Less than 4 months to go!

Brent and I got a few wedding things done this past weekend. Saturday we headed up to the Mall of America to check about getting his ring re-sized. We are afraid it's too big, but the next smallest size seems like it might be too small! So, we ordered the next size and we will see how it fits when it comes in. The bummer is that we got our rings at Helzberg in Mankato and the store closed back in December, so now we have to go all the way to the MOA to get our rings cleaned and checked. Although, that gives ME a reason to shop! Not that I usually need a reason!

I also found some cute clothes to wear for our honeymoon. Just a few cute dresses and some fun summery tops. I haven't been on a real vacation in forever, so I'm really looking forward to it!

On Sunday, we headed to Target to register for wedding gifts. It's hard to find things to register for when we both have our own homes and already have 2 of everything! We have decided to get some new things like glasses, dishes and silverware and get rid of our current ones. Just to make things "fair". We also found a few fun things - like the Wii I've been wanting forever!

We also worked on assembling the invitations. We have a pocket folder, the invite, and 4 enclosures w/rsvp envelope all put together and closed with a seal. Brent was so cute putting glue dots on the back of the invites and stuffing everything into the pockets. It was fun spending time together and getting things done. It goes so much faster when you work as a team!

In the next few weeks, I need to work on getting the corsages and boutonnieres made. I am taking my required work furlough March 30-April 3 and plan on getting lots of things done during that time. Brent and I will be meeting with the pastor and the holiday inn that week.

I also need to get back on my diet and exercise routine that I was doing last summer. I need to fit into my dress when it comes in!! Ever since the holidays, I've been slacking. I wish the weather would get nice so I could go out for walks. Spring is only a few weeks away - I hope!

Oh - and some not so great news...Brent did not get the North Mankato job or the Waseca County job. North Mankato hired someone else and Waseca decided to not hire anyone. These city/county budget cuts are really hurting us! We are preparing ourselves for a "long-distance marriage". I guess the important thing is that we both have jobs right now and we keep telling ourselves that things will work out eventually. We keep praying anyways!

The invitation ensemble


My little helper ready to get to work!

Wedding Weekend

This weekend has been my "get ready for the wedding weekend". Friday night, my personal attendant Elizabeth, was so gracious to offer help with cutting down my invitations and enclosure cards. I printed everything on 11x17 paper, so it all needed to be trimmed down. Did I mention, I'm doing 175 invitations? That's a lot of cutting my friends. We worked for about 4 hours and still didn't get them all done, but are more than half-way, so that is good! Next step is assembly and addressing.

Today, I headed to my mom's house to work on the bouquets. I was still tired from all the work last night, so I had a hard time getting up my energy, but once we got going it wasn't too bad. They all turned out beautiful! Next, we have to work on the corsages and boutonnieres. That will be another weekend project. 

Tomorrow will probably be spent cutting down more enclosures as well as working on the video to show at the wedding. So much to do!

My bouquet. The Bridesmaid's bouquets are similar - less pink and more white.

Bridesmaid Dresses!

We went to Mestads in Rochester to pick out the bridesmaid dresses today! The appointment was at 10:00, so we left Waseca by 8:30. I liked the dresses from Alfred Angelo and I told the girls I wanted them all to have the same skirt (tea length), but they could each pick out which top they wanted to wear. We brought ALL of the tops into the dressing room so we could check out the options. After trying most of them on, they all ended up liking the same one! So, they will all have the same dress - which is super cute! 

The dresses!

After getting measured, and paying for the dresses, we went out to eat at Olive Garden. It was so nice to hang out with the girls just chatting! Such good friends I have! Next Saturday, Brent and I are going back to Mestads in Rochester to pick out the tuxes. Hope the guys don't mind wearing pink ties! :)

159 Days

That's how many days are left until the wedding! Time is just flying by. When we got engaged we had a year to go and what seemed like, plenty of time. We got all the major reservations out of the way right away and then just sat back for awhile. I kept saying "I will do that after Christmas"...now, it's after Christmas and I have so much to do! This weekend the Bridesmaids and I are going shopping to pick out their dresses. Next Saturday, Brent and I are going to pick out the Tuxes, the weekend after that, my mom and I are planning on making the bouquets. I have to  print out the invitations and enclosure pieces, I need to put together a video of our pictures to play at the reception and I need to get to work on our engagement picture scrapbook - and that's just a few of the many things I need to do. I will try to start posting more pictures of things as we get them figured out!

And, some good news, Brent finally has an interview with North Mankato Police Department on the 26th. We are saying lots of prayers and keeping our fingers crossed that he will get the job!

Christmas Gathering #3

On Christmas Day, Brent and I loaded up our vehicles and headed down to Iowa. We celebrated Christmas with the Brass family on Saturday, the 27th. Brent had to work Friday night from 11pm until 7am Saturday morning. He was able to get about 3 hours of sleep before we had to head over to his Parent's house to open presents. It was so much fun to watch the kinds open their presents. His 1 year old niece was the funniest. She got the most entertainment out of an empty box than any of the toys she got! Later in the evening, Brent's mom's entire family came over for the "Ward" Christmas. What a group! I can't believe that many people fit into one house, it was crazy! They all do have a great time together. Brent had to work again Saturday night, so we didn't stay long. Whew! Christmas 2008 was a good one. Lot's of time with the families and some traveling mixed in. I can't wait for Christmas 2009 when Brent and I will be married!

Brent's brother's family - Kristy, Mackenzie, Dalton and Ethan.


Brent's new toy - a PS3.


Brent's Brother Kevin opening his present.

Mackenzie and her box.

Mags all packed and ready to go home after the long weekend in Iowa.

Christmas Gathering #2

Our second Christmas gathering was on Christmas Eve at my Mom's house. It is always our tradition on Christmas Eve to go to church service at 5:00. My favorite part is when we sing silent night to candlelight. So awesome! After that, we head to my Mom's house to tear open presents! Then, we gorge out on appetizers like meatballs, shrimp, chicken wings, veggies, dips and so much more! Yummy! The best part of this Christmas was that Brent didn't have to work! One thing about being a police officer is that you can't ask off on the holidays. This year, because of his rotation, he already had Christmas Day off. He was then able to get one of his co-workers to work for him on Christmas Eve so we could be together. He also had some vacation time to use up before the end of the year, so he took off on the 22nd-23rd. I also had work off that entire week. It was so nice to be able to spend so much time together. We joked that we would find out if we could still stand each other and want to get married since we never get to spend so much time together. He is coming up again this weekend, so I guess we still like each other! :)

Me and Brent in front of my Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.


My sister Jennifer and her husband Marty opening their Santa "stockings"

My niece Jordan - a complete teenager right now!


My brother Jason and his wife Maria watching others open presents.

My Mom and her husband Robert in front of her beautiful tree.

Lucy with her present from "Grandma"

Maggie with her present from "Grandma"

Christmas Gathering #1

I'm finally getting around to blogging about Christmas. All together, Brent and I had 3 Christmas gatherings to attend. The first was at my dad's on December 21. Pretty simple, just had dinner and opened presents. Then, it was my brilliant idea to play Rock Band. I LOVE playing the guitar, even though I'm not the greatest at it, it's still lot's of fun! At one point, I even got brave enough to sing. I will be the first to admit that I am not the greatest singer, but it was just family and all in fun right? Well, Brent decided it would be funny to record me on his cell phone. When I realized what he was doing, I was not very happy. It was an all out war to get that phone and delete that photo! No one is ever going to see that video! :)

My dad and stepmom opening presents.

Me rocking it out on the Rock Band Guitar


The Buck Family Band - Rock Band Style!