August 6 - August 22.
I started as Miss Katharine Daulton and ended as Mrs. Katharine Oswald, flew from Philadelphia to Sacramento, San Diego to Cancun and then to a new home with Mr. Ted Oswald, my husband.
Thursday, August 6: Swine Flu Doozy
Ted and I arrive in Sacramento at around 6:30PM. We had to wait at the curb for a few minutes, but the Oswald gang arrived and everyone jumped out of the car to greet us many hugs, squeals (from the ladies) and congratulations. SAM's was closed in Davis, so we ate at In N Out instead. Erica had been at Cheer Camp all week, and she got word that two of the girls were diagnosed with swine flu, so she had to spend dinner and much of the rest of the evening calling parents of girls on her squad, raising the alert. Thankfully, everyone was fine in the end!
Friday, Aug 7: Shopping and Socializing
Erica and I went to the mall with Lee Ann while Ted and Phil met PJ during his lunch. Lee Ann found a(nother) dress to wear for the wedding, and we stopped by the chair rental facility to confirm Sunday's order. We ate at the Ebenezer's house that evening - indian food! The Ebenezers are a family from Sun Grove, the church that Ted grew up attending. They are really astounding, gracious people.
Saturday, Aug 8: Bachelor Party, Ladies Move Out (Sort of)!
Ted's bachelor party began at about 10AM - rafting on the American River. Ted, PJ and others headed out with snacks (mmm those red vines were good) and sunscreen, and Lee Ann and I shopped for flowers! We bought loads of them and came back to the house to arrange three large bouquets and four smaller ones. Lee Ann, Erica and I went out to dinner (Mediterranean) and then Lee Ann snuck back in the house while Erica and I opted for a sleep over at Nicole's place. Mango margaritas, "Yes Man" and a shared bed -what fun :)
Sunday, Aug 9: The Big Day, Part I
The Faux Wedding, the event of all faux events, at Elk Grove Park. One hundred and fifty people, bows, ribbon, cupcakes and handshakes - it was quite a day! Renata surprised us by showing up; Joy, Jenn Whited, Briggs and Caroline came too. My parents flew up for the occasion and even stood up as the Best Man and Maid of Honor. There were pictures, lots of laughter and a priceless afternoon overall. Add some Chinese food in for dinner, and we're done :)
Monday, Aug 10: The Bridal Arrival
A 9AM flight lands me in San Diego by 10:15. Mom, Dad, Sister, Steve - wahoo! Meetings with Dixie, Chef Ed, and then Shari at the church, with a stop at Francos and some napping in the car. Dinner with family on the patio and *lots* of laughter. (My dad verifying the fact that he is indeed "nice looking!")
Tuesday, Aug 11: The Dress
Hair trial at Nancy's, Thai food and David's Bridal. The dress fit just right! Way to go for gaining those 4-5 pounds. Thanks to mom for the milkshake fund :) Packing going through all the stuff in my room.
Wednesday, Aug 12: The Oswalds are Coming; the Oswalds are Coming!
The Oswalds arrived! And the company of family now complete! The fathers had not previously met each other, and neither had the siblings-in-law. A delicious hamburger BBQ was had around a long banquet table in the backyard, and many good conversations abounded. Having everyone together was like a dream!
Thursday, Aug 13: Love and Bachelorette Madness
An all-family breakfast with egg enchiladas and some last minute planning. We got just a little stressed, but help arrived in the form of FRIENDS, and lots of laughter well into the night. North County scavenger hunt, delicious Chinese food on Encinitas Blvd, straaange characters along Highway 101, and then ice cream sundaes, cocktails, mad lib and presents into the evening!
Friday, Aug 14: Rehearsal - It's All Becoming Real
Guestbook preparation, seating arrangements, more planning, and practicing our first dance in the Kinkos parking lot. Meeting with the photographer for the first time and eating a rushed lunch from the food court at UTC. I didn't know so much could be packed into one day. Good friends came for the actual rehearsal; we discovered that our musicians are amazing, and my mother-in-law even more amazing with all the rehearsal dinner preparations! We had Juanitas burritos, strawberries, and delicious pie for dessert, all presented on brightly colored table cloth to the sound of marriachi tunes. The Philly girls all finally made it, as well as twenty other dear, dear friends. Yes, this was the fun, intimate gathering we had hoped for!
Saturday, Aug 15: The REAL Big Day!
You really had to be there. Everything went perfectly (except for the last-minute absence of our incredibly special sister-in-law.) The flowers, the friends, Phil's message, and the whole fantastic rockin' reception. We loved every moment, from the food and speeches, to our first dance and our triumphant exit running through a flurry of rose petals. Thank you to EVERYONE that made our day so out-of-this-world amazing.
Sunday, Aug 16: Crossing Borders
From a beach house in Oceanside to a lone highway in the Yucatan, we traveled great distance by plane and rental car, finally making it to Valladolid, just 30 minutes east of the famous Chichen Itza ruins in Mexico. The next five days will have to be chronicalled at a later time, but we thoroughly enjoyed beaches, food, snorkeling, cenote exploring, motorbike riding, and lots of Mayan ruins under the hot hot sun, hardly checking our watches the whole time.
*Sigh*
We are so thankful for those two weeks that meant the world to us. So many sweet memories and foundational life changes. We returned home late on a Friday evening, Aug 22, and moved all our belongings in a hurry, getting ready for life in North Philly and graduate school to begin the following Monday. It was a semester of true adventure! And we are full of anticipation for this next one ahead :)
