Halloween Party!

The feet!  So stretched!

Paul stole some bananas from the kitchen.

We haven't gone out for Halloween in a long time... Its not nearly as celebrated in Pittsburgh as it is in Madison - but Paul and I attended a department Halloween party this year.  We were also really excited because it was the first time we had a home in a cute neighborhood where there was going to be trick-or-treaters! Unfortunately it was raining during trick-or-treat hours, but a few kids stopped by and I gave them huge handfuls of candy hahah!  They were loving it!

My booties!

Halloween thanks to Amazon.

Of course, Paul and I did some searching online and bought our costumes off of Amazon.  Paul's ape costume was super reasonable - and I cannot believe it looked as good as it did for the price.  SO FUNNY.  The best part of his costume was by far the feet!  We really had to stretch those things to get them to fit over Paul's shoes!

Allen and Ricky Bobby Baby!

Med Student, Paul, and Packman!

I bought a little kids costume - also really cheap.  It was perfect hahah.  Again, the feet were by far the best part and made walking around in a party an adventure!  I was stepping on my webbed toes all night.

More Apes and Bananas!

The party was a blast and the decorations were over the top!  They screamed at you as you walked past and the whole works.  It was a great party...we also found a "Med Student" who wouldn't stop doing the Rhine and Weber on unsuspecting patients.

Visiting Lindsi in North Carolina!

The BEST almond cake... so delicious! Thank you Mandy!

After a whirlwind of a wedding and spending an extra day with family, Paul and I returned Monday and it was back to work!  Mandy surprised me with a huge cake with a massive slice of "cheese" on it.  It was so nice of her, and well, one of the best almond cakes I've had in a while!  I had to save the cheese slice piece for my upcoming adventures to visit Lindsi in Carolina!

Hilton points from interviews paid off big... a good breakfast too!

Yum, yum goat kibble.

After a long drive through the rain on Friday night, I finally met up with Lindsi in Chesapeake, Virgina.  We planned the trip over a few Facebook chats, because Paul was going to be out of town at a conference - I had a free weekend with the car.  I was about to go cross country and put on more miles than I could imagine.  I loaded up some audio books including Tina Fey, Jim Gaffigen and Lean In.  It was an adventure!

Hello my weird friend.

Probably only weighs 15 pounds under that fluff.

We found a kayaking tour and wanted to head out to the Ocean, but the tides were too high, and it was well, October and freezing. Instead of the ocean, we were going to kayak inland. The morning started with driving to small farm that was rated highly on Trip Advisor.  The place was adorable!  It had a petting zoo and we both used a few quarters to feed the goats/sheep.  We wandered around to look at the animals and finally sat down inside to grab a bite to eat and buy some local jams.

Milk in glass bottles = love.

Homemade Pot Pies, my Grandma would be so proud!

Farm fresh sandwiches and homemade pumpkin ice cream.

It's harvest time in this little town.

The sandwich was amazing, and after we finished, it was off to the kayaking adventure.  We arrived at the boat launch only to find out that we were going to be the only two people on the tour - which was pretty awesome.  Of course we chose to be in a double kayak, because it was my honeymoon with Lindsi, the first weekend after my wedding. Haha!  We kayaked for hours and didn't let the rain or cool weather bother us, it was still warmer than Wisconsin and the scenery was beautiful.  The pictures don't do the fog, trees and calm water justice - but the trip was awesome.  We apparently put on a lot of miles with the guides.  Usually they have to stop along the way with the group, but Lindsi and I were in it for the long haul and didn't stop paddling once during the trip.  

Perfect kayak conditions  with beautiful views. 

Honeymoon kayakers!

Our guide providing information about trees and such.

Such beautiful views on the river... a nice way to explore the area.

The "after" photo… absolutely frozen and drenched.

After the kayak tour was over, we hit the road and drove back to Lindsi's place in Fayetteville.  We apparently miscalculated when we thought that Chesapeak was in the middle.  Turns out it was quite a hike back to her place in the poring rain.  Little Richie my Hyundai was throwing up spray and all Lindsi could see were taillights. Haha, needless to say, it was a long drive, but worth it.  

Lindsi showing me the grounds!

The creepy head in one of the plane windows...

Sunday morning we woke up and since we had the time, we got dressed up and Lindsi showed me around the town.  We started the day with Starbucks and then had some good ol' fashioned southern BBQ.  I didn't even know I liked pulled pork and pork rinds - but when in Rome!  They were delish!

Watch out for the goose poop.

After we were stuffed to the brim with BBQ, Lindsi took me on base and I had the grand tour!  We found a small area that was displaying planes and tanks and took a walk around.  It was a great day, and beautiful fall weather.  I also was able to meet a few of Lindsi's ladies which I really enjoyed.  Hopefully we can schedule another adventure together soon!

Me and Lindsi on base!

October 5, 2013

The day was perfect... that's about all I can say.  I look back, and I wouldn't change a thing.  My vendors were AWESOME, the schedule was down to minute and perfect.  

We started out with coffee, hair and make up.  It was Lizzo to the rescue with more coffee than she could carry!  It was a fun morning with my ladies and we quickly made a messy room full of hairspray in just a few hours. When the photographer arrived, the day started to go quickly.  Pictures, pictures pictures... then before you know it we were waiting in the back room for the ceremony to start.  I started to get the slightest bit nervous about appearing before hundreds of friends and family while Dad and I were lining up to walk down the isle.  It was such a rush of emotions and excitement.  

Once we said our vows and walked down our streamer exit - which seemed never ending - we hustled to the bus to get the celebration at Eddie Whipps started!  What a day and a journey.  Every moment was more perfect than the last.  

After dinner, endless dancing and a bus ride back to Appleton - we were married. 

Paul & Alyce Anderson

Est. October 5, 2013

Thank you for all who were a part of our special day.  We love you all very much!

 

Paul and Alyce Anderson

Rehersal Day!

The Whipps Dream TEAM!

 The day of the rehearsal, everything should be done. And believe it or not, at 5PM I was going to stop.  Whatever still needed to be done could wait and the wedding would go on without it.  We delivered the cake and set up the cork board at Whipps with the typed name tags. It was the final run out there until we saw the whole hall decorated  the next day!

Wedding cake from Sam's Club matched my colors almost perfectly!

I am now an Anderson!  WILD!

Lyssa had the task of picking up all of the flowers for the wedding party and the church, I had no idea what they were all going to look like, but when she showed me them in the back of her car I was really impressed!  Petal Pushers did an excellent job!  They took the inspiration photos and created something so unique!  Mine was wrapped in birch bark and the others in burlap and lace - it was exactly what I didn't know I wanted!! haha! I guess that's why they say that you should leave the details up to the vendors and trust them as being professionals!

Doing our nails up right with a color inspired by Buck!

Petal Pushers with a photo of Joel in his Wisconsin shirt to be with me all day!

We did our hair up and headed to the church to start the ceremony rehearsal.  The musicians were already playing and the singers warming up their voices.  It was already shaping up before our eyes. The walking and flow of the ceremony was relatively easy for me.  I apparently just had to walk down the isle and say "I-DO".  But the others had to learn a little more about their places and appropriate times to sit/stand and smile nice.  

Tiggy and Deb putting up the church flowers!

Paul learning his lines with Gary

The Brothers!

After the church we made a pit stop at the hotel to take the shuttle to the dinner at Atlas Coffee Mill down by the water.  I had never seen the venue and it was the perfect place for our rehearsal dinner.  The seating was intimate and everything was decorated gorgeously.  The shuttle made another run back for the second batch and I'm pretty sure the young driver was lost or something because it took him 30 minutes to drive a few short miles... but it was well worth the laugh.

Our talented crew!

Anna and Bri!

Erik and Cara - so cute!

Basically my sisters!

We enjoyed wine and cheese while mingling before dinner and sat down for our meals. The food was excellent - and the occasion was very exciting.  The microphone was handed around for introductions and stories about Paul and us as a couple.  We toasted to a great adventure and the many months of planning that lead up to this evening.  Tracy talked about when Paul was a little tyker and he had the responsibility of babysitting him.  Pam and Dean talked about when there were out here to visit Pennsylvania and we had the opportunity to spend the weekend with them.  So many good memories amongst the family.

 

Roaming around and mingling!

Tiggy and Bumps

Anderson Fam

Boys, and more boys!

Becca, Alyssa, and Lyssa!

Me, Sarah, Mike, Emm and Jake!

 The night too quickly came to an end, and we had to make our way back to the hotel.  However, not before we went to Buck's Bar for a round of drinks with George and Kay.  They drove all the way down from upper Michigan so it was a given that we were going to meet them out for at least one beverage!  The wedding party was a little overdressed for the establishment, but it was well worth it!

My Winsands!

Mark and Lisa!

The next day... our wedding!