Villefranche

Our first stop on our cruise was in Villefranche, France. This was probably one of my favorite places of the whole trip (ok, heck, every place was my favorite place!). We didn't have any shore excursions planned, just walked aound the little side streets and saw every day people going about their Sunday morning business. We found a little place to get sandwiches for lunch and sat by the marina and ate them. It was just a lovely day in southern France!

many people know my love of taking pictures of unique windows and doors

lunchtime

maybe one of my most favorite pictures I've ever taken

Villefranche reflections... you'll see these throughout our trip

that's our big boat in the background!

Back from the honeymoon!

Since I took almost 1,000 pictures on the honeymoon (that's only an exaggeration by about 30 pictures), I thought I would break my posts up. Today I bring you all the colors of La Bouqeria, the market in Barcelona. (NOTE: not for vegtarians!)

HITCHED!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who made our wedding fabulous! Thought I'd share a few pictures from our photographer... MANY more to come. Honeymoon - HERE WE COME!

WHOOP, WHOOP! Wedding in ONE WEEK!!!

I am just overcome by excitment at the fact that I'm getting married in ONE WEEK!!! Wohoo! After going through my massive wedding binder last night, I realized that I have pretty much everything done, except finishing those pesky programs. I'm so looking forward to everyone coming in from out of town and getting to see all my great friends and family who I don't see very often. My Dad leads the charge coming in next Wednesday evening (hopefully I won't have to work too late!) and it all takes off from there. Must try to concentrate at work until then :) I'm going to be a MRS!

The Knot

For anyone planning a wedding, the Knot wedding planning website is pretty much vital. There is a section on there with message boards on different topics, including a board for local brides to chat with each other. I am lucky in that the D.C. board is very friendly. I've gotten TONS of ideas off of there, saved a bundle of money with these ideas, found the awesome photographer who took our engagement pictures (a fellow knottie), and made a few friends. The popular thing to do after your wedding is to post a link to your professional pictures. In looking at these other girls pictures, it made me realize how excited I am getting for my own wedding! So, thanks DC knotties, for your inspiration and for making me a little more giddy about my own day!

Here is just a few examples of some beautiful DC brides (all of who I have been lucky enough to meet outside the Knot world).

The countdown is on!

Well, the countdown is on to the wedding! Since it might as well be a month till, I thought I would appease all the adoring fans with some of our engagement photos (taken prior to the start of blogging). Enjoy!















such a typical Brad and Christina pose... except usually when I do this, he'll rub my feet :)

BRING IT ON WEDDING!! We are ready!!

My crazy life

Life the past few weeks has been absolutely insane. Wedding Central is taking over a corner of my apartment (and half of Brad's dining room table!); honeymoon planning is fun, but time consuming... there are so many choices; addressing 55 invitations was more daunting than I ever thought possible, but at least they're done and in the mail; and I had my bottom wisdom teeth out!

Just take a look:

But knowing I'm marrying this guy in a few weeks makes it all worth it :)

We Remember

I have a fun post to do, but I decided to wait until tomorrow for that, since today we remember all those who passed away six years ago on September 11, 2001. I proudly switched out my Ohio State flag that hangs on my balcony during football season this morning for Old Glory.

As someone who works feet from a building that might as well have a big target on it, days like today bring apprehension and pride. Apprehension because the Capitol Police seemed to be a little more watchful this morning. Pride because I am proud of everyone in this city who overcomes the "what if's" on a daily basis to go about their lives and work to make our country safer. So take a moment out today to say a prayer for all those who were lost, for their families, for our nation's military who are facing dangers every day to keep us safe and for our country. For we are lucky enough to live in America, the greatest country of them all.

And... some incriminating photos of Christina

You knew they were coming!

Not incriminating, but a great picture of Matt and Brian at dinner!

Finally... some incriminating photos of Brad!

Brad and the guys obviously had a great time Saturday night! Thanks to Matt for supplying the photo's and being the designated driver. After dinner at Buca with the girls, the guys headed to GameWorks for some video game fun and then to Skye Bar for drinks and dancing.

The brother's air hockey competition... but does it count if you've both had a few beers?

Brothers

Brad returns home in one piece after a long night... at 2:05am... and gives everyone hugs ;)