Our Honeymoon, Part 1

The timing of our wedding worked out perfectly. I was able to work through most of June. We were able to spend time up north with our family. And we were able to get to TN by July 1st. Now the one downfall to all of this was there was no time for a honeymoon. I was naive and trying to have a positive outlook on everything so I told Steve we could consider our cross country drive as our honeymoon.

Steve had decided long before he decided to marry me that he was going to leave everything behind in Cedar City and get all new stuff in TN. This always made me sad because I was constantly worried that I would be something he would just leave behind. He of course came to his senses and realized he couldn't leave me. :) So he had it in his mind that whatever fit in his 4 Runner would be what he would take. When the decision to take me was made we looked at renting U-Hauls... PRICY! It would have cost more to rent a U Haul than any of my stuff was worth. We then decided to sell all my stuff and pack as much as we could into his car.

Steve used his wonderfully army organization skills and was able to fit (almost) everything we needed into the 4 Runner. There were a few things we had to throw out last minute.

Steve packing the last items

Stuffed!

Here are some final views of Cedar from Steve's apartment. Honestly, I can't say I miss it. Yes, we had some good times in Cedar, but I never really loved living there. I do miss living so close to Dana but luckily she is family so Im pretty sure we will keep in touch.

Adios The Block!

The view from the inside... NO ROOM!

We left Cedar on Thursday. We had to take the 70 and go through Manti so I could buy my slip for the wedding. It was really refreshing to go a different way. I can't even tell you how many time I have drive I 15 in the last year and a half! It was a beautiful drive! Spanish Fork canyon is beautiful.

Then we spent a couple of days up north. Visited with friend and family. Got married. Little things like that.

On June 28th it was finally our big moving day and we began our three day journey to TN! I had a doctors appointment that morning and then we had to get our tires rotated so we got off to a late start. We started our journey going through Spanish Fork canyon which I loved. Steve kept telling me that TN was even more green so that got me really excited.

The first day wasn't bad at all. We have a game where we go through Steve's i pod and give the songs ratings. We talked a lot about our future and laughed a lot at stupid things. It was really fun! After a couple of hours of driving Steve asked if we could listen to a book on tape. I told him it was fine because I wanted to sleep a little. He put on the book Atlas Shrugged.

It is an ok book. At the beginning I really liked it and the time flew! It was also kind of fun because its all about railroads and they mention Colorado about a million times and we were driving next to a railroad in Colorado. Super cool.

I absolutely loved Colorado. It was so gorgeous. It was such a peaceful drive. We basically drove next to a river the entire time and I loved all the little cities. It felt like we were driving through Park City multiple times.

Stopping for gas right outside of Aspen. I kept thinking of the Kardashian episode when the sisters are fighting in Aspen so Kim walks all the way back to town. Haha. It was so beautiful there! But looking at this picture I feel kind of silly for thinking there were a lot of trees.

We made it to Denver just after 8 o clock. I loved Denver! It was such a beautiful city. We checked into the hotel and then we walked downtown to go to dinner.

Walking to dinner

I asked my Aunt Kathy (who lives in Denver) if she had any recommendations for dinner. She told us that this place called Earls was really good. Well that happened to be the place the front desk dude told us to go too! It was delicious. We sat up on the balcony and enjoyed the fresh air and people watching.

There was a guy reading taro cards just below us and it was fun to watch all the people go to him. We also watched homeless people dig through garbage.. a lovely viewing experience while you are eating.

We then walked back to the hotel and went to bed. I was very displeased with our hotel room. We asked for a high floor and got the second. Our air conditioning was SO loud. It kept me up all night. I went to the front desk to tell them how loud it was and they didn't even pretend to care. Oh boy, I am SO glad to be done with the hotel business.

The next morning Steve was freaking out because he couldn't find his car keys. We went outside and there they were, sticking out of the passenger door. Luckily our car was not broken into! Apparently Denver is very safe!

Repacking the car and leaving Denver

Well folks, leaving Denver was when the Honeymoon ended. More to come in Part 2!

Our Wedding Day

Steve and I were married on Monday June 27th, 2011. It was honestly the happiest day of my life! Everything came together so wonderfully and I couldn't have asked for a better day.

I woke up that morning (I actually was able to sleep in a little!) and I immediately started making a list of things that needed to be done. I went upstairs to have breakfast and my amazing sister, Shannon, told me not to worry about anything and that she would make sure everything was done and done right. Such a relief!

While I was eating breakfast my sister Dianna called from Africa! It was so great to talk to her. We were able to talk for a couple of minutes but then the connection went bad. I am so happy we were able to talk.

I then took a shower and left to return some things to Bed Bath and Beyond (we had to return our gifts and then we picked them up in Knoxville). I got on the road and realized there was no time for me to return things and make it to Salt Lake in time. I called my sweet little sister Dana just to vent and tell her I was going to be late (she was giving me a ride to Salt Lake). She insisted on taking everything back for me so that I wouldnt be late to my nail appointment. I honestly have the most amazing sisters! So I went and met up with her and her husband Brandon and we made the drive to Salt Lake.

I first went and got my nails done by my amazingly talented friend Lori. Back in my days of working full time I would go get my nails done from Lori every other week. We became fast friends! I met her right after a really bad break up and she has been lucky enough to know me through most of my horrible relationships. We talked the whole morning about how lucky and happy I finally am. It was great to reminisce. It is funny because Lori's name is Lori Stevens Jones! So she automatically liked Steve just by hearing his name. It was so fun and relaxing and she even gave me free glitter toes for a wedding present!

After I got my nails done my BFF Natalie came and picked me up. She just moved to Sugar House (jealous) so we went back to her apartment and then we went out to lunch. We went to Olive Garden and both just ordered salads and the waiter looked at us like we were crazy! They were like $10 salads so I dont get what the big deal was. We decided after our lunch that he was just weird and a tad on the creepy side. It was so much fun spending time with her on my big day.

After lunch Natalie dropped me off at my dear friend Megan's salon to get my hair and make up done. This is when it finally set in that it really was my wedding day. We cried and laughed the whole time. It was so great having her get me ready.

After I was ready Natalie came to pick me up and take me to the wedding. I was so nervous and excited the whole way back to Utah county. We pulled up to Diane's house (where we were married) and it could not have looked more beautiful. I was able to walk around and look at everything and then I was told to put on my dress and go into hiding until it started.

While I was getting ready Dianna called me again. We just talked for a minute but it was so nice to talk to her again. After she called I finished getting my dress on and everyone went outside. I just sat alone and was so overwhelmed with emotion. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and then my sisters came down and told me Steve was there. Just knowing he was there made me completely calm down and feel so at peace.

The lantern on the table was in honor of my dear friend Syd Riggs

This chair was in honor of Steve's mother who passed when Steve was just over a year old.

Poor baby Caleb was so sick all weekend. He seemed a little better on our wedding day but still felt so bad for the kid.

Uncle Brandon is always so great with the kids!

Handsome little Bubba

Lindsay with my oldest nephew, Will. I can't believe how big he is!

Steve's Aunt Denise

Sarah and Josh. Cute story: we asked Josh to be our ring bearer a couple of weeks before the wedding. Sarah e mailed me one day and said that Josh kept getting mad when she would call him our ring bearer. He finally explained and said "Im not the ring bearer, Im the ring COW!" He is so adorable! I guess on our wedding day he decided he was our ring car and wanted to be called Ring Lighting McQueen. We have the cutest nephews and nieces!

Steve's Grandpa Hale is a beautiful pianist and we were lucky enough to have him play for our wedding.

Our little ring cow. I felt so bad, at the rehearsal he kept telling Sarah he didn't want anyone to look at him. I am so glad he was so brave and did it even though everyone was watching him.

Chad (Steve's oldest brother), Steve, and his dad

Steve with his Aunts Chrissy and Denise. We were so happy they were able to be there!

It was then time to start the show! It is true what they say, right there in that moment of walking down the aisle, Steve was the only person I saw and the only person I cared about.

We each had our oldest siblings stand up with us. Thanks again, Shannon! Isn't she beautiful??

I love this picture. Sweet little Josh got nervous and started running and my ring fell off the pillow. I love everyones faces in the back round.

Adie and Isabelle were wonderful flower girls!

So happy to have my dad walk me down the isle!

Our ceremony was performed by my good friend Bill Rogers. He is Natalie's step dad and has been around the Dixon family for years. He is an amazing person and has been a huge support to me. He is also the voice of Disney! When you go to Disneyland and hear the announcements for the parades... that is Bill! I asked him years ago if he would perform my wedding ceremony and I was so happy to have him actually do it.

The wedding was exactly how I imagined it. I can't thank everyone enough who worked so hard to make it so perfect!

Finally married! Yahoo!!

Absolute love of my life

My sweet little niece Tessa is so adorable!! She was born just a few weeks after I moved to Cedar City and I am so amazed by how big she gets every time I see her. She is growing up so fast!

Like I said before, we have the cutest nieces and nephews. I love Josh's face in this picture.

Our tiny wedding party! Only 40 people. That is what happens when you plan a wedding in a month!

My mom and the fam

My dad and the fam

Sistas and my husband

I have the most beautiful sisters! Love you all!

My mom and me. What a beautiful mother of the bride!

Me with my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Scott, my mom's sister and her husband.

Father of the bride! So handsome.

I was so happy my Grandma Bell was able to come! She is 89 and came all the way to Utah for the wedding. I hope I have that much energy when I am 89!

The Jones and Hale family

With Grandma and Grandpa Hale. We are so happy they were able to come! And they brought me the pearls I am wearing. They belonged to Steve's mother.

The wedding party I guess you could say

Hooray for Bill! He did an amazing job.

I had to have my best friend at my wedding! I mean we have been friends for 17 years.

The nieces and nephews. Minus Caleb and Tessa. (And Katie and Brady who were in TN)

Steve and his dad

Bling bling!

My favorite part of the day was taking pictures with Steve. He kept saying the sweetest things to me and telling me how much he loves me. It was so great to have some time just the two of us... and our photographer.

While Steve and I mingled a little bit, our photographer took some family pictures. This is Shannon with her adorable family.

The Woods! They are such an adorable family.

With the Aaron kiddies.

Love my flower girls!

I had the photographer take some pictures since I didn't have bridals. I was talking with Shannon tonight about Kim Kardashian's wedding and I pointed out that one nice thing about not being incredibly gorgeous is you don't just look like your everyday self on your wedding day! Kim looked like her everyday self for her wedding. I, on the other hand loved being pampered and having my hair and make up done for me and being able to feel gorgeous for the day!

Outside of the restaurant in Riverwoods

Im horrible at serious faces... Steve on the other hand looks super hot!

I love this picture. It is so natural. Im laughing like a freak and Steve is looking at me like I am crazy... our everyday life.

Finally getting to eat! If you have never been to La Jolla Groves... go. It is so delicious!

Mr. and Mrs. Jones

Me with William. Love you, Willis!!

Our little model, Bellie

Our gorgeous cake! It was perfect and so delicious. My friend Keelie made it for us.

I love this picture of Steve and my mom

So happy my Aunt Caroline and Wendy (not pictured) were able to be there with us!

Shannon made my bouquet. I can't thank her enough! It was perfect! I have wanted that exact bouquet since I was a little girl.

Tessa and Andrew kept me so entertained while I ate.

Sweet Caleb.

Sweet little Mikayla

Our dinner was so perfect. Exactly what I had in mind.

I love this picture

And I love this one... not sure what Dana is lecturing me about! She did get married before me so I guess she has the right. :)

Yummy food!!

We had a few people make speeches. My dad started them out.

Then my mother spoke

And then Kevin made us both cry

Then Chad said some lovely words

Then Grandpa Hale

Then my beautiful baby sister... making me cry even more

Then Cami, Natalie's mom and Bill's wife, made me cry more! (surprise, surprise)

Then the kids told us they wrote songs for us. So cute.

Then I started talking to get peoples attention so we could cut the cake... big mistake. I just cried the whole time. I promise I was very happy! It was just hard because I knew I had to say good bye.

Then Steve said some lovely words

Cake time!

No cake smashing for us

Then we signed the marriage license.

Haha what is up with my face?

Signing his life away!

It was a perfect day. Looking back on it I have had my moments where I am so sad it couldn't have been bigger and we weren't able to have everyone there who I would have liked. But when it all comes down to it, Steve was there and that is the only person that matters. I love him so much and love being his wife. He is the most wonderful husband. He is so kind and caring and does a great job at letting me know how much he appreciates me. I am so happy we got married before we moved to TN. It definitely was the right thing to do for us.

I just want to say thanks again for everyone who helped so much. It was a gorgeous day and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Love you all!