Around Town

We didn’t have a lot of time with Cris and Christina.  After the party on Sunday, we had Monday and about 1/2 of Tuesday, till the flew out of Orlando.

We tossed around some ideas of what to do, but in reality, us girls NEEDED to sleep in!  We did.  Monday morning was sleep and chill morning, it was nice.  After we got up, we had a nice breakfast and sat on the back porch talking for a while.  That is better that being “busy” doing something.

We tossed around some ideas and by mid-afternoon we decided to go down to the Cocoa Beach Pier, have a late lunch (which ended up being dinner by the time we got there), take some photos on the beach and then pop into Ron Jons…after all, it IS World Famous!

Taking Christina on a Photo Journey…

Cocoa Beach Pier

Beautiful Couple

Mike giving a little Geography lesson on the “Florida Hump”

Hungry Pelicans

Surf, sun n’ fun

Shrimp Poppers…hot!

This one melts my heart…I love it.

This one makes me giggle.

This one is just peaceful and beautiful…

This man makes me smile… My bodyguard.

Starbucks and browsing Ron Jons

We came face to face with a Blacktip Shark…

Lot’s to look at, but none of us ended up buying anything.

Then we headed back to the house and watched a movie…Fireproof.  A great movie about the importance of marriage.

We love you two!!!

The “Proposal” Photos

No, I was not there, hiding behind a palm tree, camera in hand, however, I did obtain permission to use their photos on my blog.

Since this is coming “second hand” you cannot expect it to be the “perfect” retelling of their proposal story, but I will pass it on to you as best I understood that it took place.

Cris took Christina to Costa Rica to celebrate her birthday.  Don’t you know, he had something else planned for that trip as well? 

He had thought carefully and fully about the choice he was about to make.  He had made the phone call, asking her Dad for her hand in marriage.  He had cut and pasted several ring photos and designed the “perfect” one.

He was having the ring custom made for her, and began the process quite some time ago.  A couple of weeks before the trip, he went to pick up the ring only to find out that they had made it incorrectly!!!  I can only imagine the panic feeling that must have set it.  However, they were able to remake the ring and I’m sure Cris was sweatin’ it when the ring was ready the DAY BEFORE they flew out!  Yikes! 

However, this time it was perfect.  Just as he had seen it in his mind.  Absolutely lovely.

He knew that after they got settled and began to see the sites, he would find the perfect spot for the proposal.  He did, and on the afternoon of Christina’s birthday he suggested they go for a walk to a nearby waterfall which was on the property of the resort they were staying at.  He had already requested the staff to have some flowers and champagne set up at the base of the waterfall for this occasion.

When Cris suggested they go for a walk, Christina explained that she was pretty tired and thought it would be nice to just take a nap and relax.

Cris stood there, dressed head to toe in hiking clothes, no doubt determined to get her out on that walk. 

Cris agreed, a “small” nap before a hike would be a good idea, lol.  He probably paced and stared at his watch the whole time.  When she was rested and ready to go, he suggested she wear a pretty dress, since it would be a nice day to take photos by the waterfall. 

Absolutely adorable…

Indiana Jones!…oh wait…that’s my son.

Heading down the trail…

When they arrived at the waterfall, Christina spotted the pretty flowers and a bottle of champagne.  What a sweet birthday surprise she thought.

Then she had to actually “get” to it…

After a few moments, Cris suggested that he set the timer on the camera and get a few shots of them together.  Here is the result…

Sigh….that’s pretty much all I can say now.

Oh wait, I can think of one thing.  IF you ever get to go to Costa Rica, I think you should stay at the Rafiki Tent Lodge.  I would.  Period.

Engagement Party

 

Being the Momma, I knew they were getting engaged in Costa Rica.  I felt honored to have the “secret” bit of information.  I was even sweating alongside my son when the ring he had designed was NOT made to specifications and they had to re-make it!  He picked it up the day before they flew out on their trip.  He was nervous, he had planned this all out to a tee, and not having the ring would pretty much cause some issue.

I could hear the happiness and excitement in his voice when he called me to say he had picked up the ring, and it made my heart get all giddy.  My mind flew back to the night that Mike got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife…

They were flying here from Costa Rica, and I thought it would be fun to have an engagement party once they were here. 

Cris requested it to be very casual and “chill”, so I planned a backyard hors d’ oeuvre party, and invited just family and a handful of close friends.

As many of you know, I have been a fan of Pinterest lately and I found a TON of recipes and hors d’ oeuvre ideas on there.  After the photos, I list the recipes I used and give comments on what I liked/disliked.

Party in a nutshell:

Hors D’ Oeuvre Buffet… (yes, I know I could say appetizer, but isn’t that fancy name just fun to say?)

There was quite a variety, and as usually happens, plenty of leftovers.  However, I tried to plan the food out so that any leftovers could be used up in the following week, and so far, that is working out great.

Sweets included Carrot Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, and Ginger Crinkle Cookies, along with a variety of fresh fruit – strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, pineapple…

My adorable Great-Niece Layla made everything brighter with her presence.  

Cris and his friend Kevin, (Homeschool friends since they were 12), challenged their ladies to a Cornhole match!

My sister Becky (center), her daughter Nikki and son-in-law Rhett discuss scoring issues with the Cornhole game.

I asked my hubby to string lights from the Gazebo to the tree for a pretty evening glow.  I’m thankful that he did, it was pretty.  Though it wasn’t exactly cold, we had a fire going in the pit and it created a cozy hangout spot.

Cris and Christina

The candid shots are almost always my favorite..I love this one.  Christina told me on the way to the airport that she loves that Cris makes her laugh.  That made me smile inside, because I say almost everyday that I love that my husband makes me laugh.  It is such a joy!!

Beautiful couple!!!  I can’t wait to see those gorgeous grandkids…no pressure, LOL.

Me and my beautiful, future daughter-in-law.

This is why I wanted lights strung from the tree…I just think it was cozy, and pretty, and relaxing.

Me and my hunky hubby, our friends Patrick and JoEllen (with Kim and Brad’s boys), Cris and Christina, Kim and Brad and their lovely daughter Kelsey, my “niece”…which somehow makes her Cris’ little sister, lol.

Jeffrey and Brody roasting a couple of hot dogs while Uncle Mikey relaxes.

Later than night, once everyone had gone home and the dishes were done, floor was mopped, Cris and Christina sat down and opened up a couple of lovely gifts.  Some photo frames, cards and the best part (in my opinion) – Chocolate!!!

Sweet Christina.  I am so thankful my son brought me a girl.   I love you already Christina!  I am looking so forward to getting to know each other better and grow closer year by year. 

Stormie LOVES that her boy is home.  I am almost completely ignored when he’s around.

Sweet little punkin was WORN plum out after that party.

Recipes I used (the photos will link you to the recipe if you click)

Dilled Baby Carrots – these were good, kinda like pickled carrots.

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Meatballs in Sweet Sauce

Variety of cheese and crackers

Fresh fruit

Fresh veggies and dip

Cheese Fondue (this didn’t work out so well, lol)

Courtesy of dear friends and family (THANK YOU!): Pioneer Woman’s Jalapeno Poppers (Kelsey), Fall Medley Stew and Homemade Pickles (Kim), White Chicken Chili (JoEllen), Sausage Balls (Donna)

Curried Chicken Balls

Caramelized Onion Dip

Sriracha Glazed Chicken Drumettes

Tortellini Antipasto Kabobs

Caprese Skewers