! It was good and tasted like home :) But I missed Ashkon :(
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| I took pictures to send to Ash :) |
I think I may enjoy watching how happy Ashkon will be eating In-n-Out than actually eating it the next time we go :)
Monday and Tuesday were- get ready to go back to Grenada- days. But more importantly, Monday was Ashkon's Unified test days. The Unifieds are half way in between the beginning of the term and midterms tests. All the students were told they were really difficult so Ashkon was nervous but he had been working so hard! We prayed a lot and I knew that he was ready! We talked before his tests- very early in the morning for me ha- and after and he sounded so happy once he was done :) He went to celebrate with a friend with cinnamon rolls!
Monday, I went on a really nice run on our (Ash and my) loop on the Iron Horse Trail- but it was sad to do it without Ash. Then, I went on a hike with my mom, Betty, and Karen. After we showered up, we went on errands! I was really excited for TARGET, TRADER JOES, COSTCO and some other places that are not Grenadian luxuries and just hanging out with my mom and Karen (Betty stayed home to read and relax). It was really fun and I got completely spoiled by them both. I even had my first Pinkberry- Chocolate Hazelnut deliciousness :) It was really fun! My mom made homemade pizza by my request and it was sooo good! Then I got to show everyone all of our wedding pictures! The next day was just me and my mom! We did some more errands and then she helped me pack- I never knew how fast 50 pounds could go!! I couldn't take probably half of the stuff (mostly food) that we had gotten which was a huge bummer! But, I did get a huge treats in their for Ash which was the most important thing :) After finally finishing packing, I got a couple hours of sleep and had an early morning to catch my next flight. It wasn't as hard to leave the second time but it still wasn't easy! It did make it better knowing that my man was in Grenada waiting for me :)
My flight was delayed 30 minutes which made me pretty nervous since I only had 45 minutes in between my first and second flight! Once we landed in Miami, I basically had to run to my next gate which consisted of getting to the SkyTran thing waiting for it and having it take forever to go 2 stops. I finally made it to my terminal with about 5 minutes to spare and my gate with about 3 minutes to spare. My friend was on this flight and she told me as I ran in, sweating from running and being nervous that I wasn't going to make it to my next flight, that they were just about to leave me! THANK YOU JESUS! After sitting down and relaxing a bit, we got an announcement that something was wrong with the plane, nothing serious but there was going to be a minor delay. My theory is that if they hadn't of waited for me, they wouldn't have discovered the problem with the plane...maybe just my way of making me feel better that they almost left me but hey you never know ;) So after 2 HOURS went by (yea and I was worried about 3 minutes), we finally took off! Minus being alone, it may have been one of my favorite flights. I don't think we looked out the window much on our first flight because when I did this time, you could see every island lit up! It was pretty neat- there would be complete darkness from the ocean, and then all of a sudden their would be this chunked of land pieced out with lights covering the space. I was very entertained and very amazed with God's creation! He is so creative!!! I finally made it back to Grenada and the only thing I wanted to do was see my husband :) It was hard and different to be back but know that I was back to where I was supposed to be!
Facebook Status 9.19.12
I love California but I LOVE my husband much much more!!! Heading back to Grenada today!
So True!! I'm just glad that the next time I go home, my husband will be with me!! YAY!!! :D
No it's mine! Give it to me! (My dad was jealous hehe)
No it's mine! Give it to me! (My dad was jealous hehe)
Ashkon's Birthday Breakfast & Celebration!
Ashkon's Birthday Breakfast & Celebration!
It's gone already?!?
