Remembering 9/11~

We Will Never Forget!
Kevin and I remember those who lost their lives on this day nine years ago. Thoughts and prayers to the families of those who died, All the police, firefighters, first responders and to the men and women of the US Military who still fight for our freedom today. Thank you for everything! 


Nine years ago Kevin and I were living in Fort Wayne Indiana and we were getting ready to enjoy our day off together we had tickets to the Jimmy Buffet concert that day. We were all set to head to Noblesville Indiana to Deer Creek Music Center to celebrate the end of summer. However we never made it to Deer Creek that day, something bigger was happening. We woke up to turn on the news to find out that a plane had flown into the north tower of the World Trade Center. At the time we thought what a horrible accident, but then at 9:03 a.m. a second plane hit the south tower and we instantly knew something was NOT right. We continued to watch the news as the information began to flood in to CNN and other various news outlets. By this time every single media outlet had stopped regular programming and started solely covering what was happening in New York City. Our greatest fears were realized this was NO accident it was an act of terrorism. The terrorist organization which I refuse to name to give them any sort of public acknowledgment would strike again at the Pentagon, but would fail to reach their fourth target. The brave passengers of United Flight 93 stormed the cockpit and drove the plane down into a field in rural Pennsylvania, they did not die in vain they are hero's! The passengers of United Flight 93 saved hundreds of lives while it is still unclear the intended target there is speculation to this day that it was either the White House or the Capitol Building. 


Here we remember those who lost their lives...September 11 Memorial

Andy and Danielle's Wedding Weekend~

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs Andy Hartle~

Kevin and I set out on Thursday Morning bright and early to head to Emmetsburg Iowa our destination was clear- get to the Wild Rose Casino! Emmettsburg is in Northern Iowa and you can see for miles...to sum up its peacefully gorgeous. After driving 11 and a half hours we arrived at the casino at 5:00 PM Central time. Upon our arrival we checked in and were immediately greeted with a welcome gift bag complete with essentials from bottled water, granola bars and Iowa Hawkeyes popcorn.

OUR GIFT BAG~

After we checked in we headed to Whittemore, Iowa to Danielle's Parents house for the meet and greet cocktail reception and tacos in a bag! We had a great time meeting everyone and enjoying the food and drink. It was about 9:30 or so when the drinking games began..its so funny how quickly the rules and the way to play quickly return to from memory! 

 After a great night with everyone we returned to the Casino for a great night's sleep. 

Friday was a BIG day, Kevin spent the majority of the day working at the hotel.I had a full 

schedule with the bride and her best friend Melani, who was one of her bridesmaids. We went to the bridal shoppe to get the tuxes, and Danielle's gown. 

 

After spending the afternoon running light errands and helping Danielle prep for the rehearsal dinner and the day. Melani and I quickly returned to the hotel to drop stuff off to her room and Andy's room. Melani headed back to Whittemore which is exactly 20 mins from Emmettsburg, while I stayed behind to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. 

Everyone gathered at the Parish Center in Whittemore for the rehearsal dinner and had a great time talking, laughing and sharing stories. The bride and groom thanked everyone for coming and shared gifts of gratitude with the wedding party.

 

After the dinner it was back to the hotel and grand ballroom to practice the ceremony and make sure everyone had their places set and what they were going to do on the big day! The rehearsal for the ceremony went very well, we only had to run through everything twice so that was great! We then went to the Irish Pub in the casino and continued the weekend celebration. We filled the bar with friends and family and when it was time for the bar to close we all proceeded downstairs to try our luck at some gambling! The groom and the brides mom seem to be the big winners of the weekend winning upwards of $600 combined! 

THE BIG DAY~

The wedding day started bright and early I met the bride for a little breakfast, went over some last minute details on how to make the day flow more smoothly. The bridesmaids were on their way to get their hair styled which was about 45 minutes away . I had so much fun I helped Maureen place favors on the tables and the place cards for close family and friends. Then I had to get her to the bridal suite to get her hair done, and make sure we were running on schedule and we were! With time running out until it was time for pictures at noon - we needed to get the covers and ties on the chairs unfortunately there was no staff around to help us with this task. Enter the Groomsman and a fleet of friends to help! We had the chair covers on in no time and they were able to return to their respective TV's for the opening of football season - they have something called "Hawkeye Day" so apparently its a big deal.  Then I was off to check in with the Bride to make sure she was doing ok before I went to get ready. I came back to the bridal suite and hair my hair done, then it was time to get the Bride ready, it was almost PICTURE TIME!  So fun helping Danielle get ready, from the dress to the jewels~ her mom was in the room with her, her future sister in law Megan and her cousin who was taking a ton of candid photos were all in the room to see the Bride in her gown and all put together for the first time!

Finally it was time to send Danielle to meet Andy and it was a great moment!

 After the Pictures it was time for the ceremony, and it was gorgeous! There were so many guests and everything was so beautiful! 

 

 After the ceremony there was a short cocktail reception then it was back to the ballroom for the introductions of the Bridal Party and the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Andy Hartle~  

There was dancing, and singing to songs like Sponge Bob Square Pants where the Bride and her new stepson Brayden danced and had a great moment together. We enjoyed singing Don't Stop Believing by Journey and Michael Jackson's Thriller got everyone up and trying to replicate those famous dance moves!  

 

It was a great weekend and The Bride and Groom are off to a wonderful Honeymoon in Punta Cana! 

 

~Congrats to Andy and Danielle~