Mexico

In my attempt to catch up with my blogging I've had to get out of order with my postings. Anyway, in June Christina and I went to Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Peninsula Mexico. My previous experience with Mexico was at five years old when I went to Tijuana when we visited mom in San Diego. Cabo was a blast, it wasn't the tourist season so we didn't have a ton of people hogging up the beach.






Here is a photo from our last night in Cabo, we did a dinner cruise where the ship went along the entire beachline, including the world famous arch.













Famous Arch!










Of course no trip to Cabo would be complete without a visit to the Famous Cabo Wabo bar.














Here we are on our kayak trip. My oar broke about a hundred yards out, which was frustrating because then only one person could paddle us out to Lover's Beach and back.













A beautiful Mexican sunset.












One thing that impressed us the most during our time in Mexico was the food. There was a ton of great food (at pretty reasonable prices). We had steak, fresh seafood and good Mexican beer.














Here was a view from the street. The beach was filled with restaurants and bars.












This beach is right near the famous arch, we kayaked to the Lover's Beach and then walked about a hundred yards to the Pacific side of the peninsula. The waves were much too strong to swim on this side. But it was a very beautiful beach.











Here we are having a margarita at one of the beach side bars.










This was the swimming pool at the hotel we stayed at.

New Additiion to our family!

So I know it has been far too long since my last post. However, I am not giving up on this whole blogging thing. So, as most people know earlier this summer Christina and I found a dog on Craigslist (for free!). It did take us a couple of days to give him a name, but sticking with the K theme we settled on Knox. He is mostly black lab with a bit of weimaraner. So, without further adieu we present Knox the Dog:;






Here is a sleeping Knox on one of the first days after we got him.

















Here are some more Knox shot, including him playing with his friend Callalilly the white Husky puppy and Zookie the Lab/Collie mix.


















Of course you can't have a blog about pets without mentioning the lazy cats.





















The picture on the right is from when Christina and I took Knox for a hike at Ledges State park about an hour north or Des Moines.










I like to think of this last one as Knox's hunting pose. Maybe one of these days I can get him to some birds.

Fairbanks Reception

So after our adventures in Hawaii we went up to Fairbanks, AK to hold a reception. We got to have some more of Margret's delicious carrot cake again. Also, there was a reenactment of our first dance, plus many gifts.






This a a beautiful frame set we got from the Chairells. It is a gorgeous frame with our wedding invitation and another frame for us to put a wedding picture of our choice into.













Here is a nice, handy tool set we received from Lance Cheeny. In just a few weeks these tools were going to be put to good use on the basement.







Lastly, here is a photo of the beautiful quilt that Lisa made for us. All in all the Fairbanks reception was a great time had by all.

Honeymoon!

I know it's been long overdue (again!) but here are some pictures from the Hawaii Honeymoon. As you can see I am now only 6 months behind:


Here we are at a beach.... we went snorkeling. I got really sunburned... and yes mom I did put on the strongest SPF sunblock ever half hour and everytime I got out of the water.














This was just us walking around the resort one evening.










Us snorkeling at the beach just outside the hotel.














The last night there we went to a Luau (Hawaiian word for overpriced dinner with dancers). It was pretty cool actually and the flame thrower dancing guys were pretty intense.











We couldn't help but put up a picture of these penguins. They reminded me a lot of these ducks at a lake I used to fish at growing up. It's like these penguins were just looking for a hand out.













This is us out for sushi one day for lunch. We actually have discovered our liking for sushi since we've moved to Iowa. Go figure.












Some more of the local wildlife just outside of the resort.











All in all it was a great trip and we had a blast.

Up next: Fairbanks, AK reception followed by: The Storm of the Century... stay tuned!

Wedding Pictures

Hello Everyone, we know it has been far too long of a wait for some wedding pictures. We will be posting a few different sets of them, so here is round 1:




Right before the ceremony, Christina and I decided to do some photos before the wedding to save some time at the reception.



















Here is a good shot of me and Christina after seeing one another for the first time on the day of the wedding.
















Here's just a picture of me waiting before the ceremony.



















Christina was absolutely gorgeous on the wedding day. Her dress is so beautiful.

















Here is Christina and her bridesmaids. From left to right; Katie Swaboda, Wendy Williams, Christina, Deanna Thompson, Casie Rae Rupard, Katie Stukey.










Chris escorting Christina down the isle.



















Here are the mom's conducting the candle ceremony.











The Kiss!!

We Are Married!!!!

We were married on July 11, 2009 in the Jacklin Cultural Center, also known as the Old Church. It has a special meaning to us because 2 sets of my Great Aunts and Uncles were married there. The church has been redone in the past few years, and looks great.
After our simple and beautiful ceremony we had a reception in my Aunt's bacyard. The reception was a blast, we had lots of spontaneous dancing from the guests, making the reception unique and memorable. We will post more pictures as we get them.

Wedding Directions

Here are the directions to the different locations for the Wedding Ceremony in Post Falls and the Reception at the Straw Residence in Rathrum. We have also posted a map of where the reception in Fairbanks is going to be held. I have supplied the addresses to the locations so if you need more specific directions you can mapquest or googlemap directions:

Also, just to let people know I believe we still have some rooms still reserved at the Red Lion in Post Falls. They are located at 414 E. First Avenue, Post Falls, ID‎ (Just a few minutes from The Old Church). You can give them a call at (208) 773-1611‎ to check for availability and rates.



Here is a map of where the Old Church is in Post Falls, ID. The address is 405 North William Street; Post Falls, ID 83854













The Reception will be held at the residence of Ron and Shellie Straw, Christina's Aunt and Uncle. They were kind enough to offer us to hold the reception at their beautiful home. To get there from The Old Church head west on E. 4th Ave. until you reach N. Spokane St. Head north on N. Spokane St. then take a left heading west on Seltice Way. After 1.5 miles take a right heading north on McGuire Road. After 3.3 miles take a right on Highway 53 going east. Half a mile later take a left on North Church Road and then a quick left on West Hoyt Road. You will see 405 N. William Street on your right.





The Reception in Fairbanks, AK will be held at Christopher and Lisa Donat's home at 112 Nilgrub Ln. Fairbanks, AK