We're having a baby!!!

Tim and I are having a baby. Due on 5/17/06. We are both so happy and excited. Check out our new baby blog. The link is on the right.

Last PRE Wedding Post

Holy smokes, it's already Wednesday! The time flew by so fast. I think we have everything in order now we just have to line it all up and then sit back and enjoy. Today is Tim and my last day at work (Until October 31st anyway). Family and friends start to arrive tomorrow as well. I am getting really excited. I can't wait to marry Tim. I feel like we already are married in so many ways, but I am still looking forward to making it official. Things have been crazy busy this week, and I am sure they will just keep coming, so I won't have time to post again. I will try and post when we get back from Vegas with wedding and honeymoon highlights (PG rated of course). For all of our guest, we will see you soon. It's just hours until you all start getting into town :)

Next post, I will be a married woman.

Wedding Weekend Details

We are so excited, just a few more days and we will get to see you all. I just wanted to say hello and let you guys all know some of the things Tim and I are planning during the wedding weekend.

On Friday evening the guys will be meeting up at the Marriott (I do not know the exact time) to head out for dinner and guy's night out.

Women, children, and anyone else not going to guy's night out is welcome to also meet up at the Marriott and hang out by the pool. Most of the guests are staying in this hotel, so it seems an easy meeting place. The pool will be a fun place for the kids too. This is nothing fancy, just a chance for everyone to meet and get to know each other. Please bring your own snacks and drinks.

On Saturday afternoon Tim and I will be hosting an open house at our apartment. This will be 2:00-5:00 PM. Anyone that will be around is welcome to come. We will have snacks and drinks for everyone. Since 90% or more of the guests are from out of town, and we have such a small wedding party, we have opted to do the open house instead of a rehearsal dinner so that everyone can be included. If you have other plans, that's fine, but if you are free and in town during this time we would love to have you join us.

Sunday "Wedding Day" we ask that all guests to be at the Ritz by 5:00. Valet parking is in the main entrance of the Ritz. Be sure to tell them you are here for the wedding.

The moms and bride will be meeting up for a light lunch around noon, then off to the salon. The bride and moms will be back at the hotel between 2:00-3:00 PM. The rest of the female wedding party will meet up in the bride's suite at 3:00 PM. The male wedding party will be meeting up at Tim's apartment at 2:00 PM. All of the wedding party (male & female) needs to be at the Ritz and ready to go by 4:00 PM.

At 4:00 PM the wedding party (excluding the bride) will be meeting with the officiant in the garden area to do a quick run through before the ceremony. The wedding will start shortly after 5:00 PM.

We can't wait to see you all. I hope this email can help with any plans you are trying to make during your visit to LA. Please don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions at all. Have a great trip, and we will see you VERY soon!

Home Stretch

25 days to go! We have everything booked, and ready to go. All we have now is to get the last of the RSVP's back and order name cards and meals. We have a ton of stuff going on in the next 25 days so they are going to fly by.

I went for my final dress fitting 9/25, good news, it fits :) I left it with them to press it, then I pick it up on 10/16.

Let's see, what else is going on? Tim and I are getting all of the small details in order. We still need to find out who is staying where and when. Its pretty much coming together.

Are we there yet?

Wow, almost month left. I am getting really excited. I can't wait to be married to Tim. We have picked the photographer and reception music provider, so we are starting to get into the final strech. All of the bg items are done, and what a relief.

We went shopping this weekend and got the pillow and basket, and a few other small items. We have been getting the RSVP's back too. We love checking the mail these daysand finding out who's coming. We have a pretty busy shedule with wedding stuff, races, and work so we are going to be more than ready to kick back and have a good time on the 23rd.

I don't have much to report, just nailing down the final details. I should have more to post later this weekend.

Peace out!

Dance Dance Dance

Tim and I started our dance lessons yesterday. It was actually a lot of fun. I learned that I can not talk or lauch with out messing up though :( Tim has a lot more rythm than I do. The class was an hour long, and at about 50 minutes in, I think we statred to get it. They teach the same dance all month, so by the wedding we should have mastered the Fox Trot and the Tango. We are also thinking of taking a private lesson or 2 to dance to our wedding song.

Also, for anyone interested, there is a link on the right to learn the Napolean Dynomite dance. Tim is going to be out of town for a long weekend early October. I am planning on spending much of that weekend mastering these steps :)

By the time of the wedding, I should be a dancing machine!

Dining and Evening Activities in LA

Los Angeles is host to MANY wonderful restaurants. Tim and I try to eat at different ones as often as possible so that we can truly experience LA dining. Some have been fantastic, some not so much. Anyway, here are a few recommendations of ones that we like, some that we frequent, as well as some fun night life activities that we have enjoyed.

Let's start with family friendly and/or affordable restaurants.

Pink’s Hot Dog- Pink’s is a famous LA spot located on the outskirts of Hollywood. If you can put it on a hotdog, Pink’s offers it. The hotdog’s all have fun celebrity names too. There is usually a line, but don’t worry it moves fast. If you’re crazing hotdogs, this is the place to go.
Carney’s- Carney’s also sells hotdogs, as well as burgers, fries, frozen chocolate covered banana’s and so much more. Carney’s does have a twist. Everything, except the ice cream, comes with chili on top. Carney’s is located in the middle of Sunset Blvd. If you plan on hitting Carney’s, be sure to bring along the Rolaids.
Hamburger Hamlet- Hamburger Hamlet is a chain all around the LA area. Just like their name implies they have great hamburgers. They also have salads, chicken, and a pretty good selection of healthy and non on the menu. Hamburger Hamlet is a family restaurant, and very affordable.
Mariasol- Mariasol is located at the very end of Santa Monica pier. With such a great location, and in my opinion the best Mexican food around, you would expect this place to be packed. However, we have gone on many different day’s of the week, and have never had any trouble getting a table right away. Good Mexican food, kid friend, fabulous location, and reasonable prices. Margarita’s aren’t to shabby either. If you can do it at sunset, the view is amazing.

Maybe you would rather do a little nicer for dinner, we have a few suggestions for that as well.

Carmine’s II- My FAVORITE!!! Carmine’s II is a very small, maybe 10 tables total, Italian restaurant in Century City. The food is great, the have a decent wine list, live music, and Carmine I was a friend to the Rat Pack. The walls are covered in old photos and the singer is the granddaughter of Dean Martin. Everything we have had here has been wonderful. Be sure to call ahead if you want to go, with only 10 tables they run out fast.
Trader Vic’s- Trader Vic’s is located in the Beverly Hilton. Great place for groups, or for 2. Hawaiian food with an Asian flair. They serve drinks in large bowls and bring out straws for the entire table to share. It’s a lot of fun. If they don’t bring out bread, be sure to ask for it. They have a peanut butter spread that is wonderful, even to the non peanut butter fans.
The Standard- Located directly across from Carney’s on Sunset Blvd The Standard is actually a hotel. The hotel has shag carpet, swinging chairs, and ‘The fish bowl’. It’s a really run place to go for dinner. Not a ton of menu options, but everything on the menu is very good. They have a poolside bar that overlooks LA as well. Great spot to have a drink after dinner.
Dan Tana’s- Another Italian restaurant, but also a place to see stars. Just like Carmine’s, Dan Tana’s is VERY small. You have to call ahead if you want to get a table. The restaurant is located in West Hollywood, and is know for feeding the stars. Everytime we have gone we have seen ay least one. The food is really good, service is FABULOUS, price is a little high, but not too bad.
Enterprise Fish- Just like you would guess, seafood. They have some of the best seafood in town. Great prices, lots of selection. Enterprise is located in down town Santa Monica.
Monsoon- I figured I would add at least one sushi spot. Monsoon has good sushi, as well as a full Asian menu. Monsoon also has great drinks, and even sponsor’s salsa dancing a few days a week. Monsoon is located on the North end of the Santa Monica promenade.
Duke’s- Duke’s Barefoot bar in Malibu is a bit of a drive, but well worth it. The bar nacho’s are enough to feed a small family. The drinks are great, and the view is unbeatable. The menu is mainly fish. All types prepared in all fashions. They also have a special Hawaiian dessert that is pretty great. If you are looking for a place to spend some time, have some drinks and just kick back, Duke’s is the place.

Maybe you just want to have some drinks and entertainment.

Laugh Factory- There are a few really good comedy clubs in LA (The Improv, The Comedy Club, etc). The Laugh Factory has a few shows a night. Go to the 10, it’s the best. The 10 often features Dane Cook. He is really funny. We have seen some bad ones in the 12 show, as well as the 8. We have also seen some stinkers at the Comedy Club. The Improv is a little smaller, but it shows some really good comedians as well.
Brass Monkey- The end all of be all in the karaoke market. A small bar that is SOOO much fun to watch people sing, and try to sing. All types will be here. If you get in early enough, you may even get to sing yourself. Be sure to get your name on the list early. Anything after 9:30-10 won’t get in by closing time.
Gotham Hall- Very trendy pool hall located on the promenade. A bunch of tables, so normally everyone gets to play. The have sofas, bar tables and chairs, music, and normally show you a good time.
There are a ton of other places in LA, but these are just a few of our favorites. Hope this helps.

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.