Wedding, Act I

During the week of the wedding, we attempted to finalize all the last-minute details that could only be addressed in that last week. Both Dan and I had overflowing brains and short attention spans in light of all that needed to be done. There were seating charts to arrange, candy to purchase, suitcases to pack, programs to proofread, rings to secure, tuxes to fit, a card box to complete constructing, a wedding gown to pick up, hands to manicure, toes to pedicure, family/friends to hug/welcome, and a partridge to put in a pear tree. It was exhilarating and exhausting all at once.

I took time off of work starting on April 1, and Dan did what he could prior to that. As we made our way to Friday, April 3, we could feel the culmination of all of our efforts, and were eagerly anticipating that start of all the festivities.

Friday morning, while working on the computer, the strangest voice was heard coming from the kitchen talking about this wedding invitation she had. As I turned around, still trying to understand what was transpiring, I witnessed my cousin Donna from California, magically standing in my kitchen. This amazing gal made the long trip from the Bay Area to come to our wedding, and did it all as a surprise to Dan and I. We were so touched by her presence and representation of the Friedman clan:

Donna joined us at the Rehearsal and used her talents to make the rehearsal bouquet from my shower gift ribbons!

My Aunt Myrna & Uncle Tom from Maryland and cousin James from Boston also came into town and joined as at the rehearsal. My Aunt brought my 'something old' for the wedding, and gifted to me an antique birth charm that has been on my paternal side for many generations, as well as a beautiful lace handkerchief (I carried these items with me during the wedding). My cousin Charles and his wife Gwyneth were there in spirit.


Dan's Aunt Peg, cousins Chris & Sarah Davio and their kids Elizabeth, Linda & Paul arrived from Texas and Miami, respectively. We had the chance to visit with them briefly at the rehearsal.

We also had Dan's cousin Alan and kids/girlfriend from Long Island drive through the night on the 3rd to make it to Michigan in time, as did his Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul from New York. Dan's cousin Kristin flew in from California, my good friend Alexa flew in from Washington D.C., and my friend Sara made the trip from Chicago. People came from near and far to bear witness and share in our union to one another.

While everyones' efforts were equally cherished, we were particularly thrilled to reunite with our amazing friends, Mike and Kimberly, who live in Colorado. An integral part of the day as a part of our wedding party, we snuck some alone time to visit as our foursome, and got a long over-due shot of our 'family:'


We enjoyed an amazing rehearsal dinner prepared by Chef Dave and his helpful assistants -- braided salmon and sole, rice pilaf, asparagus, just to name a few items. Finally Dan and I said our goodbye's that night, knowing that we'd next see each other at the altar.

The gals headed off to the Radisson for the night, and the guys went over to Dave's.

Up next, Our Wedding Day!

Long Overdue Update

It is true that DanEcca's blog was created to chronical the 'Oh so kooky' lives of Dan and Rebecca, especially the Main Event --> the wedding on April the 4th. Due to all the preparing and planning, we fell a little short on the Blogger front, but are happy to report that we are back with a vengence!

Prepare yourself trust blog followers -- we're going to try and bring you back up to speed before our memories fade even more than they already have!

I cannot explain this

Dan's bachelor party was the weekend after mine. His posse went to a Red Wings game and hung out at the German Club. On Sunday morning, (the morning after), I stopped by the German Club, and was told to look inside the back of this van:


I'll admit, I was kind of nervous. Never in a million years, however, did I expect to see the following...

and YES -- IT WAS REAL -- 100% REAL -- moving and all:



They do say a picture's worth a thousand words. Indeed-a-rooney.

Ski-weekend

I have some amazing girlfriends, and these gals took me to Crystal Mountain for a bachelorette-ski-weekend. We enjoyed the amazing slopes and picturesque resort, complete with a lovely rental home that had two Jacuzzis! What a great way to celebrate my final days of singledom!

The bachelorette, ready to hit the slopes:


Andrea, Heidi, and I:


Irene, Cheryl, Myself, and Andrea:


Crystal even came with strippers on skis!:

Huh?

In late February we headed up to Kirk & Andrea's again for some more snowmobiling and witnessed (again) the most curious thing about K & A's children: Caden (3) and Logan (2) loooove to go "no-gome-beel-ing" and are excited to get all bundled up and into their helmets for their rides. Before we even arrived for the weekend, both boys had decided that Caden was riding with Uncle Dan, and Logan was riding with Mommy (Andrea). I was lucky enough to be riding with Kirk, but then got permission from the kiddies to just ride on my own sled and Daddy on his.

So, we take the near hour to get the kids into all their gear, and the following happened AGAIN (it happened last time we went, but we thought it was a fluke):



Hmmm....very interesting.

Curling, eh?

To Roseland Curling Club we went a few weekends ago, to participate in the enthralling sport of CURLING! We threw stones, sprung from the hack, slid, swept, and slid some more -- all on a pebbly sheet of ice with a piece of tape affixed to one shoe and massive boulders sliding this way and that! Some skipped, others led, and the rest of us either left it or "got on it" (keep it clean, keep it clean).
Some of us were better than others, but we all enjoyed a good time in the foreign land to the east. Oh yes, and there was also POUTINE!

Action Dan:


Nan & Dan focusing on the task at hand:



See ya later hosers!

Shower II

My mom took all the pictures from the 2nd shower, and I'm waiting to get copies from her. So for now, you'll just have to settle for the following:

How fun!


The beautiful and yummy desserts:

A Little Miracle

As people of deep faith, we know that God's timing is not always something we can understand or have great patience around. His timing, however, on Feburary the 6th, 8th and 10th are amazing displays of His loving embrace in all of our lives.

On February the 8th, Dan's beloved sister and brother-in-law received news that a beautiful little girl was born on Friday the 6th and was available for adoption. On February the 10th, Dar and Steve brought Natalie Marie into their hearts and home. Little Miss weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz and I believe was 19" long at birth.



We were able to meet this amazing little girl the day of her homecoming, and are already head over heels in love with our little niece.


Welcome to the family, little Lady!

Let's Go Red Wings!

A couple of Wednesdays ago, Dan and I were invited by Kirk and Andrea to go to a Wings game. Phoenix was opposition and it was quite an exciting game. I got to try out my new point-and-shoot (gifted by Kirk and Andrea as a shower present), and was really impressed with the great shots.

I was also happy to see that my "arm-out-front" shots come off pretty good with the new little guy. We had some funny trial-run shots, but ended up with some keepers.

Oops!


Ta Da!

Air Odie?

A few weekend ago we headed up to Lapeer Michigan to visit our friends Ricky & Paula's for a visit, and to do some much-needed work on Dan's truck.

We descended on our friends for the entire Saturday, and they were nice enough to let us bring Odie along.

When we got their Odie immediately migrated toward the numerous soccer balls lying here and there. Brendan tossed the ball to Odie, and the most amazing thing happened! Odie "headed" the ball. Brendan and Sydney were particularly taken with this feat, being familiar with a movie called Air Bud wherein the main character, a golden retriever, heads a ball. Sydney caught a fun shot:


Ricky & Paula have two dogs of their own. One is a Great Dane who weighs over 125 lbs. and the other nears 80 lbs. We were all chatting at the kitchen table when we heard a little "help!" from the living room. We were amused to see:


I guess this is pretty common, as the dogs are very attached and protective of Brendan, and happened to pick their snoozing spots on the floor right where Brenden was playing video games.

We ended the night with a few rounds on the Wii, playing Guitar Hero. Here's Dan and Brendan going head-to-head:


But Paula is the undisputed queen of Guitar Hero. Try as their might, the guys just couldn't beat her!

Shower I

Thank you to Sarah & Andrea for throwing such a great shower. Nan's flowers and cookies were amazing, and my mom's support much appreciated. Thank you to our amazing friends and family for their generosity.

Friends:




Cake, yum!


Gifts -- thanks!




Just 2 more months!

The computer says:

The future is a little unclear for the Dell, but she's in good hands with repairman Mark. The first shower was wonderful, and I hope to make an entry sooner than later.

TUT 2009

This weekend we went up north with Kirk, Andrea, Caden, and Logan to Houghton Lake for Tip Up Town. This annual winter festival is held on Michigan's largest inland lake over two weekends in January. For those of you who do not know what a Tip Up is, it is an implement used when ice fishing. A tip up enables an ice angler to fish a hole unmanned. If a fish takes the bait suspended by the tip up, a flag gets tipped up into the air signaling FISH ON.

Nowadays, TUT boasts many festivities, including an ice fishing content (homage to its namesake), fairgrounds with a polar bear dip, carnival rides, junk food, beer tent, and ice slide. There is snowmobile racing/demos on the ice and even a parade on the streets!

This year we caught the parade for the first time. It was FRIGID outside, and we all had to bundle up to try and keep warm.

Andrea and Caden keeping warm:


Logan and I, all bundled up:


We happened to park right by the end of the parade route, which also doubled as the finish line for a Bed Race. I'd never seen one of these, so it was fun to catch the winning moment:


We also got to do some snowmobiling. Conditions could not have been nicer, and we got 3-4" of fresh power on Saturday.
Andrea riding ahead on the lake -- look at that snow!


Andrea and I on the trails:

Friend or Enemy?

Odie and Tucker have a unique hot/cold relationship. Unlike the other cats who don't trust Odie for even a split second, Tucker seems to have more patience and will often wait and see what's going to happen when it comes to Odie being within 2 feet of a cat. Invariably the interchange ends in exactly the same fashion -- Odie trying to 'hunt' or stampede the kitty, but Tucker still keeps trying:

Even at a young puppy age, Tucker tried to hold his ground:


You'd think Tucker would run for it, but he's torn between his 'spot' and the annoying dog:


Odie sometimes tries to be coy by sneaking around objects.


But Tucker is on to him (look at Tucker's eyes!)


So you'll understand my surprise when I happened upon this scene this evening:


Wonders never cease!

Funny