Reunions and Preschool

What a weekend! Eric had a reunion this weekend which we got to go to! It was a blast! It was held at a local resort and included a cocktail night and then the 'fancy' night. Friday my mom came over to watch the kids and we went to the cocktail party. It was fun to see all of the people Eric used to hang out with. Eric is 15 years older than I am so it's fun when people ask me when I graduated and I tell them 1998- a lot of the times, they don't really have too much to say:) The party ended early and we ended up at a little deli/bar that one of Eric's classmates owned. There were a ton of people! We went home that night to reprieve my mom for a bit and Saturday headed back up to the hotel at noon. We just hung out at the pool all day, talked with old friends and drank some beers. That night was the 'fancy' night- I seriously have no idea what it's actually called. Eric and I don't get dressed up too often so this was fun. There was dinner, dancing and a slide show that was hilarious! Seeing all these people with feathered hair and short shorts (the boys) and the girls with the high waisted jeans was fun!! So different from when I was in high school! 

It was very sunny, lol. This was Friday night

Best guys around! Eric, Jeff, and Ronny

This was the fancy night!

The view from our room!

My mom stayed with the kids (thanks Mom!) so we picked them up around noon on Sunday, took them home, put them down for a nap, and relaxed a bit.

 This week is a big one! Delaney starts preschool! We have been promising her a "special" day to go out and get her school stuff and today was that day!

It started off in Nana's car (which is always exciting) with me in the back seat with her! My grandma, Mimi, came with us too! 

Cheesy smile

We went to good old Target to look for a back pack and unfortunately there was slim pickings. I realize we are a little late getting a backpack, but this is when we had time:( We quickly found a cute backpack and lunchbox that matches. I could not get over what we were doing. There she is, just picking out a backpack- not to load with crap and cart around the house, but to take to school! Unbelievable. 

Nana showing her the one cute one left. Seriously, check out the bare bones behind them.

Love her. (Both of them actually)

She looks so big!

After we found her backpack, it was off to get some shoes and an outfit. She picked out some super cute pink and gray tennis shoes and then led the way to the clothes. She was so cute! We don't usually get to go shopping without Brody so this was special. She definitely has opinions now! My mom and I would hold up a shirt and she'd say, "Ummm, no thanks". Mimi picked out a super cute dress for her and Nana found some adorable outfits too! 

Leading Mimi to the shoes

She liked this one.

Almost too big for this section....

We hurried back to my mom's for dinner (Eric and Brody were meeting us there) and Delaney really wanted to show P-Paw her new loot. 

Showing P-Paw her new stuff.

I can't believe how big she is. I never understood why kids going to school was always such an emotional thing, but man, I get it. I get it big time. I don't really want her to go. 

I am going to miss her so much. 

But, that's okay, it's not about me, it's about her. It's about her growing up, becoming more independent, learning how to make friends (okay, she already does that), sitting at a table with kids her age, listening to someone other than Eric or me, and just about her becoming Delaney Grace Mikkelson and blossoming into what God wants her to be. 

So I just have to let go. 

She will nail it.

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Wordless Wednesday: Pure Love

Helping me make Danielle's wedding cake

Seriously....love.....this.....man. 

He's the chocolate to my milk.

The tequila to my lime.

and

my new motto:

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Memories....Part 2

***OMG long..... don't say I didn't warn ya~

Where did I leave off? Oh yeah, the night before... well I slept in my sister's room since I was not allowed to sleep with Eric. In the morning, a bunch of us went to our favorite place for breakfast and had a relaxing morning. After eating WAY too much, we made our way back to the hotel, changed into our suits, and went down to pool to hang out until it was time for the ceremony. It was so fun! I think at one point there were about 45 people just sitting around, talking, drinking and having a great time. Laura even painted my toe nails while we were sitting there.Plus, we were able to watch them set up for the wedding! But, alas, the fun needed to come to an end. There was a wedding that needed to happen! The girls and I went up to the room and got ready. I remember some of the hotel employees brought me the bouquets and we were able to breathe a sigh of relief. We ordered all of these 'things' without really seeing them since we were in a different country. The flowers were beautiful. Everything was beautiful.

Our wedding

Our wedding beer steins. Mine says Chunky-monkey and his says PMFB (Paul Mother f******* Bunyon). The shot glass in the middle was our wedding favor. It says: I drove all the way to Rocky Point and all I got was this lousy shot glass. Nothing but class here folks...

The cake (which we could so make now)

This is where the reception took place

This is our wedding crew before the ceremony, hitting up the hotel bar:)

Mary, Eric and Lynn

My dad and bro listening to the info

I remember being irritated at this point- odd i know.

When the ceremony was about to begin, I remember just standing there with my dad, looking at all these people that came to Mexico to be with us on our special day and was overwhelmed. And then, my dad tried to take my arm, THE CORRECT WAY, and I was not having it- I couldn't hold my flowers the way I wanted if I did it the right way- so yes, as we are walking down the aisle, I was arguing with my dad. Being the great father that he is, he just went along with what I wanted. All the girls were barefoot, the guys had on sunglasses, shirts were untucked. I walked down the aisle to "I'll Be" and met Eric at the end with a huge smile.

Mimi and Nanny with Josh

Melinda with Josh- he just kept running back and forth. What a good brother!

Mom and Josh

Daylen and Kaylie. Poor Daylen- he was so tired and sun burned from being on the beach all day!

Ronny and Court

Kevin and Danielle

My handsome daddy and me

The ceremony was beautiful, but far from perfect. Which is what made it incredible. During the ceremony, people were setting off bottle rockets and it sounded as if bombs were going off around us. An ultra lite glider flew right over us making a lovely noise and a waiter decided that our guests needed beverages during the ceremony and was taking drink orders. Yes, my friends were shooing him away quickly, but not before ordering a margarita or a beer- and I think that is awesome! I am just sorry we missed out on that! We were pronounced husband and wife right as the sun was setting. It was magical.

My family with my new husband

The men

Laura, me and Courtney- been friends since high school and still are super close

Ami, Sarah, Me, Anabelle, Mary- my teacher friends. (btw girls, I think we need a picture like this now with all of our kids:)

The reception was just as wonderful. My dad decided to dedicate a song to Eric and what better song lyrics to mark the occasion than those of Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher". We immediately broke into some danced that people assumed was choreographed, but wasn't, it was just us. That's how we roll. The night was filled with dancing! My dad had been threatening me since the day we were engaged that he would dance to Shakira's "My Hips Don't Lie" at our reception and I have to admit, I did not think he would do it. Well pin a rose on my nose, because Daddy busted a move like he was in a club! Shocking! But that's why I love him so!

Our first dance- Kenney Chesney's "Anything but Mine"

The Father/Daughter dance- "I Loved Her First"

I can't listen to that song without crying.

Hot for Teacher.... there we go....

Still going

Oh yeah

Gotta love him

We rocked it!

Classy couple

Daddy breaking it down

His hips don't lie

Melinda and Daddy....

We ate cake, we had a lot to drink, and we partied- which is what we wanted. We didn't do conventional things such as the dollar dance, the bouquet toss or even have traditional champagne glasses, instead we had beer steins that are engraved with nicknames.... two beers didn't even fill those bad boys half way up! We didn't have table numbers, a garter toss, hell we didn't have a DJ that spoke English, but it was so Eric and Nicole. It was awesome!!!
I will forever be thankful to those who were there to celebrate with us. I will forever be thankful to my parents. And I will forever be thankful for Eric.

Eric- you are the chocolate to my milk, the butter to my toast. You have given me an amazing life and I will love you forever and longer. Thank you for being you and being the courageous man that are meant to be.

I am amazed how fast time goes and different things are. Here are some then and nows to look at:

Kaylie and Eric

Me and Eric