Destination Wedding, here we come!

Phil and I made a huge decision this weekend about our wedding... that we are going to have a destination wedding! We are going to fly somewhere in the Caribbean and get married on the beach... we're checking on locations this week so that we can secure all of our travel plans so I'm super excited!!

We had already booked our photographer and location here in San Antonio but it just didn't feel "right" and we are still far enough out to get all our deposits back. Anyway we'll have a big celebration party when we get back so everyone can celebrate with us!

Just wanted to share the news with everyone. :)

Happy Birthday to Robin & Drew!

We are so sorry we can't be in Houston this weekend to celebrate with everyone, but hope you both have fabulous birthdays. We'll see y'all in 2 weeks! Love you!

On Saturday evening, I hosted a bridal shower for Jennelle at Patti's beautiful home. It was a luau theme and to give myself a bit of credit, the invitations were so darn cute I wanted them to be for me. ;) But the theme turned out very well except for the fact nobody ended up wanting to hang out poolside since it was almost 100 degrees out there. But we had plenty of great food, drinks, and leis of course. We were able to head outdoors after eating so Jennelle could open her presents since it had cooled down a bit. But then we went back indoors afterwards because we enjoyed the climate controlled environment much more. :) Anyway Jennelle got some great things from her registry and all in all was a successful event! Pictured above, L to R: Ginger (Sigma big sis), Shifi (sorority sister), Susan (soririty sister), Rosalee (sorority sister), Jennelle (bride), and Janet (mother of bride). Not pictured are Patti, Shannon, Kaye, Jennifer, and me (all co-workers of bride), and Liana (had to leave early, sorority sister). See more pictures in photo album, and more to follow soon!

I won at Settlers of Catan!

Jennelle and Greg introduced us to Settlers of Catan, one of those board games that if you try to explain the concept to other people, sounds extremely dorky and boring. However, it is also one of those games you could become obsessed with playing, and is actually quite fun. The past two times we've played, Phil won (even his first time!) so Jennelle and Greg thought he was cheating (surprise) because he was "the bank". Tonight, however, Jennelle was the bank. And while Phil did not win, he told me he was proud of me for "keeping it in the family". Jennelle & Greg were not so excited, but at least I am enthusiastic about playing again since I actually have a chance of winning again.

Thanks, Jennelle & Greg, for hosting a fun evening. We look forward to playing with the Sea Farers expansion pack when it arrives!

Happy Anniversary, Brad & Stacy!

Happy Birthday, Stacy!

We hope you have a fabulous day filled with all sorts of fun birthday surprises. (Sorry we didn't send you a card; Phil has promised for weeks to get your new address from Brad but to date I don't have it...) Hope that all your birthday wishes come true, and we hope to see you soon to celebrate with you!

We Booked a Photographer!

Today we met with Matt & Elizabeth Deserly of Deserly Photography. They impressed us so much that tonight we mailed off our deposit and signed the agreement to have them photograph our wedding!

They have been in photography for 14 years, and met in college (sat next to each other in class!). They started out doing commercial/ad agency photography but found their clients never were happy with the product and did not enjoy shooting photos of table settings all day. They begun photographing weddings as favors to friends and ended up finding it to be so enjoyable that they made it their profession. Their style is very photojournalistic and they like to capture all of the little things that brides have spent months planning and years dreaming about. They just seemed to be the right fit, plus they are young (she is 28) and family-oriented so we liked that as well.

They guarantee that you will have one of them at your wedding plus an assistant. If they don't have 2 weddings on that day, you might have both of them there, but that's not guaranteed (but can be... for a fee, of course). We can purchase the rights to our photos and obtain them on a high-res CD immediately after the wedding, whereas most places make you wait at least 1 year before you can buy the rights to your own photos.

We are super excited and are working to plan our engagement portrait session already!

April 29, 2006

We are excited to announce that we have made our first wedding plan! The ceremony and reception will be held at River Rock Cafe in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX (about 10-15 minutes north of SA) on April 29, 2006! We are very excited to begin planning all the other details of the wedding, now that we have the most important part behind us.

We have decided to also reserve both of the Fair Oaks Guest Houses, which are on the grounds of the River Rock Cafe, for both Friday and Saturday night, so that we have a potential place for the rehearsal dinner, bridal & groom party dressing, etc.

Our next step is to book a photographer. We met with 3 a while back and now would like to meet with just a few more before making our decision. Hopefully we will book one in the next week or so. Wish us luck!

Happy Birthday, Amity!! We hope you have a great day, and that all your birthday wishes come true! Love, Phil & Lil

On the 4th of July, we went to the SA Missions minor league baseball game, followed by a good concert by Robert Earl Keen and lovely fireworks. Phil's friends John and Debbie from STMU water polo invited us and Jennelle and Greg came as well, so it was lots of fun!

I figured I'd post a few more Vegas photos for your viewing pleasure... this is us at VooDoo bar, on the roof of the Rio hotel... so amazing.

No comment necessary?

Just after getting our frozen beverages at Fat Tuesday's. And yes, I use my mug at work (to drink WATER) every day!

VEGAS WAS SO MUCH FUN! We made sure Jennelle celebrated to the fullest, and had some wonderful girly bonding time. I did not take my camera with me on Saturday night, and it seems I did not get any good group shots all weekend with me in them, but as soon as I get photos from all the other girls, I will be sure to post some cute ones. Here is a great photo from Sunday night on our way to the Bellagio (on a moving walkway... one great thing about Vegas is all the escalators!). It was ridiculously windy Sunday night-- they even cancelled the famous water show at the Bellagio-- hence, the windblown look. But don't they still look cute?!! L to R -- Ashley (maid of honor), Amanda (college roommate of bride), Jennelle (BRIDE), and Linda (sister of bride)

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

I'm off to Vegas for the weekend for Jennelle's bachelorette party!! Photos and stories to follow, I'm sure! (Phil will be in Corpus Christi visiting his friend Kohle, so he will have his "boys" weekend right alongside my "girls" weekend... although I have to say, my destination wins the coolness contest.)

Happy Anniversary, Amity & Randy!

Hope you have a fabulous day and here's to many more years of happiness (and more babies?)! ;)

Love, Phil & Lil

Photographers

This morning Phil and I visited two photographers! At 9:30, we met with Photoworks by Zachary. We loved his style, and he seems to have a great passion for his work. He is actually a doctor and does this as another source of income because he has such a passion for it. He seems to really capture the important moments and joy of a wedding... we were quite impressed. Then at 11:15 we met with Alexis Armstrong Photography. She is very laid back and so easy to get along with, and her style is very candid and non-obtrusive, which really appeals to us. You can see their work on both of their websites if interested.

On Monday we have an appointment with Marcus Revilla Photography, then on Tuesday we have an appointment with Elizabeth of Deserly Photography. More appointments to follow once I make a few more phone calls, as well. We'll keep you posted as we make decisions!

On Saturday, Phil, Aunt Carol, and I visited River Rock Cafe for the second time for lunch and to scope it out as a wedding venue. The food, once again, was great, and we are liking this one more and more. You can see more photos in the photo album. It has ample indoor and outdoor space, which would do for a wedding in any month/weather conditions. We hope to decide upon a date and venue in the next week or so, but Lauren will be out of town Monday - Friday (in Dallas for work training on a new computer system), so next weekend will probably be when lots of decisions are made. I'm trying to make a few photographer appointments for next Saturday morning, as well. We'll keep you posted... and don't expect many udpates this week; Phil claims he doesn't know how.

My Dad's new truck that he flew out to Arizona to pick up! He stopped in SA on the way back last Thursday and we got to check it out! Isn't it pretty!!?

Do you think his ears could get any bigger? Cooper poses for a quick photo with Mom.